Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
GROUT PLACEMENT APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to the field of
rnnstri]t':t.ion and., more nartirl,larly_ tn an ar,r,aratõ~., i: n1, u1u1rr.
i---- 1 r rr.,.~...~... y
a hopper with an auger for placing grout, mortar and similar
fluent materials in block walls, foundations and the like at
construction job sites.
Description of the Related Art
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.
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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
- 2 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
hose difficult to handle. One solution to this problem is set
forth in U.S. Patent 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.
Patent No. 6,206,249 ("the `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 `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.
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.
- 3 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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
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.
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
- 4 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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.
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
- 5 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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.
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
- 6 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
free flow of grout material through the grout delivery
apparatus and increasing the overall efficiency of the
apparatus.
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.
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.
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.
- 7 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 8 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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.
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.
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 3601' and
locked in various positions.
- 9 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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.
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
- 10 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
Figure 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.
Figure 2 is a perspective view from the motor or
rear end of the grout placement apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of the grout placement
apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a front view of the grout placement
apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a detailed side and partial cross-
sectional view of the grout placement apparatus shown in
Figure 1. .
Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the grout
placement apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 7 is an exploded rear perspective view
illustrating various components of the hopper of the grout
placement apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 8 is an exploded front perspective view
illustrating the hopper upper support frame of the grout
placement apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 9 is an exploded rear perspective view
illustrating the hopper lower support frame of the grout
placement apparatus shown in Figure 1.
- 11 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
Figure 10 is a cutaway side view of the auger as
mounted in the hopper of the grout placement apparatus shown
in Figure 1.
Figure 11 is a cutaway side view of the hopper and
auger shown in Figure 10, illustrating a first step in removal
of the auger from the grout placement apparatus.
Figure 12 is a cutaway side view of the hopper and
auger shown in Figure 11, illustrating a second step in
removal of the auger from the grout placement apparatus.
Figure 13 is an exploded view of the discharge
sleeve and discharge assembly of the grout placement apparatus
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternate
configuration of the grout placement apparatus of Figure 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.
Figure 15 is a schematic drawing illustrating a
manual control embodiment of a hydraulic control system for
the PTO grout placement apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 16 is a schematic drawing illustrating a
piping layout for the hydraulic control system shown in Figure
15.
Figure 17 is an exploded view of the remote control
components for use with a remote control embodiment of a
- 12 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
hydraulic control system for the grout placement apparatus
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 18 is a schematic drawing illustrating the
hydraulic circuit for the remote control embodiment of the PTO
grout placement apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 19 is a schematic drawing illustrating an
electrical circuit for the radio frequency remote control
system shown in Figure 18.
Figure 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.
Figure 21 is an exploded view of various components
of the discharge assembly of the grout placement apparatus
shown in Figure 20.
Figure 22 is a perspective view of the grout
placement apparatus of Figure 20, shown with the discharge
assembly in the swing-away position.
Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view
illustrating various components of the hopper of the grout
placement apparatus shown in Figure 20.
Figure 24 is a schematic drawing illustrating a gas-
powered hydraulic control system for the grout placement
apparatus shown in Figure 20.
- 13 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
Figure 25 is a schematic drawing illustrating a
piping layout for the hydraulic control system shown in Figure
24.
Figure 26 is a schematic drawing illustrating an
electrical circuit for the gas-powered grout placement
apparatus shown in Figure 20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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.
As shown in Figures 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 Figure 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.
- 14 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
The hopper 20, shown in isolation and from the rear
in Figure 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 Figure 5).
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 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 45C 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 351-;, to form an included
angle of about 7011.
- 15 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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
Figures 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 45f1 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
- 16 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
Mounted to the right front arm 52 is a hinge support
arm 62 that extends forwardly from the arm 52 as shown in
Figure 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.
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 Figures 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
- 17 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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
3601'-1 and can lock in four different positions.
As shown in Figure 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.
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 Figures 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
Figure 6) . The auger motor 92 is preferably covered by a
protective cowling 94 as shown in Figure 10.
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
- 18 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
The sequence by which the auger is removed is
illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 after the discharge assembly
30 has been moved to its swing-out position (and is not shown
in Figures 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 Figure
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 Figure 12.
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 Figures 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 preferably as disclosed in U.S. Patent
Nos. 5,687,832 and 5,848,871 to Thiessen. Such an auger is
commercially available from Talet Equipment International of
Strathmore, Alberta, Canada. The flexibility of the blades 27
- 19 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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 Figure 13. The discharge
assembly 30 includes a housing 100 having a hinge support arm
102 mounted thereto (see Figures 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 Figure 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
Figure 14.
When pivoted to the locked position (see Figure 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
- 20 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
art. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-4 and 13, a
T-handle generally designated by reference numeral 108 is
provided for this purpose. Figure 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 Figure 21 which pertains to the
second, gas-powered, embodiment of the grout placement
apparatus, as will be discussed hereinafter.) In the
alternate configuration of Figure 14, the hinge support 62 is
coupled to the hopper 20 rather than to the upper frame 44.
In both the first embodiment of Figures 1-4 and 13,
and the alternate configuration thereof shown in Figure 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 Figure
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.
The top and front of the housing 100 are provided
with rinse-out grates 104, 106, best seen in Figures 1 and 13.
- 21 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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.
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.
- 22 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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 Figure 15, and a piping
layout thereof is set forth in Figure 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.
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 Figure 13). The valve 110 includes the closing
flap 112 supported on a lever arm 113 pivotally mounted on an
axle 114 (see Figures 5, 6 and 13) . The flap 112 and lever
arm 113 are operated by valve hydraulic cylinder 116 tied into
- 23 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
the hydraulic circuit of the grout placement apparatus 10 as
above described. In the manual mode shown in Figure 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.
As shown in Figure 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.
- 24 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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 Figure 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 Figure 1).
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.
- 25 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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 Figure 18. An electrical circuit for this embodiment is
provided in Figure 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.
A second embodiment of the present invention, namely
the gas-powered grout placement apparatus noted earlier, is
illustrated in Figures 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".
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 Figure
20. To provide sufficient length to support the engine, the
- 26 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
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 Figures 21 and 22.
In the swing-out position shown in Figure 23, the discharge
sleeve 322 is exposed for cleaning and inspection as in the
first embodiment including the alternate configuration
thereof.
As best shown in Figure 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.
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
- 27 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
grout placement apparatus 10. A representative schematic is
set forth in Figure 24 and includes the engine 200, hydraulic
gear pump 270 and hydraulic tank 272; a piping layout of the
hydraulics is shown in Figure 25.
Given the placement of the auger motor on the back
side of the hopper, the gas-powered grout placement apparatus
300 shown in Figures 20 an 22 is operable only remotely. An
electrical schematic for remote operation of the gas-powered
grout placement apparatus is shown in Figure 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.
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
- 28 -
CA 02676621 2009-08-26
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.
- 29 -
