CA1115504A - Pallet positioner - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a pallet positioner for locating pallets in selected positions comprising; a movable frame, support means movably supporting the frame for movement between first and second positions, means connected to the frame operable to selectively move said frame to the first and second positions, a pair of tables mounted on the frame, and a pallet guide and positioning structure mounted on each table :
to locate a pallet on the table, said frame movable to the first position to locate the pallets in selected positions.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for simultaneously makiny two or more concrete pipes. ~' In particular, the present invention relates to a pallet positioner for locating pallets. This application is a divisional application of copendincJ application serial No.
269,255 filed January 6, 1977.
Conventional packer head machines for making a cc~ncrete pipe utilize a rotating packer head and a cylindrical outer jacket to fGrm the concrete pipe. ~ pallet is located on a turntable adjacent the lower end of the jacket. A top table adjacent the upper end of the jacket has a hole or allowing the packer head to be located in the bottom end of the jacket.
Concrete from a hopper and conveyor system is discharged through the hole into the jacket above the packer head. The pipe is formed by simultaneous rotation and elevation of the packer ;-head. Gourlie et al shows in Patent No. 3,262,175 a packer head concrete pipe making machine.
The top table can be equipped with a fee~ing device.
The feeding device has a plurality of hlades that are rotatable 'i to move the concrete from the top table into the jacket. An example of a feeding device is shown by Fosse et al in Patent No. 3,551,968. Another feeding device is shown by Miller in U.S. Patent No. 1,137,776.
It has been found that to make a satisfactory bell end on a concrete pipe, a bell packer should be used. ~ bell packer is a mechanism that rotates and vibrates the pallet ¦
during the initial stages of making the pipe. A bell packer structure is shown by Tiller in U~S. Patent No. 3,083,433.
Conduit forming machines having a plurality of packer heads are used to form a plurality of openings in a single pipe.
The pipe is formed in a single outer jacket. The plurality of packer heads ancl cylindrical followers are used to make a plurality of passages through the pipe. Norton et al in U.S.
Patent No. 3,095,628 shows this type of machine.
A machine for ma~Ling a plurality of concrete pipes is disclosed by Steiro in Patent ~Jo. 2,926,411. This machine has four jac~;ets that are positioned about four upright cores.
The concrete is placed in the annular spaces between the cores F
and the jackets to form the pipes. The machine does not use packer heads for makin~ the pipes.
The invention of the copending application is ~irected to an apparatus and method for simultaneously ma~ing a plurality o concrete tubular bodies. More particularly, the apparatus is a machine for simultaneously making two or more concrete pipes. The machine has a frame extended upwardly from a turn- !
table. A form assembly having first and second upright outer jackets is mounted on the turnta~le and positionable in vertical alignment w.ith a pair o packer heads. The packer heads are ~;
connected to a gear box mounted on a cross head ~ith a pair of downwardly directed rotatahle drive shafts. The cross head movably mounted on the rame controls the vertical position of the packer heads. A top tahle having rotatable filler funnels and stationary wiper blades is used to direct the concrete into the jackets ahove the packer heads. Header rings are used to form the male end of the pipes. A bell packer havlng two vibrating and turning units is used to simultaneously rotate and vibrate the pallets for the pipes to form the bell sections of the pipes. ~, Thus, the invention of the copending application provides a machine -that can simultaneously make a plurality of concrete pipes in a s.ingle station. The inventon also provides an apparatvs and method for concurrently makirlg two concrete pipes in a manner which utilizes a minimum amount of labor, time and energy. The present invention provides a pallet $ ~

positioner that locates two or more pallets in positions on a turntable to accommodate the outer jackets used to make concrete pipes.
According to the present invention there is provided in one aspect thereof a pallet positioner for locating pallets in selected positions comprising: a movable frame, support means movably supporting the frame for movement between first and second positions, means connected to the frame opera~le to selectively ~nove said frame to the first and second positions, a pair of tables mounted on the frame, and a pallet guide and positioning structure mounted on ea~h table to locate a pallet on the table, said frame movable to the first position to locate the pallets in selected yositions.
The present invention provides in another aspect thereof a pallet positioner for locating a plurality of pallets in selected positions comprising: a movable frame, support means movably supporting the frame for movement bet~een first and second positions, means connected to the frame operable to selectively move said frame to the first and second positions, a plurality of tables mounted on the frame, and a pallet guide and positioning structure mounted on each table to locate a pallet on the table, said frame movable to the first position to locate the pallets in selected positions.
The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a two packer head machine for simultaneously making two concrete pipes;
Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view, partly sectioned, of the midsection of the ~achine of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4~4 of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line. 5-5 of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 3;
Figure 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of the bell packer;
Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 8;

-4a-Figure 11 is an cnlar~ed fro~lt el~vatiolla] view of one rotating and vibrating unit engagea~le with a palle~ located in the bell section of a jacket; r Figure 12 is an enlarbed front elevational view of tlle pallet positioner in its raised position;
Figure 13 is a sectional vie~ taken along line 13-13 of Figure 12; and Fi~ur~ 14 is a top vie~ of the pallet ~ositioner vie~ing along line 14-14 of Figure 1.
DESCRIPTI()N OF PRr,F~RR~D E~ N'I':
Referring to Figure 1, tllere is shown an apparatus incli-eated generally at 10 for simultaneollsly m.lking t~o concrete r, pipes. Apparatus 10 has an uprigllt frame 12 inclu-ling a first and second u~right front posts 13 and 14. Posts 13 and 14 are ~,;
structural frame members, as I beams, channel ~eams, or the like. The upper encls of posts 13 and 14 are connected to a !-cross top member 16. Intermediate ~ortions of posts 13 and 14 "~
are connected to an interme(liate cross meml-er 17. The lower ends ,of posts 13 and 14 are secured to a fotlndatioll 11, as a concrete i~
floor or li~e support. Flame 12 has ad(litional upright posts and rearl~ardly directed members (not showrl) providing the rame ~ith a generally rectanular skeleton.
A movable'carriage or cross hea(l 18 extends transversely between the posts 13 and 14. Cross head l$ is slida~ly mounted on a pair of upright guides l9 alld 21. Guides 19 and 21 are cylindrical upright ro~s havin~ pper en~ls secured to top cross memb,er 16 and lo~ r ends secured to intermediate cross member 17. 1"
Cross head 18 has a ~,ear bo.~ 22 that is ~Irivahly connected to an 30 electric motor 23. A ~)air of downwar(lly directecl packer head ir shaft assemhlies 24 and 26 arC drivah]y connected to gear box 22 -5- , . .

and move vertically I~ith cro~s he.I~I 18. ShaEt as~emblies Z4 and 26 have drive shafts eIlclo.sed in tuI)ular hous.ings W}liC]l proteet and reinforce the sllafts. Rotatable pac~er Ileads 27 r and 28 are connecte(I to the lower entls of shaft assemblies 24 and 26, respectively. Packer heads 27 and 28 can be o known construction, such as the packer head disclosed in U. S. ~atent No, 3,262,175. Each packer head 27 an~ 28 has a cylindrical ~ :
body carrying a plurality o:f rollers. ~IprigIIt I~lades OIl top r of the body operate to move concrete from the top oE thc body 10 to tlle annular space betl~een the bo~y and the jacket or outer L
form. Ca~e positioners eal- be use~ itI~ tl-e packer heacIs 27 and 28, such as tlle cage positioner sllo~.~n in U. S. Patent No. r 3,262,175.
A pair of long hydraulic cylin~ers 29 and 31 are used to selectively raise and lo~er cross Ilead 18. Cylinder 29 posi- t-tioned adjacent the inside of post 13 is attached to a support or foot 32 secure~ to post 13. The upper en(I of cylinder 29 r is connected to a p~rtion of cross hea(l ].8. Cylin~lel 31 is attached to a support or foot 33 secured to post 14. Cylinder !~
31 extends upwarclly from foot 33 adjacent po~t 14 to cross head 18. Suitable lines an~l valves (not shown) connect cylin~ers 29 and 31 to the controls for operatioIl of apparatus 10.
A circular turntal11e 34 surrounds the ].ower end of post 14.
Suitable rollers or ~heels 36 movahly support turntable 34 on :~
curved tracks or other support surEaees. A drive unit 37 con-"9 nected to the center portion of turntable 3~ functions to sequentially rotate table 34 around post 14 to change tl-e pipe making stations of the macl~ e. Table 34 covers a pai.r of pits ~ :
or ehambers 38 an~l 39. Table 34 has a plural.ity of pairs of radially aligne~ holes 217 an~ 218 for provi(Iillg passages for r pallet Ilositioners ~nd a bell packer Ilerein.Ift.el (Iescr:iI)ecI.

~ r.,; t~ ~,J~

A two pipe form assembly indicated generally at 41 is supported on table 34 between posts 13 and 14. Form assembly 41 comprises first and second upright outer forms or cylindrical jackets 42 and 43 surrounding cylindrical chambers for accommo-dating packer heads 27 and 28. As shown in Figure 2, forms 42 and 43 are connected together with a plurality of connector or bracket structures 44. Form 42 has a cylindrical outside wall 46 having an upright longitudinal split which allows the wall to expand so that the form can be stripped from a pipe.
A plurality of releasable latches 47 are operable to hold the cylindrical wall 46 in its closed position as shown i.n Figure 2.
An upright control member 48 connected to all latches 47 is movable to concurrently lock or unlock the latches 47. Form 44 has a similar cylindrical wall and latches identified with the same reference numbers with suffix A. A detailed disclosure of the two pipe form assembly 41 is found in U. S. Patent No.
4,134,568.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a movable top table indicated generally at 49 is located above form assembly 41 between posts 13 and 14. Table 49 is slidably mounted on a pair of upright rods or guides 51 and 52. The upper ends of guides 51 and 52 are secured to intermediate cross member 17. The lower ends of guides 51 and 52 are attached to inwardly directed support brackets 32 and 33 secured to posts 13 and 14 respectively. Two pair of lift rods 53 and 54 secured to opposite sides of top table 49 extend upwardly to cross head 18. Stop nuts 53A and 54A thread on rods 53 and 54 engage cross head 18 to lift top ; 30 table 49 from form assembly 41 when cross head 18 is at its - , , . ~ .

raised or Up position. ~hcn cross lleacl 18 is 1owerecl7 top table 49 is lowered into engagement wit}- the top o.f form assembly 41.
A pair of hold (lown hydralllic cylinders 56 and 57 i.nterposecl between tahle 49 and stop brackets 88 and 8~ mounted on guides 51 and 52 hold top table 49 in engagement with t11c top of form assembly 41. Blocks 86 ancl 87 mount cylinclers 56 and 57 on opposite encls of beam 69. As sl~own in ligure 1, top table 49 is in the raise(l position spaccd al-ove tlle uppcr encls of t~c jackets 42 ancl 43. Turntablc 34 can be turnc(l to move form assembly 41 from uncler tab~e 49 w]lere i.t is accessible to lift and transport vehicles uscd to movc form assembly 41 ancl pipes to a pipe curing and form stri.pping locltion. Figure 3 shol~s table 49 in its lol~cred pOSitiOIl in engagcmcnt ~ith the upper en~s of first and second jackets 42 an(l 43. Brackets 88 and 89 can be mounted on guides 51 and 52 at selected elevations so that ~-form assemblies hlving diffcrent heigllts can bc used witll pipe making apparatus 10.
Top table 49 llas a llorizontal base or platfor~ 58 located between guides 51 ancl 52. A pair of uprigllt tubular members sleeves 59 and 61 attaclled to opposi~e ends of platform 58 slidably surround guides 51 and 52. As sllo~rl in Figures 4 and 5, platform !~
58 has two openings or iloles 62 ancl 63 concentric with packer head sllaft assemblies 24 ancl 26. Openings 62 ~nd 63 are aligned with the open upper ends of jackcts 42 ancl 43 to permit concre~e to be conveyed into the chambers surrounded by jackets 42 and 43. 1 ~
Platform 58 has a first funllel 64 formed by an annular cone-shaped ~r or inclined wall surrounding opening 62 provicling structure for directin~ concrete towarcl opening 62. ~ second funnel 66 formed ~y an annular downwardly inclined or cone-shapcd wall surrounds .
opening 63. Upwar(lly directed channel mcmbers 67 and 68 are secured to opposite ends of platform 58 adjacent tlle insicle of r~ r~

sleeves 59 and 61, r~spectively. A cross beam 69 is attac}led to the upper ends of members 67 and 68. Cross heam 69 has a pair of holes 71 and 72 for accommodating the packer head shaft r assemblies 2~ and 26.
A first gui~te assembly 73 is mounteT on the top of cross beam 69 for stabilizing and ~uicling p~eker head shaft assembly 24.
A seeond gui~e assembly 74 mounted on eross beam 69 stabilizes paeker head shaft assembly 26~ Guide assembly 73 llas three wheels 76, 77 and 78 circumEerentially spaced aroun~ t11e tube 10 of drive shaft 24 and en~ageable therewitll. T~ach ~heel is L
located betYeen pairs of ears or blocks 79 secured to cross `~
beam 69. A transverse pivot pin 81 rotatal-ly mounts the ~heels on blocks 79. Tl~e secon(l guide assembly 7i has tlle same l~heel structure as first gu:ide assembly 73. Guile assemblies 73 and 74 minimize vibration and ~hipping of shaft assemb]ies 24 and L_ 26. ~lounting the guide assemblies on tlble 49 insures that the midportions of shaft assemblies 24 and 2fi are stabilized at an advantageous position on tlle apparatus.
A pair of cylindrical headers or tongue formers 82 and 83 - 20 are seeured to the bottom of platform 58. ~Iealer 82) as sho~n in Figure 3, fits into tle upl-er enl of jleket 42. Ileader 83 fi~s into the upper end oE jacket 44. ~ plllr.llity of circumferen- I
tially spaeel tabs 84 secure~ to tlle bottom of a plate 85 guile the L
upper ends of jackets 42 an~ 43 into concentric relationship witl eylindrical lleaders 82 anl 83. Ileaders 82 and 83 form tlle stepped or male portion of tlle pipes ~hich fits into tlle bell end of ~
jaeent pipes. IleadeIs 82 and 83 e-n l~e mounted in the upper ends of jackets 42 alld 43 inlepeJldent of platform 58.
First and SeCOII~ rotatable support mealls indicated gener- ~
30ally at 91 an-l 92 rotata1~1y support funnels 64 an~ 66 respectively r on platform 58. Funnels 6~ an~ 66 are rotatable about upright 9~

axes concen-tric wit]I pcIc~er head ;haft asscmblies 24 and Z6.
ReEerring to Figure 6, rotatablc support means 91 has a rotat-- able annular ring 93 securecl to the aI~nular portion of funnel r 64. A stationary secolIcl ring 94 surrounds ring 93 and is secured to platform 58. A plurality of roller membcrs~ as balls 96, inteTposed bet~Yeen the rings 93 and 94 rotatably mount ring 93 and funnel 64 on ring 94. An annular sprocket 97 is attached to rin~ 93 an(I faInnel G4. A]I enclless roller c~Iain 98 is trained ahout sprocket 97. Rotating support means 10 92 for funnel 66 has the same ring and bearing structure as siIown in Figure 6.
Re~orrinc~ to ~igure 5, c1Iaill 98 extellcIs around a drive p sprocket 99 connecte(I to a power unit 101, as a hydraulic or electric motor. ~n icIler sprocket 102 rotatahly mountecI on plat-form 58 guicIes chain 98 for movcment toI~ar(I the sprocket 97.
Drive sprocket 99 is rotatably mountecl on a movable plate 103.
~pposite edges of plate ln3 are located in gcnerally ~-shaped ;~ guides 104. A bolt 106 is securecl to plate 1()3 ancI carries 3 spring 107 and nut 108. Sprin~ 107 biases the bolt ln6 in an 20 outward direction and thcreby maintailIs a rcsilient tension or biasing force on chain 98. The drive arrangement for chain 98A
is iclentical ~ith the drive for chain 98. ThC corresponcling parts of the cIrive structure for chain 98A are the same reference L
numerals witlI the suffix A as the parts of tlIe drive structure ~ for the chain 98.
- As shown in Fic~ures 3, 4~ ancl 6, a plurality of stationary r wi~er ~eans extencl dowlIwarcIly acliaceIlt the insicle surfaces o funnels 64 ancl 66 to direct concrete that may he locatecl on the funnels into the central opelIiIIgs 62 and G3. I~iper means 30 include a first ~iper 109 attached to a mounting plate lll. r Plate lll is secured to tlle upright chalIne~ member fi7. ~lacle -10- i ~ J~

109 is a gcnerally flat mcmber that extends down-~ardly and in-~ardly into the space surrounded ~y tlle insidc ~all of ~unnel ~ `
64. Located oppositc blacle 109 is a second downwardly and r inl~ardly inclined blade 112. The upper end of blade 112 tS
secured to a mounting plate 113. ~ounting pltlte 113 is attachecl to an upright post or support 114. The lower encl of support 114 is securecl to platform 58. Post 114 also mounts a second wiper blade 116. Blade 116 extends ~lownwar~ly nll~ inl~arclly in funnel 66. A second blade 117 is located opposite blaclc 116.
lO The upper end of blade 117 is sccurccl to ch.lnnel meml)cr 68 witl a mount 118. As s]lo~n in Figure 5, blades 109, 112, llG, and 117 are angularly extendecl in the direction of the rotation of funnels 64 and 66 ~i~hercby they achicve ~ipillg o~ thc funllels to direct the concrete from the ~unnels into the openings 62 and 63, respectively.
Referring to Figure 3, a hopper 119 has two downwar(lly di~
rected dischargc funnels 121 and 122 for directing concrete 126 and 12J onto two hori~ollt.ll convcyors 123 and 127. Ilopper 119 can be mounted on frame 12 witll support structurc, as vertical 20 guides, which pcrmits vertical relocation of the llopper 119 and conveyors 123 and 127. lhe discharge encls of conveyors 123 ancl 127 are locatcd in close proxll~ity to the tops of funnels 64 and 66.
A controlled drive unit 124, as a hydraulic motor, operates to move conveyor 123 to clischar~e the concretc to opcning 62 adja-cent shaft assembly 24. The concrete 126 falls through opening 62 into t}le chamher surrounc~ed by jacket 42. In a similar manner~ ¦
a controlled drivc unit 128, as a SeCOlld lly(lraulic motor, drives conveyor lZ7 to carry tllc concrete 129 to ol~cning 63 lcacling to L~
the chamber surrounded by jacket 43.
Returning to Fi~llre l, a bcll packer indicate~l gcncrally at 131 is located in pit 38 belol~ turntahle 34. Bell packer 131 is r $~
movable to an up position and operable to concurrently vibrate alld rotate the pallets located above turntable 34 in the bell sections of jackets 42 and 43. Rell packcr 131 is used to densify the concrete at the bell end of the packer to insure that all of the space in the bell end of the pipes are fil]ed l~ith concrete.
~s sllo~n in Fi~ure 8, bell packer 131 comprises a base 132 supported on the bottom of pit 38~ ~ pair of upright posts 133 r and 134 are attache~l to opposite encls of base 132. The upper ends of posts 133 and 134 are attached to inwardly directed brackets or supports 136 and 137 securecl to tl-e lower encls of frame posts 13 and I4, respectively. It movable carriage 138 extends horizontally between posts 133 and 134. A first pair of cylindrical members or sleeves 139 slidably mounted on post 133 are attached to one sicle of carriage 138. A second pair of cylin-drical members or sleeves 141 attac}lecl to the opposite end of carriage 138 are slidably mounted on post 134. A plurality of fasteners 142 secures sleeves 139 to carriage 138. i~ plurality of fasteners 143 secure the sleevcs 141 to the opposite sicle of carriage 138. Fasteners 142 and 143 can be nut-and-bolt assem-blies. A ~air o~ uprigllt hy~raulic cylin(lers 144 and l46 extended between base 132 ancl carriage 138 concurrently operate to selectively raise and lower carriage 138 along the linear extent of posts 133 and 134. lhe upper en(l oE cylinder 144 engages a horizontal t2b 147 securecl to carriage 138. ~n in-~arclly directed tab 148 engages tlle upper end of cylinder 146. The lower ends of tlle cylinders are mountecl on blocks or feet 149 and 151, respectively, attaching the cylindcrs 144 ancl 146 to base 132. Suitable hydraulic lines and valve controls within the access of the operator of the apparatus opcratively connectecl to hydraulic cylinders 144 aJIcl 146 control the e~tension and r contraction of the cylillders.

i . ~ .

A pair of vil)rating an-l t~lrning units in(licate~l generally at 152 and 153 are mounted on carriage 138. Unit 152 is in vertical alignment with the center longitudinal axis of jacket 42. Unit 153 is in vertical alignment with the center lon~itudlnal axis of jacket 43. The -following ~escription is limited to the unit 152. Tlle parts of unit 153 that correspond to the parts of unit 152 have the same reference numerals with the suffix A.
Unit 152 has a horizontal base 154, as a flat ~isc, rotatablv mounted for rotation about a vertical aAYis. Threc upright tubular members 156 are secured to the top of base 154. Do~nwardly L
directed legs 157 extend into tubular members 156. As shown in ~igure 9, leg 157 is surroun~ed by an annular elastic cushioning member 158 to insulate carriage 138 from vibrations transmitted to legs 157. Member 158 is annular elastic rubber material.
Returning to Figure 8, a circular horizontal table 159 is secured to the upper end of legs 157. Cross plates 161 are supported on the top of table 159 with a plurality of clownl~ardly directed support mem~ers 162. Secured to tlle center of the bottom of table 15~ is a vibrator 163. Vihrator 163 can bc an electrically, hydr.llllically, or air opcrated vibrator operable to impart mechanical vibratio]ls to table 159~ A moullt 164 connects vibrator 163 witll the bottom of ~able 159.
Base 154 is rotatably supported on top of carriage 138 ~ith a rotatable mount indicatcd gencrally at 166. As sllown in Figure 8, mount 166 has a fixe~ annular ring 167 secured to carriage s;
138. A rotatable ring 168 is concentrically positioned within ring 167 and rotatably mounted thereon Wit]l a plurality of rollers or balls lG9. Ring lfi8 is secured to an annular spur gear 171. Upwardly directed spacers 172 secure gear 171 to the bottom of base 154. Base 154A is mounted on top o~ carriage 138 r with a mount 166A similaT to mount 166. A motor 173 mounted on j carriage 138 l~ith a gencrally U-sllaped bracket 174 powers a drive gear 176 having external teeth in driving engagement with the teeth of thc gears 171 and 171A. ~lotor 173 operates r to concurrently rotate the ~ears 171 and 171A thcreby rotating the vibrating and turning units 152 and 153.
A vibration ring 177 is mounted on the cross members of platform 161. Vihration ring 177 is an annular ring member having a plurality of upwar(lly directed pallet engaging members r or ears 178 and downwardly directed support members 179.
plurality of bolts 181 secure support members 17~ to cross members 161. Cross members 161 havc a plurality of holes for accommodating vibration rings of different cliameters.
Referring to Figure 11, pallet 182 is locatcd in thc bell or lower end of jackct 43 above turntable 37. Pallet 182 is in concentric relation witll llole 183 in turlltable 37 and packer head 27. Packer head 27 has an annular skirt 27A that projects throug]l the center hole in pallet 182 adjacellt the vibration ring 177. ~ plurality of rcleasablc latcl~cs 184 retain thc pallet in asse~.bled relation with jacket 43. Pallet 182 llas a plurality of downwar~ly directecl lugs 186 l~hich are alignecl Wit]l ears 178 on vibration ring 177. Rotating packer head 27 and rotating vibration ring 177 operate togetller to insure that concrete 187 is properly formed in the bell section of jacket 43. L
Returning to Fi~ure 1, a pallet positioner indicated gener-ally at 188 is located in pit 39 below turntable 34. Turntable 34 has two holes or openings 217 and 218 open to pit 34. Pallet positioner 188 functions to concelltrically locate the pallcts relative to thc opcnings 217 and 218 and holcl the pallets in an elevated position so that the jackets can be placed over the 30 pallets and the pallets locked in the bell sections of the r jackets.

As S]lOWll in ~igure 12, pallet positioner 188 is in a raised position and locates a pair of pallets 189 and 191 ahove turntable 34. Pallet positioner 188 has a horizontal r bnse 193 carrying two Uprig]lt side supports 194 and 196. An u~w~rdly dircctecl movable frame indicated generally at 197 is located betweell supports 194 and 196. Frame 197 has a pair of upwardly directe~ side angle members 198 and 199 connected to an upper cross plate 102. A pair of bottom cross members 102 are sccurecl to the lower ends of angle members 198 and 199.
10 A flat horizolltal top plate 203 is secured to the top ends of angle members 198 and 199 and the top of cross plate 201. A
first pair of rollers 204 is rotatably ~ounted on support 194 ~ith halls 205. Rollers 204 ha~e V grooves located in engagement Wit]l the apc~ section of allgle member 98. The second pair of rollers 206 rotatably moullted on support 196 with balls 206A.
Rollcrs 206 have V grooves located in engagement with an apex section of angle member 199. An upright hydraulic cylinder 207 is operable to sclectively raise and lower frame 197. A
lower pin 208 mounts the bottom of cylinder 207 to a lower ~' cross plate 211 attaciled to base 193 and support members 194 and 196. An upper pin 209 con7lects the rod end of cylinder 207 ~,~
to midportion of upper cross plate 201.
A pair of circular tables 212 and 213 are mounted on top of plate 203. As sho~n in Figure 14, tables 212 and 213 have dia- -meters s~aller than openings 217 and 218, thereby allowing tables 212 an~ 213 to be located above the upper surface of turntable 34.
Table 212 has a plurality of downwardly directed legs or spacers 214 secured to top plate 203 ~ith bolts 215. A plurality of downwardly directed legs 116 mounts table 213 to top plate 203.
Bolts 220 secure legs 216 to plate 203. A first guide and r centering structure 219 is secured to the top of table 212.
- 15- , Cuide and centering structure 21~ hls four uprigllt m~m~ers ZZ2 connected to cross members 224. The outer end of cross members 224 are upwardly and inwardly inclined to provide sloping r surfaces which permit the pallets to fit a~ljacent the outside edges of upright members 222. ~ second guide ancl centering structure 221 is secured to table Z13. The structure of guide and centering structure 221 is identical with tlle structure r of guide and centering structure 219 Likc parts have the same reference numeral Witll the suffix ~.
In use, pallet positioner 188 is move(l to tlle raised posi-tion by actuating hyclraulic cylinder 207. Tables 212 ancl 213 move thro~gll openings 217 and 218 and turntable 37. Pallets 189 and 191 are located about guide ancl centering structures 219 and 221 respectively. The lower outwardly clirected flanges of the pallets are positioned above the top surface of turntable 34. A form assembly, as form assembly 41, is placed over the pallets and dressecl on the turntal71e 34. The latches on the bottom of the forms are placed in position wllereby ~he pallets ~;
are locked into the lell sections of the jackets 41 and 42.
Turntable 34 is then rotated to locate form asse~bly 41 below top table 49 and above bell packer 131 as shown in Figure 1. Cross head 18 is lo~ered to simultaneously lower top table 49 ancl packer lleads 27 and 28. The top table 49 moves do-~n until it L ~`
engages the tops of jackets 42 and 43. At this time, the tongue formers or heads 82 and 83 are in position in the upper portions of jackets 42 and 43. The hydraulic cylinclers 56 and 57 are actuated to firmly hold top table 49 in its operative ~own posi-tion in engagement with the upper ends of jackets 42 and 43.
Cross head 18 continues to move clown along the guides 19 and 21 30 until packer heads 27 ancl 28 are positioned in the bell sections r of jackets 42 ancl 43. As sllo-~n in Figllre 11 the lower portions or skirts 24A of each packer hea(l extends througll the pallets.

Thc bell ends of the concretc pipcs arc formecl by placin~ I
concrete 187 in the chambers of the piyes above packer heads 27 and 28. Conveyors 123 and 127 are operated to dircct the con- r crete through open ends 62 and 63 of funnel 64 and 66 respectivcly.
The bell packer 131 is raised into operative vibrati]lg and rotat-ing relationship ~ith the pallets 18Z. llydraulic cylinders 144 and 146 are extended to raise vibration rings 177 and 177~ into engagement l~ith lugs 186 of the pallets. The pallets 182 arc raised a short distance so that they clcar the latchcs 184 ancl 10 are free to rotate relative to jackets 42 and 43. L
The bell sections of the pipes are formed by rotating packer heads 27 and 28. This directs the concrete into the annular r area above and around the pallets. The bell packer 131 is operated during the rotation of the packer hcads. ~lotor 173 operates to drivc tlle vibration rings 177 and 177A. Wit]l the ~r ears 178 in driving engagement with lugs 186 secured to the pallets, the pallcts are rotated. Vibrators 163 and 163A are operated to impart vibrations to vibrating rings 177 and 177A
whereby pallets 182 and 182A are concurrcntly rotated and vi-20 brated to form and finish the concrete pipe in thc bell sections of the concrete pipes. After the bell sections of thc pipes are formed, a bell packer is turned off and retracted to its lower position. Packer hcacl 27 and 28 con~inue to rotate.
The hydraulic`cylinders 129 and 131 are actuated to raise cross heacl 18. lhis raises packer hea(ls 27 and 28. Conveyors 123 and 127 continue to operate to discharge concrete into jackets 42 and 43. The operator of the mac]line call individually control the speed of operation of each conveyor thereby insuring that a continuous supply of concrete is discharged into jackets 42 F
30 and 43. r The movement of the concrete into jackets 42 and 43 is facilitated by rotatin~ fullnels 64 and 66. ~lotors 101 and 101A
-17-~

are selectively operated by the o~erator of the machine to rotate funnels 64 and 66, respectively. The concretc on the inclined inner surfaces of the funnel is moved through the opening 62 and 63 by the stationary wiper blades 109, 112, 116, and 117.
Cross head 18 continues to be moved in an upward direction.
When cross head 18 approaches its upper position it engages stop bolts 53A and 54A attached to lift rods 53 and 54. The upward movement of cross Ilead 18 carries top table 49 in an upward direc-10 tion thereby separating the top table 49 from the upper end of form assembly 41, as shown in Figure 1. At this point, the packer heads 27 and 28 also move through openings 62 and 63 of top table 49. ~`
Turntable 34 is then indexed to another position to move form assembly 41 along Wit]l the pipes formed therein to a posi- !' tion outside of frame 12. A nel~ form assem~ly is siml~ltaneously located in longitudinal alignment Wit]l table 49. The process of making a second pair of pipes is repeate~. Form assembly 41 is transported with a transport vehicle or overhead crane to a 20 stripping or curing area. Releasable latches 47 and the jackets 42 and 43 are disenga~ed, allol~ing the cylindrical \~all 46 to expand. Form assembly 41 can tllen be s~ripped from the concrete pipes by movement in an up~ard cIirection. This is commonly L ~:
achieved with an overhead crane or lifting apparatus. The pallets are left under the pipes until the concrete of tlle pipes is cured.
l~hile there has been slIol~n and described a preferred embodi-ment of the apparatus and method for simultaneously making two concrete pipes J it is understood tI~at more tllan two concrete 30 pipes can be made by adding additional jackets, packer heads, r i `--~

and bell packers to the maclline. It is also understood that changes in the sizes, strtlcture, and parts can be made by those s]cilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of tlle invention. The invention is defined in the follow-ing claims~

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Claims (17)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A pallet positioner for locating pallets in selected positions on a turntable comprising: a movable frame, support means movably supporting the frame movement between first and second positions relative to the turntable, means connected to the frame operable to selectively move said frame to the first and second positions, a pair of tables mounted on the frame, and a pallet guide and positioning structure mounted on each table to locate a pallet in a position adjacent the turntable, said frame movable to the first position to locate the pallets in selected positions.

2. The positioner of Claim 1 wherein: the support means has a pair of upright supports, roller means mounting the frame on the supports, and said means connected to the frame compris-ing a hydraulic cylinder.

3. The positioner of Claim 1 wherein: the pallet guide and positioning structure comprises a plurality of upright members and cross members attached to the upright members.

4. A pallet positioner for locating a plurality of pallets in selected positions on a pallet support comprising: a mov-able frame, support means movably supporting the frame for move-ment between first and second positions relative to the pallet support, means connected to the frame operable to selectively move said frame to the first and second positions, a plurality of tables mounted on the frame, and a pallet guide and position-ing structure mounted on each table to locate a pallet in a position adjacent the pallet support, said frame movable to the first position to locate the pallets in selected positions.

5. The positioner of Claim 4 wherein: the support means has a pair of upright supports, roller means mounting the frame on the supports, and said means connected to the frame comprising a hydraulic cylinder.

6. The positioner of Claim 4 wherein: the pallet guide and positioning structure comprises a plurality of upright mem-bers and cross members attached to the upright members.

7. The positioner of Claim 4 wherein: the means connected to the frame operable to selectively move said frame to the first and second positions comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

8. The positioner of Claim 4 wherein: a pair of tables are mounted on the frame.

9. The positioner of Claim 4 wherein: the pallet support has a plurality of holes for accommodating the tables mounted on the frame, said pallet guide and positioning structure mounted on each table being adapted to pass through the holes in the pallet support when the frame has been moved to the first posi-tion.

10. The positioner of Claim 4 wherein: the support means has a pair of upright supports, and roller means mounting the frame on the supports.

11. A pallet positioner for locating pallets in selected positions on a pallet support comprising: a movable frame, support means movably mounting the frame for movement between first and second positions, means connected to the frame oper-able to selectively move said frame to the first and second positions, and pallet guide and positioning means operatively associated with the frame and movable therewith to locate the pallets in a position adjacent the pallet support when the frame has been moved to the first position.

12. The positioner of Claim 11 wherein: the support means has a pair of upright supports, and roller means mounting the frame on the supports.

13. The positioner of Claim 11 wherein: the means connected to the frame includes a hydraulic cylinder.

14. The positioner of Claim 11 including: table means con-necting the pallet guide and positioning means to the frame.

15. The positioner of Claim 14 wherein: the table means comprises a pair of tables, said pallet guide and positioning means including a first guide and positioning structure mounted on one table and a second guide and positioning structure mounted on the other table.

16. The positioner of Claim 14 wherein: each pallet guide and positioning structure has a plurality of upright members and a plurality of cross members attached to the upright members.

17. The positioner of Claim 11 wherein: the pallet support has a plurality of holes for accommodating the pallet guide and positioning means, said pallet guide and positioning means being adapted to pass through the holes in the pallet support when the frame has been moved to the first position.