Patent Application
20240240412
The present invention relates to tampers used to emboss decorative surface patterns on concrete structures and, more particularly, to a spring loaded decorative concrete tamper.
A well-established industry exists around the imparting of decorative patterns to the surface of newly formed concrete structures such as patios, swimming pool decks, walkways, driveways, walls, and the like. While some of this impartation can be done using machines, much of the embossing is necessarily done manually. When done manually, the embossment is usually done by a worker using a hand-held tamper. The tamper may include a pattern embossing die with which the worker can directly emboss the surface by stamping the surface with the tamper. Alternatively, the embossing can be done by laying a sheet-like pattern die on a wet concrete surface, whereupon the worker tamps the back of the die to emboss the die's pattern into the surface. In either case, a worker will generally need to forcefully strike a large area of wet concrete surface with the tamper for extended lengths of time to properly apply the decorative pattern.
The tamper used for the manual embossment conventionally comprises a rib-braced base plate with an integrated rigid neck and an elongated handle securely fastened to the base plate via the rigid neck. The materials used for such tampers are typically rigid materials, such as steel, wood, or hard plastics. These rigid materials allow the tamper to emboss the desired concrete surface when force is applied by the worker. However, the use of rigid materials often makes tampers difficult and uncomfortable to use for extended periods. When a worker strikes the concrete surface with the tamper, much of the striking force rebounds from the concrete surface through the tamper and into the upper body of the worker. This rebounding force results in increased exertion and strain for the worker. The increased exertion and strain quickly fatigue workers, slow down work, and increase costs.
As can be seen, there is a need for a hand-held tamper that reduces or eliminates the strain and fatigue that results when workers use conventional rigid tampers. The inventive ergonomic concrete tamper absorbs tremors produced during the striking impact of tamping to be absorbed by spring action within the handle, preventing the tremors from inflicting blunt force transmission to the worker.
In one aspect of the present invention, a tamper tool for embossing patterns into a pliable surface includes a spring-loaded shaft configured so that compression force resulting from embossing patterns into the pliable surface, directed or translated in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the spring-loaded shaft, is absorbed by a spring assembly.
In another aspect of the present invention, the tamper tool further provides the following: a tamper base operatively associated with the spring assembly, wherein the tamper base is configured to emboss patterns into the pliable surface; and the spring assembly is movable between an expanded unloaded condition and a compressed loaded condition urged by embossing patterns into the pliable surface by way of the tamper base; further providing a stem shaft extending from the tamper base, wherein the spring-loaded shaft has a hollow portion housing the spring assembly and slidably receiving the stem shaft so that is directly contacts a distal end of the spring assembly; further providing a plug fixed to the spring-loaded shaft at a first connection point so that the plug directly contacts a proximal end of the spring assembly; further providing a slotted hole in the stem shaft; and a fastener assembly operatively associating the slotted hole and the spring-loaded shaft, at a second connection point thereof, so that the fastener assembly rides along the slotted hole as the stem shaft moves between an unloaded position and a loaded position upon urging the tamper base against the pliable surface, wherein the first connection point is adjacent a proximal end of the spring assembly, and wherein the second connection point is adjacent the distal end of the spring assembly; further providing a tamper flange interconnecting the stem shaft and the tamper base; further providing a clevis pin and clevis pin retainer securing the tamper flange to the tamper base, wherein the tamper tool is dimensioned and shaped to be hand-held.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a spring-loaded tamper tool having a shaft with a sleeved grip handle mounted to the shaft at a first end and a rigid plate mounted to the shaft at a second end. A plug is securely fastened via a nut and bolt assembly inside the shaft. Further, a slotted shaft is slidably coupled inside of and to the shaft via a nut and bolt assembly, with a first end resting within the shaft and a second end resting outside of the shaft. The plug and slotted shaft are engaged and biased in opposite directions within the shaft by first and second ends of a spring assembly, respectively. The slotted shaft is inserted into and secured in a recessed opening of a neck portion of a tamper head shell via a pin and clasp assembly, with the tamper head shell containing the rigid plate.
When in use, the present invention allows for a worker to minimize the exertion and strain produced from striking a decorative embossment die onto a wet concrete surface. Upon striking the pavement the plug, slotted shaft, and spring assembly allow for the shaft to move relative to the rigid plate/tamper base. The shaft slides along the coupling with the slotted shaft and any rebounding force is absorbed by the spring assembly, thereby minimizing, or eliminating the rebounding force felt by the worker. The worker is thus able to continue tamping and embossing decorative patterns onto concrete surfaces faster and for longer periods of time than otherwise possible.
The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. For example, the shafts and the plug may be manufactured of fiberglass, light strong metals, or plastics. A variety of elastic materials may be used to manufacture the tamper head shell. For example, the tamper shell may be polyurethane. The tamper shell may be formed around any suitable rigid material, such as a steel plate, with sufficient weight to enhance force applied by the worker.
Referring now to
The movable shaft 10 preferably comprises fiberglass, but may comprise other similarly light, strong, and rigid materials, such as metals and plastics. The movable shaft 10 is at least partially hollow and may include at least two shaft holes 12 or other structure to facilitate connection points withing the hollow portion of the movable shaft 10.
Within the hollow portion of the movable shaft 10, a plug 22, spring assembly 26, and the slotted shaft 16 engage and cooperate with one another. The plug 22 may include at least one plug hole 24 that cooperates with at least one shaft hole 12 and a first fastener assembly 44 to securely fasten the plug 22 to the movable shaft 10 above the spring assembly 26. A fastener assembly may include at least one nut and bolt. The spring assembly 26 maybe any device that can store energy when compressed, where the energy is derived from tamping a plaiable concrete surface.
The slotted shaft 16 includes a slotted hole 18 in a first section of the slotted shaft 16. The slotted hole 18 cooperates with at least one shaft hole 12 and second fastener assembly 42 to slidably couple the slotted shaft 16 and the movable shaft 10 at a connection point below the spring assembly 26. Thereby, the slotted shaft 16 is movable between an expanded, unloaded position (
The plug 22 and slotted shaft 16 preferably comprise fiberglass, but may comprise other similarly light, strong, and rigid materials, such as metals and plastics. The slotted shaft 16 is coupled to the movable shaft 10 such that at least one portion of the first section of the slotted shaft 16 is fully enveloped by the shaft movable shaft 10 and at least one portion of a second section of the slotted shaft 5 protrudes or projects beyond and outside of the movable shaft 10.
The tamper base 32 is mounted to the movable shaft 10 via the coupling of a tamper head shell or flange 34 and the slotted shaft 16. The tamper base 32 may be embedded within the tamper head shell 34. The tamper base 32 may include a rigid plate 40 housed therein, wherein the rigid plate 40 comprises a metal, such as steel, and the tamper head shell 34 is preferably made from polyurethane but may be made from any suitably firm elastic materials, such as rubber.
The tamper head shell 34 further comprises a neck portion with a recessed opening 36 and a shell hole 38 that passes perpendicularly through the recessed opening 36. A first portion of the second section of the slotted shaft 16 may be slidably received in the recessed opening 36. The slotted shaft 16 further comprises a second shaft hole within the second section of the slotted shaft 16. The second shaft hole cooperates with the shell hole 38 and a clevis pin 28 to fasten the slotted shaft 16 to the tamper head shell 34. A clasp or clevis pin retainer 30 is fastened over an end of the clevis pin 28.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/480,057, filed 16 Jan. 2023, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63480057 | Jan 2023 | US |
