BACKGROUND
Technical Field
The present device relates to the field of concrete placement and finishing and more specifically to the field of concrete grooving.
BACKGROUND
The placement and finishing of concrete require significant manual labor and one aspect that is particularly laborious is the placement of construction and/or control joints in concrete. Current techniques require laborious hand grooving for which there are limited, if any, tools customized for the job. What is needed is an apparatus and system for concrete grooving.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further details of the present device are explained with the help of the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a grooving apparatus.
FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the grooving apparatus of FIG. 1
FIG. 3 depicts a side, elevation view of the grooving apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of a weight used in conjunction with the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-3.
FIG. 5 depicts a system employing the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-4.
FIGS. 6a-6c depict specific exemplary embodiments of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-4.
FIGS. 7a-7b depict alternate embodiments of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-4 and 6a-6c.
FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-4, 6a-6c and 7a-7b.
FIG. 9 depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of the apparatus.
FIG. 10 depicts a partial underside view of the apparatus.
FIGS. 11a-11b depict a hand-held embodiment of the apparatus.
FIGS. 12a-12b depict and upright embodiment of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a grooving apparatus 100. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the grooving apparatus comprises a skid 102, a grooving element 104 and a notch 106 in the upper surface of the skid 102. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the skid 102 can comprise sloped portions 108 such that the skid 102 is thicker toward the longitudinal center of the apparatus 100 and tapers toward the outer edges of the apparatus 100. In some embodiments the skid 102 can be made of aluminum. However, in alternate embodiments the skid 102 can be make of any know, convenient and/or desired material.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the grooving element 104 can selectively engage the lower surface of the skid 102 and in some embodiments can be user selectable, user interchangeable and/or user replaceable. However, in some embodiments, the grooving element 104 may be integral with the skid 102 and may not be user interchangeable and/or user selectable/replaceable. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the grooving element 104 can have a triangular cross-section with a point of the triangle extending from the lower surface of the skid 102. However, in some embodiments, the grooving element 104 can have any known, convenient and/or desired shape and/or geometry that extends from the lower surface of the skid 102. In some embodiments the grooving element 104 can be comprised of aluminum. However, in alternate embodiments the grooving element 104 can be comprised of any known, convenient and/or desired material.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 can comprise a notch 106 in the top surface of the skid 102. The notch 106 can be adapted and configured to selectively receive and/or engage various components such as a weight, depicted and described in FIG. 4. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the notch 106 can have a rectangular geometry. However, in alternate embodiments the notch 106 can have any known, convenient and/or desired geometry.
FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the grooving apparatus of FIG. 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the apparatus 100 comprises an alignment apparatus 202 and an anchor component 204. Additionally, in some embodiments, the skid 102 can have a tapered geometry 206 at one or both ends of the skid 102. However, in alternate embodiments, the ends of the skid 102 can any known, convenient and/or desired geometry.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the alignment apparatus 202 can be an emitter/projector/receptor device adapted and configured to project a line representing a path along which the skid 102 can travel. In some embodiments, the alignment apparatus 202 can be adapted and configured to receive an optical (or other) signal such that the skid 102 can travel along a linear path.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the anchor component 204 can be adapted and configured to selectively engage an anchor tool such that user can direct and control the apparatus 100. Additionally, the anchor component 204 can be adapted and configured to inhibit movement of one or more weights (FIG. 4) relative to the body of the skid 102.
FIG. 3 depicts a side, elevation view of the grooving apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the ends of the skid 102 can be adapted and configured as upturned arcs 302. However, in alternate embodiments, the ends of the skid 102 can have any known, convenient and/or desired geometric configuration.
FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of a weight 400 used in conjunction with the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-3. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the weight 400 can have a substantially T-shaped geometry comprised of a top portion 402 and a complimentary portion 404, adapted and configured to selectively engage with the notch 106 on the top of the skid 102. In alternate embodiments, the top portion 402 can have any known, convenient and/or desired shape and/or geometry. In operation, a user can selectively couple one or more weights 400 with the notch 106 such that a desired weight and/or pressure is applied to the skid 102 such that the grooving element 104 can penetrate the concrete surface to create a construction and/or control joint in the concrete. The weight 400 can be comprised of any known, convenient and/or desired material, such as lead.
FIG. 5 depicts a system 500 employing the apparatus 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-4. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the system 500 can comprise the apparatus 100 described above, one or more drive components 502, an attachment component 504 and an emitter/detector component 506. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the skid can be placed on an uncured concrete surface 508 with the grooving element 104 in contact with/penetrating the concrete surface to create a groove in the concrete surface 508 when the apparatus 100 is moved across the concrete surface 508. In some embodiments the apparatus 100 can be moved manually. However, in alternate embodiments, the apparatus 100 can be mechanically driven across the concrete surface 508.
In some embodiments of the system 500 depicted in FIG. 5, one or more drive components 502 can move the skid 102 across the concrete surface 508 via one or more attachment components 504. In some embodiments, a single drive component 502 can be employed. However, in alternate embodiments, one or more attachment components can couple the drive components 502 to the apparatus 100 via the anchor component 204. In some embodiments the drive component(s) 502 can be controlled by a user and/or can be automatically controlled based on path 510 defined either by the alignment apparatus 202 and/or based on the position of the emitter/detector component 506.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, in operation, the emitter/detector component 506 can be positioned and the apparatus 100 can be positioned on the concrete surface. The apparatus can then be driven across the concrete surface 508 (creating a groove in the concrete) by the one or more drive components 502 whereby the apparatus 100 is directed along the path 510 toward the emitter/detector component 506—the drive components 502 can be in communication with the alignment apparatus and/or the emitter/detector component 506 such that the drive component(s) 502 can direct the apparatus 100 along the path 510.
FIGS. 6a-6c depict specific exemplary embodiments of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-4. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6a-6c, dimensions provided are provided exemplary only and represent only one embodiment of the apparatus 100 presented in FIGS. 1-4 above.
FIGS. 7a-7b depict alternate embodiments of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-4 and 6a-6c. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7a, the apparatus 100 is depicted with the weight 400 associated with the notch 106 wherein a portion of the weight 400 is at least partially restrained from movement with the notch 106. In some embodiments the apparatus 100 can be weighed down with multiple weights 400 and/or the weight 400 can have different masses.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7b, the apparatus 100 is depicted with the alignment apparatus 202 associated with the notch 106. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7b, the alignment apparatus 202 comprises a protruded component adapted and configured to selectively engage the notch 106 in the apparatus 100. Further, the alignment apparatus 202 can comprise a removeable light emitting device 704 such as a laser and/or any other known, convenient and/or desired device adapted and configured to emit columnated light. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7b, the light emitting device 704 can be selectively retained and engaged within/by a chamber in the alignment apparatus 202. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7b, the alignment apparatus 202 can comprise a screw-type fastener 706 and that can frictionally engage the light emitting device 704 and be retained by a complimentary threaded channel 708 located in the alignment apparatus 202. In some embodiments the screw-type fastener can be adapted and configured to actuate a switch on the light emitting device 704 and switch the light emitting device from a first state to a second state. While described and depicted herein as a screw-type fastener 708, in alternate embodiments, the attachment mechanism for the light emitting device 704 can be any known, convenient and/or desired mechanism and can or cannot be designed to actuate a switch on the light emitting device 704.
FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-4, 6a-6b and 7a-7b. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the apparatus 100 can comprise rounded transitions. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the grooving element 104 can have a distal end that does not terminate in a point, but rather has a blunt and/or rounded end 800 and the sides of the grooving element 104 can be angled slightly toward the distal sides of the skid 102 at an angle between 1 degree and 15 degrees and can have a grooving element 104 can have a distal end width of 0.125 inches. However, in alternate embodiments, the grooving element 104 can have any known convenient and/or desired angles and widths.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the transition 804 between the grooving element 104 and the skid 102 can be smooth and radiused. In some embodiments the radius can be 0.375 inches. However, in alternate embodiments the transition between the grooving element 104 and the skid 102 have any known, convenient and/or desired radius and/or can comprise a vertex.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the skid can be tapered 806 wherein the thickness of the skid proximal to the grooving element 104 is greater that the thickness of the skid at the lateral distal sides of the skid 102 and in some embodiments such taper 806 can be on the side of the skid 102 proximal to the grooving element 104, such that the side 808 of the skid 102 proximal to the notch 106 does not taper or vary.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the skid 102 can comprise flanges 810 at the lateral distal sides of skid that can form a longitudinal (relative to the skid 102) recess in the skid 102 parallel to the notch 106 that can be adapted and configured to retain various items on the side 808 of the skid 102, such as an alignment apparatus 202 and/or weight 400 and/or any other know, convenient and/or desired apparatus or component.
In some embodiments, the transition 812 between the skid's 102 surface adjacent to the grooving element 104 and the flange 810 can be radiused. In some embodiments the radius can be 0.125 inches. However, in alternate embodiments any known, convenient and/or desired radius can be employed and/or the transition can be a vertex.
FIG. 9 depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, one or both of the longitudinal distal ends of the apparatus 100 can be angled away from the low point of the grooving element 104. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 can have a series of angles that are comprised of vertices 902908 and linear components 904. Moreover, in some embodiments, the grooving element 104 can have distal components 906 that are angled to facilitate passage of the apparatus over uncured concrete and grooving of uncured concrete. In some embodiments the angle of the distal components can be between 10 degrees and 65 degrees relative to vertical. However, in alternate embodiments, the distal components 906 can have any known, convenient and/or desired geometric properties.
FIG. 10 depicts a partial underside view of the apparatus 100. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the apparatus 100 can have a rounded 1002 and partially turned-up distal end or ends. In some embodiments the rounded distal end 1002 can be turned up via an angled bend 1004 in the distal end of the skid 102 and in some embodiments the angled bend 1004 can be abrupt and/or with a vertex. However, in alternate embodiments the angled bend 1004 can be a smooth and radiused transition.
FIGS. 11a-11b depict a hand-held embodiment of the apparatus 100. In the hand-held embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11a-11b, the apparatus 100 can comprise one or more raised components 1102 located on the top side of the skid 102 opposite the grooving element 104 and a handle 1104. In use, weight can be applied to the handle 1104 and/or the raised components 1102 to facilitate grooving of uncured concrete and the rectilinear force can be applied to the handle 1104 to pass the apparatus 100 through the uncured concrete and create a groove.
FIGS. 12a-12b depict and upright embodiment of the apparatus. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12a-12b, the apparatus can be similar to the hand-held apparatus described in relation to FIGS. 11a-11b, however, instead of a handle 1104, the apparatus 100 can comprise a extension element 1202 and, in some embodiments, a raised handle 1204 at the distal end of the extension element 1202. In operation, a user can place the grooving element 104 on the uncured concrete while hold the handle 1204, then apply pressure to the raised components 1102 to drive the grooving element 104 into the uncured concrete to create a groove in the uncured concrete. The apparatus 100 can then be moved longitudinally relative to the grooving element 104 and/or the apparatus 100 can be raised and repositioned and vertically driven into the uncured concrete in one or more additional locations.
Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail and in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts above, it is to be understood that those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many additional modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Accordingly, these and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.
Patent Application
20230287639
