Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A power chute racking device for a concrete mix truck comprising, a discharge chute support means at the rearward end of the mix truck, a first discharge chute section at least pivotally secured about a horizontal axis to said support means and having upper and lower ends, a hydraulic cylinder means secured to said first discharge chute section for raising and lowering the lower end thereof with respect to the mix truck, a second discharge chute section having upper and lower ends and being pivotally connected at its upper end about a horizontal axis to the lower end of said first discharge chute section, a telescoping link means comprising a first link member having first and second ends and being operatively pivotally secured at its first end to said support means, a second link member having first and second ends and having its first end telesopically receiving the said second end of said first link member, said second end of said second link member being pivotally connected to its upper end of said second discharge chute section at a location below the pivotal connection of said first and second discharge chute sections, and a link stop for selective engagement with said second link member to limit the inward slidable movement of said first link member into said second link member as said hydraulic cylinder means is retracted so that said second discharge chute section will be pivotally folded upwardly with respect to said first discharge chute section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A power chute racking device for a concrete mix truck comprising, a discharge chute support means at the rearward end of the mix truck, a first discharge chute section at least pivotally secured about a horizontal axis to said support means and having upper and lower ends, a hydraulic cylinder means secured to said first discharge chute section for raising and lowering the lower end thereof with respect to the mix truck, a second discharge chute section having upper and lower ends and being pivotally connected at its upper end about a horizontal axis to the lower end of said first discharge chute section, a telescoping link means comprising a first link member having first and second ends and being operatively pivotally secured at its first end to said support means, a second link member having first and second ends and having its first end telesopically receiving the said second end of said first link member, said second end of said second link member being pivotally connected to its upper end of said second discharge chute section at a location below the pivotal connection of said first and second discharge chute sections, and a link stop for selective engagement with said second link member to limit the inward slidable movement of said first link member into said second link member as said hydraulic cylinder means is retracted so that said second discharge chute section will be pivotally folded upwardly with respect to said first discharge chute section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein a third discharge chute section having upper and lower ends is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of said second discharge chute section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said link stop comprises an elongated member having first and second ends, said elongated member being operatively pivotally connected at its first end to the said first end of said first link member, said second end of said link stop adapted to selectively engage the said first end of said second link member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said second link member has means at its first end to facilitate the selectiVe engagement of said link stop with said second link member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said link stop comprises spaced apart arms having opposite ends and being pivotally secured at one end to said first end of said first link member, a bar secured to and extending between the outer ends of said arms, said link stop being selectively movable from an inoperative position to a position wherein said bar engages the first end of said second link member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 5 wherein a retainer means extends from said first end of said second link member over said bar when said bar is in engagement with said second link member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein means is provided on said first discharge chute section for selectively maintaining said second discharge chute section in its folded position.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of racking the discharge chute sections of a concrete mix truck having at least upper and lower discharge chute sections supported on a chute support means at the rearward end of the truck and a hydraulic cylinder means connected to the upper chute section for raising and lowering the same, comprising the steps of: extending the cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder so that said chute sections are pivotally raised, positioning an elongated member between the chute support means and the upper end of said lower chute section, retracting the cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder to cause said elongated member to pivotally fold said lower chute section at least partially over on top of the upper chute section.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of racking the discharge chute sections of a concrete mix truck having at least upper and lower discharge chute sections supported on a chute support means at the rearward end of the truck and a hydraulic cylinder means connected to the upper chute section for raising and lowering the same, comprising the steps of: extending the cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder so that said chute sections are pivotally raised, positioning an elongated member between the chute support means and the upper end of said lower chute section, retracting the cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder to cause said elongated member to pivotally fold said lower chute section at least partially over on top of the upper chute section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 8 wherein a further chute section is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of said lower chute section, said further chute section being folded over on top of said lower chute section before said cylinder rod is initially extended.