Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to the field of wet cement dispensers and more particularly to a wet cement dispensing apparatus having a tilting hopper and a hinged, angled auger tube for aiding in the cleaning of the apparatus and for delivering grout to elevated and hard to reach locations. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Traditional wet cement (i.e., “grout”) dispensers such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,955 to Lang and U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,249 to Lang, which are herein incorporated by reference, combine a hopper for holding grout and an auger tube containing a motorized auger that extends horizontally from the bottom of the hopper for conveying the grout a short distance away from the hopper. Typically, a flexible hose extends from the end of the auger tube for accurately channeling grout to the area where it is to be applied. 
         [0005]    In the sequence of normal operation, a cement truck or other mixing container first pours grout into the open top of the hopper which funnels the grout into the accepting end of the auger tube. The entire dispenser is then lifted by a forklift to a position above an area where grout is to be applied. The motorized auger is then activated. As the auger rotates within the tube, the grout is driven from the accepting end of the tube to its dispensing end. The grout is then forced through the flexible hose to the area of application. To control the flow of grout, a worker pinches and releases the hose by hand. A small, radial gap between the perimeter of the auger and the inner surface of the auger tube allows the auger to continue to rotate when the hose is pinched closed without causing an excessive build-up of pressure on the grout within the tube or the hose. 
         [0006]    One problem associated with grout delivery systems of the type described is that it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to deliver grout to elevated areas that offer little overhead space. In order to properly position a traditional grout dispenser during use, there must be a sufficient amount of space above an application site to accommodate the entire dispensing apparatus, as well as the boom and carriage of the forklift that carries it. This can be a severe limitation, because many work areas do not provide the requisite amount of overhead space and therefore necessitate alternative, more cumbersome means of grout application. 
         [0007]    Another common problem among conventional grout dispensers is the difficulty associated with cleaning. After use, excess grout must be cleaned out of the hopper and the auger tube before the grout is able to cure. This is typically accomplished by spraying the interior surfaces of the hopper and the auger tube with pressurized water to flush the residual grout out of the dispenser. However, much of the interior of the auger tube is difficult to reach, particularly the portions of the tube&#39;s interior that are closest to its longitudinal center. 
         [0008]    Yet another problem associated with traditional grout dispensers is excessive grout run-out after the motorized auger has been deactivated. This occurs when there is grout left in the auger tube after the auger has stopped rotating. Gravity forces some of the leftover grout to feed into the flexible hose and out to the work area, where it must be disposed of. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is therefore the purpose of this invention to provide a grout dispensing apparatus that is easy to clean and capable of delivering grout to elevated and difficult to reach locations. It is a further purpose of this invention to provide such a grout dispensing apparatus that also prevents excessive grout run-out after being shut off. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, there is provided a grout dispenser having a base, a hopper that can be tilted relative to the base, and an upwardly angled auger tube that can be folded along its length. The angled auger tube extends from the bottom of the hopper at an acute angle to a height greater than that of the hopper. Grout is poured into the open top of the hopper and is funneled into the accepting end of the auger tube. The entire apparatus is then lifted, such as by a forklift, into position. The rotating auger drives the grout upwardly through the tube and into a flexible hose that extends downwardly from the tube&#39;s dispensing end. 
         [0011]    Because the dispensing end of the auger tube is elevated relative to the rest of the dispenser&#39;s components, the dispenser need not be lifted as high as conventional grout dispensers (i.e., those having horizontally disposed auger tubes) to reach the same overall height. Moreover, because the angled auger tube is smaller than the carriage, boom, and hopper, the invention can reach into much tighter overhead areas than previous dispensers. Another benefit associated with the upwardly angled auger tube is that gravity prevents excess grout from running out of the tube after the auger has stopped rotating. 
         [0012]    The hopper is pivotably affixed to the base, enabling the hopper to tilt in the direction of the auger tube. The auger tube is hinged near its longitudinal center enabling its more elevated portion to fold back toward the hopper. For cleaning, the auger is removed from the auger tube, the auger tube is folded, and the hopper is tilted. The interiors of the hopper and the auger tube are then sprayed with pressurized water. The folded auger tube provides convenient access to the interior surfaces of the tube nearest its longitudinal center. The tilted hopper allows water and excess grout to run out through the neck of the folded tube. 
         [0013]    A spring-loaded pivot latch is mounted to the base of the dispenser. During operation, the pivot latch keeps the hopper locked in its normal, upright position. For cleaning, an operator manually disengages the latch, allowing the hopper to tilt. When the hopper is pivoted back to its normal, upright position, the pivot latch automatically reengages the hopper again, thereby locking it into place. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the invention in its normal, upright position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating the hopper, auger tube, and base of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view illustrating the hopper and base of the invention with the roll pin engaging the retaining block. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view illustrating the hopper in the cleaning position and the roll pin disengaged from the retaining block. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view illustrating the invention in the cleaning position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the auger tube of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term 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. For example, the word connected or term similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the grout dispenser  10  has a base  12 , a hopper  14 , and an auger tube  16  containing a conventional, motorized auger. All components of the dispenser are fabricated from steel unless otherwise noted, although all other durable, rigid materials, such as composites, aluminum, and plastic, are also contemplated. Terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, and “bottom” are used herein to describe the orientation and position of components when the dispenser is seated on a flat surface in an operable orientation. 
         [0022]    The hopper  14  is a box-shaped container that is wider at its top end than its bottom end in order to “feed” fluent material downwardly along vertical and sloped sidewalls. The top of the hopper  14  is open for accepting grout, such as from a larger container, and the bottom of the hopper is open to the auger tube  16  for dispensing grout. Additionally, a U-shaped cradle  18  is rigidly affixed to the bottom of the hopper  14 . 
         [0023]    The auger tube  16  is an elongated, cylindrical body that is rigidly affixed to the bottom and/or front of the hopper  14 . The auger tube  16  extends at an acute angle, relative to the surface upon which the dispenser sits, to a dispensing end that has an elevation greater than the rest of the auger tube  16 , and preferably to about the top edge of the hopper  14 . The accepting end of the tube  16 , which is beneath the hopper  14 , has an upwardly-facing aperture below the open bottom of the hopper for accepting grout from the bottom end of the hopper  14 . In an alternative embodiment in which the auger tube attaches to the front of the hopper, the accepting end of the tube has a horizontally-facing aperture facing into the hopper for accepting grout from the bottom end of the hopper. A cylindrical discharge spout  20  extends downwardly from the tube  16  adjacent the tube&#39;s elevated dispensing end for dispensing grout. A removable cap  22  fits over the dispensing end of the tube  16  and a hose (not shown) is attached to the spout  20 . 
         [0024]    Within the auger tube  16  is a removable auger drivably linked to a hydraulic motor (not shown). During operation of the dispenser  10 , the motor rotates the auger in a conventional manner, and the auger drives grout from the accepting end of the tube  16  (beneath the hopper  14 ) to its dispensing end. Because the dispensing end of the auger tube  16  is elevated relative to its accepting end, the force of gravity on the grout prevents any significant amount of unused grout left in the auger tube  16  from exiting the discharge spout  20  after the motor has been deactivated. Instead, the grout flows downhill to the accepting end of the auger tube  16 . 
         [0025]    A hinge plate  24  transversely divides the auger tube  16  into two cylindrical segments, one being a proximal segment  26  that is rigidly mounted to the hopper  14 , and the other being a distal segment  28  that is more elevated and that is capable of being folded back toward the hopper about the axis of the hinge plate&#39;s hinge  25 . A releasable tube pivot latch  30  is affixed to the hinge plate  24 , on the opposite side as the hinge  25 , for preventing the tube  16  from folding while the latch  30  is engaged. Of course, the hinge can be placed on the opposite side as that shown, and the latch can be reversed. Other structures that permit relative movement of the proximal and distal segments  26  and  28  are contemplated. It is contemplated that other structures, that permit separation of the segments of the auger tube  16 , can be substituted for the hinge. For example, referring to  FIG. 5 , the proximal and distal segments  126  and  128  of the tube  116  have annular flanges  131  and  133  that coaxially engage each other with an annular sealing disk  135  interposed therebetween. A set of four bolts (not shown) engage three corresponding sets of four radially-disposed, axially aligned apertures  137 ,  139 , and  141  (one of the apertures in set  141  is not within view, but is substantially identical to those that are) in each of the flanges  131  and  133  and the sealing disc  135  for removably securing all of the components together. The apertures  137  are threaded to receive the bolts in a conventional manner, and the keyhole apertures  141  permit separation of the flanges  131  and  133  without completely removing the bolts from the apertures  137 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the base  12  of the dispenser  10  has four major components: a carriage  32 , a turntable  34 , and two fork tubes  36  and  38 . The carriage  32  sits on top of the turntable  34  and is essentially U-shaped for matingly receiving the cradle  18  of the hopper  14 , which is slightly narrower. Thus, the hopper  14  is mounted rigidly to the cradle  18 , the cradle  18  is pivotably mounted to the carriage  32 , and the carriage  32  is rotatably mounted to the turntable  34 . 
         [0027]    The turntable  34  is preferably a rectangular plate, with a top surface facing vertically upwardly and a bottom surface facing vertically downwardly. The turntable has four rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46  (with horizontal axes of rotation) extending upwardly from its top surface. The rollers  40 - 46  are disposed around a circle and are spaced about 90 degrees apart. A cylindrical pivot post  48  extends upwardly from the surface of the turntable  34  at about the center of the circle equidistant from the rollers  40 - 46 . The bottom surface of the carriage  32  has a slightly smaller male post (not shown) that extends downwardly therefrom and rotatably engages the female pivot post  48 . The rollers  40 - 46  seat against the underside of the carriage  32 , and therefore the hopper  14  can be rotated about the axis of the pivot post  48  relative to the turntable  34  with the rollers  40 - 46  supporting the carriage vertically and permitting rotation of the carriage about the vertical axis of the post  48 . 
         [0028]    The turntable  34  ( FIG. 2 ) has four holes  54 ,  56  (not within view),  58  and  60 , each hole providing a vertical passageway through one of the turntable&#39;s four corners. A cylindrical brake pin mount  50  (see  FIG. 1 ) extends vertically from a hole in the carriage  32  for accepting a brake pin  52 . To prevent the carriage  32  from rotating relative to the turntable  34 , the brake pin  52  is inserted into the top of the brake pin mount  50  and is passed through the mount  50  and into one of the four holes  54 - 60  in the turntable  34 . Thus, the hopper  14  may be rotated to and locked into any one of four positions desired by an operator. Of course, more than four holes can be formed. Alternative mechanisms for locking the hopper  14  in position are also contemplated. 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the fork tubes  36  and  38  are rigidly affixed to the bottom surface of the turntable  34 , such as by welding, and are oriented parallel to one another. The tubes  36  and  38  are made from rectangular steel tubing and are spaced apart from each other appropriately for receiving therein the forks of a conventional forklift. The flat members  62 ,  64 ,  66 , and  68  are rigidly affixed to the sides of the fork tubes  36  and  38 , and each flat member has a hole  70 ,  72 ,  74 , and  76  into which the retaining pins  75  and  77  (retaining pin  77  is not pictured, but is identical to pin  75 ) may be horizontally inserted. The retaining pins act as a gate against the upraised portions of a forklift&#39;s forks to prevent the dispenser  10  from sliding off of the forks. 
         [0030]    The cradle  18  sits within, and is pivotably attached to, the carriage  32  by a pivot pin  78  that passes horizontally through axially-aligned holes  79  and  79 ′ (hole  79 ′ is not within view, but is identical to hole  79 ) and  33  and  33 ′ in the two opposing sides of the cradle  18  and the carriage  32 . This allows the hopper  14  to tilt to one side about the horizontal axis of the pivot pin  78 . 
         [0031]    The cradle  18  has two holes  86  and  88  positioned one above the other, and each provides a horizontal passageway through one of the cradle&#39;s sidewalls. A spring-loaded hopper pivot latch  80  is affixed to the sidewall of the carriage  32 . The pivot latch  80  has a handle  82  with an elongated locking pin  84  extending therefrom for axially engaging a flanged pin sheath  85  that is rigidly mounted to the carriage  32 . The locking pin  84  extends through the pin sheath  85  and the sidewall of the carriage  32  and can extend through one of the holes  86  and  88  in the sidewall of the cradle  18  to prevent the hopper  14  from pivoting about the pivot pin  78 . During operation of the dispenser  10 , the locking pin  84  engages the upper hole  88  in the cradle  18 , thereby keeping the hopper  14  locked in its upright, dispensing position. The lower hole  86  is used for cleaning, as described below when the hopper is tilted. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an operator prepares the dispenser  10  for cleaning by first pulling the handle  82  of the spring-loaded hopper pivot latch  80  with sufficient force to disengage the locking pin  84  from the upper hole  88 . The hopper  14  is then tilted to the cleaning position shown in  FIG. 4 , either by the operator manually tilting the hopper  14 , or due to the force of gravity. Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the cap  22  is removed, and the auger is axially extracted from the auger tube  16 . Because the auger tube  16  is tilted, the force of gravity aids in the removal of the auger. After the auger has been extracted, the pivot latch  30  is disengaged and the distal segment  28  of the auger tube  16  is folded back toward the hopper  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 . It is contemplated that the auger can alternatively be removed and the auger tube  16  folded before the hopper  14  is tilted. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , a roll pin  89  extends radially from the locking pin  84 , and a retaining block  91  extends longitudinally from the outwardly-facing surface of the flanged portion of the pin sheath  85 . The retaining block  91  holds the locking pin  84  from full insertion into the sheath  85 . An L-shaped bracket  93  extends from the side of the hopper  14 , and a contact bar  95  is rigidly mounted to the corner of the bracket  93 . In order to keep the locking pin  84  axially disengaged from the upper hole  88  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) while the operator tilts the hopper  14 , the operator rotates the handle  82  about the axis of the locking pin  84  before tilting and brings the roll pin  89  to rest against the retaining block  91  (as shown in  FIG. 3   a ). Referring to  FIG. 3   b , as the hopper  14  is tilted upwardly by the operator, the top surface of the contact bar  95  (attached to the moving hopper) engages the bottom surface of one end of the handle  82 , thereby rotating the handle  82  counterclockwise. The rotational movement of the handle  82  causes the roll pin  89  to slide off of the retaining block  91 , thereby allowing the locking pin  84  to be further inserted through the sheath  85 , and drawn into contact with the sidewall of the cradle  18  by a spring. The cradle sidewall then slides along the tip of the locking pin  84  while the hopper  14  is being tilted. When the hopper  14  is fully tilted, the locking pin  84  is in alignment with the lower hole  86  in the cradle, and the locking pin  84  is drawn into the lower hole  86  by the spring, thereby locking the hopper  14  in its tilted position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0034]    Once the dispenser  10  is in the cleaning position shown in  FIG. 4 , the interiors of the hopper  14  and the auger tube  16  can be scrubbed with a brush and/or sprayed with pressurized water. The water can be directed through the open top of the hopper  14 , into the open end of the proximal segment  26  of the auger tube  16 , and into both open ends of the distal segment  28 . In the cleaning position shown in  FIG. 4 , the proximal segment  26  of the auger tube is tilted at least slightly downward from horizontal, and if the surface upon which the dispenser  10  sits is relatively level, water and residual grout can flow freely out of the hopper  14  and through the proximal segment  26  during cleaning. Thus, water and grout flow by gravity out of all major areas of the dispenser  10 . 
         [0035]    In an alternative method for cleaning the dispenser  10 , water is first sprayed or poured into the top of the hopper  14  while the hopper  14  is locked in its normal, upright position. The water accumulates in the hopper  14  and the auger tube  16 , thereby diluting and loosening any residual grout therein. With the dispenser  10  partly or nearly full of water, the auger is activated. The rotation of the auger agitates the contents of the dispenser  10  and further loosens any grout that may be built-up within the auger tube  16 , while at the same time possibly pushing some of the grout and water mixture out of the tube  16 . The cap  22  is then removed and the hopper  14  is tilted to flush the remaining mixture out of the dispenser  10 . The hopper and auger tube are subsequently cleaned of any remaining grout and possibly sprayed with clean water so that all water and residue can run downhill out of the distal portion of the auger tube. 
         [0036]    To move the hopper  14  back to its upright position, the operator pulls the hopper pivot latch handle  82  to disengage the locking pin  84  from the lower hole  86 , and then rotates the handle  82  about the axis of the locking pin  84  and brings the roll pin  89  to rest on the retaining block  91 . The operator then tilts the hopper  14  upwardly. As the hopper  14  is being tilted, the bottom surface of the contact bar  95  engages the top surface of one end of the handle  82 , thereby rotating the handle  82  clockwise. The rotational movement of the handle  82  causes the roll pin  89  to slide off of the retaining block  91 , thereby allowing the locking pin  84  to be further inserted into the sheath  85 , and drawn into contact with the sidewall of the cradle  18 . The cradle sidewall then slides along the tip of the locking pin  84  while the hopper  14  is being tilted. When the hopper  14  is fully returned to its upright position, the locking pin  84  is in alignment with the upper hole  88  in the cradle, and the locking pin  84  is drawn into full insertion in the upper hole  88 , thereby locking the hopper  14  in its upright position. The auger is returned to the tube  16  after the tube  16  is unfolded. The cap  22  is replaced and the dispenser is ready for use or storage. 
         [0037]    Various mechanisms are shown to lock parts of the dispenser in position. Any similar mechanisms can be substituted for the structures shown, as will become apparent. For example, the locking pin  84  is inserted through aligned holes. This can be replaced by a friction brake or another structure that accomplishes the purpose of locking the otherwise relatively moveable parts to one another. Additionally, although various pivot pins are shown, any structure that produces relative movement about an axis can be substituted, as will be understood by a person of ordinary skill. 
         [0038]    This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 0