US3450011A

US3450011A - Concrete finishing machine

Info

Publication number: US3450011A
Application number: US650733A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold W Godbersen
Original assignee: HAROLD W GODBERSEN
Current assignee: HAROLD W GODBERSEN
Priority date: 1967-07-03
Filing date: 1967-07-03
Publication date: 1969-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 1986-06-17

Description

`lune 17, 1969 Filed July 5, 1967 H. W. GoDBERsx-:N

CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE June 17, 1969 H. w. GODBERSEN CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE sheet 2 @f3 Filed July 3, 1967 June 17, 1969 H. w. GODBERSEN 3,450,011

CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE Filed July s, 19e"v sheet 5 of s United States Patent ABSTRACT oFTHE DISCLOSURE A concrete finishing machine, utilizing a traveling carriage to transport a finishing member transversely over a .slab of concrete. Several forms of finishing members may `be used, and an auger type smoothing member is used to provide preliminary smoothing and leveling of the concrete in advance of the finishing member.

My invention relates to a concrete finishing machine.

An object of my invention is to provide a machine of this type which will efficiently finish off the surface of a concrete roadway or the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine which will smoothly prepare the upper surface of the concrete and wherein the heavier particles such as the aggregate and the like will be forced downwardly into the cement.

A further object of my invention is to provide a revolving structure which will finish off the concrete in the manner stated while the entire machine is moving in the direction of the roadway.

' A further object of my invention is to provide adjusting features for adjusting to the crown or the shape of the roadway.

A further object of my invention is to provide an adjustable auger arrangement which works in conjunction with the revolving structure to provide more efiiciently the aforesaid smooth surface.

A further object of my invention is to provide an adjustable supporting arrangement which besides acting as a carriage structure will readily conform to the various widths of the tracks or rails upon which the machine opcrates.

A further object of my invention is to provide an eiciently operating reversing arrangement which will provide means whereby the revolving structure and its carriage will be automatically reversed at the end of its transverse travel.

Apfurther object of my inventionis to provide `a, sectional arrangement which can be adapted to various road simple means. v

With these and other objects in view, myinvention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination yot' the various parts of my device, whereby the objects stantially along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 6 is a detail of the reversing mechanism,

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuits,

FIGURE 8 is a view showing one variation in the type of finishing member, I

generalwidths, -and to provide a device which can be powered by 3,450,01 l Patented June y17, 1969 iCC FIGURE 9 is an elevational view ternative finishing member,

FIGURE 10 is a detailed bottom the finishing member of FIG. 9, j FIGURE 11 is an end view of the device of FIG. 9,

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view showing still another alternative finishing member, and I j FIGURE 13 is an end elevational view of the f ront support of the finishing member of FIG. 11 showing the bearing support.

My invention contemplates the provision of a concrete finishing machine having a variety of advantages as mentioned in the objects hereinabove and which will nowbe explained. l z

II have used the character 10 to designate vertically positioned side plates which are adapted to extend laterally across a roadway to be finished, there being three such sections as shown in FIGURE 1 for providing the longest span. The machine is designed to use one, two, `three or more sections. These sections terminate at the angle members 11, so that by the use of varying members of sections, any width of roadway can be accommodated.

Vertical braces 12 are secured to the members 10. The members 10 terminate in the upper track portions 13 and the lower track portions 14, these track portions being in perfect alignment when the sections are all bolted together as shown.

Added angle portions 15 are fixed between the members 10. Passing through the members 15 (see FIGURE 5) are the lengthened bolts 16 having heads 17 received under the ilange portions 18 of the straps 19. To these straps are secured a pair of lengthened round rods 20 upon which the rollers 21 travel for moving and supporting the carriage structure to be described.

The bolts 16 are threadably engaged with the nuts 22 which can be used to adjust the members 19 to any desired height thereby providing that the bars 20 will match the crown of the roadway, which crown is usually highest at the center.

The bolt and nut arrangements 23 (see FIGURES 1 and 5) are used to additionally tighten the support straps 19 after the conformation has been pre-set. The additional straps 24, which are shorter than the straps 19, and spaced between them, are used to further stabilize and brace the arrangement after it has been properly set, the slots 25 permitting of adjustment in both

straps

19 and 24.

A V-belt member 27 is secured as at 26 (see FIGURE showing another alplan vview showing 2) to one end of the framework and is shown partially broken away in FIGURE 2. This belt member passes over the pulley 28 attached to the other end 29 of the framework (see FIGURE l), and thence returns to the attached `support members 30 and carry the vertically positioned tubes 32. The support posts 33 are slidably journalled within the tubes 32 to provide for vertical adjustment of the framework as described in a manner well known in the art by handles 34. The turning handles Iare suitably attached to threaded yrods or the like within the tubes 32 so that rotation of the handles will provide the desired height between the supporting tracks and the framework. The tracks upon which the machine travels are indicated by the

characters

35 and 36 and are of the approximate shape as shown. Trucks 37 upon which are journalled the rollers or wheels 38 for rolling along the track 36 are fixed to the lower end ofthe posts 33 for movement of the machine.

The other side of the support structure is substantially the same as the stationary support structure with the exception that the support members 39 are modified from 3 members 30 (see FIGURE 1). These members carry posts 33 in tubes 32 which are mounted on plates 30a similar to the piates 31. However, additional rollers 40 which are journalled to the members 39 are used. These rollers are adapted to roll along the track portion 14, the members 39 being braced Aacross the top by the straps 41.

The trucks 37a at this end include the rollers 42 journalled thereon, these rollers includingsprockets 43 over which the sprocket chains 44 pass (see FIGURE 3). The chain 44 also passes over an idler sprocket 45 and drive sprockets 45a. Certain of these carriages, preferably at least one Iat each end of the machine as shown best in FIGURE 2, are powered by electric motors 46 which are suitably geared to drive the sprockets at 45a thus propelling the entire arrangement along the

tracks

35 and 36. Certain additional bracing 47 may be provided to make the structure more rigid.

The carriage for my finishing member includes a platform 48 (see FIGURES 5 and 6), having ears 49. The vrod 50 is slidably journalled in openings in these ears so that it can be moved from one side to the other. Projections 70 are provided on the rod embracing a toggle switch 71 mounted on the platform 48. Adjustable stop members 72 are fastened to the bar 20 near either end thereof to provide limits of travel. These stop members are adapted to be engaged by the ends 73 of the rod 50. Such engagement slides the rod to operate the switch for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. A ange 51 is affixed to the ears 49 and carries the rollers 21. A motor 52 which may be either electrically or hydraulically driven and having a suitable gear-driven arrangement therein, drives the shaft 53 on which is fixed a V-pulley 54. This pulley is adapted to engage the V-belt 27 at either side as will be described.

The finishing member 65 is supported on the carriage by a front support 62 and rear support 63 in which is journalled the finishing member shaft 64. This member may be of frusto-conical shape as shown in FIGURE or of variant shapes as will hereinafter appear. The finishing member may :be driven by a motor 56 mounted on brackets 61 and driving the finishing mem-ber from the drive sprocket 58 through the chain 59 to the driven sprocket 60. Also attached to a lengthened extension of the shaft 64 may be the helical and tapered conveyor-like auger imember 66. A set-screw at 67 fastens the auger member adjustably on the shaft 64. The character 68 indicates by dotted lines that the outer periphery of the member 66 is normally la continuation of the periphery 69 of the conelike member 65, except when the auger-like structure 66 is adjustably positioned inwardly or outwardly.

A solenoid member 73a and a further solenoid 74 are mounted on a frame 55 on the platform 48. These solenoid members have

plungers

75 and 76 attached to the

springs

77 and 78 which are secured to the levers 79 and 80 pivoted at 81 and 82. A roller 83 is journalled on the lever 79 and a roller 84 on the lever 80. These rollers are adapted to engage the V-belt 27 respectively below and above the pulley 54. To actuate either solenoid, the toggle switch 71 includes a contact member such as 85 which will bridge either the contacts 86 or 87 (see FIGURE 8). When either solenoid is actuated, it will pull its respective lever, thereby causing its roller to press the V-belt 27 against either the top or bottom of the pulley 54 to produce motion as is more fully described hereinafter. Rollers 88 are suitably journalled to the members 89 at either side of the device for providing a smooth rolling action (see FIGURE 5).

The machine operates in the following manner. The various rollers or lwheels 38 and 42 will ride along the

tracks

35 and 36. It should be noted that the members including the trucks 37a and support members 39 are adjustable so that the spacing between the

tracks

35 and 36 need not be a standard amount.

The finishing member and the helical auger structure 66 with the supporting structure therefor will also move in either direction 92 or 93 (see FIGURE 1), on the

rollers

40 and 88. During such travel, the finishing member will finish off the surface of the cement, and the helical member 66 will also force the thickened material at 94 (see FIGURE 5) to be partially smoothed off, with the aggregate being forced downwardly. The member 66 can lbe adjustably positioned as desired to provide a greater or lesser depth of concrete. The adjustment of the member 66 along the shaft 64 will thus allow Lthe exact desired amount of concrete to be left in front of the finishing member 65. Also, due to the fact that the apex of the frusto-conical member and of the helical trnember is always positioned forwardly, the cone will be always traveling forwardly into the work.

The direction of travel of the machine will be directed along the roadway in the direction of the arrow 95 (see FIGURE 2), and as the machine travels in this direction, the conical member, etc. will be traveling from one side to the other of the entire framework. As this motion progresses, the conical member will operate continuously, and will reverse its direction automatically due to the structure shown principally in FIGURES 4 and 6, and as will now be explained.

. It will be noted that the pulley 54, which is being constantly rotated or driven, is situated between the stationary V-belt structure 27. The solenoid 73a has been actuated in the configuration of FIGURE 4 which pulls the lever 79 upwardly and which causes the small roller 83 to force the V-belt 96 upwardly to firmly engage the pulley 54, which is rotating in the direction of the arrow 97. Due to this engagement with the stationary V-belt 27, the entire carriage carrying the finishing member will be moved in the direction of the arrow 98. The finishing member will therefore be driven in this direction until the end 73 of the rod 50 strikes the right-hand member 72 as viewed in FIGURE 6, whereupon the rod 50 will be pushed in the direction of the arrow 99. This engagement will cause one of the projections 70 to throw the toggle switch 71 over to the reverse direction, whereupon (see wiring diagram, FIGURE 7) the solenoid 74 will be actuated, and the lever 80 will be brought downwardly to cause engagement of the small roller 84 with the -belt at 100. Thus even though the direction of rotation of the pulley 54 is not changed, the carriage will then travel in the direction of the arrow 101, it being noted that actuation of one solenoid de-activates the other.

As a result the to and fro lateral travel of the finishing member is automatically effected as the machine travels forwardly along the roadway.

In addition to a finishing member, it may `be desirable to provide for a float to further finish the concrete. In order to accomplish this end, I provide a pair of socket members 102 attached to either side of the carriage or platform 48. Engaging the socket members 102 are the machine screws 103 which are adapted to ad- -justably secure horizontal rods 104 extending into the integral vertical porti-ons 105 and the further horizontal integral portions 106. Attached to the integral portions l106 at 107 are chains 108 which are attached at 109 (see FIGURES 1 and 5) to the curved portions 110 and a float pan 111 which can be made of metal or any other suitable material and which is adapted to drag along the surface of the concrete to assist in finishing off the same in the proper manner.

As illustrated in FIG-URE 8, my device may also be used as a mechanical straight edge. To accomplish this, I provide a pair of supports 112 attached to the carriage or platform 48, which operates in the same manner as the device previously described. A shaft 113 iS driven by the chain 59 through the sprocket v60, and is journalled in the supports 112. The hollow cylindrical finishing member 114 is attached to the shaft 113 and is driven thereby.,Although in most applications, it is not necessary, the shaft 113 may also carry an auger member 115. Also, if desired, the shaft 113 and the above described shaft 64 can be positioned slightly ofi"- Cente'r of the true center of the.frustoconical member, or the cylindrical member, so that as these members rotate` they will provide a' slight impacting effecty against the concrete. v,

The device illustrated in FIGURE 8 and described above will provide the same effect as a mechanical straight edge for levelling and.finishingv-concretef'fhis type of straight edge is ordinarily hand operated and in most cases is required by specifications to be ten feet long. By providing a small diameter roller 114 of that length, I have been able to produce results -fully equivalent to those accomplished with a ten foot hand operated straight edge.

Several additional variations of my device are possible. In FIGURES 9 and 10. I illustrate one modification in which I use a non-driven oat 116 suspended on supports 117 which are similar to the previously described supports in that they are carried by the platform 48. The float 116 is preferably formed with a metal base 118 with a wooden insert 119. This insert is preferably of a type of wood such as redwood which will not rot readily. An auger 120 is provided to provide initial levelling. This auger may be driven by a chain 59 through a sprocket 60 as previously described.

I have also discovered that a frusto-conical shape for the finishing member is not required. Thus, I can use a cylindrical member 122. This member is supported in practically the same manner and is driven in the same manner as the frusto-conical finisher. In order to achieve the best finish, it is necessary to modify the front support 62' slightly. This is done by providing a slotted opening 123 (FIG. 13) in that member. A slidable bearing carrier 124 is slidably mounted in that slot. The shaft 64 is then journalled in the bearing in that Carrier. The rear bearing in the support 63 is one which will allow some angular movement of the shaft. While this sliding bearing provides the best finish, the device also works well with an axis slanted permanently t either side.

In this device, it is obvious that as the finishing member is pulled laterally, the bearing carrier 124 will slide to one end of the opening. The slight variation of the shaft from perpendicular to the lateral line of travel results in V.a smoothing operation which is much superior to that achieved when the member 122 is pulled across the concrete in a direction perpendicular to its axis. It will also be apparent that with such a cylindrical finishing member, an auger 125 can also be used. This auger can be either driven yby the same axle as the drum, similar to the auger in the frusto-conical conformation, or driven by a separate shaft as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Having thus described my invention in several embodiments, I am aware that many and extensive variations therefrom are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as limited only 'by the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. A concrete finishing machine comprising an elongated framework adapted to 'be positioned transversely of a concrete surface to be finished, means for moving said framework in a direction substantially at right angles to the length of said framework, a carriage movably mounted on said framework, means for moving said carriage along the length of said framework, said carriage, including a cement engaging finishing member attached thereto, the axis of said cement engaging finishing member being generally horizontal and being positioned in substantially the direction `of travel of Said framework, an auger member having a helically arranged blade attached adjacently to the forward end of said cement engaging member on an axis substantially transverse to the length of said framework, drive means on said carriage for rotatably driving said auger member. l

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said cement engaging member,` is generally frusta-conical in shape and is rotatablyjdrivenjby said drive means, said auger-member beingadapted to travel into cement material ahead of said substantially frusto-conical member and .toassist Vin.,tinishngwoff said.v cement, said auger member-also being of conical shape.

3. The structure of claim 2 and wherein said auger member and said frusto-'conical member are mounted on a common axis, said auger member being adjustable along said axis to allow a desired amount of concrete to 4be positioned in front of said frusto-conical member.

4. The device yof claim 1 in which said finishing member is a non-driven metal float member having a wood insert therein.

5. The structure of claim 1 in which said fin-ishing member is a non-driven float member suspended from said carriage by fiexible supporting means.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein said finishing member is a drum means rotatably mounted on said carriage on a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, the horizontal axis of said finishing member being not c0- incident with its axis of rotation.

7. In a concrete finishing machine having a mobile frame, said frame including a carriage movable across said frame and transversely to a longitudinal concrete slab, a rotatable finishing member journalled on said carriage, the axis of said finishing member lying `in a position other than perpendicular to the line of travel of said carriage across said frame.

8. The structure of claim 7, wherein said finishing member is cylindrical in shape and elongated so that its diameter is small compared with its length.

9. The device -of claim 2, in which said length is at least ten feet.

10. The device of `claim 7, in which said finishing member is rotatably journalled in a front support and a rear support, both of said supports being fixed to said carriage, said front support being formed with a slotted opening therein, front bearing means for said cement engaging member slidably mounted in said slotted opening whereby the axis of rotation of said cement engaging member is changed upon movement `of said carriage along said framework, said finishing member being substantially cylindrical in shape.

11. A concrete finishing machine comprising an elongated framework adapted to be positioned transversely of a concrete surface to be finished, means for moving said framework substantially perpendicular to the length of said framework, a carriage movably mounted on said framework for motion longitudinally thereof, drive means on said carriage adapted to drive 'said lcarriage including a pulley on said carriage, belt means having an upper run and a lower run attached to Isaid framework, an upper roller movably mounted on said carriage adjacent said pulley and in position `to engage said upper run and a lower pulley similarly mounted to engage said lower run whereby each pulley is adapted to press its corresponding run into driving contact with said pulley, solenoid means engaged with each roller, an electrical crcuit connected to said solenoid for operation thereof, and means for automatically reversing the travel of said carriage including a control rod slidably engaged with said carriage, stop members attached to said framework, said control rod including a pair of spaced apart projections, a treversing toggle switch attached to said carriage, and being adapted to control said solenoid through said circuit, said switch having an operation member extending between said projections whereby said switch is operated whenever either end of said control rod engages a stop member.

(References on following page) References Cited 3,221,618 UNITED STATES PATENTS gg 2/1952 Hohnke 941-45 1175413 7/1952 Miner 94-45 1,874,957 10/ 1960 Bed'erman 94-45 5 2,583,108 12/1960 Tout 94-45 9/1964 Lewis 94-45 'Hudis 94-45 Borges 94-45 Rowe 94-45 Lichtenberg 94-44 Gardiner 94-45 -Lewis 94-44 lNILE C. BYERS, I R., Primary Examiner.