Patent Application
20240084606
This application claims the benefit of priority from European Patent Application EP22194646.0, filed Sep. 8, 2022, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a system for the surface processing of plastically deformable masses; in particular of fresh concrete, mortar or screed. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a system and a method for the surface processing of plastically deformable masses; in particular of fresh concrete, mortar or screed.
Concrete or similar plastic masses, such as mortar, screed or the like, are poured on construction sites and must subsequently harden. In the case of concrete walls, concrete is poured between two formwork walls, which are removed once the concrete has cured.
In the state of the art, concrete is compacted by means of one or more submersible vibrators. For this purpose, the cross-sectionally cylindrical submersible vibrator, also known as a vibration probe, is inserted into the still fresh concrete. The vibration compacts the fresh concrete mass containing solid concrete constituents and aggregate grains. Voids are largely closed in the process. Air bubbles formed during casting rise to the top. The upper end of the concrete wall, i.e. the surface of the wall coping facing upwards, is uneven after immersion vibration has been completed. In order to achieve an optimum, even surface, it is therefore necessary to finish and smooth this surface manually using a trowel or a rubbing board.
Finishing is very time-consuming. On the one hand, it must be done at the right time, because the concrete must no longer be too liquid, so that the desired surface is also obtained. On the other hand, in order to achieve the desired surface at all, the concrete must not yet have become too solid. This means that an optimum, moist and viscous consistency of the concrete is required for surface finishing. This means that work must be carried out quickly, especially on longer walls. In addition, finishing requires considerable professional skill. A comparable problem arises wherever a surface of a castable plastic compound comparable to concrete has to be smoothed.
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus belonging to the technical field mentioned at the beginning, which facilitates the surface processing of plastically deformable masses and makes it more efficient. It is a further object of the invention to compact the fresh concrete mass containing solid concrete constituents and aggregate grains, to close cavities as far as possible and to allow air bubbles formed during casting to rise to the top.
According to the invention, the objects are achieved by an apparatus for the surface processing of plastically deformable masses; in particular of fresh concrete, mortar or screed. The apparatus comprises an L-shaped housing comprising a first housing axis and a second housing axis, wherein the first housing axis and the second housing axis intersect each other at an angle α. Further, the L-shaped housing includes a handle disposed along the first housing axis. A receptacle for an energy storage device is formed at a free end of the handle. Additionally, the L-shaped housing comprises a head portion arranged along the second housing axis. A base plate is disposed at a free end of the head portion. The apparatus comprises a vibration unit which is accommodated at least partially within the head portion and on which the base plate is arranged.
This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the L-shaped housing is configured to be particularly compact and results in an unstable arrangement with a slight tilting moment. The unstable arrangement has the effect that the apparatus can be manipulated with only one hand and can be handled particularly easily. This also results in connection with the processing plate, when the entire system consisting of apparatus and processing plate can be held inclined and pulled over the concrete.
For example, the angle α is set to be variable within an interval between 45° and 135°, which further simplifies the handling of the apparatus and the system. For example, the apparatus comprises a hinge that makes the angle between the first housing axis and the second housing axis variable. Preferably, the pivot axis is formed orthogonal to the first housing axis and orthogonal to the second housing axis.
An L-shaped housing means that the components of the housing are arranged in an L-shape relative to each other. The L-shaped design is realized by two housing legs, which are arranged angled to each other at the angle α. One leg of the housing comprises the head portion, which extends along the second housing axis. The head portion accommodates the vibration unit in its interior. The free end of the head portion is closed by a base plate, which is itself firmly connected to the vibration unit.
In addition, the housing comprises a further leg which extends along the first housing axis and has a handle. The free end of the handle comprises a receptacle for an energy storage device, such as a battery or accumulator. Preferably, accumulators of different capacities may be used.
The first housing axis and the second housing axis intersect at an angle α, with the intersection of the first housing axis and the second housing axis being located within the L-shaped housing. Preferably, the intersection of the first housing axis and the second housing axis is located within the head portion of the L-shaped housing.
A plastically deformable mass is to be understood as a curable mass that can be processed and shaped prior to curing.
According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a control unit for monitoring a charging state of the energy storage device. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the vibration unit can always be supplied with enough energy, whereby the function of the apparatus and thus the quality of the work result can always be ensured.
According to a further embodiment, the control unit is arranged within the handle. This provides, for example, the technical advantage of further increasing the instability of the apparatus and increasing the tilting moment away from the base plate. As a result, the apparatus can be used even better single-handedly on its own or as a system in combination with the processing plate.
To improve the single-handed use of the apparatus, a center of gravity of the apparatus is located in a center of gravity plane defined by the first housing axis and the second housing axis. Preferably, the center of gravity is located between the second housing axis and the free end of the handle. This provides, for example, the technical advantage of further increasing the instability of the apparatus, thereby further facilitating single-handed use. As a result, the apparatus can be used more easily on its own or as a system in combination with the processing plate. In particular, the inclined use of the system is significantly simplified. For example, the center of gravity is located outside of the L-shaped housing. In an alternative embodiment, the center of gravity is located within the handle. In a still further embodiment, the center of gravity is located outside the head portion. In the latter embodiment, the instability is at the highest, which makes the single-handed use particularly convenient.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a damping element for damping a vibration caused by the vibration unit between the L-shaped housing and the base plate. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the damping additionally facilitates the handling of the apparatus. The vibrations are not transmitted directly from the base plate to the L-shaped housing and thus to the handle, which makes the handling much more comfortable and thus easier for the user.
According to a particular embodiment, the damping element is arranged in a first plane that is orthogonal to the second housing axis, as well as between the L-shaped housing and the base plate. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that a particularly uniform damping is possible. In addition, there is the advantage that the damping element provides protection against contamination between the base plate and the L-shaped housing. Thus, the damping element has a dual function.
To make it particularly easy to mount the apparatus on the processing plate, the maximum radial extension of the damping element in relation to the second housing axis is greater than the maximum radial extension of the base plate. When the apparatus is mounted on the processing plate, the base plate is inserted into the receptacle of a fastening device. During this insertion of the base plate, the protruding sealing element provides improved clamping properties. This improves the attachment of the apparatus to the processing plate and thus the overall function of the system.
According to an additional preferred embodiment, the L-shaped housing comprises a sealing element arranged in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced from the first plane. The first plane is arranged between the second plane and the base plate.
As explained above, the base plate is inserted into the receptacle of the fastening device when the apparatus is mounted on the processing plate. During this insertion of the base plate, the protruding sealing element provides improved clamping properties. The additional sealing element further improves the attachment of the apparatus to the processing plate, and thus the function of the system, by increasing the clamping properties and preventing a tilting moment within the receptacle of the processing plate.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the maximum radial extension of the sealing element in relation to the second housing axis is greater than the maximum radial extension of the base plate. This further improves the fitting of the apparatus in the receptacle.
In order to protect the interior of the housing against dirt, moisture and chemicals contained in concrete, the L-shaped housing is made in one piece from a cast aluminum. This provides, for example, the technical advantage of preventing dirt and moisture from entering the interior of the L-shaped housing. In addition, the cast aluminum is corrosion-resistant and has a low weight. Overall, the service life of the apparatus is increased.
According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the base plate is mounted in a decoupled manner relative to the head portion. This provides, for example, the technical advantage that the base plate is damped relative to the L-shaped housing with respect to vibrations occurring during operation. In addition to the unstable arrangement, the vibration damping facilitates single-handed use of the apparatus and the system. Nevertheless, the vibration is applied directly to the base plate and does not cause any losses.
The decoupled mount is to be understood as an elastic coupling element interposed between the base plate and the screws for fixing to the L-shaped housing.
For example, the vibration unit includes a ball bearing vibration motor. For example, the vibration unit is configured as a double-head vibration motor. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of providing higher power compared to simple vibration motors, with the ball bearing reducing wear and thus increasing the service life of the apparatus.
According to a further alternative, the object is achieved by means of the features of claim 12. According to this alternative of the invention, the object is achieved by a system for surface processing plastically deformable masses; in particular fresh concrete, mortar or screed, with an apparatus according to one of the preceding embodiments. In addition, the system comprises a processing plate having a bottom side configured to be faced towards a plastically deformable mass to be processed and a top side opposite to the bottom side and comprises a fastening device to fasten the apparatus to the processing plate.
The resulting technical advantages are comparable to those of the foregoing alternative. In particular, the L-shaped housing of the apparatus results in an unstable arrangement with a slight tilting moment. The unstable arrangement has the effect that the apparatus can be handled with only one hand and can be used particularly easily. This also results in connection with the processing plate when the entire system consisting of apparatus and processing plate is actuated. The base plate with the decoupled bearing is movable relative to the housing and is damped by the decoupled bearing with regard to vibrations occurring during operation. In addition to the unstable arrangement, the vibration damping allows the apparatus and system to be used with one hand. The vibration is nevertheless applied directly to the base plate and does not cause any losses. In addition, the same advantages apply with respect to different sizes of processing plates. Thus, the apparatus can be applied to processing plates of different sizes for flexible use. Surface processing of plastically deformable masses is made easier and more efficient, and the fresh concrete mass containing solid concrete constituents and aggregate grains is compacted. Voids are largely closed and air bubbles formed during casting rise to the top.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, the fastening device has a receptacle for the base plate of the apparatus. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that if only the base plate of the apparatus is fixed in the receptacle, on the one hand the vibration can be optimally applied to the processing plate. On the other hand, the vibration is also damped in connection with the processing plate by the damping element, resulting in simplified operability.
In order to further simplify handling of the system, the apparatus can be inserted into the receptacle in a first position and in a second position, the first position differing from the second position by a rotation of the apparatus about the second housing axis relative to the processing plate. This provides, for example, the technical advantage that the apparatus can be positioned at different angles relative to the processing plate. This results in a high degree of flexibility for the operator of the system, because he can adapt the specific orientation of the apparatus relative to the processing plate to the circumstances.
According to a preferred embodiment, in a top view, the receptacle comprises a rotationally symmetrical basic shape and the base plate of the apparatus comprises a corresponding basic shape, whereby the arrangement of the apparatus in the receptacle can be realized in different positions. As a result, this leads to the technical advantage that, for example, various positions can be achieved by using a rotationally symmetrical basic shape, such as a pentagon or a hexagon. In addition, in contrast to a round basic shape, a torque can also be transmitted. This at least ensures that the apparatus cannot slip or get misaligned while being used.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, a depth T of the receptacle is greater than the distance from a bottom edge U of the base plate to the second plane supporting the sealing element. This achieves the technical advantage that, for example, the additional improved clamping properties are realized. In addition, tilting of the apparatus relative to the processing plate is prevented and mounting of the system is further facilitated.
In order to arrange the apparatus firmly in the receptacle despite the vibrations occurring during operation, the fastening device has a locking unit to fix the apparatus in the receptacle. This achieves the technical advantage that, for example, despite the vibrations during operation, the apparatus cannot unintentionally slide out of the receptacle. The locking unit fixes the apparatus in an immovable manner.
According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the fastening device has a further receptacle for a base plate of a further apparatus. This achieves the technical advantage that, for example, more than one apparatus can be arranged on the fastening device at the same time. A second apparatus allows the use of bigger processing plates and thus larger concrete surfaces can be processed.
According to a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the bottom side of the processing plate, which is configured to be faced towards a plastically deformable mass to be processed, has at least one shaping profile.
This achieves the technical advantage that, for example, at least one joint in the form of a joint gap or a dummy joint can be realized by moving the system in the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed. Therefore, the system can be used specifically in the creation of joints in surfaces of structures such as floor surfaces. This can be particularly advantageous in the area of the layered structure of a building floor. Thus, each layer can consist of any plastic mass, each of which is to be smoothed and/or provided with a desired structure and/or with linear depressions for a wide variety of reasons.
Preferably, the bottom side, which is configured to be faced towards a plastically deformable mass to be processed, can have a plurality of shaping profiles. The plurality of shaping profiles can either be arranged directly in a row or at defined distances from one another. This has the technical advantage that, for example, a plurality of parallel depressions can be made in the surface to be processed as desired, for instance, in sloping surfaces of walkways or traffic routes such as garage driveways or the like, for purposes of slip resistance and/or water drainage.
The shaping profiles can have any cross-section. For example, the cross-section may be rectangular, triangular, round, or undulating. The shaping profile or shaping profiles can each be formed as a recess or as an elevation in the bottom side. It is essential here that the intended purpose of producing joints, grooves, elevations or other superficial structures can be realized.
According to a further alternative, the object is achieved by means of the features of claim 20. According to this alternative of the invention, the object is achieved by using a system according to one of the preceding embodiments.
The resulting technical advantages are comparable to those of the preceding alternatives. By using the apparatus and the system, the L-shaped housing results in an unstable arrangement with a slight tilting moment, whereby the apparatus can be used with only one hand and can be handled particularly easily. The vibrations are nevertheless applied directly to the base plate and cause little loss. In addition, the same advantages apply to different sizes of processing plates. Thus, the apparatus can be applied to processing plates of different sizes and can therefore be used flexibly. With this alternative, too, the surface processing of plastically deformable masses is facilitated as well as made more efficient, and the fresh concrete mass containing solid concrete constituents and aggregate grains is compacted. Voids are largely closed and air bubbles formed during casting rise to the top.
According to a further alternative, the object is achieved means of the features of claim 21. According to this alternative of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for surface processing plastically deformable masses; in particular fresh concrete, mortar or screed. The method comprises the steps of providing a system according to one of the preceding embodiments, applying the bottom edge of the processing plate to the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed, and assuming a tilted position of the system, wherein the top edge of the processing plate is spaced from the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed. Further, the method comprises the step of activating the vibration unit and moving the system over the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed, wherein the rear end of the system in a direction of movement B is the bottom edge.
The technical advantages resulting from this alternative are also comparable with those of the above alternatives. The surface finishing process allows fresh concrete mass to be compacted particularly efficiently with the aid of the vibrations, and voids to be closed as much as possible. Air bubbles formed during casting rise to the top. An optimally even surface is achieved, with no need for manual finishing. On the one hand, this saves a great deal of time, and on the other hand, finishing does not require any considerable technical skill. This applies to any application where a surface of a castable plastic compound comparable to concrete has to be smoothed.
Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following detailed description and the totality of the patent claims.
Further advantageous features and details of the various embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent from the ensuing description of preferred exemplary embodiment or embodiments and further with the aid of the drawings. The features and combinations of features recited below in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations shown after that in the drawing description or in the drawings alone, may be used not only in the particular combination recited by also in other combinations on their own without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:
Identical parts are provided with the same reference signs in the figures.
As used throughout the present disclosure, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “or” encompasses all possible combinations, except where infeasible. For example, the expression “A or B” shall mean A alone, B alone, or A and B together. If it is stated that a component includes “A, B, or C”, then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, the component may include A, or B, or C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C. Expressions such as “at least one of” do not necessarily modify an entirety of the following list and do not necessarily modify each member of the list, such that “at least one of “A, B, and C” should be understood as including not only one of A, only one of B, only one of C, or any combination of A, B, and C.
The handle 116 includes a contour 119 in the form of indentations to improve grip security for a user. At a free end 117 of the handle 116, which faces away from the second housing axis 114, there is a receptacle for an energy storage device 200 (not shown). The energy storage device is thus decoupled from the vibration unit 130 in the best possible way and can be changed very easily. In addition, the center of gravity of the apparatus 100 shifts in the direction of the handle 116 when an energy storage device 200 is inserted into the receptacle at the free end 117. As the center of gravity shifts, the entire apparatus 100 loses stability, facilitating flexible single-handed handling by a user. Additionally, a control unit 132 is located within the handle 116 that can monitor the charging state of an inserted energy storage device 200. The control unit 132 is located within the handle 116 between the free end 117 and the second housing axis 114. In the embodiment, the center of gravity of the apparatus 100 is located in a center of gravity plane. The center of gravity plane is defined by the first housing axis 112 and the second housing axis 114. The center of gravity is located between the second housing axis 114 and the free end 117. Preferably, the center of gravity is located outside of the L-shaped housing 110, further facilitating instability of the apparatus 100 and thus single-handed handling.
A damping element 122 is disposed between the base plate 120 and a head portion 111 of the L-shaped housing 110. The damping element 122 is for damping vibration caused by the vibration unit 130 inside the L-shaped housing 110, whereby the vibration is not directly transmitted to the L-shaped housing 110 and thus to the handle 116. The damping element 122 lies in a first plane 150 and is circumferentially disposed around the base plate 120. In this regard, the base plate 120 includes a protrusion in the radial direction, the advantages of which are described in particular in
The base plate 120 has a rotationally symmetrical basic shape in the form of a regular octagon. In conjunction with a corresponding octagonal basic shape of the receptacle 190 on the base plate 170, the apparatus 100 can be arranged in various positions in the receptacle 190. Additionally, torque can also be transmitted between the apparatus 100 and the base plate 170, facilitating handling by preventing the apparatus from slipping or misaligning during operation.
When the system 300 is used, the bottom side 172 of the processing plate 170 is faced towards a plastically deformable mass 400 to be processed, such as fresh concrete, mortar or screed. The system 300 is used to process the surface of a plastically deformable mass. In particular, the L-shaped housing of the apparatus 100 results in an unstable arrangement with a slight tilting moment. The unstable arrangement entails that the apparatus 100 can be operated with only one hand and can be handled particularly easily. In conjunction with the processing plate 170, the entire system 300 can be actuated and vibrations are applied from the base plate 120 to the plastically deformable mass 400 via the processing plate 170. Surface processing of plastically deformable masses is made easier and more efficient. The fresh concrete mass containing solid concrete constituents and aggregate grains is compacted. Voids are largely closed and air bubbles formed during casting rise to the top.
During the surface processing method, the system 300 is held by the handle 116 and held together with the processing plate 170 in a tilted position in such a way that the bottom edge 176 of the processing plate 170, which is located at the rear in the direction of movement B1, is placed on the surface to be processed, and the top edge 177 of the processing plate 170, which is located at the front in the direction of movement B1, is held at a distance from the surface to be processed. By activating the vibration unit 130, vibrations are applied from the base plate 120 via the processing plate 170 to the plastically deformable mass 400.
Alternatively, it is also possible to hold the system 300 by the handle 116 during the surface processing method and to transfer it together with the processing plate 170 to a tilting position in such a way that the top edge 177 of the processing plate 170, which is located at the rear in the direction of movement B2, is placed on the surface to be processed and the bottom edge 176 of the processing plate 170, which is located at the front in the direction of movement B2, is held at a distance from the surface to be processed.
In this case, the method for surface processing plastically deformable masses is applicable in an identical manner. Here, only the first direction of movement B1 is replaced by the second direction of movement B2, the bottom edge 176 becomes the new top edge and the top edge 177 becomes the new bottom edge of the system 300. In particular, the method relates to the steps of providing a system 300 according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, applying the top edge 177 of the processing plate 170 to the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed, adopting a tilted position of the system 300 with the bottom edge 176 of the processing plate 170 spaced from the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed. After activating the vibration unit 130, the system 300 is moved over the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed, with the end of the system 300 that is rearward in a second direction of movement B2 being the top edge 177.
The apparatus 100 is oriented with respect to the processing plate 170 in such a way that the handle 116 points in the direction of movement B1. In a top view, the receptacle 190 has a rotationally symmetrical basic shape in the form of an octagon. The base plate 120 of the apparatus comprises corresponding octagonal basic shape.
Since the devices and methods described in detail above are examples of embodiments, they can be modified to a wide extent by the skilled person in the usual manner without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the mechanical arrangements and the proportions of the individual elements with respect to each other are merely exemplary. Some preferred embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention have been disclosed above. The invention is not limited to the solutions explained above, but the innovative solutions can be applied in different ways within the limits set out by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22194646.0 | Sep 2022 | EP | regional |
