Patent Abstract:
The grout placement apparatus has a V-shaped hopper with a flexible-bladed auger mounted therein that can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions by an auger motor. The auger has flexible blades to drive the grout material along the bottom of the hopper to a discharge sleeve that extends from the hopper. Coupled to the discharge sleeve is a discharge assembly having a flow control valve that is automatically opened and closed by the forward and reverse rotation of the auger, respectively. The discharge assembly is hingedly movable with respect to the hopper, allowing the discharge assembly to “swing away” from its operating position against the discharge sleeve to a position that uncovers the discharge sleeve for easy cleaning. A flexible discharge conduit or hose coupled to the discharge assembly conveys the grout material to the desired placement location. The rotation of the auger can be remotely controlled by a wireless remote controller, and the auger motor can be powered by the hydraulics of separate lifting equipment or by a dedicated combustion engine mounted on the placement apparatus.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is related to the field of construction and, more particularly, to an apparatus including a hopper with an auger for placing grout, mortar and similar fluent materials in block walls, foundations and the like at construction job sites. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In the construction field, machines are typically used to pour grout, mortar or slurry concrete into forms or hollow walls. Such machines generally have a hopper with a tube in which an auger is rotatably mounted. Mortar or concrete slurry is poured into the hopper and then moved through the tube to a discharge hose by rotating the auger. 
         [0005]    Many grouting applications require that the machines be lifted to an elevated location, such as the top of a concrete block wall. Accordingly, the machines are often designed to be mounted on a forklift or similar front end loading equipment and are driven by the power-take-off (PTO) hydraulics of the loading equipment. Hence, the operator of the loading equipment, in positioning the grouting machine, is also responsible for controlling activation of the auger while another person controls placement of the hose to direct the slurry to the desired location. Once properly positioned, the hose operator must signal the loading equipment operator, such as by hand signals, to activate and deactivate the auger. This can be problemmatic, particularly when the hose operator and the loading equipment operator are not in view of one another such as, for example, when the point of material discharge is elevated relative to the loading equipment operator or behind a wall. 
         [0006]    When deactivation of the auger is necessary, this communication problem is exacerbated by the fact that delay in stopping the auger can result in wasted mortar or slurry concrete as the hose continues to discharge material, and extra work necessitated to clean up of the excess material. The hose operator may try to kink the hose or stop the flow in some other manner, but this is not always effective given the weight of the hose when filled with material which make the hose difficult to handle. One solution to this problem is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,762 which discloses a control valve having a pair of arms that externally clamp onto the hose to stop or limit the flow of fluent material. U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,249 (“the &#39;249 patent”) seeks to facilitate the stoppage of flow through the use of rigid auger blades that are spaced from the tube wall within which the auger rotates. The gap between the blades and the tube wall reduces the build up of pressure between the interior of the hopper and the interior passage of the hose so that, when the hose is pinched closed, the grout material does not continue to flow due to the pressure differential. The design of the &#39;249 patent has reduced efficiency, however, as the gap allows grout material to accumulate between the auger and the hopper, which wastes grout material and can lead to clogging. 
         [0007]    Finally, slurry concrete, mortar and grout are materials that can be corrosive and are difficult to remove from surfaces once they have dried. As a result, grouting machines must be cleaned promptly and on a regular basis in order to prevent jamming of the moving parts and obstruction of the discharge lines. Such cleaning typically requires disassembly of the machine, a process that is time consuming and which can result in the loss of components such as fastening elements during the time between disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, a need exists for a grout placement machine that overcomes the foregoing difficulties and which is reliable and sturdy in operation, can be manufactured at a reasonable cost, and will be easy to use at the construction job site and to clean thereafter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the foregoing, the present invention is directed to a grout placement apparatus for placing grout, mortar and similar fluent materials in block walls, foundations and the like at construction job sites. For ease of reference, the general term “grout material” will be used herein to refer to any fluent material used in construction including mortar, slurry concrete, all types of fluid masonry material that dry to provide structural support. The term “grout material” is also intended to include other fluent materials that may not harden, as the grout placement apparatus described herein could be effectively used with these materials as well. 
         [0010]    The grout placement apparatus according to the present invention has a generally V-shaped hopper with an auger in the trough of the V-shape which can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions by an auger motor. According to one embodiment referred to specifically hereinafter as “the PTO grout apparatus”, the auger motor is powered by the PTO hydraulics of the loading equipment, such as a forklift, for supporting the apparatus. In an alternate embodiment referred to specifically hereinafter as “the gas-powered grout apparatus”, the apparatus includes its own gasoline-powered engine to independently drive the hydraulic system of the apparatus. The indicated terminology will be used herein when one or the other of the embodiments is being addressed individually, as appropriate in those situations when the two embodiments present structural and/or operational distinctions. However, in most instances, the general phrase “grout placement apparatus” will be used and is intended to refer to both embodiments as they share many common features. 
         [0011]    The V-shaped hopper has straight sidewalls that connect with a curved or generally cylindrical trough having a radius approximating the radius of the auger blades. When properly angled, the straight sidewalls promote a smooth, uninterrupted flow of grout material to the auger. The upper edges of the hopper walls preferably have inwardly angled flanges or splash guards to minimize material loss from the top of the hopper. 
         [0012]    The auger has flexible blades and is mounted so that the curved blades contact the trough or bottom of the hopper. This structure promotes self-cleaning and efficient flow, and minimizes the amount of grout material remaining on the bottom of the hopper when work is completed. Forward rotation of the auger moves the grout material along the bottom of the hopper toward and through a discharge sleeve that extends from the front of the hopper. Coupled to the discharge sleeve is a discharge assembly having a flow control valve that is automatically opened and closed by the forward and reverse rotation of the auger, respectively. A flexible discharge conduit or hose coupled to the discharge assembly conveys the grout material from the hopper to the desired placement location when the flow control valve is open. 
         [0013]    The discharge assembly includes a housing that is hingedly mounted to the hopper, allowing a “swing away” movement of the discharge assembly from its operating position, in which the housing is locked against the discharge sleeve of the hopper, to the “swing away” position away from the hopper. With the discharge assembly in the swing away position, easy access is provided to the discharge sleeve of the hopper for both cleaning and examination thereof, as necessary. 
         [0014]    The housing of the discharge assembly is further provided with rinse-out grates on the front and top thereof which allow the housing to be cleaned without disassembly thereof. The grates also enable air to freely flow into and out of the housing which prevents the possibility of a vapor lock condition inside the discharge assembly and/or discharge hose which could result in clogging, thereby promoting the free flow of grout material through the grout delivery apparatus and increasing the overall efficiency of the apparatus. 
         [0015]    To facilitate servicing of the apparatus, the auger is removable from the hopper. In the PTO grout apparatus, the auger can be removed through the top of the hopper while the gas-powered grout apparatus allows the auger to be removed through the hopper discharge sleeve. 
         [0016]    For optimal coverage when placing the grout material, the present invention further includes a hopper support frame which allows the hopper to rotate 360° on roller bearings. A three-position lock controls the position of the hopper on the support frame, allowing it to turn 360° for cleaning and filling, turn 180° for grout placement, and lock in four different positions. 
         [0017]    The grout placement apparatus according to the present invention also has a radio-frequency (wireless) remote control capability by which activation of the auger can be controlled by the hose operator at the point of grout material placement, rather than by the loading equipment operator. This allows for more precise timing and accuracy in starting and stopping the flow of grout material, reducing waste and the possible confusion associated with the use of hand signals to communicate with the loading equipment operator. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a grout placement apparatus having a discharge assembly that is pivotally mounted to swing away from the hopper so as to provide easy access to the discharge sleeve of the hopper. 
         [0019]    Another object of the present invention to provide a grout placement apparatus in accordance with the preceding object in which the discharge assembly includes a flow control valve that is automatically opened and closed by forward and reverse rotation of the auger, respectively. 
         [0020]    A further object of the present invention to provide a grout placement apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects in which the discharge assembly housing is provided with one or more rinse-out grates that promote the free flow of grout material through the housing and into the discharge conduit, avoids clogging and also facilitates cleaning of the housing by eliminating the need for disassembly thereof. 
         [0021]    Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a grout placement apparatus with a hopper having an auger that is driven by the PTO hydraulics of a piece of loading equipment and which can be removed from the top of the hopper. 
         [0022]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a grout placement apparatus with a hopper having an auger that is driven by a dedicated gas-powered engine. 
         [0023]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a grout placement apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects in which the apparatus has a hopper with straight sidewalls that connect with a curved or generally cylindrical bottom or trough having a radius approximating the radius of the auger blades to form a continuous V-shape that promotes smooth uninterrupted flow of grout material to the auger. 
         [0024]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a grout placement apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects in which the auger has flexible blades that effectively self-clean the bottom or trough of the hopper through their contact therewith, providing efficient discharge from the hopper and minimizing the cleaning burden as well as grout material waste. 
         [0025]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a grout placement apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects in which the upper edges of the hopper walls have inwardly directed splash guards to mimimize grout material loss through the top of the hopper. 
         [0026]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a grout placement apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects in which the hopper can be rotated 360° and locked in various positions. 
         [0027]    Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a grout placement apparatus carried by a piece of loading equipment and having an auger that can be remotely activated and deactivated by an individual other than the loading equipment operator, such as the person placing the grout material placement and delivery hose used to convey the grout material from the hopper to the desired placement site. 
         [0028]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a grout placement apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects that will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of relatively simple construction and easy to use and clean so as to provide an apparatus that will be economically feasible, long lasting, durable in service, relatively trouble free in operation, and a general improvement in the art. 
         [0029]    These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from the discharge or front end of a grout placement apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view from the motor or rear end of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a detailed side and partial cross-sectional view of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is an exploded rear perspective view illustrating various components of the hopper of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is an exploded front perspective view illustrating the hopper upper support frame of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is an exploded rear perspective view illustrating the hopper lower support frame of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a cutaway side view of the auger as mounted in the hopper of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a cutaway side view of the hopper and auger shown in  FIG. 10 , illustrating a first step in removal of the auger from the grout placement apparatus. 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is a cutaway side view of the hopper and auger shown in  FIG. 11 , illustrating a second step in removal of the auger from the grout placement apparatus. 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the discharge sleeve and discharge assembly of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternate configuration of the grout placement apparatus of  FIG. 1  in which a clamp-style locking mechanism is used to secure the discharge assembly in the locked position, shown with the discharge assembly in the swing-away position. 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  is a schematic drawing illustrating a manual control embodiment of a hydraulic control system for the PTO grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  is a schematic drawing illustrating a piping layout for the hydraulic control system shown in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the remote control components for use with a remote control embodiment of a hydraulic control system for the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 18  is a schematic drawing illustrating the hydraulic circuit for the remote control embodiment of the PTO grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 19  is a schematic drawing illustrating an electrical circuit for the radio frequency remote control system shown in  FIG. 18 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view from the discharge or front end of a grout placement apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 21  is an exploded view of various components of the discharge assembly of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the grout placement apparatus of  FIG. 20 , shown with the discharge assembly in the swing-away position. 
           [0052]      FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of the hopper of the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 24  is a schematic drawing illustrating a gas-powered hydraulic control system for the grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 25  is a schematic drawing illustrating a piping layout for the hydraulic control system shown in  FIG. 24 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 26  is a schematic drawing illustrating an electrical circuit for the gas-powered grout placement apparatus shown in  FIG. 20 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0056]    In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , a first preferred embodiment of a grout placement apparatus according to the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . The apparatus includes a hopper  20  with a hopper discharge sleeve  22 , a hopper support frame generally designated by reference numeral  24 , an auger  26  mounted within the bottom or trough of the hopper (see  FIG. 6 ), a swing-away discharge assembly generally designated by reference numeral  30 , and a discharge conduit generally designated by reference numeral  33  including a hose  120 . 
         [0058]    The hopper  20 , shown in isolation and from the rear in  FIG. 7 , has a front wall  40  and a rear wall  90  that are generally parallel with one another, and two opposing sidewalls  36  joining the front and rear walls  40 ,  90  to form a grout holding area, generally designated by reference numeral  35 , with a rectangular open top generally designated by reference numeral  34 . The opposed sidewalls  36  converge downwardly in a V-shape into a curved bottom or trough  38 . The hopper discharge sleeve  22  is fitted at the forward end of the curved bottom  38  and extends out past the hopper front wall  40  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0059]    The sidewalls  36  of the hopper  20  are angled to minimize grout material build up and to direct the grout material flow toward the auger  26  in the curved bottom  38 . The sidewalls themselves are straight, i.e., they have no angular changes from their upper edges  37  to the bottom  38 . The straight configuration of the sidewalls, and their continuous slope from top to bottom of the sidewalls, and their continuous slope from top to bottom promotes the smooth uninterrupted flow of grout material toward the bottom  38  of the hopper. The angle of each sidewall is preferably no more than 45° from the vertical, to form an included angle between the sidewalls of about 90°. Within this range, a preferred angle of each sidewall  36  is about 35°, to form an included angle of about 70°. 
         [0060]    The upper edges of the sidewalls  36  are preferably provided with inwardly angled flanges or splash guards  42  that help to prevent loss of the grout material from the top of the hopper during transport of the grout placement apparatus. These splash guards  42  are also provided on the upper edges of the front and rear hopper walls  40 ,  90  so that the entire hopper opening is configured to prevent inadvertent spillage of the grout material. 
         [0061]    The hopper  20  is removably mounted on the hopper support frame  24  which allows the hopper to be replaced with a similar or different capacity hopper as needed. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the hopper support frame includes an upper frame, generally designated by reference numeral  44 , and a lower frame, generally designated by reference numeral  46 . The upper frame  44  includes a base platform  48  having two pairs of upwardly depending support arms generally designated by reference numeral  50  that are angled outwardly to correspond with the angles of sidewalls of the hopper  20 , i.e., no more than about 45° from vertical, preferably about 35°, to form an included angle between the sidewalls of no more than about 90°, preferably about 70°. Each pair of arms  50  includes a front arm  51 ,  52  and a rear arm  53 ,  54  that are joined by generally planar opposed mounting plates  55 ,  56 , each having elongated apertures  58  that receive fastening elements  59 . The arms and mounting plates form a cradle generally designated by reference numeral  60  therebetween that receives the hopper  20 . The elongated apertures  58  in the mounting plates  55 ,  56  allow for adjustable positioning of the fastening elements  59  used to secure the hopper in the cradle  60 . 
         [0062]    Mounted to the right front arm  52  is a hinge support arm  62  that extends forwardly from the arm  52  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The hinge support arm  62  is pivotally connected to an articulating element  64  that couples the upper frame  44  or the hopper  20  to the discharge assembly  30 , as will be described more fully hereinafter. 
         [0063]    The upper frame  44  is rotatably supported on the lower frame  46  by a pivot  66  mounted within an aperture  68  in the center of the base plate  48 . The bottom  70  of the pivot is positioned within an upwardly extending tubular boss  72  mounted on the base element  74  of the lower frame  46  and is suitably held in place by plate  75  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Extending outwardly from the tubular boss  72  are a plurality of horizontally directed arms  76  that are preferably evenly spaced from one another and which include heavy duty roller bearings  78  suitably mounted adjacent the distal ends of arms  76 . The base plate  48  of the upper frame  44  and base element  74  of the lower frame  46  are generally parallel with one another and are held in a spaced relationship from one another by the pivot  66 , tubular boss  72  and roller bearings  78 . The arms  76  include associated pivot stops  80  that are configured to allow the upper frame  44  with the hopper  20  attached thereto to be locked into various rotational positions. According to a preferred embodiment, the hopper  20  can swivel 360° and can lock in four different positions. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the lower frame  46  is fixedly mounted on a pair of parallel forklift-receiving box beams  82  that are configured to receive the forks of a conventional forklift that can support the entire grout placement apparatus in a manner known in the art. 
         [0065]    The outwardly extending hopper discharge sleeve  22  is configured as a tube that communicates with the discharge or forward end  84  of the auger  26  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 . The distance to which the forward end  84  of the auger extends into the discharge sleeve  22  is sufficient so that the auger is self-supported in the sleeve, eliminating the need for a support bushing or the like for the auger forward end  84 . The rear end  86  of the auger  26  is connected to a coupling  88  extending through the rear wall  90  of the hopper and is connected to and supported by the auger motor  92  (see  FIG. 6 ). The auger motor  92  is preferably covered by a protective cowling  94  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0066]    In the PTO grout placement apparatus, the discharge sleeve  22  is relatively short in length, extending only about 9.75 inches. The forward end  84  of the auger  26  does not extend through the discharge sleeve  22  nor into the discharge assembly  30 . Rather, the discharge sleeve  22  has a diameter that is only slightly smaller than the diameter of auger  26 . The closeness of these two diameters allows the auger forward end  84  to be supported in the sleeve  22  without a bushing and to be removed easily through the top of the hopper. 
         [0067]    The sequence by which the auger is removed is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12  after the discharge assembly  30  has been moved to its swing-out position (and is not shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). As shown, the auger  26  is moved forwardly into the discharge sleeve  22  until the rear end  86  of the auger is freed from the coupling  88 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . This movement is made possible by the size of the sleeve  22  and the flexibility of the auger blades  27 . The rear end  86  of the auger  26  may then be drawn upwardly to remove the auger from the hopper, as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0068]    The auger  26  is mounted so as to be in contact with the bottom  38  of the hopper  20 . While this is not immediately apparent from the drawings as set forth in  FIGS. 6 ,  10  and  11 , the spacing shown is the result of the curved nature of the bottom of the hopper. The auger has flexible blades or flighting  27  and is to Thiessen. Such an auger is commercially available from Talet Equipment International of Strathmore, Alberta, Canada. The flexibility of the blades  27  prevents binding of the auger  26  and provides superior flow control and efficiency since the blades effectively sweep and self-clean the bottom  38  of the hopper to discharge material from the hopper while leaving minimal residual grout material therein. 
         [0069]    The positive displacement generated by the blades  27  from the forward rotation of the auger  26  pushes the grout material through the hopper discharge sleeve  22  and into the discharge assembly  30  shown in  FIG. 13 . The discharge assembly  30  includes a housing  100  having a hinge support arm  102  mounted thereto (see  FIGS. 1 and 8 ). The housing hinge support arm  102  is coupled by pivot pin  103  to the opposite end of the same articulating element  64  shown in  FIG. 8  that is pivotally connected by pivot pin  63  to the hinge support arm  62  on the upper frame support  44 . As mounted on the hinge support arms  62 ,  102  and articulating element  64 , the discharge assembly  30  is able to swing outwardly from a locked position adjacent to the front wall  40  of the hopper  20  and against the outlet end of the discharge sleeve  22 , to a swing-away position away from the hopper such as that shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0070]    When pivoted to the locked position (see  FIG. 1 ), the discharge assembly  30  is secured to the front wall  40  or to the discharge sleeve  22  using any known locking mechanism as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. In the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and  13 , a T-handle generally designated by reference numeral  108  is provided for this purpose.  FIG. 14 , on the other hand, illustrates an alternate configuration of the first embodiment in which a clamp-style locking mechanism  206  mounted on the side of the discharge sleeve  22  is used. (The clamp  206  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 21  which pertains to the second, gas-powered, embodiment of the grout placement apparatus, as will be discussed hereinafter.) In the alternate configuration of  FIG. 14 , the hinge support  62  is coupled to the hopper  20  rather than to the upper frame  44 . 
         [0071]    In both the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4  and  13 , and the alternate configuration thereof shown in  FIG. 14 , the discharge assembly  30  includes a face plate  85  with a circular cutout  91  which mates with the circular distal end  93  of the discharge sleeve  22  and forms a sealed flow communication with the discharge sleeve opening  95  (see  FIG. 14 ), when the discharge assembly  30  is in the locked position. Positioned in the lower portion of face plate  85  opposite cutout  91  is an inlet tube  87  which extends into the housing  100  and cooperates with a flapper-type control valve, generally designated by reference numeral  110 , within the discharge assembly  30 . 
         [0072]    The top and front of the housing  100  are provided with rinse-out grates  104 ,  106 , best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 13 . The rinse-out grates have openings  105  that provide air flow into and out of the housing to prevent a vacuum-lock condition in the discharge assembly or the upper part of the hose  120  as might otherwise occur if the housing formed a fully sealed enclosure. With the equalization of pressure, the grout material flows freely through the housing and into the hose  120  without clogging, thereby increasing the efficiency of the apparatus. 
         [0073]    When the discharge assembly  30  is in the swing-out position, the discharge sleeve  22  is readily accessible and can be cleaned and/or inspected. The face plate  85  and inlet tube  87  can also be easily cleaned. The rinse-out grates  104 ,  106  also allow for more effective cleaning of the inside of the housing  100 , allowing water to be directed therein through the openings  105  without having to disassemble the housing. 
         [0074]    For use of the apparatus, the discharge assembly  30  is pivoted to the locked position adjacent the front wall  40  and against the discharge sleeve  22  of the hopper where it is secured to the front wall  40  or to the discharge sleeve  22  using the T-handle  108 , clamp  206  or any other fastening mechanism suitable for this purpose as has already been noted. When the discharge assembly  30  is in the locked position, it is automatically aligned with the auger  26  and sleeve  22  as described above. 
         [0075]    The PTO grout placement apparatus can be operated in one of two modes, a manual mode and an optional radio frequency (wireless) remote control mode. When operating in the manual mode, the hydraulic control system of the apparatus is connected to the hydraulic quick coupling connectors on the forklift or other loading equipment supporting the apparatus. The forklift operator then initiates the starting and stopping of the auger in response to hand signals received from the hose operator. A schematic drawing of the hydraulic connections when operating in the manual control mode is provided in  FIG. 15 , and a piping layout thereof is set forth in  FIG. 16 . A manifold  250 , which is connected to the PTO  252  of the loading equipment (the PTO not being a part of the present invention) is directly coupled to the drive motor  92  which drives the auger  26 . The motor  92  is also coupled through hydraulic hoses  256 ,  257  to a valve hydraulic cylinder  116 , which operates the flapper-type control valve  110 . 
         [0076]    The control valve  110  is fitted within the discharge assembly  30  and both seals the hopper  20  and stops the flow of grout material by closing off the exit opening  115  of inlet tube  87  (see  FIG. 13 ). The valve  110  includes the closing flap  112  supported on a lever arm  113  pivotally mounted on an axle  114  (see  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  13 ). The flap  112  and lever arm  113  are operated by valve hydraulic cylinder  116  tied into the hydraulic circuit of the grout placement apparatus  10  as above described. In the manual mode shown in  FIG. 15 , a hydraulic manifold  250  controls the pressure and flow of the hydraulic fluid to the valve hydraulic cylinder  116 . When the auger  26  is rotated in a forward direction by hydraulic auger motor  92  to move grout material out of the hopper, through sleeve  22  and inlet tube  87  and into housing  100 , the valve hydraulic cylinder  116  is retracted to automatically rotate the lever arm  113  upwardly about the axle  114  and open the flapper valve  112  away from the outlet  115  of the inlet tube  87 . To discontinue flow of grout material, the forward rotation of the auger is discontinued and then temporarily reversed by the hydraulic controls of the auger drive motor  92 . In response, the valve hydraulic cylinder  116  is extended to automatically rotate lever arm  113  downwardly and cause the flapper valve  112  to close over the outlet  115  of inlet tube  87  and preclude any material from exiting the hopper. 
         [0077]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hose  120  of the discharge conduit  32  delivers the grout material to the desired location by the positive rotation of the flexible bladed auger  26 . The hose  120  is preferably flexible but could, in some cases, be a rigid tube or pipe-like conduit. The hose  120  preferably has a handle  124  to assist in directing the grout material to the desired location. 
         [0078]    To facilitate more precise control of the auger rotation, the PTO grout placement apparatus  10  is configured to alternatively operate in a remote control mode. According to a preferred embodiment, a remote radio frequency system, such as that shown in  FIG. 17  and generally designated by reference numeral  130 , allows the hose operator to control the flow of material at the point of delivery by providing inputs to a hand-held remote controller  132 . The remote controller  132  is preferably provided with separate buttons or comparable input elements for forward and reverse rotation of the auger  26 . Radio frequency signals transmitted from the remote controller  132  are received by a receiver unit  134  suitably mounted on the grout placement apparatus and powered by a battery  136  held within a battery box  137  and cover  138 ; according to one embodiment, the remote control receiver unit  134  is mounted at storage location  57  on the support frame  24  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0079]    Remote-controlled operation improves the accuracy of grout material placement, reduces waste caused by overflow, and eliminates the potential for confusion in hand signals otherwise used to signal the loading equipment operator to start and stop the auger. The RF controller can also be bypassed to transfer control of the auger  26  back to the operator of the loading equipment. 
         [0080]    According to a preferred embodiment, the remote controller  132  is configured to provide momentary control, i.e., when the forward or reverse button is depressed, the auger is turned on but, as soon as the button is released, the auger stops. A schematic drawing illustrating the hydraulic control system for the remote control embodiment is set forth in  FIG. 18 . An electrical circuit for this embodiment is provided in  FIG. 19 . As shown, the receiver  134  is coupled to a battery  136  through a switch battery isolator  262 . The switch battery isolator  262  allows the receiver  134  to be turned on and off, conserving power when the receiver  134  and remote controller  132  are not being used. 
         [0081]    A second embodiment of the present invention, namely the gas-powered grout placement apparatus noted earlier, is illustrated in  FIGS. 20-23  and generally designated by the reference numeral  300 . Components that are common with the PTO grout placement apparatus will not be discussed again to avoid unnecessary repetition. Components serving the same purpose but having different dimensions are identified by the same numbers but preceded by the digit “3”. 
         [0082]    The gas-powered grout placement apparatus  300  has, as the name implies, its own gasoline powered engine  200  which is supported on a bracket  202  above the discharge sleeve  322  and preferably covered with a cowling  204  as shown in  FIG. 20 . To provide sufficient length to support the engine, the discharge sleeve  322  is longer than in the PTO embodiment, extending outwardly from the hopper front wall  340  about 22.28 inches. Due to this longer length, the auger cannot be removed from the top of the hopper  320  but instead is removed, if necessary, through the hopper discharge sleeve  322 , after the discharge assembly  330  has been moved to its swing-away position. 
         [0083]    As in the alternate configuration of the first embodiment, the discharge assembly  330  is secured to the hopper  320  using a clamp  206  as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . In the swing-out position shown in  FIG. 23 , the discharge sleeve  322  is exposed for cleaning and inspection as in the first embodiment including the alternate configuration thereof. 
         [0084]    As best shown in  FIG. 23 , the gas-powered grout placement apparatus  300  can be configured to include a lifting bail  210  mounted within the hopper  320 . The bail  210  has a handle or lifteye  212  to allow the apparatus to be picked up by a crane or other lifting apparatus. When using the bail  210 , the delivery hose is preferably positioned to the desired delivery location using the hook pivot of the crane and not the pivoting capability of the hopper. 
         [0085]    Since the gas-powered grout placement apparatus  300  does not operate off of the PTO of the loading equipment, the hydraulic connections are different from those of the PTO grout placement apparatus  10 . A representative schematic is set forth in  FIG. 24  and includes the engine  200 , hydraulic gear pump  270  and hydraulic tank  272 ; a piping layout of the hydraulics is shown in  FIG. 25 . 
         [0086]    Given the placement of the auger motor on the back side of the hopper, the gas-powered grout placement apparatus  300  shown in  FIGS. 20 and 22  is operable only remotely. An electrical schematic for remote operation of the gas-powered grout placement apparatus is shown in  FIG. 26 . To protect against loss or separation from the apparatus, the remote controller  3132  is preferably secured to the apparatus  300  by a tether  221  while, as in the PTO embodiment, the receiver  3134  is secured at a storage location  357  on the support frame  324 . The second embodiment also includes a lanyard configuration (not shown) in which the remote controller is secured with the receiver  3134  at the storage location  357 . Alternatively, suitable connections and wiring could be established to allow the gas-powered placement apparatus  300  to be controlled with a wired remote controller, preferably by the operator positioning the grout delivery hose. 
         [0087]    The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the device as described herein may be used in contexts other than construction, being equally applicable to other services in which the placement of a material that can be conveyed with an auger and delivered through a conduit is required. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4