Appeal No. 2003-0144 Page 4
Application No. 09/400,932
discharge hose by a pumping adapter having at least two collars each having an
inner surface for contacting at least a portion of the circumference of said
discharge hose and a linkage removably secured to said at least two collars for
enabling said hose to move through a range of angles, forming a bend in the
discharge hose by applying a force having at least a normal component to at
least one of said collars such that said bend aids in imparting a controlled
substantially splatter free delivery, wherein said force is applied by said linkage.
Metzger's invention relates to the building and construction trades and to hose
guide means for the delivery of a high density material, such as concrete, to a
predetermined location at a work site. Metzger teaches in the BACKGROUND OF THE
PRIOR ART section of the patent (column 1, lines 18-48) that:
In any commercial and large scale construction projects, concrete is
delivered for pouring at given locations by means of a hose through which the
concrete is conveyed either by a gravity force or pumping means for delivery to a
predetermined location, such as a building form. The hose is a generally flexible,
circular tube, usually of the order of about 4 inches in diameter formed from a
flexible material such as reinforced fiber which is capable of withstanding the
abrasive force of continuous concrete flow. Such a hose is generally manipulated
by several construction workers, i.e. a work gang, who guide the hose and its
delivery of concrete to the intended form such as a foundation, wall, pillar or
other feature of the building to be formed from poured concrete.
As a well know, concrete has a very high weight per unit volume. In the
delivery of concrete by means of a hose, it is extremely difficult for the gang of
workers to manipulate the concrete delivery hose because of the weight of the
concrete in the hose and also because of the momentum induced in the hose
caused by the motion of the concrete through the hose. Usually a gang of up to
four or more workers is required to control and to hold the delivery hose in place
typically using chains or ropes as guides for the hose. Work on such a gang is
physically demanding and fatiguing. As a matter of common sense, the difficulty
in holding a chain or rope for an extended period of time during a work day--even
if gloves are used--is plainly evident. Thus, such concrete hose "gangs" require
frequent rest and personnel replacement.
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