US2039204A - Machine for making reenforced concrete beams - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1936. H F, YCUNG l 2,039,204

MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS Filed Dec. 9, 1929 4 she'ets-sheet 1 A TTORNE X5! April 28, 1936. H, F, YOUNG 2,039,204

MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS Fild Dec. 9, 1929 i sheets-sheet 2 /N VENTO/e l ATTORNEYS` H. F. YOUNG April 28, 1936.

MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORGED CONCRETEl BEAMS' Filed Deo, 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /N my 701e Noa/WJ IT Magi' A TTORNE V5 H. F. YOUNG Apri 2S, 1936.

MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS Filed Dec. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /N VENTO/e mwa/d You@ B Y f, r/ I r A TTORNE x5 Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED rSTATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS Application December 9, 1929, Serial No. 412,654

3 Claims.

The objects of the invention are:

First, to provide an improved joist of concrete containing light weight aggregates such as Haydite, a vitried aerated clay product, or cinder or other light weight aggregates, although the invention is adapted to the production of concrete beams generally which, however, as ordinarily made, are so heavy as to be cumbersome.

Second, to provide a beam or joist with an improved arrangement of reinforcing material.

Third, to provide an improved reinforcement for use in I-beams or joists.

Fourth, to provide an improved'machine and process for the manufacture of such I-beams or joists.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of construction and operation will appear from the description to follow. I carry out my invention by the devices and means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partially diagrammatic, of a machine and apparatus for making my improved beams or joists.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional elevation on line 2 2 of Fig. l, showing details of the arrangement of the carriage, palette and beam forming mechanism, the brace rods being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional View through the carriage and mechanism taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, the details of the scraper and feed hopper being omitted and the palette being shown in its lower or beam forming position.

Fig. 4 is a similar longitudinal sectional view on the same plane as Fig. 3, showing the automatic method of elevating the palette for removal of the finished beam or joist.

Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal sectional View on line 5 5 of Fig. 1, showing the succession of forming rollers and details of their action. The scraper means for cooperation with the rollers and the details of the ends of the palette are shown in full lines, other parts being omitted for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail cross sectional View through the nishing roller and the palette, bed plate and adjustable side rails, other parts being omitted, taken on line 5 6 of Figs. 1 and 5, the roller being shown in full lines.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail side elevation view of the trip mechanisms for controlling the feed gate from the hopper, both in opening and closing the same.

Fig. 8 is a, still further enlargement of the automatic trip for opening the feed gate of the hopper.

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of the finished beam, the reinforcing being shown by dotted lines.

Fig. l0 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional elevation View taken on line lll-I0 of Fig. 9, the cross sections of the beams or joists of lesser height being indicated by dotted lines, such beams all being capable of production on the machine by the adjustment or variation of the rollers and side rails.

Fig. 11 is a detail elevation of the principal reinforcement before it is put in place.

The parts of the drawings will be identified by their numerals of reference.

I is the foundation to which are secured the rails 2, 2 of the longitudinal track. On this track is a longitudinal carriage 3 made up of channel side rails 3l, 3l connected at the top by 'bed plate 32 which is connected to the side rails 3|. The longitudinal carriage 3 is provided with bearing brackets 33 which are carried by the axle 34 on which are the carrying wheels 35.

On the bed plate 32 is disposed the palette 4 for carrying the beam or joist 5. This palette 4 is conformed to produce one side of the I-beam. The raised portion at the center which is materially higher at the center than at the sides affords a space for the elevating shoes 6 between it and the bed plate.

The end gates 21 of the molds for the beam, corresponding to the cross section of the beam, are adjustable. Slots are formed in the side rails to receive the same at intervals of about one foot so that, by inserting these end gates at the right point, beams of predetermined length can be made until the machine is re-set. By using fewer of the forming rollers, narrower beams can be made, the sizes being indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 10. A suitable palette for each width is required. The sides of the mold are adjustable for this purpose. I'he action of the machine otherwise is the same.

The elevating shoes 6 are supported on plungers 'l which are carried by the I-beam leveling bar 8 for elevating the shoes on the level. The end plungers are embraced by vertical guides 9 secured to the under side of the-bed plate by welding at their upper ends or otherwise. The leveling bar 8 is controlled in its up and down movements by cam levers Il), II. These levers are fulcrumed at IGI, III to uprights |02, H2 carried by the sides of the carriage 3.

A cam track I3 is provided on which travel the cam rollers |03, I I3 respectively. Inclines or cams |3| and |32 are spaced the same as the said cam levers IU and I I to cooperate therewith and raise the leveling bar 8 by the advancing of the said carriage 3. Contact rollers |04, I4 are provided to contact with the under side of the leveling bar 8.

It will thus be seen that when the carriage travels to the end or" its stroke the palette with the finished concrete beam thereon will be elevated to a point where it can be Very readily removed either by hand or by crane or otherwise, for conveyance to the curing racks.

The concrete is discharged to the I-beam mold from the hopper I4, the hopper being supported in any convenient manner in position to deliver mixed concrete on the palette. It is supported and disposed with its gate to open automatically as the carriage is advanced under the same by any suitable means. :The means for closing the gate'appears in Fig'. '7. Details of the automatic' means for opening the gate appear on the front 1 side of the hopper spout I 5, as seenin Figs. 7 and 8. 'The gate I6 of the hopper is fulcrumed on ther pin II. A trip arm IBI is secured on the side of the gate and is acted upon automatically by the yielding stop I8 carried on adjustable bracket IBI clamped by the set screws |82 to the bed plate;

-The stop is pivoted at |83 and is held yieldingly in position by spring |84.. As the carriageis ad-VV vanced the stop I8 encounters the trip arm IBI I and swings the gate of the hopper open. The stop pivots to permit the return of the carriage.

f 'Ihe upper end of each side of the hoppergate'.

is provided with an engaging tooth |52. On each side of the hopper spout is secured'an adjustable latch IB carried by rockshaft |92 o'n the adjust able bracket I9I; The latchesare thus pivoted at |92 and are provided with aA single trip arm |93 t which extends down upon the opposite side of the palette and bedv plate.

Trips I8 exactly like trips I8 are providedlto cooperate with trip arm |93 to close the gate.

The latches I9 are provided with beveled teeth |94 adapted to engage the teeth H52V of the gate I6 so that when the gate is swungwvide open it drops back against the latch at the predetermined adjusted position to insure the proper'supply of mix. The result is that a surplus of concrete will be at once dropped onto the palette, the gate will close to substantially the right vsize opening to deliver suicient concrete mixture on the palette to lill the space between the adjusted sides.

A pair of springs |63 is provided for the prompt closing of the gate. The tensionV on the springs is controlled by the adjustable tension blocks |64;

one on each side. The `front structure only is detailed.

It will thus be seen that the quantity of concrete mixture delivered to the mold is controlled automatically and, when the carriage has reached the end of the beam, thev gate is automatically tripped and the supply cut off. The trip stop is adjusted to correspond to the Aend g'ate` of the mold so that the supply of concrete is cut oir accurately at the end of the beam. f

Before the concrete is discharged into the mold,` the reinforcing members are put in place; main reinforcement comprises longitudinal rods 5I, 52 which are connected by vertical cross bars 53 welded thereto at intervals corresponding to the space between the said main bars. To se-` cure proper reinforcement these verticals should be placed no farther apart than the space between the main bars and may be placed at lesser intervals as the exigencies require.

In the base of the beam are disposed additional longitudinal rods 54, 55 which are connected to the main rod 5I by chairs 55 formed like hairpins and indented to properly space the said rods. A chair 51 is provided for the rod 52 in the beam head. The ends of the cross bars are bent to parallel relation (see Figs. l0 and 11) with the longitudinals and the reinforcing disposed on the palette between'the adjustable sides which are adjusted to the required dimension.

An A-shaped scraper 2i! (see Figs. l and 5) is disposed to strike oif any surpius of the concrete mix that is dropped into the mold from the hopper spout. This arrangement is definitely seen in plan in Fig. 5. Chutes 26| are provided to discharge the surplus. v

Forming rolls 2|, 22, 23, 23, and 25 are supported above the mold to act successively on the f concrete after it has been poured into the mold. 'Ihese rolls are each disposed on suitable axles carried on the roll carrying frame 26 which comprises side posts 26 I, lower side rails 262 and upper side rails 263, `all suitably braced and supported.

Intermediate uprights '234 are provided on which are supported adjustable journal brackets 265 for carrying the said rolls, adjusting screws 266 being provided for each roll.

Roll 2| has a narrow downwardly projecting V-rib 2| I. Roll 22 hasta downwardly projecting rib 22|1shaped to enter the upper part of the opening formed by rib 2|I of roll 2| and further divideand spreadthe concrete carried by the mold to each side. '-Roll` 23 has a wider rib 23|,'roll 24 has a still wider rib 24 I, and the finishing roll has the rib 25|. Thus, as the mold with its contained palette is advanced, it is first acted upon by the roll 2|, then its narrow projecting rib 2| I and then by the'rolls 22, 23, 24,'and 25 successively with their gradually widening ribs 22|, 23|, 24|-, and 25|." 'I'his divides the concrete that is discharged into the mold centrally and agitates and then iinally 'compresses and forces it to the base and head of the beam, compacting it laterally and very firmly around the longitudinal strands 5 I, 52, 54, and 55, as seenv particularly in Fig. 10, and. at the same timecompressing the web of the beam or joist firmly against the central part of the operate therewith and deliver the concrete mixi ture under heavy pressuretowards the base and head of the beam or joist down the slight inclines at each side. I have speciiied light aggregates herein, mentioning Haydite as an example. Haydite is a trade name for the particular light aggregates which I have found especially available. Light aggregates are material that is always more or less porous and aerated, and its fracture is, as a consequence, irregular and rough,

Ymaking the material diicult to handle, particularly in a relatively dry mix. vIt has, to use a trade. expression, "poor workability. My machine and method takes this especially into consideration, and the rolls repeatedly agitate and "compress the mixture, forcing out the voids and working the cement into close engagement with the roughened surface. This has the effect of not only makingit possible to make a lighter beam, owing to the less weight of the aggregates,

. but because of the perfect bond between the cement and these vroughened surfaces, when properlyworked, the actual dimensions of the beam may be reduced and yet secure the strength of what is ordinarily accomplished by a beam of usual dimensions. The material, beyond a tamping action, is subjected to a kneading action very similar to that which is imparted to dough when mixed, 'insuring a complete mixing of the aggregates.

Where the light aggregates are used, such as the Haydite, this compression is of great importance to insure the closing of voids, particularly in the base and head of the beam or joist. The thin web between is compressed without difliculty to secure the required texture. However, it is a mattei', particularly with the light aggregates, of considerable difficulty to insure the compacting of the same to completely and thoroughly lill the head and foot of the mold because a pouring consistency of the concrete is not possible with light aggregates. It must be of ya consistency to tamp.

These light aggregates are worked comparatively dry, because of the fact that they are light and because of the tendency of the same to segregate from the cement in Wet mixes. They are necessarily worked very much drier than the usual sand and gravelaggregate. However, by the use of my machine and method a damp mix as distinguished from a Wet mix is required to avoid adhesion to the rolls and also to permit immediate handling of the molded beam.

In the operation of my machine, the hopper I4 is provided with concrete mix. The carriage 3, containing the palette and reinforcements, all adjusted to the size beam required, is advanced under the hopper. The stop I8 engages the arm |5| and opens the gate I6 Wide.

As soon as the stop passes the arm |6| the gate closes to the predetermined required opening for supplying concrete to the size of the mold to which the machine is adjusted, that is, the latches I9 engage the teeth |62 and, depending on the elevation to which the latches are adjusted, the gate opening is controlled.

As the carriage advances, the scraper strikes off the surplus and, as there is a comparatively heavy surplus at the start, distributes it along the mold, insuring even and full distribution in the mold level with the top of the side rails.

The rst roll 2! with its narrow V-rib 2|! divides the soft concrete, forcing it laterally towards the base and head of the beam, at the same time compressing it rmly into the mold and compacting the same evenly at each side, and subjecting the whole mass to agitation, which has the effect of tamping the same into place and insuring the closing of voids without jarring.

The second roll 22 with its rib 22| expands the groove thus formed by the rst roll, pressing the same laterally with strong pressure and, at the same time, of course, closing the voids in the web of the beam.

This process is continued until the entire series of rolls have thus acted, agitating and forcing the concrete into compact form, eliminating air pockets, and securing a tamping effect without jarring and thereby avoiding any substantial segregation of the aggregate from the mix. Thus an even distribution of the aggregate is insured in the beam and substantial closing of all voids. It also insures a very compact mass at the base and the head of the rail, perfecting the same and insuring full bond between the concrete and the reinforcing.

, As the carriage 3 advances 'beyond the rolls, the leveler bar 8. is acted upon by the pair of cam levers carried by the carriage and is elevated Withan even level movement to such height that the palette with the molded beam can be readily removed to the drying rack without `deiiecting or in any way injuring the same. The beam is stripped from the sides of the mold by this even, regular, upward pressure. It is not injured by the movement and a high grade product is insured.

The method of treatment of the product, rit Will be very clear, can be accomplished by hand, although veryfmuch more expeditiously with the machine. I desire to claim the method of thus formingrthe beam whether it is done by hand or by machine. Also, by the use of the machine and this method, I have accomplished the result of forming high grade beams and joists by the use of light aggregates which are evenly mixed and of such weight that carpenters and builders used to handling wood joists are able to handle the same effectively and put them in place.

Owing to the fact that these beams are made completely of concrete .and are effective and strong, they lend themselves very readily to oor joist work because they can be cemented in place on the wall and can be treated effectively as a part of the masonry and a part of a reproof iloor construction.

The beams or joists are, of course, available and effective for use as studs or columns. They can be made use of as columns or beams in pairs, filling between the same with reinforce concrete. The particular I form of beam is especially desirable. They may be of any desired cross section.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine for making concrete beams, the combination of a main track or way, a carriage therefor, a bed plate on the top of said carriage with apertures therethrough, a series of elevating shoes disposed on the said bed plate within said apertures, vertical plungers attached thereto for elevating the same, a common leveling elevator bar connected to the said plungers, cam levers connected to the said carriage and connected to raise said elevator bar, a cam track disposed parallel to the main track having corresponding cam inclines for engagement of the said cam levers to elevate the said plungers and shoes on the reciprocation of the carriage, a palette with upwardly curved longitudinal central portion disposed above the said bed plate and elevating shqes, side bars connected to the said bed plate for cooperation with the said palette, the said palette being adapted to support concrete reinforced structures with longitudinal members connected by cross bars supported by suitable chairs, compression rollers with mid-ribs of successively increasing size and overlapping contour disposed above the said palette and in position to act successively on the contents thereof when the carriage is advanced, an A-shaped scraper disposed to spread and strike off the contents of the mold formed by the said palette and sides, and a concrete hopper with delivery spout disposed to deliver to the said mold.

2. In a machine for making concrete beams, the combination of a main track or Way, a carriage therefor, a bed plate within said apertures on the top of said carriage with apertures therethrough, a series of elevating shoes disposed on the said bed plate within said apertures, vertical plungers attached thereto for elevating the same, a. common leveling elevator bar connected to the said plungers, cam levers connected to the said carriage and connected to raise said elevator bar, a. cam track disposed parallel to the main track having corresponding cam inclines for engagement of the said cam levers to elevate the said plungers and shoes on the reciprocation of the carriage, a palette with upwardly curved longitudinal central portion disposed above the said bed plate and elevating shoes, side bars connected to the said bed plate for cooperation with the said palette, the said palette being adapted to support concrete reinforced structures With longitudinal members connected by cross bars supported by suitable chairs, compression rollers with midribs of successively increasing size and overlapping contour disposed above the said palette and in position to act successively on the contents thereof when the carriage is advanced, and a concrete hopper with delivery spout disposed to deliver to the said mold.

3. In a machine for making concrete beams, the combination of a main track or Way, a carriage therefor, a bed plate on the top of said carriage with apertures therethrough, a series of elevating shoes disposed on the said bed plate within said apertures, vertical plungers attached thereto for elevating the same, a common leveling elevator bar connected to the said plungers, cam levers connected to the said carriage and connected to raise said elevator bar, a cam track disposed parallel to the main track having corresponding cam inclines for engagement of the said cam levers to elevate the said plungers and shoes on the reciprocation of the carriage, a palette with upwardly curved longitudinal central portion disposed above the said bed plate and elevating shoes, side bars connected to the said bed plate for cooperation with the said palette, the said palette being adapted to support concrete reinforced structures with longitudinal members connected by cross bars supported by suitable chairs, compression rollers With mid-ribs of successively increasing size and overlapping contour disposed above the said palette and in position to act successively on the contents thereof when the carriage is advanced, and a concrete hopper disposed to deliver to the said mold.

HOWARD F. YOUNG.

Images