Drive-in boom screed

Abstract

An apparatus for screeding concrete includes a frame assembly having an extendable boom secured to a screed head for contacting the concrete, a leveling assembly having a plurality of adjustable leveling legs capable of extension and retraction and driven wheels secured to the leveling legs for steering.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and apparatus for leveling and finishing or “screeding” concrete and more specifically to a lightweight concrete screeding apparatus for screeding a poured concrete surface. The system and apparatus provides a light, portable, and maneuverable boom-type screed that is readily moved around a poured concrete surface that is being finished and is particularly useful for smaller area concrete pours such as interior concrete pours in high rise structures or multi-level buildings that are commonly termed “upper deck pours”. The screeding apparatus may be operated as a hybrid “drive-in” and / or stationary machine that is driven into a poured surface and thence retracted to screed the surface. The screeding apparatus may further be provided with a screed head that includes any one or more of an adjustable plow, a finish blade and / or a plurality of augers for providing a finished surface to concrete pours.Description of Related Art

[0002] In construction settings when liquid concrete is poured to produce a surface it must be quickly and carefully smoothed or screeded, so that when the concrete sets and hardens it produces an even, level surface. Since this poured concrete surface is almost always a foundation for additional construction, machine base applications, floor surface for vertical storage such as warehousing and shelving space, or even simply office floor base, it is highly desirable to produce a surface that is consistently level over its entire area. In poured areas in excess of a few hundred square feet it is unwieldy and very labor intensive to manually level and smooth a poured concrete surface, as well as extremely difficult to maintain a consistent finished grade when finishing by hand.

[0003] In order to aid in the screeding of relatively large surface area concrete pours, a variety of concrete screeding or troweling machines have been accepted into use in the art. These machines typically include a screed head comprising a flat troweling surface for contacting the poured concrete that is mechanically extended and retracted across the concrete surface to produce a smooth surface finish. Many of these prior art devices include various systems for leveling the screed head relative to a reference plane such that the finished surface is relatively flat once it is screeded.

[0004] Prior art screed devices often comprise a frame having a centrally mounted turret from which a boom is extended. Turret type screeds provide for some maneuverability since the turrets are capable of rotation via a driven gear or similar mechanism. However, these screed systems are typically quite complex, heavy and costly due to the need for complicated mechanical and electrical controls to rotate the turret and extend the boom, not to mention the power required to position a turret. In fact, while many prior art screed devices are available, a great deal of concrete screeding is still accomplished by hand due to the size and cost of automated screeds.

[0005] A subset of prior art screed machines are manufactured to be relatively small in size to screed smaller concrete pours or to screed pours in areas where access and maneuverability are at a premium. Many of these screeds are of the “drive-in” type, wherein the screed is self-powered and is actually driven into the concrete pour so that the finish blade and / or screed head is then slowly dragged across the surface being finished. These drive-in type machines are often smaller versions of larger concrete screeds, and may have leveling systems mounted on the screed head that move the screed head upwardly and downwardly during the screed pass to provide a relatively level finished surface. Drive-in screeds are frequently used in smaller concrete pours, for example in “upper deck” pours, where floors are being poured in multi-level buildings. As such, maneuverability is paramount since the machines are often required to screed around support columns, HVAC ducting, and plumbing and electrical chases that may extend vertically through the floor.

[0006] These drive-in screeds are often simply smaller versions of conventional screeds and suffer from a variety of disadvantages as a result; a lack of maneuverability, difficulty in providing consistent leveling along the length of the screed head, and relatively high weight. The weight of the screed can also be quite limiting in its application, particularly where the floor supporting the concrete may flex or even collapse under the weight of the concrete and the screed being moved across it. This problem may result in uneven finished surfaces.

[0007] Many of these prior art machines, being designed to operate on large concrete pours such as parking lots or single floor building construction projects, can be quite difficult to use in smaller concrete pours primarily due to their weight and lack of maneuverability. As a result, some screed machines have been built that are simply manually pulled vibrating finishing blades. These machines typically don't plow or level concrete, but are primarily motorized, vibrating finish blades capable of being operated by hand to smooth-but not level-a smaller poured surface.

[0008] Additionally, some small, lightweight drive-in type screeds are designed to have a screed head or leveling apparatus mounted at an end and then the machine is driven into the poured concrete to conduct a screeding pass. These machines typically don't produce consistent level surfaces and often require the use of relatively small screed heads, making them less useful than smaller boom or turret-type screed machines.

[0009] Furthermore, many smaller hand operated concrete finishing screeds require a great deal of manual hand leveling of the concrete pour, since they are unable to reposition the concrete material being poured. As a result they have limited usefulness where a great deal of concrete must be poured and leveled, but where maneuverability is required, for example in upper deck or small building pours.

[0010] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system and method screeding and troweling concrete that provides a consistently level finished surface with a minimum of mechanical and electrical system complexity, light weight, and the ability to quickly maneuver a screed in small spaces during a pour.

[0011] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawing Figures taken in conjunction with the appended drawing Figures.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present disclosure is related to systems and apparatus for screeding a poured concrete surface. The system and apparatus described herein utilizes a lightweight frame having a central extendable boom mounted on a maneuverable multi-wheeled drive assembly for quickly positioning and operating the apparatus to screed poured concrete. A screed head is mounted on the extendable boom for finishing a poured concrete surface. Additionally, the system and apparatus provides an accurate leveling system that quickly and continuously levels the entire apparatus from side-to-side and front-to-back, utilizing a control system and associated leveling sensors.

[0013] In various embodiments and accordance with some aspects of the invention, the system disclosed herein provides a lightweight frame assembly having a screed head secured to one end thereof for contacting and smoothing a poured concrete surface. The frame assembly provides support for a power system such as an internal combustion engine or a battery system that powers operation of the screed and its attendant components. In some embodiments a hydraulic system is provided to a leveling system to provide a smooth finished surface. In some other embodiments the leveling system is electromechanical so that the screed can be constructed without a hydraulic system and its attendant weight.

[0014] In some embodiments the system and apparatus disclosed herein provides a drive system having a plurality of driven or powered wheels that may be driven either in concert with one another or independently depending upon an operator's commands supplied through a user input and / or a steering assembly. In other embodiments, the drive system and methods disclosed herein may include a plurality of electronically or hydraulically powered driven wheels enables the screed apparatus to perform zero-radius turns as well as move completely parallel to a concrete pour. Additionally, and in some aspects of the invention the drive system may be controlled through a user interface, for example a joystick, track pad, touch screen, pushbuttons, or a smart device such as a phone or tablet, either remotely or on board the screeding apparatus.

[0015] In other embodiments and aspects the system and apparatus includes a steering system that provides a mechanical linkage between a plurality of wheels supporting the screed, and a single steering handle that permits an operator or user to drive the screed by a simple movement of the steering handle. In other aspects the steering of the screed may be accomplished entirely through an operator interface, either remotely or on board the screed.

[0016] As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term “screed apparatus” should be understood to be generally synonymous with and include any device that is capable of operating on and smoothing an uncured concrete surface. The system and apparatus referred to herein may be powered by internal combustion systems or electrical systems, and may include a plurality of electrical, electro-mechanical and hydraulically operated components and sensors the components operable by and responsive to manipulation of control knobs, selectors, or operator interfaces.

[0017] The term “screed head” is used herein generally to describe a member or members for contacting and smoothing and uncured concrete surface and may include one or more of a strike-off plow, an auger, a roller, and a vibrating member. Accordingly, the term screed head is not limited to one specific apparatus or structure, but is intended to encompass all structures that may be used to smooth and / or level a poured concrete surface.

[0018] The term “leveling assembly” is used herein to generally describe a plurality of leveling legs on which the screed apparatus is supported or to which a wheel and / or drive assembly are secured, and a plurality of actuators responsive to a plurality of sensors for adjusting the elevation of the screed with respect to a reference plane. The number and type of leveling legs and the number and type of sensors for determining elevation, slope and / or tilt of the screed is not limited to a specific apparatus, structure, or sensor configuration, but rather is intended to include all structures, systems and sensors equivalent to those specific examples and embodiments disclosed herein.

[0019] The term “drive assembly” is used herein to refer to a plurality of powered wheels that are capable of turning and being driven in forward and reverse by a plurality of drive components. It is contemplated that a wide variety of drive mechanisms may be employed in the environment of the invention to perform the functions of the drive system specified herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0020] The term “controller” or “processor” is used herein generally to describe various apparatus relating to the operation of the system and the appliances referred to herein. A controller can be implemented in numerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform various functions discussed herein. A “processor” is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0021] A processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as “memory,” e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present disclosure discussed herein. The terms “program” or “computer program” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers.

[0022] The term “Internet” or synonymously “Internet of things” refers to the global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols. The appliances, controllers and processors referred to herein may be operatively connected to the Internet.

[0023] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0024] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a concrete screed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a concrete screed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a concrete screed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a front view of a concrete screed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a concrete screed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 6 is a side view of a concrete screed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 7 is a side view of a concrete screed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 8 is a top view of a concrete screed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 9 is a side view of a concrete screed with an extended boom in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0034] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system in accordance with some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0035] Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

[0036] Referring now to drawing FIGS. 1-10, and in accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the invention, the system and apparatus 10 described herein overcomes the aforementioned inherent problems in the prior art by providing a concrete screed system and apparatus 10, known in the art as a “concrete screed” or simply a “screed”, that comprises a frame assembly 20 that supports and secures the various components and subsystems of apparatus 10 as described herein below. Frame assembly 20 may include a front frame 30 secured or mounted generally orthogonally to a central frame 40 that extends generally from a rear 12 of the apparatus to a front 14 thereof to provide a generally rigid frame assembly 20 that is capable of supporting apparatus 10 with minimal flexing. Frame assembly 20 may be formed of various materials including but not limited to aluminum, iron, steel and various alloys thereof, carbon fiber and even rigid polymers without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0037] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3 a boom assembly 50 is provided that telescopes inside or parallel to central frame 40. In some embodiments central frame 40 may be an essentially hollow rigid square or rectangular tube or eye-beam inside a portion of which boom assembly 50 is disposed. Boom assembly 50 includes a rear end 51 and a forward end 53, and may in some embodiments be secured to a screed head assembly 100 at the forward end 53 that operates to smooth and level a poured concrete surface. Screed head assembly 100 may include a plurality of leveling eyes 72 secured thereto, for example mounted on a pair of spaced poles 74 that position leveling eyes above screed head assembly 100. Leveling eyes 72 are used in conjunction with and operatively coupled to a controller 200 to level apparatus 10—and thus boom assembly 50 and screed head 100 with respect to a reference plane, thereby providing a level finished concrete surface as screed head assembly 100 is retracted toward screed apparatus 10.

[0038] As best depicted in FIG. 9 boom assembly 50 may include a plurality of telescopic, nested extending boom sections 52, 54, 56, that may be extended and retracted generally in the direction of central frame 40 by an actuator or actuators 58, such as a hydraulic cylinder or linear actuator. Extendable boom section 52 is depicted as having the largest cross-sectional area and is therefore the exterior boom section 52. Thus extendable sections 54, 56 may be retracted into an interior portion of boom 52 and then extend therefrom during operation of apparatus 10. In various aspects and embodiments leveling eyes 72 may comprise laser transmitters that emit light that is received by a receiver (not shown), thereby providing the ability to adjust screed head 40 to a reference plane, as is known in the art.

[0039] As shown best in FIGS. 1-9 front frame 30 may include a plurality of front legs 32, depicted in the drawing Figs. as a spaced pair of tubes on outward sides of front frame 30. Each front leg forms a portion of a leveling assembly 300, as detailed herein below. While frame assembly 20 including front frame 30 and central frame 40 is depicted in the drawing Figures as generally T-shaped, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that frame assembly 20 may have a variety of configurations and shapes to support and secure the various components of screed apparatus 10 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 1-9 and in accordance with some aspects of the invention a screed head assembly 100 is provided with opposed ends 102 and a mounting plate or portion 103 secured to a boom assembly 50 front boom section 56. Screed head assembly 100 may be rigidly fastened or secured to boom assembly 50 by any known fastening method. Screed head assembly 100 may in certain embodiments include a drive motor 106, for example a hydraulic motor secured to screed head body 104, and at least one of a plow 110, an auger or augers 120 journaled for rotation around a central axis 122, a finish blade 130 for smoothing poured concrete, and in some aspects and embodiments, a roller or rollers. Drive motor 106 is used to rotate auger 120 during a screeding pass. In some embodiments screed head assembly 100 may include only one finish blade 130, or only one or two augers 120, a roller or rollers, or any combination of these concrete finishing members without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, screed head assembly 100, plow 110, auger 120, finish blade 130, and roller can be constructed of a lightweight material such as aluminum to reduce the overall weight of screed head assembly 100.

[0041] In some aspects and embodiments the system and apparatus 10 described herein may also comprise a power system, for example an internal combustion engine 150, or an electrical power source 150 such as a battery system or a generator system. In some aspects and embodiments the power system 150 may include an output shaft coupled to a hydraulic assembly 160, for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a plurality of components necessary to operate screed apparatus 10 via a plurality of electrically actuated control valves. Hydraulic assembly 160 may comprise a conventional hydraulic pump 162, manifold 164, and associated control valves for supplying pressurized fluid to various components of screed apparatus 10. In yet further aspects the power system 150 may be entirely electric, for example a rechargeable battery or batteries, or an electric motor or generator, requiring no hydraulic system 160, and thereby further reducing the weight and emission pollutants of screed apparatus 10. In these embodiments all components of screed apparatus 10 are electric or electromechanical, and are thus driven by a battery 150 or generator 150 as necessary.

[0042] In some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, concrete screed apparatus 10 power source 150 may be mounted directly on screed head assembly 100, thereby reducing the weight of screed apparatus 10 compared to conventional two part frame mounted machines. Additionally, optional hydraulic system 160 may also be mounted to or directly over screed head assembly 100. These embodiments also enable the relatively even distribution of screed apparatus 10 weight across the frame assembly 40, thereby providing for easier leveling of apparatus 10 and more even finished surfaces. Furthermore, the weight provided by an integral hydraulic system 160 improves the ability of apparatus10 to level and smooth the finished surface.

[0043] In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 10, system and apparatus 10 may further comprise a controller 200 which may include a processor or processors 202 and memory 204. System 10 controller 200 may further comprise a plurality of signal outputs 210 and signal inputs 220 that may be operatively connected to a plurality of system 10 components to monitor and direct system 10 operation. Furthermore, in some embodiments controller 200 may include a wireless or hard-wired communications interface 230 that enables controller 200 to communicate with external devices or communications networks such as the internet, that may be integrated into system 10. Furthermore, inputs 220 and outputs 210 may be operatively coupled to, for example, a plurality of electrically actuated valves to operate hydraulic system 160 and other components as discussed further herein below. Throughout the specification the operation of hydraulic cylinders will be understood to be accomplished through the use of a hydraulic system 160, comprising electrically actuated hydraulic valves and a controller 200 for operating the valves, as is-known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0044] Additionally, controller 200 may be equipped with an operator or user interface 240 to provide audible or visual feedback to a user as well as provide a user 1 the ability to provide instructions or commands to controller 200. Exemplary but non-limiting user interfaces that may be employed include a mouse, keypads, touch-screens, keyboards, switches, joysticks and / or touch pads. Any user interface 240 may be employed for use in the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Furthermore, user interface 240 wirelessly communicate with controller 200 such that it may be remotely located from screed apparatus 10. It will be understood that FIG. 10 constitutes, in some respects, an abstraction and that the actual organization of the components of apparatus 10 and controller 200 may be more complex than illustrated.

[0045] The processor 202 may be any hardware device capable of executing instructions stored in memory 204 or data storage 206 or otherwise processing data. As such, the processor may include a microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar devices.

[0046] The memory 204 may include various memories such as, for example L1, L2, or L3 cache or system memory. As such, the memory 204 may include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), or other similar memory devices. It will be apparent that, in embodiments where the processor includes one or more ASICs (or other processing devices) that implement one or more of the functions described herein in hardware, the software described as corresponding to such functionality in other embodiments may be omitted.

[0047] The user interface 240 may include one or more devices for enabling communication with a user such as an administrator. For example, the user interface 240 may include a display, a mouse, and a keyboard for receiving user commands, or a joystick or similar device for directing apparatus operations. In some embodiments, the user interface 240 may include a command line interface or graphical user interface that may be presented to a remote terminal via the communication interface 230.

[0048] The communication interface 230 may include one or more devices for enabling communication with other hardware devices. For example, the communication interface 230 may include a network interface card (NIC) configured to communicate according to the Ethernet protocol. Additionally, the communication interface 230 may implement a TCP / IP stack for communication according to the TCP / IP protocols. Various alternative or additional hardware or configurations for the communication interface 230 will be apparent.

[0049] The storage 206 may include one or more machine-readable storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, or similar storage media. In various embodiments, the storage 206 may store instructions for execution by the processor 202 or data upon which the processor 202 may operate. For example, the storage 206 may store a base operating system for controlling various basic operations of the hardware. Other instruction sets may also be stored in storage 206 for executing various functions of system 10, in accordance with the embodiments detailed below.

[0050] It will be apparent that various information described as stored in the storage 206 may be additionally or alternatively stored in the memory 204. In this respect, the memory 204 may also be considered to constitute a “storage device” and the storage 206 may be considered a “memory.” Various other arrangements will be apparent. Further, the memory 204 and storage 206 may both be considered to be “non-transitory machine-readable media.” As used herein, the term “non-transitory” will be understood to exclude transitory signals but to include all forms of storage, including both volatile and non-volatile memories.

[0051] While the controller 200 is shown as including one of each described component, the various components may be duplicated in various embodiments. For example, the processor 202 may include multiple microprocessors that are configured to independently execute the methods described herein or are configured to perform steps or subroutines of the methods described herein such that the multiple processors cooperate to achieve the functionality described herein. Further, where the controller 200 is implemented in a cloud computing system, the various hardware components may belong to separate physical systems. For example, the processor 202 may include a first processor in a first server and a second processor in a second server.

[0052] With reference to FIGS. 1-9, and in some embodiments apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of leveling systems or assemblies 300, that may include a plurality of vertically adjustable leveling legs 310 that are secured in a generally vertical orientation to front frame 30 and central frame 40. In some embodiments a pair of spaced leveling assemblies 300 are secured at opposed ends of front frame 30 and a single leveling assembly 300 is secured to the rear of central frame 40. Furthermore, certain embodiments leveling legs 310 may comprise a vertically movable leg 310 journaled in a sleeve 312 that is secured to frame 30, 40.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, for example, in one exemplary but non-limiting embodiment of the invention two opposed legs 310 are spaced apart and disposed at a front frame 30, proximate screed head assembly 100 and generally positioned at a opposed ends 102 thereof while a single leg 310 is secured to central frame 40 of screed apparatus 10, proximate the center thereof. In this embodiment, the two vertically adjustable opposed legs 310 may be used to level the screed head 100, while the rear leg 310 may be used to adjust the tilt thereof, as will be discussed further herein below.

[0054] The screed apparatus 10 in some aspects further comprises a plurality of wheel mounts 330 secured to the leveling legs 310 at a bottom portion thereof, onto which a plurality of wheels 340 are rotatably mounted. In these aspects and embodiments of the invention, screed apparatus 10 essentially forms a “one piece” or unitary apparatus 10 whereby the entire screed 10 is leveled and moved by leveling legs 310 while screed head assembly 100 is leveling and smoothing a poured concrete surface. Wheels 340 may be comprised of a hard concrete resistant material such as rubber, and in some embodiments may comprise aluminum spindles that easily roll through the concrete being screeded, as well as being easy to clean after use.

[0055] In further embodiments wheel mounts 330 and wheels are 340 capable of swiveling or turning around a central vertical axis such that each wheel 340 may both rotate and swivel. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, in certain embodiments leveling legs 310 each include a gear 314 journaled thereon that rotates with leveling legs 310. The plurality of gears 314 may be secured together through engagement with a chain or belt or the equivalent thereof, such that when a one of the legs 310 rotates each leg 310 rotates in a corresponding fashion. In some embodiments chain or belt may be routed through a plurality of pulleys or gears (not shown) to facilitate the routing and movement thereof without impeding the operation and function of other components of apparatus 10.

[0056] In some embodiments an operator station 250 may be provided and may include a seat 252 and user interface 240 mounted or secured proximate seat 252 such that an operator 1 may readily access the plurality of apparatus 10 functions through operator interface 250. User interface 240 may include a plurality of controls 242 such as a touch screen and a plurality of joysticks, steering wheels, or equivalent operator controls 242 all operatively coupled to inputs 220 of controller 200. In some aspects and embodiments operator controls 242 provide signal inputs 220 to controller 200 to enable concomitant outputs 210 to various apparatus 10 components to steer and control apparatus 10.

[0057] In some embodiments a steering assembly control 242, for example joystick, joysticks, steering yolk or even a steering wheel may be operatively coupled to a transducer that provides an input signal to a controller 200 input 220 representative of the desired direction and speed of screed apparatus 10. Controller 200 then provides concomitant outputs 210 to a wheel 340 motors 342, for example a hydraulic motor mounted to rotate wheel 340. Each wheel 340 may include a hydraulic motor 342 may include a hydraulic valve or valves that are operatively coupled to an output or outputs 210 from controller 200 that enable rotation of wheel 340 forwards or backwards and at varying speeds depending upon control 242 input. Alternatively, each wheel 340 may include an electric motor 342 that operates responsive to a output 210 from controller 200.

[0058] As can be readily seen this embodiment of the invention permits a user or operator 1 to easily turn and maneuver screed 10 by operation of user interface 240 and of steering control 242. In some embodiments all wheels 340 are turned together such that apparatus 10 can readily be moved in any direction by simple operation of steering control 242. In these embodiments, all three wheels 340 may receive the same speed and / or direction input thereby providing the ability of apparatus 10 to “crab-steer” in any desired direction. In other embodiments rear wheel 340 may be operated independently while front wheels 340 are operated together, thus enabling apparatus to quickly rotate in a zero-turn radius fashion. Each of these steering modes may be selected through operator 1 interaction with user interface 240 and steering control or controls 242.

[0059] In some embodiments the number and positioning of legs 310 around frame assembly 20 of screed apparatus 10 may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the drawing Figures depict three leveling legs 310 and wheels 340 secured to frame 20 it will be understood that a plurality of leveling legs may be employed in apparatus 10 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0060] Furthermore, leveling assemblies 300 may in some embodiments comprise a plurality of actuators 320 secured to leveling legs 310 and sleeves 312 that are operable to force slidable leg 310 upwardly or downwardly in sleeve 312 to thus elevate or lower frame 20 with respect to a reference plane, thereby leveling the entire screed apparatus 10 as a unit. Actuators 320 may include an input operatively coupled to an output 210 of controller 200, the output 210 being representative of a position or height of frame assembly 20 and thus the grade setting of screed head assembly 100, since screed head assembly 100 is secured directly to and moves with frame assembly 20. This feature of the instant invention provides an extremely level finished concrete surface, since the entire concrete screed apparatus 10 is continuously leveled with respect to a desired reference plane.

[0061] In yet further aspects and embodiments, actuators 320 may comprise hydraulic cylinders 320 that extend and retract to provide vertical adjustment to legs 310. In these embodiments an electrically actuated hydraulic valve having an input responsive to an output 210 of controller 200 may be provided to route pressurized hydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinders 320 thereby retracting or extending legs 310 and raising or lowering screed apparatus 10. In other embodiments, actuators 320 may comprise electrically operated actuators 320 of many varieties, including linear actuators and gear driven actuators. In embodiments where leveling system 300 is electrically actuated, screed 10 may not require a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump 162 or manifold 164, thereby further reducing the total weight of apparatus 10, which is advantageous in upper deck pour applications. In these embodiments electrical actuators 320 may have an input operatively coupled to an output 210 of controller 200, the output 210 being representative of a position or height of frame 20 and thus the grade setting of screed head assembly 100. Furthermore, electrically operated actuators 320 may include an output or outputs representative of leveling leg 310 position operatively coupled to an input 220 of controller 200, thereby providing positive feedback of leveling leg 310 position to controller 200. In one exemplary but non-limiting embodiment actuators 320 may comprise linear actuators that include an electric motor to drive a gear set and thus extend or retract leveling legs 310. Linear actuators 320 can include various inputs and outputs that are operatively coupled to the inputs 220 and outputs 210 of controller 200, such that controller 200 may quickly and accurately control the extension and retraction of leveling legs 310 as set forth herein below.

[0062] In various aspects and embodiments wheels 340 may be driven by either hydraulic or electric motors 342, mounted on wheel mount 330 and controlled responsive to an output 210 operatively coupled to controller 200. Motors 342 may be hydraulic motors supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid through operation of pump 162 and manifold 164. Alternatively motors 342 may be one of many commercially available electric motors, for example a direct drive DC motor or the like, depending upon the power source 150 being utilized with screed apparatus 10.

[0063] In one embodiment of the invention each wheel 340 is driven by an independent motor 342. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention only the wheel or wheels 340 proximate the rear frame 40 are driven by a motor or motors 342, such that the other wheels 340 are free to rotate and simply follow driven wheel 340.

[0064] As discussed herein above, in various embodiments motors 342 are controlled via outputs 210 from controller 200 responsive to an input 220 to controller that is supplied by user interface 240. For example, a joystick, a plurality of pushbuttons, handle mounted triggers, a track pad, or a touch screen may be provided as an operator control 242 for a user 1 to provide input commands to controller 200 indicative of a desired rotation of a driven wheel or wheels 340 so that motors 342 are energized to turn wheels 340 responsive to a user's commands.

[0065] In some aspects and embodiments, and as seen in FIGS. 1-4, for example, a user interface 240 may be mounted or secured on or to apparatus 10 to be readily accessible while screeding a concrete pour. In other embodiments, user interface 240 may be provided as a remote smart device, for example a smart phone or tablet in wireless communication with controller 200 without departing from the scope of the invention. In the wireless remote control user interface 240 embodiment an operator may be positioned away from the screed apparatus 10 for safety as well as a reduction in weight on the deck area being poured. In each of these embodiments all screed 10 functions may be operated through interface 240.

[0066] In accordance with some additional embodiments steering system for screed 10 may in some embodiments also be operated electro-mechanically and / or hydraulically such that wheels 340 may be rotated at least 90 degrees from “forward”, thereby providing screed 10 the ability to move sideways or parallel to the pour, or perpendicular to the screed direction of apparatus 10. In this embodiment of the invention, a user may provide a command via operator interface 240 to control both the direction of wheel 340 turn and rotation, thereby providing a screed apparatus 10 that may be completely controlled either remotely or in “drive-on” mode by user 1.

[0067] In various embodiments as best seen in FIGS. 1-6, leveling assembly 300 may also include a plurality of laser leveling eyes 72 that are be mounted to screed head assembly 100, for example on a post or upright 74 secured or fastened at either end of screed head 100 to level screed 10. Furthermore, a slope sensor 76 may also be secured to screed apparatus 10 proximate rear frame 40 such that the front / rear tilt of the screed head 100 may be detected thereby. Leveling eyes 72 have outputs operatively coupled to an input 220 of controller 200, the outputs being representative of an elevation with respect to a reference plane. Similarly, slope sensor 76 also has an output operatively coupled to an input 220 of controller 200, the output representative of the front-to-back slope or “tilt” of the screed apparatus 10. Since screed head assembly 100 is rigidly secured to frame assembly 20, by adjusting rear leveling leg or legs 310 the front-to-back tilt of screed apparatus 10 can be adjusted. In various embodiments controller 200 monitors both slope 76 and leveling eye 72 outputs and automatically adjusts leveling legs 310 by executing its instruction set to provide apparatus 10 with a predetermined elevation and tilt.

[0068] In various embodiments, screed 10 includes three leveling assemblies 300, wherein the screed 10 may be leveled side-to-side by adjusting the opposed outer legs 310 responsive to the laser eyes 72 with respect to a reference plane, and then tilted front to back by adjusting the rear leg 310 with respect to the slope sensor 76. In some embodiments of leveling system 400, a sonic leveling system such as a sonic tracker or similar distance measuring device, a global positioning system (GPS) or a local positioning system (LPS) or any other three dimensional control system may be employed in place of laser eyes 72, and provide elevation feedback to an input 220 of controller 200 for leveling screed apparatus 10 without departing from the scope of the invention. In some embodiments controller 200 levels screed apparatus 10 by initially monitoring the outputs from laser eyes 42 and then supplying the appropriate outputs to actuators 320 to adjust front leveling legs 310. Controller 200 then monitors the output from slope sensor 76 and supplies the required output to actuator or actuators 320 of rear leveling legs 310 to adjust the tilt of screed apparatus 10. Controller 200 may then iterate these two leveling steps at predetermined intervals to monitor and maintain a consistent grade setting for screed apparatus 10 while screeding, thereby providing a level finished concrete surface.

[0069] In operation, apparatus 10 can be used to screed concrete either by extending boom assembly 50 and thus screed head assembly 100 to contact the concrete surface and then retract boom assembly 50 screed head assembly 100 across the surface to finish it. Additionally apparatus 10 may simply be driven backwardly by operation of drive wheels 340, thereby retracting screed head assembly 100 and finishing the poured concrete surface. Finally, apparatus 10 can be driven rearwardly while retracting the boom assembly 50 and screed assembly. Thus the screed apparatus 10 described herein may be operated in a “hybrid” fashion, both as a boom screed and a drive-in screed.

[0070] While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0071] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0072] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0073] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0074] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,”“only one of,” or “exactly one of.”“Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0075] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0076] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0077] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,”“including,”“carrying,”“having,”“containing,”“involving,”“holding,”“composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[0078] It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,”“coupled,”“in communication with,”“secured,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “secured” and “mounted” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0079] While the present invention has been shown and described herein in what are considered to be the preferred embodiments thereof, illustrating the results and advantages over the prior art obtained through the present invention, the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. Thus, the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as illustrative only and other embodiments may be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An apparatus for screeding concrete to produce a level finished surface comprising:a frame assembly having front frame and a central frame secured to the front frame in a perpendicular orientation, and an extendable and retractable telescopic boom secured to and extending from the central frame, having a front boom section secured to a screed head for contacting and smoothing the concrete;a leveling assembly secured to the frame assembly at a plurality of points, the leveling assembly having a plurality of vertically adjustable leveling legs capable of extension and retraction; anda plurality of driven, steerable wheels secured to the leveling legs at a lower end thereof, each of the wheels capable of rotation around a vertical axis for steering the apparatus.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:a controller having a processor, a data memory, and a plurality of inputs and outputs for receiving and accepting signals;an operator interface operatively coupled to the controller; anda plurality of controls for actuating the leveling assembly and providing a grade setting for the screed head.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the leveling assembly includes at least one of a plurality of laser leveling eyes, a global positioning system, a three-dimensional control system and a sonic tracker.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 comprising:an operator station for positioning an operator on the apparatus wherein the operator interface and the plurality of controls are positioned for access proximate the operator station.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:a plurality of hydraulic cylinders secured to the leveling legs for extension and retraction thereof.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:a plurality of electrically powered actuators secured to the leveling legs for extension and retraction thereof.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the leveling assembly comprises:three leveling legs secured to the frame assembly, wherein an opposed pair of the leveling legs are positioned near opposed ends of the front frame member, and wherein a third leveling leg is positioned proximate a rear of the central frame, thereby providing a three-legged leveling system.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 comprising:a steering control wherein the wheels secured to the opposed pair of leveling legs are driven and steered together and wherein the wheel secured to the central frame is driven and steered separately.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 comprising:a steering control wherein the wheels secured to the opposed pair of leveling legs and the wheel secured to the central frame are driven and steered together.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the opposed pair of leveling legs adjusts the screed head elevation responsive to a sensed reference plane, and where the third leveling leg adjusts the screed head slope responsive to a sensed angle.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the screed head assembly consists of at least one of a fixed height plow, an auger, a roller, and a finish blade.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame and the leveling legs are comprised substantially of aluminum.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame and the leveling legs are comprised substantially of carbon fiber.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:an internal combustion engine for supplying power to the apparatus.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:a battery powered electrical system for supplying power to the apparatus.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 where the battery powered electrical system includes rechargeable batteries.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:a hybrid internal combustion and electric power system.

18. An apparatus for screeding concrete to produce a level finished surface comprising:a screed head assembly having at least one member for smoothing concrete secured thereto, the screed head assembly secured directly to an extendable boom that is secured to a frame assembly;a controller having a processor, a data memory, and a plurality of inputs and outputs for receiving and accepting signals; anda leveling assembly secured to the frame assembly at a plurality of points, the leveling assembly having three leveling legs capable of extension and retraction, and a plurality of laser leveling eyes for monitoring and providing a grade setting and a slope setting for the screed head; anda plurality of driven wheels secured to the leveling legs at a lower end thereof, each of the wheels capable of independent driven rotation around a horizontal axis for steering the apparatus.

19. An apparatus for screeding concrete to produce a level finished surface as claimed in claim 18 comprising:a power source for powering the leveling assembly and the driven wheels.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 further comprising:a steering system provided to at least one of the wheels for turning the apparatus.

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