Abstract: A shield or cover combined with a collapsible core used in machines for making concrete pipe lined with a plastic liner. The cover is mounted on the outside of the core between the core and the liner and extends the full length of the seam between the stationary side and the moveable side of the core. The cover extends around the core a sufficient distance to prevent friction between the liner and the moveable portion of the core from pulling the liner out of the concrete as the core is collapsed.

Abstract: An automated system for handling concrete pipe and for handling and cleaning the components used in the manufacture of the pipe. Once concrete pipe has cured, the system automatically removes the bell and spigot forming rings from the pipe, and cleans and oils them for reuse. At the ring removal station, the pipe is properly positioned and oriented and the rings are pulled from each end of the pipe and transported to cleaning and oiling stations where all critical surfaces of the rings are cleaned by pulverizing, chiseling and brushing the concrete residue from the rings which are then coated with oil. The automated system is designed to handle rings of different sizes without any intervention by an operator, and the system will handle rings of different diameters that are intermixed.

Abstract: An automated concrete pipe making machine that utilizes an automatic feeding system in which a feed tray and its feed pan are mounted on a carrier that moves from a retracted position into a feeding position where the feed tray is aligned with and locked to the pan at the top of the form or forms to be filled. At the appropriate time after the forms have been filled, the feed pan is withdrawn onto the feed tray, which is then unlocked from the top of the form and retracted.

Abstract: A spacer for use in locking two cages into an integral unit of reinforcement and spacing the reinforcement from the surface of the form used in making large concrete products such as box sections, pipes, culverts and manholes. The spacer provides for precise placement of the reinforcement cages without the necessity of welding or the use of ties to retain the spacer in place. The spacer uses an eye configuration for spacing a torsion lock that provides for both ease of installation and positive locking of the spacer onto the cages.

Abstract: A spacer for attachment to the wires of a reinforcement cage that must be held away from the surfaces of a concrete form or wall used in producing concrete products, such as concrete pipe. The cage spacer is formed of a continuous piece of round spring-steel wire and has a closed loop formed at one end that hooks on a wire of the reinforcement cage. The closed loop connects two parallel spaced-apart legs that provide a spacing nose, the legs terminating at the other end of the spacer in an S-shaped hook that snaps over another of the wires of the cage. In the preferred embodiment, one lower leg is wrapped over and around the other leg to provide additional stability to the spacer.

Abstract: A machine for making concrete pipe in which multiple-form sets can be coupled into one module so as to increase production output of the machine without an increase in machine manpower. The multiple-form modules are provided with adapters that make them compatible with conventional single-mode form sets and all cycles of production so that multiple-form modules can be used simultaneously with single-mode form sets. The multiple-form sets also utilize core vibration throughout the fill cycle, but unlike conventional core vibration systems, the amplitude and direction of vibration are continuously varied to distribute the vibration uniformly throughout the length of the pipe being formed.

Abstract: Manufacturing lined concrete pipe in a reduced time, and provision of such pipe with reduced tendencies to rusting and liner separation, are achieved by a cartridge assembly (22) movable to and away from the pipe machine, a work stand assembly (23) for positioning the cartridge to receive a liner, liner tensioning structures (68) and liner to cartridge clamps (87) for moving the liner to the cartridge, tightening the liner, and holding the liner during transport by the cartridge, and tension bars (96) controlling wire tension during pipe formation. Concurrently with operation of the standard pipe machine, the work stand operates to place a liner on the cartridge. During the stripping cycle of the pipe machine, the cartridge delivers the liner to the core. During the pipe machine vibration under pressure cycle, the tension on the liner tension wires is relieved.

Abstract: A canopy kiln system is provided in the form of a flat-topped tent of flexible material (lightweight canvas, etc.) having depending walls to form, when in use, an enclosure for housing one or more articles to be treated or cured, one example being in the curing of cast concrete pipe. One end of the roof of the tent is attached to a wall or the like and is stretched out overlying the articles and has its free end provided with a transverse stiffener, referred to as a strongback. The strongback is detachably connected to support structure remote from the wall and the sides or curtains of the canopy form walls. The folding mechanism comprises an overhead hoist that picks up the strong-back and moves it--and of course the canopy--toward the wall. During this movement, intermediate lift mechanism picks up an intermediate part of the roof to keep it from sagging.