US3216338A

US3216338A - Concrete finishing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3216338A
Application number: US135664A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter M Madsen
Original assignee: Baldwin Lima Hamilton Corp
Current assignee: Baldwin Lima Hamilton Corp
Priority date: 1961-09-01
Filing date: 1961-09-01
Publication date: 1965-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1982-11-09

Description

Nov. 9, 1965 w. M. MADSEN CONCRETE FINISHING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 1, 1961 Wal/er M Madse,

INVENTOR. WHAN/V 8 McMAN/GAL Af/orneys for A a 271E 12) Nov. 9, 1965 w. M. MADSEN CONCRETE FINISHING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept.

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CONCRETE FINISHING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 /a/l er M M0064,

INVENTOR.

W/l'A/VN 8 McMA/V/GAL Afforneys fin A I/can/ by V Nov. 9, 1965 w. M. MADSEN CONCRETE FINISHING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 1, 1961 Walker M Mao sen,

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United States Patent ()fifice 3,216,338 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 3,216,338 CONCRETE FINISHING APPARATUS Walter M. Madsen, Arcadia, Calif., assignor to Baldwin- Llma-Hamilton Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Sept. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 135,664 6 Claims. ((31. 9445) This invention relates generally to concrete finishing machmes and relates more particularly to the final sequences of manipulation, smoothing and finishing of concrete highway or airport runway paving.

While the invention has particular utility embodied in machmes or apparatus for finishing concrete highway paving strips, and is shown and described embodied in such machines or apparatus, it is to be understood that its utility is not confined thereto.

In the building of a concrete highway the first or initial step is to level and prepare the grade upon which the concrete paving strip is to be laid and to thereafter install metal side or header forms between which the concrete is poured. The upper edges of the side or header forms are customarily used as a guide for supporting the striking off and finishing apparatus used in the various steps in laying and finishing the pavement, and are held to grade and alignment for engineering plans.

One of the problems in finishing paving strips has been the difliculty in elimination of longitudinal and transverse undulations which have become increasingly more objectionable as the speed of vehicles using the highways has increased.

Another problem involved in the finishing of concrete highway paving strips has been provision of equipment for use in making the wide paving strips required on some of the Wider highways now being built in numerous localities throughout the country, and also for the paving of wide strips required in the making of concrete runways for airports. Such finishes require prefinishing operations to be performed after the concrete has been laid by the paving machine before the finisher can operate satisfactorily.

The most desirable surface finish for a concrete roadway is one which is smooth in that it is without road bumps or undulations, either large or small, but which has a sufl'iciently rough surface texture so that it will assist in preventing skidding of automobiles driven on the finished pavement. The lines of texture should run longitudinally of the roadway since a marked transverse texture in the roadway produces eye weariness and hum at certain speeds.

The principal cause of undulations in finished highway surfaces has been found to be subsidance of the mass after a finishing operation has been performed. It is desirable therefore to perform the final finishing operation when the concrete mass has more or less completely subsided. This has been diflicult, if not impossible, with most of the finishing equipment now in use.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete highway surface finisher which will overcome the above difliculties and problems.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character which will produce a final finish level with a minimum of slab stress.

It is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character which will etfect a continuing finishing operation in both forward and rearward directions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this character adapted to cause a maximum of subsidance due to the mechanical oscillation and both forward and rearward finishing abilities of the equipment.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character that will follow subsidance of the concrete or mortar.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character adapted to initially distribute surface portions of a concrete highway paving slab to a condition of smoothness and thereafter to finish the surface of such slab to a required texture.

It is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character which will retain the workable excess mortar on the slab until the slab is completely finished. By retaining the mortar upon the slab until the final pass, a minimum amount of mortar, if any, will be rejected.

It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character having a single pair of floats set in the form of a V and of symmetrical angle but with one float forward of the other fiat forming the pair.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character wherein each of the floats oscillates diagonally relative to the length of the slab or strip of concrete being finished.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein the apparatus has means to shunt each float so that in oscillation the ends of the floats traverse the center line of the pavement strip equally.

It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character having means to shunt either float forward or backward in alternate positions while at the same time maintaining a continuous operation and oscillation or non-oscillation.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character wherein there is means to shunt one float or the other beyond the center line while at the same time pulling the opposite float back or away from the center line of the slab, all the while continuing oscillation of both floats.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character wherein, with either float in the forward or rearmost shunt position, the opposite float may be lifted free and clear of the concrete slab surface being finished.

It is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character wherein the floats may be selectively raised or lowered.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein either or both floats may be selectively oscillated or allowed to stand static while the machine is moving in one direction or the other, so that the concrete may, in this traveling action, be selectively finished by oscillating screeds in contact with the surface or by static screeds.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide concrete highway finishing apparatus having a basic structure suitable for use on standard highway paving and which is capable of being adjusted for width in accordance with the width requirements of various highway strips or concrete runways for airports.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character having supporting wheels adapted to operate on the header forms normally used in concrete highway or airport construction and including means for aligning and adjusting said wheels to the header and slab widths.

It is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character having supporting wheel means adapted for use on side forms or headers or adjacent slabs, or combinations thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character wherein each float carries on its own finishing function of striking-off and troweling the freshly poured cement slab.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which will leave the excess struck mortar along the approximate center line of the concrete slab being finished or adjacent said center line, when each of the floats is reciprocating and positioned in either the forward or rearmost shunt positions and when the machine is traveling rearward.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which will strike off the concrete to the proper stages of level with each succeeding forward and rearward pass.

It is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character that will disperse the excess mortar and deliver it to low spots in the slab surface.

It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character that maintains a reservoir of mortar to be constantly manipulated, dispersed, appended and made a homogeneous part of the existing slab being finished during the operation of finishing.

' It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character having means for lowering the elevation of the float surfaces in contact with the slabs so as to enable the floats to follow the natural subsidence which occurs during the time between the initial pass which the floats may first make and the last pass which may be over a span of many minutes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein the forwardmost float closes the gap at the center of the slab, thereby wiping off or striking off or screeding off the excess mortar from along the longitudinal center of the slab and directing it to the outside of the pavement slab when traveling in a forward direction, leaving a smooth, uniform and level surface of concrete.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character having a float arrangement with angle of attack during the finishing operation, either in one direction or the other, presenting a minimum of frontal pressure against the slab depth, thereby reducing drag and frontal swell or otherwise distorting or stressing the slab.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character having guide means for the floats which will absorb the thrust created against either side of the float depending on the direction of travel of the finisher.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which, because of the reduced concentration of frontal pressure created by the V-pattern of the floats, minimizes the tendency to create rolling swells in the slab which wastes cubic concrete yardage.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character which, during its finishing operation, will leave accumulated excess mortar within the confines of the header forms.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein excess mortar will be dispersed at the trailing ends of the floats, and along the edges of the slab of concrete being finished, so that said excess of mortar may be subsequently distributed over the slab for filling in the low spots and following the subsidence condition.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein each float has a radial or diversion float adjacent its outer end, with said radial float movable between positions whereat there is an opening between the radial float and the adjacent end of the principal float and a position whereat such opening is closed.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character wherein the radial or diversion float, either in closed or open position, under conditions of oscillation either in the forward or reverse shunt positions, will at all times contact the header and never fall short of doing so, otherwise the impact of oscillation or shunt resulting from the tipped end of the float falling down inbetween the headers would cause tremendous side pressure against the headers, creating damage or, inversely, prevent the radial float location from being too far outwardly of the side edges of the header, thereby nullifying the beneficial effect of retaining the excess concrete on the slab for purposes of manipulation, placement and utilization to compensate for natural subsidence.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character having means to crown the floats to a parabolic conformation of predetermined limits or to provide a straight crown.

It is a further object of the invention to provide app aratus of this character wherein the various functions of finishing and propulsion may be controlled by a single operator.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character that may be broken down into several sub-assemblies such as the float frame assembly and the power truck assembly, so that comparatively light on-the-job crane equipment can be used and a minimum amount of space or thoroughfare will be required for transport as opposed to carrying the entire machine in one piece.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is extremely effective in finishing slabs of concrete in the minimum of time and yet will sat isfy the rigid requirements of specifications of highway departments and the like.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further .sufliciently referred to in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, which represent one arrangement. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed, and I contemplate the employment of any structures, arrangements, or modes of operation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2-A is an enlarged side view of a forward portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 2-B is an enlarged side view of an intermediate portion thereof;

FIG. 2-C is an enlarged side view of a rear portion thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 33 of FIG. 2-C;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2-B;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing the swivel mounting for the central beam;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the pair of floats of the apparatus in a series of positions, R1, R2, R3 and R4, during the reverse travel, the radial floats being in the closed position; and

FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the pair of floats in a series of positions, F1, F2, F3 and F4, under forward: travel conditions and with the radial floats in the open position.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a power truck assembly, indicated generally at '10, and a. float assembly, indicated generally at 1 2.

The truck assembly includes a transverse frame, indicated generally at F, comprising front and rear transverse frame member 14 and 15 respectively, and end frame members 16 respectively connecting together adjacent ends of the frame members 14 and 15.

Since each end of the power truck assembly is the same, it will only be. necessary to describe one end.

Spaced inwardly of the frame member 16 and parallel therewith is a frame member 17 and spaced inwardly from the latter is a frame member 18 which is parallel with said frame member 17. There are, of course, reinforcing frame members, not shown, since the power truck assembly is merely shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1.

There are front and rear flanged wheels 19 in alignment with each other longitudinally relative to the entire machine and adapted to travel on the top surfaces or edges of the side forms or headers 20 which are spaced laterally apart in parallel relationship to each other and between which concrete or mortar for the paving strip or slab is disposed. The flanges of the wheels 19 are at the inner sides thereof, as indicated at 21. The wheels 19 are secured to respective axles 22 which are provided with bearings, not shown, carried by the frame members 17 and 18. At the outer side of each wheel 19 there is a rubbertired wheel 23 secured to respective shafts 22, wheels 19 and 23 being disposed between the frame members 17 and 18.

Outer end portions of shafts 22 extend outwardly beyond the frame member .17 and there is a sprocket 24 secured to each of the outwardly extending portions of shafts 22, said sprockets being disposed between the frame members 16 and 17.

A driving sprocket 26 is mounted on blocks 27 disposed on the end frame members 16 and 17 so that said sprocket is elevated above the sprockets 24. An idler sprocket 28 is mounted on blocks 29 secured to the frame members 16 and 17. A chain 30 extends about the sprockets 24 and 26 and the idler sprocket 23 is disposed above the chain and in engagement therewith to stabilize that portion of the chain in the driving sprocket 26 and the front sprocket 24.

The above described wheel arrangement is provided because very often, either in highway construction or airport construction or on any other type of slab construction where a machine such as the present one might be used, it is sometimes necessary to operate the wheels on one side of the machine or apparatus on headers con structed of steel or the like and on the opposite side to carry the apparatus or machine on an existing concrete slab. In the latter instance, the flanges on the steel wheels 19 would be removable and would be removed so they would not cut the slab and the weight and tractive force of the apparatus or machine is then carried on the rubber wheels which are on each side of the machine.

A platform 40 is mounted on the frame F and on the platform is secured an engine E, which may be of any suitable character, such as an internal combustion engine. Drive shaft 41 of the engine extends into a gear box 42 to drive suitable gearing of any well known character, there being rearwardly extending driven shafts 43 and 44 which are operably connected to the gearing in the gear 'box 42. Shafts 43 and 44 are connected, through screed or float clutches 45 and 46, to respective shafts 47 and 43. Clutches 45 and 46 may be of any suitable well known character and need not be described in detail, said clutches being merely for the purpose of selectively connecting or disconnecting the shafts 47 and '48 with the driving mechanism provided therefor in the gear box.

There is also means for connecting the driving gears in the gear box with the driving sprockets 26 to thereby drive the supporting wheels for the power truck assembly. This means includes shafts 50 and 51 which extend from the gear box longitudinally of the power truck assembly, said shafts being operably connected to suitable gears in said gear box whereby power from the engine E is transmitted to said shafts 58 and 51. Shafts 5t) and 51 have

sprockets

52 and 53 respectively secured thereto, and said

sprockets

52 and 53 are operably connected to

sprockets

54 and 55 mounted on sleeves 56 and 57 respectively which transmit power to power

truck drive shafts

58 and 59 respectively through respective clutches 60 6 and 61. Drive

shafts

58 and 59 are connected to the driving sprockets 26 at the respective ends of the frame F.

There is also an engine clutch 65 for engaging and disengaging the shaft 41 from the engine and any suitable well known means may be provided for operating the engine clutch 65 and the other clutches hereinbefore described.

Other controls are also provided, such as the screed or float speed shifter 66, forward, neutral and reverse shifter 67 and the traction speed shifter 68.

A support member extends rearwardly from the power truck assembly and has its forward end pivoted to said power truck assembly by pivot means, indicated generally at 81. The support member may be of any suitable character but is shown herein as a tube.

Referring to FIG. 5, the pivot means 81 comprises a ball and socket arrangement, the ball being indicated at 81 and the socket being indicated generally at 83. The latter comprises a lower socket member 84 and an upper socket member 85, the lower socket member being secured by any bolting means to the top plate 86 of a hydraulic actuator or jack J for adjusting the height of the support member 80 and hence the front ends of the float support frames hereafter described. Lower and upper socket members 84 and are secured together by any suitable means, such as bolts, not shown, and extending upwardly from the ball is a spindle 88 pivotally received in axially aligned openings provided therefor in the forward end of the support member 80. At the lower end of support member 88 there is an outwardly extending annular flange 89 on said spindle which supports the forward end of said spindle.

Referring to FIG. 1, the float assembly 12 includes a pair of truss-type float support frames and respective floats supported thereby. Since the frames and their respective floats are of the same construction a description of one frame and its float will suflice.

The float frame is indicated generally at and its float is indicated generally at 96.

The frame 95 includes longitudinally extending laterally spaced

parallel members

97 and 98 which have forward end portions 99 which converge toward each other. There are lower longitudinally extending truss-frame members corresponding to the

upper frame members

97 and 98, the

lower frame members

97 and 98 being spaced below the upper frame members and have forward end portions correspondingl converging and provided with a plate 100. There are aligned openings in the plates 100 for reception of a pivot member or pin 104 which also passes through the support member 80 to thereby pivotally connect the front end of the float support frame to said support member.

The float assembly 96 comprises a longitudinally extending float shoe, indicated generally at 110, which has a horizontal bottom wall 111 and upstanding side walls 112 along the side edges of the bottom wall and normal thereto.

Above the float shoe there are longitudinally extending channel-shaped guide frame members 114, each of which has the cross sectional shape of a shallow U on its side. The members 114 have their open sides facing each other and the lower arms or sides have attached thereto the horizontal parts of angle members 115, the vertical sides of said angle members being in the same plane as the outer walls 116 of said members 114.

At each side of the float there is a side wall or shroud 120 to prevent the entrance of concrete or other foreign material into the float shoe and the support mechanism therefor described hereinafter. Each side wall or shroud includes a depending portion 121 having an upper edge portion secured to the vertical parts of the members 114 and by welding or other suitable means. From the vertical portion 121 each shroud has a downwardly and inwardly inclined portion 122 at the lower edge of which is depending vertical parts 123 from the lower edge of which there is a downwardly and inwardly inclined part 124 which has its free edge in vertically sliding engagement with the upstanding walls 112 of the float shoe 110.

The float shoe 110 is connected to and supported by the channel guide frame 114. This connection or connecting means comprises a plurality of transverse channel pieces 126 in the cross-sectional shape of a shallow inverted U, said cross pieces having their end secured to the upstanding Walls 112 of the float shoe by welding or other suitable means and being longitudinally spaced apart relative to said float shoe. Each channel piece 126 has two pairs of upstanding ears 127 secured thereto by any suitable means adjacent the respective end thereof and said ears are provided with axially aligned openings therethrough for reception of a pivot pin 128 on which the lower end of a link 129 is pivotally mounted, there being a link 129 disposed between each pair of ears, as best shown in FIG. 4. The upper ends of said links 129 are provided with openings therethrough for reception of a pivot pin or bolt 130 of any suitable character.

A bell crank, indicated generally at 131, is provided for each channel piece and each bell crank has an opening adjacent the apex thereof for reception of a pivot pin or bolt 132 of suitable character. The ends of pin 132 are disposed in openings provided therefor in a pair of cars 134 which are laterally spaced apart, said ears being secured by any suitable means, such as welding or the like, to a cross member 135 which extends transversely between the side walls or shrouds 120 and has its ends secured to said side walls by welding or other suitable means. The upper edge of each cross member terminates at the horizontal plane of the lower ends of the side parts of the members 115, said cross members 135 terminating at the lower ends of the downwardly and inwardly inclined wall parts 122 of the side walls or shrouds 120.

The arms 138 and 139 of the bell crank 131 have openings therein adjacent their free ends. The opening in the arm 138 is pivotally disposed on the pivot pin 130 and is centered thereonvbetween the links 129 by spacer sleeves 140 disposed on said pin 130. It is to be noted that the bell crank 131 is centered on the pin 132 by spacer sleeves 141 disposed on pin 132 and spacing said bell crank 131 centrally between the ears 134, FIG. 4. Arm 139 of the bell crank 131 is connected by a pivot pin 144 between the ears 145 of a sleeve connector 146 fixed to a rod 147 which comprises part of means for bowing the float shoe to provide a crown in the paving. The sleeve 146 is secured to the rod 147 by any suitable means such as, for example, welding or the like.

There are a series of rods 147 with respective sleeve connectors 146 extending lengthwise of the float. Rods 147 have threaded, reduced diameter portions 148 which extend axially from the ends. Portions 148 are threadably received in the usual tapped bores at the end of a turnbuckle 150 and said turnbuckle is locked in adjusted positions by means of nuts 151 at the respective ends thereof. At the forward end of the means for effecting bowing of the float shoe is a rod 147-A which has a terminal sleeve connector connected to the forward bell crank 131, FIG. 2-A.

' The cross members 135 have openings 152 through which the rods of the bowing means extend.

At the rear of the float mechanism 96 there is means for tightening or loosening the bowing means to effect bowing, or relaxing of the bowing of the float shoe, it being noted that normally the float shoe is unbowed. The means for adjusting the bowing means comprises a bracket 154 secured to a downwardly opening longitudinally extending channel member 155 which is held in position by lateral arms 156. The bracket 154 has a bore extending longitudinally relative to the bowing means and there is a rotatable nut 158 in said bracket, said nut having a longitudinally extending internally threaded opening therethrough for threadable reception of the threaded end 159 of the adjacent rod 147. Nut 158 has a hexagonal end at the rear thereof for reception thereon of the socket 160 of a wrench 161. The nut 158 also has a flange 163 for abutment against the adjacent end of the fixture 154 whereby rotation of the nut 158 in the tightening direction will eflect a tightening of said howiIlJg means. Forwardly of the bracket. 154 are a pair of nuts 164 which, when tightened together, form a limiting means for rearward movement of the bowing means. A bracket 165 is disposed with a downwardly extending portion 166 at the rear side of the socket of the wrench to thereby retain said wrench on the adjacent portion of the rod 147 and there are a pair of nuts 167 at the rear or outer side of said part 166 of bracket 165 which, when locked together, provide limiting means for forward movement of said bowing means. With this arrangement the wrench is retained on the part of the rod 147 extending rearwardly of the nut 158 and the socket of said wrench may he slipped onto and oif of the nut for actuating same to tighten or relax the bowing means. It is to be noted that the depending part 166 of bracket 165 is provided with a notch 168 for reception of the adjacent portion of the rod 147. The bracket 165 is secured by any suitable means, such as welding or the like, to the adjacent end of the channel member 155.

While the forward ends of the truss-type float support frames 96 and 97 are supported by the support member 80 the rear end of each of said frames is mounted to and supported by a trailing end support means, indicated generally at 175.

The trailing end support means are of the same construction and a description of one will therefore sufiice.

Each support means 195 comprises a hollow frame in the general shape of an inverted L, with the free end of the horizontal part 176 facinlg forwardly. The frame is generally square in cross section and the sides 177 of the horizontal portion are short of the forward ends of the top and

bottom walls

178 and 179. These forward parts of the top and bottom walls have aligned openings therein for pivotal reception of a vertical pivot pin 180 which has end portions secured in top and

bottom brackets

181 and 182 which are suitably secured to top and bottom rear end plates 184 attached to the rear end of the respective float support frame. At the lower end of the hollow frame of the trailing end support means 175 there is a housing 186 carrying bearing members 187 at the sides thereof, said bearing members 187 having aligned openings therein for rotatable reception of the ends of a shaft 188 on which is operably mounted an inner wheel 189 having flanges 190 at the respective sides thereof, said flanges being removably secured to the wheel. At the outer side of the wheel 189 there is a rubber-tired wheel 191. The arrangement is similar to the arrangement of the power truck assembly wheels which permit the equipment to ride either on headers 20 or on adjacent concrete slabs after the flanges have been removed from the wheel 189.

It is to be noted that one of the truss-type float support frames 96 is pivoted to the support member 80 at a point ahead of the other frame 96, at best shown in FIG. 1. The trailing end support means 175 of each of the float support frames 96 are arranged so that when the apparatus is moving on the headers 20 the wheels 189 are operably positioned on said headers and are in alignment with the flanged wheels of the power truck assembly. In order to maintain the trailing edge support means in proper position and alignment there is adjusting means, indicated generally at 200.

Each adjusting means 200 comprises a turnbuckle 201 from the respective ends of which extend rods 202 having their adjacent ends threadably connected with the turnbuckle 201. The opposite ends of said rods are provided with ears 203 pivotally connected to

ears

204 and 205 secured by any suitable means, such as welding or the like, to adjacent suitable parts of the float support E9 frame and the trailing edge support means 175 by means of pivot pins 207 and 208 respectively.

The apparatus has means for maintaining the angular relationship of the float support frames 95 and 96 relative to each other, said means comprising a plate 210 secured to the support member 80 adjacent the rear free end thereof, said plate being attached to the support member 80 by any suitable means, such as welding or the like. In general planar alignment with the plate 210 each float support frame is provided with an arm 211 connected by means of a pivot pin 212 to an ear 213 attached or secured to an adjacent convenient part of the float support frame. The free end of arm 211 is secured by means of bolts or the like, not shown, to

members

214 and 215 which are secured together by means of bolts, not shown. The inner end of each of the members 215 is secured to the plate 210 by means of bolts or the like, not shown. It is to be understood that the arms 211 and

members

214 and 215 are provided with a plurality of holes so arranged that adjustments may be made to properly space the rear ends of the float support frames and the trailing end support means 175 to meet the width requirements of any particular paving job. Also, to accommodate such various widths the power truck assembly frame may be arranged to be extended or retracted in accordance with the width requirements of the particular paving job.

Each float is suspended or supported by its respective support frame by means of a plurality of hangers, indicated generally at 220, which are spaced longitudinally of the float and frame. Each hanger comprises a pair of parallel arms 221 which are spaced laterally apart and interconnected by an X-member 223. The lower ends of the arms 221 are provided with bosses 224 having axially aligned openings therethrough for operable reception of a shaft 225 carrying a roller 226 at each end, said rollers 226 being operably disposed within the respective channel guide frames 114.

Each hanger 220 has a tubular upper end member 230 which extends transversely and in which is operably disposed a pivot pin 231 the ends of which are disposed in pin support members 232 carried by cars 233 connected or secured to adjacent convenient parts of the float support frame.

Each hanger 220 is provided with an actuating arm 235 having its lower end secured to the tubular part 230 and having the upper end thereof pivoted at 236 to a member 237 carried on respective rods 238. Rods 238 extend longitudinally of the respective float support frame and have their respective ends threaded, as at 239, for connection with respective turnbuckles 240. The end rod is indicated at 238-A and is provided at its front end with a yoke 241 connected by means of a pivot pin 242 to the rear arm 235. respective turnbuckles provide connecting means whereby the arms 235 may be actuated simultaneously. It is to be noted that the hangers 220 are inclined rearwardly and downwardly from the pivot pins 231 and consequently pivotal movement of said hangers will effect raising and lowering of the float which is shown in the lowermost position in FIGS. 2A, 2-B and 2-C.

There is means for adjusting the vertical position of the float, said adjusting means providing very small increments of adjustment and limits downward movement of said float.

The adjusting means includes a plate 250 secured to one of the hangers 220, said plate being shown as secured to the forwardmost of said hangers. There is a yoke 251 pivoted at 252 to the plate 250, said yoke 251 being connected to a second yoke 253 by means of a rod 254. Yoke 253 is connected by a pivot pin 255 to an ear 256 of a member 257 which is slidably received in a tubular member 258 fixed to a suitable convenient part of the float support frame. The upper end of member 257 is provided with a plate 259 which is held against rotation The rods 238, 238-A and the by means of a guide rod 260 secured thereto and depending therefrom. Guide rod 260 is slidably received in openings provided therefor in arms 261 of a bracket secured to the tubular guide 258. A perforated adjustment plate 265 is secured to the plate 259, said adjustment plate 265 being arranged horizontally and normal to plate 259. Plate 259 has an upstanding ear 266 parallel with the adjustment plate 265 and provided with an opening therein which is axially aligned with an opening in said adjustment plate 265 for reception of a shaft 267 which extends through shaft opening in the plate 265. At the back side of the plate 265 there is an eccentric 268 the periphery of which engages a rotating bearing of suitable character such as, for example, a roller bearing. The bearing 70 is mounted on a pivot member, not shown, which is fixed by being secured to the fixed guide 258. Eccentric 268 is provided with a handle or lever 271 having openings 272 and 272a therein adapted to register with arcuately spaced openings 273 and arcuately spaced openings 274 respectively in the adjustment plate. It is to be noted that the openings 274 are offset relative to the openings 273. In making an adjustment to limit the downward movement of the float the latter is raised by an actuator 280, as described hereinafter. The lever 271 is then moved clockwise to the desired position, thereby rotating eccentric 268. A bolt, pin, or the like, is inserted through one of the openings 272 or 272a in the lever and in the aligned

opening

273 or 274 of the adjustment plate. The float is then lowered and the downward movement is limited by engagement of the eccentric 268 with the bearing 270.

The float is raised by a hydraulic actuator 280 which has a piston operably disposed in the cylinder of the actuator 280, said piston having a piston rod 281 at the free end of which is carried a yoke 282 pivotally connected by a pin 283 to the lever 235 at the forward end of the frame and float. When the actuator 280 is energized with pressure fluid the levers 235 with their respective hangers 220 are moved in the counter-clockwise direction and the float raised. As the float is raised the parts connected with the plate 259 move upwardly and move said plate upwardly. Simultaneously the eccentric 268 is moved upwardly from the stationary hearing 270. When the float is lowered the lowering movement is limited by engagement of the eccentric with said stationary bearing 270. It is to be understood that the actuator 280 is connected with a source of fluid under pressure and the application of pressure to said actuator is under the control of suitable valve means, or the like.

Each float is oscillated and since the mechanism for oscillating the floats is the same, a description of one will be suflicient. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2-A, there is a gear box 285 having sleeves 285a at opposite sides thereof slidably mounted on guide rods 285b. The ends of rods 285b are secured to brackets 285a attached by bolts 285d, thus the gear box 285 is slidably movable longitudinally of the float support frame between predetermined forward and rearward positions. An actuator 285e, FIGS. 1 and 2-A, has one end 285 operably secured to a member 285g of the float support frame, the other end, 285k, FIG. 1, of said actuator .being operably secured to the gear box. There are

conduits

285 and 285k for the actuator 285s which are connected to a source of fluid under pressure for operating said actuator, and there are control means for controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said actuator whereby the latter will move the gear box 285 forwardly and rearwardly to the limits of movement or to fixedly position the box 285 at selected intermediate positions.

The gear box 285 includes the necessary gear system and there is an input shaft 286 connected with the gear system and said shaft is provided with a universal joint 287, which in turn is connected to one end of an internally grooved tubular sleeve 288 within which a splined shaft 289 is telescopically received. The outer end of the splined shaft 289 is connected to a universal joint 290 which is connected to the adjacent end of the rearwardly extending shaft 47 or 48 of clutch 45 or 46. Thus the power connection between the shaft 47 and the gear box is variable as to length to take care of adjustment movements of said gear box.

It is to be noted that the connection between the gear mechanism in the box 285 of the rearwardly spaced float system is longer than the connection for the other float system and because of the telescoping arrangement of the sleeve 288 and shaft 289 the length of the connection may be varied to accommodate changes in the adjustment of the float systems in accordance wit-h the width of the paving slab to be finished.

A shaft 295 extends outwardly from the outer side of the gear box 285 and is, of course, operably connected with the gear system therein. At the outer end of shaft 295 there is fixed an eccentric disc 296 which is keyed to said shaft and rotated thereby. On the disc 296 is operably secured an eccentric

strap comprising parts

297 and 298 connected together by means of bolts 299.

Strap part 298 is provided with a radially extending boss 300 having at its outer end a reduced diameter part 301 provided with an internally threaded bore in which is threadably received the reduced diameter end portion 302 of an actuating rod 303. The threaded connection is for the purpose of adjusting the rod 303 toward or away from the eccentric mechanism and a lock nut 304 is provided on the reduced diameter part 302 to secure the parts in the adjusted position.

The rear end of the rod or pitman 303 is connected toa pair of oscillating levers 305 by means of a pivot pin 306. The upper ends of levers 305 are pivotally supported on a pivot pin 307 which is mounted between a pair of depending ears 308 attached to a suitable convenient portion of the float support frame angle brackets 309. Levers 305 have lower end portions which extend below the pivot pin 306 and the lower ends of said levers are provided with a pivot pin 310 connected with a connecting member 311 carried at the outer end of a connecting rod 312 which extends into a cylinder 314 of a shock absorber, indicated generally at 315. The rear end of the shock absorber is operably connected to a fixed support 317 by means of a member 318 and said shock absorber absorbs any shocks transmitted from the eccentric when the rod 303 changes direction of movement.

When the eccentric disc 296 is rotated the rod 303 is actuated to cause the lever 305 to oscillate or swing and thereby efiect oscillation of the float through the shock absorber. It is to be noted that the connection 311 with the rod 312 is such as to permit proper operable movement of the lever 305 without causing any binding. It is also to be noted that the connection 318 at the rear of the cylinder is somewhat flexible.

Shunting movement of the float between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions is effected by the actua tor 285a. When said actuator moves the gear box 285 longitudinally to either extreme limit of movement or a preselected intermediate position, the float will be correspondingly moved relative to its supporting frame by reason of the interconnection comprising the pitman 303, levers 305 and shock absorber 314.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the float may be oscillated longitudinally and may simultaneously be moved rearwardly or forwardly by the actuator 285e. Also, it will be apparent, that the float may be shunted forwardly or rearwardly by the actuator 285:; when not being oscillated and whether the float is at the forwardmost position or rearwardmost position the oscillatory action may be effected. The float is carried on the rollers 226 and moves on said rollers when moved longitudinally, whether such longitudinal movement is effected by the oscillating mechanism or the actuator 2852.

The mechanism also includes means for absorbing the thrusts created against each side of the float, depending upon the direction of travel of the apparatus. This means includes an inverted channel member 325 which extends along the longitudinal center of the float system and has aligned openings through side walls 326 for reception of the shafts 225 of the hangers 220. At the outer side of the depending side walls 326 of the channel member 325 are secured plates 327 by welding or other suitable means and said plates have secured thereto bosses 328 for the shafts 225. The channel member 325 is thus securely positioned between the arms 221 of the hangers and within the channel are a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers mounted on upwardly extending shafts 331. The lower ends of shafts 331 are carried by mounting plates 332 attached to the upper horizontal wall of the center channel member 155. Rollers 330 are positioned between adjacent shafts 225 so as not to interfere with longitudinal movements of the float, either effected by the oscillating mechanism or the shunting mechanism.

At the end of each float shoe there is a radial or diversion float, indicated generally at 340. The float 340 is rectangular in cross section, having a bottom 341, a top wall 342 and side walls 344. Each end of the radial float is closed by an end wall 345 and it is to be noted that the radial float is in the shape of a nonrectangular parallelogram. The front and rear ends of the float shoe are parallel to the direction of movement of the apparatus. In other words .the front and rear ends of the float shoe are parallel to the headers and are closed by end walls 346, FIGS. -6 and 7,. The ends of the radial float when in the closed position are parallel to the ends of the float shoe and when said radial float is in the closed position the ends adjacent the rear end of the float shoe abut the adjacent end of the float shoe and the float shoe and radial float are in longitudinal alignment with each other, as best shown in FIG. 6.

The radial float is pivotally connected by means of a pivoting bolt 348 to a plate 349 of the float frame. The pivot bolt 348 is located adjacent the inner side and toward the rear of the radial float, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

There is means for moving the radial float between the closed and open position, said means comprising a hydraulic actuator 350, FIG. 2-C, having one end 351, connected by means of a pivot pin 352, to a convenient fixed part of the float. The opposite end 353 of the actuator is connected to the radial float by means of a pivot pin 354 secured to the top of said float and forwardly of the pivot 348. There are hydraulic conduits 356 and 357 connected with a suitable source of hydraulic pressure for actuating said actuator to effect opening and closing of the radial float. There are, of course, suitable controls for the pressure fluid to the actuator 350, so thatthe radial float may be selectively actuated in the opening and closing directions.

In preparing the apparatus for use, it is adjusted for width in accordance with the width of the slab to be finished. The adjustments include the proper positioning of the rear wheels of the floats on the headers and securing the various adjusting means.

The floats are shunted so that they are properly positioned relative to the longitudinal center line of the slab while also having the radial floats in contact with the header at all times, either in the closed or open position and under conditions of oscillation either in the forward or reverse shunt position. The radial floats should never fall short inwardly of the headers, otherwise the impact of oscillation or shunt resulting from the tip end of the float falling down in between the headers would cause tremendous side pressure against the headers and create damage. Another advantage of the present apparatus is the arrangement whereby the floats initially are positioned upwardly of the final vertical position and are adjusted downwardly with each progressive forward and rearward pass until they finally just come approximately to the top of headers without creating massive pressure thereon.

The apparatus is also adjusted for providing the desired crown. Such crown may have a parabolic confirmation by suitable adjustment of the respective nuts 158 at the rear of the floats. Alternatively the forward end of the support member 80 may be provided with a suitable power jack arrangement or by shimming plate 86 so that a straight crown of desired heighth may be provided. In such case the parabolic crown attachment would not be operative but instead would be set in a position holding the float shoe face in a straight line so that the action of the center jack at the front end of the V frame would come into play and thereby create the straight crown effect.

Initially the concrete is mixed, deposited between the headers and subjected to spreading and predistribution and rough finishing. These operations are prior to the final finishing operation and are effected by the usual concrete mixing equipment, concrete spreader, concrete tamper, and concrete rough finishing machine.

After the concrete has been rough finished the present apparatus is operated and travels away from the concrete mixing equipment, concrete spreader, concrete tamper and concrete rough finishing machine.

The operation of the apparatus during reverse travel which may also be termed a reverse pass, is shown in FIG. 6.

As above pointed out, the apparatus has a single pair of floats set in the form of a V and a symmetrical angle, but with one float of the pair forward of the other float thereof. It should be noted that the forward ends of the floats move back and forth across the longitudinal center CL of the slab as the floats are oscillated. While the angular arrangement of the floats may be of any suitable angle, it has been found that a very effective angle is 35 off the center line of a 25 ft. slab being finished.

Referring particularly to FIG. 6, there is shown a series of float positions, R1, R2, R3 and- R4, as the machine or apparatus moves toward the right as indicated by the arrows 360. The accumulation and movement of excess mortar or concrete struck oh by the floats as the machine or apparatus carrying them travels in the direction of said arrows 360 is indicated at 362. This excess mortar or concrete moves toward the center line of a slab as the apparatus travels in the reverse direction and this direction of travel, as indicated above, may be called a reverse pass. The excess mortar or concrete moves inwardly of the slab along the leading edges of the float shoes and concentrates it at the center of the slab where it passes between the adjacent end portions of the float shoes and is left in the approximate are-a of the longitudinal center of the slab. It is to be understood, of course, that there is at all times a gap or space between the inner ends of the float shoes.

At R1 the inner ends of the float shoes have moved across the center line CL of the slab. At R2 the upper float shoe has oscillated outwardly while the lower float shoe is still in substantially the same position as shown at R1. At R3 both float shoes have oscillated outwardly so that their inner ends are substantially in line with the center line of the slab. At R4 the upper float shoe has moved or oscillated inwardly.

Throughout the series of positions indicated at R1, R2, R3 and R4, the excess concrete or mortar 362 moves inwardly along the leading edges of the float shoes and passes between the adjacent inner ends thereof.

While the float or float shoes are shown as oscillating alternately, they may also be simultaneously oscillated in the same direction.

It will be apparent that each float is carrying on its own finishing function of striking off and troweling the freshly poured cement slab. Also, any excess material which either of the floats strikes off is concentrated at the juncture of the V formed by the relative position of the two floats and this excess struck off concrete mortar 14 is passed out through the gap formed at this juncture by the oscillating action and the space resulting at the juncture. As a result of the longitudinal oscillating movement of each float a varied pattern of excess mortar or concrete is left in the approximate area of the center of the slab.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a series of float positions, as the apparatus travels in the forward direction, as indicated by the arrows 370. Here the radial floats at the outer ends of the float shoes have been moved by actuator 350 to the open position since, if the radial floats were closed, all excess concrete or mortar accumulated by the floats and radial floats would be screeded off the slab during the forward travel or pass, so that on the following reverse travel there would be no mortar to work upon in the form of excess to be distributed over the slab for filling in the low spots and following the subsidence condition.

However, with the radial floats in the open position, as shown in FIG. 7, the excess mortar or concrete is struck off and accumulates at the then leading edges of the float shoes and flows or moves outwardly along said edges. The excess mortar then flows through the gap or space between the outer ends of the float shoes and the inner ends of the radial floats, such excess mortar being indicated at 364. Since the outer ends of the float shoes, and hence the gaps, are spaced inwardly of the headers, the excess mortar or concrete will be deposited adjacent the side edges of the slab and within the confines of the header forms.

In FIG. 7 it will be seen that at P1 the upper float shoe, as viewed in said figure, has oscillated so that its inner end has crossed the longitudinal center line CL of the paving slab while the inner end of the other float shoe is at said center line. In F2 the upper float shoe has moved outwardly to a position whereat its inner end is also at said center line. At P3 the lower float shoe has moved across said center line and at P4 the upper float shoe has also moved across said center line.

When the apparatus has moved in the forward direction and has reached the equipment for mixing, spreading, tamping and rough finishing, it is stopped and the radial or diversion floats 340 are closed by the actuator 350. The apparatus is then ready for the reverse pass to again Work the material toward the longitudinal center of the slab and deposit same adjacent said center. It is to be noted that during this reverse pass the mate-rial deposited along the side edges of the slab is picked up by the floats and carried to the longitudinal center of the slab and deposited along same.

When the apparatus has picked up all of the excess mortar or concrete deposited along the edges of the slab during the previous forward pass the floats are raised and the machine moved further in the reverse direction to a point where they will pick up the excess mortar or concrete just deposited along the longitudinal center line of the slab. The floats are then lowered and the forward pass made with the radial or diversion floats in the closed position. Since the outer ends of the radial or diversion floats extend outwardly of the headers the excess mortar or concrete struck off during this pass will be removed from the slab and deposited at the outer sides of the headers.

It is to be understood, of course, that the above described sequence of passes does not necessarily have to be followed. The apparatus may be so used as to provide the most effective final finishing.

It should be borne in mind, however, that when the apparatus is making a reverse pass the excess concrete or mortar is carried to the longitudinal center of the slab and deposited adjacent said center. When the apparatus is making a forward pass the excess material is worked toward the outer edges of the slab and, when the radial floats are open, said material will be deposited along the side edges of the slab and inwardly of the headers, but

15 when the radial floats are -in the closed position such excess material is worked off of the slab during such forward pass.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the apparatus will finish in either direction.

Also, it will be apparent that the apparatus will strike off excess mortar, disperse it along the leading edges of the floats and deliver it to low spots in the slab surface. In other words, it maintains a reservoir of mortar to be constantly manipulated, dispersed, appended and made a homogeneous part of the existing slab being finished during the operation of finishing. The ifloats orfloat shoes may be gradually lowered soas to maintain'the horizontal float surfaces in contact with the Slab so as to enable the floats to follow the natural subsidance which occurs in the vtime between the initial pass which the'floats may make and the last pass.

Subsidance takes place under the troweling effect of the reciprocating floats. Due to broad variations in moisture content of the mortar, broad variations in atmosgpheric temperature, wind or other dehydrating or nondehydrating, the time of working the finishing passes of a given slab may vary-substantially. For example, such lineal length may be as little as 150 feet, whilea possible lineal footage of as much as 1500 feet may be worked. Consequently, the amount of subsidance which'can occur is not fixed but is entirely dependent upon the above factors with a given finishing machine.

It is to be noted that one of the floats,-such as, for example, the forwardmost float, closes the gap at the longitudinal center of the slab, thereby wiping otf or striking off or screeding off the excess mortar from said longitudinal center of the slab and directing it to the'outside of the pavement slab, leaving a smooth, uniform, level of concrete.

With the various controls provided, either or both floats may be oscillated or they may be held static while the machine carrying them is moving in one direction or the other. Thus the concrete may, in this travelingaction, be finished by oscillating screeds in contact with the surface or by static screeds.

The apparatus provides a continuing finishing operation in either direction and because the mortar is retained on the slab until the final pass, a minimum amount of mortar, if any, will be rejected.

It is to be noted that a final drag float may be used, operating immediately back of the oscillating floats on the final pass to provide a final finished texture to the mortar prepared for final finishing by the oscillating floats.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the embodiment,

hereinbefore described being merely for purposes of illustration.

I claim:

1. Cement pavement finishing apparatus comprising: a power truck having supporting wheels adapted ,to travel on headers for cement paving strips being finished; power means mounted on said power truck and operably connected with said wheels; a clutch in the connection between the engine and wheels whereby the wheels may be connected to and disconnected from said engine; a support member carried by said power truck; a pair of float support frames arranged in the general shape of a V; means pivotally connecting the front ends of the support frames to the suport member, one of said support frames being pivoted to the support member at a location ahead of of the pivotal connecteion of the other frame to said sup port member; wheel means at the rear end of each support frame adapted to travel on said headers; means adjustably interconnecting the rear end of the support member with the respective frames intermediate their ends; float shoe support means beneath each of the supportframes and'extending longitudinally thereof; means supporting each of the float shoe support means and adapted to raise and lower same while maintaining same in a horizontal position; power actuator means for effecting raising and lowering of said float shoe support means; adjustable ,meansfor limiting downward movement .of the floatshoe support means while permitting same to be raised; a

,float shoe vfor each .float shoe support means, said float shoe extendinglongitudinally of the support means :and

secured thereto for movement therewith, the ends ofsaid float shoes being parallel to the direction of movement of the apparatus; a diversion ,float at the outer end of each float shoe; means pivotally mounting each diversion float to the respective float shoe support means, said pivoting means being adjacent therear inner end thereof,; said diversion floats being movable between a position aligned with the respective float shoes and azposition'outof such alignment, the adjacent ends of the-float shoes and diversion floats being in engagement with each other when the diversion ,floats are in alignment with their respective float shoes, there being a gap between said adjacent ends of the float shoes and diversion floats when the latter are out of alignment with each other; powermeansforactuating the diversion floatsbetween a position wherein they are aligned with their respective float shoes and out of alignment therewith; and respective oscillating meansfor "frame; wheel means at the rear end of each support frame adapted to travel on said for-ms; float shoe support means operably suspended beneath each of the support frames; a floatshoe for each float shoe support means, said float shoe extending longitudinally of the support'means and secured thereto for movement therewith; a diversion float carried by respective float shoe support means pivotally mounted at the other end of each float shoe and movable between a position aligned with said float shoe and a position out of such alignment, the adjacent ends of the float shoes and diversion floats being in engagement with each other .when in alignment with each other, there being a gap between said adjacent ends when the diversionvfloats are pivotally moved out of said alignment; means for actuating the diversion floats between a position wherein they .are aligned with their respective float shoes and out of alignment therewith; and means for longitudinally oscillating the respective float shoe support means.

3. In cement pavement finishing apparatus: ;a pair of float support frames arranged in the general shape of a V; traveling support means adapted to travel on side forms for cementslabs; respective means pivotally connecting the front ends of the support frames to said support means, one said support frames being pivoted to the support meansiat a location ahead of the pivotal connection of the other frame; wheel means at the rear end of each support frame adapted tovtravel on said forms; a longitudinally oscillatable float shoe operably suspended beneath each of the supportframes,

longitudinally of its support frame; a diversion float .car-

ried by respective float shoe support means andpivotally mounted at the outer end of each float shoe, and longitudinally oscillatable therewith, said diversion floats movable between a position aligned with the respective float shoes and a position out of such alignment, the adjacent ends of the float shoes and. diversion floats being in em gagement with each other when in alignment with each other, there being a gap between said adj cent end when 1 7 the diversion floats are moved out of said alignment; means for actuating the diversion floats between a position wherein they are aligned with their respective float shoes and out of alignment therewith; and means for alternately oscillating the float shoes and their diversion floats.

4. In a float means for cement pavement finishing apparatus: an elongated float shoe having operable longitudinal movements; a diversion float disposed at one end of said float shoe; and means for pivotally mounting said diversion float for simultaneous operable movement with said float shoe, said diversion float having a position whereat it is in substantial longitudinal alignment with said float shoe and being pivotally movable between said position and an angular position out of such alignment, the adjacent ends of the float shoe and diversion float being closely adjacent each other when said diversion float is in said alignment with said float shoe, there being a gap between said adjacent ends when the diversion float is moved out of said alignment.

5. In a cement pavement finishing apparatus: a pair of longitudinally oscillatable float shoes arranged in the general shape of a V; traveling support means for said shoes supporting same With the inner end of one of said shoes ahead of the other; a diversion float carried by respective float shoe support means and pivotally mounted at the outer end of each float shoe and oscillatable therewith, each diversion float being pivotally movable between a position longitudinally aligned with its respective float shoe and a position out of such alignment, the adjacent ends of the float shoes and diversion floats having portions overlapping with respect to the direction of movement of the apparatus when said diversion floats are in longitudinal alignment with said float shoes, there being a gap between said adjacent ends when the diversion 3 floats are moved out of said alignment; and means for actuating the diversion floats between a position wherein they are aligned with their respective float shoes and out of alignment therewith.

6. In a cement pavement finishing apparatus: a pair of longitudinally oscillating float shoes arranged in the general shape of a V; traveling support means for said shoes supporting the same with the inner end of one of said shoes ahead of the other; a diversion float carried by respective float shoe support means and being pivotally mounted at the outer end of each float shoe and oscillatable therewith, each diversion float being pivotally movable between a position longitudinally aligned with its respective float shoe and a position out of such alignment, the adjacent ends of the float shoes and diversion floats having portions overlapping with respect to the direction of movement of the apparatus when said diversion floats and float shoes are in said alignment, there being a gap between said adjacent ends when the diversion floats are moved out of said alignment; means for actuating the diversion floats between a position wherein they are aligned with their respective float shoes and out of alignment therewith; and means for longitudinally oscillating the float shoes and their respective diversion floats.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,162,665 6/39 Mosel 9446 2,358,085 9/ 44 Millikin et a1. 9445 2,386,662 10/45 Crock 9445 2,592,960 4/52 Schulze 9445 2,866,394 12/58 Smith 9445 2,948,202 8/60 Millikin 9445 2,990,754 7/61 Beeson 9445 3,147,678 9/64 Lewis 9445 OTHER REFERENCES Civil Engineering publication, January 1960, page 128.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

Claims

5. IN A CEMENT PAVEMENT FINISHING APPARATUS; A PAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY OSCILLATABLE FLOAT SHOES ARRANGED IN THE GENERAL SHAPE OF A V; TRAVELING SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID SHOES SUPPORTING SAME WITH THE INNER END OF ONE OF SAID SHOES AHEAD OF THE OTHER; DIVERSION FLOAT CARRIED BY RESPECTIVE FLOAT SHOE SUPPORT MEANS AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT THE OUTER END OF EACH FLOAT SHOE AND OSCILLATABLE THEREWITH, EACH DIVERSION FLOAT BEING PIVOTALLY MOVABLE BETWEEN A POSITION LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED WITH ITS RESPECTIVE FLOAT SHOE AND A POSITION OUT OF SUCH ALIGNMENT, THE ADJACENT ENDS OF THE FLOAT SHOES AND DIVERSION FLOATS HAVING PORTIONS OVERLAPPING WITH RESPECT TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE APPARATUS WHEN SAID DIVERSION FLOATS ARE IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FLOAT SHOES, THERE BEING A GAP BETWEEN SAID ADJACENT ENDS WHEN THE DIVERSION FLOTS ARE MOVED OUT OF SAID ALIGNMENT; AND MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE DIVERSION FLOATS BETWEEN A POSITION WHEREIN THEY ARE ALIGNED WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE FLOAT SHOES AND OUT OF ALIGNMENT THEREWITH.