Patent Application
20250179817
The invention relates generally to concrete finishing, and more specifically to float pans used in cast-in-place flooring applications.
Generally, during the finishing process for concrete, it can be difficult to achieve uniform flatness of the concrete. For example, some pans commonly used in the industry may be convex with a turned-up radius edge around their perimeters, which inherently limits their ability to achieve optimal floor flatness during the concrete finishing process. Without a flat surface, the pan may not be able to produce an extra flat result.
Pans used for concrete finishing can also suffer from premature wear. Conventional methods of achieving flat to very flat concrete floors generally involve the use of power troweling machines, available in both walk-behind and ride-on models. These machines typically utilize circular, convex metal pans attached to finishing blades. These pans, which range in diameter from 36 to 60 inches, are employed shortly after the concrete has been poured and has begun to set.
However, existing systems can be inefficient due to the convex shape of the pans, and the premature wear on these pans that can occur from blade pressure. This results in the need for an improved attachment method for pans that enhances performance during the concrete finishing process.
Therefore, there is a need for a solution to the above problems.
The aspects or the problems and the associated solutions presented in this section could be or could have been pursued; they are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this section of the application.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Provided herein are systems and methods for concrete finishing, and more specifically, to improved systems for float pans used in cast-in-place flooring applications. Provided herein are layered concrete finishing float disc systems to be easily attached to and associated with power troweling systems, which can then be used to for leveling and finishing poured concrete once the layered float disc system is secured to the power troweling equipment. These systems configured for use with power troweling equipment are referred to herein as “layered concrete finishing float disc systems,” or “layered float disc systems.”
In some embodiments, systems are disclosed having a polyethylene foam disc with metal welded bolt-together discs that conjoin multiple metal pieces in conjunction with a power trowel for enhanced finishing of concrete surfaces. Generally, in such embodiments, the polyethylene foam disc is positioned in between (“sandwiched”) a first metal disc and a second metal disc, wherein both the first metal and disc and the second metal disc each comprise mounts for securing the two metal discs together. It should be understood that any suitable method or means for attaching or securing the two metal discs in a removable manner could be used. For example, as disclosed herein, in some embodiments, mounts welded onto each metal disc are provided, wherein the mounts can be screwed or bolted together. In some other embodiments, systems are disclosed having a polyethylene foam disc with integrated magnetic inserts, designed to conjoin metal discs in conjunction a power trowel for enhanced finishing of concrete surfaces.
Generally, the systems provided herein allow for quick and straightforward mounting of power trowels onto a disc assembly, readying the equipment for immediate use. This can improve efficiency of the concrete finishing process.
Generally, the systems provided herein can include reversible metal discs and reusable polyethylene foam cores, which can contribute to a more efficient finishing process, and extended product lifespan.
In some embodiments, the advanced power troweling systems provided herein can include an expanded cross-linked polyethylene foam disc, equipped with welded bolt-together metal discs that secure the metal pieces into one unit. Additionally, neodymium magnetic handles can be used to secure power trowel blades directly to the metal discs. This can allow for easy and secure attachment of the power trowel blades, improving efficiency and reducing setup time. The magnetic handle system can ensure a firm attachment to the power trowel blades, providing a secure fit. This assembly can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the concrete finishing process by ensuring secure attachment, increase durability, and reduced wear.
Generally, the systems provided herein are sustainable because they allow for extended use even if parts of the system become damaged or are in need of replacement. The layered float disc systems disclosed herein are provided such that they are useful even when such damage occurs. The layered float disc systems are reversible because each metal disc could be used. The layered float disc systems are replaceable because if a metal disc is beyond repair, it could be entirely replaced without the need for replacing the entire system, or replacing parts that are not in need of repair or damaged. The layered float disc systems are reusable because the foam disc can generally still be used and is generally protected from damage and wear and tear. The layered float disc systems are also generally universal and could be used with many different varieties, makes, models, and types of existing or known power troweling systems.
The above aspects or examples and advantages, as well as other aspects or examples and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.
For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
What follows is a description of various aspects, embodiments and/or examples in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The aspects, embodiments and/or examples described herein are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.
It should be understood that, for clarity of the drawings and of the specification, some or all details about some structural components or steps that are known in the art are not shown or described if they are not necessary for the invention to be understood by one of ordinary skills in the art.
For the following description, it can be assumed that most correspondingly labeled elements across the figures (e.g., 105 and 205, etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the same structure and function. If there is a difference between correspondingly labeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results in a non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particular embodiment, example or aspect, then the conflicting description given for that particular embodiment, example or aspect shall govern.
Provided herein are systems for power troweling for concrete finishing, utilizing a layered float disc system.
In some embodiments, the layered float disc system 100 is comprised of a single polyethylene foam disc 102 positioned between two metal discs 103a and 103b. The metal discs 103 are shown in further detail in at least
In some embodiments, the layered float disc system 100 also includes magnetic handles 101. In some embodiments, the layered float disc system 100 includes four magnetic handles. These handles may include neodymium magnets. It should be understood that, since each individual magnetic handle can be associated with the metal disc 103a magnetically, each magnetic handle can be moved and adjusted, and the layered float disc system 100 could be adjusted to include five magnetic handles, or however many handles are necessary or desired by a user to fit a power troweling system. Generally, the magnetic handles 101 can be used to secure blades of a power troweling system directly onto one metal disc 103a of the layered float disc system 100.
As can be seen in at least
When the polyethylene foam disc is sandwiched by the two metal discs having the two different types of mounts, an insert with a screw, or any other suitable means, could be used for securing the two metal discs together, therefore securing the foam disc in between the two metal discs. Generally, the foam disc may be expanded polyethylene foam rubber. Due to a combination of the expanded polyethylene foam rubber, and the slotted interior tabs of the layered disc assembly, the assembly is provided with a controlled compression effect, which can allow for slight adjustments when pivoting the power troweling equipment during operation. This can allow for more fluid steering. Furthermore, the reversibility of the metal discs, which are uniformly flat, can allow for either side of the assembly to be useful for creating a level, flat concrete surface during the finishing process.
Because the bottom side of each metal disc is provided with mounts with the top side of each metal disc is provided as a uniformly smooth surface, the layered float disc system may be completely reversible when fully assembled.
The layered float disc systems disclosed herein are provided such that they are useful even when such damage occurs. The layered float disc systems are reversible because each metal disc could be used. The magnetic handles could be removed and reattached onto the opposite system of system such that each metal disc is used for concrete finishing. The layered float disc systems are replaceable because if a metal disc is beyond repair, it could be entirely replaced without the need for replacing the entire system, or replacing parts that are not in need of repair or damaged. The layered float disc systems are reusable because even when the metal discs are in need of repair or need to be replaced, the foam disc can generally still be used and is generally protected from damage and wear and tear. The layered float disc systems are also generally universal and could be used with many different varieties, makes, models, and types of existing or known power troweling systems.
It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.
Further, as used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims.
If present, use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. These terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used in this application, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.
Throughout this description, the aspects, embodiments or examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus or procedures disclosed or claimed. Although some of the examples may involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives.
Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one aspect, embodiment or example are not intended to be excluded from a similar role(s) in other aspects, embodiments or examples.
Aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention may be described as processes, which are usually depicted using a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may depict the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. With regard to flowcharts, it should be understood that additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the described methods.
If means-plus-function limitations are recited in the claims, the means are not intended to be limited to the means disclosed in this application for performing the recited function, but are intended to cover in scope any equivalent means, known now or later developed, for performing the recited function.
Claim limitations should be construed as means-plus-function limitations only if the claim recites the term “means” in association with a recited function.
If any presented, the claims directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although aspects, embodiments and/or examples have been illustrated and described herein, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate of the same and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the aspects, embodiments and/or examples illustrated and described herein, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover such alternate aspects, embodiments and/or examples. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Further, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/684,381, filed Aug. 17, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/694,010, filed Sep. 12, 2024, which are each hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they are not conflicting with the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63684381 | Aug 2024 | US | |
| 63694010 | Sep 2024 | US |
