Concrete mixing drum fin structure

#I. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to inclined axis rotary drum batch mixers for mixing and dispensing concrete. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved configuration of mixing fins deployed within rotary drum batch mixers of the class and which improves overall performance, particularly improving the ability of the mixer to control concrete discharge. The invention further relates to reducing drum weight and maintenance and is particularly applicable to mobile rotary mixing drums carried by concrete mixing trucks.

#II. Related Art

#In the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts cut away to show the fin pattern, of a mobile system for mixing and dispensing concrete according to a conventional design;

#FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a mixing drum of the mixing system illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the drum cut in half through the central axis with the half shell and corresponding internal flight portions removed;

#Having described the pertinent parts of a conventional mobile mixing system for mixing and dispensing concrete, including the vehicle configuration of the mixing fins illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in describing the related art, reference may now be made to FIGS. 3-5 of the drawings for a description of an illustrative detailed embodiment of the present invention. The particular detailed configuration is, of course, presented by way of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concept in any way.

#With this in mind, in FIG. 3, there is shown a mixing truck at 50 constructed according to a detailed embodiment of the invention, including a cab portion 52 and a rear chassis portion 54 which includes a main frame 56. A mixing drum 58 is mounted for rotation on a front support frame 60 and a rear support frame 62, both of which are integral with the main frame 56. A rearward portion of the mixing drum 58 is positioned adjacent a discharge mechanism 64 which includes a funnel for charging or loading concrete components into mixing drum 58, as shown at 66, as well as a portion for guiding mixed concrete into a main discharge chute 68, which is supported relative to rear support frame 62 by a pivot joint 70 which enables the main chute 68 to be conveniently positioned over a desired location for discharging concrete. It will be appreciated that other details of the truck 10, commonly associated with such devices, are well known and readily available to those skilled in the art and further descriptions of these parts here is considered unnecessary.

#As in the mixing drum of FIG. 1, the mixing drum of FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a head cone section 74, with front cone section 72, a belly or cross-over portion 76, a big cone section 78 and a rear tail cone portion 79 which terminates toward the end of the truck 10 which is proximate to the discharge mechanism 64 which is supported by the frame 62.