Abstract: A vibration system for concrete pipe making machines using the dry cast method and which employ adjustable molds comprised of corner panels joined to intermediate panels. Two coupled vertically spaced-apart vibrators are mounted in two opposite corner panels of the mold core. The vibrators are mounted on shelves welded to the interior of the walls that form the mold surface. The shelves are also welded to vertical end walls that extend inwardly to form the box-like corner panel. The corner panels and intermediate panels are secured together by removable fasteners that join the vertical end walls of the corner panels to the corresponding vertical end walls of the side panels. The joined corner panels and side panels provide a rigid core structure similar to a solid core and allow the entire core to become the vibration structure.

Abstract: At the filling station of a dry cast pipe making machine for making pipe lined with a plastic liner, the liner is first placed over the core and then a plurality of spaced-apart, removable L-shaped plates are secured around the top edge of the core. One leg of each plate extends inside the core with the other leg extending downwardly over the top edge of the liner. The plates are removably held in place on the core by the use of a clamping device, such as a vise-grip, for example. Once the form is filled with concrete and ready for the pressure heading step, the downwardly extending legs of the plates serve as ‘shoehorns’ to guide the pressure header over the top of the liner and prevent damage to it. In addition, the plates will assist in centering the core within the jacket.

Abstract: At the filling station of a dry cast pipe making machine for making pipe lined with a plastic liner, the liner is first placed over the core and then a plurality of spaced-apart, removable L-shaped plates are secured around the top edge of the core. One leg of each plate extends inside the core with the other leg extending downwardly over the top edge of the liner. The plates are removably held in place on the core by the use of a clamping device, such as a vise-grip, for example. Once the form is filled with concrete and ready for the pressure heading step, the downwardly extending legs of the plates serve as ‘shoehorns’ to guide the pressure header over the top of the liner and prevent damage to it. In addition, the plates will assist in centering the core within the jacket.

Abstract: A vibration system for concrete pipe making machines which system utilizes a precisely manufactured inner mold core that contains mounting surfaces for two coupling shaft bearings and two electric vibrators. The bearing mounting surfaces are accurately located with respect to the electric vibrator mounting surfaces to allow the mold core to become the vibration structure. Jaw-type coupling hubs are keyed and fixed to each end of a coupling shaft with each electric vibrator also having a jaw-type coupling hub fixed to one end of its eccentric weights. The eccentric weights of both electric vibrators are aligned upon assembly in the core.

Abstract: A vibration system for concrete pipe making machines which system utilizes a precisely manufactured inner mold core that contains mounting surfaces for two coupling shaft bearings and two electric vibrators. The bearing mounting surfaces are accurately located with respect to the electric vibrator mounting surfaces to allow the mold core to become the vibration structure. Jaw-type coupling hubs are keyed and fixed to each end of a coupling shaft with each electric vibrator also having a jaw-type coupling hub fixed to one end of its eccentric weights. The eccentric weights of both electric vibrators are aligned upon assembly in the core.

Abstract: As a part of the manufacture of concrete products, such as concrete pipe, manholes and the like, the joint rings applied during the casting process much be removed. The invention relates to a joint ring removal system in which a vertically oriented concrete product, containing a joint ring, is gripped to hold the product stationary while a joint ring pulling force is applied. Then, a shocking force is applied laterally to the joint ring to free it from the concrete joint. The amount of pulling force applied to the joint ring is less than that required to separate the joint ring from the concrete while the shocking force is applied in a direction transverse to the pulling force so that no harmful tensile shocking forces are transmitted to the concrete joint. The pulling force on the joint ring is variably applied and timed with the shocking force.

Abstract: As a part of the manufacture of concrete products, such as concrete pipe, manholes and the like, the joint rings applied during the casting process much be removed. The invention relates to a joint ring removal system in which a vertically oriented concrete product, containing a joint ring, is gripped to hold the product stationary while a joint ring pulling force is applied. Then, a shocking force is applied laterally to the joint ring to free it from the concrete joint. The amount of pulling force applied to the joint ring is less than that required to separate the joint ring from the concrete while the shocking force is applied in a direction transverse to the pulling force so that no harmful tensile shocking forces are transmitted to the concrete joint. The pulling force on the joint ring is variably applied and timed with the shocking force.

Abstract: A collapsible core for concrete pipe making machines that are used in the dry cast process when lined pipe are to be produced. The collapsible core of the invention has a moveable front panel joined to two moveable side panels, all of the panels being connected to hydraulically powered linkage arrangements that will pull the panels straight back from the liner. The collapsible core is constructed so that when moveable panels of the core are retracted to collapse the core, the core panels are guided along radial lines of the core to pull the panels directly away from the pipe liner, thus practically eliminating the friction that causes bulging or pull out of the liner from the concrete pipe.

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: 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: Apparatus for making 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 movable to and away from the pipe machine, a work stand assembly for positioning the cartridge to receive a liner, liner tensioning structures and liner to cartridge clamps for moving the liner to the cartridge, tightening the liner, and holding the liner during transport by the cartridge, and tension bars 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: 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.