Vibratory core for concrete pipe making machine

Abstract

A novel vibrating core apparatus for use with a concrete pipe making machine. The novel apparatus includes a core, vertically movable into and out of a pipe form, a series of vibrators attached along the interior side wall of the core, an upwardly movable system operative by fluid pressure for raising and lowering the core, and an interlocking connection between a standard packerhead, which distributes cementitious material about the interior of the pipe form, and the upper portion of the core. The packerhead is designed to rotate while forming the pipe; the core does not rotate and the connecting means between the two is easily attached and disengaged from the packerhead.

We claim:.]. .Iadd. What I claim and desire to secure by Reissue Letters Patent is: .Iaddend. 
     
       1. In a concrete pipe forming apparatus adapted for forming pipe from zero-slump concrete including a pipe form, a platform for supporting said pipe form, a rotating packerhead material distributor comprising a rollerhead for forming the pipe, and a powered main lift mechanism for raising said rollerhead as the pipe is formed, the improvement comprising: a. a non-rotating core;   b. means for vibrating material forming the pipe as the pipe is formed;   c. means interengaging said core with said rollerhead; and   d. an upwardly movable guide system for said core.[...]..Iadd.,   said means for vibrating material forming the pipe as the pipe is formed comprising means attached to the core for vibrating the core. .Iaddend. .[.2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for vibrating material forming the pipe as the pipe is formed comprise means attached to the core   
     
     
        for vibrating the core..]. 3. The apparatus of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein said means attached to the core for vibrating the core include a plurality of vibrators, spaced vertically along the interior 
     
     
        wall thereof, each of said vibrators being selectively actuable. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for selectively actuating the vibrators comprise means for energizing each of said vibrators as said each vibrator passes beneath the lower terminal edge of said pipe form as 
     
     
        said core enters the pipe form. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upwardly movable guide system for said vibratory core comprises: a. a fluid pressure cylinder, located concentrically beneath said core;   b. a piston in said cylinder;   c. a piston rod on said piston;   d. a support platform for said core operatively mounted on said piston rod;   e. vertical guide rods radially spaced about said piston rod and extending upwardly toward said platform; and   f. means connecting said guide rods and core platform whereby rotational   
     
     
        movement of said core is prevented. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means connecting said guide rods and core platform comprise: a. a cylinder easing support, depending from said core platform, about said piston rod and fluid cylinder; and   b. a bearing block assembly, depending from said casing and itnerengaged for sliding movement with said guide rods, whereby lateral and axial stability is imparted to said core substantially beneath the thrust end of   
     
     
        said piston rod. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said guide rods are further provided with upper and lower stops defining the vertical limits 
     
     
        of movement of said bearing block assembly. 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said means interengaging said distributor and said core comprise: a rotatable housing, firmly secured to and depending from said distributor, axially thereof;   b. a non-rotating support shaft, depending axially from said rotatable housing;   c. bearing means interconnecting said support shaft and housing allowing free rotation of said housing around said support shaft;   d. a lock housing mounted on the upper free end of said core; and   e. disconnectable securing means acting between said lock housing and said   
     
     
        support shaft. 9. The interengaging means of claim 8 wherein said bearing means comprise a plurality of inclined bearings adapted to receive thrust 
     
     
        and radial loading. 10. The interengaging means of claim 8 wherein said disconnectable securing means comprise: a. a male pilot stud on said support shaft;   b. a female lock sleeve in said lock housing;   c. means defining a recess circumferentially about said pilot stud; and   d. a plurality of fluid pressure actuable lock studs in said sleeve adapted   
     
     
        to enter said recess. 11. The disconnectable securing means of claim 10 wherein said lock studs and said core are formed with inclined mating faces whereby upon relief of fluid pressure on said lock studs and axial separation of said core and distributor, said lock studs are withdrawn into said lock housing thereby permitting axial separation of said core 
     
     
        from said distributor. 12. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein the 
     
     
        pipe form contains a reinforcing wire structure for the pipe. 13. In a concrete pipe forming apparatus adapted for forming pipe from zero-slump concrete including a pipe form, a platform for supporting said pipe form, a rotating packerhead material distributor comprising a rotating trowel for forming the pipe, and a powered main lift mechanism for raising said rotating trowel as the pipe is formed, the improvement comprising: a. a non-rotating core;   b. means for vibrating material forming the pipe as the pipe is formed;   c. means interengaging said core with said rotating trowel; and   d. an upwardly movable guide system for said core.[...]..Iadd.,   said means for vibrating material forming the pipe as the pipe is formed comprising means attached to the core for vibrating the core. .Iaddend. .[.14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means for vibrating material forming the pipe as the pipe is formed comprise means attached to the core   
     
     
        for vibrating the core..]. 15. The apparaus of claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.13 .Iaddend.wherein said means attached to the core for vibrating the core include a plurality of vibrators, spaced vertically along the interior 
     
     
        wall thereof, each of said vibrators being selectively actuable. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for selectively actuating the vibrators comprise means for energizing each of said vibrators as said each vibrator passes beneath the lower terminal edge of said pipe from as 
     
     
        said core enters the pipe form. 17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said upwardly movable guide system for said vibratory core comprises: a. a fluid pressure cylinder, located concentrically beneath said core;   b. a piston in said cylinder;   c. a piston rod on said piston;   d. a support platform for said core operatively mounted on said piston rod;   e. vertical guide rods radially spaced about said piston rod and extending upwardly toward said platform; and   f. means connecting said guide rods and core platform whereby rotational   
     
     
        movement of said core is prevented. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means connecting said guide rods and core platform comprise: a. a cylindrical casing support, depending from said core platform, about said piston rod and fluid cylinder; and   b. a bearing block assembly, depending from said casing and interengaged for sliding movement with said guide rods, whereby lateral and axial stability is imparted to said core substantially beneath the thrust end of   
     
     
        said piston rod. 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said guide rods are further provided with upper and lower stops defining the vertical limits 
     
     
        of movement of said bearing block assembly. 20. The device of claim 13 wherein said means interengaging said distributor and said core comprise: a. a rotatable housing, firmly secured to and depending from said distributor, axially thereof;   b. a non-rotating support shaft, depending axially from said rotatable housing;   c. bearing means interconnecting said support shaft and housing allowing free rotation of said housing around said support shaft;   d. a lock housing mounted on the upper free end of said core; and   e. disconnectable securing means acting between said lock housing and said   
     
     
        support shaft. 21. The interengaging means of claim 20 wherein said bearing means comprise a plurality of inclined bearings adapted to receive 
     
     
        thrust and radial loading. 22. The interengaging means of claim 20 wherein said disconnectable securing means comprise: a. a male pilot stud on said support shaft;   b. a female lock sleeve in said lock housing;   c. means defining a recess circumferentially about said pilot stud; and   d. a plurality of fluid pressure actuable lock studs in said sleeve adapted   
     
     
        to enter said recess. 23. The disconnectable securing means of claim 22 wherein said lock studs and said core are formed with inclined mating faces whereby upon relief of fluid pressure on said lock studs and axial separation of said core and distributor, said lock studs are withdrawn into said lock housing thereby permitting axial separation of said core 
     
     
        from said distributor. 24. The invention as recited in claim 13 wherein the pipe form contains a reinforcing wire structure for the pipe.