Agitating – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-01-30
Cooley, Charles E. (Department: 1723)
Agitating
Miscellaneous
C366S041000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179463
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The field of this invention relates to protective covers and more particularly to a protective cover for the inlet hopper of a cement mixing truck.
2) Description of the Prior Art
Inlet hoppers of cement mixing trucks comprise a funnel-shaped structure whose purpose is to receive aggregate and water and feed such into the barrel of the cement mixing truck. These inlet hoppers vary somewhat in size and have a generally elliptical configuration that is about three to four feet in length and two to three feet in width. The length of the inlet hopper is the dimension along the longitudinal axis of the cement mixing truck.
Cement mixing trucks are not in use all the time. Normally, such trucks are not in use during the night and in colder climates cement mixing trucks may sit dormant for months at a time. The access opening of the hopper is constantly open which means that rain, snow and dirt can fall within the hopper and be fed into the barrel. This results in the accumulation of water within the barrel which is known to cause premature rusting of the barrel requiring replacement of the barrel. Replacement of a the barrel on a cement mixing truck is a reasonably expensive procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to construct a cover for an inlet hopper of a cement mixing truck which can be quickly and easily placed over the access opening of the inlet hopper to prevent the entry of precipitation and dirt.
Another objective of the present invention is to construct a cover for an inlet hopper of a cement mixing truck which is manufactured at a reasonable cost and therefore can be sold to the ultimate consumer at a reasonable cost.
Another objective of the present invention is to construct a cover for an inlet hopper of a cement mixing truck which, when installed, is capable of remaining in place for an exceedingly long period of time without requiring any monitoring even in high wind conditions.
The structure of the present invention comprises a sheet material body to be constructed of a waterproof, sturdy fabric or fabric type of material. Throughout the body there is mounted a series of rods which are designed to exert a continuous bias on the body tending to locate the body in a domed-shape configuration. The body terminates in a peripheral edge, and within that peripheral edge is located a stretchable elastic cord. Attached to the peripheral edge are two sets of two pairs of downwardly extending ears with each set of ears being located on opposite sides of the body. Each set of ears is connected to a stretchable elastic cord which terminates in a hook which is to be used to connect to a structural member of the cement mixing truck. The elastic cord within the peripheral edge of the body is to function to bind and hold the body in its established position on the inlet hopper.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2104262 (1938-01-01), Leigh
patent: 2308901 (1943-01-01), Viall et al.
patent: 2454940 (1948-11-01), Peters
patent: 2486320 (1949-10-01), Ost
patent: 2702142 (1955-02-01), Jones
patent: 2817552 (1957-12-01), Bruel
patent: 2974990 (1961-03-01), Mereness
patent: 3481371 (1969-12-01), Row
patent: 3614154 (1971-10-01), Evans
patent: 4221085 (1980-09-01), Conaghan
patent: 5743458 (1998-04-01), French
patent: 5944213 (1999-08-01), Alicea et al.
Cooley Charles E.
Munro Jack C.
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