Patents by Inventor Mark A. Pietila
Mark A. Pietila has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11965345Abstract: A screeding machine includes a base unit positionable at framework that defines a concrete structure and a screed head assembly movably mounted at the base via an extendable and retractable mechanism. The screed head assembly includes a grade establishing member, a vibrating member, and elevation actuators for adjusting elevation of the screed head assembly. The screed head assembly is positioned at a screeding location via extension of the extendable and retractable mechanism and is movable over the uncured concrete in a screeding direction via retraction of the extendable and retractable mechanism. Adjustable wings disposed at and in front of the grade establishing member in the screeding direction are movable along the grade establishing member. When one of the ends of the screed head assembly is positioned at a frame portion, the wing at that end of the screed head assembly is moved to position the wing at the frame portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Matthew A. Kangas, Mark A. Pietila
-
Publication number: 20230374799Abstract: A machine for removing formwork from underneath a concrete slab includes a wheeled base movable on and supported at a support structure, a raisable and lowerable structure disposed on the wheeled base, and a formwork-removal device attached to the raisable and lowerable structure. The formwork-removal device includes (i) an arm extending from the raisable and lowerable structure and (ii) at least one pneumatic gripper disposed at a distal end of the arm. With the raisable and lowerable structure adjusted to position the pneumatic gripper under the formwork and engaged with the formwork, and when the pneumatic gripper is activated, the pneumatic gripper applies a suction to secure the formwork at the pneumatic gripper. With the formwork secured at the pneumatic gripper, and when the pneumatic gripper is lowered, the pneumatic gripper applies a separating force to the formwork to remove the formwork from the concrete slab.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
-
Publication number: 20230332361Abstract: A concrete surface working machine includes a base portion and a screed head mounted at the base portion. The screed head includes a grade setting device and a vibrating element attached at a frame of the screed head. The screed head includes a rock tamper adjustably attached at the frame of the screed head via a pair of support elements. The screed head includes a pair of actuators that, when actuated, adjust the support elements to adjust the rock tamper relative to the frame. The concrete surface working machine is operable to position the vibrating element at the concrete surface. The actuators are selectively controlled by an operator of the concrete surface working machine to adjust a height of the rock tamper relative to the vibrating element and the concrete surface while the screed head is moved along the concrete surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Mark A. Pietila, James E. Kangas, Matthew A. Kangas
-
Publication number: 20230258005Abstract: A screeding machine for screeding uncured concrete includes a base unit, a support mechanism disposed at an end portion of the base unit, and a screed head assembly supported at the support mechanism. The screed head assembly includes (i) a grade establishing member and (ii) a vibrating member. The support mechanism includes a lateral actuator that operates to laterally shift the screed head assembly relative to the base unit in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the base unit. A control system is operable to control the lateral actuator to laterally shift the screed head assembly in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the base unit to move the screed head assembly toward a wall or structure while the screeding machine moves over uncured concrete in a screeding direction via movement of the base unit along the uncured concrete and alongside the wall or structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Grant A. Johnson, Mark A. Pietila
-
Patent number: 11719008Abstract: A machine for removing beams from underneath formwork at an underside of a concrete slab includes a wheeled base movable on and supported at a support structure, a raisable-and-lowerable structure disposed on the wheeled base, and a beam-removal device coupled to the raisable-and-lowerable structure. The beam-removal device includes a beam-gripping mechanism. With the raisable-and-lowerable structure raised to position the beam-removal device at a beam that supports the formwork at the underside of the concrete slab, the beam-gripping mechanism operates to grasp the beam. With the beam grasped by the beam-gripping mechanism, the machine is operated to remove the beam from the formwork.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
-
Publication number: 20230009876Abstract: A machine for removing beams from underneath formwork at an underside of a concrete slab includes a wheeled base movable on and supported at a support structure, a raisable-and-lowerable structure disposed on the wheeled base, and a beam-removal device coupled to the raisable-and-lowerable structure. The beam-removal device includes a beam-gripping mechanism. With the raisable-and-lowerable structure raised to position the beam-removal device at a beam that supports the formwork at the underside of the concrete slab, the beam-gripping mechanism operates to grasp the beam. With the beam grasped by the beam-gripping mechanism, the machine is operated to remove the beam from the formwork.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
-
Publication number: 20220316154Abstract: A concrete finishing machine includes a base portion and an extendable and retractable boom mounted at the base portion, and a finishing head mounted at a distal end of the boom. The finishing head includes (i) a float pivotally attached at a frame of the finishing head via a plurality of linkages, (ii) a float actuator that, when actuated, imparts pivotal movement of the linkages to adjust the float relative to the frame, and (iii) a surface finishing element. The concrete finishing machine is operable to selectively position the float or the surface finishing element at the concrete surface during extension or retraction of the boom. Responsive to a sensing device, the finishing head is maintained at a desired level or position above the concrete surface with the float or the surface finishing element at the concrete surface during extension or retraction of the boom.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Grant A. Johnson, Trevor Eenigenburg, Philip D. Halonen, Mark A. Pietila
-
Patent number: 11447966Abstract: A machine for removing formwork from underneath a cured concrete slab includes a wheeled base movable on and supported at a support structure, a raisable-and-lowerable structure disposed on the wheeled base, and a formwork-removal device attached to the raisable-and-lowerable structure. The formwork-removal device includes an arm extending from the raisable-and-lowerable structure, at least one wedge element disposed at a distal end of the arm, and a formwork-retaining mechanism. With the raisable-and-lowerable structure adjusted to raise the wedge element and the wedge element moved to engage the formwork and an underside of a concrete slab, the wedge element is further moved to apply a force separating part of the formwork from the concrete slab, the formwork-retaining mechanism is operated to grasp the formwork separated from the concrete slab, retaining the formwork.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
-
Publication number: 20220064971Abstract: A screeding machine includes a base unit positionable at framework that defines a concrete structure and a screed head assembly movably mounted at the base via an extendable and retractable mechanism. The screed head assembly includes a grade establishing member, a vibrating member, and elevation actuators for adjusting elevation of the screed head assembly. The screed head assembly is positioned at a screeding location via extension of the extendable and retractable mechanism and is movable over the uncured concrete in a screeding direction via retraction of the extendable and retractable mechanism. Adjustable wings disposed at and in front of the grade establishing member in the screeding direction are movable along the grade establishing member. When one of the ends of the screed head assembly is positioned at a frame portion, the wing at that end of the screed head assembly is moved to position the wing at the frame portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Matthew A. Kangas, Mark A. Pietila
-
Patent number: 11066790Abstract: A concrete screeding device for screeding uncured concrete placed at a support surface includes a screed head having a floating platform, a grade setting device and a vibrating member. The screed head is configured to be positioned at a start of a screeding pass and placed at a surface of placed uncured concrete. A screed moving device is operable to pull the screed head along the surface of the placed uncured concrete. While the screed head is pulled along the surface of the placed uncured concrete and fully supported at the surface of the placed uncured concrete, the floating platform floats on the surface of the placed uncured concrete and the grade setting device adjusts relative to the floating platform to establish a graded surface of the placed uncured concrete at which the vibrating member will move over and along.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
-
Publication number: 20210180345Abstract: A machine for removing formwork from underneath a cured concrete slab includes a wheeled base movable on and supported at a support structure, a raisable-and-lowerable structure disposed on the wheeled base, and a formwork-removal device attached to the raisable-and-lowerable structure. The formwork-removal device includes an arm extending from the raisable-and-lowerable structure, at least one wedge element disposed at a distal end of the arm, and a formwork-retaining mechanism. With the raisable-and-lowerable structure adjusted to raise the wedge element and the wedge element moved to engage the formwork and an underside of a concrete slab, the wedge element is further moved to apply a force separating part of the formwork from the concrete slab, the formwork-retaining mechanism is operated to grasp the formwork separated from the concrete slab, retaining the formwork.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
-
Publication number: 20200102708Abstract: A concrete screeding device for screeding uncured concrete placed at a support surface includes a screed head having a floating platform, a grade setting device and a vibrating member. The screed head is configured to be positioned at a start of a screeding pass and placed at a surface of placed uncured concrete. A screed moving device is operable to pull the screed head along the surface of the placed uncured concrete. While the screed head is pulled along the surface of the placed uncured concrete and fully supported at the surface of the placed uncured concrete, the floating platform floats on the surface of the placed uncured concrete and the grade setting device adjusts relative to the floating platform to establish a graded surface of the placed uncured concrete at which the vibrating member will move over and along.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
-
Patent number: 10494776Abstract: A concrete screeding device for screeding uncured concrete placed at a support surface includes a base structure, a rotating base rotatably mounted at the base structure and rotatable relative to the base structure about a first axis of rotation via a first rotating device, an articulating boom comprising multiple boom sections that are pivotable about respective pivot axes via respective actuators. A screed head is rotatably mounted at a distal end of the articulating boom and is rotatable about a second axis of rotation via a second rotating device. With the base structure positioned at the support surface, and with uncured concrete placed at the region, and responsive to a control input, the first rotating device, the actuators and the second rotating device cooperatively operate to move the screed head through multiple screeding passes over and along the uncured concrete to screed the uncured concrete placed at the region.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
-
Publication number: 20190153680Abstract: A concrete screeding device for screeding uncured concrete placed at a support surface includes a base structure, a rotating base rotatably mounted at the base structure and rotatable relative to the base structure about a first axis of rotation via a first rotating device, an articulating boom comprising multiple boom sections that are pivotable about respective pivot axes via respective actuators. A screed head is rotatably mounted at a distal end of the articulating boom and is rotatable about a second axis of rotation via a second rotating device. With the base structure positioned at the support surface, and with uncured concrete placed at the region, and responsive to a control input, the first rotating device, the actuators and the second rotating device cooperatively operate to move the screed head through multiple screeding passes over and along the uncured concrete to screed the uncured concrete placed at the region.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
-
Patent number: 10190268Abstract: A concrete screeding device for screeding uncured concrete placed at a support surface includes a screed head having a grade setting device and a vibrating member, and an extendable and retractable boom. A base end of the boom is attached at a base structure and the screed head is supportable at a distal end of the boom. The boom is extendable so as to position the screed head at a distance of at least 20 feet from the base structure, and the screed head is movable between its extended location and the base structure to screed the concrete placed at the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
-
Publication number: 20180327982Abstract: A screeding system for use with a screeding machine during screeding of an uncured concrete surface includes a base unit, a support arm extending from the base unit, and an elevation frame disposed at an outer end of the support arm. The elevation frame comprises elevation actuators at opposite ends thereof. A screed head includes a support frame that is pivotally mounted at lower ends of the elevation actuators. The support frame supports an auger, a plow and a vibrating member. A pair of actuators extend and retract to rotate the support frame about an axis parallel to an auger axis. The actuators adjust the support frame and screed head between a screeding orientation and a cleaning orientation. Responsive to a user input, the actuators rotate the support frame to the cleaning orientation, whereby the support frame rotates at least 60 degrees about the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Eric Leukuma, Trevor Eenginenburg, Ryan Kangas, Mark A. Pietila
-
Publication number: 20180080184Abstract: A concrete screeding device for screeding uncured concrete placed at a support surface includes a screed head having a grade setting device and a vibrating member, and an extendable and retractable boom. A base end of the boom is attached at a base structure and the screed head is supportable at a distal end of the boom. The boom is extendable so as to position the screed head at a distance of at least 20 feet from the base structure, and the screed head is movable between its extended location and the base structure to screed the concrete placed at the support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
-
Patent number: 9353490Abstract: A screeding machine for screeding an uncured concrete surface includes a wheeled unit having a plurality of wheels for moving the wheeled unit over a support surface. A screed head assembly includes a grade setting device and a vibrating member and is movable over the concrete area via the wheeled unit. The screeding machine includes a roller that is rotatably mounted at the screed head assembly and rotatably driven about its longitudinal axis. The roller is rotatably driven by a rotatable drive motor that is operable independently of the vibrating member or grade setting device. The grade setting device or roller plow assembly may be provided as an aftermarket kit for attachment at a screed head assembly of a screeding machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen
-
Publication number: 20160122952Abstract: A screeding machine for screeding an uncured concrete surface includes a wheeled unit having a plurality of wheels for moving the wheeled unit over a support surface. A screed head assembly includes a grade setting device and a vibrating member and is movable over the concrete area via the wheeled unit. The screeding machine includes a roller that is rotatably mounted at the screed head assembly and rotatably driven about its longitudinal axis. The roller is rotatably driven by a rotatable drive motor that is operable independently of the vibrating member or grade setting device. The grade setting device or roller plow assembly may be provided as an aftermarket kit for attachment at a screed head assembly of a screeding machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen
-
Patent number: 9234318Abstract: A screeding machine for screeding an uncured concrete surface includes a wheeled unit having a plurality of wheels for moving the wheeled unit over a support surface. A screed head assembly includes a grade setting device and a vibrating member and is movable over the concrete area via the wheeled unit. The grade setting device includes an at least partially cylindrical concrete engaging surface, such as a roller that is rotatably mounted at the screed head assembly and rotatably driven about its longitudinal axis. The screed head assembly may include a wiper element disposed along the roller and configured to wipe or remove excess concrete from the roller during rotation of the roller about its longitudinal axis. The grade setting device or roller plow assembly may be provided as an aftermarket kit for attachment at a screed head assembly of a screeding machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen