AU2003257890A1

AU2003257890A1 - A Levelling Device

Info

Publication number: AU2003257890A1
Application number: AU2003257890A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Percy Lynton Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-28
Filing date: 2003-10-28
Publication date: 2005-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-28
Also published as: WO2005042848A1; AU2003257890B2

Description

A LEVELLING DEVICE Field of Invention This invention relates to levelling devices of the type used to level discrete materials such as topsoil, bark, graded stone, freshly laid concrete and the like.

Background A fundamental form of levelling device is a simple screed bar used to level materials with respect to supports in the form of previously laid materials and/or formworks.

Concrete paths and driveways are traditionally formed in this manner.

The laying of concrete is a staged process where mixed wet concrete is initially laid, roughly levelled prior to screeding, and then after a period of time, floated and finished.

Vibrating freshly laid concrete allows the finishing process to be sped up.

Accurate levelling also allows finishing to be sped up.

Whilst there are numerous types of machines which have been developed in the past to improve the efficiencies of laying concrete, all such devices are fundamentally screeding devices and the contribution of machinery is merely to reduce physical effort not necessarily speeding up the concrete laying process.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective levelling device which can be operated manually on large or small scale projects to generally improve efficiencies.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

Disclosure of Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a levelling device comprising a levelling bar secured to a mainframe, a pair of wheeled side carriages pivotably connected to each side of the mainframe in a manner which allows the side carriages to track on support surfaces to either side of a body of loose material to be levelled and when required to pivot on the pivot axis to avoid obstructions and/or to facilitate the levelling of materials having a curved or irregularly shaped edge.

The side carriages are slidable on a horizontal plane with respect to the mainframe to increase or reduce the spacing between the side carriages and adjacent ends of the levelling bar.

Each side carriage is height adjustable relative to the mainframe.

Each side carriage comprises a subframe having parallel top and bottom rails, a wheel or castor chassis member, two parallel uprights extending through the top and bottom rails from the chassis member and biasing means associated with the subframe which resists displacement of the chassis member with respect to the subframe.

The top and bottom rails of the subframe are slidable on the parallel uprights.

The trailing end of the mainframe which is adjustable between a horizontal plane and a substantially vertical plane behind the levelling bar.

The platform mounts a vibrating apparatus.

The side carriages can be adapted to be detached from the mainframe.

Brief Description of the Drawings Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 to 3 are side views of a levelling device according to the present invention, and Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the levelling device of Figures 1 to 3, and Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the levelling device of the present invention in a dis-assembled state, and Figure 6 is a rear view of the levelling device of the present invention.

With respect to the drawings, the present invention provides a levelling device generally indicated by arrow 1 comprising a levelling bar 2 secured to a mainframe generally indicated by arrow 3 and a pair of wheeled side carriages generally indicated by arrow 4 pivotably connected to each side of the mainframe 3 in a manner which allows the side carriages to track on support surfaces to either side of a body of loose material to avoid obstructions and/or to facilitate the levelling of materials having a curved or irregular border.

The front face (2a) of the levelling bar 2 is curved so that materials coming into contact with the bar will roll as the device moves forward and consequently provide less resistance.

The side carriages each comprise a subframe 5 having parallel top and bottom rails 6 and 7, a wheel or chassis rail 8 and two parallel uprights 9 which extend through the top and bottom rails.

The uprights 9 have lower ends fixed to the chassis rails 8 and upper ends which extend substantially above the top rails 6 of the subframe.

The uprights 9 are slidable with respect to the top and bottom rails 6, 7 and compression springs 10 are fitted between the top rails and a lockable collar 11.

The upper ends of the uprights 9 are joined by a connecting member 12.

As best exemplified by figure 6, each of the side carriages 4 are connected to the mainframe 3 via pivot arrangements generally indicated by arrow 13 including plates 14 having wheel sets 15 which engage in tracks 16 fixed to the mainframe, thus, the side frames are able to move in opposed directions depending on the task at hand.

The pivot arrangements 13 enable the side carriages to be pivoted through an arc of approximately 270 degrees.

The mainframe 3 has two side plates 17 with respect to which pivotal connection to a broom carrier generally indicated by arrow 18 and a roller 19 is made.

The links 20 provide pivotal support via pivot pins 21 the roller 19 from one end and are rigidly connected directly to the broom carrier 18 at the other end, in an arrangement which allows the broom carrier 18 to be moved into a first non-operative position (figure a second position (figure 2) in which the roller 19 is adjacent the levelling bar 2 and to a third position (figure 3) where the roller is not in use and the broom carrier 18 is in a an operative position.

The roller can be locked in the operative position of figure 3 by locking pins (not shown).

The carrier 18 is hinged to the front face 22 of the levelling bar and when lowered into an operative position (figure 3) is stabilised by flexible stays 23.

The broom carrier frame 18 has parallel rails 24 (see figures 4 and which enable a broom 25 to be set at the desired height and manouvred across a newly laid surface.

Brackets 26 attached to the broom slide on upper surface at the rails during sweeping.

The pivot arrangement 13 allows the mainframe 3 to be released from the side carriages 4 (see figure Should this be necessary for transportation and storage.

The device at the present invention provides for levelling, smoothing and sweeping operations to be carried out on laid concrete and other discrete materials.

A vibrating device (not shown) can be mounted on the top of the levelling bar and secured by a quick release pin.

The device at the present invention is simple to operate, it needs only two adjustments for multiple operations and no tools are required except when lengthening or shortening beams.

Use of the device is a two-man operation with forward and other motions being by operators to either side of the device. Each operator manipulates the side carriage and mainframe adjacent their side of the device.

To operate the device an operator adjusts the height of the levelling bar 2 to approximately fifty millimetres above the form work, then presses down on the mainframe 3 to make contact with the material being levelled.

As the device is moved forward the excess material will build up in front of the levelling bar. If too much is building up the downward pressure on the mainframe can be released to skim the surface at a higher level.

To stop the excess material being lost over the edges of a formwork one side carriage can be moved forward while holding the other stationary. This procedure will move the bar diagonally across the surface below pushing the material in to the formed area, and when repeated on the other side, a triangular section will now be left in the centre. Both carriages can then be made parallel and moved forward.

The levelling bar 2 can also be used as a trowel by moving the carriages backwards and forwards. If an area widens or narrows the carriages will slide on the mainframe to the desired width.

The mainframe can also turn a full circle.

The side carriages 4 and levelling bar 2 can be operated in several positions, with both carriages running on top of a formwork, both carriages running on a ground surface outside the formwork and up to 200mm below the top of the formwork, one carriage on the ground outside the formwork and one on top of the formwork, both carriages on top of the formwork with the levelling bar lowered up to 200mm on one or both sides on the inside of the formwork, in this later situation the carriage frames will be locked on to the rods at the required height and not suspended on the springs.

A vibrating device can be mounted on top of the levelling bar, it will assist in bringing the fine particles and moisture to the surface when levelling concrete.

Where a site upon which materials are to be laid is sloping the mainframe may be constructed in two parts with the parts being raked to suit a particular terrain. Raking may be achieved by having angled adjoining ends of each part of the mainframe or the use of wedges between the adjoining ends to achieve the desired slope.

Sweeping of a surface is possible by using the broom carrier. When suspended above a formwork at the same height as the levelling bar, an operator presses down on the beam to meet the top of the formwork and pushes the broom along the carrier moving forwards or backwards. When releasing downward pressure on the mainframe, it will rise above the formwork and the process can be repeated as required.

The roller 19 can be positioned under the mainframe, by removing a pin at each end, positioning the roller in a fixed position and relocating the pins 6 through the side plate 5. With the roller in the lowered position it is now below the levelling bar and ready for use.

The present invention provides a relatively low cost levelling device which can be used for speedily levelling and finishing concrete or other discrete materials.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and modifications and conditions may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A levelling device comprising a levelling bar secured to a mainframe, a pair of wheeled side carriages pivotably connected to each side of the mainframe in a manner which allows the side carriages to track on support surfaces to either side of a body of loose material to be levelled and when required to pivot on the pivot axis to avoid obstructions and/or to facilitate the levelling of materials having a curved or irregularly shaped edge.

2. A levelling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the side carriages are slidable on a horizontal plane with respect to the mainframe to increase or reduce the spacing between the side carriages and adjacent ends of the levelling bar.

3. A levelling device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each side carriage is height adjustable relative to the mainframe.

4. A levelling device as claimed in claim 3 wherein each side carriage comprises a subframe having parallel top and bottom rails, a wheel or castor chassis member, two parallel uprights extending through the top and bottom rails from the chassis member and biasing means associated with the subframe which resists displacement of the chassis member with respect to the subframe.

5. A levelling device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the top and bottom rails of the subframe are slidable on the parallel uprights.

6. A levelling device having a platform pivotably attached to the trailing end of the mainframe which is adjustable between a horizontal plane and a substantially vertical plane behind the levelling bar.

7. A levelling device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the platform mounts a vibrating apparatus.

8. A levelling device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the side carriages are adapted to be detached from the mainframe. DATED this 2 8 h day of October 2003 PERCY LYNTON SMITH By his Patent Attorneys Cullen Co.