U.S. patent application number 11/475986 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-28 for leveling blade, vibrating screed including the blade, and kit for assembling the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to PIRANDELLO INDUSTRIES LTD.. Invention is credited to Michele Argento, Settimio Argento.
Application Number | 20060291958 11/475986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37561725 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060291958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Argento; Michele ; et
al. |
December 28, 2006 |
Leveling blade, vibrating screed including the blade, and kit for
assembling the same
Abstract
A leveling blade for mounting onto a support bracket of a
vibrating screed, and a vibrating screed including the same. The
leveling blade has a substantially vertical portion for mounting
onto the support bracket, as well as a substantially slanted
portion and a substantially horizontal portion, which results in
the leveling blade having a particular profile. The vibrating
screed includes also a vibration-generating assembly, being
operatively mounted onto the support bracket of the vibrating
screed for imparting vibrations to the leveling blade via the
support bracket so as to enable to carry out a surfacing of a
substantially malleable material with the vibrating screed by
passing said leveling blade provided with vibrations about said
substantially malleable material. A kit is also provided for
assembling such a vibrating screed.
Inventors: |
Argento; Michele; (Montreal,
CA) ; Argento; Settimio; (Montreal, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBIC
CENTRE CDP CAPITAL
1001, VICTORIA SQUARE - BLOC E - 8TH FLOOR
MONTREAL
QC
H2Z 2B7
CA
|
Assignee: |
PIRANDELLO INDUSTRIES LTD.
|
Family ID: |
37561725 |
Appl. No.: |
11/475986 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60694262 |
Jun 28, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 19/402 20130101;
E04F 21/242 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/118 |
International
Class: |
E01C 19/22 20060101
E01C019/22 |
Claims
1. A leveling blade for mounting onto a support bracket of a
vibrating screed, the leveling blade comprising: a substantially
vertical portion for removably mounting onto the support bracket of
the vibrating screed, said substantially vertical portion having
front and rear sides, and first and second ends; a substantially
slanted portion extending rearwardly from the second end of the
substantially vertical portion, said substantially slanted portion
having inner and outer sides, and first and second ends; and a
substantially horizontal portion extending frontwardly from the
second end of the substantially slanted portion, said substantially
horizontal portion having top and bottom sides, and first and
second ends.
2. A leveling blade according to claim 1, wherein the outer side of
the substantially slanted portion is at an angle of about 160
degrees with respect to the rear side of the substantially vertical
portion.
3. A leveling blade according to claim 2, wherein the ratio between
the length of the rear side of the substantially vertical portion
and the length of the bottom side of the substantially horizontal
portion is about 0.4, wherein the ratio between the length of the
rear side of the substantially vertical portion and the length of
the substantially slanted portion is about 1.26, and wherein the
top side of the substantially horizontal portion tapers off
frontwardly with respect to the bottom side thereof at an angle of
about 2 degrees.
4. A leveling blade according to claim 3, wherein transitions
between adjacent portions of the leveling blade and the second end
of the substantially horizontal portion thereof are substantially
rounded off.
5. A vibrating screed for leveling a surface of a substantially
malleable material, the vibrating screed comprising: a support
bracket; a leveling blade mounted on the support bracket; and a
vibration-generating assembly, the vibration-generating assembly
being operatively mounted onto the support bracket for imparting
vibrations to the leveling blade via the support bracket.
6. A vibrating screed according to claim 5, wherein the vibrating
screed comprises a handling assembly, operatively connected to the
support bracket via at least one vibration-damping joint, for
handling the vibrating screed.
7. A vibrating screed according to claim 6, wherein the handling
assembly comprises a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having an
end being operatively connected to the support bracket via at least
one vibration-damping joint, the ends of the handle bars being each
connected to a corresponding connecting plate, each connecting
plate being operatively connected to the support bracket via at
least one vibration-damping joint.
8. A vibrating screed according to claim 7, wherein each
vibration-damping joint comprises a sleeve made of an elastomeric
material, and having an inner bore, each vibration-damping joint
being connected between a given connecting plate and the support
bracket via at least one corresponding fastener inserted into said
inner bore and having an extremity in abutment with an outer
portion of either one of the given connecting plate and support
bracket.
9. A vibrating screed according to claim 7, wherein each handle bar
comprises first and second sections operatively connected to one
another, the second section being adjustably pivotable with respect
to the first section, the handling assembly further comprising a
cross-bar extending between the first sections of the handle bars,
the second section of each handle bar being adjustably pivotable
with respect to the first section thereof and against the
cross-bar.
10. A vibrating screed according to claim 9, wherein each handle
bar comprises a third section operatively connected to the second
section thereof, the third section being adjustably pivotable with
respect to the second section along a substantially vertical
plane.
11. A vibrating screed according to claim 10, wherein the vibrating
screed comprises a control system for controlling an extent of
vibrations generated by the vibration-generating assembly, and
where an actuator linked to the control system for controlling the
same is provided adjacent to a handle of at least one handle
bar.
12. A vibrating screed according to claim 7, wherein at least one
handle bar is removably provided with a support leg for supporting
the vibrating screed when not in use.
13. A vibrating screed according to claim 5, wherein the
vibration-generating assembly comprises a motor cooperating with a
shaft, the shaft being drivable by the motor and having an
extremity provided with an eccentric cam so as to impart vibrations
when rotatably driven by the motor.
14. A vibrating screed according to claim 13, wherein the support
bracket is substantially L-shaped, having a substantially
horizontal portion with top and bottom sides, and a substantially
vertical portion with front and rear sides, and wherein the shaft
of the vibration-generating assembly is a one-piece shaft, the
substantially horizontal portion of the support bracket being
provided with an orifice through which the shaft of the
vibration-generating assembly extends.
15. A vibrating screed according to claim 13, wherein the eccentric
cam is removably mountable onto the extremity of the shaft, the
eccentric cam comprising a bore for inserting into the extremity of
the shaft, and a transversal hole for receiving a fastener for
securing the cam onto the shaft.
16. A vibrating screed according to claim 14, wherein the vibrating
screed comprises at least one support bearing for supporting a
portion of the shaft of the vibration-generating assembly, beneath
the substantially horizontal portion of the support bracket, each
support bearing having a hole through which the shaft extends, and
being removably connected to a given side of the support bracket,
each support bearing being provided with a pair of flanges
removably mounted onto to the given side of the support bracket by
means of fasteners.
17. A vibrating screed according to claim 16, wherein the vibrating
screed comprises a casing removably mounted to the given side of
the support bracket and being shaped and sized for encasing each
support bearing so as to protect the same, the casing being
provided with a hole on a front portion of said casing.
18. A vibrating screed according to claim 5, wherein the vibrating
screed comprises a handling assembly, operatively connected to the
support bracket, for handling the vibrating screed, the handling
assembly comprising a pair of handle bars, ends of the handle bars
being each connected to a corresponding connecting plate, each
connecting plate being operatively connected to the support bracket
via at least one vibration-damping joint, each vibration-damping
joint comprising a sleeve made of an elastic material, and having
an inner bore, each vibration-damping joint being connected between
a given connecting plate and the support bracket via at least one
corresponding fastener inserted into said inner bore and having an
extremity in abutment with an outer portion of either one of the
given connecting plate and support bracket; wherein each connecting
plate is substantially rectangular and wherein each connecting
plate is operatively connected to the support bracket via a pair of
vibration-damping joints being mounted respectively onto
corresponding opposite ends of each substantially rectangular
connecting plate; wherein each handle bar comprises first and
second sections operatively connected to one another, and wherein
the handling assembly further comprises a cross-bar extending
between the first sections of the handle bars, the second section
of each handle bar being adjustably pivotable with respect to the
first section thereof and against said cross-bar, each handle bar
further comprising a third section operatively connected to the
second section thereof, the third section being adjustably
pivotable with respect to the corresponding second section along a
substantially vertical plane; wherein the vibrating screed further
comprises a control system for controlling an extent of vibrations
generated by the vibration-generating assembly, and where an
actuator linked to the control system for controlling the same is
provided adjacent to a handle of at least one handle bar; wherein
the vibration-generating assembly comprises a motor cooperating
with a shaft, the shaft being drivable by the motor and having an
extremity provided with an eccentric cam so as to impart vibration
when rotably driven by the motor, the shaft of the
vibration-generating assembly being a one-piece shaft, and the
support bracket being substantially L-shaped and having a
substantially horizontal portion with top and bottom sides, and a
substantially vertical portion with front and rear sides, the
substantially horizontal portion of the support bracket being
provided with an orifice through which the shaft of the
vibration-generating assembly extends; and wherein the vibrating
screed further comprises at least one support bearing for
supporting a portion of the shaft of the vibration-generating
assembly, beneath the substantially horizontal portion of the
support bracket, each support bearing having a hole through which
the shaft extends, and being removably connected to a given side of
the support bracket, each support bearing being provided with a
pair of flanges removably mounted onto the given side of the
support bracket by means of fasteners.
19. A kit for assembling a vibrating screed, the kit comprising: a
support bracket; a leveling blade mountable onto the support
bracket; and a vibration-generating assembly, the
vibration-generating assembly being operatively mountable onto the
support bracket for imparting vibrations to the leveling blade via
the support bracket.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority of U.S. provisional
patent application No. 60/694,262 filed Jun. 28.sup.th, 2005, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a leveling blade and to a
vibrating screed provided with such a blade. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a vibrating screed such as the ones
used for surfacing concrete and other like materials, and also
relates to a kit for assembling the same, as well as to a method of
use or operation associated thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vibrating screeds are very well known in the art. Indeed,
they are generally used for leveling off a horizontal surface such
as a floor, typically made of a malleable material, such as
concrete and the like, prior to the hardening thereof. FIG. 1 of
U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,467 B1 shows an example of a conventional
vibrating screed. As can be easily understood from this figure, a
blade is passed over the surface to be leveled off, a motor being
used for transmitting a vibratory movement to the blade, and the
apparatus being provided with suitable handle bars in order to
operate the screed, with control means used for controlling the
extent of vibratory movement to be transmitted from the motor to
the leveling blade.
[0004] Also known to the Applicant are the following U.S. patents
and patent application which describe similar and/or other related
devices: U.S. Pat. No. 3,067,656; 4,340,351; 4,650,366; 4,798,494;
4,832,525; 4,838,730; 5,375,942; 5,857,803; 5,984,571; 6,089,787;
6,139,217; 6,200,065 B1; 6,223,495 B1; 6,231,331 B1; 6,267,532 B1;
6,322,286 B1; 6,374,569 B1; 6,705,799 B2; and 2005/0069385 A1.
[0005] It is also known in the art that a substantial drawback
associated with these types of conventional vibrating screeds is
that the profile of the blades used is not optimal (very often,
they have a "segmented" profile), which results in an undesirable
rearwardly accumulation of material behind the blade as it is
passed over the material to be leveled. Moreover, very often, the
vibratory movement which is transmitted to the blade is also
transmitted to the handles of the apparatus, and thus onto the
hands of the user, which is undesirable for obvious reasons.
Moreover, it can be seen that the handle bars of such a
conventional vibrating screed take up a lot of space, which is
disadvantageous for storing purposes, and/or cannot be easily
adjusted to allow a more ergonomic use of the vibrating screed for
each individual user that may present different physical features
or capabilities. Therefore, it would be useful to provide an
improved vibrating screed which would have components easily
adjustable so as to be better configured for a given user.
Moreover, another substantial drawback associated with vibrating
screeds of the prior art is that the general design is such that
the components thereof may not be easily interchanged in the event
of maintenance and/or repair.
[0006] Hence, in light of the above-discussed, there is a need for
an improved vibrating screed which would be able to overcome some
of the aforementioned prior art problems and drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a leveling
blade or a vibrating screed which, by virtue of its design and
components, satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs, and which
is thus an improvement over other related leveling blades or
vibrating screeds known in the prior art.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, the above object
is achieved, as will be easily understood, with a leveling blade or
a vibrating screed such as the ones briefly described herein and
such as the ones exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a
leveling blade for mounting onto a support bracket of a vibrating
screed, the leveling blade comprising:
[0010] a substantially vertical portion for removably mounting onto
the support bracket of the vibrating screed, said substantially
vertical portion having front and rear sides, and first and second
ends;
[0011] a substantially slanted portion extending rearwardly from
the second end of the substantially vertical portion, said
substantially slanted portion having inner and outer sides, and
first and second ends; and
[0012] a substantially horizontal portion extending frontwardly
from the second end of the substantially slanted portion, said
substantially horizontal portion having top and bottom sides, and
first and second ends.
[0013] Indeed, according to an important aspect of the present
invention, the leveling blade has a particular profile so as to
overcome various disadvantages associated with the conventional
leveling blades of vibrating screeds of the prior art. Namely, and
preferably, the outer side of the substantially slanted portion is
at an angle of about 160.degree. with respect to the rear side of
the substantially vertical portion.
[0014] Preferably also, the ratio between the length of the rear
side of the substantially vertical portion and the length of the
bottom side of the substantially horizontal portion is about 0.4,
while the ratio between the length of the rear side of the
substantially vertical portion and the length of the substantially
slanted portion is about 1.26, and the top side of the
substantially horizontal portion preferably tapers off frontwardly
with respect to the bottom side thereof at an angle of about two
(2) degrees.
[0015] Preferably also, transitions between adjacent portions of
the leveling blade and the second end of the substantially
horizontal portion thereof are substantially rounded off, for
allowing namely, but not limitedly, a smoother surfacing of a
malleable material (concrete, etc.) with the leveling blade, so as
to overcome undesirable accumulations and/or streaks known to occur
with conventional leveling blades.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is also provided a vibrating screed for leveling a surface of a
substantially malleable material, the vibrating screed
comprising:
[0017] a support bracket;
[0018] a leveling blade mounted on the support bracket; and
[0019] a vibration-generating assembly, the vibration-generating
assembly being operatively mounted onto the support bracket for
imparting vibrations to the leveling blade via the support
bracket.
[0020] Preferably, the vibrating screed comprises a handling
assembly, operatively connected to the support bracket via at least
one vibration-damping joint, for handling the vibrating screed.
[0021] Preferably also, the handling assembly comprises a pair of
handle bars, each handle bar having an end being operatively
connected to the support bracket via at least one vibration-damping
joint.
[0022] Preferably also, the ends of the handle bars are each
connected to a corresponding connecting plate, each connecting
plate being operatively connected to the support bracket via at
least one vibration-damping joint.
[0023] Preferably also, each vibration-damping joint comprises a
sleeve made of an elastomeric material, and has an inner bore, each
vibration-damping joint being connected between a given connecting
plate and the support bracket via at least one corresponding
fastener inserted into said inner bore and having an extremity in
abutment with an outer portion of either one of the given
connecting plate and support bracket.
[0024] Preferably also, each connecting plate is substantially
rectangular and each connecting plate is operatively connected to
the support bracket via a pair of vibration-damping joints being
mounted respectively onto corresponding opposite ends of each
substantially rectangular connecting plate.
[0025] Preferably also, each handle bar comprises first and second
sections operatively connected to one another, the second section
being adjustably pivotable with respect to the first section.
[0026] Preferably also, the handling assembly comprises a cross-bar
extending between the first sections of the handle bars.
[0027] Preferably also, the cross-bar comprises a recessed segment
in a substantially middle portion of said cross-bar.
[0028] Preferably also, the second section of each handle bar is
adjustably pivotable with respect to the first section thereof
along a substantially vertical plane.
[0029] Preferably also, the second section of each handle bar is
adjustably pivotable with respect to the first section thereof and
against the cross-bar.
[0030] Preferably also, each handle bar comprises a third section
operatively connected to the second section thereof, the third
section being adjustably pivotable with respect to the second
section along a substantially vertical plane.
[0031] Preferably also, the vibrating screed comprises a control
system for controlling an extent of vibrations generated by the
vibration-generating assembly, and where an actuator linked to the
control system for controlling the same is provided adjacent to a
handle of at least one handle bar.
[0032] Preferably also, at least one handle bar is removably
provided with a support leg for supporting the vibrating screed
when not in use.
[0033] Preferably also, the vibration-generating assembly comprises
a motor cooperating with a shaft, the shaft being drivable by the
motor and having an extremity provided with an eccentric cam so as
to impart vibrations when rotatably driven by the motor.
[0034] Preferably also, the vibrating screed comprises a control
system for controlling an extent of vibrations generated by the
vibration-generating assembly.
[0035] Preferably also, the support bracket is substantially
L-shaped, having a substantially horizontal portion with top and
bottom sides, and a substantially vertical portion with front and
rear sides.
[0036] Preferably also, the shaft of the vibration-generating
assembly is a one-piece shaft.
[0037] Preferably also, the substantially horizontal portion of the
support bracket is provided with an orifice through which the shaft
of the vibration-generating assembly extends.
[0038] Preferably also, the eccentric cam is removably mountable
onto the extremity of the shaft, the eccentric cam comprising a
bore for inserting into the extremity of the shaft, and a
transversal hole for receiving a fastener for securing the cam onto
the shaft.
[0039] Preferably also, the vibrating screed comprises at least one
support bearing for supporting a portion of the shaft of the
vibration-generating assembly, beneath the substantially horizontal
portion of the support bracket, each support bearing having a hole
through which the shaft extends, and being removably connected to a
given side of the support bracket.
[0040] Preferably also, each support bearing is provided with a
pair of flanges removably mounted onto to the given side of the
support bracket by means of fasteners.
[0041] Preferably also, the vibrating screed comprises a casing
removably mounted to the given side of the support bracket and
being shaped and sized for encasing each support bearing so as to
protect the same.
[0042] Preferably also, the casing is provided with a hole on a
front portion of said casing.
[0043] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is also provided a method for operating the above-mentioned
leveling blade and/or vibrating screed.
[0044] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is also provided a kit for assembling the above-mentioned
vibrating screed.
[0045] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is also provided a method for assembling components of the
above-mentioned kit.
[0046] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is also provided a surface having been surfaced with the
above-mentioned leveling blade and/or vibrating screed.
[0047] The objects, advantages and other features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given
for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vibrating screed
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
vibrating screed being shown with at least one handle bar thereof
being provided with a support leg for supporting the vibrating
screed when not employed by a user, as illustrated.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a leveling blade
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a vibrating screed according
to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
vibrating screed being shown with its handle bars in an operative
configuration.
[0051] FIG. 4 is another front plan view of what is shown in FIG.
3, the handle bars of the vibrating screed being now shown in a
retracted configuration, and the vibration-generating assembly
being removed so as to better illustrate a recessed portion of a
cross-bar according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the vibrating screed being also shown with a casing
encasing the support bearings of the vibrating screed.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a partial side view of some components of a
vibrating screed according to another preferred embodiment of the
present invention, some of the components thereof being shown in a
sectional view.
[0053] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of other components of the
vibrating screed according to another preferred embodiment of the
present invention, said exploded view better illustrating the
support bracket, support bearings, casing and eccentric cam of the
vibrating screed according to this particular preferred
embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a top view of a support bearing mounted onto a
support bracket of a vibrating screed according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an eccentric cam mounted onto a
shaft of a vibration-generating assembly according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, said shaft and the fastener
used for securing the eccentric shaft thereon, as well as a portion
of the cam, being shown in a sectional view.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a side view of a vibration-generating assembly
cooperating with a support bracket according to yet another
preferred embodiment of the present invention, some of the
components illustrated being shown in a sectional view.
[0057] FIG. 10 is a partial view of an extremity of a handle bar
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said
extremity being shown with a third section of the handle bar in a
first configuration.
[0058] FIG. 11 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 10, the
extremity being shown now with the third section of the handle bar
in another adjusted configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0059] In the following description, the same numerical references
refer to similar elements. The embodiments, geometric
configurations and dimensions shown in the figures and/or presented
herein, are preferred and for exemplification purposes only.
[0060] Moreover, although the present invention was primarily
designed for leveling surface of concrete and the like, prior to
hardening thereof, it may be used with other types of screeds and
objects, and in other fields, as apparent to a person skilled in
the art. For this reason, expressions such as "concrete",
"leveling", "surfacing", "floor", "vibrating", etc. used herein
should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention
and includes all other kinds of screeds, blades or items, and all
other purposes, with which the present invention could be used and
may be useful.
[0061] Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the
expressions "screed", "blade", "device", "unit", "asembly", and any
other equivalent expression and/or compound word thereof (e.g.
"vibrating screed") known in the art will be used interchangeably.
Furthermore, the same applies for any other mutually equivalent
expressions, such as "surfacing" and "leveling", "rivets", "bolts"
and "fasteners", "vibrations", "vibratory movement" and "pulses",
as well as "metal" and "steel" for example, as also apparent to a
person skilled in the art.
[0062] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the
present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
comprise various components and although the preferred embodiments
of the leveling blade 3 and corresponding vibrating screed 1 as
shown consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained
and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries
are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in
their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the
scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also
apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable
components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other
suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the vibrating
screed 1 and corresponding parts according to the present
invention, as briefly explained and inferred herein, without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0063] Broadly described, the vibrating screed 1 according to the
present invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings, is a
screed device for leveling surfaces made of a malleable material,
such as concrete and the like, prior to the hardening thereof, so
as to ensure a fairly smooth surface, in applications well known in
the art (construction, renovation, etc.).
[0064] The vibrating screed 1 according to the present invention is
particularly advantageous in that it comprises a leveling blade 3
having a particular profile, enabling to overcome some of the
disadvantages associated with leveling blades known in the prior
art. Indeed, as better shown in FIGS. 2-5, and according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the leveling blade 3
is used for mounting onto a support bracket 5 of a vibrating screed
1, and preferably comprises a substantially vertical portion 7, a
substantially slanted portion 9, and a substantially horizontal
portion 11. As better shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the substantially
vertical portion 7 is preferably used for removably mounting onto
the support bracket 5 of the vibrating screed 1, and preferably
also has front and rear sides 7a,7b, as well as first and second
ends 7c,7d. Preferably also, the substantially slanted portion 9
extends rearwardly from the second end 7d of the substantially
vertical portion 7, and has inner and outer sides 9a,9b, as well as
first and second ends 9c,9d. Preferably also, the substantially
horizontal portion 11 extends frontwardly from the second end 9d of
the substantially slanted portion 9, and has top and bottom sides
11a,11b, as well as first and second ends 11c,11d.
[0065] As can be easily understood when referring to FIG. 2, it is
worth mentioning that the second end 7d of the substantially
vertical portion 7 corresponds essentially to the first end 9cof
the substantially slanted portion 9, and that the second end 9dof
the substantially slanted portion 9 corresponds essentially to the
first end 11c of the substantially horizontal portion 11.
Preferably also, transitions between adjacent portions 7, 9, 11 of
the leveling blade 3 and the second end 11d of the substantially
horizontal portion 11 thereof are substantially rounded off, as
previously explained and as also better shown in FIG. 2.
[0066] As discussed above, and according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the leveling blade 3 has a
particular profile which enables it to obtain improved performances
when compared to what is possible with leveling blades known in the
prior art. More particularly, and preferably, as also better shown
in FIG. 2, the outer side 9b of the substantially slanted portion 9
is at an angle .crclbar. of about 160 degrees with respect to the
rear side 7b of the substantially vertical portion 7. Preferably
also, the ratio between the length of the rear side 7b of the
substantially vertical portion 7 and the length of the bottom side
11b of the substantially horizontal portion 11 is about 0.4,
whereas the ratio between the length of the rear side 7b of the
substantially vertical portion 7 and the length of the
substantially slanted portion 9 is about 1.26, and preferably as
well, the top side 11a of the substantially horizontal portion 11
tapers off frontwardly with respect to the bottom side 11b thereof
at an angle of about two (2) degrees, as can be easily understood
when referring to FIG. 2. According to yet a more preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the wall thickness t.sub.1 of
the substantially vertical portion 7 is about 0.250 inches, whereas
the horizontal distance d between the outer side 7b of the
substantially vertical portion 7 and an outer corner 13 of the
substantially slanted portion 9 is about 0.500 inches. As also
better shown in FIG. 2, the vertical rise r of said substantially
slanted portion 9 is about 1.500 inches, and the length I.sub.1 of
the outer side 7b of the substantially vertical portion 7 is about
2.000 inches, while the bottom side 11b of the substantially
horizontal portion 11 preferably has a length I.sub.2 of about
5.000 inches. Preferably also, the aforementioned outer corner 13
of the substantially slanted portion 9 has a ratio of curvature of
about 0.031, whereas an inner corner 15 of said substantially
slanted portion 9 has a ratio of curvature of about 0.062.
According to this particular and preferred embodiment of the
leveling blade 3, the second end 11d of the substantially
horizontal portion 11 would have a thickness t.sub.2 of about 0.125
inches, and a bottom corner 17 thereof would have a ratio of
curvature of about 0.015, whereas an upper corner 17 thereof would
have a ratio of curvature of about 0.125.
[0067] It is of course to be understood that these particular
dimensions and geometrical configurations are given as way of an
example only, so as to illustrate what a preferred profile of the
leveling blade 3 according to the present invention would look
like, but it is also to be understood that several other
modifications could be made thereto, while carrying out essentially
the same functions and obtaining substantially the same resulting
advantages, and without departing from the scope of the present
invention, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
[0068] According to the present invention, there is also provided a
vibrating screed 1 for leveling or surfacing a surface of a
substantially malleable material, such as concrete and the like,
and the vibrating screed 1 preferably comprises a support bracket
5, a leveling blade 3 such as the aforementioned or other, being
mounted on the support bracket 5, and a vibrating-generating
assembly 21, the vibrating-generating assembly 21 being operatively
mounted onto the support bracket 5 for imparting vibrations to the
leveling blade 3 via the support bracket 5, as can be easily
understood when referring to FIGS. 1-5 and 9.
[0069] Preferably also, and as better shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 10
and 11, the vibrating screed 1 further comprises a handling
assembly 23, operatively connected to the support bracket 5 via at
least one vibration-damping joint 25, for handling the vibrating
screed 1. Even more preferably, the handling assembly 23 comprises
a pair of handle bars 27, each handle bar 27 having an end
operatively connected to the support bracket 5 via at least one
vibration-damping joint 25, as better shown and as can be easily
understood from FIGS. 3-5. Preferably also, the ends of the handle
bars 27 are each connected to a corresponding connecting plate 29,
each connecting plate 29 being operatively connected to the support
bracket 5 via at least one vibration-damping joint 25, as better
shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 Preferably also, and as better shown in FIG.
5, each vibration-damping joint 25 comprises a sleeve made of an
elastic material, and having an inner bore, each vibration-damping
joint 25 being connected between a given connecting plate 29 and
the support bracket 5 via a corresponding fastener extending
through said inner bore of the vibration-damping joint 25 and
having extremities in abutment with outer portions of the given
connecting plate 29 and the support bracket 5. It is worth
mentioning that several different types of fasteners could be used
in order to achieve the above-mentioned end result and advantages,
a bolt assembly with a conventional bolt and corresponding nut
being illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5, as way of example.
Obviously, other suitable fasteners may be used without departing
from the scope of the present invention, as apparent to a person
skilled in the art.
[0070] Furthermore, and according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, each connecting plate 29 is substantially
rectangular and is preferably operatively connected to the support
bracket 5 via a pair of vibration-damping joints 25 being mounted
respectively to corresponding opposite ends of each substantially
rectangular connecting plate 29, as better shown in FIGS. 1 and
5.
[0071] It is worth mentioning also that instead of having a single
connecting plate 29 for a given end of a handle bar 27, other
configurations could be employed for the present invention, namely
by providing a unique and transversely elongated connecting plate
29 onto which both ends of the handle bars 27 would be
appropriately connected, said unique connecting plate 29 being then
appropriately mounted onto the support bracket 5 of the vibrating
screed 1 via a suitable number of vibration-damping joints 25, as
can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.
[0072] Preferably also, and according to another preferred aspect
of the present invention, each handle bar 27 comprises first and
second sections 27a,27b operatively connected to one another, the
second section 27b being adjustably pivotable with respect to the
first section 27a, as can be easily understood when comparing FIGS.
3 and 4. Preferably also, and as better shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the
handling assembly 23 comprises a cross-bar 31 extending between the
first sections 27a of the handle bars 27, and preferably also, the
cross-bar 31 comprises a recessed segment 33 in a substantially
middle portion of said cross-bar 31, as better shown in FIG. 4, so
as to facilitate a grasping and handling of the vibrating screed 1,
when not in use, for example.
[0073] According to one preferred aspect of the present invention,
the second section 27b of each handle bar 27 may be adjustably
pivotable with respect to the first section 27a thereof along a
substantially vertical plane, so as to for example, adjust the
degree of tilt of the second section 27b of a given handle bar 27
with respect to the ground surface onto which the vibrating screed
1 is to be displaced, and thereby enabling for a more ergonomic
handling and use of an operator. However, and according to another
preferred aspect of the present invention, the vibrating screed 1
may be provided with suitable means so that the second section 27b
of each handle bar 27 may be adjustably pivotable with respect to
the first section 27a thereof and against the cross-bar 31, as can
be better understood when referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, so as to
minimize the space taken up by the handling assembly 23 (i.e.
handle bars 27, etc.) when the vibrating screed 1 is not in use,
and thereby minimizing space taken up by the vibrating screed 1
when not in use, which is advantageous for storing purposes.
[0074] Preferably also, each handle bar 27 could be provided with a
third section 27c, as can be easily understood when referring to
FIGS. 10 and 11, which would be operatively connected to the second
section 27b of a given handle bar 27, the third section 27c being
adjustably pivotable with respect to the second section 27b along a
substantially vertical plane, so that said third section 27c of the
handle bar 27 could be adjustably tilted with respect to the second
section 27b, or indirectly, with respect to the ground surface onto
which the vibrating screed 1 is to be operated on, thereby enabling
for any easier and more ergonomic use for a given operator of the
vibrating screed 1, depending on the physical features or
capabilities thereof.
[0075] Preferably also, and as can be easily understood when
referring to FIGS. 1, 10 and 11, the vibrating screed 1 preferably
comprises a control system 35 for controlling an extent of
vibrations being generated by the vibration-generating assembly 21,
and said control system 35 can be conveniently mounted onto a
corresponding component of the vibrating screed 1, namely on or
adjacent to a motor driving the same, and being preferably linked
to a corresponding extremity of the handle bar 27, and preferably
also, to a third section 27c thereof, said third section 27c being
preferably provided with a corresponding actuator 37 so as to
remotely be able to control the control system 35 by a simple
operation of the actuator 37 being positioned conveniently adjacent
to the handle 39 of the extremity of the handle bar 27, as better
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0076] According to another preferred aspect of the present
invention, at least one handle bar 27 or other suitable component
of the vibrating screed 1 could be provided with a corresponding
support leg 41 for supporting the vibrating screed 1 when not in
use, that is, for enabling the vibrating screed 1 to be balanced or
kept in a substantially upright configuration as a result of the
support leg 41 appropriately acting as a support between said
corresponding at least one handle bar 27 and a ground surface, for
example. In such a preferred embodiment, an extremity of the
support leg would be provided with a corresponding joint being
removably insertable into a corresponding component of said at
least one given handle bar 27, and a corresponding section
27a,27b,27c thereof, as can be easily understood by a person
skilled in the art.
[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 and 9, one can easily understood
that according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the vibration-generating assembly 21 comprises a motor cooperating
with a shaft 43, the shaft 43 being drivable by the motor and
having an extremity provided with an eccentric cam 45 so as to
impart vibrations to the system, and ultimately, to the leveling
blade 3, when rotatably driven by the motor. As previously
mentioned, the vibrating screed preferably comprises a control
system 35 for controlling an extent of vibrations being generated
by the vibration-generating assembly 21, and said control system 35
could be controlled directly or remotely, via a suitable linkage,
for example, with corresponding actuator 37 being preferably
provided on a corresponding handle 39 of a handle bar 27, as
previously explained, or ultimately, could be remotely controlled
via other suitable means, such as with a remote control for
example, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the
art.
[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown how the
preferred embodiment of the support bracket 5 of the vibrating
screed 1 according to the present invention is preferably
substantially L-shaped, having a substantially horizontal portion
47 with top and bottom sides 47a, 47b, and a substantially vertical
portion 49 with front and rear sides 49a, 49b, the front side 7a of
the substantially vertical portion 7 of the leveling blade 3 being
removably connectable onto the rear side 49b of the substantially
vertical portion 49 of the support bracket 5 via suitable
fasteners, such as bolts and the like, or other suitable means,
cooperating with corresponding holes or components provided on the
leveling blade 3 and support bracket 5 respectively, as apparent to
a person skilled in the art.
[0079] Preferably also, and as better shown in FIG. 9, an important
aspect of the present invention resides in that the shaft 43 of the
vibrating-generating assembly 21 is a one-piece shaft 43, also
referred to here as a "monoshaft" 43, and preferably also, the
substantially horizontal portion 47 of the support bracket 5 is
provided with a corresponding orifice 51 through which the shaft 43
of the vibration-generating assembly 21 extends, as better
illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0080] Furthermore, in order to be able to generate vibrations or
pulses, and to transmit them to the vibrating screed 1, and more
particularly to the leveling blade 3 thereof, so as to be able to
carry out a proper leveling or surfacing of a malleable material
with the leveling blade 3 being imparted such vibrations, this is
preferably carried out by having an eccentric cam 45 being
removably mountable onto the extremity of the shaft 43, as better
shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 8 and 9. Preferably also, and so as to
facilitate the interchangeability and ease of repair and
maintenance of the components, the eccentric cam 45 preferably
comprises a bore 53 for removably inserting the cam 45 into the
extremity of the shaft 43 and a transversal hole 55 for receiving a
corresponding fastener 56 for removably securing the cam 45 onto
said shaft 43, as can be easily understood when referring to FIGS.
8 and 9. Preferably also, and in continuing with a desire to
facilitate interchangeability of components, and facilitate a
maintenance and/or a repair thereof, the vibrating screed 1 also
comprises at least one support bearing 57 for supporting a portion
of a shaft 43 of the vibration-generating assembly 21, beneath the
substantially horizontal portion 47 of the support bracket 5, each
support bearing 57 having a corresponding hole 59 through which the
shaft 43 extends, and being removably connectable to a given side
of the support bracket 5, as better shown in FIG. 3, and as can be
easily understood from FIG. 6. Preferably also, this is
conveniently carried out in that each support bearing 57 is
preferably provided with a pair of flanges 61 removably mounted
onto the given side of the support bracket 5 by means of
corresponding fasteners, such as bolts and the like, as well as
other corresponding means, as apparent to a person skilled in the
art.
[0081] Preferably also, and as can also be easily understood from
FIG. 9, each support bearing 57 preferably comprises a one-piece
component where a recess is defined therein for inserting the
corresponding bearing and said piece being integrally provided with
the above-mentioned corresponding flanges 61.
[0082] Preferably also, the vibrating screed 1 according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a casing 63
being removably mounted to the given side of the support bracket 5
and being shaped and sized for encasing each support bearing 57 so
as to protect the same, as can also be easily understood when
referring to FIG. 9, and the casing 63 is preferably provided with
a hole 65 on the front portion of said casing 63, so as to namely,
be able to visualize the inner content thereof, and more
particularly be able to visualize the support bearings 57 encased
within said casing 63, as better shown in FIG. 4.
[0083] As better shown in the accompanying drawings, the vibrating
screed 1 comprises a main mounting bracket (i.e. "support" bracket
5), which is preferably L-shaped. Preferably also, the leveling
blade 3 to be used for leveling off a surface is removably
connectable onto the substantially vertical portion 49 of the
support bracket 5 by means of suitable fasteners, such as screws,
bolts, rivets, washers, and the like, and the substantially
horizontal portion 47 of the support bracket 5 is destined to
transmit a vibratory movement from the motor to the leveling blade
1, and also destined for receiving handle bars 27 in order to
handle, guide and operate the vibrating screed 1. As better shown
in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 9, and as can be easily understood therefrom,
a shaft 43 of the motor passes through a corresponding orifice 51
of the second flange of the support bracket 5, said shaft 43 being
preferably provided with a cam 45 mounted eccentrically at the end
thereof, said shaft being rotated by the motor so as to impart the
above-mentioned vibratory movement to the apparatus and thus the
leveling blade 3. An actuator 37 provided on one of the handle bars
27 may be activated in order to control the force provided by the
motor to the shaft 43, and thus in order to control the vibratory
movement to be imparted to the blade 3.
[0084] As may now be better appreciated from the above-discussed,
several improvements have been incorporated into the present
leveling blade 3 and corresponding vibrating screed 1 in order to
overcome several of the prior art disadvantages mentioned
above.
[0085] For example, the particular profile of the leveling blade 3,
better exemplified in FIG. 2, allows for a smoother leveling off of
a material to be spread over a given floor surface, as contrasted
with the segmented profile of a conventional leveling blade.
[0086] Furthermore, the vibration-damping joints 25 ("vibrating
dampers" or "shock absorbers"), preferably made of an elastomeric
material, are preferably used for operatively connecting the
extremity of the handle bars 27 to the mounting flange of the
support bracket 5, in order to minimize vibration transmission
thereinbetween. It is important to note that a fastener (e.g. bolt)
is used to connect a given vibration-damping joint 25 to a
corresponding handle bar extremity and that another fastener (e.g.
bolt) is preferably used for connecting the same vibration-damping
joint 25 to the second flange of the support bracket 5, but that
said two (2) fasteners preferably do not touch each other within
the vibration-damping joint 25, preferably made of an elastomeric
material as mentioned above, so as to minimize vibration
transmission.
[0087] Moreover, the handle bars 27 of the vibrating screed 1 are
preferably foldable inwardly towards a common transversal support
or cross-bar 31, as can be easily understood by the representation
better exemplified in FIG. 4, so as to minimize the space occupied
by the apparatus when it is not used and kept in storage. It is
worth mentioning also that the handle bars 27 may be devised
differently so as to enable other different folding configurations,
whether towards the common transversal cross-bar 31, or whether
towards other components of the vibrating screed 1, so as to enable
for example the handle bars 27 to be positioned at a corresponding
tilted configuration with respect to the surface to be leveled, and
thus enable a user of the vibrating screed 1 a more ergonomic
control and use of the device, as aforementioned.
[0088] Also, the motor for imparting vibratory movement to the
leveling blade 3 is preferably provided with a single and integral
shaft 43 ("monoshaft") provided at its extremity, as previously
explained and as better exemplified in FIG. 9, with an
eccentrically mounted cam 45, for generating the vibratory
movement, such as monoshaft providing greater rigidity to the
apparatus and being more easily interchangeable.
[0089] Finally and preferably, two (2) distinct pieces, namely the
support bearings 57, better exemplified in FIG. 6, are removably
mountable onto the corresponding support bracket 5 (i.e. "the third
component"), replacing thus the use of a conventional monoblock, by
enabling to interchange either one of these three (3) pieces in the
event of repair and/or maintenance. Furthermore, the preferred
provision of a casing 63 helps to protect these components, while
still being easily interchangeable.
[0090] It is worth mentioning also that the vibrating screed 1, and
the different components thereof, as exemplified hereinabove, are
preferably made of suitable materials, such as metallic materials,
composite materials, and the like, which are preferably rigid
enough to withstand the loads to which the vibrating screed 1 may
be subjected to, depending on the particular applications therefor,
as apparent to a person skilled in the art. Preferably also, these
materials are provided with suitable features, such as corrosion
resistant properties, so as to enable the vibrating screed 1 and
the different components thereof to be subjected to water
conditions and the like, so as to enable a proper cleaning thereof
after operation with a malleable material, such as concrete and the
like.
[0091] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is also provided a kit comprising different components for
assembling a vibrating screed according to the present invention,
such as the ones briefly described herein and such as the ones
exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
[0092] As may now also be better appreciated, the present invention
is also a substantial improvement over the prior art in that, by
virtue of its design and components, the vibrating screed 1 is very
simple and easy to use, as well as is very simple and easy to
manufacture and/or assemble, without compromising the reliability
of its functions. Hence, it may now be appreciated that the present
invention represents important advantages over other related
vibrating screed devices known in the prior art, in terms of
performance, manoeuvrability, ergonomics, transportation, and
costs.
[0093] Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the
above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the
invention, as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *