Hand-held screed rake for applying bedding material to a surface

Abstract

A hand-held screed raking device having a longitudinally extending screed head, an arcuate pusher front, a screed back, and a tubular rake handle or rake grip handle. A bottom side bearing is secured against the longitudinally extending screed head and connected to a longitudinal bottom rear surface having a smooth surface, or a textured bottom surface with a repeating or variable form, and a textured bottom surface of varying forms. The textured bottom surface may be attenuated in amplitude and oriented relative to the direction of application of the applied material. The user pushes or pulls the device across the surface, loading the applied material along the arcuate pusher front and applying it to the surface. The present invention allows the applied material to be controlled by tilting the angle of the longitudinal bottom rear surface and making a smooth grade adjustment, thereby leaving less segregated applied material on the surface. The present invention is used with different applied materials in a variety of industries.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand-held screed rake or screed rake for applying material to a surface. Background Art

[0002] Hand tools with varying working surfaces for shaping and spreading concrete, glue or other viscous materials are common in the industry. However, such as in the paving industry, it has been recognized that there is a need to provide different textures for the bottom leveling or working surface of the screed. The viscous materials for these applications include a variety of substances, such as grout for laying tiles, asphalt for pavement, or landscaping materials for lawns. It has been recognized in the industry that there is a need for a hand tool, such as a rake or trowel device, which can lay material on a smoother grade in a comfortable and easy to operate design without segregating it into constituent sizes.

[0003] Additionally, it has been recognized that in order to vary the application technique and type of material to be applied to a surface, it is desirable to provide the underside working surface of the rake device with a variable or repeating wavy pattern or other texture pattern or form. The closest technology found is the typical asphalt rake / sludger or landscaping rake, both of which lack the ability to lay down a large variety of viscous materials in a homogenous, non-segregated manner.

[0004] In the asphalt paving industry, the current standard for asphalt rakes is an asphalt rake made of aluminum or a combination of aluminum and magnesium. Because these metals have high thermal conductivity, the rake cools rapidly while raking hot asphalt, making it easier for the asphalt to stick to the rake and making it very difficult to apply such material to a surface. A need is recognized for a device with lower thermal conductivity for use with such material. Likewise, since the rake or trowel device is hand-held when in use, a need is desirable to provide such a device with a less conductive handle.

[0005] References described in the related art do not disclose features of the present invention and are not suitable for the desired purposes of the present invention described below. In the related art, for example, U.S. Patent No. D621,236 to Bahler et al. (collectively, "Bahler"), U.S. Patent No. 7,281,878 to Schulz ("Schulz"), and U.S. Patent No. 3,119,138 to Davis ("Davis") disclose hand-held rake devices for spreading or applying materials. Bahler discloses a propeller-shaped leveling design that is a convex surface facing forward from the user for applying material and includes four separate flat surfaces extending longitudinally from one end to the other. Although Bahler discloses a surface having a "propeller-type" configuration formed by four significantly angled surfaces, it does not disclose or teach the bottom portion, bottom side bearings, or other elements of the present invention.

[0006] None of the references found so far show a hand tool having a working surface or bottom seat that is wavy or textured in cross section, with a height or amplitude of the working surface, bottom seat or rear surface, and / or a reduction in size from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the device. Davis discloses a uniformly sized and shaped working surface, including a wavy pattern; however, the shape, construction, and operation of the "wavy" cross section are not similar to the present invention. Likewise, the height or amplitude of the form in the prior art does not decrease in size from the leading edge to the trailing edge on the bottom surface.

[0007] None of the prior art references found made the present invention obvious. None of the concave configurations or the thruster arcs of the present invention, including the front face, the textured configurations or variable wavy configurations provided on the bottom surface and the bottom side bearings, were disclosed or suggested by the prior art. Although Schulz discloses the use of random spacing and depths of repeating V-shaped grooves, this reference does not suggest, teach or support modifying Davis or any other reference in a manner that would suggest a crested wave pattern or other texture profile that decreases in depth or height (amplitude) from leading edge to trailing edge or that would otherwise function in the manner of the present invention.

[0008] None of the prior art references include every feature of the present invention, and none of these references disclose, suggest or teach in combination every feature of the present invention. The present invention is neither disclosed nor suggested by the prior art.

[0009] Those skilled in the art will more fully understand and appreciate the above and other objects, advantages, aspects and features of the present invention upon considering the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention is a hand-held screed raking device, which includes a longitudinally extending screed head, the longitudinally extending screed head including an arcuate pusher front, a screed back, and an angled attached base plate. The arcuate pusher front can be a concave arcuate surface or a convex arcuate surface. The arcuate pusher front is connected to the angled base plate at an acute angle at the arc / bottom contact point and downwardly, terminates at the screed head mating toe fixed end, and is relatively and upwardly connected to the screed back at the arc / back contact point. The arcuate pusher front, the screed back, and the angled base plate form a roughly triangular cross-sectional shape of the longitudinally extending screed head.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bottom side bearing is conformably and cooperatively fixed against the angled bottom plate and includes an upwardly angled front surface, a bearing back end, and an opposite bearing toe fixed end. The bottom side bearing is connected to and abuts the arcuate pusher front face and is connected to the longitudinal bottom rear surface in an arcuate manner downwardly and rearwardly. The longitudinal bottom rear surface continues laterally rearwardly and terminates at the bearing back end and is defined as the entire bottom working surface of the bottom side bearing.

[0012] The handheld screed device also includes a tubular rake handle that is freely and securely attached to and engages the longitudinally extending screed head by a rake handle attachment member. The upper head portion includes an upper back disc-shaped handle that abuts the screed back and the arcuate pusher front, and in an alternative embodiment, an upper back groove is located at the opposite disc-shaped handle end and securely accommodates a removably protruding wear protection surface strip.

[0013] The bottom side shoe is freely, securely and removably attached against the angled bottom plate by at least one shoe attachment member, allowing the bottom side shoe to be removable. In another alternative embodiment, the leveler head fit heel fixing cutout can be located directly and vertically above the shoe back end, removably and securely accommodating a removable shoe heel wear protection surface strip.

[0014] The longitudinal bottom rear surface of the alternative embodiment includes one of a smooth bottom surface or a textured bottom surface. The textured bottom surface includes at least one of the following: a repeating form, a variable form; the textured bottom surface may be a wave-form bottom surface; a V-shaped bottom surface; a block-shaped bottom surface; or any of other forms of textured bottom surfaces; and may flatten and decay in amplitude or wave height, and be oriented in the direction of application directed by the user. In an alternative embodiment, the textured bottom surface may be oriented in one of a parallel, perpendicular, or acute angle direction relative to the user's application direction with respect to its main wave or form orientation.

[0015] The user applies, levels, moves or applies (generally referred to herein as "moving" or "applying") and propels the application material by grasping and using the hand-held screed raking device by the tubular raking handle and pushing or pulling the hand-held screed device over the surface. The application material is gathered and loaded along the curved pusher front. The curved pusher front prevents the longitudinally extending screed head from lifting upward as the hand-held screed raking device simultaneously and uniformly applies, levels and compacts the application material onto the surface along the application direction passed by the user. The application material is applied to the surface and can be glue laminate, asphalt, cement, tile and floor grout, mortar, landscaping topsoil, gravel, aggregate, mulch, soil or other surface treatment material.

[0016] The textured bottom surface enables larger aggregates of the applied material to more easily move or travel beneath the handheld screed rake and mix in a homogenous manner to prevent any segregation of the particle size of the applied material on the surface. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular rake handle and the rake grip handle are formed of a material that has a lower or no thermal conductivity than the prior art.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a handheld screed raking device includes a longitudinally extending screed head having a convex arcuate propeller front, a screed back, and a longitudinal bottom rear surface. The convex arcuate propeller front is connected to the longitudinal bottom rear surface at an acute angle at the arc / bottom contact point and terminates downward at the longitudinal bottom rear surface, and is relatively and upwardly connected to the screed back at an acute angle at the arc / back contact point. The longitudinal bottom rear surface is relatively and acutely connected to the screed back at the back / bottom contact point. Therefore, in this configuration, the convex arcuate propeller front is arcuate downward to the arc / bottom contact point. The rake grip handle is attached to the longitudinally extending leveling piece head in the middle and center of the leveling piece's back vertically downward, and the user grasps the hand-held leveling rake device through the rake grip handle to manually advance the application material gathered and loaded along the arc-shaped pusher front, and the hand-held leveling rake device simultaneously and uniformly applies, levels and compacts the application material onto the surface in a non-segregated manner and in the application direction passed by the user.

[0018] A hand-held screed rake is a hand-held tool for coating, leveling, moving or applying application material, including viscous materials such as asphalt, concrete, grout, glue, or landscaping materials such as dirt; utilizing a smooth bottom surface, a textured bottom surface form, or a combination of other textured bottom surface forms to help prevent segregation of the application material as the user moves and applies the application material to the surface.

[0019] The operation of the longitudinal bottom rear surface is similar to any hand-held rake or trowel, with the added control of tilting the screed surface angle of attack, defined by the upwardly angled front surface, to control the grade of applied material in the application direction during use. By allowing the "floating screed" (application material) to be controlled by tilting the angle of attack of the longitudinal bottom rear surface, the curved pusher front allows the user to more evenly distribute the laid or applied application material in the application direction while leaving a better, less segregated application material on the surface. By adjusting the vertical angle of attack, the user can make smooth grade adjustments while applying the raked or applied application material along the application direction. As the application material travels under the longitudinal bottom rear surface along the application direction, it is compacted, leaving a better finish on the surface without causing segregation of portions of the application material. By using a unique variable wave design, such as a corrugated bottom surface, applied material (such as aggregates) can be evenly coated and compacted on the surface in a homogeneous manner and allowing larger aggregates to move more easily beneath the longitudinally attached bottom rear surface, further preventing segregation by compacting the larger aggregates laid into the surface.

[0020] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the longitudinally extending screed head may be comprised of one or more of aluminum, plastic, or other durable and lightweight material to prevent hotter application material from adhering to the handheld screed rake as easily as known screed rakes and to prevent wetter application material from freezing and adhering.

[0021] Another advantage is ease of use, allowing taller users to have different handle tilt options for the handheld screed rake. The use of the handheld screed rake is not limited to or specific to any one industry, and can be used in the paving industry, concrete industry, construction industry, landscaping industry, and other industries that require the use of such a handheld device to apply application materials, thereby allowing the user to more easily obtain acceptable grades of application materials without the segregation problems inherent in current rakes found in different industries, and can be used to apply a wide range of application materials, including but not limited to aggregates and aggregate mixtures, soils, landscaping materials; and in many applications, such as for distributing glue or grout, repairing asphalt, for preparing roadbed surfaces, and for tiling or finishing surfaces, and other surface application activities.

[0022] The above-mentioned features, objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by consideration of the drawings and the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the aforementioned features and other aspects of the present invention are explained, and other features and objects of the present invention will become apparent. However, the accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended as a definition of the limitations of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1 A partial side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown for cross section 1-1, depicting a longitudinally extending screed head having a hollow interior and a bottom side seat. The rake handle is partially shown. Cross section 1-1 is shown at Figure 3 Likewise, Figure 1 Provided in Figure 1A The location of detail C is depicted in the subsequent cross-sectional views.

[0025] Figure 1A Detail C is shown, an enlarged side main section view of at least one socket attachment component, depicting the following elements: at least one bottom hole with a threaded tap, at least one socket hole, and at least one attachment bolt for securing the bottom side socket.

[0026] Figure 2 A partial side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown for section 2-2, depicting a longitudinally extending screed head without a hollow interior. The rake handle is partially shown. Section 2-2 is shown at Figure 4 and has the same cross-sectional (vertical) orientation as that of the cross-sectional (vertical) orientation of the cross-sectional plane 1-1.

[0027] Figure 3 A partial perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown, depicting a partial view of a longitudinally extending screed head and rake handle. Figure 3 The location of cross section 1-1 is depicted in FIG.

[0028] Figure 4 A partial rear perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown depicting a partial view of a longitudinally extending screed head and rake handle. Figure 4 The location of cross section 2-2 is depicted in FIG.

[0029] Figure 5 A side view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown, with a bottom side support.

[0030] Figure 6 A rear view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown with an underside socket and depicting a rake handle portion attached to a longitudinally extending screed head element.

[0031] Figure 7 A front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown, with an underside support.

[0032] Figure 8 A partial, rear bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown depicting a bottom side socket having a textured bottom surface as a repeating pattern that tapers and flattens in amplitude toward the back end of the socket. Figure 8 The depiction of a repeating triangular shape on the bottom side of the socket in FIG. 1 and the same depiction of the repeating form in the other figures are shown to depict the repeating form for a particular textured bottom surface. The rake handle is partially shown.

[0033] like Figure 8 and the following Fig. 9A and 15A As shown, the tapered triangular shape that tapers toward the back end of the socket depicts a particularly textured bottom surface (such as Figure 8 Attenuation or flattening of the wave form in the bottom surface.

[0034] Fig. 9A -D shows a partial front view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, depicting, among other elements, the bottom side support, as follows:

[0035] Fig. 9A The bottom side pod is shown with a textured bottom surface as a wave-like bottom surface that tapers in a repeating pattern toward the back end of the pod. The rake handle is partially shown.

[0036] Fig. 9B The bottom side bearing is shown with a textured bottom surface as a wave-form bottom surface, in a repeating pattern, without decay. The rake handle is partially shown.

[0037] Fig. 9C The bottom side pod is shown with a textured bottom surface as is a block shaped bottom surface with no attenuation.The rake handle is partially shown.

[0038] Fig.9D The bottom side shoe with a textured bottom surface is shown as a V-shaped bottom surface with no attenuation. The rake handle is partially shown.

[0039] Fig.10 A partial rear perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown, partially depicting a longitudinally extending screed head without a bottom side socket and one of a pair of opposing screed end caps. A rake handle is partially shown.

[0040] Fig.11 A perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown depicting a user moving a hand-held screed rake device via a tubular rake handle and pushing application material over a surface.

[0041] Fig.12A perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown, depicting a rake grip handle attached to a longitudinally extending screed head, and a textured bottom surface.

[0042] Fig.13 A perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown depicting an open raking grip handle attached to a longitudinally extending screed head, having a textured bottom surface, and a user moving a handheld screed raking device and pushing application material over a surface.

[0043] Fig.14 A perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown, depicting a hand-held screed rake being pulled across a surface, rather than pushed, while leveling applied material, with the rake handle (partially viewed) attached to the front of the curved pusher.

[0044] Fig.15A -D shows a partial, rear bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, as follows:

[0045] Fig.15A Depicted is a bottom side pod having a textured bottom surface that is a wave-form bottom surface, having a repeating form, the textured bottom surface flattens and decays in amplitude from the opposite pod toe fixing end to the pod back end. The rake handle is partially shown, and the textured bottom surface is oriented parallel to the user's application direction.

[0046] Fig. 15B A bottom side shoe having a smooth bottom surface is depicted. The rake handle is partially shown.

[0047] Fig. 15C Depicted is a bottom side seat having a textured bottom surface, the textured bottom surface being a wave-shaped bottom surface having a variable pattern, the textured bottom surface being in the above-mentioned manner from the opposite seat toe fixing end to the seat back end. Figure 8 The described approach flattens and decays in amplitude. Fig. 15C A depiction of varying triangular shapes on the bottom side of the receptacle in is shown to depict a variable wave form for a particular textured bottom surface. The rake handle is partially shown, with the textured bottom surface oriented parallel to the user's application direction.

[0048] Fig.15D Depicted is a bottom side shoe having a textured bottom surface having a repeating pattern, the textured bottom surface being oriented perpendicular to the user's direction of application and lengthwise longitudinally with the longitudinally extending screed head.The rake handle is partially shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, the illustrative embodiments provided make this disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully express the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. It should be noted, and it should be understood, that many changes can be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the principles of the present invention and without sacrificing its major advantages. The same reference numerals always represent the same elements. The representative number of a specific repeating element is marked in the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Now refer in detail to the accompanying drawings according to the present invention, Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 11 , in one embodiment of the present invention, the handheld raking device 100 includes a longitudinally extending screed head 101. Figure 1 (Shown in Figure 3 1-1) and Figure 2 (Shown in Figure 4 2-2), the longitudinally extending flattening member includes an upper head portion 101a, an arcuate pusher front 102, a flattening member back 108, an angled bottom plate 115, and a pair of opposite flattening member head ends 123 (see Figure 3 and 9). In an alternative embodiment, the curved thruster front face 102 may be a concave curved face 140 ( Figure 1 , 2 and 10) or a convex curved surface 141 ( Fig.12 and 13 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention). The curved pusher front face 102 is connected to the angled bottom plate 115 at an acute angle and downward at the arc / bottom contact point 117, terminates at the screed head mating toe fixing end 106d, and is connected to the screed back 108 oppositely and upwardly at the arc / back contact point 111. The upper head portion 101a is located above the curved pusher front face 102 and the screed back 108 and is attached to the curved pusher front face 102 and the screed back 108 at the arc / back contact point 111. The angled bottom plate 115 is connected to the screed back 108 at an acute angle opposite to the arc / back contact point 111 at the back / bottom contact point 107, and thus, in this manner, the curved pusher front face 102, the screed back 108 and the angled bottom plate 115 form a generally triangular cross-sectional shape 116 of the longitudinally extending screed head 101. The longitudinally extending screed head 101 may also comprise aluminum, plastic, or other durable and lightweight material.

[0051] like Figure 1 and 2As shown, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bottom side seat 103 is conformably and cooperatively fixed against the angled bottom plate 115 of the longitudinally extending leveling piece head 101. The bottom side seat 103 includes an upwardly angled front surface 104, a seat back end 104b and an opposite seat toe fixing end 106b. The bottom side seat 103 is connected to and abuts the arcuate pusher front face 102, wherein the seat toe fixing end 106b butts against the leveling piece head mating toe fixing end 106d and is connected downwardly and rearwardly in an arcuate manner to the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105. The longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 continues laterally rearward and terminates at the seat back end 104b. In the present invention, as Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 is defined as the entire bottom working surface of the bottom side support 103 .

[0052] Specific as Figure 1 , 2 and 11 and Figure 3 As shown in Figure 8, in an embodiment of the present invention, the handheld screed device 100 further includes a tubular handle 120. The tubular handle 120 has a handle free end 120a and an opposite handle attachment end 120b attached to the longitudinally extending screed head 101. The longitudinally extending screed head 101 further includes a handle attachment member 110, which is centrally located on the screed back 108, located between the arc / back contact point 111 and the back / bottom contact point 107, and freely fixes the tubular handle 120. The tubular handle 120 is freely and firmly attached to and engaged with the longitudinally extending screed head 101 by the handle attachment member 110, and the handle attachment member 110 is close to the opposite handle attachment end 120b.

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention Figure 1 and 2 The upper head portion 101a shown in the figure also includes an upper back disc-shaped handle 112, which abuts the flattener back 108 and the curved pusher front face 102 at the curved / back contact point 111. The upper head portion 101a terminates at an opposite disc-shaped handle end 118. In an alternative embodiment, the upper back groove 113 is located at the opposite disc-shaped handle end 118 and securely accommodates the removably protruding wear protection surface strip 109. The removably protruding wear protection surface strip 109 can be made of one of plastic, metal carbide, magnesium, titanium, or other lightweight and wear-resistant materials.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1-8The rake handle attachment component 110 depicted in the drawing includes a tubular attachment arm 110k that extends vertically away from the leveler back 108. The tubular rake handle 120 is tightly and freely slidingly fitted on the tubular attachment arm 110k and abuts the leveler back 108 at the opposing rake handle attachment end 120b, as described above. At least one handle fixing hole 110h operably protrudes through the tubular rake handle 120 and the tubular attachment arm 110k at the same time. The at least one handle fixing hole 110h allows at least one handle fixing bolt 110i to fix the tubular rake handle 120 to the tubular attachment arm 110k with at least one handle fixing nut 110j. As shown in FIG. Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the rake handle attachment member 110 can be viewed as a simple member that is welded to the "inner tube" of the screed back 108 and / or a simple member that is an "inner tube" that is an integral part of the screed back 108. The rake handle 120 simply slides over the rake handle attachment member 110 or inner tube and has two transverse bolts (at least one handle fixing bolt 110 and at least one handle fixing nut 110j) to hold the tubular rake handle 120 in place. In this embodiment, Figure 1 The 11-1 handheld screed rake 100 is a handheld utility tool with a unique screed bottom and pre-strike design.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, Figure 1 and 2 The illustrated rake handle attachment member 110 may be a cotter pin, clip, weld, or other temporary or permanent attachment member; and the tubular rake handle 120 may include a non-conductive, lightweight, and resilient material.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 The bottom side bearing 103 shown in FIG. 1 is freely, securely and removably attached to the angled bottom plate 115 by at least one bearing attachment member 103a, as described below. The at least one bearing attachment member 103a allows the bottom side bearing 103 to be removable. In another alternative embodiment, the leveler head fit heel fixing cutout 106c can be directly and vertically located above the bearing back end 104b. The leveler head fit heel fixing cutout 106c removably and securely accommodates the removable bearing heel wear protection surface strip 106a. In an alternative embodiment, the bearing heel wear protection surface strip 106a can be made of plastic, metal carbide, magnesium, titanium or other lightweight wear resistant materials.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 The longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 or the above-mentioned working surface shown in -15 includes a smooth bottom surface 125 (see Figure 2 and 15B) or a textured bottom surface 126 (see Figure 8 , 9A -D, 13 and 15A, 15C and 15D). Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the longitudinally extending screed head 101 also includes an internal flange support 121 centrally located within the hollow interior 114 that is attached from the arc / bottom contact point 117 to the middle along the screed back 108 .

[0058] like Figure 8 , 9A -D, 13 and 15A, 15C and 15D, the textured bottom surface 126 comprises at least one of the following: a repeating pattern 126d, the pattern of the textured bottom surface 126 is repeated on the longitudinal bottom surface 105 (see Figure 8 and 9A -D); variable form 126e, the textured bottom surface 126 has different forms and amplitudes (see Fig. 15C ), so that the textured bottom surface 126 can be any one of the wavy bottom surfaces 124 ( Figure 3 and 8 ); V-shaped bottom surface ( Fig.9D ); block-shaped bottom surface 126b ( Fig. 9C ); or other forms of textured bottom surface 126; or a combination of these forms. Figure 8 , 9A , 11 and 13, the textured bottom surface 126 flattens and decays in amplitude or wave height from the opposite bearing toe fixing end 106b to the bearing back end 104b, and is oriented (its shape extends) in an application direction 127 directed by a user 130 or rake operator. In an alternative embodiment, as Fig.15A , C and D, the textured bottom surface 126 can be oriented in one of parallel, perpendicular or acute angle directions (such as in FIG. 1 ) with respect to the application direction 127 of the user 130 for its main wave or form. Fig.15A , C and D) orientation.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, Fig.10 As shown, a pair of opposing end caps 122 are securely attached to a pair of opposing screed head ends 123. The pair of opposing end caps 122 may be temporarily or permanently welded or otherwise secured to each of the pair of opposing screed head ends 123, thereby providing a sealed rake head as the longitudinally extending screed head 101.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and 1AAs shown in (Detail C), at least one socket attachment member 103a includes at least one attachment bolt 103d, which is screwed upward through at least one socket hole 103c located in the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 into at least one bottom hole 103b with a threaded tap located in the angled bottom plate 115 and corresponding to the at least one socket hole 103c. Thus, in this way, at least one socket attachment member 103a fixes and attaches the bottom side socket 103 to the longitudinally extending flattening piece head 101. In alternative embodiments, at least one socket attachment member 103a may include a clip, a cotter pin or other attachment member.

[0061] like Fig.11 and 13 As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, a user 130 applies, smoothes, moves or applies (generally referred to herein as "moving" or "applying") and advances application material 128 by grasping and using the handheld smoothing and raking device 100 by the tubular rake handle 120 and pushing or pulling (moving) the handheld smoothing device 100 over a surface 129. Fig.11 , a user 130 pushes the handheld screed raking device 100 using the tubular raking handle 120. Application material 128 is gathered and loaded along the curved pusher front 102. The curved pusher front 102 prevents the longitudinally extending screed head 101 from lifting upward as the handheld screed raking device 100 simultaneously and uniformly applies, levels and compacts the application material 128 onto the surface 129 along the application direction 127 passed by the user 130. The application material 128 is the material applied to the surface 129 and can be selected from the group consisting of: glue laminate, asphalt, cement, tile and floor grout, mortar, landscaping topsoil, gravel, aggregate, mulch, soil or other surface treatment materials 133.

[0062] like Fig.14 As shown, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in a handheld screed raking device 100, a longitudinally extending screed head 101 includes an upper head portion 101a, an arcuate propeller front 102, a screed back 108, an angled bottom plate 115, and a pair of opposing screed head ends 123 (all of which are shown in FIG. Figure 1 and 2 The arc-shaped propeller front face 102 has a concave arc-shaped surface 140 or a convex arc-shaped surface 141 (see also Fig.12 The curved pusher front face 102 connects to the angled bottom plate 115 at an acute angle and downward at the curved / bottom contact point 117, terminates at the leveler head mating toe fixing end 106d, and connects to the leveler back 108 at an opposite, acute angle and upward at the curved / back contact point 117 (all of these elements are as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and 2 108). The upper head portion 101a is located above the curved pusher front 102 and the flattener back 108 and is attached to the curved pusher front 102 and the flattener back 108 at the curved / back contact point 111. The angled bottom plate 115 is connected to the flattener back 108 at the back / bottom contact point 107 at an acute angle opposite to the curved / back contact point 111. In this manner, the curved pusher front 102, the flattener back 108 and the angled bottom plate 115 form a generally triangular cross-sectional shape 116 of the longitudinally extending flattener head 101. In this alternative embodiment (in Figure 1 ), the handheld screed raking device 100 also has a bottom side bearing 103 formed by an upwardly angled front surface 104, a bearing back end 104b and an opposite bearing toe fixing end 106b. The bottom side bearing 103 is connected to and abuts the arcuate pusher mating front face 102 at the screed head mating toe fixing end 106d, and the opposite bearing toe fixing end 106b is compliantly and matingly fixed against the angled bottom plate 115 and connected to the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 in an arcuate manner downwardly and rearwardly. The longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 continues laterally rearwardly and terminates at the bearing back end 104b. The tubular raking handle 120 has a raking handle free end 120a and an opposite raking handle attachment end 120b (as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 5 -7).

[0063] In addition, if Figure 1 and 2 As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the longitudinally extending screed head 101 of this alternative embodiment has a handle attachment member 110 centrally located on the curved propeller front face 102, midway between the curved / back contact point 111 and the curved / bottom contact point 117, freely securing a tubular handle 120. The tubular handle 120 is freely and securely attached to and engages the longitudinally extending screed head 101 by the handle attachment member 110 proximate the opposing handle attachment end 120b.

[0064] In this alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig.14 As shown, user 130 (similarly as Fig.11) grips the tubular rake handle 120 and applies, levels, moves or applies and pushes the application material 128 by gripping the handheld screed rake device 100 by the tubular rake handle 120 and pulling (moving) the handheld screed rake device 100 over the surface 129 in the application direction 127. The application material 128 is gathered and loaded along the arcuate pusher front 103, and the arcuate pusher front 103 prevents the longitudinally extending screed head 101 from lifting upward when the handheld screed rake device 100 applies, levels and compacts the application material 128 to the surface 129 in a non-segregated manner and in the application direction 127 passed by the user 130 on the surface 129 simultaneously and uniformly.

[0065] exist Fig.14 In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the rake handle attachment member 110 includes a tubular attachment arm 110k (eg, Figure 1 ), in which embodiment, the tubular attachment arm 110k extends vertically away from the arc-shaped thruster front 102, as shown in FIG. Fig.14 The tubular rake handle 120 slides tightly and freely over the tubular attachment arm 110k and is firmly attached to the curved propeller front 102 at the opposite rake handle attachment end 120b (with Figure 1 At least one shank fixing hole 110h operatively projects through both the tubular rake shank 120 and the tubular attachment arm 110k, allowing at least one shank fixing bolt 110i to fix the tubular rake shank 120 to the tubular attachment arm 110k with at least one shank fixing nut 110j.

[0066] like Figure 1 and 1A As more particularly shown in FIG. 1 , in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, Fig.14 The hand-held screed raking device 100 shown has a bottom side socket 103 freely, securely and removably attached to the angled bottom plate 116 of the longitudinally extending screed head 101 by at least one socket attachment member 103a having at least one attachment bolt 103d which screws upwardly through at least one socket hole 103c located in the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 into at least one threaded tapped bottom hole 103b located in the angled bottom plate 115 and matingly corresponding to the at least one socket hole 103c. The bottom side socket 103 is fixed and attached to the longitudinally extending screed head 101 in this manner.

[0067] As mentioned above, Fig.15A -D shows a partial, back, bottom side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having a tubular rake handle 120. The longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 can be a smooth bottom surface 125 or a textured bottom surface 126. Fig.15A , 15C In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 15D , the textured bottom surface 126 of the bottom support 103 includes a corrugated bottom surface 124 (eg, Figure 3 and 8 shown); V-shaped bottom surface ( Fig.9D block-shaped bottom surface 126b ( Fig. 9C or other forms of textured bottom surface 126, which may be in a repeating form 126d or a variable form 126e. In alternative embodiments, the textured bottom surface 126 may flatten and decay in amplitude from the opposite bearing toe fixing end 106b to the bearing back end 104b, such as Figure 8 and 15A Meanwhile, in an alternative embodiment, the textured bottom surface 126 may be as shown. Figure 8 and 15A The handheld screed raking device 100 is oriented parallel to the application direction 127 of the user 130, as shown. Fig.15D The illustration is oriented perpendicularly to the application direction 127 of the user 130 of the hand-held screed rake device 100 or at an acute angle to the application direction 127 of the user 130 of the hand-held screed rake device 100 . Fig.15A The bottom side shoe 103 is shown having a textured bottom surface 126 that flattens and tapers in amplitude from an opposing shoe toe securing end 106b to a shoe back end 104b as a repeating pattern 124d. Fig. 15B A bottom shoe 103 having a smooth bottom surface 125 is shown. Fig. 15C Depicted is a bottom support 103 having a textured bottom surface 126, as a variable pattern 124e, the wavy bottom surface 124 having a varying amplitude (as shown above Figure 8 ), and the textured bottom surface 126 flattens and decays in amplitude from the opposing bearing toe fixing end 106b to the bearing back end 104b. Fig.15D The bottom side support 103 is shown with a textured bottom surface 126 , which is oriented longitudinally lengthwise parallel to the longitudinally extending screed head 101 and perpendicular to the application direction 127 , as a repeating pattern 124 d .

[0068] Figure 3 , 8 The textured bottom surface 126 shown in Figures 12, 13 and 15A, C and D enables larger aggregates of the applied material 128 to move or travel more easily under the hand-held leveling rake device 100 and mix in a homogeneous manner to prevent any segregation of the particle size of the applied material 128 on the surface 129.

[0069] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 The tubular rake handles shown in Figures 11 and 14 may include a non-conductive, lightweight and resilient material. The tubular rake handle 120, as well as the rake grip handle 131 (described in an alternative embodiment below), are formed of a material that is less thermally conductive than the prior art or is non-conductive. The rake grip handle 131 includes any number of handles that attach to the screed back 108 at two points, as is common in the industry for use with trowel-like tools.

[0070] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, Fig.12 and 13 As shown, the handheld screed raking device 100 includes a longitudinally extending screed head 101 having a convex arcuate propeller front face 141, a screed back 108, and a longitudinal bottom rear surface 105. The convex arcuate propeller front face 141 connects to and terminates downwardly at the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 at an arcuate / bottom contact point 117, and connects to the screed back 108 at an opposite and upward angle at an arcuate / back contact point 111. The longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 connects to the screed back 108 at an opposite and acute angle at the back / bottom contact point 107. Thus, in this configuration, the convex arcuate pusher front face 141, the screed back 108, and the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 form a generally triangular cross-sectional shape 116 of the longitudinally extending screed head 101; and the convex arcuate pusher front face 141 arcs downwardly to the arcuate / bottom contact point 117. In this alternative embodiment, the rake grip handle 131 (at Fig.12 ) is securely attached to the longitudinally extending screed head 101 vertically downwardly midway and centrally on the screed back 108 between the back / bottom point 107 and the arc / back contact point 111. The user 130 grasps the handheld screed rake device 100 by the rake grip handle 131 to manually advance the application material 128 gathered and loaded along the arcuate pusher front face 102, and the handheld screed rake device 100 simultaneously and uniformly applies, levels and compacts the application material 128 to the surface 129 in a non-segregated manner and in the application direction 127 passed by the user 130. In this manner, the handheld screed rake device 100 prevents or minimizes the application material 128 from being applied to the surface 129 in a manner that segregates with respect to particle size or other components, which would affect the integrity of the application material 128. Fig.12 The rake grip handle 131 shown in FIG. 1 is a closed grip handle. Fig.13 In an alternative embodiment, a handheld screed raking device 100 is shown in which the rake grip handle 131 may be an open rake grip handle 132 .

[0071] exist Fig.12 and 13 In the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown, the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 (for other embodiments, with Figure 8 , 9A 15A-D and 15A-D) can have a smooth bottom surface 125 or a textured bottom surface 126. The textured bottom surface 126 can be any of a wave-shaped bottom surface 124, a V-shaped bottom surface 126c, a block-shaped bottom surface 126b, or other forms of textured bottom surfaces 126. Similarly, the textured bottom surface 126 is as shown in FIG. Fig.15A One of a repeating pattern 126d or a variable pattern 126e as shown in FIG. 1 and B and described above for another embodiment. The textured bottom surface 126 may be oriented in one of the following ways relative to the application direction: parallel, perpendicular, or at an acute angle. Fig.15D The bottom side shoe 103 is shown with a textured bottom surface 126, as a repeating pattern 124d, the textured bottom surface being oriented longitudinally lengthwise parallel to the longitudinally extending screed head 101 and perpendicular to the application direction 127. In an alternative embodiment, the textured bottom surface 126 flattens and tapers in amplitude from the arc / bottom contact point 117 to the back / bottom contact point 107.

[0072] Fig.12 and 13 The longitudinally extending screed head 101 shown may be comprised in an alternative embodiment of at least one of aluminum, plastic, or other durable and lightweight material. Fig.12 and 13 As shown, the rake grip handle 131 may be made of a lightweight rigid material with low thermal conductivity to assist the user 130 in working with different types and temperatures of application materials 128, thereby helping to prevent the user's 130 hands from being heated or cooled.

[0073] In an alternative embodiment, Fig.13 and 14 The illustrated applied material 128 may be selected from the group consisting of glue laminate, asphalt, cement, tile and floor grout, mortar, landscaping topsoil, gravel, aggregate, mulch, dirt, or other surface treatment material 133 applied to the surface 129 by the user 130. The rake grip handle 131 comprises a non-conductive, lightweight and resilient material in an alternative embodiment.

[0074] like Figure 1 , 2As shown in the alternative embodiments of Figures 11-14, the hand-held leveling rake device 100 of the present invention is a hand-held tool for coating, leveling, moving or applying an application material 128 as described above, the application material 128 including a viscous material such as asphalt, concrete, grout, glue, or a landscaping material such as dirt. The hand-held leveling rake device 100 will utilize a smooth bottom surface 125, a set of textured bottom surface 126 forms as described herein, or other textured bottom surface forms, such as patented leveling textured surfaces known in the industry, to help prevent segregation of the application material 128 as the user 130 moves and applies the application material 128 to the surface 129. Therefore, the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 (working bottom side surface) can be a smooth bottom surface 125, or in an alternative embodiment, a textured bottom surface 126, such as having a repeating form 124d (in Figure 3 and 8 15A) is identified by a cross-sectional shape that resembles a repeating pattern of crested waves, the amplitude or height of the crested waves gradually decreasing in size from the upwardly angled front surface 104 to the seat back end 104b, as shown in FIG. Fig.15A and 15C as shown in .

[0075] The longitudinal bottom rear surface includes one of a smooth bottom surface or a textured bottom surface, such as Figure 1 -15. The hand-held screed raking device 100 of the present invention operates similarly to any hand-held rake or trowel, with the added control of tilting the screed surface angle of attack defined by the upwardly angled front surface 104 to control the level of applied material 128 in the application direction 127 during use. The curved propeller front face 102 may have a concave curved propeller face 140 (e.g., Figure 1 and 2127) or in an alternative embodiment, a convex curved propeller 141. By allowing the "floating screed" (application material 128) to be controlled by tilting the angle of attack of the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105, the curved propeller front face 102 distributes the laid or applied application material 128 more evenly in the application direction 127 by the user 130 while leaving a better, less segregated application material 128 on the surface 129. The curved propeller front face 102 of the longitudinally extending screed head 101 prevents the loaded curved propeller front face 102 from lifting the hand-held screed rake device 100 as it moves over the surface 129 and applies or screeds the application material 128. By adjusting the vertical angle of attack, the user 130 can make smooth grade adjustments while applying the raked or applied application material 128 along the application direction 127. As the application material 128 travels under the longitudinal bottom rear surface 105 along the application direction 127, it is compacted. These functions and actions of the handheld screed raking device 100 leave a better finish on the surface 129 for the applied material 128 without the segregation of portions of the applied material 128 caused by conventional straight edge raking found in the industry.

[0076] like Fig.11 and 13 As shown, the present invention solves the problem of segregation by allowing the leveling member bottom (longitudinally attached bottom rear surface 101) to have a smooth bottom surface 125 or a textured bottom surface 126 (with a repeating form 124d or a variable form 124e adopted by the textured bottom surface 126) to allow the graded application material 128 to flow or move and be applied more easily under the surface of the hand-held leveling rake device 100 (i.e., the longitudinally attached bottom rear surface 101). See Fig.15A -D. By using a unique variable wave design, such as a wave-formed bottom surface 124 having a variable form 126e, an application material 128 (such as aggregate) can be evenly applied and compacted on a surface 129 in a homogeneous manner. By applying the application material 128 in front of the hand-held leveling rake device 100 with a greatly reduced grade of the arc-shaped propeller front face 102 along the application direction 127, greater compaction of the application material 128 is allowed and segregation of the application material 128 into, for example, large and small aggregate particles is prevented, solving the problem of repairing areas of a surface 129 with desired application material 128 but ultimately segregating it into various portions of undesirable application material 128 having uneven grades and compositions.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig. 15CThe variable wave form 124e shown allows larger aggregates of application material 128 to travel or move more easily beneath the longitudinally attached bottom rear surface 105, further preventing segregation by compacting the larger aggregates being laid in the surface 129, rather than as in conventional rakes used in the industry, whereby finer application material 128 is laid while such application material 128 moves or travels in front of the hand-held leveling rake device 100, causing the application material 128 to segregate.

[0078] exist Figure 1 In an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in -15, the longitudinally extending leveling member head 101 may be composed of one or more of the following: aluminum, plastic, or other durable and lightweight materials to prevent hotter applied material 128 from adhering to the handheld leveling rake device 100 as easily as known leveling rake devices, and to prevent wetter applied material 128 from freezing and adhering.

[0079] exist Figure 1 , 2 Another advantage found in the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 11-13 is that the handheld screed raking device 100 can be made of a low thermal conductivity material that will not easily adhere to the applied material 128, such as asphalt, thereby improving the quality of the screed finish on the surface 129.

[0080] Additionally, there is the advantage of ease of use, allowing taller users 130 to have different handle tilt options for the handheld screed rake 100. The use of the handheld screed rake 100 is not limited to or specific to any one industry. The handheld screed rake 100 may be used in the paving industry, the concrete industry, the construction industry, the landscaping industry, and other industries that require the use of such a handheld device to apply application material 128, thereby allowing the user 130 to more easily obtain an acceptable grade of application material 128 without the segregation problems inherent in current rakes found in different industries. The present invention may be used to apply a wide variety of application materials 128, including but not limited to aggregates and aggregate mixtures, soils, landscaping materials; and in many applications, such as for distributing glue or grout, repairing asphalt, for preparing roadbed surfaces, and for tiling or finishing surfaces, as well as other surface application activities.

[0081] Having described the preferred selection of embodiments of the present invention in such detail, it should be understood and apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes can be made in the device without changing the present invention or the concepts and principles implemented therein. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the terms and expressions used herein are descriptive terms rather than restrictive terms, and are not intended to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described or parts thereof. Of course, various changes can be made to the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the device of the present invention should not be limited except for the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0082] While specific advantages have been enumerated above, various implementations may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages.

[0083] Other technical advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the foregoing drawings and description.

[0084] First, it should be understood that although exemplary embodiments are shown in the drawings and described herein, the principles of the present disclosure can be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques shown in the drawings and described herein.

[0085] Unless otherwise specifically noted, the articles shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0086] Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the systems, devices, equipment and methods described herein may be modified, added or omitted. For example, the components of the systems, devices and equipment may be integrated or separated. In addition, the operation of the systems, devices and equipment disclosed herein may be performed by more, less or other components, and the described methods may include more, less or other steps. In addition, the steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this article, "each" refers to each component of a set or each component of a subset of a set.

[0087] To assist the Patent Office and any reader of any patent issuing on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, Applicants wish to note that unless the words "means for" or "step for" are expressly used in a particular claim, they are not intended to render any appended claim or claim element incorporating 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

[0088] This patent does not limit us to just the words, but rather has the flexibility to be able to use the concept in many applications and many industries.

Claims

1. A handheld leveling rake comprising: a leveler head having a curved pusher front face, a back plate, and a bottom plate connected at an angle to the curved pusher front face and back plate; a bottom support removably attachable to the screed head and having a front surface angled upward toward the base plate and a bottom surface extending from the front surface of the bottom support toward a back end, Therein, the bottom side bearing abuts against the front face of the arc-shaped pusher and is conformably fixed to the bottom plate when the bottom side bearing is attached to the leveling member head.

2. The handheld leveling rake according to claim 1, wherein: The arcuate thruster front face includes one of a concave arcuate surface and a convex arcuate surface extending from the bottom surface.

3. The handheld screed rake according to claim 2, wherein: The curved propeller front is structurally configured to prevent the screed head from lifting upward when a user operates the hand-held screed rake to apply and compact paving material onto a surface in a non-detached manner.

4. The handheld screed rake according to claim 1, wherein: The curved thruster front is structurally configured to collect the matting material, and the bottom side socket is configured to spread the matting material.

5. The handheld screed rake according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom surface of the bottom shoe includes a smooth surface.

6. The handheld screed rake according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom surface of the bottom shoe includes a textured surface.

7. The hand-held screed rake according to claim 6, wherein: The textured surface includes one or more of a V-shaped cross-sectional pattern, a block-shaped cross-sectional pattern, and a wavy cross-sectional pattern.

8. The hand-held screed rake according to claim 7, wherein: The corresponding cross-sectional pattern of the textured surface has at least one of an amplitude and a height that decreases in size as the bottom surface extends from the front surface to the back end of the bottom shoe.

9. The handheld screed rake according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom shoe is removably attached to the screed head by one or more of bolts, clips, and cotter pins.

10. The handheld screed rake according to claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the bottom support in a direction orthogonal to the bottom plate decreases from the front surface to the back end of the bottom support.

11. The handheld screed rake according to claim 1, wherein: The back plate, curved pusher front face and bottom plate are interconnected to form a triangular cross-sectional shape for the leveler head.

12. The hand-held screed rake of claim 1 further comprising a handle connected to the back plate.

13. The hand-held screed rake of claim 1, wherein: The screed head also includes an internal flange support centrally disposed within the hollow interior of the screed head and attached from the midpoint of the back plate to the point where the curved pusher front face contacts the base plate.

14. A handheld leveling rake head, comprising: The curved front of the thruster; Back panel; as well as The bottom plate is connected at an angle to the curved front and back plates of the thrusters. wherein the concave arc-shaped propeller front face is angled downward relative to the back plate, and Wherein the bottom plate extends from the front face of the concave arc-shaped propeller at an angle relative to the back plate.

15. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 14, wherein: The bottom plate is structurally configured to receive a bottom support removably attachable thereto, the bottom support having a front surface angled upward toward the bottom plate and a bottom surface extending from the front surface of the bottom support to a back end.

16. The handheld screed rake head of claim 15, wherein: The bottom side shoe is configured to abut the arcuate front face of the pusher and is conformably secured to the bottom plate when the bottom side shoe is attached to the screed head.

17. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 14, wherein: The arcuate thruster front face includes a concave arcuate surface extending from the bottom surface.

18. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 17, wherein: The curved propeller front face is structurally configured to prevent the screed head from lifting upward when a user operates the hand-held screed rake to apply and compact paving material onto a surface in a non-detached manner.

19. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 15, wherein: The curved pusher front is structurally configured to collect the bedding material, and the bottom side support is configured to spread the bedding material.

20. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 15, wherein: The bottom surface of the bottom shoe includes a textured surface.

21. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 20, wherein: The textured surface includes one or more of a V-shaped cross-sectional pattern, a block-shaped cross-sectional pattern, and a wavy cross-sectional pattern.

22. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 21, wherein: The corresponding cross-sectional pattern of the textured surface has at least one of an amplitude and a height that decreases in size as the bottom surface extends from the front surface of the bottom support to the back end.

23. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 15, wherein: The bottom shoe is removably attached to the screed head by one or more of bolts, clips, and cotter pins.

24. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 15, wherein: The thickness of the bottom support in a direction orthogonal to the bottom plate decreases from the front surface to the back end of the bottom support.

25. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 14, wherein: The back plate, curved pusher front face and bottom plate are interconnected to form a triangular cross-sectional shape for the leveler head.

26. The hand-held screed rake head of claim 14 further comprising an internal flange support centrally disposed within the hollow interior and attached from a midpoint of the back plate to a point where the curved propeller front meets the base plate.

27. A hand-held leveling rake comprising: a screed head having a pusher face for preventing the screed head from being lifted from the paving surface when the screed rake applies paving material to the paving surface, a surface facing plate that faces the paving surface when the screed rake applies paving material to the paving surface, and a screed back connected to the pusher face and the surface facing plate so that the screed head has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape; as well as a shoe removably attachable to the surface-facing plate of the screed head and having a textured surface opposite the surface-facing plate of the screed head, Wherein the textured surface has a cross-sectional pattern having at least one of an amplitude and a height that decreases in size as the textured surface extends from the thruster face.

28. The hand-held screed rake of claim 27, wherein: The textured surface includes one or more of a V-shaped cross-sectional pattern, a block-shaped cross-sectional pattern, and a wavy cross-sectional pattern.

29. The hand-held screed rake of claim 27, wherein: The shoe abuts the pusher face and is conformably secured to the surface facing plate when the shoe is attached to the screed head.

30. The hand-held screed rake of claim 27, wherein: The front face of the pusher includes one of a concave arcuate surface and a convex arcuate surface extending in one direction from the mat surface.

31. The hand-held screed rake of claim 27, wherein: The curved pusher face is structurally configured to collect bedding material, and the socket is configured to spread the bedding material.

32. The hand-held screed rake of claim 27, wherein: The shoe is removably attached to the screed head by one or more of a bolt, a clip, and a cotter pin.

33. The hand-held screed rake of claim 27, wherein: The thickness of the bottom shoe in a direction orthogonal to the surface-facing plate decreases from the front surface to the back end of the bottom shoe.

34. The hand-held screed rake of claim 27, further comprising a handle coupled to the back of the screed.

35. The hand-held screed rake of claim 27, wherein: The screed head also includes an internal flange support centrally disposed within the hollow interior of the screed head and attached from the midpoint of the screed back to the point where the curved pusher front faces contact the surface facing plate.

36. A hand-held leveling rake comprising: a screed head having a pusher face for preventing the screed head from being lifted from the paving surface when the screed rake applies paving material to the paving surface, a surface facing plate that faces the paving surface when the screed rake applies paving material to the paving surface, and a screed back connected to the pusher face and the surface facing plate; as well as a shoe removably attachable to the screed head and having a first surface angled toward the surface facing the board and a second surface extending from the first surface toward a back of the shoe, Therein, the shoe abuts the arcuate pusher face and is conformably secured to the surface facing plate when the shoe is attached to the screed head.

37. The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, wherein: The second surface of the socket includes a textured surface having a cross-sectional pattern having at least one of an amplitude and a height that decreases in size as the textured surface extends from the pusher face.

38. The hand-held screed rake of claim 37, wherein: The textured surface includes one or more of a V-shaped cross-sectional pattern, a block-shaped cross-sectional pattern, and a wavy cross-sectional pattern.

39. The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, wherein: The front face of the pusher includes one of a concave arcuate surface and a convex arcuate surface extending in one direction from the mat surface.

40. The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, wherein: The pusher face is structurally configured to collect the matting material, and the socket is configured to spread the matting material.

41. The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, wherein: The shoe is removably attached to the screed head by one or more of a bolt, a clip, and a cotter pin.

42. The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, wherein: The thickness of the bottom shoe in a direction orthogonal to the surface-facing plate decreases from the front surface to the back end of the bottom shoe.

43. The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, further comprising a handle coupled to the back of the screed.

44. The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, wherein: The screed head also includes a flange support centrally disposed within the hollow interior of the screed head and attached from the midpoint of the screed back to the point of contact of the arcuate pusher face with the surface facing plate.

45. The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, wherein: The second surface of the socket includes a smooth surface.

46. ​​The hand-held screed rake of claim 36, wherein: The screed back is connected to the pusher face and the surface facing plate to form a triangular cross-sectional shape for the screed head.

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