Apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12553203-B2
Application number	US-202318304379-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 21, 2023
Priority date	Apr 21, 2023
Publication date	Feb 17, 2026
Grant date	Feb 17, 2026

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel in a drainage ditch. The apparatus includes a frame having support rails for positioning the apparatus over a drainage ditch. A concrete-receiving hopper is attached to the frame for delivering received concrete into the ditch to be shaped into a channel form. A mold having a projection to define a concrete surface of the channel is positioned beneath a top portion of the frame and configured to be received in a hollow mating portion of a laterally-reciprocating piston to shape the received concrete. A lever driver drives the reciprocating piston through a mechanically-linked motor. A vibrator cooperates with the concrete-receiving hopper to urge received concrete into the ditch to be shaped by the mold.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . Apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel, comprising:
a frame including support rails for positioning the apparatus over a ditch and wheels, wherein each of the wheels is independently height adjustable; a concrete-receiving hopper attached to the frame for delivering received concrete into the ditch to be shaped into a channel form; a mold having a projection to define a concrete surface of the channel positioned beneath a top portion of the frame and configured to be received in a hollow mating portion of a laterally-reciprocating piston to shape the received concrete; a lever system for driving the reciprocating piston through a mechanically-linked motor, wherein the lever system comprises a flywheel, a belt connected between the flywheel and the motor to drive the flywheel by the belt, one or more main levers, and one or more secondary levers;
wherein the one or more secondary levers are connected to the one or more main levers;
wherein the flywheel is connected to a lever-driving wheel;
and wherein the lever system further comprises a motor lever connected to the lever-driving wheel such that the flywheel drives the motor lever in a reciprocating vertical motion to cause the lever system to move up and down and produce a corresponding reciprocating motion of the reciprocating piston for propelling the apparatus;
a vibrator cooperating with the concrete-receiving hopper to urge the received concrete into the ditch to be shaped by the mold; and guide rails for sliding the wheels, wherein the guide rails are positioned on surfaces of grounds adjacent and above the ditch; wherein the frame, the concrete-receiving hopper, and the lever system are positioned on top of a level of the grounds adjacent and above the ditch; and wherein the apparatus is propelled by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating piston against the molded concrete, which moves the apparatus along the ditch for forming a continuous extruded channel.

2 . The apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel according to claim 1 , wherein the vibrator includes a waterproof membrane for contacting and urging the received concrete and a vibrating frame to which the waterproof membrane is attached.

3 . The apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel according to claim 1 , further comprising supporting ribs positioned between the mold and the piston, the supporting ribs being sized to provide a gap for sand and aggregates in the received concrete.

4 . The apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one adjustable support connected on each side of the frame, each of the adjustable supports being independently actuated to raise or lower a height of the frame with respect to ground surrounding the ditch.

5 . The apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel according to claim 4 , wherein each of the at least one adjustable supports includes the wheel and a spring attached to the rotatable wheel in which a degree of compression of the spring determines a height of an individual adjustable support.

6 . The apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel according to claim 5 , wherein the wheel includes a projection that is received in one of the support rails of the frame.

Assignees

• Nano & Advanced Materials Inst Ltd

Inventors

• Kwok Chi Kwan Adye
• Leung Lai Ming
• Chen Xianrui
• Xiao Zhihua

Classifications

• B28B3/205

  using vibrations · CPC title

• B28B17/00

  Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for shaping the material; Auxiliary measures taken in connection with such shaping (moulds B28B7/00; after-treatment B28B11/00; feeding or discharging B28B13/00; arrangements for embedding elements in the material B28B23/00) · CPC title

• B28B13/025

  the feed box being vibrated, e.g. to promote discharging of the material · CPC title

• B28B13/023

  by using a feed box transferring the moulding material from a hopper to the moulding cavities · CPC title

• B28B3/24

  by reciprocating plunger · CPC title