Modular spiral chute

A method of constructing a spiral chute comprising:

• supporting a first center column segment in a vertical orientation, the first center column segment being circular in transverse cross-sectional shape and having a plurality of pairs of opposed apertures arranged in a spiral configuration;
• and
• coupling a first plurality of chute assembly sections to the first center column segment, each chute assembly section including:
• a chute support arm having proximal end and a distal end, the chute support arm having a nut secured to the proximal end;
• a chute section coupled to the chute support arm;
• an outer wall support coupled to a distal end of the chute support arms;
• an outer wall segment coupled to the outer wall supports;
• and
• a support arm bolt having a distal end and a proximal end,
• wherein the distal end of each support arm bolt passes through the first center column segment and threadingly engages the nut at the proximal end of the chute support arm such that the proximal end of the chute support arm abuts the first center column segment, whereby, at each chute assembly section, the spiral chute is defined at a radially interior by the first center column segment and at a radially exterior by the outer wall segment.

A spiral chute comprising:

• a center column assembly including a first center column segment, the first center column segment having a plurality of pairs of opposed apertures arranged in a spiral configuration;
• a first plurality of chute assembly sections, each including
• a chute support arm having proximal end and a distal end, the chute support arm having a nut secured to the proximal end;
• a chute section coupled to the chute support arm;
• an outer wall support coupled to a distal end of the chute support arm;
• an outer wall segment coupled to the outer wall supports;
• and
• a support arm bolt having a distal end and a proximal end,
• wherein the distal end of each support arm bolt passes through a corresponding one of the first plurality of opposing apertures and threadingly engages the nut at the proximal end of the chute support arm such that the proximal end of the chute support arm abuts the first center column segment, wherein the first center column segment includes a plurality of retaining slots in a spiral configuration, and wherein the proximal end of the chute support arm includes a retaining tab inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of retaining slots.