MIXING OR MAKING CONCRETE OTHERWISE TERMED A CONCRETE MIXING MACHINE
Year: 1884

page_text: JOHN POWELL, 78, Denmark Street, Belfast, Inspector of Works, Belfast Harbour
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for MIXING OR MAKING CONCRETE
OTHERWISE TERMED A CONCRETE MIXING MACHINE, to be as follows:―
(1) Moveable Gauged Cement or Lime boxes of a rectangular form, provided with
adjustable single or double doors opening underneath. These boxes are placed
directly over (2) a bevelled Gauged Hopper, having a double bevelled mid-feather,
and provided with doors, directly over the hopper of the Mixer, worked by levers
from the platform. And (3) a Hopper-mouthed Mixer of rectangular form, with
closed sides, reduced proportionally to its lower end. This Mixer rotates about a
fixed transverse axis parallel to its bed, and is provided with (a) a number of fixed
curved blades, approximately of the form of a ploughshare; (b) a series of perforated
metal piping, provided with stop-cocks for the supply of water; (c) a moveable
board on its upper side for cleaning and inspection; and (d) a door at its lower
extremity.
For further explanations with reference to details of machine, method of process,
its application, etcetra, I append the following
The several ingredients of which the concrete is to be composed, is, in the first
instance, accurately gauged and tipt into the bevelled Hopper, which is divided by
a double bevelled mid-feather into two equal compartments, each closed by doors-
either double or otherwise, to meet requirements-worked by levers from the
platform. Having determined the exact working gauge of the Hopper this
becomes a fixed or constant quantity, except in the case of Cement or Lime, as
the case may be, which must be constantly gauged before passing into the Hopper.
The matrix and aggregate should, where practicable, be divided respectively into
alternate layers. An alternative arrangement is provided for placing directly over
each compartment two gauged moveable boxes, having doors underneath to allow, if
considered preferable, the cement or lime as the case may be, being distributed, more
or less, throughout, by adjusting the angle of these doors, (of which provision is
made by a swivelled rod attached to the doors and passing through a slit in a fixed
transom or lid, and having one fixed cross arm and a moveable arm at right angles
to each other) to the time occupied in filling a compartment.
By the adjustment of the Gauging Hopper levers the ingredients are passed, by
gravitation, into the hopper of the Concrete Mixer, where the movement-by virtue

page_text: of the angle of the bed of the Mixer to the horizontal plane, which is constructed to
rotate into any requisite position, as the case may be-is reduced to a regulated
sliding motion. Here, by contact with the curved blades of the Mixer-which
may be either built-up or otherwise-placed diagonally across the bed, at suitable
intervals, from both sides alternately of the form, approximately, of the plough-
share, the ingredients (already partially mixed) are systematically revolved from
one side to the other and thus formed or mixed into Concrete.
During the passage of the ingredients through the Mixer a continuous series of
jets of water are provided so as to play upon the mixture, from its hopper to its
discharging end, in diagonal positions, being regulated by stop-cocks to meet any
requirements and workable from the platform."
A moveable board is provided on its upper surface for cleaning purposes, which
opening may, also, be used for inspection of the process.
The Concrete Gauging Hopper and Mixer, if timber be used must be lined with
sheet iron (or metal of similar character) throughout, and may be either fixed or
portable. The construction of the framework, carriage, etcetra, as the case may be,
may be varied to meet circumstances or requirements.
Its application is, generally, for all purposes in which concrete is used, and
I conceive it to be both eminently scientifical and economical in character and
design.
1
1004

page_text: I, JOHN POWELL, of 78, Denmark. Street, Belfast, in the county of Antrim,
Inspector of Works, Belfast Harbour do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for MIXING OR MAKING CONCRETE, OTHERWISE TERMED A CONCRETE MIXING
MACHINE, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly,
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
28
The aforesaid invention consists of, mainly, three parts, to wit, (1) moveable
gauged cement or lime boxes, hereinafter termed Cement Apportioners," (2) a
bevelled gauging hopper, hereinafter temed a "Gauging Hopper," and (3) a hopper-
mouthed mixer hereinafter termed a "Mixer."
(1) The aforesaid Cement Apportioners are of rectangular form horizontally with
vertical, curved or bevelled sides, and provided with either adjustable hinged doors
or slides opening underneath. The adjustable hinged doors are attached to a rod
(with swivelled movement) passing through a slit in a fixed transom or lid, having
one fixed arm and a moveable arm adjustable by means of a screw. Slides, if
preferable, may be used, being adjustable and placed underneath each other. To
each of these Cement Apportioners are secured forked straps provided with wheels,
which latter rest on framed wheeled supports carried upon rails fixed on the upper
opposite edges of the aforesaid Gauging Hopper, over which they are carried, aud
are, therefore," moveable" longitudinally and transversely.
(2) The aforesaid Gauging Hopper is of the form of an inverted frustrum of a
pyramid, divided into two compartiments, by the addition of two bevelled sides
forming together a doubly bevelled midfeather. It is provided with adjustable
hinged doors, to which are attached chains passing between the sides of the doubly
bevelled midfeather, over pulleys fixed thereon, and secured to levers arranged on
opposite sides of the Gauging Hopper, and, therefore, workable from the platform.
It is fixed, relatively directly over the hopper-mouth of the aforesaid Mixer, a
suspended midfeather being, also, provided directly underneath the fixed one.
(3) The aforesaid Mixer is of rectangular form transversely, with closed longi-
tudinal sides (except as hereinafter described) reduced proportionally, having
a hopper mouth and reduced discharging end. It rotates about a transverse axis,
by means of an axle secured to it near its upper end and to framework, carriage,
et cetera, as the case may be, and is actuated by a lever (or other suitable
contrivance) by means of a chain secured to it, near its discharging end and
passing over a pulley to the said lever. It is provided with (a) a number of
adjustable curved or twisted blades, approximately, of the form of a ploughshare,
fixed diagonally across its bed, at suitable intervals apart, alternately from either
side adjoining its bed; (b) a series of metal piping fixed diagonally therein, near,
and parallel to, its upper longitudinal side, from its hopper to its discharging end,
perforated so as to play the water supply in a forward direction-the object being
the least possible degree of impact-provided with valves for regulation and supply,
the latter being workable by means of an attachment from the platform, also,
flexible piping for conducting the water thereto;.(c) a moveable board forming
part of its upper longitudinal side; and (d) a hinged door, with turned-up sides, at
its lower extremity or discharging end, beneath the aperture, and workable, by
means of an attachment, from the platform.
The platform is arranged so as to admit of an easy discharge into the aforesaid
Gauging Hopper. The construction of the framework, carriage, et cetera, as the
case may be, may be varied to meet circumstances and requirements; that is, to
}

page_text: say, it may be fitted up as a depot machine, or into or upon a portable framework,
or into or upon the framework of a carriage or bogie-for transverse movement-the
carriage or bogie resting upon a portable framework-for longitudinal movement-
thus, possessing all the advantages of an ordinary "traveller.”
The ingredients of which the concrete is to be composed, are, in the first instance,
accurately gauged and tipt into the Gauging Hopper, as described, in the proposed
working order (upon the principle of even distribution, which is variable according
to the composition). Having, thus or in any approved manner, determined the
exact working gauge of its compartments, further gauging (except for cement or
lime, as the case may be, of which provision is made, as described,) is dispensed
with, hence, it becomes a "Gauging Hopper" for the ingredients, as a whole.
Alternative arrangements are provided in respect to the process of distribution or
apportionment in the said Gauging Hopper. The matrix and aggregates may,
where practicable, be divided respectively into alternate layers, or, if considered
preferable, the cement may be distributed, more or less, throughout, either by
adjusting the hinged doors of the said Cement Apportioners to the time occupied
in filling a compartment-the cement being worked in by the oscillation of
tipping or by the substitution of slides, as provided, adjusted to meet inter-
mittent requirements.
The ingredients having been passed into the said Gauging Hopper, as provided,
its levers are varyingly adjusted so as to allow the mixture to pass, between the
hinged doors and suspended midfeather, by gravitation, into the hopper of the
aforesaid Mixer, where the movement-by virtue of the angle of the plane of its
bed with the horizontal plane containing its axis, upon which it rotates into any
requisite position, as provided, is reduced to a, more or less, regulated sliding
motion. Here, by contact with the curved or twisted blades, as provided, the
ingredients, already partially mixed, are systematically revolved from right to left
and left to right alternately, and thus, during their passage, formed, mixed, or made
into concrete. The proportional reduction of the sides is based on the volume of
dry materials to their volume when formed into concrete, so that undue separation
is defeated. The hinged door, as provided, at its discharging end, being used as a
conductor into any contrivance that may be deemed advisable; or it may be used,
as, also, the Mixer itself, on the intermittent principle. The water supply having
been laid on and the regulation valves having been adjusted, as provided, by the
actuation of the supply valve, fitted to the perforated metal piping, as provided, a
continuous series of jets of water issue forth playing upon the mixture, during its
passage through the Mixer, the angle of delivery being, more or less, in the direction
of the pathway of the mixture, therefore, wetting the aggregates and reducing the
matrix gradually into a sufficiently moistened condition, with the least possible
impact, without "wash" and its consequents. A moveable board, forming part of
its upper longitudinal side, is provided for cleaning purposes, adjustment of the
blades, valves, et cetera, which opening may, also, be utilised for inspection of the
process.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The Concrete Mixing Machine constructed, arranged, and operating sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
2. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of Cement Apportioners
constructed with adjustable hinged doors or slides substantially as and for the
purpose herein-before described.
3. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of Cement Apportioners
provided with wheeled supports substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described.
4. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of a Gauging Hopper
arranged, relative to the platform and Mixer, substantially as and for the purpose
herein-before described.
24 J

page_text: 5. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of a Gauging Hopper
constructed with doubly bevelled midfeather substantially as and for the purpose
herein-before described.
6. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of a Mixer reduced
proportionally substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
7. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of a Mixer provided with
a transverse axle substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
8. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of a Mixer provided with
curved or twisted blades, approximately of the form of a ploughshare, substantially
as and for the purpose herein-before described.
9. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of a Mixer provided with
perforated metal piping fitted with valves for regulation and supply of water
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
10. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of a Mixer provided
with a hinged door, with turned-up sides, substantially as and for the purpose
herein-before described.
11. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of a Mixer provided
with a moveable board, forming part of its upper longitudinal side, substantially as
and for the purpose herein-before described.
12. In a machine for mixing or making concrete the use of framework carriage
or bogie, for longitudinal and transverse movement, substantially as and for the
purpose herein-before described.
Dated this the truanter found das