Multi-section discharge chute
A multi-section chute of a type suitable for directing mixed concrete compositions from a discharge end of a transit concrete mixer truck to a desired receiving location. The chute includes a plurality of elongate chute sections, each having a wall with a low friction concave inter-surface configuration and a convex outer configuration wherein each chute section includes a pair of longitudinal channel shapes along and integral to longitudinal edges of the wall and a central longitudinal rib, the channel shapes and the rib re-enforcing the chute section against longitudinal bending, and a fastening assembly for removably joining the plurality of chute sections together in a consecutive longitudinal arrangement and wherein the plurality of elongate chute sections further comprise cooperating nesting configurations that enable formation of a compact stable interconnecting nesting storage arrangement.
1. A multi-section chute of a type suitable for directing mixed concrete compositions from a discharge end of a concrete mixer to a desired receiving location, comprising:
(a) a plurality of elongate generally arcuate chute sections fabricated from one or more polymeric materials, each having a wall with a low friction concave inside surface configuration and a convex outer configuration wherein each said chute section includes a pair of flanking longitudinal channel shapes along and integral to longitudinal edges of said wall and a central longitudinal rib, said channel shapes and said rib re-enforcing said chute section against longitudinal bending, and a fastening assembly for removably joining each of said plurality of chute sections together in a consecutive longitudinal arrangement;
(b) wherein said plurality of elongate chute sections further comprise interlocking cooperating nesting/stacking configurations that enable formation of a compact stable interconnecting nesting stacked storage arrangement.
2. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein said central rib is a fiber reinforced polymer structure.
3. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein said chute sections comprise an inner and/or outer layer selected from non-reinforced and reinforced polymers with low coefficient of shrinkage and high abrasion resistance.
4. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, thermoplastic polymers, including acrylics, thermoformable sheets, vinyl ester polyurethane hybrids, epoxy/polyurethane hybrids and polyamides.
5. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein said chute sections comprise fiber reinforced polymer material.
6. A multi-section chute as in claim 5 wherein said polymer is selected from polyurethanes and polyamides.
7. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein the concave surface of the chute sections leave a surface roughness less than 500 microinches.
8. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein the inside surface roughness is between about 10 and about 200 microinches.
9. A multi-section chute as in claim 5 wherein said fibers are short glass fibers.
10. A multi-section chute as in claim 6 wherein said fibers are short glass fibers.
11. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal channel shapes are side moldings.
12. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal channel shapes extend generally along an entire length of the outside of said longitudinal edges of said chute sections and provide extended hand-hold areas for lifting and manipulating said chute sections.
13. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein said fastening assembly comprises a dual hook and pocket pin arrangement.
14. A multi-section chute as in claim 9 wherein said hooks include reinforcing inserts.
15. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 wherein said nesting/stacking configuration further comprises matching recess and protrusion surface features toward a selected end of said channel shapes to position said chute sections in a nested stacked arrangement.
16. A multi-section chute as in claim 15 wherein said nesting/stacking arrangement further comprises matching abutting substantially flat surface areas in the interior and exterior of said chute sections.
17. A multi-section chute as in claim 2 including glass reinforcing fibers.
18. A multi-section chute as in claim 1 including a plurality of layers including a top wear layer wherein a layer below said top layer is color coded to indicate wear.
19. A multi-section chute of a type suitable discharging material from a source to a desired receiving location, comprising:
(a) a plurality of elongate non-metallic, generally arcuate chute sections, each having a wall with a low friction concave inside surface configuration and a convex outer configuration wherein each said chute section includes a pair of flanking longitudinal channel shapes along and integral to longitudinal edges of said wall and a central longitudinal rib, said channel shapes and said rib re-enforcing said chute section against longitudinal bending, and a dual hook and pocket fastening assembly for removably joining each of said plurality of chute sections together in a consecutive longitudinal arrangement;
(b) wherein said plurality of elongate chute sections further comprise interlocking cooperating nesting/stacking configurations that enable formation of a compact stable interconnecting nesting stacked storage arrangement; and
(c) wherein said longitudinal channel shapes extend generally along an entire length of the outside of said longitudinal edges of said chute sections and provide extended hand-hold areas for lifting and manipulating said chute sections.