Concrete pouring device for narrow spaces

Abstract

The utility model relates to building construction auxiliary equipment technical field, in view prior art concrete pouring device inconveniently moves in narrow space, operation stability is poor and concrete delivery difficult problem, provide a kind of concrete pouring device for narrow space, it includes movable support frame with universal caster and adjustable support foot to give consideration to movement and stable support, support frame is equipped with support platform and hopper locking mechanism for fixed hopper, and through the delivery pipeline system that is composed of variable diameter pipe and hose, the concrete in hopper is guided to pouring point. The device is mainly used for stable, flexible concrete pouring operation in the construction site of space limited.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of auxiliary equipment for building construction. More specifically, this utility model relates to a concrete pouring device for use in confined spaces. Background Technology

[0002] Concrete pouring is a common and crucial process in building construction. In spacious, unobstructed work areas, conventional concrete delivery equipment, such as stationary mixers paired with pump trucks or wheelbarrows, can usually meet construction needs well. However, when encountering confined spaces such as narrow indoor rooms, inside equipment foundations, underground pipe corridors, or areas requiring reinforcement or renovation of existing structures, conventional pouring methods reveal numerous limitations and practical difficulties.

[0003] Conventional concrete transport and pouring equipment, such as large pump trucks or mixing buckets with fixed outriggers, are often bulky and require a large operating radius and turning space, making them difficult to access or impossible to operate in confined work areas. While wheelbarrows offer greater flexibility, their limited capacity necessitates frequent trips between the mixing and pouring points. In space-constrained conditions, turning around and maneuvering become extremely inconvenient, significantly reducing construction efficiency and increasing the risk of collisions or concrete spillage due to narrow passageways.

[0004] The process of conveying concrete from the hopper to the final pouring point faces challenges in confined spaces. Direct dumping, with its fixed outlet location, makes precise control of the drop point difficult, especially when the pouring point is located at the bottom or deep within the equipment. Simple straight or curved pipes are insufficiently rigid to accommodate complex, tortuous paths, and if the inner diameter remains constant, the concrete flow velocity may be inadequate, leading to stagnation within the pipe, particularly with large aggregates, increasing the risk of blockage. Furthermore, inadequate sealing at connections can cause cement slurry leakage under pressure, wasting materials, polluting the work environment, and potentially affecting the quality of structural construction.

[0005] The main challenge faced by technicians lies in balancing the equipment's mobility and operational stability. For ease of movement, the device needs to be lightweight and equipped with a flexible moving mechanism; however, to maintain stability during pouring, a robust and reliable support system is required. These two requirements are, to some extent, contradictory. Simultaneously, achieving rapid and secure fixing of the ash hopper within limited equipment dimensions, and designing a conveying mechanism that can adapt to confined spaces while ensuring both sealing and smooth concrete flow, are all technical difficulties that need to be overcome in practice. Current technology lacks a dedicated device that can comprehensively solve this series of interconnected problems related to mobility, stable support, reliable locking, and efficient conveying.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a specialized device designed for concrete pouring operations in confined spaces, in order to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies in terms of mobility, operational stability, hopper fixation reliability, and the directional and smooth delivery of concrete in confined spaces. Utility Model Content

[0007] One object of this invention is to solve at least the problems described above and to provide at least the advantages that will be explained later.

[0008] To achieve these objectives and other advantages according to the present invention, a concrete pouring device for confined spaces is provided, comprising: A mobile support frame includes a base frame, multiple swivel casters disposed at the bottom of the base frame, at least three adjustable support feet disposed on the base frame in a liftable manner and whose bottom height can be adjusted to be lower than the lowest point of the swivel caster rollers, a support platform fixedly disposed above the base frame for supporting the ash hopper, and an ash hopper locking mechanism disposed on the support platform for detachably fixing the ash hopper. The conveying pipeline system includes a reducing pipe and a flexible hose, wherein the inlet end of the reducing pipe is sealed to the outlet of the ash hopper, the inlet end of the flexible hose is fixedly connected to the outlet end of the reducing pipe, and the outlet end of the flexible hose constitutes the concrete outlet of the pouring device.

[0009] Preferably, the ash hopper locking mechanism includes at least one set of locking screws and pressure plates. The locking screws penetrate vertically through the support platform, and by rotating the clamping handle at the lower end of the locking screws, the pressure plate at the upper end presses against the bottom flange of the ash hopper.

[0010] Preferably, the support platform is provided with several limiting blocks around its perimeter, and the limiting blocks enclose a limiting area that matches the shape of the bottom of the ash hopper. The support platform has a material discharge port in the center, and the size of the material discharge port is larger than the size of the ash hopper discharge port.

[0011] Preferably, the reducing pipe includes: The variable diameter body has a variable diameter flow channel for concrete to pass through along its axial direction. The variable diameter flow channel includes a smoothly connected inlet section, a transition section and an outlet section. The inner diameter of the inlet section is larger than the inner diameter of the outlet section. The transition section is a tapered smooth transition structure with an angle of 5°-15° between its generatrix and the axis. The first reducing joint includes a clamp and a connecting flange located on the outside of the inlet section. An annular sealing groove is provided on the end face of the connecting flange, and a lip seal is embedded in the annular sealing groove. A docking flange corresponding to the inlet connecting flange is provided on the outside of the ash hopper outlet. The clamp is wrapped and locked onto the inlet connecting flange and the docking flange. The lip seal is compressed when the clamp is locked, forming a self-tightening seal. The second reducing connector has the same structure as the first reducing connector. The second reducing connector is located on the outside of the outlet section. The inlet end of the hose is provided with a mating flange corresponding to the second reducing connector.

[0012] Preferably, each adjustable support leg includes a vertically arranged column, which is a sleeve-type telescopic structure consisting of an inner tube and an outer tube coaxially mounted. The outer tube and the inner tube have multiple pin holes of different heights on their walls, and the positioning pin passes through the corresponding pin hole of the selected height. The inner tube is mounted on the base frame.

[0013] Preferably, the base frame is also provided with tool hooks and / or lighting fixtures.

[0014] Preferably, the hose is a steel wire reinforced rubber hose.

[0015] Preferably, the cone-shaped sidewall of the ash hopper has a mounting hole, and a manual mechanical arch-breaking mechanism is fixedly installed at the mounting hole. The manual mechanical arch-breaking mechanism includes: A sealing sleeve, which is fixed to the mounting hole by welding or flange, has an axially penetrating inner hole; The sealing bushing, made of elastic sealing material, is press-fitted into the inner hole of the sealing sleeve seat; The arch-breaking lever has its body passing through the inner hole of the sealing bushing and can move axially and rotate circumferentially. The inner end of the arch-breaking lever extends into the internal flow channel of the ash hopper, and the outer end is equipped with a handle. The inner hole of the sealing bushing is interference-fitted with the body of the arch-breaking lever to form a dynamic seal.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes a quick-release bracket for temporarily securing the hose, the quick-release bracket comprising: The insertion rod has a pointed end for inserting into the ground; The support pole is fixedly connected at its lower end to the upper end of the insert pole. The U-shaped hook is fixedly installed at the top of the support pole, with its opening facing upward and to the side; the hose body can support and position itself inside the U-shaped hook.

[0017] This utility model has at least the following beneficial effects: Firstly, addressing the problems of inconvenient movement and poor operational stability of existing concrete pouring equipment in confined spaces, this invention achieves a balance between convenient movement and stable operation by incorporating a mobile support frame with both swivel casters and adjustable support feet. During movement, the swivel casters bear the weight, ensuring flexible steering and displacement. Upon reaching the work point, adjusting the adjustable support feet to lower their bottom height below the swivel casters transfers the overall weight to the support feet, forming a stable rigid support. This effectively eliminates the risk of overturning due to equipment swaying or movement during pouring, significantly improving safety and reliability in confined and uneven terrain.

[0018] Secondly, addressing the problem of difficult and easily clogged concrete delivery in confined spaces, this invention achieves efficient, smooth, and directional concrete delivery through a specially designed delivery pipeline system. This system uses a variable-diameter pipe sealed to the ash hopper outlet. Its internal flow channel design smoothly guides and accelerates the concrete, effectively reducing flow resistance and the risk of blockage. The flexible hose at the end is highly flexible, allowing it to bend flexibly to adapt to narrow and tortuous spatial paths, precisely guiding the concrete to pouring points that are difficult to directly access, thus solving the problem of concrete placement in confined spaces.

[0019] Other advantages, objectives and features of this invention will be partly apparent from the following description, and partly understood by those skilled in the art through study and practice of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a side view of a concrete pouring device according to one of the technical solutions of this utility model. Figure 2 This is a detailed view of the connecting flange of one of the technical solutions of this utility model.

[0021] The following are the reference numerals in the instruction manual's attached drawings: 1. Base frame; 2. Universal casters; 3. Adjustable support feet; 4. Support platform; 5. Reducer pipe; 6. Hose; 7. Ash hopper; 8. Locking screw; 9. Pressure plate; 10. Pressure handle; 11. Bottom flange; 12. Limiting block; 13. Connecting flange; 14. Clamp; 15. Lip seal; 16. Manual mechanical arch-breaking mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to examples, so that those skilled in the art can implement it based on the description.

[0023] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods described in the following implementation plan are all conventional methods, and the reagents and materials described are all commercially available unless otherwise specified.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 2As shown, this utility model provides a concrete pouring device for confined spaces, which mainly includes a movable support frame and a conveying pipeline system.

[0025] The mobile support frame, serving as the fundamental load-bearing structure of the entire device, is welded from robust metal materials, preferably Q235 carbon structural steel. The support frame includes a rectangular base frame 1, with a swivel caster 2 equipped with brakes at each of its four corners, allowing for flexible movement of the device on the construction site. To provide stable support during pouring operations, at least three adjustable support feet 3 are evenly distributed along the sides of the base frame. The height of these support feet can be independently adjusted and lowered below the lowest point of the swivel caster rollers, ensuring that the weight of the entire device is borne by these support feet during operation, effectively preventing the device from moving or swaying during pouring.

[0026] A support platform 4 is fixedly installed above the base frame to support the concrete hopper. A circular discharge port, larger than the hopper's outlet, is located at the center of the support platform to ensure smooth concrete flow. A hopper locking mechanism is also installed to securely fix the hopper to the support platform.

[0027] The conveying pipeline system is responsible for guiding the concrete in the hopper to the final pouring point. This system mainly consists of a reducing pipe (5) and a flexible hose (6). The inlet end of the reducing pipe is connected to the outlet of the hopper (7) via a sealed connection, while its outlet end is fixedly connected to the inlet end of the flexible hose. The outlet end of the flexible hose is the final outlet point for the concrete. This pipeline system design allows concrete to be transported from the higher-positioned hopper, accelerated by the reducing pipe, and then conveyed through the flexible hose to pouring locations in confined spaces that are difficult to access directly.

[0028] This device combines portability and operational stability, making it particularly suitable for concrete pouring operations in construction sites with limited space.

[0029] In another embodiment of this utility model, a preferred specific structure of the ash hopper locking mechanism includes at least one set of locking screws 8 and pressure plates 9. The locking screws pass vertically through a pre-set threaded hole on the support platform, and their lower ends are fitted with a pressure handle 10 for easy manual rotation. The upper end is fixed with a pressure plate by a shoulder or nut. When the ash hopper is placed in the predetermined position on the support platform, the operator rotates the pressure handle, and the locking screws move upward under the drive of the threads, thereby causing the upper pressure plate to tightly press against the edge of the bottom flange 11 of the ash hopper.

[0030] As an optimization, the bottom surface of the pressure plate can be designed with certain serrations or covered with a rubber pad to increase the friction between it and the ash hopper flange and prevent slippage. This locking mechanism has a simple structure and is easy to operate. It achieves quick assembly and disassembly and reliable fixation of the ash hopper through mechanical clamping, effectively avoiding the risk of displacement or tipping of the ash hopper during equipment movement or concrete vibration feeding, thus ensuring operational safety.

[0031] In another embodiment of this utility model, in order to improve the centering efficiency and positioning accuracy when placing the ash hopper, a number of limiting blocks 12 are provided around the perimeter of the support platform. These limiting blocks can be welded from profiles such as angle steel, round steel, or steel plates, and together they enclose a limiting area that matches the contour shape of the bottom of the ash hopper. For example, if a cylindrical ash hopper is used, the limiting area is circular; if a square ash hopper is used, the limiting area is rectangular. The size of this limiting area is slightly larger than the bottom size of the ash hopper, which can provide initial guidance and limiting for the ash hopper, without causing hoisting difficulties due to excessively small gaps.

[0032] Meanwhile, the diameter of the discharge port at the center of the support platform is significantly larger than the diameter of the discharge port of the ash hopper. This dimensional difference creates a ring-shaped flow guide space, which not only ensures that the concrete can fall without obstruction and prevents accumulation and blockage at the interface, but also helps to catch any small amount of concrete that may spill from the gap between the ash hopper and the platform, keeping the work area clean.

[0033] In another embodiment of this utility model, the reducing pipe is a key component of the conveying system, and its core is a reducing body. This body has a smooth, continuous reducing flow channel internally, which consists of three sections: an inlet section, a transition section, and an outlet section. The inlet section has a larger inner diameter to receive concrete flowing from the ash hopper; the outlet section has a smaller inner diameter to increase the outflow velocity of the concrete; the transition section connecting the two is designed as a tapered, smooth transition structure, with its cone angle (the angle between the generatrix and the axis) controlled within the range of 5° to 15°, preferably 10°. This small-angle smooth transition minimizes abrupt changes in concrete flow resistance and energy loss, effectively preventing aggregate from becoming stuck and causing blockages at the reducing point.

[0034] A first reducing connector and a second reducing connector are respectively provided at both ends of the reducing pipe for connection. The first reducing connector is located at the inlet end and is used to connect to the ash hopper outlet. It includes a connecting flange 13 installed on the outside of the reducing pipe inlet section. The flange end face has an annular sealing groove, in which a lip seal ring 15 is embedded. A matching mating flange is provided on the outside of the ash hopper outlet. During installation, a quick-opening clamp 14 is used to wrap and lock the two flanges. The pressure of the clamp causes the lip seal ring to compress and deform, thereby achieving a reliable end face seal. This self-tightening sealing structure has a sealing effect that increases with the increase of internal fluid pressure.

[0035] The second reducing fitting is located at the outlet end of the reducing pipe and has the same structure as the first reducing fitting. It is used to connect the inlet end of the hose. The hose inlet end is also equipped with a corresponding mating flange, and a sealing connection is achieved through clamps. This symmetrical, modular fitting design simplifies the types of components, facilitates manufacturing, inventory, and on-site installation and maintenance, and ensures the sealing and reliability of the entire pipeline system connection.

[0036] In another embodiment of this utility model, each adjustable support leg is mainly composed of a vertically arranged column. This column adopts a sleeve-type telescopic structure, including an inner tube and an outer tube coaxially fitted together. The outer tube is fixed to the bottom of the base frame by welding or bolting. The inner tube can slide up and down within the outer tube to achieve height adjustment.

[0037] To fix the inner tube at the required height, multiple pin holes of corresponding height are drilled axially at intervals (e.g., 50mm) on the walls of both the outer and inner tubes. When the appropriate height is achieved, a high-strength steel positioning pin is simultaneously inserted into the aligned pin holes of the inner and outer tubes to lock their relative positions, thus determining the height of the support foot. A large foot pad is typically welded to the bottom of the inner tube to increase the contact area with the ground, reduce pressure, and improve support stability.

[0038] This mechanical pin-type adjustment method has a simple and reliable structure, strong load-bearing capacity, and fast adjustment speed, enabling the device to quickly adapt to uneven ground and ensuring the stability of the overall frame during pouring.

[0039] In another embodiment of this utility model, in order to improve the practicality and user-friendliness of the device, tool hooks are welded to the sides or ends of the base frame. These hooks can be designed in a J-shape or C-shape for temporarily hanging commonly used maintenance tools such as wrenches and hammers, making them easy to access and preventing them from being lost due to careless placement.

[0040] Lighting fixtures can also be installed on the base frame. These fixtures can be a simple metal plate with threaded holes or a standardized lamp holder interface. Temporary lighting can be installed in dimly lit indoor spaces, at night, or in confined spaces such as underground areas, providing sufficient illumination to the work area and significantly improving the safety and accuracy of the work.

[0041] In another embodiment of this invention, the hose is preferably a steel wire reinforced rubber hose. This type of hose typically has multiple layers of high-strength steel wire braided or wound as a skeleton layer, enabling it to withstand the high pressure generated during concrete transport. The outer rubber layer has good wear resistance and weather resistance, while the inner rubber layer is smooth and wear-resistant, facilitating concrete flow. The hose itself has excellent flexibility, allowing it to be easily bent and pass through complex, narrow spaces, ultimately guiding the concrete to the designated mold or structure. Its standard length can be selected based on commonly used operating radii, such as 3 meters or 5 meters, and its inner diameter must match the inner diameter of the reducer outlet section, such as 150 mm.

[0042] In another embodiment of this utility model, an installation hole is opened on the side wall of the conical part of the ash hopper, and a manual mechanical arch-breaking mechanism 16 is fixed therein. The mechanism mainly consists of three parts: a sealing sleeve, a sealing bushing, and an arch-breaking lever.

[0043] The sealing sleeve serves as the base and is securely fixed to the mounting hole of the ash hopper via welding or flange connection. A through-hole is machined in the center of the sealing sleeve.

[0044] The sealing bushing is made of a flexible and wear-resistant sealing material (such as polyurethane or rubber) and is pressed into the inner bore of the sealing sleeve seat in an interference fit manner.

[0045] The shaft of the arch-breaking lever passes through the inner hole of the sealing bushing, with its inner end extending into the internal flow channel of the ash hopper, while its outer end is connected to a handle for easy gripping and applying force. Since the inner diameter of the sealing bushing is slightly smaller than the diameter of the lever shaft, the two form an interference fit, thereby establishing an effective dynamic seal between the lever and the bushing to prevent cement slurry leakage from the ash hopper.

[0046] When the operator suspects or observes that the concrete is not flowing smoothly in the hopper, resulting in "bridging" or arching, the arch-breaking lever can be pushed, pulled back and forth and / or rotated using the handle. The movement of the inner end of the lever within the hopper directly agitates and breaks up the formed arch structure, promoting the resumption of concrete flow. This mechanism provides a non-powered, low-cost, and reliable arch-breaking solution.

[0047] In another embodiment of this utility model, the quick-fixing base is an independent, movable auxiliary tool, mainly used to stabilize the outlet end of the hose during the pouring process. It consists of three parts: an insert rod, a support rod, and a U-shaped hook.

[0048] The lower end of the insertion rod is machined into a sharp point, making it easy to insert into soil, gravel, or other materials by stepping on it or hammering it. The lower end of the support pole is fixedly connected to the upper end of the insertion rod (usually by welding), providing support for the height. At the top of the support pole, a U-shaped hook is fixedly installed, with its opening facing upwards and to the side.

[0049] When using, insert the quick-release bracket into the ground near the pouring point, and then place the hose body (usually near the outlet end) into the U-shaped hook. The hook supports and laterally limits the hose, freeing the operator's hands and avoiding fatigue from holding the hose for extended periods. It also allows for more precise control of the concrete drop point, reducing splashing and waste.

[0050] The above embodiments are a detailed description of the technical solution of this utility model, intended to help those skilled in the art better understand and use this utility model. Those skilled in the art, under the guidance of this utility model, can make various modifications or improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, all of which fall within the protection scope of this utility model. This utility model is not limited to the specific details and examples shown and described herein.

Claims

1. A concrete pouring device for confined spaces, characterized in that, include: A mobile support frame includes a base frame, multiple swivel casters disposed at the bottom of the base frame, at least three adjustable support feet disposed on the base frame in a liftable manner and whose bottom height can be adjusted to be lower than the lowest point of the swivel caster rollers, a support platform fixedly disposed above the base frame for supporting the ash hopper, and an ash hopper locking mechanism disposed on the support platform for detachably fixing the ash hopper. The conveying pipeline system includes a reducing pipe and a flexible hose, wherein the inlet end of the reducing pipe is sealed to the outlet of the ash hopper, the inlet end of the flexible hose is fixedly connected to the outlet end of the reducing pipe, and the outlet end of the flexible hose constitutes the concrete outlet of the pouring device.

2. The concrete pouring device for confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ash hopper locking mechanism includes at least one set of locking screws and pressure plates. The locking screws penetrate vertically through the support platform, and by rotating the clamping handle at the lower end of the locking screws, the pressure plate at the upper end presses against the bottom flange of the ash hopper.

3. The concrete pouring device for confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support platform is equipped with several limiting blocks around its perimeter, which together form a limiting area that matches the shape of the bottom of the ash hopper. The support platform has a material discharge port in the center, and the size of the material discharge port is larger than the size of the ash hopper discharge port.

4. The concrete pouring device for confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, Reducer pipes include: The variable diameter body has a variable diameter flow channel for concrete to pass through along its axial direction. The variable diameter flow channel includes a smoothly connected inlet section, a transition section and an outlet section. The inner diameter of the inlet section is larger than the inner diameter of the outlet section. The transition section is a tapered smooth transition structure with an angle of 5°-15° between its generatrix and the axis. The first reducing joint includes a clamp and a connecting flange located on the outside of the inlet section. An annular sealing groove is provided on the end face of the connecting flange, and a lip seal is embedded in the annular sealing groove. A docking flange corresponding to the inlet connecting flange is provided on the outside of the ash hopper outlet. The clamp is wrapped and locked onto the inlet connecting flange and the docking flange. The lip seal is compressed when the clamp is locked, forming a self-tightening seal. The second reducing connector has the same structure as the first reducing connector. The second reducing connector is located on the outside of the outlet section. The inlet end of the hose is provided with a mating flange corresponding to the second reducing connector.

5. The concrete pouring device for confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each adjustable support leg includes a vertically set column, which is a sleeve-type telescopic structure consisting of an inner tube and an outer tube coaxially fitted together. The outer tube and the inner tube have multiple pin holes of different heights on their walls, and the positioning pins are inserted into the corresponding pin holes of the selected heights. The inner tube is mounted on the base frame.

6. The concrete pouring device for confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base frame is also equipped with tool hooks and / or lighting fixtures.

7. The concrete pouring device for confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hose is a steel wire reinforced rubber hose.

8. The concrete pouring device for confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ash hopper has mounting holes on its conical sidewall, and a manual mechanical anti-bridging mechanism is fixedly installed at the mounting holes. The manual mechanical anti-bridging mechanism includes: A sealing sleeve, which is fixed to the mounting hole by welding or flange, has an axially penetrating inner hole; The sealing bushing, made of elastic sealing material, is press-fitted into the inner hole of the sealing sleeve seat; The arch-breaking lever has its body passing through the inner hole of the sealing bushing and can move axially and rotate circumferentially. The inner end of the arch-breaking lever extends into the internal flow channel of the ash hopper, and the outer end is equipped with a handle. The inner hole of the sealing bushing is interference-fitted with the body of the arch-breaking lever to form a dynamic seal.

9. The concrete pouring device for confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a quick-release bracket for temporarily securing the hose, the quick-release bracket comprising: The insertion rod has a pointed end for inserting into the ground; The support pole is fixedly connected at its lower end to the upper end of the insert pole. The U-shaped hook is fixedly installed at the top of the support pole, with its opening facing upward and to the side; the hose body can support and position itself inside the U-shaped hook.

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