US2327473A - Concrete mixer - Google Patents

Description

1943. H. A. WAGNER ET AL 2,327,473

CONCRETE MIXER Filed May 12, 1942' 5 Sheets-Sheet l fl' HAROLD A. WAGNER GUSTAVE H.WAGNER' INVENTORS ATTORNFY Aug. 24, 1943. H. A. WAGNER ET AL CONCRETE MIXER Filed May 12, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 HAROLD A. WAGNER GUSTAVE H. WAGNER INVENTORS ATTORNEY -Aug. 24, 1943.

- CONCRETE MIXER H. A. WAGNER ET AL 2,327,473

Filed May 12, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 HAROLD A. WAGNER GUSTAVE H. WAGNER INVENTORS J BY d. gay/W ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 24, 1943 CONCRETE MIXER Harold A. Wagner and Gustave H. Wagner,

Portland, Oreg.

Application May 12, 1942, Serial No. 442,630

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to concrete mixers, and more particularly to improvements in arrangements for loading ingredients into the drum of a mixing plant mounted on a mobile vehicle.

In mounting a drum of large capacity upon a truck chassis it is necessary that it be arranged with its axis extending longitudinally of the truck in order that the overall dimensions may be kept within reasonable clearance limitations. An additional advantage of such an arrangement of the drum is that the mixer vehicle can be backed up to the forms, or to any other point where the concrete is to be placed, and the mix discharged directly thereto from the rear end of the drum. An elevator tower arrangement may also be conveniently provided on the rear end of such a mixer and having a bucket for receiving the mix directly from the drum and hoisting it to levels above the ground such as in building construetion. Operation of the mixing plant in this man- 7 her eliminates much laborious rehandling of the mixed concrete which is necessary when the mixer is located at a distance from the point where the concrete is to be poured. However, such positioning of the mixer in close proximity to the job renders the rear end of the drum inaccessible for charging purposes. If the drum is compactly arranged upon the truck chassis, the front end thereof is also relatively inaccessible because of the engine and cab occupying the front end of the vehicle and, further, because of the various auxiliary apparatus, which, because of the space limitations, must be provided between the cab and the adjacent front end of the drum. The provision of means for efficiently charging such a drum from the front end presents serious problems of design, and arrangements as have been proposed heretofore for accomplishing such a purpose have been very complicated and bulky, adding excessive weight and size to the vehicle, and also required considerable preliminary setting up operations.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a new and improved drum charging arrangement for a portable concrete mixer.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved arrangement for loading the dry ingredients into a concrete mixer drum mounted upon a vehicle chassis and having the charging port facing the front end thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved charging arrangement for a vehicle mounted concrete mixer, which arrangement is relatively light in weight, symmetrically arranged as regards the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and which can be conditioned for operation with a minimum of effort and in a short skip contents into the mixer drum.

And another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved charging arrangement for a concrete mixer of a truck mounted type which is simple in design, efficient in operation, and relatively low in manufacturing costs.

In accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention, the mixer drum mounted rearwardly of a vehicle chassis is provided with an axial opening in the front end thereof for cooperatively receiving the discharge end of a hopper mounted upon the framework. The drum charging means includes a pair of arms pivotally mounted upon each of the opposite sides of the vehicle frame at points below the hopper, the outer ends of the arms extending beyond the front end of the vehicle. Pivotally mounted between the outer ends of the arms is a skip which, in the lowered position of the arms, rests upon the ground, and into which may be dumped ingredients such as sand, gravel or the like and cement from a truck backed up theretoward.

Cable means extending from an upper portion of the mixer framework is connected to the outer ends of the arms and to winch drums provided on the vehicle which, when driven, effect the upward pivotal movement of the arms to carry the skip to a point above the hopper. Means are provided for maintaining the skip in a substantially horizontal position throughout the upward pivotal movement of the arms over the front end of the vehicle including the cab. Upon reaching the dumping position over the hopper, the skip is .tilted rearwardly, and simultaneously a gate at the rear end thereof is opened whereby the ingredients are permitted to flow therefrom into the upper end of the hopper which directs the ingredients through the charging port in the forward end of the mixer drum. Means are also provided for supporting the skip and the pivoted arms therefor in a partially elevated position during the transportation of the mixer withoutrequiring a, dismantling thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the inven-- tion will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, while the features of novelty will be pointed out with greater particularity in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the forward end of a portable concrete mixer plant provided with a loading skip arrangement constructed in accordance with one form of the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary view illustrating a winch drum arrangement embodied in the structure of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating the loading skip arrangement of Figure 1 in various positions of operation; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the forward end of a concrete mixing plant illustrating a loading skip arrangement constructed in accordance with a second modification of the invention; Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional View illustrating further certain details of the skip dumping means embodied in the structure of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic sketch illustrating a further modification of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the concrete mixer there illustrated comprises a vehicle unit such as a truck chassis including a frame I supported upon front and rear wheels II and I2 and having a prime mover engine under hood I3 and an operators cab I4 provided upon the forward end. A concrete mixer drum I is mounted upon the rear end of the vehicle chassis for rotation about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle frame Ill. The drum I5 is of the rear end discharging type, that is, it is adapted for dumping the mixed concrete either into forms directly by means of chutes or into the bucket of an elevator structure mounted upon the rear end of the vehicle, though the particular details of the rear end of the mixer form no part of the present invention. The drum I5 'is provided with an axial opening I6 at the front end thereof defining a charging port therefor. Mounted upon the mixer framework is a hopper Il having a discharge spout I8 at the lower end thereof extending into the charging port I6 of the mixer drum. The hopper I1 is open at its upper end and is adapted for receiving ingredients from a loading skip to be described, and for directing such ingredients into the mixer drum I5.

The bottom wall of the hopper slopes upwardly toward the top of the cab I4 and thus does not interfere with the compact arrangement of various necessary auxiliary apparatus between the front end of the drum and the rear of the cab. Among such apparatus may be the power takeoil? and control means therefor for operating the mixer drum from the prime mover engine of the vehicle. For sake of greater simplicity in the disclosure, the drum driving mechanism has been reduced to its simplest form which as shown comprises a, chain 2! extending from a suitable power take-off and trained over a sprocket provided on shaft 22 A second chain 23 operatively connects shaft 22 to the shaft 24 which at the opposite end is provided with pinion 25 and which in turn is meshed with the hoop gear 26 provided about the drum I5.

In addition to the drum driving means, only the skip hoisting winch drums are shown between the cab I4 and the drum I5, though It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that other apparatus also are required to be mounted in this space such as a water tank, a water pump, a water meter, timer means and various control gear. Since the instant invention is not directly related to such details, they have been omitted from the drawings for greater clarity in the presentation of the instant invention.

It will readilybe seen that if the mixer drum I5 is to be compactly arranged upon the vehicle, that is, with the forward end thereof as close as possible to the cab I4 with only enough space provided therebetween for accommodating the various driving and auxiliary apparatus, the charging port I6 of the drum is relatively inaccessible for effecting the charging thereof except from above through a funnel-like hopper such as I1.

The loading arrangement shown comprises a pair of relatively long arms 3I which are pivotally mounted at one end as at 32 upon brackets 33 secured to each of the opposite sides of the mixer frame I0 and at a point substantially below the hopper II. The arms 3I are of a length so that in the horizontal position thereof they extend somewhat beyond the forward end of the vehicle, and, when pivoted upwardly about the axis 32, describe an arc up over the cab, and in the upper limit position, which is substantially vertical, the ends of the arms extend a considerable distance above the upper end of the hopper I'I. Mounted between the outer ends of the arms 3| is a skip 35 which may be of a rectangular boxlike construction of a width substanatlally equal to the width of the front end of the vehicle and of any suitable length as well as height. The skip 35 is pivotally supported upon the arms 3I by means of trunnions 36 suitably journaled in bearings provided On the arms 3|. The axis of the trunnions 36 is positioned somewhat rearwardly, that is, toward the vehicle with relation to the transverse center line of the skip, for reasons which will be pointed out more fully hereinafter. The skip 35 is provided with a gate 31 at the rear end thereof, which gate is secured to the ends of arms 38 pivotally mounted upon the trunnions 36 between the arms 3! and the side walls of the skip 35. The gate 31 is normally biased downwardly or to the closed position by gravity, and is adapted to be automatically shifted to the opened position as the skip 35 is hoisted to the upper limit or dumping position above the hopper II by means of a chain 39 connected between the gate arms 38 and the hoisting cables 4|.

In the lowered position of the skip, as shown in Figure 1, it rests upon the ground in front of the mixer so that the ingredients such as sand or the like and cement may be readily loaded thereinto from a truck backed up theretoward. Such loading of the skip may be done while the mixer is in operation so that as soon as the batch is discharged therefrom it may be immediately recharged.

The skip hoisting cables 4| extend from a corresponding pair of winch drums 42 mounted between the mixer drum I5 and the cab I4 upwardly over pulleys 43 journaled upon the upper ends of uprights 44 mounted on the upper portion of the mixer framework adjacent the rear edge of hopper N. The uprights 44 are braced by means of rearwardly extending arms 45. In order that the overall height of the mixer may be reduced to a minimum for transporting the machine between locations, the upright structure is adapted for folding downwardly. Thus the uprights 44 are hingedly mounted as at 46 to the mixer framework and the arms 45 are connected by means of removable pins 41 to the upper ends of the uprights 44. Upon removal of they pins 41 the uprights 44 may be pivoted rearwardly to some horizontal position as indicated by dotted lines 48, while the arms 45, also hingedly mounted as at 49 to the mixer framework, may be pivoted forwardly to the dotted line position 50. As shown, the cables 4| trained over the pulleys 43 extend downwardly therefrom and are connected to links 53 which are pivotally mounted upon the trunnions 36 between the arms 3| and the side walls of the skip 35. Upon proper directional rotation of the winch drums 43, the cables 4| are reeled in, cansing the arms 3| to pivot upwardly about their pivotal support 32, carrying with them the skip 35 up over the forward end of the vehicle.

For equalizing the pull in the pair of cables 4| connected to the opposite sides of the skip 35, a driving arrangement for the winch drums 42 is provided such as is indicated more clearly in the fragmentary sketch of Figure 2. The winch drums 42 and 42 are connected through a differential gearing indicated by the housing 54 to a combined clutch and brake mechanism indicated at 55. The mechanism 55 may be of the type more fully described in our copending patent application, Serial No. 402,462, filed July 15, 1941,

now Patent No. 2,300,752, issued November 3, 1942, though any suitable similar control arrangement may be provided. The clutch mechanism 55 is connected to the end of the shaft 22 driven through chain 2| from the power take-off. The clutch may be connected for control through a suitable lever 56 extending to any suitable control station (not shown) provided on the mixer.

In order to guide and stabilize the upward movement of the arms 3|, a pair of arcuate guide members 58 are provided adjacent the inner sides of the respective arms 3| and arranged concentrically with the pivotal axis 32 of the arms. The arcuate guide members 58 may be anchored at their lower ends to the forward end of vehicle frame l and at their upper ends to the mixer framework. Suitable cross braces (not shown) may be provided intermediate their ends as desired. To provide for frictionless engagement between the arms 3| and the guide members 58, rollers 59 are provided on the arms 3| and which are adapted to engage with the adjacent flat surfaces of the guide members 53 as the arms 3| are pivoted upwardly under the pull of the cables dl.

Means are provided for maintaining the skip 35 in a substantially horizontal position as the arms 3| are pivoted upwardly in order to prevent spilling of the ingredients therefrom prior to the skip reaching its upper limit position. As previously mentioned, the pivotal axis of the skip supporting trunnions 36 is positioned somewhat rearwardly with respect to the center of the skip 35 so that the skip will normally tend to rotate in the counterclockwise direction upon the ends of the arms 3|, as viewed in Figure 1. For supporting the forward end of the skip 35 in a predetermined angular relation with respect to the arms 3| as they are moved upwardly, cables 6| are provided which are connected at one end as at 62 to the forward end of the skip 35. The cables 6| extend over pulleys 63 provided in the-outer ends of the arms 3|, which ends, it will be observed, extend somewhat beyond the trunnions 36. From the rollers 63 the cables 6| extend longitudinally of the arms 3| and about pulleys 64 mounted near the opposite ends of the arms 3| and are fixedly connected to some point 65 on the mixer framework above the pivotal support 32 for the arms 3|. The arms 3| may be hollow tubular members, in which event the cables 6| may extend therethrough between the grooved rollers 63 and 64.

Referring now more particularly to the various views of Figure 3, the function of the cables 6| in maintaining the horizontalposition of the skip throughout elevation of the arms 3| will be explained. It will be understood that the cables 6| anchored at both ends are not slack, except in the dumping operation of the skip. Now assume that the arms 3| are pivoted upwardly from the horizontal position such as shown in Figure 1 to the position A shown in full line in Figure 3. It will be observed that as the arms 3| are pivoted about the axis 32 the pulleys 64 move toward the anchors 65 of the cables 6| so that the cable portions between the pulleys 64 and the anchors 65 are shortened by an amount corresponding substantially directly to the angle of movement ofthe arms 3| from the horizontal position. The

. shortening of the cable portions between the pulleys 64 and the anchors 65 is accompanied by a corresponding lengthening of the cable portions extending from the opposite pulleys 63 to the anchorage points on the skip 35.

The exact point of anchorage for the rear ends of the skip balancing cables 6| may be varied considerably, as well as the length of the arm portions supporting the cable 6| beyond the trunnions 36. It will be apparent, however, that the greater the length of the arm portion between trunnions 36 and rollers 63, the greater must be the distance between the arm pivots 32 and the cable anchorages 65 in order to maintain the skip in the horizontal position. Thus, for a predetermined angle of pivotal movement of the arms 3|, the arms should approach the cable anchorage 65 through a distance substantially equal to the distance of separation between the extremities of the arms and the cable anchorage 62 to the skip 35 while the skip is maintained horizontal.

It will, furthermore, be observed by those skilled in the art that the rear rollers 64 are not essential to the functioning of the cables 6| in maintaining the horizontally balanced condition of the skip 35. shortening of the cable portions on the opposite sides of the rollers 63 will take place irrespective of the provision of the rear rollers 64. However, it is essential, if such rear rollers 64 are provided, that they be spaced considerably from the pivoted ends of the arms 3| to permit shortening of the cable length between the arms 3| and the anchorages 65. It will be seen that the provision of the rear rollers 64 enables the running of the balancing cable through the interior of the hollow arms 3|, or, in the event that solid arms are provided, immediately adjacent thereto, whereby the possibility of the balancing cables becoming fouled is minimized. By training the cables longitudinally through the arms 3| the compactness and appearance of the structure is considerably enhanced.

The effective lengthening and,

The supporting trunnions 36 may be mounted upon the rear extremity of the skip, but in such an event a greater proportion of the loaded skip would have to be carried by the cables 6|. It is preferred to so position the trunnions 36 upon the skip that the bulk of the weight of the loaded skip will be carried through the trunnions and only a relatively small proportion of the load carried through the cables 6|.

For effecting the dumping of the skip 35 as it is moved to the upper limit position. a pair of stops 68 are provided on the opposite sides of the hopper i1 extending upwardly from adjacent the forward portion thereof. The distance between the stops 68 is somewhat greater than the width of the skip so that as the rear end of the skip is moved therebetween the stops w,ill engage with a corresponding pair of rollers 69 mounted upon the opposite sides of the skip and adjacent the rear lowermost corners thereof. In the dotted line position B the skip is shown with the rollers 69 making initial contact with the face of the stops 68. In this position the skip is still substantially horizontal and the gate 31 at the rear end thereof is still closed. It will be observed, however, that, due to the wide angular separation between the cables 4| and the gate supporting arms 38, substantially all of the slack has been removed from the chain connections 39 therebetween. Further pivotal movement of the arms 3| to the dotted line position C results in a clockwise rotation of. the skip 35 upon the supporting trunnions 36 to a tilted or dumping position and opening of the gate. The tilting of the skip is effected by virtue of the fact that the rollers 69 on the skip side walls are positioned considerably below the axis of the trunnions 36 so that upon engagement with the stops 68 movement of the supporting arms 3| to the limit position C causes the skip to rotate about the rollers 69.

Simultaneously with the tilting of the skip 35 to the dumping position, the gate 31 is removed from the rear end thereof. By virtue of the chain connections 39 between the cables 4| and the gate arms 38, the gate 31 is restrained against movement with the skip as the latter is tilted. Thus the gate is held substantially stationary while the skip is tilted away therefrom. Upon tilting of the skip and removal'of the gate 31 from the rear end thereof, the contents are dumped downwardly into the hopper [1 which directs the same into thecharging port of the mixer drum.

It will be observed that in the upper limit position indicated at C the supporting arms 3| extend upwardly at an angle somewhat less than 90 degrees in order that there will be a component of gravitational force available for effecting movement of the skip and the arms in the lowering direction upon playing out of the cables 4| from the winch drums 42. As the supporting arms 3| move from the position C to the position B, the skip 35 reassumes the substantially horizontal position and the gate 31 is again closed.

For holding the arms 3| and the skip 35 in a partially elevated position, as when transporting the mixer from one location to another, a chain 1| is provided suitably anchored at one end to the mixer framework and having a hook 12 at' the outer end which is adapted to be hooked into eyes 13 provided on the arms 3|. With the chain 1| so secured to the arms 3| for holding them in a partially elevated position, the cables 4| may the invention, it is to be be slackened to permit the upright structural members 44 and 45 to be folded down.

It will be seen that the skip supporting and balancing arrangement above described closely resembles, at least in function, a parallelogram lever arrangement, and in fact, such an arrangement, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 7, may be used if desired. The modification illustrated in this sketch comprises a skip 14 shown supported upon the outer ends of pairs of parallel levers 1.5 and 16, the opposite ends of which are pivotally mounted on the mixer frame 11 at spaced points 18 and 19, respectively. The skip 14 is mounted for pivotal movement upon the shaft which extends transversely through the skip and mounted on the ends of the levers 16. The outer ends of the levers 15 and 16 are connected together by a link 8| which extends par allel with the horizontal plane through the pivots 18 and 19. The arms 15 and 16 together with the skip 14 are adapted to be moved to the elevated position by means of cables 82 extending from the upper end of the upright structure 83. The foremost end of the skip is loosely supported upon the upper edge of the cross link 8| by stop pins 84 extending from the skip side walls. Upon movement of the arms 15 and 16 to the upper limit position, the rollers 85 on the rear lowermost corners of the opposite sides of the skip 14 engage with the stops 86 on the opposite sides of the hopper 81., whereupon the skip 14 is caused to pivot about the shaft 80 and tilt rearwardly for effecting a dumping of the contents from the skip into the hopper 81. The rear end of the skip 14 may be provided with a gate substantially as described above and which may be operated by a connection with the cable 82. The gate has been omitted from the sketch for purposes of greater clarity. The arrangement as just described functions in substantially the same man her as the first modification, though somewhat more complicated, involving a greater number of rigid lever arms.

In Figure 4 is illustrated a further modification of the invention as particularly adapted for use with an extremely large capacity mixer. The mixer in this instance is substantially similar to that previously described except that the vehicle cab and engine enclosure are formed integrally with the structural framework of the forward end of the mixing plant. While the specific details of the cab and engine enclosure have been omitted in the drawings in order more clearly to show the more important structural features of understood that the view of Figure 4 represents the forward end of the vehicle mounted mixing plant corresponding generally with that of Figure 1. Thus the mixer of this modification is comprised essentially of a truck vehicle chassis including a base frame 90 supported at the front end upon wheels 9| and having a mixer drum 92 mounted rearwardly thereof. A hopper, indicated generally by dotted lines 93, is provided for directing ingredients into the charging port in the forward end of the mixer drum 92.

For hoisting ingredients from ground level up over the front end of the mixer and depositing them into the hopper 93, a skip and supporting arrangement therefor is provided, which is somewhat similar to that of the first described modification, comprising a pair of arms 94 pivotally mounted as at 95 upon suitable brackets 96 on the opposite sides of the vehicle frame 90 and substantially beneath the hopper 93. A Skip 91 of a enerally rectangular box-like construction is pivotally supported by means of'trunnions 98 bea tween the end portions of the arms 94 projectin I beyond the front end of the mixer structure.

The skip in this instance is provided with forwardly sloping side walls, as indicated at 99, and v is open across the front end so that when in the lowered position thereof a dump truck may be backed into the open end of the skip and the truck contents conveniently dumped thereinto. It is to be understood, of course, that a vertical front wall may be provided across the front of the skip as in the case of the previously described modifications, if desired. The pivotal support 98 for the skip 91 upon the arms 94 may consist, of

a. shaft extending transversely through the body of the skip and projecting outwardly from the opposite side walls thereof and suitably 'journaled in the arms 94. In the specific modification herein illustrated, the capacity of the skip 91 is considerably greater than'that of the skip 35 of the first modification and, accordingly, the various structural elements including the arms 94, the bracket supporting means therefor, and the hoisting cable arrangement, are correspondingly heavier in order adequately to carry the increased load. The hosting cables IOI extending from the winch drums I02 may be arranged over suitable blocks I03 and I94 attached to the skip 91 and the upper end of the upright structure I95, respectively. The block I03 is journaled on the end of an arm I96 which in turn is pivotally arranged over the shaft 98 between the arms 94 and the side walls of the skip 91. A gate I01 is provided across an opening in the rear end of the skip 91, the gate being secured to a pair of arms I98 extending along the opposite sides of the skip 91 and pivot lly connected thereto as at N19. The gate I01 is connected by a pair of chains III to the links I96 whereby the gate is automatically moved to the opened position as the skip 91 is tilted to the dumping position above the hopper 93 in the upper limit position of the supporting arms 94.

The frame at the forward end of the concrete mixer is defined in part by a pair of arcuate guides II 2 arranged concentrically as regards the pivotal axis 95 for the arms 94 for guiding and stabilizing the upward movement of. the arms and skip under the pull of the cables IUI. The arms 94 are each provided with a pair of rollers H3 extending toward the guides H2 and for engaging with the outer flat surfaces thereof.

As in the case of the first described modification, the axis of the pivotal support for the skip 91 between the ends of the arms 94 is positioned somewhat rearwardly of the center of gravity of the skip so that the skip will normally tend to rotate about the pivotal support in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4. The forward end of .the skip is supported by means of balancing cables II5 connected thereto as at I I6 and which cables are trained over the pulleys H1 in the extreme ends of the arms 94. The cables I I5 extend longitudinally through the hollow arms 94 and are trained over pulleys H8 near the rear end thereof, and are anchored as at I I9 to the mixer framework above and slightly rearwardly of the pivotal support 95 for the arms 94. The function of the cables I I5 in maintaining the skip 91 in a. substantially horizontal position throughout upward pivotal movement of the arms 94 is substantially the same as previously described.

A principal feature of the structure of the present modification lies in the particular tripping means by which dumping or tilting movement of the'skip is effected in the upper limit position of the supporting arms 94. It will be recalled that in the earlier described modifications upstanding stops are provided adjacent the opposite sides of th hopper which engage with the rear end of the skip and hold that end stationary while the other end of the skip is pivoted thereabout by continued movement of the skip supporting arms. In the present modification dumping movement of the skip is effected through control of the cable I I5.

As previously mentioned, the arms 94 are preferably of a hollow rectangular construction such as may be formed by welding together the edges of the flanges of a pair of facing channel members. The cables I I5 extending between the pulleys I I1 and l I8 are arranged within the hollow arms substantially as indicated by the dotted lines. At an intermediate point within the arms 94 the cables H5 extend over pairs of adjacent grooved rollers I2I and I22 which support the cable thereupon in a straight line adjacent the upper edge of the arms in a manner more clearly illustrated in Figure 5. Trigger arms I23 are slidably arranged transversely of the arms 94 through cooperating openings provided in the upper and lower walls thereof between the rollers I2I and I22. The trigger arms I29 are of a generally hollow rectangular construction as shown more clearly in the cross sectional view of Figure 6, portions of the opposite side walls of the trigger arms I23 being removed as indicated at I24 so as to provide passages therethrough extending longitudinally of arms 94 for receiving the cables II5. Mounted within the trigger arms are grooved rollers I25 rotatably supported'upon a shaft suitably secured at its outer ends to the side walls of the trigger arms I23. The rollers I25 are arrangedon the opposite side of the cable I I5 with respect to the rollers I2I and I22 and normally, in the position illustrated in Figure 5, rides loosely upon the cable I I5 which extends in a substantially straight line past the various rollers. The trigger arms I23 are arranged for sliding movement transversely through the cooperating openings provided in the arms 94, the movement of the trigger arms being further guided within suitable guide brackets I21 provided thereabout on the upper surface of the arms 94. Upon pivotal movement of the arms 94 to the upper limit position, the trigger arms I23 are brought into engagement with cooperating stops I28 provided on the mixer frame to cause a transverse sliding of the arms I23 relative to the arms 94.

Referring now more particularly to the view of Figure 4, the arms 94 are shown in the lower and intermediate positions by dotted lines at A and B, respectively, and in the upper limit position in full lines at C. In the upper limit position the ends of the trigger arms I23 are moved into engagement with stops I29 and shifted through the arms 94 whereby the rollers I25 engage with the cables II5 between the supporting rollers I2I and I22 and form loops therein substantially as indicated at I29. The ends of the trigger arms I23 do not engage with the stops I28 until the rear edge of the skip 91 has been moved to a point substantially beyond the foremost edge of the hopper 93. Upon the formation of the loops I29 within the cables I I5 between the rollers I2I and I22, the length of cable between theend pulleys H1 and the skip connection II6 will be correspondingly shortened, thereby raising the front end of the skip upwardly substantially to some such position as shown. Simultaneously with the tilting of the skip 91, the gate I01 at the rear end of the skip will be shifted to the open position by virtue of the chain connections III between the gate and the hoisting cable connection links I06, whereupon the skip contents will be discharged into the hopper 93. After the skip 91 has been emptied, the skip may against be lowered to the ground level by slackening the hoisting cable through control of the winch drums. Upon movement of the arms 94 from the upright position, the weight of the forward end of the skip will exert a pull on the cable II 5 to straighten the loop I29 and cause movement of the trigger arms I23 to the'extended position as they are moved away from the stops I23, whereupon the skip will again assume the horizontal position.

For supporting the arms 94 in a partially elevated position independently of the hoisting cables I ill, a pair of chains I32 are secured to the mixer framework and having a hook I33 on the end thereof to be cooperatively hooked into eyes I34 suitably provided on the arms 94. With the arms 94 secured in such a manner, the hoisting cables IIlI may be slackened and the upright structure I05 folded downwardly so as to reduce the overall height of the machine for traveling.

Having described the principles of the invention in what are considered to be preferred embodiments thereof, it is desired that it be understood that the specific details shown are merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

We claim:

1. A mixer drum charging arrangement comprising a frame, a hopper for directing ingredients into the drum, a skip for elevating ingreclients to said hopper, a pair of parallel arms pivotally mounted at one end on said frame below said hopper, said skip being pivotally mounted between the opposite ends of said arms, means for lifting said arms upwardly toward said hopper, flexible means connecting said skip and said frame for maintaining said skip substantially horizontal until said skip approaches said hopper, and means for effecting tilting of said skip to cause dumping of contents into said hopper.

2. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum having a charging port and mounted upon a Vehicle framework, said arrangement comprising a loading skip, a pair of arms pivotally attached adjacent one end to said vehicle framework below said port, the 'opposite ends of said arms extending forwardly of said vehicle, said skip pivotally attached between the outer ends of said arms, means for swinging said arms upwardly over the end of said vehicle, flexible means connected between said skip and said framework for maintaining said skip substantially horizontal during elevation of said arms, and means for effecting a tilting of said skip as said skip is moved to a position above said port to effect unloading of said skip.

3. A portable concrete mixer loading skip arrangement comprising a vehicle having a frame,

a hopper for directing ingredients into the mixer,

an arm pivotally attached to each of the opposite sides of said vehicle frame, a loading skip pivotally mounted between the ends of said arms beyond the end of said vehicle, an upright structure extending upwardly from said frame above said hopper, a hoisting cable trained over the upper end of said upright structure and connected to the outer ends of said arms for raising said skip to dumping position over said hopper, means for effecting tilting of said skip when positioning over said hopper, a gate on th rear end of said skip, and means operatively connected to saidcable for automatically opening said gate upon tilting of said skip.

4. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum rotatably mounted on a vehicle and having a charging port facing the forward end of said vehicle, said arrangement comprising a vehicle frame, an arm pivotally connected at one end to each of the opposite sides of said frame, the forward ends of said arms extending beyond the front end of said vehicle, a loading skip pivotally mounted between the forward ends of said arms, a cable extending from the upper portion of said frame and connected to the outer ends of said arms for raising said skip to dumping p0 sition above said port, a gate on the rear end of said skip, and means connecting said cable to said gate for effecting automatically the opening of said gate upon movementof said skip to said dumping position.

5. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum mounted upon a vehicle frame and having a charging port facing the forward end of the vehicle, said arrangement comprising an arm pivotally connected at one end to each of the opposite sides of said frame below said port, the forward ends of said arms extending beyond the front end of said vehicle, a loading skip pivotally mounted between the forward ends of said arms, a cable connected directly to said arms for effecting pivotal movement of said arms upwardly for raising said skip to a dumping position above said port, means for maintaining said skip in a substantially horizontal position throughout upward pivotal movement of said arms, and means for automatically effecting dumping movement of said skip upon reaching a predetermined position above said port.

6. A portable concrete mixer loading skip arrangement comprising a vehicle having a frame, a hopper mounted on said frame for directing ingredients into the mixenan arm pivotally connected at one end to each of the opposite sides of. said frame below said hopper, the outer ends of said arms extending beyond the end of said vehicle, a loading skip pivotally mounted between the outer ends of said arms, cable means extending from the uppermost portion of said frame and connected to the outer ends of said arms for raising said skip to a position above'said hopper, means for maintaining said skip in a generally horizontal position during elevation thereof, a gate on the rear end of said skip, means for effecting tilting of said skip in the upper limit position thereof whereby contents may be dumped therefrom into said hopper, and means operatively connecting said gate to said cable for automatically removing said gate from said skip upon tilting of said skip.

'7. A portable concrete mixer loading skip arrangement comprising a vehicle having a frame, a hopper mounted on said frame for directing ingredients into the mixer, an arm pivotally connected at one end to each of the opposite sides of said frame, said arms extending beyond the end of said vehicle, a loading skip pivotally mounted between the outer ends of said arms, a pair of uprights hingedly connected to each of the opposite sides of the upper portion of said frame, means for securing said uprights in the upwardly extending position, pulleys in the upper ends of said uprights, cables trained over said pulleys and connected tothe outer ends of said arms for effecting elevation of said-skip to a position above said skip to a position above said hopper, said uprights being of such height that said pulleys are positioned at a point substantially above the point of cable connection to said arms in the upper limit position of said arms, a gate pivotally mounted on the rear end of said skip, means for effecting tilting of said skip upon said arms in the upper limit position thereof, and means operatively connecting said cable to said gate whereby said gate is automatically moved to the opened position upon tilting of said skip.

8. A portable concrete mixer loading skip arrangement comprising a vehicle having a frame, a hopper for directing ingredients into the mixer, a pair of arms pivotally connected at one end to each of the opposite sides of said frame, said arms extending beyond the forward end of said vehicle, a loading skip pivotally mounted between the outer ends of said arms, a cable extending from the upper portion of said frame and connected to the outer ends of said arms for elevating said skip to a limit position above said hopper, a flexible member connected between said skip and said frame for controlling the angular position of said skip with relation to the angle of movement of said arms whereby said skip is maintained in a substantially horizontal position during elevation thereof, stop means adjacent said hopper for operativeiy engaging said skip for causing tilting of said skip when moved to said upper limit position.

9. A portable concrete. mixer loading skip ar rangement comprising a frame, a hopper for directing ingredients into the mixer, a pair of arms pivotally connected to each of the opposite sides of said frame below said hopper, said arms extending outwardly beyond the end of said frame, a loading skip pivotally mounted between the outer ends of said arms, actuating means connected directly to said arms for ef-s fecting elevation of said arms and said skip to a limit position above said hopper, means for maintaining said skip in a substantially horizontal position during elevation thereof, a gate pivotally mounted on the rear end of said skip, stop means on said frame adjacent said hopper for engaging with said skip and causing tilting thereof relative to said arms when moved to the up per limit position, and means for effecting opening movement of said gate upon tilting of said skip.

10. A portable concrete mixer loading skip arrangement comprising a frame, a hopper mounted on said frame for directing ingredients into the mixer, a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end to the opposite sides of said frame below said hopper, the outer ends of said arms extending beyond the end of said frame, a loading skip pivotally mounted between the outer ends of said arms, cable means extending from the upper portion of said frame and connected to said arms for effecting elevation of said skip to a dumping position above said hopper. and,

arcuate guide members secured to the end of said frame and arranged between said arms substantially concentric with the pivots of said arms for guiding and stabilizing pivotal movement of said arms.

11. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum having a charging port in one end thereof and mounted upon a vehicle frame, said arrangement comprising a vehicle frame, a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end on opposite sides of said frame at a point below said charging port, a skip pivotally supported between said arms, the axis of the pivotal skip support extending transversely through said skip rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof, a cable connected to the front portion of said skip and trained over the outer end of a corresponding one of said arms, said cable extending longitudinally of said arms and anchored to said frame whereby said skip is maintained in a substantially horizontal position upon pivotal movement of said arms.

12. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum having a charging port in one end thereof, said arrangement comprising a vehicle frame for supporting said drum, a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end on each of the opposite sides of said frame below said charging port, a skip pivotally mounted between said arms, means for pivotally moving said arms upwardly whereby said skip is carried to a dumping position above said charging port, means connecting said skip to said frame whereby said skip is rotated relative to said arms by an angle corresponding to the angle of movement of said arms but in the opposite direction so as to maintain said skip in a substantially horizontal position upon pivotal movement of said arms.

13. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum having a charging port in one end thereof, said arrangement comprising a mixer supporting frame, a hopper for directing ingredients through said charging port, a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end on each of the opposite sides of said frame below said hopper, a skip pivotally mounted between the end portions of said arms, the axis of said pivotal support extending transversely of said skip rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof, the outermost end portions of said arms extending beyond said pivotal skip support, balancing cables secured to the forward portion of said skip and extending over the outermost ends of said arms, said cables extending longitudinally of the corresponding of said arms, said cables being secured to anchorages at the opposite ends to said frame rearwardly and above the pivotal mounting for said arms, means for swinging said arms upwardly to carry said skip to dumping position above said hopper, said arms in moving upwardly approaching said anchorages at such a ate that the cable portions extending from the outer ends of said arms lengthen by such an amount as to support said skip in a substantially horizontal position as said arms are swung upwardly.

1s. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum having a charging port in one end thereof, said arrangement comprising a mixer supporting frame, a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end on each of the opposite sides of said frame below said charging port. a skip pivotally mounted in an off center relation between said arms, skip balancing cables secured to the heavier side of said skip and trained over said arms, the opposite ends of said balancing cables being secured to anchorages on said mixer frame, means for swinging said arms upwardly for carrying said skip to dumping position above said charging port, said balancing cables being automatically adjusted as said arms are swung upwardly whereby said skip is maintained in a substantially horizontal position in moving from the lowered position to dumping position above said charging port.

15. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum having a charging portin one end thereof, said arrangement comprising a mixer supporting frame, a hopper for directing ingredients through said charging port, a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end on each of the opposite sides of said frame below said hopper, a skip pivotally mounted between said arms and intermediate the opposite ends thereof, the pivotal support for said skip on said arms being positioned rearwardly of the center of gravity of said skip, cables secured to each of the opposite sides of said skip adjacent the forward ends thereof, said cables being trained over the outermost ends of said arms, the opposite ends of said cables being anchored to the corresponding opposite sides of said mixer frame at points above the pivotal mounting of said arms on said frame, and means for moving said arms upwardly to elevate said skip to dumping position above said hopper.

16. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum having a charging port in one end thereof, said arrangement comprising a mixer supporting frame, a hopper for directing ingredients through said charging port, a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end on each of the opposite sides of said frame below said hopper, a skip pivotally mounted between the end portions of said arms, the extremities of said arms extending beyond said pivotal skip support, said pivotal skip support extending transversely of said skip rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof, balancing cables secured to the forward portion of said skip and trained over the outer ends of said arms, said balancing cables extending rearwardly longitudinally of said arms and l anchored at their opposite ends to said frame rearwardly and above the pivotal mounting for said arms on said frame, means for moving said arms upwardly for carrying said skip to dumping position above said hopper, and means for engaging said cables as said arms are moved to the upper limit position for effecting rearward tilting of said skip on said arms.

17. A loading skip arrangement for a concrete mixer drum having a charging port in .one end thereof, said arrangement comprising a mixer supporting frame, a pair of arms pivotaliy mounted at one end on each ofthe opposit sides of said frame below said charging port, a skip pivotally mounted between said arms, the pivotal axis extending transversely of said skip rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof, the outermost ends of said arms extending beyond said pivotal axis, balancing cables secured to the forward portion of said skip and trained over the outermost ends of said arms, said cables extending longitudinally of said arms and secured at the opposite ends thereof upon anchorages above and slightly rearwardly of the pivotal mounting of said arms on said frame, means for pivotally moving said arms upwardly for carrying said skip to a dumping position above said charging port, said arms in moving upwardly approaching said cable anchorages on said frame permitting lengthening of the cables between the outermost ends of said arms and the points of cable connection to said skip'whereby said skip is maintained in a substantially horizontal position throughout elevation thereof, and skip tripping means mounted on said arms and adapted to be actuated in the upper limit position of said arms,

said tripping means having means for engaging with said cables for causing dumping of said skip.

18. A loading arrangement for a concrete mixer drum mounted on a frame and having a charging port in one end thereof, said arrangement comprising a pair of arms pivoted at one end on the opposite sides of said frame below said charg-, ing port, a skip pivotally supported between said; arms, the pivotal axis extending transversely of said skip rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof, skip balancing cables secured to the forward portion of said skip and trained over the outer ends of said arms, said cables extending rearwardly longitudinally of said arms and anchored to said frame above the pivots for said arms thereupon, means for pivotally moving said arms upwardly for carrying said skip to a dumping position above said charging port, a trip member mounted on each of said arms, stop means on said frame for actuating said trip members upon movement of said arms to the upper limit position, means on said trip members for engaging with said cables so as to effect dumping pivotal movement of said skip upon said arms.

19. A loading arrangement for a concrete mixer drum mounted upon a frame and having a charging port in one end thereof, said loading arrangement comprising a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end on each of the opposite sides of said frame below said charging port, a skip pivotally supported between the outer end portions of said arms, the axis of said pivotal support extending transversely of said skip rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof, the end portions of said arms extending beyond said pivotal skip support, balancing cables secured to the forward portion of said skip and extending over the outer ends of said arms, said cables further extending longitudinally of said arms and secured at the opposite ends to anchorages on said frame above the pivotal mounting for said arms, means for moving said arms upwardly for carrying said skip to a dumping position above said charging port, means for causing tilting of said skip on said arms in the upper limit position thereof comprising a trigger mounted on at least one of said arms and adapted to be engaged by a portion of said frame upon movement of said arms to the upper limit position, and means on said trigger for engaging with a corresponding one of said cables to form a loop therein and effectively shortening the length of cable extending from the outermost end of said arm to said skip.

HAROLD A. WAGNER. GUSTAVE H. WAGNER.

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