U.S. patent application number 10/912796 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-17 for vibratory concrete float.
Invention is credited to Marshall, John.
Application Number | 20050036837 10/912796 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34138816 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050036837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marshall, John |
February 17, 2005 |
Vibratory concrete float
Abstract
The invention is a vibratory concrete float including a body and
a vibrator operatively connected to the body, whereby the vibrator
provides vibratory forces to the body. The float also includes a
removable handle secured to the body with an integrated power
source that electrically engages the vibrator when the handle is
secured to the body and disengages the vibrator when the handle is
removed from the body.
Inventors: |
Marshall, John; (St. Louis,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSTER, LIEDER, WOODRUFF & LUCCHESI
12412 POWERSCOURT DRIVE SUITE 200
ST. LOUIS
MO
63131-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
34138816 |
Appl. No.: |
10/912796 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60494200 |
Aug 12, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
404/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25F 5/00 20130101; E04F
21/242 20130101; E04F 21/161 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/114 |
International
Class: |
E01C 019/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vibratory concrete float, comprising: a body; a handle secured
to the body; a vibrator operatively connected to the body and
electrically connected to the power source; and a power source for
the vibrator, whereby the vibrator provides vibratory forces to the
body.
2. A vibratory concrete float of claim 1, further comprising: a
housing attached to the body and enclosing the vibrator.
3. A vibratory concrete float of claim 2, wherein the housing
including electrical contacts electrically connected to the
vibrator; and wherein the handle is removable from the body and
includes electrical contacts electrically connected to the power
source that engage the electrical contacts of the housing when the
handle is secured to the body and disengage the electrical contacts
of the housing when the handle is removed from the body.
4. A vibratory concrete float of claim 2, wherein the vibrator is
an electric motor having a rotary output shaft, an eccentric mass
affixed to the shaft such that upon operation of the motor, the
eccentric mass transmits vibratory forces to the body.
5. A vibratory concrete float of claim 3, further comprising: a
switch electrically connected to the vibrator motor that toggles
the vibrator motor on and off.
6. A vibratory concrete float of claim 3, wherein the power source
is integrated with the handle.
7. A vibratory concrete float of claim 3, wherein the power source
is a rechargeable battery.
8. A vibratory concrete float of claim 3, wherein the power source
is an electrical cord and plug for use with an electrical
outlet.
9. A vibratory concrete float of claim 4, wherein the vibrator
motor operates at multiple speeds.
10. A vibratory concrete float of claim 9, further comprising a
multiple position switch for operation of the vibrator motor at
different speeds.
11. A vibratory concrete float, comprising: a body; a vibrator
operatively connected to the body, whereby the vibrator provides
vibratory forces to the body; and a handle secured to the body with
an integrated power source housed therein for supplying power to
that the vibrator.
12. A vibratory concrete float of claim 11, further comprising: a
switch electrically connected to the vibrator which turns the
vibrator on and off.
13. A vibratory concrete float of claim 11, wherein the power
source is a rechargeable battery.
14. A vibratory concrete float of claim 11, wherein the power
source is an electrical cord and plug for use with an electrical
outlet.
15. A vibratory concrete float of claim 11, wherein the vibrator
operates at multiple speeds.
16. A vibratory concrete float of claim 15, further comprising a
multiple position switch for operating the vibrator between
different speeds.
17. A vibratory concrete float of claim 11, wherein the vibrator is
an electric motor having a rotary output shaft, an eccentric mass
affixed to the shaft such that upon operation of the motor, the
eccentric mass transmits vibratory forces to the body.
18. A vibratory concrete float, comprising: a body; a vibrator
operatively connected to the body, whereby the vibrator provides
vibratory forces to the body; and a removable handle secured to the
body with an integrated power source that electrically engages the
vibrator when the handle is secured to the body and disengages the
vibrator when the handle is removed from the body.
19. A vibratory concrete float of claim 18, further comprising: a
switch electrically connected to the vibrator which turns the
vibrator motor on and off.
20. A vibratory concrete float of claim 18, wherein the power
source is a rechargeable battery.
21. A vibratory concrete float of claim 18, wherein the power
source is an electrical cord and plug for use with an electrical
outlet.
22. A vibratory concrete float of claim 18, wherein the vibrator
operates at multiple speeds.
23. A vibratory concrete float of claim 22, further comprising a
switch that toggles the vibrator between different speeds.
24. A vibratory concrete float of claim 17, wherein the vibrator is
an electric motor having a rotary output shaft having an eccentric
mass affixed to the shaft and being rotatable therewith.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/494,200 filed Aug. 12, 2003 from which priority
is claimed.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Concrete float devices for "floating" or "troweling" wet
concrete are well known in the prior art. "Floating" is the first
step in the finishing of concrete and is typically done immediately
after screeding. Floating smoothes the surface of freshly poured
concrete by depressing large aggregates and knocking down small
ridges. For a small concrete pour, hand float devices are used to
smooth the concrete surface. Generally, a hand float is a
rectangular plate, typically made of wood, secured to a handle. For
a larger concrete pour, bull float devices are used to smooth the
concrete surface. Generally, a bull float is a large rectangular
plate, typically made of magnesium, aluminum, steel or wood,
secured to a long handle, typically 4 feet to 16 feet long. To use
a hand float or bull float, the operator pushes and pulls the plate
back and forth across the concrete surface covering the coarser
materials in the concrete and bringing a rich mixture of fine
cement paste to the surface, sometimes referred to as "closing up"
the concrete.
[0004] While the bull float is helpful in floating larger areas of
concrete, it cannot effectively reach all the areas of the concrete
surface, especially the peripheral edges of the concrete surface
adjacent the forms, or where objects protrude upwardly from the
concrete, such as pipes, building walls and the like. As a result,
it is necessary to use a smaller hand float to close up these
areas. Unfortunately, closing up these areas with a hand float
requires passing the hand float back and forth over each area
several times, substantially increasing the finishing time. Thus,
closing up the edges with a hand float is both cumbersome and
time-consuming.
[0005] Therefore, a hand float that can efficiently close up
concrete without several passes, thereby, substantially decreasing
the finishing time is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly stated, the invention is a vibratory concrete float
including a body and a vibrator operatively connected to the body,
whereby the vibrator provides vibratory forces to the body. The
float also includes a removable handle secured to the body with an
integrated power source that electrically engages the vibrator when
the handle is secured to the body and disengages the vibrator when
the handle is removed from the body.
[0007] The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the
invention as well as embodiments thereof will become more apparent
from the reading of the following description in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the accompanying drawings which form part of the
specification:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vibratory
concrete float;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial section view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
along A-A;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a charging unit and a
handle;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
vibratory concrete float.
[0013] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The following detailed description illustrates the invention
by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description
clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the
invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations,
alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is
presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the
invention.
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, an embodiment of the present
invention, generally referred to as a vibratory concrete float 1,
includes a body 3 secured to a removable handle 5 and a vibrator
motor 7.
[0016] The body 3 is a generally rectangular plate having a bottom
surface 9, a top surface 11, and a peripheral edge 13. In one
embodiment, the body or plate 3 is preferably made of magnesium,
but other materials such as aluminum, steel, plastic, or even wood
may be used. For example, a magnesium plate 3 about 3 inches wide
and about 16 inches long having a thickness of about 3/8 inch has
worked well. A raised strip 15 for seating the handle 5 is located
along the centerline A-A of the body top surface 11. A generally
rectangular shaped housing 17 is secured to a distal end of the
body 3 to house the vibratory motor 7. The housing 17 includes a
top face having an on/off switch 21 for controlling the vibratory
motor 7 and a center face having electrical contacts 25 for
electrically coupling with the handle 5. The housing 17 is
preferably made from a rigid nonconductive material, such as
plastic or fiberglass. However, other materials may also be used,
such as wood, aluminum, or magnesium.
[0017] The vibrator motor 7 is an electric motor having an
eccentric mass 8 attached to a rotary output shaft 10 of the motor.
The vibrator motor 7 is operatively connected (preferably rigidly
mounted) to the body 3 within the housing 17 using a mounting
bracket 22 so that during operation the vibratory forces caused by
the rotating eccentric mass 8 are transmitted to the body 3.
Locating the motor 7 within the housing 17 provides the motor 7 and
rotating eccentric mass 8 with protection from moisture and other
harmful elements, as well as protecting the operator from injury
because of the rotating motor 7 during operation. Preferably, motor
7 is a multi-speed motor having a high and slow speed of operation.
The vibrator motor 7 is electrically connected to the switch 19 to
turn the motor 7 on and off and to adjust the motor speed. The
motor 7 is also electrically connected to the electrical contacts
21 to receive power from a power source, which will be described
below. As noted, the vibrator motor 7 is operable at multiple
speeds to allow the operator to adjust the vibrations for different
applications, such as different types of concrete or materials. The
switch 19 allows the operator to select the desired vibration speed
for the application. For use in floating concrete, the motor 7
should operate between speeds of 1800 and about 3600 rpm. However,
those skilled in the art will recognize that the speed of the motor
will depend on a number of factors, such as the weight of the
eccentric mass, the mass of the float and handle together with any
battery carried on the float. One example that has been found to
operate well is a float, such as described herein, where the motor
rotates at a low speed of about 1800 rpm and at a high speed of
about 3600 rpm where the eccentric mass weights about 1/2 ounce
(about 225 grams). While the vibratory motor 7 in FIGS. 1-2 is
preferably an electric motor with an eccentric mass 8, other
suitable vibration means, such as magnetic resonance vibrators or
air powered vibrators as are well known to those skilled in the
art, may be used.
[0018] The removable handle 5 is U-shaped with each end terminating
in a mounting block 23. A bottom face of each mounting block 23
includes a groove 29 for aligning and seating the handle 5 onto the
raised strip 15 on the body 3. A power source 25 is integrated
within the handle 5 and electrically connected to electrical
contacts 27 mounted to a front face of one of the mounting blocks
23 for coupling with the electrical contacts 21 of the housing 17.
In the present embodiment, the power source 25 is rechargeable
battery. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that
other types of power sources may be used, including
non-rechargeable batteries, or a power cord connected to a 120-volt
power source.
[0019] To attach the handle 5 to the body 3, the handle 5 is placed
onto the top surface of the body so that the grooves 27 seat onto
the raised strip 15 and the electrical contacts 29 of the handle 5
engage the electrical contacts 21 of the body 3, thereby providing
a power source to the motor 7. Screws 31 are inserted through holes
in the mounting blocks 23 and secured to threaded holes in the body
to secure the handle 5 to the body 3. To detach the handle, simply
remove the screws 31 and remove the handle, thereby, disengaging
the electrical contacts 21 and 29. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that other methods of securing the handle to the body may
be used, such as quick locking tabs, bayonet locks, or snap locks
that are conventionally used in securing rechargeable battery packs
to hand tools, such as drills and the like.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, after the handle 5 is removed from the
body 3, it can be inserted into a charging unit 33 to charge the
power source 25. With the charging unit 33 plugged into a standard
120V outlet, power is transferred through electrical contacts 35 in
the charging unit 33 through the electrical contacts 27 in the
handle 5 and to the power source 25 until the battery is completely
charged. After charging, the handle 5 is reattached to the body 3
for use. In this way, the power source 25 can be recharged many
times. When the useful life of the power source 25 is exhausted,
the handle 5 with power source 25 can be discarded and replaced
with a new handle 5 with power source 25.
[0021] It should be noted that removable handles with different
power sources can also be attached to the body 3. In FIG. 4, an
alternate embodiment of the float 1 shows a handle 5 with an
electrical plug as the power source 25. In yet another embodiment,
the power source is integrated with the housing rather than the
handle (not shown).
[0022] In operation, pouring and finishing concrete involves
multiple steps. Before pouring concrete, one must first set the
forms for holding the concrete and properly align them. Normally,
concrete is poured directly from the chute of the ready mix truck,
wheeled into place with a buggy, or pumped into place with a
concrete boom pump.
[0023] Concrete is poured into the forms and spread evenly to place
concrete as close as possible to finish level. If necessary,
tamping should be done, which is usually required with low slump
concrete. A straightedge or screed is guided back and forth across
the top of the forms to "screed," or level, the freshly placed
concrete. Immediately after "screeding" the concrete, the concrete
surface is smoothed or "floated" with a bull float and/or the
vibratory concrete float 1 of the present invention. This step in
the finishing operation is the most important in producing a true
plane surface and takes place immediately after the spreading of
the concrete. It must be completed before excess bleedwater appears
on the surface. The purpose of "floating" the concrete is to level
ridges and fill voids left by the screeding operation. It should
also slightly embed the coarse aggregate to make subsequent
finishing operations easier. This is often referred to as "closing
up" the concrete.
[0024] To operate the vibratory concrete float 1, the operator
turns the float 1 on by selecting the appropriate vibration speed
using the switch 19. As a result, the vibrator motor 7 starts
rotating the eccentric mass 8 and as a consequence, transferring
vibratory forces to the body 3. The operator guides the vibrating
float 1 over the concrete surface to "close up" the concrete. With
the benefit of vibratory forces, the float 1 should "close up" the
concrete in one pass over the concrete surface thereby,
substantially decreasing the finishing time.
[0025] After the concrete has been "screeded" and "floated", an
edger may be used to produce an aesthetic edge, typically on
patios, curbs, sidewalks, and driveways. The edger is pressed
between the forms and the concrete and guided along the concrete
edge and the concrete surface. This produces slightly rounded edges
and helps prevent chipping or cracking. If necessary, a "groover"
is used to make joints or grooves at specific intervals that help
control cracking, referred to as "jointing".
[0026] Changes can be made in the above constructions without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *