BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates generally to the field of concrete distribution systems, and more particularly, to a mobile concrete distribution system.

2. Description of the Related Art.

U.S. Patent No. 3860175 (Westerlund et al., 1975) discloses a mobile concrete distributing boom apparatus. The invention includes a pair of telescoped horizontal pipes of rigid metal, one of which is mounted on the boom and the other of which is pivotally mounted on a towable or movable frame. An input pipe means projects in the opposite direction to act as a counterweight.

U.S. Patent No. 5351716 (Korthaus, 1994) provides a concrete distributor system with a concrete delivery pump, a connecting delivery conduit leading to a multi-part concrete distributor mast, and a concrete conveying conduit that is integrated with the mast and connected to the conduit. The pump imparts pulse-like movements to the concrete, and a pipe damper is mounted into one of the conduits to attenuate the pulse-like movements of the concrete as it flows through the conduits.

U.S. Patent No. 5868156 (Korthaus, 1999) describes a concrete distribution system for transportable concrete. The invention includes a concrete conveying pipe line of several pipe sections and a pipe line carrier boom with several carrier boom segments. The pipe sections are connected to corresponding carrier boom segments. The pipe sections are telescopically engaged with each other (as are the carrier boom segments) and with the boom. The pipe sections and boom segments are configured to extend and retract in tandem. U.S. Patent No. 6588448 (Raymond, 2003) discloses a telescope, boommounted concrete pump apparatus. The telescoping boom assembly is pivotally and rotatably mounted on the platform of a truck. The boom assembly comprises inner, intermediate and outer boom members, which are telescopically engaged with one another. A first concrete conduit is positioned at a first side of the inner boom member. A flexible concrete hose is connected to the first concrete conduit. First and second elongated supports are mounted on the inner boom member, and a third elongated support is mounted on the second elongated support. The invention further comprises a second concrete conduit and a concrete discharge conduit.

U.S. Patent No. 8312957 (Stoltzfus, 2012) provides an apparatus for moving concrete pump hoses. The apparatus comprises a wheel frame and front and rear horn members that support the hose. An intermediate grappling apparatus is configured to elevate the hose onto the hom members. Each horn member comprises a fixed portion and a pivotally movable portion that elevates the hose above the horn members.

U.S. Patent No. 8944445 (Cook et al., 2015) describes a system for manipulating concrete spreading hoses featuring a frame with large casters. The system comprises two or more supports spaced apart along a support hose beam. The frame is configured to rotatably position the caster wheels and position the support hose beam above them.

U.S. Patent No. 9850671 (Mapelli et al., 2017) discloses a vehicle for projecting concrete in which a pumping device feeds concrete along a pipe. The invention comprises an electric energy generation and feed unit comprising at least one electric accumulator, at least one electric converter that is configured to take energy from the accumulator, and at least one electric motor that is fed by the converter. The electric motor can be selectively and alternatively coupled with the movement unit of the vehicle or to the concrete projection unit.

U.S. Patent Nos. 10443251 (Eenigenburg et al., 2019) and 10961728 (Eenigenburg et al., 2021) provide a wheeled concrete supply hose moving device that is configured to grasp, lift and move a concrete supply hose. The invention comprises a wheeled support with a hose grasping device with a pair of grasping arms. A pair of pivoting support arms support the grasped and raised hose. In an alternate embodiment, the invention comprises a hose lifting device and a hose support element, both of which are adjustable between a lifting/support state and a non-lifting/non-support state. As the hose lifting device lifts the hose upward, the hose support element is automatically adjusted from the non-support state to the support state.

U.S. Patent Nos. 10625990 (Henikl et al., 2020) and 11098491 (Henikl et al., 2021) describe a large manipulator with an articulated mast. The manipulator comprises a truck-mounted concrete pump, a mast pedestal that is arranged on a chassis and rotatable about a vertical axis by means of a rotary drive, and an articulated mast with two or more mast arms. The mast arms are pivotable by means of a pivoting drive. A mast sensor arrangement detects the position of at least one point on the articulated mast or a pivot angle of at least one articulated joint, and a control device limits the speed of the mast movement on the basis of the output signal from the sensor arrangement. In an alternate embodiment, the manipulator includes a means for limiting the speed of the hydraulic cylinders that extend and retract the mast segments to a pre-specified maximum value in an emergency operation mode.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No 2002/0015618 (Quenzi et al.) discloses a concrete placing machine with a wheeled base unit and a concrete placing pipe assembly extending from the base unit. The wheeled base unit has a lower wheeled portion and an upper swivel portion, which is configured to swivel 360 degrees relative to the wheeled base unit by virtue of a hydraulic swivel device. The upper swivel portion includes a hydraulic pump that provides pressurized fluid to various hydraulically controlled valves, controls and components of the placing apparatus. The lower portion includes one or more hydraulically operated drive systems, steering systems and/or stabilizer cylinders that are powered and controlled by the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic swivel device has a passageway for a concrete connector pipe, which configuration allows the concrete pipe assembly to rotate 360 degrees relative to a lower supply pipe attached at the lower portion of the base unit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a mobile concrete distribution system comprising: a chassis; a primary boom member; an auxiliary boom member; and a concrete conduit pipe; wherein the primary boom member is rotatably connected to a main slew drive; wherein the primary boom member is elongated and extends both rearwardly and forwardly of the main slew drive; wherein the primary boom member comprises a front section and a rear section; wherein the auxiliary boom member is rotatably connected to the primary boom member at a distal end of the front section of the primary boom member via a secondary slew drive; wherein the secondary slew drive is configured to enable the auxiliary boom member to rotate three hundred sixty degrees relative to the primary boom member; and wherein the concrete conduit pipe extends upwardly from the main slew drive, along an entire length of the front section of the primary boom member, vertically through the secondary slew drive, and along an entire length of the auxiliary boom member. In a preferred embodiment, the main slew drive is situated in a center of the chassis. In another preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a counterweight that is disposed on a distal end of the rear section of the primary boom member.

In a preferred embodiment, the front section of the primary boom member is configured to enclose hydraulic hoses extending from a hydraulic lever control panel that is situated on the chassis. Preferably, the auxiliary boom member is situated directly underneath and parallel with the primary boom member when the auxiliary boom member is in a fully retracted position. The primary boom member has a length, the auxiliary boom member has a length, and the length of the auxiliary boom member is preferably approximately half the length of the primary boom member.

In a preferred embodiment, the concrete conduit pipe extends for a certain distance beyond a distal end of the auxiliary boom member. Preferably, the length of the auxiliary boom member plus the certain distance is less than the length of the front section of the primary boom member. The main slew drive is preferably configured to enable the primary boom member to rotate three hundred sixty degrees relative to the chassis.

In a preferred embodiment, the front section of the primary boom member has a length, the rear section of the primary boom member has a length, and the length of the front section of the primary boom member is at least 1.5 times the length of the rear section of the primary boom member. Preferably, a distal end of the concrete conduit pipe comprises an outlet that is configured to deposit onto a surface wet concrete slurry that is pumped through the concrete conduit pipe. The chassis preferably comprises a floor, a front inside wall, and a rear inside wall. The front inside wall and the rear inside wall of the chassis are preferably both sloped. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic lever control panel is situated on the inside rear wall of the chassis. Preferably, the invention further comprises a pair of front wheels that is connected to a front part of the chassis and a pair of rear wheels that is connected to a rear part of the chassis. Preferably, the invention further comprises a pair of front wheels that is connected to a front part of the chassis and a pair of rear wheels that is connected to a rear part of the chassis; wherein the hydraulic level control panel comprises a plurality of levers that are configured to control proportional hydraulic valves; and wherein the proportional hydraulic valves are configured to control the pair of front wheels, the pair of rear wheels, the main slew drive, and the secondary slew drive.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises: a gas motor that is situated within the chassis and a battery that is configured to start the gas motor; and a hydraulic pump that is configured to drive a plurality of hydraulic motors, the plurality of hydraulic motors being situated and configured to drive the pair of front wheels, the pair of rear wheels, the main slew drive, and the secondary slew drive. Preferably, the main slew drive is situated on top of a support post that is located in a center of the floor of the chassis and supported by a framework of support members that extend radially from the support post and are connected to the front inside wall and the rear inside wall of the chassis. In a preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a swivel gasket that is situated on an underside of the floor of the chassis; wherein the concrete conduit pipe extends vertically through the main slew drive, through the floor of the chassis, and out through the swivel gasket.

In a preferred embodiment, the rear section of the primary boom member comprises a rear end with an aperture that is configured to receive an air holding tank.

Preferably, the concrete conduit pipe is configured so that a middle section of the concrete conduit pipe extends horizontally above and parallel with the front section of the primary boom member, downwardly through the secondary slew drive, and horizontally beneath and parallel with the auxiliary boom member. A top part of the middle section of the concrete conduit pipe is preferably configured to rotate three hundred sixty degrees relative to a bottom part of the middle section of the concrete conduit pipe.

In a preferred embodiment, the secondary slew drive is vertically aligned with an axis of rotation of the middle section of the concrete conduit pipe. In another preferred embodiment, the main slew drive is vertically aligned with an axis of rotation of the concrete pipe at a top of the main slew drive and with an axis of rotation at the swivel gasket on the underside of the floor of the chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown with the auxiliary boom member in a fully retracted position.

Figure 2 is a side view of the present invention shown with the auxiliary boom member in a fully retracted position.

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the present invention shown with both the primary boom member and the auxiliary boom member in a partially rotated position.

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown with the auxiliary boom member in a fully extended position.

Figure 5 is a first top perspective view of the chassis of the present invention taken from the right side of the chassis.

Figure 6 is a second top perspective view of the chassis of the present invention taken from the left side of the chassis. Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the chassis of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a rear view of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a detail view of the hydraulic lever control panel within the chassis of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a detail view of the area surrounding the main slew drive of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Chassis

2 Primary boom member

3 Auxiliary boom member

4 Main slew drive

5 Counterweight

6 Rear section (of primary boom member)

6a Rear end (of rear section of primary boom member)

6b Aperture (at rear end of rear section of primary boom member)

7 Front section (of primary boom member)

8 Hydraulic lever control panel

9 Secondary slew drive

10 Concrete conduit pipe

11 Bracket

12 Clamp

13 Outlet

14 Floor (of chassis)

15 Front inside wall (of chassis) Rear inside wall (of chassis)

Lever a First lever b Second lever c Third lever d Fourth lever e Fifth lever

Gas motor

Battery

Support post

Support member

Radio remote receiver

High-pressure filter

Hydraulic pump

Cover

Gear-and-chain assembly

Wheel

Hydraulic cylinder

Hydraulic tank

Return filter

Hydraulic motor

Swivel gasket

Chain

Hydraulic cylinder

Tie-down rings/lifting eyes 36 Frame (of chassis)

37 Middle section (of concrete conduit pipe)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown with the auxiliary boom member in a fully retracted position. As shown in this figure, the invention comprises a chassis 1, a primary boom member 2, and an auxiliary boom member 3. The primary boom member 2 is rotatably connected to a main slew drive 4, which is situated in the center of the chassis 1. The primary boom member 2 is elongated and extends both rearwardly and forwardly of the main slew drive 4. A counterweight 5 is disposed on the distal end of the rear section 6 of the primary boom member 2. The front section 7 of the primary boom member 2 is configured to contain or enclose hydraulic hoses extending from the hydraulic lever control panel 8 situated on a rear inside wall of the chassis 1.

The auxiliary boom member 3 is rotatably connected to the primary boom member 2 at the distal end of the front section 7 of the primary boom member 2 via a secondary slew drive 9. As shown in this figure, the auxiliary boom member 3 is situated directly underneath and parallel with the primary boom member 2 when the auxiliary boom member 3 is in a fully retracted position. The secondary slew drive 9 enables the auxiliary boom member 3 to rotate three hundred sixty degrees (360°) continually relative to the primary boom member 2, which is not the case with respect to any analogous prior art known to the inventor.

Figure 2 is a side view of the present invention shown with the auxiliary boom member in a fully retracted position. In this figure, the primary and auxiliary boom members 2, 3 are in the same position as shown in Figure 1. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the auxiliary boom member 3 is approximately half the length of the primary boom member 2. A concrete conduit pipe 10 extends upwardly from the main slew drive 4 in the center of the chassis 1 , along the entire length of the front section 7 of the primary boom member 2, downwardly through the secondary slew drive 9, and then along the entire length of the auxiliary boom member 3. The concrete conduit pipe 10 preferably extends for a certain distance (a') beyond the distal end (x) of the auxiliary boom member 3. The length of the auxiliary boom member 3 plus distance a' is less than the length of the front section 7 of the primary boom member 2. This configuration allows the auxiliary boom member 3 to fit entirely underneath the primary boom member 2 when the auxiliary boom member 3 is in a fully retracted position.

The concrete conduit pipe 10 is secured to the primary boom member 2 and to the auxiliary boom member 3 with brackets 11. Various sections of the concrete conduit pipe 10 are connected together with clamps 12.

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the present invention shown with both the primary boom member and the auxiliary boom member in a partially rotated position. The main slew drive 4 enables the primary boom member 2 to rotate three hundred sixty degrees (360°); however, the full rotation of the primary boom member 2 is restricted by the hydraulic hoses. As noted above, the secondary slew drive 9 enables the auxiliary boom member to rotate three hundred sixty degrees (360°) relative to the primary boom member 2. In this figure, the primary boom member 2 has been rotated by about forty-five degrees (45°) relative to the first position shown in Figure 1; the auxiliary boom member 3 has been rotated approximately ninety degrees (90°) relative to the primary boom member 2. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the front section 7 of the primary boom member 2 is at least 1.5 times the length of the rear section 6 of the primary boom member 2. Note that the main slew drive 4 acts as a fulcrum for the primary boom member 2.

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown with the auxiliary boom member in a fully extended position. In this figure, the auxiliary boom member 3 has been fully extended relative to the primary boom member 2. In this position, the distal end of the concrete conduit pipe 10 is the farthest from the main slew drive 4 as possible. The distal end of the concrete conduit pipe 10 comprises an outlet 13 through which a wet concrete slurry is deposited onto a surface.

Figure 5 is a first top perspective view of the chassis of the present invention taken from the right side of the chassis. As shown in this figure, the chassis 1 comprises a floor 14, a front inside wall 15, and a rear inside wall 16. The front and rear inside walls 15, 16 are both preferably sloped, as shown. The hydraulic lever control panel 8 is preferably situated on the inside rear wall 15. The hydraulic lever control panel comprises a series of levers 17 that control proportional hydraulic valves, which in turn control the wheels (forward and backward) 27, the main slew drive 4, the secondary slew drive 9, and the steering of the front and rear wheels.

A gas motor 18 is situated on the floor 14 of the chassis 1, as is a battery 19 for the electric-start of the gas motor 18. This motor 18 drives the hydraulic pump 24, which drives the hydraulic motors 31. There is a hydraulic motor 31 on each of the four wheels 27 and on the main and secondary slew drives 4, 9. The main slew drive 4 is situated on top of a support post 20 that is located in the center of the floor 14 of the chassis 1 and supported by a framework of four support members 21 that extend radially from the support post 20. Two of the support members 21 are anchored to the front inside wall 15, and two of the support members 21 are anchored to the rear inside wall 16. By raising the main slew drive 4 up off of the floor 14 of the chassis 1 so that it is directly underneath the primary boom member 2, the cantilevered stress caused by the front and rear sections 7, 6 of the primary boom member 2 is minimized, and the primary boom member 2 is more stable. It is important to note that in the present invention, the main slew drive 4 is situated at and acts as the main axis of rotation for the primary boom member 2.

The present invention further comprises a radio remote receiver 22 that is preferably situated on the front inside wall 15. The radio remote receiver enables all of the hydraulics on the invention to be controlled remotely. A high-pressure filter 23 is secured to one of the support members 21 and filters the hydraulic fluid before it enters the hydraulic pump 24. Figure 5 shows the covers 25 that extend laterally (from side to side) across the front and rear ends of the chassis 1. These covers 25 are removed in Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a second top perspective view of the chassis of the present invention taken from the left side of the chassis. In this figure, the covers 25 have been removed to show the gear-and-chain assemblies 26 that are configured to cause the wheels 27 to turn (z.e., control the steering) via hydraulic cylinders 28. The invention comprises two front wheels 27 that are connected to a front part of the chassis 1 and two rear wheels 17 that are connected to a rear part of the chassis 1. The front inside wall 15, rear inside wall 16 and floor 14 are all situated between the front pair of wheels and the rear pair of wheels. This figure also shows the hydraulic tank 29 and return filter 30 for the hydraulic fluid.

Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the chassis of the present invention.

As shown in this figure, a swivel gasket 32 is situated on the underside of the chassis

1, and the concrete conduit pipe 10 extends through the main slew drive 4, through the floor 14 of the chassis 1, and out through the swivel gasket 32. A swivel gasket 32 enables the terminal end (shown in this figure) of the concrete conduit pipe 10 to be positioned either perpendicularly relative to the front-to-back axis of the chassis 1 or parallel with such axis (as shown in Figure 8); that is, the terminal end 10a of the concrete conduit pipe 10 is configured to rotate three hundred sixty degrees (360°) so that it may be facing to the front, back, right or left relative to the chassis 1. The particulars of a given job would dictate which position is preferable. The swivel gasket 32 is preferably secured to the chassis 1 with chains 33. During operation, a concrete supply hose or pipe (not shown) would be connected to the terminal end 10a of the concrete conduit pipe 10 so that the wet concrete slurry can be pumped through the concrete conduit pipe 10 via a pump (also not shown).

Figure 8 is a rear view of the present invention. This figure shows the hydraulic cylinder 34 that drives the two rear wheels 27. A second hydraulic cylinder is similarly situated on the front of the chassis 1 to drive the two front wheels 27. A pair of tie-down rings or lifting eyes 35 are preferably secured to the chassis frame 36 to facilitate transport or manipulation of the chassis 1. In a preferred embodiment, the rear section 6 of the primary boom member 2 comprises a rear end 6a that is open (to the outside environment) so that an air holding tank (not shown) may be connected to this aperture 6b and a supplemental conduit (not shown) installed from the aperture 6b to the terminal end 10a of the concrete conduit pipe 10. Compressed air would be blown from the air holding tank through the supplemental conduit via an air compressor (not shown) and then through the entire length of the concrete conduit pipe 10. A sponge (not shown) would be inserted into the terminal end 10a of the concrete conduit pipe 10 prior to installing the supplemental conduit, and the sponge would be pushed through the entire length of the concrete conduit pipe 10 to clean it out.

Figure 9 is a detail view of the hydraulic lever control panel within the chassis of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic lever control panel 8 comprises five levers 17. The first lever 17a controls the forward-and-backward motion of the wheels 27. The second lever 17b controls the main slew drive, and the third lever 17c controls the secondary slew drive. The fourth lever 17d controls the front wheel steering, and the fifth lever 17e controls the rear wheel steering. As noted above, all of these controls may be activated remotely via the radio remote receiver 22.

Figure 10 is a detail view of the area surrounding the main slew drive of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the concrete conduit pipe 10 is configured so that a middle section 37 of the concrete conduit pipe 10 extends horizontally above and parallel with the front section 7 of the primary boom member 2, downwardly (vertically) through the secondary slew drive 9, and then horizontally beneath and parallel with the auxiliary boom member 3. The top part of the middle section 37 rotates three hundred and sixty degrees (360°) relative to the bottom part of the middle section 37 of the concrete conduit pipe 10, as noted above. It is important to note that the secondary slew drive 9 is in line (vertically aligned) with the axis of rotation of the middle section 37 of the concrete conduit pipe 10 and not offset from it. Similarly, the main slew drive 4 is in line (vertically aligned) with the axis of rotation of the concrete conduit pipe 10 at the point at which it exits the main slew drive 4 on top of the main slew drive 4 and at the swivel gasket 32 on the underside of the chassis floor 14. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.