Patent Publication Number: US-8528845-B2

Title: Flexible chipper chute having two chip discharge configurations

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 61/332,425 filed May 7, 2010 by Anders Ragnarsson for a FLEXIBLE CHIPPER CHUTE. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a chip discharge chute for guiding chips discharged from a chipping machine into a receptacle or receiving area and, in particular, to a flexible chipper chute that is adjustable to guide chips discharged from a chipping machine along a generally horizontal trajectory, for example, into an end loading truck or a trailer, or along a generally vertically downward trajectory into a top loading truck or a trailer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Chipping machines are commonly used for reducing vegetation, ranging from branches and twigs to logs and tree trunks, into “chips”. That is, fragments of a relatively uniform range of relatively smaller sizes for subsequent disposal or for various uses, such as the manufacture of various wood and vegetation derivative products or the fueling power plants or heating systems. 
     A typical chipping machine generally comprises a chipping drum rotating at a relatively high rotational speed within a chipping chamber for receiving various forms and sizes of vegetation via an input chute or conveyer. The chipping drum and the interior of the chipping chamber are typically provided with some form of chipping teeth or strikers and cooperating anvils which, in combination with the chipping drum, reduce the inputted vegetation to chips of a relative uniform range of sizes. The chips are then expelled through an output chute and into a receiving area or container, such as a storage compartment of a truck or a trailer. 
     The dimensions of the elements of a chipping machine will vary depending upon the sizes of the vegetation to be chipped and may range, for example, from backyard sized units, for small landscaping projects, or larger truck or trailer mounted units for substantial clearing and cleanup, such as may be required in major landscaping projects and building site development, to very large units such as may be used in logging or wood product harvesting operations or in large land clearance operations. 
     In general, however, a chipping machine of a given size will be capable of dealing efficiently with an economically acceptable range of vegetation sizes and types, so that the typical range of vegetation size and type in a given region of use generally does not present a problem with regard to economically sufficient utilization of the machine. 
     A recurring problem with chipping machines, however, is that a given machine may be required to discharge chips into a variety of different receptacles along a corresponding variety of different trajectories. In one instance, for example, a chipping machine may be required to deposit the chips into a receptacle or receiving area, such as through a rear end of a loading truck or a trailer, wherein the chips must be propelled into the truck or the trailer along a generally horizontal trajectory. In another instance, the machine may be required to discharge the chips into a receptacle or receiving area, such as through the top opening of a top loading truck or trailer, wherein the chips must be propelled along a generally vertically downward trajectory into the receptacle or receiving area. 
     While a given chipping machine may be adapted to horizontal or downward discharge trajectories, such adaptations have typically required mechanical modification of the chipping machine discharge chute by, for example, the replacement of one type of discharge chute with another or at least the replacement of a significant part of the discharge chute by a section having a different mechanical design specific to the desired chip discharge trajectory. Such modifications of a chipping machine, to adapt the machine to different chip discharge trajectories, is generally costly in both time and effort. 
     The problem is further compounded in that the discharge chute of a chipping machine, and in particular the discharge chute of a larger capacity chipping machine, is required to be of sufficient strength and durability to withstand the repeated and long term impact of the chips and other objects, such as stones and fragments of non-vegetable matter, etc., that may be of significant size and weight and that are typically traveling at significant speeds. 
     This, in turn, means that the parts that must be exchanged or added in order to modify the discharge trajectory of a chipping machine typically are of significant size and weight, thereby increasing the time and cost required to adapt a given machine to different discharge trajectories, as well as presenting a risk of serious injury to the personnel performing such adaptation(s). 
     The present invention provides a solution to these and related problems associated with the prior art devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a chip discharge chute which provides a chip discharge path for a chipper wherein the chip discharge chute is adjustable to eject chips into a chip receiving area in a selectable one of a horizontal trajectory and a generally vertically downward trajectory. 
     The chip discharge chute of the present invention includes a chute main section having an upstream end connectable to a chipping machine output, a downstream end connected to a chute main section elevation mechanism for controlling a height of the downstream end of the flexible main section with respect to the chip receiving area, and a chute deflector section pivotably connected to the downstream end of the flexible main section and having an upstream input for receiving chips from the downstream end of the chute main section and a downstream end with a downwardly directed ejection opening for discharging chips into the chip receiving area. 
     When the chips are to be discharged along the horizontal trajectory, the chute deflector section is rotated out of alignment with the chute main section so that the chip discharge path includes only the chute main section and, when the chips are to be discharged along a generally vertically downward trajectory, the chute deflector section is rotated into alignment with the chute main section so that the chip discharge path includes both the chute main section and the chute deflector section. 
     According to the present invention, the chute main section includes an upstream connector section connectable from a chipper chip output for receiving chips from the chipper, a downstream connector section for discharging the chips from the chute main section and supported by the chute mains section elevation mechanism for controlling the height of the downstream end of the main section with respect to the chip receiving area, and a flexible section connected between the upstream connector section and the downstream connector section, the flexible section having a generally straight configuration when the downstream connector section is elevated to a horizontal trajectory elevation and having a generally curved configuration when the downstream connector section is elevated to a generally vertically downward trajectory orientation. 
     The chute main section includes a flexible top plate extending a length of and forming a top wall of the upstream connector section, the flexible section and the downstream connection, the upstream connector section includes a rigid assembly forming a bottom and side walls of the upstream connector section, and the downstream connector section includes a rigid assembly forming a bottom and side walls of the downstream connector section. The flexible section includes a plurality of axially contiguous and partially overlapping flex-plates with each flex-plate forming a bottom and the side walls of the flexible section. The flex-plates form a continuous, enclosed section of the chute which has a generally straight or planar configuration, when the downstream connector section is in a raised position, to facilitate a generally vertically downward trajectory of the chips from the chute, and, the chute has a generally curved configuration, when the downstream connector section is in a lowered position, to facilitate a generally horizontal trajectory of the chips from the chute. 
     The bottom wall of the downstream connector section is curved upwardly and wherein the downstream connector section is mounted to the chute main section elevation mechanism by an elevation mechanism bracket connected to the downstream connector section. 
     The chute deflector section includes a deflector flip section pivotably mounted to the downstream end of the downstream connector section and rotatable into and out of alignment with the downstream connector section and a deflector hood mounted to a downstream end of the deflector flip section for engaging with and deflecting the chips along the generally vertically downward trajectory. 
     The deflector flip section includes a top wall and side walls and a bottom wall having an arch shaped cut-away portion toward the downstream end of the deflector flip section bottom wall to provide a downwardly oriented chip discharge or exit path, and the upstream end of the deflector flip section is rotatably mounted to the downstream end of the downstream connector section. 
     The deflector flip section further includes a flip rotation mechanism, connected between the downstream connector section support bracket and the deflector flip section, for rotating the deflector flip section into and out of alignment with the downstream connector section. In addition, the upstream end of the deflector hood is rotatably mounted to and mates with the downstream end of the deflector flip section and includes a deflector hood rotation mechanism connected between the deflector hood and the deflector flip section for adjustably selecting an angle between the deflector hood and the deflector flip section to adjust the generally vertically downward trajectory of chips ejected from the chip discharge chute. For this purpose, the downstream section of an upper wall of the deflector hood is curved downward to deflect the chips in a downward direction along the generally vertically downward trajectory. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are respectively isometric and side elevational views of a chipper, according to the present invention, with the chip chute configured for chip ejection along a generally horizontal trajectory; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are respectively isometric and side elevational views of the chipper, according to the present invention, with the chip chute configured for chip ejection along a generally vertically downward trajectory; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are respectively bottom and top isometric views of the chip chute, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a diagrammatic section side view of a section of a chip chute; and 
         FIG. 3D  is a diagrammatic end elevational view of the section of a the chute pf  FIG. 3D . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A and  2 B, an exemplary chipping machine  10  of the present invention includes an internal chipping chamber  10 C which receives various types, forms, shapes and/or sizes of vegetation, via an input chute or conveyer  101 . As is conventional in the art, a rotating chipping drum (not shown) supports a plurality of spaced apart chipping teeth, strikers or other reducing components (not shown) which interact with at least one anvil (also not shown) supported by the inwardly facing surface within the chipping chamber  10 C. The rotating chipping teeth or strikers, of the chipping drum, and the anvil(s), located on the interior surfaces of the chipping chamber  10 C, cooperate with one another to reduce the input vegetation into chips of relatively uniform range of sizes. The chips are subsequently expelled from the chipping chamber  10 C, along a chute output path  12 , and conveyed along an output chute  14  to a receiving area  16  of a mobile receptacle  18 . The chute output path  12  comprises a chute input end  121  connected to an outlet port (not shown in detail) of the chipper chamber  10 C and an output end  12 P from which chips are ejected from the output chute  14  into the receiving area  16 . 
     As briefly discussed previously, the chipping machine  10  may be required to eject the chips into a receiving area  16  along either a generally horizontal trajectory, as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , or along a generally vertically downward trajectory, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . For this purpose, and as will be described in detail below, the output chute  14  of the present invention permits the chipping machine  10  to be quickly and easily adapted to eject chips either along the generally horizontal trajectory  20 H, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , or the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 V, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , those Figures respectively show a diagrammatic isometric view and a side view of an exemplary chipping machine  10  with the output chute  14  adjusted to discharge chips along the output path  12  which terminates in a horizontal trajectory  20 H (see  FIG. 1A ) into the receiving area  16  of the receptacle  18 . In this example, the receptacle  18  comprises a trailer of a tractor/trailer combination, and the horizontal trajectory  20 H flows into the receptacle  18  through an end opening  22 E provided therein. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B , in turn, respectively show a diagrammatic isometric view and a side view of the chipping machine  10  with the output chute  14  adjusted to discharge chips along the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D (see  FIG. 2B ) into the receiving area  16  of the receptacle  18 . In this example, the receptacle  16  again comprises a trailer of a tractor/trailer combination and the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D flows downward into the receptacle  18  through a top opening  22 T provided therein. The output chute  14  is configured to be either substantially straight (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ), or only slightly curved (see  FIGS. 1A and 1B ), so that the wood chips, as they flow along the output chute  14 ; maintain a maximum velocity, when discharge from the output end  12 P, so that the wood chips can reach the far end of the receptacle  18 . 
     As shown generally in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A and  2 B, the output chute  14  of the present invention includes a main section  24 M which comprises a lower portion of the output chute  14  and forms a main section  12 M of the output path  12  for the chips. A deflector section  24 D comprises an upper portion of the output chute  14  and forms a flip section  12 F of the output path  12  for chips. 
     When the output chute  14  is arranged to discharge the chips along the horizontal trajectory  20 H, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the deflector section  24 D is rotated to a stowed first orientation or position so that the deflector section  24 D does not form part of the output path  12 , and the shortened output path  12  thus comprises only the main section  12 M of the output path  12 , which is formed by the main section  24 M of the output chute  14 . As indicated, when the output chute  14  is in the configuration for the horizontal trajectory  20 H, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the main section  24 M of the output chute  14  will typically be slightly curved so that flexible section output  24 P, and thus the output from the output chute  14  is directed into the receiving area  16  which is, in this case, the end opening  22 E of the receptacle  18  along the horizontal trajectory  20 H, i.e., the output path  12  includes only the main section  12 M. 
     When the output chute  14  is to discharge the chips along the downwardly oriented generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the deflector section  24 D is rotated into an operative second orientation or position so that the deflector section  24 D now forms a part of the output path  12 . That is, the output path  12  now includes both the main section  12 M as well as the flip section  12 F, and the terminal end of the output path  12  is deflected vertically downward, along vertically downward oriented trajectory  20 D, by the deflector section  24 D and into the receiving area  16  which, in this instance, comprises the top opening  22 T of the receptacle  18 . As indicated, when the output chute  14  is in the downward trajectory configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the main section  24 M of the output chute  14  will be generally straight or planar so as to permit raising the outlet of the deflector section  24 D a level above the top opening  22 T of the receptacle  18  so that the chips are thus directed downward through the top opening  22 T along the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , therein are respectively shown diagrammatic isometric front and rear views of the chipper machine output chute  14  of the present invention with the deflector section  24 D rotated so that the deflector section  24 D is in alignment with the main section  24 M and thus the flip section  12 F forms a portion of the output path  12 . As illustrated therein, the main section  24 M of the output chute  14  includes an upstream connector section  26 U which is connected to an outlet port (not shown) of the chipping chamber  10 C, a downstream connector section  26 D which is connectable with the deflector section  24 D, and a flexible section  26 F which couples the upstream connector section  26 U with the downstream connector section  26 D. The upstream connector section  26 U, the downstream connector section  26 D and the flexible section  26 F thereby together comprise the main section  24 M of the chute output path  12 . 
     As illustrated, the upstream connection section  26 U, the flexible section  26 F and the downstream connector section  26 D generally include a single, unitary bendable top plate  28  (see  FIGS. 1A and 2A , for example) which extends along the length of the main section  24 M and forms the upper surface or wall of the portion of the output path  12  located within the main section  24 M. It is to be appreciated that the bendable top plate  28  generally has a planar configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  but can be bent into a curved configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , as described below in further detail. A pair of opposed side walls  30 S and a bottom wall  30 B of the flexible section  26 F, in turn, comprise a plurality of axially contiguous flex-plates  30 . Each one of the flex-plates  30  has a generally U-shaped cross sectional profile (see  FIG. 3D ) formed by the two opposed vertical side walls  30 S and the bottom wall  30 B with lateral flanges of the upper ends of the side walls  30 S being secured to the top plate  28  by bolts  32 T, for example. According to one embodiment, a portion of the flexible section  26 F, as illustrated in  FIG. 3C , the upstream end  30 U of each flex-plate  30 , that is, the leading edges of the side walls  30 S and the bottom wall  30 B of each flex-plate  30 , in the direction in which the chips flow through the flexible section  24 F, are flared or tapered outward so as closely partially overlap with the trailing end of the upstream flex-plate  30  but permit relative sliding or telescoping movement therebetween. That is, both of the opposed side walls  30 S of the leading end of the upstream flex-plate  30  has a slot S while a respective bolt  32 S extends through each slot and connects the leading end of the upstream flex-plate  30  with the trailing end of the adjacent downstream flex-plate  30  in an overlapped manner (see  FIG. 3C ). In addition, the bottom wall  30 B of the leading end of the upstream flex-plate  30  has four (4) slots while a respective bolt  32 B extends through each corresponding slot and connects the leading end of the upstream flex-plate  30  with the trailing end of the adjacent downstream flex-plate  30  in an overlapped manner. Such connection of the flex plates  30  with the top plate  28  allows the chute  14  to be quickly bent into the desired curved configuration for horizontal trajectory  20 H. 
     In this regard, it will be noted that the construction of the top plate  28 , as a single bendable plate, which generally extends the length of the main section  24 M of the output chute  14 , provides a bendable “backbone” for the assembly, which comprises the upstream connector section  26 U, the flexible section  26 F and the downstream connector section  26 D, and maintains the mechanical relationship between the flex-plates  30  of the flexible section  26 F and the mechanical relationship between the flexible section  26 F and the upstream and the downstream connector sections  26 U and  26 D as the flexible section  26 F bends and straightens. 
     As illustrated, the upstream connector section  26 U is generally constructed as a single, rigid assembly comprising the upstream end portion of the top plate  28  and side and bottom walls formed as single, unitary U-shaped piece, as in the case of the flex-plates  30 , but with a total axial length that is typically axially greater than the length of each of the flex-plates  30 . As illustrated, the upstream end  34 U of the upstream connector section  26 U is adapted to be structurally fixed to the frame of the chipping machine  10  and, in particular, to the outlet port of chipping chamber  10 C, by bolts or some other conventional securing mechanism, while the downstream end  34 D of the upstream connection section  30 U is constructed in the same manner as the downstream end of each of the flex-plates  30 . That is, the downstream end  34 D of the upstream connector section  26 U is preferably constructed as a flared joint with, for example, the connecting bolts sliding in the corresponding slots so that the first upstream flex-plate  30  of the flexible section  26 F can mate with the upstream connector section  30 U in the same manner as the flex-plates  30  connect to one another, i.e., in an overlapped manner. 
     The upstream connector section  26 U thereby fixes the location of the upstream end of the main section  24 M of the chute  14  and thus of the start of output path  12  with respect to the flow of the chips from the chipping chamber  10 C. It will also be noted that the mechanical mounting of the furthermost upstream flex-plate  30  also fixes the starting angular orientation of the main section  24 M and the output path  12  with respect to horizontal and vertical planes and thus the possible angular orientations of the horizontal trajectory  20 H and the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D for a given curvature of the main section  24 M of the chute  14 . 
     On the other hand, the downstream connector section  26 D of the main section  24 M of chute  14 , like the upstream connector section  26 U, is constructed as a single, rigid assembly comprising the downstream end portion of top plate  28  and side and bottom walls  31 S and  31 B of the downstream connector section  26 D formed as single U-shaped assembly or piece, but with a total axial length that again is typically greater than the axial length of each one of the flex-plates  30 . The upstream end  36 U of the downstream connector section  26 D is constructed in the same manner as the upstream end of each of the flex-plates  30 . That is, the upstream end  36 U of the downstream connector section  26 D is preferably constructed as a flared joint with, for example, the connecting bolts sliding in the corresponding slots, so that the last upstream flex-plate  30  of the flexible section  26 F can mate with the downstream connector section  26 D in the same manner as the flex-plates  30  are connected to one another, i.e., in an overlapped manner. The downstream end  36 D of the downstream connector  26 D, as will be discussed in further detail below, is adapted to mate with the upstream end of deflector section  24 D, when the deflector section  24 D is in its operative second orientation aligned with the main section  24 M of the chute  14 , so that the chips may be discharged downward along the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B,  3 A and  3 B, the bottom wall  31 B of downstream connector section  26 D may be arched upward over the length of the downstream connector section  26 D, thereby strengthening this section of the main section  24 M, which, as shown and as discussed below, is adjustable and supported by a chute elevation hydraulic cylinder mechanism  38 . The chute elevation hydraulic cylinder mechanism  38 , typically hydraulic powered in a conventional manner, couples a downstream connector section support bracket  38 B, mounted to the lower portion of the downstream connector section  26 D, with the frame of the chipping machine  10 . When in the horizontal trajectory  20 H mode of operation, the chute elevation hydraulic cylinder mechanism  38  is activated into a retracted position (see  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). This thereby lowers the downstream connector section  26 D, with respect to a horizontal plane, and directs the chips which are to be ejected from chute output path  12  along the horizontal trajectory  20 H. This curved configuration also facilitates curving the chute  14  around a motor and/or other equipment which may be located adjacent the outlet port for the internal chipping chamber  10 C. The main section  24 M of the chute  14  assumes an arched configuration between the upstream connector section  26 U and the downstream connector section  26 D, as shown in  FIG. 1B , for example. It will also be noted that the resulting narrowing of the output path  12 , in this terminal region of the main section  24 M of the output chute  14  due to the slight upward arched shape of the bottom wall  31 B and the slight inwardly tapering of the sidewalls  31 S in this region, further assists with ejection of the chips from the chute  14  due to the increase in air flow velocity in this narrowed region of the path  12 . The arched bottom wall  31 B of the downstream connector section  26 D also assists with shaping the ejected path of the chips and the air in both the horizontal trajectory  20 H as well as the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D configurations by imposing an upward deflection on the air and the chip flow in this region. 
     Turning now to the deflector section  24 D of the output chute  14 , as described above, when the operator desires the output chute  14  to discharge the chips along the horizontal trajectory  20 H, the deflector section  24 D is rotated into the stowed first orientation or position in which it does not form part of the output path  12  (see  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). Thereby, in this configuration the output path  12  comprises only the main section  12 M of the path  12 , formed by the main section  24 M of the output chute  14 , and the chute elevation hydraulic cylinder  38  lowers the downstream connector section  26 D into a desired the horizontal discharge position or orientation, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As a consequence, during operation, the chip flow along a very gradual curved section of the flexible section  26 F and are ejected along the generally horizontal trajectory  20 H, directly from the downstream end  36 D of the downstream connector section  26 D, without engaging with the deflector section  24 D. 
     When the output chute  14  is configured in the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D mode of operation, the deflector section  24 D is rotated to its operative second orientation in which it forms part of the output path  12  so that output path  12  includes both the main section  12 M and the flip section  12 F of the output path  12 , respectively formed by the main section  24 M and the deflector section  24 D, and the chute elevation hydraulic cylinder  38  also raises or pivots the downstream connector section  26 D, with respect to the main frame of the chipping machine  10 , into its second operative position to induce the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D of the discharged chips. As a result, the deflector section  24 D then deflects the stream of ejected chips and air downward along the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , as well as in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A and  2 B, the deflector section  24 D of the output chute  14  includes the deflector flip section  40 F which is pivotably mounted to the downstream connector section  26 D and able to be rotated into and out of the output path  12 , i.e., to and fro between the first stowed orientation and the second operative orientation, and a deflector hood  40 H which is hingedly connected to the downstream end of the deflector flip section  40 F. 
     The flip section  40 F primarily comprises an elongated hollow rectangular duct having a top wall  33 T, side walls  33 S and a bottom wall  33 B generally corresponding in dimensions and proportions of the top plate  28 , the side walls  31 S and the bottom walls  31 B of the downstream connector section  26 D so as to allow the flip section  40 F to engage in an end-to-end alignment with the downstream end  36 D of the downstream connector section  26 D. As shown, an arch shaped portion of the bottom wall  33 B of the flip section  40 F is cut away (see  FIG. 3A ), toward the downstream end  42 D of the flip section  40 F, to commence a generally downwardly oriented discharge path from the flip section  40 F for the stream of chips and air passing along the output path  12 . 
     In a presently preferred embodiment and as shown in the figures, the upstream end  42 U of the deflector flip section  40 F is rotatably mounted to the downstream end  36 D of the downstream connector section  26 D by a flip actuator  40 A, typically hydraulic powered in a conventional manner, mounted onto the upstream end of the deflector strip section  40 F and interconnecting the deflector flip section  40 F with the chute elevation hydraulic cylinder  38 . As shown, the flip actuator  40 A typically includes a flip mounting panel  44  affixed to each side wall  33 S of the flip section  40 F at the upstream end  42 U of the flip section  40 F, which may overlap the sidewalls  31 S of the downstream connector section  26 D at the downstream end  36 D of the downstream connector section  26 D. Each of the flip mounting panels  44  is pivotably mounted, by bolts or some other conventional pivot connection (not labeled), to the lower edge of the downstream end  36 D of each side wall  31 S of the downstream connector section  26 D, so that the flip section  40 F can rotate into and out of alignment with the downstream connector section  26 D by suitably actuation of the flip actuator  40 A. 
     As shown, the flip actuator  40 A generally comprises a pair of spaced apart hydraulic cylinders  46  connected between the downstream connector section support bracket  38 B and the lower part of the flip mounting panel  44 , on each side of the flip section  40 F and at a point downstream of the pivot connections between the flip mounting panels  44  and the side walls  31 S of the downstream connector section  26 D. It will be apparent that the operation of the flip rotation hydraulic cylinder mechanism  46  will rotate the flip section  40 F into and out of alignment with the downstream connector section  26 D. 
     Referring finally to the deflector hood  40 H, as shown in the  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B,  3 A, and  3 B, the deflector hood  40 H has a generally rectangular cross section with an upstream end  48 U of dimensions, proportions and configuration designed to overlap and mate with the downstream end  42 D of the flip section  40 F, in generally the same manner that the flip section  40 F mates with the downstream connector section  26 D. In the case of the deflector hood  40 H, however, the deflector hood  40 H is pivotably mounted to the flip section  40 F by pivot connections located on each side wall  33 S of the deflector hood  40 H and the flip section  40 F and at the upper edges of downstream end  42 D of the flip section  40 F and the upstream end  48 U of the deflector hood  40 H. As shown, the top wall  33 T of the deflector hood  40 H is curved downward in the downstream direction of the output path  12 , to direct the flow of the chips and air through the chute  14  generally in a downward direction, while the bottom of the deflector hood  40 H comprises, in conjunction with the arch shaped cutaway portion of the bottom wall  33 B of the flip section  40 F, the downwardly oriented discharge path for the stream of chips and air flowing along the output path  12 . 
     Lastly with regard to the deflector hood  40 H, a deflector hood hydraulic cylinder mechanism  50  connects an upper part of the downstream end  42 D of the flip section  40 F with an upwardly extending hood hydraulic cylinder bracket  50 B located on the upper part of the deflector hood  40 H. The deflector hood hydraulic cylinder mechanism  50  is typically hydraulic powered in a conventional manner. The deflector hood hydraulic cylinder mechanism  50  allows an angle, between the deflector hood  40 H and a remainder of the flip section  40 F, to be adjusted by pivoting rotation of the deflector hood  40 H about the pivot mount of the deflector hood  40 H to the flip section  40 F, to thereby allow adjustment of the downward angle of the generally vertically downward trajectory  20 D, as desired by the operator, so as to control the angle at which the stream of chips are discharged and ejected from the deflector hood  40 H into the receiving area  16  of the receptacle  18 . 
     Since certain changes may be made in the above described chip discharge chute for guiding the discharge of chips from a chipping machine into a desired receptacle, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed as limiting the invention.