Patent Publication Number: US-2009229706-A1

Title: Funnel-Type Apparatus Removably Securable to a Concrete Chute

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute, and more particularly to a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute comprising a retainer element coupled to a funnel element having an aperture for directing the flow of concrete to a desired location. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     It is common practice to make concrete in a transit-mixer truck during transit from a supply station to a worksite and to dispense the mixed slurry of concrete by means of an elongate, rigid, upwardly opening U-shaped metal concrete chute having a receiver end related to the discharge end of a mixing drum rotatably mounted relative to the transit-mixture truck and a discharge end which is adapted to be arranged upwardly from the situs or the item onto or into which the slurry is to be deposited. The receiver end of the concrete chute is typically mounted adjacent to the mixing drum so that it can be swung or pivoted in a horizontal plane as circumstances require. Further, ordinary concrete chutes are mounted so as to provide for the horizontal and/or vertical adjustments of its discharge end. 
     These ordinary concrete chutes are often inconvenient and difficult to use, especially if the concrete is intended for deposit in a narrow or irregularly-shaped form or in a form where the dimensions are exceptionally small. Typical of the confined spaces are footings, wall forms, masonry block cells, wall framings, casting molds or other confined spaces. While these forms are very useful, they are difficult to make. The tight space confines in these and other closely confined areas lead to great difficulties while pouring concrete. 
     An advantage of the funnel-type apparatus is that it can be secured to a variety of different types of chutes. In this fashion, the funnel-type apparatus can be removed from one concrete chute to another without the necessity of having a plurality of funnel-type apparatus in stock. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute that efficiently and effectively directs the flow of concrete from the concrete chute in order to minimize or avoid waste and clean up. 
     It is further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute which avoids wasting material and assists in the directing of the material flow. 
     It is still further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute for directing the flow of concrete from a concrete chute of a concrete mixer. 
     It is yet further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute that permits filling of masonry block walls. 
     It is yet further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute that permits the filling of confined spaces with concrete. 
     It is yet further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute that may be fitted to a variety of concrete chutes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In general, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute including a retainer element having a sidewall and a receiving section for receipt of the concrete chute and a funnel element having a downwardly sloping base and forming an aperture through which concrete flows to a desired point. The retainer element is coupled to the funnel element. 
     The retainer element may be coupled to the funnel element to form a unitary funnel-type apparatus. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to the funnel element. The retainer element may include a gasket. The retainer element may include a collar having a plurality of bearings rotatably coupled to a lip of the funnel element. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to a lip of the funnel element. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to the lip of the funnel element using a lever lock ring, which may include a plurality of bearings. 
     The sidewall may be generally U-shaped having a first terminal end and a second terminal end. The first terminal end and the second terminal end of the sidewall may include a primary hinge hole to adjustably secure the funnel-type apparatus to the concrete chute. The first terminal end and the second terminal end of the sidewall may include a plurality of adjustment holes circumferentially spaced from the primary hinge hole. The adjustment holes capable of receipt of an alignment bolt allowing the funnel-type apparatus to be adjusted independent of the angle of the concrete chute. 
     The funnel-type apparatus may have at least one handle. The funnel-type apparatus may further have a remote operating mechanism allowing an operator to rotate or adjust the funnel-type apparatus from a cab of a mixer truck or other location. The funnel-type apparatus may be constructed of a light-weight, non-reactive polymer, plastic or metal. The aperture formed in the base of the funnel element can be adjustable to accurately control the flow of concrete. 
     In general, in a second aspect, the invention relates to a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute. The funnel-type apparatus has a retainer element having a substantially annular lower section, a sidewall and a receiving section for receipt of said concrete chute and a substantially annular funnel clement having a downwardly sloping base and forming an aperture through which concrete flows to a desired point. The lower section of the retainer element is coupled to the funnel element. 
     The retainer element may be coupled to the funnel element to form a unitary funnel-type apparatus. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to the funnel element. The retainer element may include a gasket. The retainer element may include a collar having a plurality of bearings rotatably coupled to a lip of the funnel element. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to a lip of the funnel element. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to the lip of the funnel element using a lever lock ring, which may include a plurality of bearings. 
     The sidewall may be generally U-shaped having a first terminal end and a second terminal end. The first terminal end and the second terminal end of the sidewall may include a primary hinge hole to adjustably secure the funnel-type apparatus to the concrete chute. The first terminal end and the second terminal end of the sidewall may include a plurality of adjustment holes circumferentially spaced from the primary hinge hole. The adjustment holes capable of receipt of an alignment bolt allowing the funnel-type apparatus to be adjusted independent of the angle of the concrete chute. 
     The funnel-type apparatus may have at least one handle. The funnel-type apparatus may further have a remote operating mechanism allowing an operator to rotate or adjust the funnel-type apparatus from a cab of a mixer truck or other location. The funnel-type apparatus may be constructed of a light-weight, non-reactive polymer, plastic or metal. The aperture formed in the base of the funnel element can be adjustable to accurately control the flow of concrete. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a funnel-type apparatus removably secured to a concrete chute of a mixer truck; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of area  2  of the funnel-type apparatus removably secured to the concrete chute as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an example of a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the funnel-type apparatus disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of an example of a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the funnel-type apparatus disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an example of a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the funnel-type apparatus disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of an example of a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the funnel-type apparatus disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of an example of a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the funnel-type apparatus disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section view along line  8 - 8  of the funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic bottom view of an example of a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the funnel-type apparatus disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 10  is another schematic bottom view of an example of a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the funnel-type apparatus disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of another example of a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the funnel-type apparatus disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-section view along line  12 - 12  of the funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute shown in  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-section view along line  13 - 13  of the funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     Other advantages and features will be apparent from the following description, and from the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The devices and methods discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use this invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting in scope. 
     While the devices and methods have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the construction and the arrangement of the devices and components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the devices and methods are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. 
     Referring to the figures of the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout the several views, and initially to  FIG. 1 , a funnel-type apparatus  10  is removably secured to a concrete chute  12  on the rear end of a mixer truck  16 . Existing concrete chutes  12  may be retrofitted or utilized with the funnel-type apparatus  10  or a specially designed concrete chute  12  may be utilized. The specially designed concrete chute  12  may replace the last segment in existing concrete chutes. The specially designed concrete chute  12  may include hinge holes for receipt of a hinge bar  44 . The specially designed concrete chute  12  may further include alignment holes for receipt of an alignment bolt (not shown). The specially designed concrete chute&#39;s  12  hinge holes and alignment holes allow the funnel-type apparatus  10  to be leveled and oriented for a particular job. For purposes of illustration, the funnel-type apparatus  10  is shown removably secured to a rear discharge mixing truck  16 ; however, the funnel-type apparatus  10  disclosed herein should not be so limited. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the funnel-type apparatus  10  may be used on front discharge mixing trucks, portable concrete mixers or any other concrete mixing/delivery devices. The funnel-type apparatus  10  includes a retainer element  16  coupled to a funnel element  18 . The funnel element  18  has a base  26 , which slopes downwardly and forms an aperture  20  for directing the flow of concrete  22  to a desired location, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as a retaining or masonry wall  24 . The base  26  should have sufficient rigidity to withstand the weight of the concrete  22 . The retainer element  16  may be coupled to the funnel element  18  for form a unitary funnel-type apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 through 10 , the funnel-type apparatus  10  is removably securable to the concrete chute  12  and includes the retainer element  16  coupled to the funnel element  18 . The funnel element  18  includes a downwardly sloping base  26  forming the aperture  20  for concrete  22  to flow through. The aperture  20  may be any size or shape to fit the particulars of a specific job. The size and shape of the aperture  20  may be adjusted in order to accurately control the flow of the concrete  22 . The downwardly sloping base  26  having the aperture  20  formed therein may be exchangeable or replaceable with bases having different shaped, sized and/or patterned apertures. 
     The retainer element  16  of the funnel-type apparatus  10  includes a sidewall  34  and a receiving section  36  for receipt of the concrete chute  12 . The sidewall  34  may be generally U-shaped and may include a first terminal end  38  and a second terminal end  40 . The first and second terminal ends  38  and  40  of the sidewall  34  may include a primary hinge hole  42  for receipt of a hinge bar  44  to adjustably secure the funnel-type apparatus  10  to the concrete chute  12 . The primary hinge hole  42  and hinge bar  44  allow the level and orientation of the funnel-type apparatus  10  to be adjusted independently of the angle of the concrete chute  12 , to which the funnel-type apparatus  10  is removably secured. The first and second terminal ends  38  and  40  of the sidewall  34  may further include a plurality of adjustment holes  46  circumferentially spaced from the primary hinge hole  42 . The adjustment holes  46  may receive an adjustment bar or pin (not shown) to fix the orientation and level of the funnel-type apparatus  10  once it has be adjusted to suit the particular job. 
     The retainer element  16  may be hingedly secured to the concrete chute  12  allowing the retainer element  16  to be adjusted such that it is substantially horizontal while pouring concrete, independent of the angle of the concrete chute  12 . The funnel-type apparatus  10  may be in communication with the mixer truck  14 , thus allowing the rotation and adjustment of the funnel-type apparatus  10  to be controlled by electronics, such that the operator may be located in the cab of the mixer truck or other location. 
     The retainer element  16  may be rotatably coupled to the funnel element  18 . When rotatably coupled to the retainer element  16 , the funnel element  18  is capable of rotating 360° with respect to the retainer element  16 . This rotation may be locked by the operator to prevent the funnel element  18  from inadvertently rotating during operation. The retainer element  16  may include a gasket  30  forming a seal with the funnel element  18  to prevent concrete  22  from impeding rotation. 
     The lower section  32  of retainer element  16  may be substantially annular and may include a collar  35 . Collar  35  of the retainer element  16  may include a plurality of bearings  28  or other rotating support. The funnel element  18  may be substantially annular and include a lip  50 . The lip  50  of the funnel element  18  may be rotatably coupled to the collar  35  of the retainer element  16 . The funnel element  18  may also include a handle or knob  48  to aid the operator in rotating the funnel element  18 . 
     The funnel element  18  may be rotatably coupled to the retainer element  16  using a lever lock ring  52 . The lever lock ring  52  may be generally U-shaped and have a channel  54  on an interior portion. The lever lock ring  52  relies on a lever-activated mechanism  56  to bring the ends  58  and  60  of the lever lock ring  52  together. The lever lock ring  52  may include a plurality of bearings  28  allowing the funnel element  18  to rotate independently of the retainer element  16 . Using of the lever lock ring  52  allows the retainer element  16  and the funnel element  18  of the funnel-type apparatus  10  to be taken apart for ease of cleaning and maintenance between uses. 
     The funnel-type apparatus  10  may be constructed of any light-weight, non-reactive and structurally resilient materials, including but not limited to a polymer, plastic or metal. The funnel-type apparatus  10  may also be constructed in varying sizes and shapes to according to the type of mixer truck  14  or concrete chute  12  to which it is removably secured. The aperture  20  of the funnel element  18  may be of any shape or configuration to meet the needs of a particular job. 
     The funnel-type apparatus  10  may also be remotely controlled allowing the operator to adjust the level and orientation, along with rotating the funnel element  18 , from the cab of the mixer truck or other location. 
     Whereas, the devices and methods have been described in relation to the drawings and claims, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.