Mixing drum drive ring

A composite, heavy duty rotary concrete mixing drum for coupling to a vehicle having a drivetrain for rotating the drum, the drum comprising:

• a wall defining a first end of the drum and a second end of the drum;
• a drive ring coupled to the first end of the drum and comprising:
• a hub configured to be operatively coupled to the drivetrain;
• and
• a plurality of extensions extending outwardly from the hub into the wall of the drum, at least one of the extensions including an aperture;
• wherein rotation of the hub by the drivetrain causes rotation of the drum.

A composite, heavy duty rotary concrete mixing drum for coupling to a vehicle having a drivetrain for rotating the drum, the drum comprising:

• a wall defining a first end of the drum and a second end of the drum;
• a drive ring integrally formed as a single unitary body from a cast material, wherein the drive ring is coupled to the first end of the drum and comprising:
• a hub configured to be operatively coupled to the drivetrain;
• and
• a plurality of extensions extending outwardly from the hub into the wall of the drum;
• wherein rotation of the hub by the second drivetrain causes rotation of the drum.

A method of coupling a drive ring to a wall of a composite mixing drum, the wall comprising fibers and resin, the drive ring being configured to transfer a rotational force applied by a powered drivetrain to the wall, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a drive ring including:
• a hub configured to be coupled to the powered drivetrain, and
• a plurality of extensions extending outwardly from the hub;
• forming the wall around the extensions;
• and
• mechanically interlocking the wall to the drive ring;
• so that when the drive ring is coupled to the powered drivetrain, the force applied by the powered drivetrain to the drive ring will be distributed within the wall.

A concrete mixing drum for coupling to a power source for rotating the drum, the drum comprising:

• a wall defining a first end of the drum and a second end of the drum;
• a drive ring coupled to the first end of the drum and comprising:
• a hub configured to be operatively coupled to the power source;
• and
• a plurality of extensions extending outwardly from the hub into the wall of the drum, at least one of the extensions including an aperture;
• wherein rotation of the huh by the power source causes rotation of the drum.

A concrete mixing drum for coupling to a power source for rotating the drum, the drum comprising:

• a wall;
• a drive ring coupled to the wall and comprising:
• a hub configured to be operatively coupled to the power source;
• and
• a plurality of extensions extending outwardly from the hub into the wall,
• one of the wall and the plurality of extensions including a plurality of recesses, the other one of the wall and the plurality of extensions including a plurality of corresponding projections for engaging the plurality of recesses;
• wherein rotation of the hub by the power source causes rotation of the drum.