GB2248081A

GB2248081A - A tool for marking concrete or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2248081A
Application number: GB9020488A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Basil Mcmahon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-09-19
Filing date: 1990-09-19
Publication date: 1992-03-25
Also published as: GB9020488D0

Abstract

A tool for marking concrete or the like whereby the imprinting is achieved by placing the imprinted side of the float onto the surface of the concrete, and drawing it along the concrete. The imprinted side of the float 3, may be made up of a series of adjustable plate elements, which allow for versatility in one's design. The adjustable handle 2, is attached to the float 3, via a mechanism which when working with larger areas, may precisely guide the imprints for the larger area. This tool, figure 6, allows horizontal imprints 31, to be achieved, hence, circular imprints may be achieved via a radius tool of the same nature, or brick imprints may be achieved via a combination of the horizontal-line imprinter, figure 6, and a smaller individual tool of the same nature. <IMAGE>

Description

TOOL FOR MARKING CONCRETE OR THE LIKE This invention relates to tools, particularly but not exclusively hand tools, used for marking concrete or the like cementitious materials (hereinafter "concrete") to produce a pattern or imprint in the concrete surface.

Conventionally, imprinting of concrete surfaces is done using a number of similar square or rectangular metal plates, each having a cell of a repeating pattern formed as projections on its underside. After concrete has been allowed to half-harden, a row of these plates is laid like a row of tiles and the pattern-forming projections pressed into the concrete surface by e.g. hammering on the plates. A plastic film may be needed between plate and concrete to prevent sticking. A second row of plates is laid next to the first and pressed in, after which the first row can be lifted and relaid as a third row and so on to produce the repeating pattern right across the surface.

While for very complicated patterns there are currently no alternatives to this method, it is nevertheless extremely time consuming and hence expensive. Furthermore, it cannot be used on concrete which contains aggregates, stone chippings or the like, since by the time the concrete is hard enough for printing, these aggregates are too firmly set to be pressed aside by the projecting pattern elements.

In this invention I aim to provide a new type of tool and a new method for marking concrete.

According to the invention I provide a tool for marking a concrete surface which comprises a float member for sliding on a wet concrete surface in a working direction, and one or more imprinting elements - which when plural are spaced across the float member in a transverse direction - projecting downwardly from it, to indent the concrete surface as the float member slides. The tool also has an engagement point or mounting for some means for moving the tool across the surface in the working direction e.g. a handle, a mounting for a handle, or other appropriate engagement means for some other arrangement providing for pulling or pushing the tool.

Plural imprinting elements are desirably transversely small compared with the transverse spacing between them, so as not to disturb excessively the general surface of the concrete. Usually these elements will not project deeper than 4 cm, and preferably not deeper than 2 cm, down from the underside of the float member.

Generally the tool will have two or more such imprinting elements, preferably 4 or more and perhaps as many as 20. It is desirable that at leas tone and preferably all of the elements are elongate in the working direction, i.e. perpendicular to the transverse direction in which they are spaced across the float member. This helps to guide the tool and prevent sudden deviations. In preferred conformations the imprinting elements are in the form of ribs, so that tool may have a series of downwardly projecting parallel ribs. Another preferred feature of the imprinting elements is that they be sharpened at their lower extremity and/or their leading ends, to facilitate passage through the concrete surface.

A particularly preferred feature is that the spacing between the imprinting elements is adjustable, by having some or all of them movable relative to the float member. This may be achieved e.g. by a continuously variable sliding mounting of the elements, or by having a series of predetermined location positions at which the imprinting elements may be locked for use of the tool.

The float member preferably has a longitudinal size i.e. in the working direction, which is large compared to the transverse size of any individual imprinting element. Its transverse size may be even larger, depending on the number of such elements and their spacing. The preferred conformation of the float member has, apart from the imprinting elements, a continuous flat undersurface. A flat plate is suitable, resembling for example a traditional concrete finishing float and having on its upper side a mounting for a handle.

Where a handle is provided on the tool, desirably this is positioned at an incline from the perpendicular to the float member undersurface so as to be convenient for pulling or pushing the tool. In manners which are known for concrete tools, the handle may additionally be variable in length e.g. by the addition of further segments, and/or adjustable in angle relative to the float member.

In another aspect of the invention I provide a method of providing a marked concrete surface which consists in moving a tool as defined above across the concrete surface while still wet. I have found that the present tool allows effective imprinting of a concrete surface while that concrete surface is still substantially wet; as a result the imprinting member sof the tool are easily able to push aside aggregates in the concrete.

A further development of the concept involves the provision of a guide which is attached to the tool to aid in steering it along a predetermined path e.g. a sstriaght path. To achieve this, a guide element defining the path is set up adjacent to the concrete being prepraed. For example, if a straight series of parallel lines is to be imprinted, then a straight bar or rail can be set up alongisde the concrete. A steering element e.g. another bar which may be of adjustable length, is connected to the tool e.g. just above the level of the float member and extends across to engage the guide path defining element in such a way that the tool is easily moved along at a constant spacing therefrom and hence along an appropriate path. Further parallel paths can then be achieved by varying the length of the steering element attached to the tool.

Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tool embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a float member thereof; Fig. 3 is a front view of the float member; Figs. 4 and 5 show alternative modes of securing imprinting elemnts; Fig. 6 shows use of the tool; and Fig. 7 illustrates a printing method and further tools which may be used in it.

The concrete imprinting float tool seen in Fig. 1 comprises generally a head 1 and a handle 2. The head 1 consists of a flat rectangular steel plate 3 which is about 15 cm long, 70 cm wide and 1 cm thick. Other methods, such as Fibreglass, might be used instead. An angled mounting bracket 4 including a tubular handle socket 5 is welded to the centre of the upper surface of the plate 3. The handle 2 fitted into the socket 5 consists of a first portion 10 extending from the socket, and an extension portion 11 which is removably fitted into a socket or the like at the top end of the portion 10. Extension 11 itself has a further socket, so that the length of the handle 2 can be varied at will by adding or removing extension sections.

Seven imprinting ribs 12 are welded to the flat lower surface 13 of the steel plate 3. The ribs 12 are equally spaced from one another in a series extending substantially right across the plate 3. They are welded to the bottom surface of the plate and, as can be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, they are equally spaced and extend from front to back of the plate in parallel straight lines.

The ribs 12 are generally of uniform transverse cross-section except for small lead bevels 15 at their front and rear ends. Otherwise the section is triangular, with the base of the triangle being welded against the plate and the apex projecting downwardly as seen in Fig. 3.

The depth of the projecting ribs 12 is about 2 cm and their width also about 2 cm, while the spacing between them is about 10 cm.

Other cross-sections may be used for the ribs e.g. half-moon.

The tool described above can only be used to imprint lines at a certain fixed spacing, since the ribs 12 are permanently welded to the underside of the plate 3.

This may require keeping a selection of such tools which may be a disadvantage in some cases.

Figs. 4 and 5 show means for alleviating this disadvantage by mounting the imprinting ribs 12a, 12b so as to be adjustable in position along the float plate 3a 3b.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the plate 3a is provided with two series 20, 21 of through-holes, one extending along near the front edge and the other near the rear edge of the plate. The printing ribs 12a are triangular-section elements as described before, but having two threaded pins extending up from their bases at a front-to-rear spacing corresponding to that of the two lines 20, 21 of throughholes. Thus these threaded pins can be fitted through the holes and the ribs 12a secured in place by tightening nuts 22 onto the pins. To adjust the spacing between the ribs 12a - and if necessary add further ibs - it will be seen that the closely spaced holes 20, 21 give a finely-tuned scale of adjustment.

Fig. 5 shows a different concept in which the ribs 12b are integrally formed e.g. by welding, with slider elements 23 which have front and rear portions hooking round and over the front and rear edges of the plate 3b.

Therefore the rib position can be adjusted continuously along the plate. A locking screw is provided on each slider to hold it still after adjustment e.g. by tightening against an upstanding rear flange 26 of the float plate.

Fig. 6 shows a mode of use of the tool, whereby a user rests the plate 3 flat on a concrete surface 30 and draws it in the direction of arrow A so as to create a series of seven parallel lines 31 imprinted in the concrete surface. The tool can be used on a concrete surface which is still substantially wet so that, if used on concrete which contains stone aggregates or chippings, these are easily pushed aside and satisfactory imprint lines are obtained. The plate 3 acts as a float, ensuring a smooth surface between the lines.

It will be appreciated that the handle 2 may be altered from the simple straight form shown e.g. so that the tool can be drawn along from a position to one side of it.

Furthermore, it may be arranged that the tool is connected to a guide element (not shown) defining a suitable curved or straight path for the imprint, by means of a connecting rod 32 (shown in broken lines in Fig. 6) which is telescopically adjustable between various locked lengths, and can move along the guide element so as to keep the tool on a corresponding straight or curved path.

Fig. 7 shows how an array of parallel lines 31 produced by the tool as described can be used then to create a brick pattern by subsequently impressing spaced transverse lines 35 between the continuous parallel lines.

These transverse lines 35 may be imprinted by a further tool having a single bar imprinting element 36 at its head e.g. long-handled tool 37 or short-handled tool 38 also shown in Fig. 7. For best results, it is preferable to allow the concrete to harden somewhat between imprinting the basic series of lines 31 and adding the transverse lines 35 so that the imprinting of the latter does not tend to distort the former.

Such a tool can also be used to mark curved lines e.g. part-circles about the corner of a concreted area.

For tight curves, it is preferable to tilt the head so that only a front or rear edge contacts the surface. The inner end of the plate can be held still and the rest of the plate turned about the stationary point.

Claims

1. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like comprising a head and a handle extending upwardly from the plane of the head.

2. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 1 in which the handle extends perpendicularly from the head.

3. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 1 and 2 in which the handle is fitted into a socket which is mounted on the surface of the plate.

4. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the handle consists of an extension portion which is removably fitted into a socket or the like, at the top end of the extension portion.

5. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the socket embodying the handle may be moveable, ie., of a swivel nature.

6. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the handle consists of extendible portions so that the length of the handle may be varied at will by adding or removing extension sections.

7. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the material of the handle may be varied.

8. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the handle may be altered from the simple straight form, so that the tool can be drawn along from a position to one side of it.

9. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 1 in which the head consists of a flat rectangular steel plate which is 15 cm long, 70 cm wide and 1 cm thick.

10. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 1 and 9 in which the length, width, and thickness of the plate may be varied.

11. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the corners of the plate head may be rounded.

12. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the material of the head may be varied.

13. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which an angled mounting bracket including a tubular handle socket is welded to the centre of the upper surface of the plate.

14. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which imprinting ribs are welded to the flat lower surface of the steel plate head.

15. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 14 in which the number of imprinting ribs may be varied.

16. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 14 and 15 in which the material of the imprinting ribs may be varied.

17. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 14 through 16 in which the ribs are equally spaced from one another in a series, extending substantially right across the plate.

18. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 17 in which the spacing between the ribs may be varied.

19. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 14 through 18 in which the ribs are welded to the bottom surface of the plate and extend from front to back of the plate in parallel straight lines.

20. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 14 through 19 in which the ribs are generally of uniform transverse cross-section except for small lead bevels at their front and rear ends.

21. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 14 through 20 in which the ribs are triangular, with the base of the triangle being welded against the plate and the apex projecting downwardly.

22. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 14 through 21 in which the depth of the projecting ribs is 2 cm and their width is 2 cm, while the spacing between them is 10 cm.

23. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 22 in which the depth, width and spacing between the ribs may be varied.

24. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 14 through 23 in which the cross-sections used for the ribs may be varied, as in a half moon.

25. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the imprinting ribs may be adjustable in position along the float plate.

26. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 25 in which the plate may be provided with 2 series of through-holes, one extending along near the front edge and the other near the rear edge of the plate.

27. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 25 and 26 in which the ribs have two threaded pins extending up from their bases at a front to-rear spacing corresponding to that of the two lines of through-holes.

28. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 25 through 27 in which the--adjustable ribs consist of pins which are threaded through the holes and secured in place by tightening nuts onto the pins.

29. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 25 in which the ribs may be integrally formed by welding, with slider elements which have front and rear portions hooking round and over the front and rear edges of the plate.

30. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 25 and 29 in which the rib position can be adjusted continuously along the plate.

31. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 25, 29 and 30 in which a locking screw is provided on each slider to hold it still after adjustment, eg., by tightening against an upstanding rear flange of the float plate.

32. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which the tool maybe connected to a guide element defining a suitable curved or straight path for the imprint, by means of a connection rod.

33. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 32 in which the rod is telescopically adjustable between various locked lengths and can move along the guide element so as to keep the tool on a corresponding straight or curved path.

34. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to any one of the preceeding claims in which an array of parallel lines produced by the-tool can then be used to create a brick pattern, by subsequently impressing spaced transverse lines between the continuous parallel lines.

35. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 34 in which the traverse lines may be imprinted by a further tool having a single bar imprinting element at its head.

36. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 35 in which it may consist of a long-handled or short-handled tool.

37. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 34 through 36 in which such a tool could be used to mark curved lines, eg., part-circles about the corner of a concreted area.

38. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 37 in which the head would be tilted so that only a front or rear edge contacts the surface.

39. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 37 and 38 in which a steel pin would act as an axis point at the inner end of the plate.

40. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claim 39 in which the material of the pin may be varied.

41. A Tool for Marking Concrete or the Like according to claims 37 through 40 in which the axis or stationary point may be varied as to the nature of the circle.