Apparatuses, Systems, and Methods for the Safe Disposal of Concrete Washout

Abstract

Systems and methods for improved removal and disposal of concrete waste by using a washout container on a roll-off truck, whereby the washout container may include a cradle and liner that are both durable and easy to maintain.

Claims

1. A washout container system comprising: a roll-off truck having a hoist extending along a first longitudinal axis, said hoist comprising a first rail and a second rail; and a container attached to the hoist; wherein the container comprises a cradle and a liner, wherein the cradle has a bottom, a left side, a right side, a front side, and a rear side, and wherein the bottom of the cradle is formed by a plurality of beams spaced apart from each other.

2. The washout container system of claim 1, wherein the left side, right side, front side, and rear side of the cradle are each formed by a first series of parallel members placed adjacent to and orthogonal to a second series of parallel members.

3. The washout container system of claim 2, wherein the members are solid metal beams having a rectangular cross-section.

4. The washout container system of claim 2, wherein the members are solid metal beams having a circular cross-section.

5. The washout container system of claim 2, wherein the members are hollow metal pipes having a rectangular cross-section.

6. The washout container system of claim 2, wherein the members are hollow metal pipes having a circular cross-section.

7. The washout container system of claim 1, further comprising one or more angle brackets, wherein the liner is joined to the cradle by the one or more angle brackets.

8. The washout container system of claim 1, wherein the rear side of the cradle is higher than the front side.

9. The washout container system of claim 8, wherein the members are solid metal beams having a rectangular cross-section.

10. The washout container system of claim 8, wherein the members are solid metal beams having a circular cross-section.

11. The washout container system of claim 8, wherein the members are hollow metal pipes having a rectangular cross-section.

12. The washout container system of claim 8, wherein the members are hollow metal pipes having a circular cross-section.

13. The washout container system of claim 1, wherein the front side, rear side, left side, and right side of the cradle are joined to the floor of the cradle at 90 degrees.

14. The washout container system of claim 1, wherein the front side, rear side, left side, and right side of the cradle are joined to the floor of the cradle at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] A further understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to embodiments set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated embodiments are merely exemplary of apparatuses, systems, and methods for carrying out the invention, both the organization and method of operation of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. Like reference numbers generally refer to like features (e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements).

[0020] The drawings are not necessarily depicted to scale; in some instances, various aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of different features. Also, the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended hereto or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.

[0021] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary roll-off truck;

[0022] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary roll-off truck;

[0023] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary hoist of a roll-off truck;

[0024] FIG. 4 depicts steps for loading a container onto a roll-off truck;

[0025] FIG. 5 depicts a roll-of truck in accordance with the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 6 depicts a washout container in accordance with the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 7 depicts a vacuum module in accordance with the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary cradle and liner in accordance with the present invention

[0029] FIGS. 9A and 9B depict and exemplary cradle in accordance with the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary liner in accordance with the present invention.

[0031] FIGS. 11A-11D depict exemplary cradle member cross-sections.

[0032] FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary liner and exemplary cradle.

[0033] FIG. 13 depicts an exemplary liner and exemplary cradle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention. However, structures, systems, and techniques in accordance with the invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiments. Also, the features and elements disclosed herein may be combined to form various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly stated otherwise. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative. Yet, in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiments for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the invention. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0035] FIG. 1 depicts roll-off truck (100). The rear portion of roll-off truck (100) includes hoist (110). Hoist (110) extends from a front end (112) to a back end (114). FIG. 2 depicts a second example of a roll-off truck (200). The rear portion of roll-off truck (200) includes hoist (210). Hoist (210) also extends from a front end (212) to a back end (214). Hoist (210) is shown in FIG. 2 in a lowered position and in an alternate raised position wherein hoist (210) is raised by angle (218). Roll-off trucks (100, 200) each include one or more lifts, such as hydraulic lifts (130, 230), that may be used to raise the front end (112, 212) of hoist (110, 210).

[0036] Another exemplary hoist (310) is depicted in FIG. 3. Hoist (310) extends from a front end (312) to a back end (314). When installed on a roll-off truck, hydraulic lifts (330) attached to hoist (310) may be used to raise the front end (312) of hoist (310). As front end (312) of hoist (310) is raised, it pivots about hinge (335) so that, as shown in FIG. 2, back end (314) of hoist (310) is lowered toward the ground.

[0037] Hoist (310) includes hoist rails (320, 322) that extend from the front end (312) or hoist (310) to the back end (314) of hoist (310). Each rail (320, 322) has a set of rollers (325) that help facilitate loading and unloading containers from hoist (310). The rollers (325) as shown in FIG. 3 are positioned on the outer facing surfaces of rails (320, 322). In addition or in the alternative, rollers may be positioned on one or both of the inner facing surfaces of rails (320, 322). Hoist (310) may also include stops (345) that can be used to help secure a container (not shown) to hoist (310).

[0038] A container (450) may be loaded onto a roll-off truck (400) according to the steps shown in FIG. 4. The container may rest on container sills (452) that are aligned parallel to the rails of hoist (410). At step (455), roll-off truck (400) may be backed up to container (450) to be loaded. The rails of hoist (410) are preferably aligned with sill on the container. At step (460), the hoist may be raised using a lift (430) until back end (414) of hoist (410) touches the ground. At step (465), a cable (490) is attached to a connection point (492) (e.g. hook, loop) on container (450). Cable (490) may be a metal braided cable. At step (470), roll-off truck (400) may be allowed to roll under container (450). A winch (495) located at the front end (412) of hoist (410) may be used to pull container (450) onto hoist (410). Container sills (452) are preferably kept on the hoist rollers while container (450) is pulled onto hoist (410). At step (475), once the center of gravity of the container is in front of the rear hinge (435), hoist (410) may be lowered. At step (480), cable (90) and winch (495) may be used to continue pulling container (450) forward until it is securely locked into front stops (445). At step (485), hoist (410) may be lowered to a horizontal position (i.e. parallel to the ground).

[0039] A roll-off truck (500) according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. Similar to the roll-off trucks described above, roll-off truck (500) includes hoist (510) that extends from front end (512) to back end (514). Hoist (510) may be approximately twenty-two feet long. Roll-off truck (500) may include lift (530), that may be used to raise front end (512) of hoist (510) and pivot hoist (510) about hinge (535), thereby lowering back end (514) of hoist (510). A winch and cable (not shown) may be located, for example, at front end (512) of hoist (510) and may be used to load a container (600) onto hoist (510).

[0040] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary container (600) used to collect concrete washout according to the present invention. Container (600) may have a bottom (652), left side (654), right side (656), front side (658), and back side (660). Left side (654) may be parallel to right side (656). Front side (658) may be parallel to back side (660). Front side (658) of container (600) may be higher than back side (660) of container (600) to help prevent splashing while wash-out is placed in container (600) and/or to help prevent wash-out from spilling out of container (600) as container (600) is loaded onto roll-off truck (500).

[0041] The bottom (652) and sides (654, 656, 659, and 660) of container (600) may be formed from a metal, such as steel, or from another material such as plastic. The sides (654, 656, 659, and 660) may be vertical, each attached at a 90-degree angle to the bottom. Alternatively, to facilitate emptying container (600), as shown in FIG. 6, one or more sides of container (600) may slope outward (attached at an angle to the bottom (652) of the container (600) at an angle greater than 90 degrees). If one or more sides slope outward, at some height above the bottom (652) of container (600), each wall may slope inward at a different angle or at a vertical angle. Alternatively, one or more sides may extend vertically from the bottom (652) of container (600), and then at some height above the bottom (652) of container (600), slope outward.

[0042] The top of container (600) may be open. Alternatively, a cover (not shown) may be placed on top of container (600). The cover may be formed from the same material as the sides. Alternatively, the cover may be formed from a different material, such as a fabric sheet. Container (600) may be, for example, approximately 16 feet long, from front side (658) to the back side (660).

[0043] To facilitate loading container (600) onto a roll-off truck and transporting container (600) by a roll-off truck, the underside of bottom (652) of container (600) may have sills (670). Sills (670) may be made from metal, such as steel. Sills (670) are preferably parallel to each other, and preferably parallel to left side (654) and right side (656) of container (600). The sills may be spaced so as to slide along rollers place along the rails of the hoist of a roll-off truck. Wheels may also be attached to the bottom (652) of container (600) and/or to sills (670) to facilitate loading the container (600) onto a roll-off truck, and unloading container (600) from the roll-off truck.

[0044] As shown further in FIG. 5, a roll-off truck (500) according to the present invention may further include a vacuum module (700). Vacuum module (700) may be loaded onto hoist (510) before container (600), and thereby placed on hoist (510), closer to the front end (512) of hoist (510) than container (600). In the alternative, vacuum module (700) may be loaded onto hoist (510) after container (600), and thereby placed on hoist (510) closer to the back end (514) of hoist (510). If vacuum module (700) is placed at the front end (512) of hoist (510), it may be secured to front stops (545).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, vacuum module (700) may include vacuum tank (720), vacuum pump (730), and engine (740) to drive vacuum pump (730). Vacuum tank (720), vacuum pump (730), and engine (740) may be mounted on platform (750). Sills (770) may be attached to the underside of platform (750). Wheels may also be attached to platform (750) and/or to sills (770) to facilitate loading vacuum module (700) onto a roll-off truck, and unloading vacuum module (700) from the roll-off truck.

[0046] Platform (750) may consist of an upper layer (754) and a lower layer (756). Upper layer (754) and lower layer (756) may be joined by a bearing that allows upper layer (754) to rotate in a horizontal plane with respect to lower layer (756) so that when vacuum module (700) is loaded on a roll-off truck, vacuum tank (720) can be pointed to either side of the truck, to the front or back of the truck, or at any angle with respect to the truck.

[0047] Vacuum tank (720) may have a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis (722) running along the center line of vacuum tank (720). The front end (724) and back end (726) of the tank (720) may be flat, or may be curved (e.g. concave) to provide greater strength. A hose (not shown) extending from tank (720) may be used to vacuum liquid from container (600) to the tank (720). The vacuum (730) may attach to tank (720) by a flexible hose (735) or a pipe that connects at or near the top of tank (720). A flotation ball may be included within the tank. The flotation ball may rise as the liquid in the tank rises, and block the entrance to hose (735) when the liquid rises to the top of tank (720) to prevent liquid from being sucked into the vacuum. In addition or in the alternative, a check valve within tank (720) may prevent fluid from passing from tank (720) to the vacuum (730).

[0048] Tank (720) may include a valve (728) near the bottom of tank (720) at one end for emptying tank (720). In addition or in the alternative, one end (724, 726) of tank (720) may open as a door. The door may be hinged at or near the top of tank (720). A hydraulic cylinder (725) attached to tank (720) may raise one side of tank (720) to help empty the tank.

[0049] A hose may be connected between tank (720) and container (600). Vacuum pump (730) may be used to create negative pressure within tank (720), causing liquid residue from the container to tank (720) to be syphoned into tank (720). The liquid may be siphoned while container (600) is on the ground, or while container (600) is loaded on roll-off truck (500).

[0050] Vacuum module (700) may be loaded onto roll-off truck (500) using the method shown in FIG. 4 and described above. Roll-off truck (500) may be backed up to vacuum module (700) while vacuum module (700) is resting on the ground. The rails of hoist (510) are preferably aligned with sills (770) at the bottom of vacuum module (700). Hoist (510) may be raised using a lift (530) until back end (514) of hoist (510) approaches or touches the ground. A cable may be attached to a connection point (e.g. hook, loop) on vacuum module (700). The connection point may be attached to platform (750). Roll-off truck (500) may be allowed to roll under vacuum module (700). A winch located at the front end (512) of hoist (510) may be used to pull vacuum module (700) onto hoist (510). Sills (770) are preferably kept on rollers positioned to the side of the rails hoist (510) while vacuum module (700) is pulled onto hoist (510). Once the center of gravity of vacuum module (700) is in front of the rear hinge (535), hoist (510) may be lowered. A cable and winch may be used to continue pulling vacuum module (700) forward until it is securely locked into front stops (545). To the extent that wheels are attached to platform (750) and/or to sills (770), the wheels may be clamped to hoist (510). In addition or in the alternative, vacuum module (700) may be connected to hoist (510) by, for example, welding vacuum module (700) to hoist (510). As another example, one or more turnbuckles may be used to secure vacuum module (720) to hoist (510). Once vacuum module (720) is secured, the hoist (510) is fully lowered to a horizontal position (i.e. parallel to the ground).

[0051] When loaded on the roll-off truck (500), the longitudinal axis (722) of vacuum tank (720) may be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of hoist (510). In that case, sills or skids (770) beneath platform (750) may be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of vacuum tank (720) to facilitate sliding vacuum module (700) onto the truck bed.

[0052] Vacuum tank (720) may be oriented so that it may be emptied toward the driver side of the roll-off truck (500) or the passenger side of the roll-off truck (500). If vacuum pump (730) and engine (740) are placed to the side of vacuum tank (720) so that they are either on the side of vacuum tank (720) facing the front end (512) of hoist (510) or on the side of vacuum tank (720) facing the back end (514) of hoist (510), vacuum tank (720) may be designed so that it can be emptied on either side. For example, a drain or valve (728) may be placed at each side of the tank. In addition or in the alternative, one or both the ends (724, 726) of vacuum tank (720) may open to allow emptying of the tank. Two hydraulic cylinders may be placed so as to allow either side of vacuum tank (720) to be raised. For example, a sub-platform may be placed under vacuum tank (720). A first hydraulic cylinder attached to one end of the sub-platform may raise that side of the tank. A second hydraulic cylinder may attach the platform to the sub-platform and may raise the opposite side of the sub-platform.

[0053] After vacuum module (700) is loaded onto roll-off truck (500), container (600) may be loaded on roll-off truck (500) using the method shown in FIG. 4 and described above. The same cable and winch used to pull vacuum module (700) onto hoist (510) may be detached from vacuum module (720) and used to pull container (600) onto hoist (510). The cable may be passed under platform (750) and between sills (770), or between the components of vacuum module (700)vacuum tank (720), vacuum pump (730), and engine (740)to reach a connection point (e.g. hook, loop) attached to container (600). In the alternative, a passage may be left or formed in platform (750) through which the cable may pass.

[0054] At a construction site, washout container (600) may be placed on the ground where the wash-out is to be performed. One or more ramps (880) may be pivotally attached to cradle (800) by second hinge (836). Each ramp may have a first part (846) and a second part (848) attached, for example by a third hinge. When the ramp is extended and first part (846) is parallel and in line with second part (848), the hinge may be locked to form one long flat ramp. When not in use, the ramp(s) (880) may be folded so as to extend over the top of container (600). A crane (not shown) may be used to unfold the ramps (880). The crane may be attached to the roll-off truck that deposited container (600). When the ramp(s) (880) are unfolded, the top of the ramp(s) (880) may not reach the top of container (600). The portion of container (600) that extends above the top of the ramp(s) (880) may serve as a back stop to inhibit a truck from backing up too far and falling into container (600).

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10, instead of a washout container as depicted in FIG. 6, the washout container referenced above may comprise a cradle (900) and a liner (1000). As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, cradle (900) may be formed from members (910) (e.g., beams, joists, tubes, posts) spaced apart from each other. The members may be solid metal beams. The beams may have a rectangular cross-section or a circular cross-section as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, respectively. In the alternative, the members may be hollow metal pipes which have a rectangular cross-section or a circular cross-section as shown in FIGS. 11C and 11D, respectively.

[0056] The members may be arranged and connected so as to form a frame having a floor (920), a front wall (930), a rear wall (940), and right and left side walls (950). As shown in FIGS. 9a and 9B, the members may be positioned in an orthogonal arrangement so as to form a grid. In one embodiment, a first series of parallel members may be placed adjacent to but orthogonal to a second series of parallel members to form the floor (920) and/or one or more walls (930, 940, 950) of the cradle (900). In addition or in the alternative, for each of the floor (920) and/or one or more walls (930, 940, 950) a series of parallels members may be aligned in one direction with support members placed between and connecting the parallel members. The support members may be orthogonal to the parallel members and/or may be positioned at an angle to the parallel members. The spacing between parallel members which form each of the floor (920), a front wall (930), a rear wall (940), and side walls (950) may be the same.

[0057] Front wall (930) of cradle (900) may be higher than rear wall (940). In the alternative, rear wall (940) may be higher than front wall (930). Front wall (930), rear wall (940), and/or side walls (950) may be vertical in relation to bottom (920), each attached at a 90-degree angle to the bottom. Alternatively, to facilitate emptying the container, as shown in FIG. 9, one or more sides of cradle (900) may slope outward (attached at an angle to the bottom (920) of the cradle (900) at an angle greater than 90 degrees). If one or more sides slope outward, at some height above the bottom (920) of cradle (900), each wall may slope inward at a different angle or at a vertical angle. Alternatively, one or more sides may extend vertically from the bottom (920) of cradle (900), and then at some height above the bottom (920) of cradle (900), slope outward.

[0058] The top of cradle (900) may be open. Alternatively, a cover (not shown) may be placed on top of cradle (900). Cradle (900) may be, for example, approximately 16 feet long, from front side (930) to the back side (940). Sills (870) may be attached to the underside of cradle (900). Wheels may also be attached to the underside of cradle (900) and/or to sills (870) to facilitate loading cradle (900) onto a roll-off truck, and unloading cradle (900) from the roll-off truck.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 10, liner (650) may be formed from plastic. Liner (1000) may have a front wall (1010), a rear wall (1020), right and left side walls (1030), and a floor (1040). Preferably, front wall (1010), rear wall (1020), and side walls (1030) of liner (1000) are sloped at the same angle or angles as the corresponding front wall (930), rear wall (940), and side walls (950) of cradle (900).

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, liner (1000) may be inserted into cradle (900). When inserted in cradle (900), liner (1000) may be held in place within the cradle using brackets such as angle brackets. Also, when inserted in cradle (900), the top of front wall (1010), rear wall (1020), and/or side walls (1030), of liner (1000) may match the height of front wall (930), rear wall (940), and side walls (950) of cradle (900). In the alternative, when inserted in cradle (900), the top of front wall (1010), rear wall (1020), and/or side walls (1030), of liner (1000) may be higher or lower than the height of front wall (930), rear wall (940), and side walls (950) of cradle (900).

[0061] While the invention has been described in detail with reference to embodiments for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details, and the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms, without departing from the spirit, essential characteristics, and principles of the invention. Also, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may allow or facilitate any benefit, advantage, or solution are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential to the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.