US3452654A

US3452654A - Concrete finishing machines

Info

Publication number: US3452654A
Application number: US578284A
Authority: US
Inventors: John E Kessel
Original assignee: K and R Industry Inc
Current assignee: K and R Industry Inc
Priority date: 1966-09-09
Filing date: 1966-09-09
Publication date: 1969-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1986-07-01

Description

July 1, 1969 I 1.5. KESSEL 3,452,654

CONCRETE FINI SHING MACH INES Filed Sept. 9. 1966 aan1 o a o O no o o o 0 o, o 0

' T /NVE/v 70H.

UW m @JOHN E. KESSEL United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 94--45 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A concrete finishing machine having a concrete-working member movable transversely to a roadway and prvotable to any angle of tilt between two extreme angles.

This invention relates to concrete finishing machines, and, more particularly, to concrete finishing machines which are particularly well adapted for use on roadways, and the like.

Concrete spreading machines have been heretofore known in the art. In the spreading of concrete by machine on a roadway, or the like, the concrete customarily is first roughly -spread by suitable means, such as, for example, manually, and the thus roughly spread concrete is then struck-off by the machine, the machine operating on one portion or section of the roadway at a time. After such striking-off, the concrete must be smoothed to a final surface, `which customarily requires an operation known in the trade as floating Heretofore, for the -most part, such floating customarily has been accomplished in a separate operation, eit-her manually, 4or by a separate machine operation.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel concrete finishing machine which is operable, in a novel and expeditious manner, to both strike off and finally smooth, in a single operation, concrete which has been previously roughly spread on a roadway.

Another object is to afford a novel machine of the aforementioned type which may 'be so used for finally finishing concrete on all parts of a roadway, including bridge decks, and the like.

A concrete finishing machine of the general type to which the present invention pertains is shown in the S. P. Bidwell United States Letters 'Patent No. 3,208,361, issued Sept. 28, 1965. It is an important object of the present invention to afford improvement over such machines heretofore known in the art.

The construction of concrete roadways is closely controlled by regulation. Such matters as the amount of slope or crown, and the smoothness of the finished surface normally must be within very close limits.

The -spreading and working of concrete is affected by many conditions, such as, for example, the type of aggregate used, the wetness or drynessrof the concrete mix being spread, and the like. Such conditions may vary quite often, sometimes from batch to batch, or even during spreading of the same batch.

It has been found that, in the machine finishing of concrete, a machine which will perform in an acceptable manner with a particular mix, will not do acceptable work with a different mix. For example, a machine which may do acceptable work with a particular mix, may dig into the concrete and fail to smooth it properly if a lighter aggregate is used; or a machine which may do acceptable work with a mix of a particular moisture content may fail to do so if the mix is a little dryer. 1t is an important object of the present invention to afford `a novel concrete finishing machine which is effective to strike off and finish concrete under all conditions of operation.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel concrete finishing machine embodying a concrete surfacing unit which may be adjusted in a novel and expeditious manner for all the various conditions of operation.

An object ancillary to the foregoing is to enable such adjustments to be made quickly and easily by remote control.

Yet another object of the present invention is to enable a concrete finishing machine of the type wherein the concrete surfacing unit thereof moves back and forth across a roadway, or the like, during a concrete spreading and finishing operation of the machine to be afforded With a bullfioat member which may be tilted in a novel and expeditious manner.

A further object is to enable such tilting to be effected `and accurately controlled by remote control.

Another object is to ena-ble such tilting to Ibe effected in a novel and expeditious manner at any position of the bullfioat member and at any stage of operation of the machine.

Another object is to afford a novel concrete finishing machine of the aforementioned type which is practical and efficient in operation, and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and `structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a cross section of a roadway showing a concrete finishing machine, embodying the principles of the present invention, `disposed thereon in position of use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 3 3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, and especially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a form of concrete finishing machine in place above a section 1 of a concrete roadway. In most instances the surface of the roadway slopes downwardly toward each side thereof `from an intermediate raised portion 2.

The machine to which the present invention is applied is described in greater detail in the aforesaid Bidwell patent, but for present purposes it will be sufficient to point out that it includes a trusswork, generally indicated by the numeral 3, which is ladapted to extend transversely of the roadway being finished, and is adapted to be moved lengthwise of the roadway by any suitable means either mechanically or by hand.

In the usual arrangement, vertical supports 4 are positioned at opposite sides of the roadway and extend lengthwise thereof, the upper edges of which are adapted to receive rollers 5 on the trusswork 3 and enable the trusswork to be moved along the supports 4.

A surfacing unit generally indicated Iby the numeral 6 is mounted on and is suspended from the trusswork 3. This surfacing unit as illustrated herein includes an upper carriage 7 and a lower carriage 8. A bullfioat member 9 is suspended from the lower carriage 8 and is adapted for lengthwise reciprocating movement simultaneously with a movement thereof transversely of the concrete surface being finished and lengthwise of the trusswork 3.

As is explained in greater detail in the aforesaid Bidwell patent, the surfacing unit 6 is adapted to move lengthwise of the trusswork 3 and transversely of the surface being finished by means of a chain 10, to which the surfacing unit is attached, and the rollers 11.

The trusswork is capable of being adjusted vertically with respect to the roadway by means which include the vertically extending rods 12 received in the tubular members 13 and arranged to be raised and lowered by rotation of the cranks 14.

In order to accommodate the movement of the surfacing unit to the desired slope of the concrete surface, the trusswork 3 is hinged intermediate the ends thereof as at 15. Raising and lowering of the trusswork at the center thereof is then accomplished by an adjusting assembly which includes the bars 16 mounted on the trusswork and through which extend a threaded rod 17. Nuts 18 engage the threaded rod on opposite sides of the bars 16 so that proper adjustment thereof will change the angular pitch of the trusswork at either side of the center thereof, all as more specifically described in the aforesaid Bidwell patent. Further adjustment of the trusswork to achieve variations in the road contour may be made` by use of the adjusting means 19.

-In the present invention the lower carriage 8 includes a frame generally indicated by the numeral 20 and which is preferably of rectangular configuration. The frame 20 includes the elongated side members 21 and the end members 22 secured thereto. A plurality of supporting brackets, each comprising a pair of downwardly and inwardly

inclined arms

23 and 24, are secured to the frame 20 in spaced relation to each other. The lower converging ends of these

arms

23 and 24 have mounted thereon and extending downwardly therefrom a pair of plates 25, one on each side thereof. Each pair of plates 25 also ernbraces, and is secured by pivot pins 27 to a bearing member 26 fixed to the upper face of the bulloat member 9. Each bearing member 26 and its associated plates 25 receive a respective pivot pin 27, whereby the bullfloat member 9 is suspended from the lower carriage and is mounted thereon for rotating or oscillating movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the bulloat member 9, and which axis is preferably fixed.

At each end of the frame 20 and at substantially the longitudinal center thereof, further supporting members are provided such as the downwardly

inclined arms

28 and 29. At the outer, lower end of arm 28, it is provided with a pivot pin 30 which is received in a bearing member 31 mounted on the upper surface of the bullfloat member 9.

The arm 29 at the opposite end of the frame is provided with a similar pivot pin 32 at its outer end, which is received in a bearing member 33 also mounted on the bulliioat member 9.

The pivot pins 27, 30 and 32 are preferably in longitudinal alignment so that the bullfloat member will be supported at several points along the length thereof in a manner to permit rotation or oscillation thereof about the pivot pins as an axis, thus enabling the longitudinal edges of the bullfloat member 9 to be raised or lowered with respect to the concrete surface being finished and with respect to the surfacing unit itself.

The means for rotating or oscillating the bullfloat member 9 is preferably controlled at a point remote therefrom so that such rotation or oscillation may take place during the movement of the bullfioat member while performing its surface finishing function.

The particular mechanism disclosed herein for accomplishing this purpose involves the use of a gearing arrangement actuated by an electric motor. Such a motor is shown in the drawing and identified by the numeral 34. It drives a worm 34a in mesh with a worm gear 34b within the gear box 35. The worm gear drives a drive shaft 36 extending therefrom, which, in turn, rotates the eccentric 37. The eccentric has a crank member 38 extending therefrom and which is received in an elongated vertical slot 39 located in the upper portion of an upright member 40.

The lower end of the upright member 40 is mounted on a plate 41 fixed to the upper surface of the bulloat member 9, and it will thus be evident that any movement of the upright 40 toward the right or left from the position thereof shown in FIG. 3, will rotate or oscillate the bullfloat member 9 about the axis formed by the pivot pins 27, 30 and 32. Such a position of the bullfloat member is illustrated by the dot-dash lines in FIG. 3.

When the electric motor 34 is in operation, it will rotate the worm and worm gear within the gear box 35 to rotate the eccentric 37 which, in turn, will cause the crank or eccentric 38 to move either to the right or to the left from the full line' position thereof shown in FIG. 3 to the dot-dash line position thereof.

A remote control means 42 is located, preferably at one end of the trusswork so that as conditions change, such as for example, the moisture content of the concrete or the type of aggregate therein, an operator may control the transverse angular position of the bulloat member 9 by operating the electric motor 34 to rotate the eccentric 38 in either of two directions depending upon the angle to which the bullfloat member is to be rotated. The dot-dash line position of the various parts shown in FIG. 3 is somewhat exaggerated since in actual practice the distance which one or the other edges of the bullfioat member will be positioned above or below the horizontal shown in full lines in FIG. 3 may range between 1/16" and 1A.

The manner in which the bullfloat member is mounted on the carriage for tilting about an axis longitudinally thereof not only enables the bullfioat member to be tilted transversely and from a remote position while it is in operation, but also prevents any tilting of the bullfioat member in a longitudinal direction by reason of the rigid supports for the spaced pivots. The rigid supports, which include the pairs of

arms

23 and 24 and the

braces

28 and 29, provide pivot points not only adjacent the ends of the bullfioat member, but also at various points spaced apart therebetween whereby the bullfloat member is rigidly supported in a longitudinal direction and yet may be rotated or tilted in a transverse direction.

Longitudinal reciprocation of the bulloat member 9 may be accomplished by any suitable and well known means. Such means, for example, are illustrated in the aforesaid Bidwell patent, wherein there is illustrated a crank member 43 connected at one end to a link 44 so that rotation thereof by suitable drive means will cause longitudinal reciprocation of the link. The opposite end of the link 44 may be suitably connected, as at 45, to an upright (not shown) which is secured at its lower end to the frame of the bulloat member.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that the present invention is one which affords novel means in the mounting of a bulloat member on the surfacing unit of a concrete finishing machine, whereby not only is the bulloat member prevented from tilting in a longitudinal direction, but is capable of being tilted or rotated in a transverse direction for purposes heretofore fully set forth, and by means which are controlled at a remote part of the machine, thereby enabling the control to be actuated during the actual surfacing operation without the necessity of any interruptions.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is -to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a concrete finishing machine embodying an elongated trusswork for spanning a surface to be finished, and means on opposite sides of said surface for supporting said trusswork at respective opposite ends thereof for movement of said Itrusswork across said surface in a direction transverse to the length of said trusswork,

(a) supporting means supported by and movable longitudinally of said trusswork, (b) an elongated fioat extending transversely of said trusswork in downwardly spaced relation thereto, (c) said float being pivotally mounted on said supporting means on an axis transverse to the length of said trusswork for movement between two extreme tilting angles, and (d) other means including (l) crank means operatively connected to said float,

and (2) a motor operatively connected to said crank means for selectively adjusting said float on said axis to any one of a plurality of tilting angles between said two extreme angles. 2. The combination as defined in claim 1 and which includes (a) means operatively connected to said trusswork and to said supporting means for moving said float back and forth longitudinally of said trusswork. 3. The combination as defined in claim 1 and which includes (a) means operatively connected to said trusswork and to said supporting means for longitudinally reciproeating said float transversely of said trusswork. 4. The combination as defined in claim 1 and in which said other means includes (a) remote con-trol means mounted on one end of said trusswork and operatively connected to said motor for controlling operation of said motor and thereby controlling tilting of said float. 5. The combination as defined in claim 1 and in which (a) said supporting means includes (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of bearing members spaced along the length of said oat, (3) a plurality of rigid arms extending from said frame toward said float, and (4) pivot pins on said arms received in said bearing members whereby said float may be tilted about said pivot pins as an axis, and (b) one of said bearing members is positioned adjacent each end of said float whereby to prevent angular tlting of said fioa-t in a direction longitudinally thereof.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 and in which (a) Said other means includes an upright member connected at its lower end to said fioat and having an elongated slot adjacent its upper end, and

(b) said crank means extends into said slot in position whereby rotation of said crank means will move said upright member to tilt said fioat.

7. A concrete finishing machine comprising (a) an elongated trusswork adapted to span a concrete surface to be finished,

(b) means on opposite ends of said trusswork for supporting the latter for transverse movement along such a surface,

(c) a surfacing unit including (l) supporting means mounted on said trusswork for movement back and forth longitudinally of said trusswork,

(2) an elongated bullfloat suspended from said supporting means transversely to the length of said trusswork and movable with said supporting means longitudinally of said trusswork,

(d) means for so moving said supporting means and said bullfloat longitudinally of said trusswork, and (e) means for oscillating said bulloat around an axis extending longitudinally thereof, (f) said last mentioned means comprising (1) crank means operatively connected to said float,

(2) a motor operatively connected to said crank means, and

(3) means mounted on one end of said trusswork and operatively connected to said motor for controlling operation of said motor and thereby controlling oscillation of said bullfloat from said one end of said trusswork.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,351,278 6/1944 Mathews.

2,394,274 2/ 1946 TroXell.

2,543,966 3/1951 Heltzel 94`45 2,603,132 7/1952 Miller 94-45 2,839,199 5/1958 Freeman 94-45 XR 3,208,361 9/1965 Bidwell 94`45 JACOB L. NOCKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,452 ,654 July l 1969 John E. Kessel It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, after line 9, insert the following claim:

7. The combination as defined in claim 6 and in which (a) said other means includes control means mounted on one end of said trusswork and operatively connected to said motor for controlling operation of said motor and thereby controlling rotation of said crank means from said one end of said trusswork.

same column 6 line l0 "7 should read 8 line 45 "2,839,199" should read 2,834,199 In the heading to the printed specification, line 8, "7 Claims" should read 8 Claims Signed and sealed this 21st day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents