Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for a mixer. In described embodiments, the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a mixer discharge chute.

Background to the Invention

Rotating drum mixers are widely used for transporting concrete from concrete suppliers to building sites where concrete is to be used. The concrete is discharged from the drum via a discharge chute which receives concrete from the drum and discharges it into the desired location.

The design of the discharge chute has a number of distinct issues. For example, the upper end of the chute is positioned at the mouth of the drum and is generally pivotally attached to the mixer chassis such that the lower end can pivot to allow deposit in the desired location. In use, the mixer driver physically manhandles the chute into position and it is not unknown for drivers to be injured or killed by machinery which is attempting to interact with the discharging concrete.

Additionally, after the concrete has been discharged, the chute generally requires cleaning and it is undesirable to have the mixer operator clean the chute with their hands, particularly at high levels.

The further drawback of the chute designs presently on the market is they can allow debris which may be attached to the chute or which leaves the drum during transit to fall off the end of the chute onto the road behind. Every year a number of vehicles are damaged by debris exiting mixer lorry discharge chutes. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning a mixer discharge chute, the apparatus comprising:

a tool having an elongate member and a head, the head being associated with the elongate member, the head, during use of the tool, being engageable with a discharge chute internal surface to facilitate removal of debris from said discharge chute internal surface, the tool further being adapted to be stowed on a mixer such that the head forms a barrier across the mixer discharge chute.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a tool having a head suitable for scraping a discharge chute and, when the tool is stowed, forming a barrier across the discharge chute, substantially preventing debris falling from the discharge chute outlet.

The head may comprise a body portion and a scraping portion.

The scraping portion may define a scraping edge.

The scraping portion may comprise a metal.

Alternatively or additionally the scraping portion may substantially or partially comprise a polymer material, rubber or bristles or any such suitable material.

The scraping portion may comprise a combination of materials. In some embodiments increased utility to the tool is provided by the scraping portion having a bristled section and a metal scraping section.

The scraping portion may be fixed to the head body.

The scraping portion may be releasably fixed to the head. Such an arrangement permits the scraping portion to be removed for replacing or changing. In a preferred embodiment the head may define a semi-circular profile to match the end profile of the discharge chute. Particularly, the scraping portion edge describes an arc.

Alternatively, the head, and in some embodiments the scraping portion edge may define a circular or any other profile.

The elongate member may comprise a first end and a second end, the head being attached at, or adjacent, the elongate member first end.

The head may be releaseably attachable to the elongate member. Such an arrangement permits the head to be removed for cleaning or to permit the head to be used as a hand tool. Being able to use the head as a hand tool facilitates greater pressure and improved flexibility of use. Furthermore, having the head releaseably attachable permits the entire head or the elongate member to be replaced.

Alternatively the head may be fixedly attached to the elongate member. In some circumstances the rigidity of a fix connection is desirable.

The elongate member may comprise a fixing member adapted to attach the elongate member to the head.

In an embodiment, the fixing member may be located at or adjacent the elongate member first end.

The head may comprise an aperture adapted to receive a portion of the elongate member.

Alternatively or additionally, the head may be welded to the elongate member.

The head may substantially comprise a metal. Alternatively or additionally, the head may substantially or at least partially comprise a polymer material.

The elongate member may substantially comprise a metal.

Alternatively or additionally, the elongate member may substantially or at least partially comprise a polymer material. Polymeric materials, for example, may make the tool lighter and easier to handle.

At least a portion of the tool may comprise a protective coating. Coatings such as a polymeric coating can protect parts of the tool from damage caused by use or corrosion caused by contact with corrosive materials and/or weathering.

The tool may comprise at least one handle.

A handle may be associated with one or both ends of the elongate member.

One or both the first and second ends of elongate member may define a handle.

The tool may further comprise an attachment means adapted to be attached, in use, to a discharge chute. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment means is used to allow a user to manoeuvre the discharge chute from a safe distance.

The attachment means may be associated with the elongate member, and in some embodiments, an end of the elongate member. The attachment means is provided to attach to the discharge chute to permit the tool to be used to manipulate the discharge chute outlet by the driver from a safe distance.

The attachment means may be adapted to attach to a mixer secondary chute.

The attachment means may be associated with an end of the elongate member opposite to an end of the elongate member having a handle. The tool may be fixable to the chute.

In an embodiment, when the tool is stowed in a stowed configuration, the tool head may be adapted to form a barrier, in use, across a discharge chute outlet.

In the stowed configuration, the barrier formed by the head across the discharge chute may be adapted to prevent at least some debris falling from the discharge chute outlet during transit of a mixer.

In the stowed configuration, the tool may form a seal with the discharge chute.

In the stowed configuration, the tool may form a seal with the discharge chute internal surface.

The seal may be watertight.

The tool may have two areas of contact with the chute.

The areas of contact may be defined by opposite ends of the tool.

One area of contact may be defined by the tool head.

Alternatively or additionally, one area of contact may be defined by an end of the elongate member.

The apparatus may further comprise a retaining member. In use the retaining member provides a means to retain the tool within the chute.

The retaining member may be attachable to the tool.

The retaining member may be attachable to the elongate member.

Alternatively or additionally the retaining member may be attachable to the head. In at least one embodiment, the retaining member may be releaseably attachable to the tool.

In embodiments of the invention, in use, the retaining member is positioned at least partially across the chute, engaging with the tool in such a way that the retaining member retains the tool in the discharge chute. When the retaining member is engaged with the tool the retaining member may apply pressure to the tool to engage it firmly or pin the tool to the chute.

The retaining member may, in use, be attachable to a mixer.

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining member may, in use, be attachable to a discharge chute.

The retaining member may be adapted to be releaseably attachable to the discharge chute.

In some embodiments, the retaining member may be attachable to the mixer at a single location on the mixer.

In alternative embodiments, the retaining member may be attachable to the mixer at a plurality of locations.

In the preferred embodiments, the retaining member may be attachable to the discharge chute at least one location.

Preferably, the retaining member may be attachable to the discharge chute at two locations.

Where the retaining member is attachable to the discharge chute in two locations, the locations may be at or adjacent opposite sides of the discharge chute. The retaining member may be movable, in use, with respect to the discharge chute between a retained position and a released position. In the retained position, in use, the tool is retained within the discharge chute and in the released position at least the elongate member and the head may be free to move with respect to the discharge chute.

In the retained position, in use, the tool may be locked to the discharge chute.

The retaining member may, in use, be attached to the discharge chute in both the released and retained positions.

The retaining member may, in use, be pivotally attached to the discharge chute.

The retaining member may, in use, be movable about a pivot between the retained position and the released position.

A first portion of the retaining member may, in use, be pivotally attached to the discharge chute and, in the retained position, a second portion of the retaining member may be releaseably attached to the discharge chute.

In this embodiment, in use, in the retained position of the retaining member second portion may be lockable to the discharge chute.

In alternative embodiments, in the released position, the retaining member may, in use, be removable from the discharge chute.

In this embodiment, in the retained position at least one portion, and preferably two portions of the retaining member may be lockable to the discharge chute. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool for cleaning a mixer discharge chute, the tool comprising:

an elongate member; and

a head, the head being associated with the elongate member, the head defining an edge, at least of portion of the edge having a profile complementary to a discharge chute internal surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for manoeuvring a mixer discharge chute, the apparatus comprising: a tool having

an elongate member;

a head, the head being associated with the elongate member, and an attachment means adapted to attach the tool, in use, to a discharge chute,

wherein, the tool is usable in a first use configuration, when the tool is attached to the discharge chute by the attachment means, to manoeuvre the chute, and in a second use configuration, when the tool is stowed in the discharge chute such that the head forms a barrier across the mixer discharge chute, to substantially prevent debris exiting a discharge chute outlet.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a tool having dual utility. The tool can be used to manoeuvre the discharge chute outlet from a safe distance and be used to form a barrier across the discharge chute. In one embodiment, the head is engageable with a discharge chute internal surface to facilitate removal of debris from said discharge chute internal surface.

The tool may be attachable to a secondary mixer chute, the secondary mixer chute being attached, in use, to the discharge chute.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mixer discharge chute for a rotating drum concrete mixer, the mixer discharge chute comprising a first spigot and the second spigot, the first and second spigot's being located adjacent the discharge end of the chute, the spigots, in use, being adapted to receive an inlet end of a secondary discharge chute and/or an apparatus for manoeuvring the discharge chute.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a tool for cleaning a mixer discharge chute, the tool comprising:

a head, the head defining an edge, at least of portion of the edge having a profile complementary to a discharge chute internal surface;

wherein head forms a barrier across the mixer discharge chute, to substantially prevent debris exiting a discharge chute outlet.

For the avoidance of doubt, features listed as non-essential with respect to the first aspect may be equally applicable to subsequent aspects.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a first perspective view of an apparatus for cleaning a mixer discharge chute in a retained configuration; Figure 2 is a second perspective view of part of the tool of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a third perspective view of part of the tool of Figure 1 being used to clean the chute;

Figure 4 is a close-up view of the tool of Figure 1 engaged with the chute pin; and

Figure 5 is a side view of the tool of Figure 1 being used to manoeuvre the discharge chute.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Reference is first made to Figure 1 , a first perspective view of an apparatus, generally indicated by reference numeral 5 for cleaning a mixer discharge chute 12 in a retained configuration, and Figure 2, a second perspective view of part of the apparatus 5 of Figure 1.

The apparatus 5 comprises a tool 10 and a retaining member 18. The tool 10 comprises an elongate member 14, a head 16. The head 16 is attached to the elongate member 14. The head 16, during use of the tool 10, being engageable with the discharge chute internal surface 20 to facilitate removal of debris (not shown) from said discharge chute internal surface 20.

As shown in Figure 1 , in the retained configuration, the tool 10 is adapted to be stowed on a mixer (not shown), particularly within the mixer discharge chute 12 such that the head 16 forms a barrier across the discharge chute 12. Particularly, in this embodiment, the head 16 forms a barrier across a discharge chute outlet 24.

The elongate member 14 has a first end 26 and a second end 28, the elongate member first end 26 defining a handle 30 for a user to hold when using the tool 10. The elongate member second end 28 is welded to a first plate 32 (most clearly shown on Figure 2) which is bolted by means of four bolts 34a - 34d to the head 16.

Referring to Figure 2, the head 16 comprises a head body 36 and a sacrificial scraping portion 38, the scraping portion 38 comprises an elastomeric blade 44 fixedly attached to the body 36 by a fixing plate 40 and seven bolts 42a - 42g, the blade 44 being sandwiched between the head body 36 and the fixing plate 40.

The blade 44 defines a scraping edge 46 adapted, in use, to be used to clean the chute internal surface 20. In the retained configuration, shown in Figure 1 , where the tool 10, and particularly, the head 16 forms a barrier across the discharge chute outlet 24, the scraping edge 46 is substantially engaged with the chute internal surface 20 and, as such, to form an effective barrier, the profile of the scraping edge 46 is complementary to the discharge chute internal surface 20 at the discharge chute outlet 24.

Referring to Figure 3, a third perspective view of part of the tool 10 of Figure 1 being used to clean the chute 12, it will be noted that the semi-circular profile of the scraping edge 46 lends itself to cleaning the discharge chute internal surface 20 as the discharge chute 12 has a substantially semi-circular internal surface profile 48 along the length of the chute 12.

The retaining member 18, in the stowed configuration shown in Figure 1 , pins the tool 10 to the discharge chute internal surface 20. The retaining member 18 is received within a cradle 90 welded to the elongate member 14 (most clearly shown in Figure 2). Particularly the retaining member 18 presses the scraping edge 46 and the elongate member handle 30 into the discharge chute internal surface 20. The retaining member 18 comprises a bar 50, the bar 50 being pivotally attached at a first end 52 to a first chute edge 54 and lockably attached at a second end 56 to a second chute edge 58, by means of a rotatable lock 59 (most clearly shown in Figure 2).

The tool 10 further comprises an eye 60 attachable to the head body 36 by means of a second head fixing plate 62 which is also attached to the head body 36 by means of the four fixing bolts 34a - 34d which attach the first head body fixing plate 32 to the head body 36. The purpose of the eye 60 will be described in due course.

The tool 10 is removed from the discharge chute 12 by releasing the lock 59 and freeing the retaining member bar second end 56 from the 2nd chute edge 58. This permits the retaining member 18 to be pivoted about the retaining member first end 52 which is pivotally attached to the first chute edge 54. This frees the elongate member 14 and the head 16 to be lifted out of the discharge chute 20.

Once released from the retained position, the tool 10 can be used to clean the discharge chute internal surface 20, as discussed earlier in connection with Figure 3.

The tool 10 can also be used to manoeuvre the discharge chute 12 using the eye 60. The discharge chute 12 is further provided with a pair of pins 68, one pin 68 attached to the first chute edge 54 and another pin 68 attached to the discharge chute second edge 58 (Figures 1 and 2). The eye 60 is sized to slide over either of the pins 68. This is most clearly shown in Figure 4, a close up view of the tool 10 of Figure 1 engaged with the chute pin 68.

Referring to Figure 5, a side view of the tool 10 of Figure 1 being used to manoeuvre the discharge chute 12, the tool 10 allows a user 64 to push or pull the discharge chute 12 into the desired location for discharge of concrete from the mixer (not shown).

The pins 68 have a dual purpose in that they allow a pan chute (not shown) to be hung off the end of the discharge chute 12 to add length to the discharge chute

12. The pins 68 are of sufficient length that even with a pan chute in position, either pin 68 can still be used to by the tool 10 to manipulate the discharge chute 12 and the pan chute (not shown).

Various modifications and improvements may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example although the retaining member 18 is shown attached to the edges 54 and 58 of the discharge chute 12, in other embodiments, the retaining member may be attached only to one edge of the discharge chute or, indeed to another part of the mixer (not shown) entirely.

In other embodiments, the eye may be located adjacent the elongate member

14 handle 26, a second handle being attached to the head 36. This arrangement provides a protective barrier adjacent the user's 64 hand when they are pulling or pushing the discharge chute 12.