Abstract:
A refuse chute for a building assembled from a plurality of tubular chute sections, the chute sections being stackable in an end-to-end or end-wise nesting relationship and securable to provide an enclosed refuse disposal shaft, at least some of the chute sections having one or more openings in a side wall of the chute section, characterised in that a baffle each is associated with one or more of the openings, the baffle extending from the side wall into the disposal shaft and being preferably inclined such that there is an obtuse angle between the baffle and the opening with which the baffle is associated. A refuse chute section is also claimed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a refuse chute for gravity disposal of refuse from storeys of a multi-storey building such as during building construction or refurbishment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is normal practice on multi-storey building sites to provide for the removal of refuse from upper floors of a building by a refuse chute which defines a shaft whereby all types of building refuse may be dropped from the upper floors down the chute shaft to a container located at the bottom of the chute, eg at ground level. 
         [0003]    Such chutes are usually assembled from individual tubular sections of circular or quadrilateral cross-section which are stackable to provide a height suitable to the specific building. The individual sections which, when in place, extend vertically along the building have one or more refuse inlet structures that enable a user to put refuse into the chute for gravity disposal. As such, conventional refuse chutes have many adjustable components to fit different floor heights in buildings, resulting in many pieces to be assembled. Also, there are a number of different refuse inlet structures, ranging from a simple opening or hole in a side wall of the chute sections, which may be covered by a flexible sheet material, to elaborate tilting chute assemblies. 
         [0004]    UK Patent document GB 2,229,427 A shows a refuse chute that comprises a number of chute sections that join together end-to-end to provide the height of refuse chute required. Chute sections that are at the height of a floor of the building that will require removal of refuse have a refuse entry point provided. The refuse entry point is a sloped tubular structure attached to, and extending externally from, the chute section. Such entry point is at a fixed location on the chute section, so the refuse may need lifting or lowering to put it into the refuse entry point; this may prove to be an occupational health and safety hazard. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,090 discloses a refuse chute for a building comprising a number of sheet metal chute sections. Again, the chute sections that are at floor level are provided with an external refuse entry point. The refuse entry point is provided by an external funnel configuration with a bottom and side walls that extend outwardly from the chute sections into the building. The bottom portion of the funnel rests on the floor(s) of the building and provides support to the chute sections. The chute sections between the floor level chute sections are capable of telescoping so that the floor level chute sections can be adjusted to allow for the refuse entry point to be at floor level. The opening of the entry point may be covered by a flexible rubber flap. 
         [0006]    UK Patent document GB 1,071,949 A describes a refuse chute fitted inside a multi-storey building for residents of the building to dispose of their refuse. The chute is made from pre-cast concrete tubular walls and has an inlet opening into which the refuse can be thrown. The inlet extends outwardly from the concrete shaft and has outer walls of concrete and a door which swings to allow sluiced passage of the refuse into the chute. There is one inlet per floor. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,345 describes a double passage silo chute which has a separate passage for service of the silo and discharge from the silo; the service passage being between the silo and the discharge passage. The separation of the service and discharge passages is achieved by a vertical wall. Within this vertical wall normally closed access doors are provided. When it is desired to discharge some of the contents of the silo, the access doors are pivoted about hinges on the lower horizontal frame of the door to form a passage from the interior of the silo. The contents of the silo travel over the access door and down the discharge passage. 
         [0008]    Australian Patent document AU 682758, in the name of the present applicant, provides a refuse chute system having multiple refuse inlet positions per chute section. The unwanted inlets can be covered with removable plates so that, apart from the inlet opening(s) that remain functional, a continuous chute is provided. The refuse inlet extends outwardly from the chute and has a flat section which rests on the building floor, and then slopes to the chute. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a simpler refuse chute of the type above described, that is, a chute that is comprised of a number of discrete chute sections that can be assembled to provide an enclosed refuse disposal shaft having a desired height, selected ones of the chute sections being provided with access openings in their peripheral wall through which refuse may be introduced into the chute shaft for it to fall down the chute, and which chute assembly reduces the risk of injury to users of the chute by objects falling down from higher up the chute shaft. 
         [0010]    A particular object is the provision of a safety structure in such chutes that allows a user to push refuse into the chute shaft with reduced injury risk from objects falling from a level above the insertion point. 
         [0011]    A further object is to provide a chute inlet structure which allows the actual opening into the chute shaft to remain unobstructed and yet still minimise objects falling down the chute from a level above the opening to exit the chute shaft through that opening. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In a broad form, the invention provides a simple refuse chute with an internal baffle system, for use inside or outside a building. 
         [0013]    In one aspect, the present invention provides a refuse chute for a building assembled from a plurality of tubular (or duct-like) chute sections, the chute sections being stackable in an end-to-end or telescopic relation and securable to provide an enclosed refuse disposal shaft, at least some of the chute sections having one or more openings in a side wall of the chute section, characterised in that a baffle is associated with each one or more of the openings, the baffle extending from the side wall into the disposal shaft and being preferably inclined such that there is an obtuse angle between the baffle and the opening with which the baffle is associated. 
         [0014]    The internal baffles provide protection from refuse falling from above, so that a user may safely put refuse in the chute at lower levels with minimal chance that refuse falling from above can harm them. It is desirable that the baffle length be equal to or longer than an average person&#39;s arm so as to protect the person and arm of the person from refuse falling from above. 
         [0015]    Preferably, a chute section may have multiple openings along the height thereof, thereby providing different refuse insertion locations for disposal of refuse. So, for example, a person seeking to dispose of refuse does not have to bend over or lift it up to an opening location above floor level, and may instead use an inlet at a lower height along the chute section, eg one at floor level, thereby enabling refuse to be simply swept into the chute. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the angle and the distance that the baffle extends into the disposal shaft are chosen such that the baffle provides an awning for the opening below the opening with which the baffle is associated. Even more preferably, the end of the baffle distal to the opening with which it is associated is on a horizontal plane and with upper or a lower edge of the opening below. Such a configuration assists in minimizing refuse put into the disposal shaft re-entering the building through a lower opening. It will be understood that whilst from a manufacturing point of view it is desirable to have all baffles inclined at the same angle, the angle of inclination of the individual baffles within a chute section or between chute sections need not be uniformly the same. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the baffle is a plate that extends substantially across a width of the chute section. The plate may be secured to opposite side walls and at or near a lower edge of the opening with which it is associated. The baffle is held securely in such a manner, avoiding bouncing as the refuse travels down the baffle and into the disposal chute, thereby minimising damage to the baffle and providing a smoother path for the refuse falling into the disposal shaft. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the plate has a ledge depending from the plate end distal to the opening. The ledge may be provided by a reinforcement bar. Such a ledge strengthens the baffle, minimising bending of the baffle if debris from above hits the free baffle edge on its descent. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the baffle could be hinged at or near the edge of the opening and be held securely at discrete angles of inclination with respect to the vertical. By providing the option of varying the angle of inclination of the baffle, the user can select the angle of the baffle that best suits specific refuse disposal requirements. Alternatively, the plate may be welded fixed to the side walls. 
         [0020]    The angle between the wall in which the opening is provided (or the plane in which the opening is defined) and the plane in which the baffle extends (ie assuming a planar or plate-like baffle) is preferably between 110 to 150 degrees, preferably at about 120 degrees. 
         [0021]    The baffle may be removably secured to the chute sections, providing for ease in replacing damaged baffles. 
         [0022]    It will be appreciated that whilst the baffle may be embodied by a simple planar plate, other structures may find use, for example a corrugated plate, trough-like plates etc. 
         [0023]    An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures. Further features and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the description below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a refuse chute in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing refuse being placed into the chute on three levels by different means and falling into a container at the bottom of the chute, with a cut away section to show the internal configuration of the refuse chute; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic, partial side elevation of the refuse chute of  FIG. 1 , with four building levels shown; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a top elevation ( 3 A), front elevation ( 3 B), and side elevation ( 3 C) of the refuse chute of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a front elevation of the refuse chute with varying covers for the refuse inlets; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a stackable chute section of the refuse chute of  FIG. 1 , including a stacking facilitation portion and a securing device; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic perspective view of a single chute section of a refuse chute as shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0030]      FIGS. 7A  and B show a schematic of a side elevation and top elevation respectively of two chute sections of the type shown in  FIG. 6  joined together. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    The present invention may be implemented in a variety of ways and the embodiments illustrated are to be considered only illustrative constructions. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of the refuse chute  10 . Refuse chute  10  is assembled from four identical chute sections  12 . The chute sections  12  may be identical and stacked and secured together at the end faces, as shown, or be of some other configuration such as a nesting arrangement in which the chute sections are joined together through their side walls, ie similar to telescopically inserted sections. The chute sections  12  can be stacked as high as needed for the particular application. Different types of chute sections are known from, for example, GB 2,229,427 A, U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,090, and AU 682758, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0033]    In this case, the chute sections  12  are of constant quadrilateral cross-section, made of steel sheets, and removably joined together at their end faces to form an enclosed disposal shaft  14 , through which refuse falls by gravity to a container  16  below. Refuse is fed into the disposal shaft  14  through refuse inlets/openings  18 . 
         [0034]    The concept underlying the invention may best be appreciated by reference to  FIG. 2 . Each chute section  12  has multiple openings  18 . These multiple openings  18  allow refuse to be fed into the refuse chute  10  at different heights on the same level; for example, by the tray of a bobcat or similar vehicle, by hand, wheelbarrow, or by sweeping the refuse into the shaft  14 . It will be appreciated that dependent on the situation, only some of the chute sections  12  will have multiple openings  18 , or even single openings. 
         [0035]    Associated with each refuse inlet  18  is a baffle  20  extending into the disposal shaft, inclined at an angle to the height axis of chute sections  12  and in particular inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the refuse inlet  18  with which it is associated. Each baffle, which is preferably a planar sheet metal plate, is fixed to its associated refuse inlet  18  at or near the lower edge of that refuse inlet  18 . The baffle  20  provides a slide such as to assist in gravity feeding the refuse into the disposal shaft  14 , and further minimises the risk of refuse from higher levels harming a user placing refuse into the chute  10  at lower levels. The baffle  20  also provides a shelter or protection to the refuse inlet  18  below the opening with which the baffle  20  is associated. The incline and length of the baffle  20  shown is such that the end of the baffle  20  furthest from the refuse inlet  18  is on a horizontal plane with the upper edge of the refuse inlet  18  below the baffle (see line A). The baffles have a horizontal reinforcing lip  24  dependent from the end of each baffle  20  and extending the entire width thereof. 
         [0036]    Each chute section  12  may have multiple baffles  20  (say four to six or more baffles) which may have to be lifted into place by a lifting device due to its weight. However, smaller sections  12  having one or two baffles  20  can be manufactured and lifted by hand and secured in place manually. 
         [0037]    Also shown in  FIG. 2  is one example of struts  22  by which refuse chute  10  is held above the container  16 . The refuse chute  10  is also able to be attached to the building or to the building site scaffolding or any other structure, as known to those in the art, keeping it securely in position using the securing or attachment points  28 , shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3A  shows the top view of the refuse chute  10  along a line A of  FIG. 3C  (a simplified reproduction of the side elevation of the refuse chute  10  from  FIG. 2 ). The length of the baffles  20  in this embodiment is about 40% to 60% (or sufficient to cover from above the length of the arm of a person disposing refuse) into the chute  10  of the length of the chute sections  12 , and as shown in  FIG. 3B  they extend across the width of the chute sections  12 . 
         [0039]    The refuse inlets  18  can optionally be provided with a cover  26 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The cover can be either a flap  26   b  through which refuse can still be placed such as a shade cloth type material or rubber, or a steel cover  26   a  removably secured to the opening  18  to seal it temporarily from use. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows a possible configuration for an individual chute section  12  which stacks to form a refuse chute  10  in an end-to-end configuration. The body and baffle  20  configuration is the same as shown in previous figures. However, the chute section  12  includes a stacking facilitation portion  30  which is a three sided component placed inside the walls of the chute section  12  so as to fit in a nesting manner into the top of the chute section  12  below it. The stacking portion  30  has an open front corresponding to the side of the refuse chute  10  which has provided refuse inlets  18 , extends along a portion of the side walls of the chute section  12 , and along the wall distal and parallel to the wall which has the openings  18  provided. In the case of a refuse chute  10  of circular cross-section, the stacking portion  30  would be of an arc-shape. The stacking facilitation portion  30  could also be provided in a refuse chute  10  in which the chute sections  12  are nested. 
         [0041]    Further, a securing device  32 , here shown as a chain, is provided on the top edge of the refuse chute section  12 . This chain  32  may be attached to the scaffolding or other structure against which the refuse chute  10  is supported, or may link to immediately adjacent chute sections  12 . The chain  32  can be used in addition, or as an alternative to, attachment points  28 . 
         [0042]    The most preferred configuration for the chute sections  12  and refuse chute  10  is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , which show chute sections  12  which have a single baffle  20  associated with a single opening  18 . The chute section  12  is of the type in which each chute section  12  is intended to be stacked in an end-to-end arrangement to form a refuse chute  10 . The upper and lower edges of the chute section  12  have a lip  33  extending perpendicularly to the walls of the chute section  12  which correspond with similar lips on immediately adjacent chute sections  12 . The adjacent chute sections  12  are secured together with any suitable means via attachment points  34  on the lip  33 , but in the illustration of  FIG. 7 , they are joined by bolts  36 . 
         [0043]    The present invention is not limited in application to the refuse chute configuration described. For example, the chute sections may be made out of any suitable material and different cross-sectional shapes may be used to make up the completed refuse chute depending on the needs of the application. Whilst sheet steel would most commonly be used, reinforced plastics materials or wooden constructions are not excluded from consideration, as are mixed-material solutions, eg the chute sections being manufactured from sheet metal, and the baffles from steel (or otherwise reinforced) plastics materials. Similarly, steel sheet baffles may be lined or otherwise coated/covered with abrasion-resistant and/or sound-absorbing materials such as to minimise noise impact upon refuse falling from above and hitting the baffle(s).