US20100226718A1 - Obergfoll concrete screed level - Google Patents

Abstract

Today's process of screeding, or evening out, wet concrete is an inefficient and arduous system requiring two (or more) men, a 2×4 wooden beam, and wooden forms to level the surface of wet concrete. The Obergfoll Concrete Screed Level, or “OCSL,” allows a single person to screed concrete as accurately, more easily and in less time than it takes the standard two man screeding technique used today.

The OCSL is uniquely designed to allow a single person to accurately level and screed wet concrete. The screeding bar also incorporates a leveling bubble allowing for continuous verification of even leveling throughout the screeding process. The ergonomically designed dual handles act as convenient and efficient levers, allowing easy and accurate screeding of heavy wet concrete by one single operator, instead of the customary two or three person job.

Description

I. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
• Today's process of screeding, or evening out, wet concrete is an inefficient and arduous system requiring two (or more) men, a 2×4 wooden beam, and wooden forms to level the surface of wet concrete. The Obergfoll Concrete Screed Level, or “OCSL,” allows a single person to screed concrete as accurately, more easily and in less time than it takes the standard two man screeding technique used today.
II. SUMMARY
• The OCSL is uniquely designed to allow a single person to accurately level and screed wet concrete. The screeding bar also incorporates a leveling bubble allowing for continuous verification of even leveling throughout the screeding process. The ergonomically designed dual handles act as convenient and efficient levers, allowing easy and accurate screeding of heavy wet concrete by one single operator, instead of the customary two or three person job.
III. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The OCSL is made of three primary components:
• • 1) The screed is a 4′ to 6′ long wooden or metal plank, approximately 1½″ wide and 3½″ tall. The screed is the operational piece the OCSL that effectively “pulls” the wet cement to level and even out the concrete.
  • 2) The handles, also made of wood or metal, are approximately 18″ long and angled up and out to allow maximum leverage in pulling and maneuvering the OCSL over wet concrete. The handles are designed to allow a single person to pull the screed comfortably, without needing to kneel or bend to a position that may compromise back and neck safety.
  • 3) The third primary part is the level bubble which is set upon the screed at the center for maximum visibility. The level bubble allows the OCSL operator to check for level accuracy at any time during the pulling process and to instantly and continuously make adjustments as necessary.
  • 4) The combination of screed, handle and level bubble work together to allow a single operator to do the work of a 2 or more person crew more accurately and efficiently.
  • 5) The OCSL is used the following way: The OCSL is pulled within a form or space filled with wet concrete using a side to side zig zag motion, evening and leveling the wet concrete. The bubble level is checked throughout the process to maintain a level pitch.
  • 6) The OCSL has tremendous consumer and commercial application. One commercial application is within buildings where areas to be paved with concrete are obstructed by numerous shafts, pipes, bars, etc. Such impediments make the traditional system of screeding concrete with a two or more person crew difficult, inefficient and irregular because, for one, tight spaces must be skipped and finished separately. Here, the OCSL makes the screeding efficient, consistent (uniform) and labor friendly.
  • 7) The concrete screed level allows for a single person to navigate hard to reach places using its ergonomic handles and compact design. The level bubble allows for accuracy in both tight and open areas. The handles provide leverage for the operator to “pull” and screed more concrete in a shorter period of time.
IV) CONCLUSION
• Pouring concrete today is done using an out dated, inefficient process with no efficient tool to accurately and easily pull and level the concrete within the form. Today's processes result in uneven, cracked concrete with small basins that cause puddles when wet. The OCSL is the solution to this void in the construction industry. Needing only one operator, the OCSL allows for construction sites to run more efficiently as well as making pouring concrete an easy do it yourself job to the average person. The ergonomically designed and angled handles help reduce back and neck strain while allowing a single operator to pull and level wet concrete. The level bubble allows for real time, instantaneous accuracy to avoid unevenness, giving the dried concrete an perfect surface without cracks or basins. The same benefits allow for greater speed, efficiency and accuracy in both obstructed and unobstructed commercial applications.
• The OCSL will revolutionize the leveling of wet concrete for do-it-yourselfers as well as professional contractors.
V) §1.74 REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS
• a) FIG. 1 is the front view of the screed. At this view, one would be face to face with the operator of the screed.
• b) FIG. 1-3 identifies the level bubble in FIG. 1.
• c) FIG. 2 is the top view of the screed, as if one is standing above the screed.
• d) FIG. 2-4 identifies the level bubble in FIG. 2.
• e) FIG. 3 is a close up front view of the level bubble.
• f) FIG. 4 is a close up top view of the level bubble.
• g) FIG. 5 is the side view of the screed.
• h) FIG. 6 is top view of the screed at work leveling wet concrete. Here, the operator would be pulling the screed downward, as per the arrows.

Claims (1)

1. The Obergfoll Concrete Screed Level, or “OCSL” will revolutionize the leveling of wet concrete for do-it-yourselfers as well as professional contractors by allowing a single person to screed or level wet concrete as accurately, more easily and in less time than the two or more person screeding techniques and devises used today.

The OCSL is uniquely designed to allow a single person to accurately level and screed wet concrete. The screeding bar also incorporates a leveling bubble allowing for continuous verification of even leveling throughout the screeding process. The ergonomically designed dual handles act as convenient and efficient levers, allowing easy and accurate screeding of heavy wet concrete by one single operator, instead of the customary two or three person job.

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