Patent Application
20230340735
None.
A pair of articulating screed framework extensions, independently adjustable at least two locations along each extension, independently adjusting each extension to a comfortable working height and other subjective needs of each user, each extension providing an upper plate on a first section, a hand grip on a second section and distal end on a third section to which a screed workpiece is independently attached to locate a width between each extension, with a locking pivot joint between each first and second section and each second and third section.
A preliminary review of prior art patents was conducted by the applicant which reveal prior art patents in a similar field or having similar use. However, the prior art inventions do not disclose the same or similar elements as the present pair of screed handles, nor do they present the material components in a manner contemplated or anticipated in the prior art.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,491,013 to Bohse, a handle attachment is indicated which provides alternate grip sites on an otherwise simple elongated handle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,154 to Record show a pair of screed handles connected together with intermediary grip handles and upper cuff handles steadied against the forearms of the user while surfacing concrete to provide a more stable screed apparatus.
A multiple contoured handle apparatus to be applied to conventional tools is indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,535 to Blessing, with FIG. 15 showing a handle bent along a three dimensional axis, but not in the same manner or serving the same ergonomic function as the present paired screed handles. A pivotal axis handle is demonstrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,427 to Nisenbaum. Two different adjustable screed frame members are indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,845 to Carrillo and U.S. Pat. No. to Alessio, both of them having a belt to anchor the device to the operator while the screed is being used.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,517 to Pardue, an ergonomic concrete scree handle is disclosed providing a similar functional framework, but lacks the adjustability of the present set of creed handles allowing angular adjustment for each subjective user at two locations along each handle, adapting the handle to various user heights and arm lengths, as well as variable upper body strength. It also applies varying distance between each handle provided by the desired attachment to the workpiece applied to the distal ends of each screed handle.
A concrete screed device has been used in the concrete finishing process most likely since the advent of concrete itself. The least sophisticated of these screed is a simple flat board which is drawn on the surface of the concrete to provide the concrete with a smooth and level surface. Over time, most likely due to wear and tear on the backs of the people performing the concrete finishing being bent over while using a simple flat board, these board started to have handles or extensions attached to the boards to allow the operator to stand in an upright position while keeping the board level and consistent over the surface of the concrete. Most of the advances in concrete screed have been directed towards stabilization of the screed while somewhat providing less stress on the operator.
The present concrete screed extension handles are provided in pairs, each directed to opposing arms of the operator, while formed in a mirror image of one another. Each of the pair of handles has an upper section defining an arm plate extension directed inward, an intermediate section defining a hand grip also directed inward, and a lower section having a lower end terminating into a screed clamp, which is generally a section of board connecting between and intermediary section, a lower end attached to the screed board of the operator's choosing. Between each upper and intermediary section is an articulating joint which may be adjusted and secured to a desired angle. A similar articulating joint is located between the intermediary section and the lower section, allowing a custom configuration of each screed extension handle based on the comfortable working position of the user.
The arm plate extensions and orientation provide each handle to incur a downward force when the hand grips are forced downward using the leverage against the forearm, and an upward force distributed along the hand and lower forearm near the wrist to lift the screed, providing the operator with more finesse and control over the screed during the finishing process with a reduced amount of stress to the operators back and legs and without having to alter the operator's grip in the concrete finishing process.
The following drawings are submitted with this utility patent application.
A pair of adjustable concrete screed extension handles 10,
Between each section is the joint 35, 45, which provides the respective sections with the ability to pivot at an angle relative to the two connected sections. This angle may be adjusted by an angle adjusting means 37, 47, best shown in an embodiment illustrated in
The upper section 20,
The intermediary section 40,
The lower section 80,
The purpose of the respective adjustable means 37, 47, and respective sections is to provide the paired screed extension handles 100 attached to the common endpiece 100 at a preferred angle dependent upon the working posture of the user. The adjusted angle of the upper section 20 and the intermediary section 40 is that which provides a proper angle between the upper arm, the wrist and the palm grip of each hand as determined during use of the screed extension handle 10. Additionally, the angle between the intermediary section 40 and the lower section 80 is adjusted for a proper angle of the endpiece 100 and the surface being worked, the height of the user and even the surface material being worked by the use, including wet concrete, gravel, masonry substrate for laying stones or pavers, or even soil in landscape projected, in place of the user having to bend over and use hand trowels or other substrate moving and surfacing tools.
It is preferred that each upper section 20, intermediary section 40 and lower section 80 be provided in several supplied lengths to provide the paired screed extension handles 10 for users of all sizes, tall or short, and suited for the strength variance of each user so that user with great or little upper body strengths would find use for these screed extension handles, including those with disabilities of restricted movements.
Materials used for the construction of the screed extension handles would be polycarbonate plastics, light-weight metals and other materials that are structurally solid yet not so heavy that the intended use is restricted to persons with average upper body strength or under certain labor restrictions. It should also be corrosion resistant, since working with concrete materials exposes the product to repeated contact with acidic and basic chemicals including lime, calcium carbonate and gypsum products. These would be determined at the time of manufacture and based upon sound material construction principles. Although shown in the drawings as linear components, the upper section 20, intermediary section 40 and lower section 80 may be provided with slight curvature or non-linear configurations as determined also at the time of manufacture. Width and depth of each component may also vary dependent upon the desire of the engineer charged with the contraction and manufacture of the product.
While the screed extension handles 10 have been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
