Apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel

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.