Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for positioning a specimen to be tested relative to an external force applicator. The external force applicator is adapted for engaging the specimen for test purposes. A defined path extends between a first position away from the external load applicator and a second position underneath the external load applicator. A carriage positioned on the defined path moves relative to the external force applicator between the first position which is a loading position away from the external force applicator and the second position which is an engagement position. When the specimen is in the second engagement position, the external force applicator can engage the specimen to conduct the test.

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: An automated feeder for concrete pipe making machines used to produce concrete pipes that have round as well as box-shaped, elliptical and other non-round shapes. The feeder has a concrete storage hopper mounted over a fixed pivot, and the hopper charges the concrete onto a belt-type conveyor the input end of which turns on the same pivot as the hopper for movement along a radial track. The discharge end of the feeder conveyor discharges the concrete into a rotatable chute that distributes the concrete into the cavity of the pipe mold. Encoders are combined with the motors driving the chute and the radial movement of the feeder conveyor so as to monitor the position and speed of the radial movement of the conveyor and position and speed of rotation of the chute. Information from the encoders is inputted into a computer which is programmed to control the speed and position of these components of the feeder depending upon the selected size and shape of the concrete form to be filled.

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 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.