Patent Grant
8221027
The present invention generally relates to leveling of materials and, more particularly, to leveling wet concrete with a roller screed.
Concrete slabs are used by various structures, including highways, airport runways, parking lots, building floors, sidewalks, and driveways. The methods used to construct these various different structures typically all require that the wet concrete mixture be poured, leveled and compacted.
The concrete may be leveled and compacted by screeding. The screeding process may be accomplished by the use of forms, most commonly 2 by 6 or 2 by 8 pieces of wood that are positioned in a parallel manner at the desired width. This form then operates to contain the poured concrete in a lateral area that is to be covered by the concrete slab. When the required amount of concrete is thus positioned, it is then necessary to level it off to the height of the forms. It is this later process in which the screed is employed. In this method, the leveling process is accomplished by moving a flat piece of material spanning the two parallel forms in a back and forth manner. This operation serves to move any of the excess concrete that extends above the upper surfaces of the forms either into any low areas or off of the prospective slab altogether.
While the manual method described above works well enough on small jobs such as the repair of short sections of sidewalk, it has numerous deficiencies. The first of these is, that even in small jobs, it is labor intensive and therefore costly over the long term. Additionally, the use of a manual screed is not very effective at distributing and compacting the concrete within the form, therefore producing a finished slab of a lesser quality than is generally desired.
Powered screeds may be employed to assist in the screeding process. One type of powered screed is a powered roller screed. The powered roller screed generally consists of a screed roller (e.g., an elongated tube) that is rotationally driven by an attached motor. In operation, the screed roller is positioned over the raw concrete with each end of the screed roller positioned on the upper edges of the forms. The screed roller is then moved along the top of the forms in a direction that is opposite the rotational motion of the screed roller at its point of contact with the concrete. This apparatus produces a smooth and flat finish to the concrete. This method is generally limited to producing concrete slabs in sections that are not wider than the width of the screed roller, since each end of the screed roller must ride on a form.
Screeding may also be accomplished without the use of the aforementioned forms. Such a process is known as wet or free screeding. In wet screeding, generally a free-floating elongate blade is moved over the freshly poured concrete to compact and level the concrete. The wet screed apparatus may include a vibration producing mechanism to vibrate the blade, which may aid in compacting the concrete. Pads, posts or other indicators may be used to help the wet screed operator level the concrete at a particular height. Since no forms are needed, wet screeding is not limited to producing sections that are thinner than the length of the blade. Accordingly, wet screeding may be used to screed large concrete pads, where the use of powered roller screeds may be impractical. However, wet screeding generally does not produce as high a quality surface as is generally achieved using a screed roller.
The present invention is embodied by a powered roller screed. This powered roller screed includes a screed roller and what may be characterized as a drive assembly or power unit. This power unit includes first and second drive outputs, one of which is detachably interconnected with the screed roller at a given time.
Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the present invention. Further features may also be incorporated in the present invention as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. The powered roller screed may be used to screed wet concrete. As used herein, the phrase “wet concrete” refers to recently poured concrete that has not hardened or become rigid, such that the concrete may still be moved by screeding. Since the power unit includes first and second drive outputs, the first drive output may be attached to a first end of the screed roller, or the second drive output may be attached to a second end of the screed roller, all to rotate the screed roller in a common direction as the screed roller is advanced over wet concrete.
The screed roller may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type, and furthermore may be of any appropriate length. In one embodiment, the screed roller is in the form of a single tubular or cylindrical structure or the like. In another embodiment, the screed roller is defined by a plurality of individual, removable screed roller sections that are interconnected in any appropriate manner. For instance, the screed roller sections may be attached to each other through threaded connections at the ends of the individual screed roller sections (e.g., each screed roller section may have a threaded male member on one end and a threaded female member on its opposite end), although multiple screed roller sections may be detachably interconnected in any appropriate manner. Each of any screed roller sections may be of any appropriate length. Two or more of multiple screed roller sections that define the screed roller may be of different lengths, although such may not be the case in all instances. The overall length of the screed roller may be varied by removing and/or adding at least one screed roller section. Notwithstanding the foregoing and as initially noted, the screed roller could be in the form of a single screed roller section (e.g., the screed roller need not be defined by multiple screed roller sections).
The power unit may include a handle and a power source of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type. An operator may grasp the handle to exert a pulling force on the same, and thereby on a corresponding portion of the screed roller, to manipulate a position of a corresponding portion of the screed roller, or both. In one embodiment, the power source rotates the first and second drive outputs at a common velocity and in a common direction. As such and as previously noted, the power unit may be attached to either end of the screed roller to rotate the screed roller in a common direction for a screeding operation.
The power source may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type. In one embodiment the power source is in the form of an electric motor. Another embodiment has the power source being in the form of an engine, such as a gasoline or internal combustion engine.
A gearbox may be located between the power source and the first and second drive outputs as desired/required. This gearbox may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type. For instance, the gearbox may utilize one or more gears, one or more sprocket/chain arrangements, or both. The gearbox may also be in the form of a planetary gear system or the like. In any case, the power source may provide/define an input to the gearbox, while the first and second drive outputs may be the outputs of the gearbox. Any appropriate gear reduction may be realized through the gearbox and in any appropriate manner.
The first and second drive outputs may be characterized as being disposed in opposing relation. For instance, the first and second drive outputs may be positioned on opposite sides of the power unit. Therefore, whether the first drive output is attached to a first end of the screed roller or whether the second drive output is attached to the second end of the screed roller, the above-noted handle will be on the same side of the screed roller to allow an operator to pull on the same and with the screed roller rotating in a common direction by operation of the power source.
Consider the case where two forms are positioned in spaced to relation to each other. Wet concrete may be directed into the space between these first and second forms in any appropriate manner, and the powered roller screed may be used to screed this wet concrete. In this regard, the screed roller would typically be positioned at one end of the first and second forms. Either the first drive output of the power unit may be appropriately interconnected with a first end of the screed roller at this time, or the second drive output of the power unit may be appropriately interconnected with a second end of the screed roller (the first and second ends being opposite of each other) at this time, to rotate the screed roller in a first rotational direction as the screed roller is pulled at least generally along the first and second forms in a first direction to screed the wet concrete. It should be appreciated that the powered roller screed could also be used for a wet screeding operation.
Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to
One end of the screed roller member 12 is rotationally attached to a drive assembly 20 and the other to a pull rope 22. The drive assembly 20 is the component of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 that houses a drive motor 24, which in turn provides the rotational power to operate the powered rotational screed apparatus 10. The drive motor 24 is fixed within the drive assembly 20 by the use of a motor frame 36, that also provides the point of fixed attachment for a handle assembly 26. The handle assembly 26 extends upward through an extension bar 28 from the motor frame 36 to position a control handle 30 and a pull handle 32 in a position so that the entire handle assembly 26 can be easily controlled by an operator. Finally, the power to the drive motor 24 is supplied through a power cord 42 by way of the control handle 30. The drive motor 24 may also be powered by an appropriate battery or internal combustion engine (not shown), which may be mounted to the drive motor 24 or extension bar 28.
The other end, or the non-powered end, of the screed roller member 12 provides the point of attachment for the pull rope 22 through the operation of a pull bearing assembly 84. The pull bearing 84 operates to isolate the pull rope 22 from the rotational aspects of the screed roller member 12, allowing it to be fixedly attached to the pull rope 22. The nature and manner of operation of the pull bearing 84 will be described in greater detail below with reference to other possible components of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10.
Additionally, the handle assembly 26 of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 may be equipped with a pivotally mounted stand 34. The stand 34 allows the drive assembly 20 to be left in an upright position when not in use so that the control and pull handles, 30 and 32, are in an easily accessible location. When not in use, the pivotal attachment of the stand 34 allows it to be rotated up next to the extension bar 28 so that it is not in the way during the operation of the handle assembly 26.
To perform the finishing operation, the drive motor 24 is engaged by the use of the control handle 30, which in turn powers the screed roller member 12. As the screed roller member 12 spins, the drive assembly 20 operator and the pull rope 22 operator move the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 in a direction that is opposite to the rotation of the screed roller member 12 over the unfinished concrete 16. This action has been found to be effective in producing the desired finish on the upper surface of finished concrete 18, while also causing the concrete to compact to the desired consistency.
The output of the drive motor 24 is configured so that it can be fitted to a drive socket 38, which is of a common 6-point impact type as illustrated in
The use of the drive socket 38 allows for the securement of the drive plate assembly 52, which in turn bolts to the proximal end of the screed roller member 12. To facilitate this, the drive plate assembly 52 is equipped with a rearwardly extending hexagonal shaft 53 that is specifically designed to engage the internal surface of the drive socket 38. Additionally, each of these components has an attachment pin hole 58. The attachment pin holes 58 allow for the passage of an attachment pin (not shown) through the drive socket 38 and hexagonal shaft 53 which secures the two together.
The drive plate assembly 52 also has a circular drive plate 44 that is of the same outside diameter as the screed roller member 12. The drive plate 44 allows for the attachment of the drive plate assembly 52 to the screed roller member 12 through the use of a plurality of bolts 54. Additionally, the distal surface of the drive plate 44 is equipped with a centrally located male shoulder 70 that operates to center a female attachment plug 46 of the screed roller member 12 with reference to the drive plate assembly 52. This configuration not only transfers the rotational power of the drive motor 24 to the screed roller member 12, but also ensures that all of the operational components are properly aligned.
The screed roller member 12 is the elongated cylindrical component of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 that performs the finishing operation. The external manner of construction of the screed roller member 12 is illustrated in
The female and male attachment plugs, 46 and 48, are relatively short cylindrical components having a shoulder of a common outside diameter of the tube body 50 and an engagement body that has an outside diameter that is equal to the inside diameter of the tube body 50. The screed roller member 12 is formed by fixedly attaching one female attachment plug 46 and one male attachment plug 48 to either end of the tube body 50. This forms a complete unit that is then capable of being used individually or in conjunction with another as will be described in greater detail below.
The above described method of constructing the screed roller members 12 provides a means by which the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 can be adapted to match the width of a wide variety of possible concrete pours. This is facilitated by the building of screed roller members 12 of varying lengths that can then be quickly and easily added or removed to achieve the desired length. This design allows for the construction of screed roller members 12 of varying lengths as illustrated by screed roller members, 60, 62, 64, and 66. Additionally, it must be stated that the lengths of the screed roller members 12 as shown is intended to be for illustrative purposes only, and the construction of a screed roller member of any usable length is possible.
The female and male attachment plugs, 46 and 48, also contain a threaded hole 74 that passes longitudinally through their center as illustrated in
The female attachment plug 46 is designed with a centrally located, with respect to its longitudinal axis, female recess 68 that extends into its body at the initial segment of its threaded hole 74. Conversely, the male attachment plug 48 is designed with a similarly positioned male shoulder 70 that fits within the female recess 68 of the female attachment plug 46. Thus, the threaded rod 72, the female recess 68, and the male shoulder 70 components of the female and male attachment plugs, 46 and 48, provide a means by which two or more screed roller members 12 can easily and securely be connected to one another. Finally, once the proper connection has been accomplished through the described methods, the female attachment plug 46 can be locked in place with reference to the threaded rod 72. This is accomplished by the use of a securement bolt 76 that passes through the body of the female attachment plug 46 and engages the surface of the threaded rod 72.
The connection of two or more screed roller members 12 is then simply accomplished by connecting the desired screed roller members 12 by the use of the threaded rod 72 and threaded hole 74 and their associated components. Also, this design provides a means of attaching additional components that will be discussed in greater detail below.
The powered rotational screed apparatus 10 is also capable of being employed to finish a concrete slab that has either a ridge or valley running longitudinally though its center as illustrated in
To accomplish this, a center support 82 may be positioned in the desired location (e.g., at the longitudinal center) of the concrete forms 14. The articulation member 80 is then positioned between two or more screed roller members 12 in a location that corresponds in its relative location to the center support 82. The articulation member 80 then rides along the top of the center support 82, the height of which relative to the concrete forms 14 determines the rise or drop in the finished concrete's 18 surface.
The articulation member 80 contains three primary components that make this possible. The first of these is a centrally located U-joint 98 that is fixedly attached at either end to the other two components, namely female and male articulation bodies, 81 and 83. The U-joint 98 employed in this application is of a type that is commonly used in automotive or other vehicle applications and allows the two screed roller members 12 to rotate around slightly different longitudinal axes.
The U-joint 98 is located in a centrally located U-joint cavity 100 of the female and male articulation bodies, 81 and 83, which operate to tie the articulation member 80 to the screed roller members 12. The attachment of the U-joint 98 to the female and male articulation bodies, 81 and 83, is accomplished through the use of the rod attachment cups 102. The rod attachment cups 102 are fixedly attached to the U-joint 98 on their inside end and fit over the end of the present threaded rod 72 on their outside. With the threaded rod 72 so positioned, an attachment pin 56 is passed through the rod attachment cups 102 and the associated threaded rods 72.
The rod attachment cup 102 that is associated with the female articulation body 81 is also fixedly attached to an attachment cup flange 104. The attachment cup flange 104 is then bolted to the inner surface of the female articulation body 81 by a plurality of bolts 54. This not only fixedly attaches the U-joint 98 to the female articulation body 81, but also serves to secure the female articulation body 81 to the associated male attachment plug 48 of the screed roller member 12. Conversely, the male articulation body 83 is secured not only by the operation of its associated threaded rod 72, but also by a securement bolt 76 that passes through it and engages the surface of the threaded rod 72.
An additional component of the articulation member 80 is a pull bearing assembly 84. The pull bearing assembly 84 is the same component of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 that is used on the non-powered end of the screed roller member 12 that allows for the attachment of a pull rope 22 as described above. The purpose of the pull bearing assembly 84 is to provide an external surface within the screed roller member 12 that is rotationally stationary when the bulk of the screed roller member 12 is rotating during use. This is accomplished by the incorporation of an outer bearing body 90 that is isolated from the remaining components by a bearing 88. The bearing 88 fits within a bearing cavity 89 that is machined into the outer portion of the female articulation body 81. Finally, the outer bearing body 90 is also equipped with a pull ring 86 that allows for the attachment of an external rotationally stationary device to the screed roller member 12.
The articulating ability of the articulation member 80 is facilitated by the methods employed to construct the female and male articulation bodies, 81 and 83. The inner surfaces of these two components are manufactured with a flex gap 106 that provides room for them to longitudinally move in relation to one another. Additionally, the portion of the female and male articulation bodies, 81 and 83, that are outside of the flex gap 106 contain a seal cavity 96. The seal cavity 96 allows for the positioning of a seal 94 between the female and male articulation bodies, 81 and 83. The use of the seal 94 reduces the potential that concrete or other debris will enter the U-joint cavity 100 and damage the U-joint 98 contained therein. Finally, the seal 94 is isolated from the bearing 88 by the use of an isolation ring 92.
An additional component that may provide the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 with the capability of finishing wide concrete pours is illustrated in
The counter rotation member 108 provides a means by which two screed roller members 12 can be rotated in opposite directions during finishing operations. This may be necessary in wide pours because the drive motors 24 normally employed in screeding concrete may not be powerful enough to provide the rotational force necessary to adequately rotate long sections of screed roller members 12. The use of the counter rotation member 108 allows for the placement of an additional drive assembly 20 in place of the pull rope 22, thereby providing the power to finish wide concrete pours.
The counter rotation member 108 is constructed in a similar manner as described above for the articulation member 80 in that it contains a bearing 88 positioned in a bearing cavity 89 that rotationally isolates an outer bearing body 90 from the rotation of the screed roller members 12. Additionally, the counter rotation member 108 also isolates the rotation of the two attached screed roller members 12 from one another. This is accomplished by the internal structure of the counter rotation member 108, which has as its two primary components female and male counter rotation bodies, 110 and 112. These two components serve to connect the counter rotation member 108 to the screed roller members 12. Additionally, the female and male counter rotation bodies, 110 and 112, are tied together through the internal components of the counter rotation member 108, which in turn serves to connect the entire structure.
The internal components of the counter rotation member 108 consist primarily of two related components. The first of these is the female inner flange 114 that is attached to the female counter rotation body 110 through the use of the female counter rotation attachment flange 130 and a plurality of large bolts 124. The second is the male inner flange 116 connected to the male counter rotation body 112 through the use of a male counter rotation attachment flange 128 and a plurality of bolts 54. The female and male inner flanges, 114 and 116, are positioned within the counter rotation cavity 126 located within the female and male counter rotation bodies, 110 and 112.
The female and male inner flanges, 114 and 116, both extend from their connection to their respective component towards the center of the counter rotation cavity 126 in a manner so that the male inner flange 116 extends over approximately two thirds of the female inner flange 114. These components are configured so that there is a space left between the inner surface of the male inner flange 116 and the outer surface of the female inner flange 114. Additionally, the inner surface of the male inner flange 116 is equipped with a centrally positioned bearing spacer shoulder 118 and the female inner flange 114 has a corresponding bearing spacer shoulder 118 that is positioned so that an isolation bearing 120 can fit between it and the outer edge of the male inner flange's 116 bearing spacer shoulder 118. The opposite end of the male inner flange 116 operates to position an additional isolation bearing 120.
The isolation bearings 120 serve to rotationally isolate the female and male inner flanges, 114 and 116, from one another. This is accomplished not only by their positioning within the gap between the female and male inner flanges, 114 and 116, but also by the nature of their connection to the female and male inner flanges, 114 and 116. This manner of construction allows the female inner flange 114 and all of the components of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 to which it is attached to rotate in one direction, while the male inner flange 116 and all of the components to which it is attached rotate in the other direction, thereby providing the function that is central to the counter rotation member 108.
As stated above, the female and male inner flanges, 114 and 116, also serve to tie the female and male counter rotation bodies, 110 and 112, together. This is accomplished by the use of securement nuts 122, one each of which is threaded over the ends of the female and male inner flanges, 114 and 116. The securement nut 122 that is threaded over the open end of the female inner flange 114 tightens down on the corresponding isolation bearing 120. This serves to force this isolation bearing 120 against the bearing spacer shoulder 118 of the male inner flange 116, which in turn forces the other isolation bearing 120 against the female inner flange's 114 bearing spacer shoulder 118. Thus, the nature of the construction of these components of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 serves to rotationally tie the female and male inner flanges, 114 and 116, together by reducing the potential for lateral movement when assembled.
This rotational connection is also reinforced by the use of the second securement nut 122. When assembled, the second securement nut 122 is threaded over the open end of the male inner flange 116 and operates to force the pull bearing 88 against an additional bearing spacer shoulder 118 located on the outer surface of the male inner flange 116. This then further restricts lateral movement of the male inner flange 116. Thus, the manner of construction of the counter rotation member 108 provides a means by which two connected screed roller members 12 can be rotated in opposite directions, thereby allowing for the use of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 in the finishing of wide concrete pours.
Another optional component of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 that adds flexibility to its operations is a center anchor member 134, which is illustrated in
The center anchor member 134 is made up of a stationary outer bearing ring 140 that is fixedly attached at its lower end to an anchor rod 144 and at its upper end to a handle 138. The anchor rod 144 serves to provide the rotational aspect to the center anchor member 134 through its positioning within an anchor tube 136 that is positioned in the underlying ground at the desired location with respect to the concrete slab. The anchor tube 136 is simply an open-ended vertically oriented section of tubing that the lower end of the anchor rod 144 slips into. This method of securing the anchor rod 144 allows it to freely rotate, supplying the pivotal action that is required by the operation of the center anchor member 134. Additionally, the relative height of the anchor rod 144 in relation to the anchor tube 136 is controlled by the positioning of lock nuts 146 along the length of the anchor rod 144.
The outer bearing ring 140 of the center anchor member 134 also provides for the pivotal attachment of the bearing 88, that in turn allows for the attachment of the screed roller member 12. This attachment is accomplished by the use of threaded rod 72 that is positioned so that it extends out beyond the end of the screed roller member 12 and the attached center anchor member 134. This then allows for the placement of a centering securement nut 150 that is threaded over this extending portion of the threaded rod 72. The centering securement nut 150 also contains a shoulder that, when installed, fills the gap between the threaded rod 72 and the center anchor member's 134 center attachment hole 148.
The pivotal nature of the attachment of the bearing 88 within the outer bearing ring 140 is accomplished by a plurality of pivotal attachment bolts 142. The pivotal attachment bolts 142 pass through the outer bearing ring 140 and into the outer bearing body 90 in a manner that allows pivotal motion of the outer bearing body 90 around the axis created by the pivotal attachment bolts 142. This manner of construction allows for the altering of the angle of operation of the screed roller member 12 with relation to the center anchor member 134, providing a means by which an angled pour of the concrete can be accomplished in much the same manner as the articulation member 80.
A still further attachment for the powered rotational screed apparatus 10, referred to herein as an existing slab drop-down member 152, is illustrated in
The existing slab drop-down member 152 is employed by attaching it to the non-powered end of a screed roller member 12. This attachment is accomplished in much the same manner as described above for other components of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 in that it contains an isolation bearing 88 and an outer bearing body 90. Additionally, the bearing 88 and outer bearing body 90 are isolated from the screed roller member 12 by the use of an isolation ring 92. Finally, the bearing 88 and outer bearing body 90 are attached to the existing slab drop-down member 152 by the use of a plurality of large bolts 124 that pass through the isolation ring 92 and the inner bearing spacer 158 and into the existing slab drop-down body 153. This allows for the attachment of a pull rope 22 on the non-powered end of the screed roller member 12 that provides a means of controlling this end of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10.
The existing slab drop-down member 152 has an extending drop-down body 153 that has an outside diameter that is smaller than that of the screed roller member 12. The drop-down body 153 allows the outer surface of the screed roller member 12 to operate at a level that is lower than the existing slab 154, thereby providing a means for finishing a concrete slab that is lower than the existing slab 154. Thus, the use of the existing slab drop-down member 152 in conjunction with the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 creates the desired relationship between the two adjacent concrete slabs.
A yet further attachment for the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 is a footing member 164, illustrated in
The footing member 164 is equipped with a ring spacer 166. The ring spacer 166 is a circular plate that is inserted between the footing member body 165 and the footing member spacer 163 in a location so that it effectively raises the screed roller member 12 up off of the footing 160. Additionally, the footing member spacer 163, the ring spacer 166, and the footing member body 165 are held together by the use of a plurality of large bolts 124. This design allows for the simplified pouring of such a concrete slab up to the wall 162 and over the footing 160 to properly construct a basement floor.
Still another attachment for the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 is a vibration compacting member 167 which is illustrated in
In its use with the powered rotational screed apparatus 10, the stinger's 174 vibration drive motor 168 is attached to the drive assembly 20. The vibration drive motor 168 has a flexible drive rod 170 that extends from it down to the stinger body 172 positioned at the drive end of the screed roller member 12 between the drive plate assembly 52 and the tube body 50.
The attachment of the vibration compacting member 167 to the screed roller member 12 is accomplished by the use of a stinger bearing assembly 178 in a similar manner as described above for the other attachments of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10. The stinger bearing assembly's 178 primary component is the stinger body 172, which is in turn made up of a stinger tube 173 and a stinger ring 176. The stinger body 172 serves to contain the stinger 174 and transfer its vibrational motion to the stinger ring 176. The stinger ring 176 is in turn attached to the stinger bearing assembly 178, and this component transfers the vibration of the stinger 174 to the screed roller member 12. This design serves to impart a vibrational aspect to the motion of the screed roller member 12 during the finishing operation. This vibration has been found to enhance the compacting of the unfinished concrete 16 as it operates to drive off unwanted the air pockets that may be inherent in concrete pours.
The positioning of the bearing 88 within the stinger bearing assembly 178 is accomplished by the use of outer and inner housings, 180 and 182. As previously stated, the stinger bearing assembly 178 is positioned between the drive plate assembly 52 and the screed roller member 12. The inner housing 182 contains a female recess 68 and a male shoulder 70 enabling it to lock into these components. Additionally, the inner housing 182 is secured to the female attachment plug 46 of the screed roller member 12 by a plurality of large bolts 124. Finally, the inner housing 182 is constructed to have a bearing housing 184 centrally located on its outer surface. The bearing housing 184 provides a mechanism that allows the bearing 88 to be fitted within it.
The outer housing 180 provides the means for the securement of the stinger ring 176 and all of the other components attached to it. This is accomplished by the inner housing 182 being constructed of two halves that sandwich the stinger ring 176 and outer portion of the bearing 88. This sandwich is then held together by passing a plurality of bolts 54 through the assembled components. Additionally, when the outer housing 180 is properly positioned within the stinger bearing assembly 178, there is a remaining rotation gap 188 left between it and the drive plate assembly 52 and the screed roller member 12. The rotational gap 188 allows the stinger ring 176 and its related components and the bearing 88 to remain stationary while the drive plate assembly 52 and screed roller members 12 rotate. Finally, there is also a housing gap 186 left between the outer and inner housings, 180 and 182, for the same rotational purpose.
The screed roller 212 may be defined by a single screed roller section, or by interconnecting multiple screed roller sections together in any appropriate manner (e.g., in accordance with the screed roller member 12 discussed above). Although multiple screed roller sections may be interconnected in the above-noted manner to define the screed roller 212 (e.g., by each screed roller section have a threaded male end and a threaded female end), multiple screed roller sections could be interconnected in any appropriate manner to define the screed roller 212. Generally, the screed roller 212 may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type to provide a roller screeding function.
A handle assembly 192 may be attached generally adjacent to the other end of the screed roller 212. The handle assembly 192 (described in detail with reference to
Turning now to
A first handle 226 and a second handle 238 may be attached to the first frame member 228a. Such a configuration is also shown in
The handle assembly 192 may be configured to include an optional wheel support 222 and an optional wheel 224 that is interconnected with the frame 228 at any appropriate location (e.g., second frame member 228b) in any appropriate manner (e.g., detachably; by the wheel support 222 being fixed to the desired location of the frame 228, such as by welding or the like). The second frame member 228b may also include a third handle 232 spaced from the wheel 224. The handle 232 and screed roller 212 are disposed on opposite sides of the screed roller 212 in the view shown in
The end of the screed roller 212 attached to the drive assembly 220 is configured and supported in the same manner as in the first pass in the
An operator controlling the end of the screed roller 212 with the handle assembly 192′ may be able to move the end of the screed roller 212 forward or backward (relative to the path of the powered rotational screed apparatus 210′) by pushing or pulling on the third handle 232. The operator may also be able to raise or lower the end of the screed roller 212 by pushing down or lifting, respectively, the third handle 232 and using the wheel 224 as a fulcrum. The operator may use the sight guide 190 to determine the proper height of the screed roller 212. For example, the operator may maintain the sight guide 190 at a level at least substantially coinciding with the top surface of the first section of screeded concrete 196. More specifically, the operator may be able to maintain the bottom surface of the sight guide 190 at least generally coplanar or parallel with and in contact with the underlying wet concrete of the first section of screeded concrete 196. This position may be maintained by manipulating the third handle 232 as described. In one embodiment, at least part of the bottom surface of the sight guide 190 remains in contact with screeded wet concrete during screeding operations, and in the noted orientation.
The sight guide 190 may also be operable to partially float atop of the previously screeded wet concrete of the first section of screeded concrete 196. The operator may maintain the position of the sight guide 190 such that the screed roller 212 may be at least partially supported by the sight guide 190 floating atop the first section of screeded wet concrete 196. The area of the sight guide 190 that is in contact with screeded wet concrete may be selected such that the pressure per square inch imparted on the previously screeded wet concrete when the screed roller 212 is at least partially supported by the sight guide 190 is low enough so that the sight guide 190 leaves little or no substantial marks on the previously screeded wet concrete. For example, it has been found that a sight guide 190 with a contact area of at least 200 square inches may produce acceptable results. Any marks left by the sight guide 190 moving along screeded wet concrete may be addressed by one or more subsequent operations, such as by using a bull float or the like.
The sight guide 190 may be made from a variety of materials. For example, the sight guide 190 may be made of aluminum. Aluminum may be beneficial due to its strength to weight ratio and the ease with which it may be formed into the desired shape. The sight guide 190 of
The end of the screed roller 212 attached to the drive assembly 220 rides on the form 14 during the third pass in
During wet screeding in accordance with
As will be appreciated, by varying the length of the screed roller 212 (e.g., by installing a different screed roller, by adding/subtracting one or more screed roller sections) and the number of passes, any width concrete slab may be poured and screeded using the methods and apparatuses illustrated in
The interconnection between the screed roller 212, the sight guide 190 and the handle assembly 192 will now be described with reference to the embodiment of
An attachment bracket 202 is attached in any appropriate manner (e.g., welded) to the outer bearing body 90. The handle assembly 192 is connected to the attachment bracket 202. In this regard, the handle assembly 192 is interconnected at least generally adjacent to an end of the screed roller 212 and the screed roller 212 is free to rotate relative to the handle assembly 192. In the embodiment illustrated in
An inner pillow block bearing spacer 208 is located adjacent to the inner bearing spacer 200 along the threaded rod 72. The inner pillow block bearing spacer 208 supports bearing 88″ disposed within a pillow block 214. In this regard, the inner pillow block bearing spacer 208 (and the screed roller 212 to which it is attached) is free to rotate relative to the pillow block 214. The pillow block 214 is interconnected to the sight guide 190 such that the lower surface of the sight guide 190 at least generally coincides with the lower surface of the screed roller 212 (e.g., such that they are disposed within common plane). Accordingly, the sight guide 190 is interconnected at least generally adjacent to an end of the screed roller 212. The pillow block 214 may be attached to the sight guide 190 in any appropriate manner, such as welding or bolting.
A nut 216 may be interconnected to the threaded rod 72 to secure the sight guide 190 to the screed roller 212. This may be accomplished by securely tightening the nut 216 to the threaded rod 72, thereby capturing the inner bearing spacer 200 and the inner pillow block bearing spacer 208 on the threaded rod 72. An attachment pin, similar to attachment pin 56 used to secure the threaded rod 72 to the male attachment plug 48, or a transverse bolt may be used to secure the nut 216 to the threaded rod 72.
Returning to
In known roller screed systems, a tether, such as a rope or other flexible elongate member, is typically used to pull the non-driven end of a powered rotational screed apparatus. Indeed, a rope may be substituted for the handle assembly 192 when controlling the non-driven end of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 of
A power source in the form of an electric motor 310 is supported relative to the frame 306 in any appropriate manner. The electric motor 310 may be of any appropriate size for a screeding application. The output of the electric motor 310 provides/defines an input for a gearbox 312. An output of the gearbox 312 is in the form of a rotatable shaft 314. The gearbox 312 may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type. The gearbox 312 may also provide any appropriate gear reduction.
What may be characterized as a first drive output 316 is rotated by the output shaft 314 from the gearbox 312, and this first drive output 316 may be detachably interconnected with a screed roller (e.g., screed roller member 12; screed roller 212) in any appropriate manner. A second drive output 318 is also rotated by the output shaft 314 from the gearbox 312, and this second drive output 318 may be detachably interconnected with a screed roller (e.g., screed roller member 12; screed roller 212) in any appropriate manner. Each of the first drive output 316 and the second drive output 318 may be in the form of a drive socket or coupling for providing a desired interface with a screed roller so as to be able to rotate the same.
The dual-drive power unit 300 may also include a back plate 308 and a front plate or shield (not shown). The back plate 308 may be attached to the frame 306 in any appropriate manner, and furthermore may be used to structurally support the electric motor 310. The back plate 308, along with the noted front plate (which may be attached to the frame 306 and/or back plate 308 in any appropriate manner, including detachably or fixedly), may at least partially enclose the electric motor 310 to offer at least some degree of protection for the same during handling/use of the power unit 300.
The first drive output 316 and the second drive output 318 rotate at a common speed and in a common direction. The first drive output 316 and the second drive output 318 may be characterized as being disposed in opposing relation or on opposite sides of the dual-drive power unit 300. As will be discussed in more detail below in relation to
A power source in the form of an engine 340 (e.g., gasoline; internal combustion) is supported from the gearbox housing 350 in any appropriate manner. The engine 340 may be of any appropriate size for a screeding application. The output of the engine 340 provides/defines an input for a gearbox 342 that is located within the gearbox housing 350. The gearbox 342 may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type (e.g., one or more gears, one or more sprocket/chain drives, or both; a planetary gear system). The gearbox 342 may also provide any appropriate gear reduction. In one embodiment, the engine 340 provides an output of about 6,000 RPM, while the output of the gearbox 342 is within a range of about 250 RPM to about 300 RPM (e.g., the gearbox 342 may provide a gear reduction within a range of about 24:1 to about 20:1 in this example).
What may be characterized as a first drive output 346 from the gearbox 342 may be detachably interconnected with a screed roller (e.g., screed roller member 12; screed roller 212) in any appropriate manner. A second drive output 348 from the gearbox 342 may be detachably interconnected with a screed roller (e.g., screed roller member 12; screed roller 212) in any appropriate manner. Each of the first drive output 346 and the second drive output 348 may be in the faun of a drive socket or coupling for providing a desired interface with a screed roller so as to be able to rotate the same.
The first drive output 346 and the second drive output 348 rotate at a common speed and in a common direction. The first drive output 346 and the second drive output 348 may be characterized as being disposed in opposing relation or on opposite sides of the dual-drive power unit 330. As will be discussed in more detail below in relation to
The powered roller screed 366 includes a screed roller 368 and a power unit 370. The screed roller 368 may be in the form of a single tube or the like, or may be defined by a plurality of screed roller sections that are detachably interconnected in end-to-end relation (e.g., screed roller member 12; screed roller 212). In any case, the screed roller 368 typically “rides” along the upper extreme of the forms 362 (e.g., the screed roller 368 may be supported by the forms 362).
The power unit 370 may be in accordance with the power unit 300 of
Referring first to the powered roller screed 3661 presented in
Referring now to the powered roller screed 3662 presented in
The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in such or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s). It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
This patent application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/360,902, that is entitled “ROLLER SCREED WITH DUAL-DRIVE POWER UNIT,” and that was filed on Jan. 28, 2009. This patent application further claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/024,890, that is entitled “ROLLER SCREED WITH DUAL-DRIVE POWER UNIT,” and that was filed on Jan. 30, 2008. The entire disclosure of each of the above-noted patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2048071 | Jacobson | Jul 1936 | A |
| 3605577 | Bick | Sep 1971 | A |
| 3801211 | Perkins | Apr 1974 | A |
| 4142815 | Mitchell | Mar 1979 | A |
| 4614486 | Bragagnini | Sep 1986 | A |
| 4702640 | Allen | Oct 1987 | A |
| 5664908 | Paladeni | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5803656 | Turck | Sep 1998 | A |
| 6402425 | Paladeni | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6474906 | Cunningham et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120045282 A1 | Feb 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61024890 | Jan 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12360902 | Jan 2009 | US |
| Child | 13033373 | US |
