Dowel bar loader

Abstract

A dowel bar loader comprising an inlet for receiving dowel bars, an outlet for delivering dowel bars, and a serpentine path connecting the inlet to the outlet. The path includes at least three changes in direction between the inlet and the outlet. In preferred embodiments, the path can include seven changes in direction or more. In one embodiment, the changes in direction comprises an angle change of at least about twenty-five degrees. The dowel bar loader further includes a control mechanism positioned to control movement of dowel bars in the path, and a spacer mechanism for spacing the dowel bars from each other in preparation for delivery to the dowel bar inserter. Preferably, the control mechanism is upstream of the spacer mechanism and spaced from the outlet. In one embodiment, the control mechanism comprises a control wheel that rotates completely around during normal operation.

1 . A dowel bar loader adapted to provide dowel bars to a dowel bar inserter, the loader comprising:
 an inlet for receiving dowel bars;   an outlet for delivering dowel bars; and   a serpentine path connecting the inlet to the outlet, the serpentine path including at least three changes in direction between the inlet and the outlet.   
   
   
       2 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the path includes at least four changes in direction between the inlet and the outlet. 
   
   
       3 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the path includes at least five changes in direction between the inlet and the outlet. 
   
   
       4 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the path includes at least six changes in direction between the inlet and the outlet. 
   
   
       5 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the changes in direction comprises an angle change of at least about twenty-five degrees. 
   
   
       6 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the changes in direction comprises an angle change of at least about thirty-five degrees. 
   
   
       7 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the changes in direction comprises an angle change of at least about forty-five degrees. 
   
   
       8 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a control mechanism positioned to control movement of dowel bars in the path. 
   
   
       9 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a control sprocket having multiple fingers, at least one of the fingers being positioned at least partially in the path. 
   
   
       10 . A dowel bar loader assembly adapted to provide dowel bars to a dowel bar inserter, the loader comprising:
 an inlet for receiving dowel bars;   an outlet for delivering dowel bars;   a path connecting the inlet to the outlet;   a control mechanism for controlling the movement of dowel bars in the path; and   a spacer mechanism for spacing the dowel bars from each other in preparation for delivery to the dowel bar inserter.   
   
   
       11 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the inlet and outlet define upstream and downstream directions of the path, respectively, and where the control mechanism is upstream of the spacer mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the control mechanism includes a detent mechanism for stopping movement of dowel bars in the path. 
   
   
       13 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a control sprocket having multiple fingers, at least one of the fingers being positioned at least partially in the path. 
   
   
       14 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the control sprocket rotates completely around during normal operation. 
   
   
       15 . A dowel bar loader as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the control mechanism is spaced upstream from the outlet.