Inventors:
Stephen C. Vandewinckel - Livonia NY, US
Edward A. Varel - W. Henrietta NY, US
Jeffrey M. Rock - Livonia NY, US
Brian R. Leaty - Honeoye NY, US
International Classification:
E04G 21/20
Abstract:
The grout placement apparatus has a V-shaped hopper with a flexible-bladed auger mounted therein that can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions by an auger motor. The auger has flexible blades to drive the grout material along the bottom of the hopper to a discharge sleeve that extends from the hopper. Coupled to the discharge sleeve is a discharge assembly having a flow control valve that is automatically opened and closed by the forward and reverse rotation of the auger, respectively. The discharge assembly is hingedly movable with respect to the hopper, allowing the discharge assembly to “swing away” from its operating position against the discharge sleeve to a position that uncovers the discharge sleeve for easy cleaning. A flexible discharge conduit or hose coupled to the discharge assembly conveys the grout material to the desired placement location. The rotation of the auger can be remotely controlled by a wireless remote controller, and the auger motor can be powered by the hydraulics of separate lifting equipment or by a dedicated combustion engine mounted on the placement apparatus.