Agitator grid with adjustable restrictor elements for concrete block machine
AssigneeNess Inventions, Inc.
InventorJeffrey A. Ness
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A feedbox for use in an automated dry-cast concrete block machine, including an agitator grid having a plurality of parallel agitator elements disposed parallel to a bottom of the feedbox, a plurality of prongs extending downward toward the bottom of the feedbox from each of the parallel agitator elements, and one or more restrictor elements slideably coupled with a coupling mechanism to one or more of the plurality of prongs which can be slideably adjusted along a length of the one or more prongs.
Claims9
A feedbox for a dry-cast concrete block machine, the feedbox comprising:
- an agitator grid positioned within the feedbox and having a plurality of agitator elements disposed parallel to a bottom of the feedbox;
- a plurality of prongs extending perpendicularly from the plurality of agitator elements downward toward the bottom of the feedbox;
- and
- one or more restrictor elements slideably coupled with a coupling mechanism to one or more of the plurality of prongs which can be slideably adjusted along a length of the one or more prongs, each restrictor element having a major surface extending perpendicularly to the prongs so as to be parallel to the bottom of the feedbox, the restrictor elements configured to adjust a volume of concrete disposed from corresponding areas of the feedbox.
An agitator grid for a feedbox drawer of a dry-cast concrete block machine, the agitator grid comprising:
- a framework of elements including one or more agitator bars;
- a plurality of prongs extending perpendicularly in a same direction from each of the one or more agitator bars toward a bottom of the feedbox drawer when disposed therein;
- and
- one or more restrictor elements adjustably coupled with a coupling mechanism to one or more prongs of one or more of the agitator bars, wherein the restrictor elements can be slideably adjusted along a length of the one or more prongs, each restrictor element having a major surface extending perpendicularly to the prongs so as to be parallel to the bottom of the feedbox when disposed therein, the restrictor elements configured to adjust a volume of concrete disposed from corresponding areas of the feedbox.
An automated dry-cast concrete block machine including:
- a feedbox for transporting dry-cast concrete between a hopper and a mold assembly, the feedbox including an agitator grid including:
- a plurality of agitator bars disposed within and parallel to a bottom of the feedbox;
- a plurality of prongs extending perpendicularly downward from each of the agitator bars toward the bottom of the feedbox;
- and
- one or more restrictor elements adjustably coupled with a coupling mechanism to one or more prongs of one or more of the agitator bars, wherein the restrictor elements can be slideably adjusted along a length of the one or more prongs, each restrictor element having a major surface extending perpendicularly to the prongs so as to be parallel to the bottom of the feedbox, the restrictor elements configured to adjust a volume of concrete disposed from corresponding areas of the feedbox.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.