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).

  • Publication number: 20140363232
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen
  • Publication number: 20140294504
    Abstract: A screeding machine for screeding a concrete surface having a partially cured concrete area and a newly placed concrete area includes a wheeled unit and a screeding head attached at the wheeled unit. The wheeled unit has a plurality of wheels for moving the wheeled unit over a support surface. The screeding 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 auger device having a longitudinal body and at least one flighting helically disposed around and along the body. The spacings between respective longitudinally adjacent vane portions of the at least one flighting vary longitudinally along the auger device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl B. Kieranen, Philip J. Quenzi, Mark A. Pietila
  • Patent number: 8038366
    Abstract: A wheeled concrete screeding device includes a wheeled unit having wheels for movably supporting a frame portion, and a screed head supported at the frame portion and following behind the wheeled unit when the wheeled unit is moved in a screeding direction. The screed head includes a grade establishing element and a vibratable member. The grade establishing element is generally vertically adjustable responsive to a signal from a laser receiver disposed at the screed head to establish a struck-off surface of the uncured concrete at a desired grade. The vibratable member is adjustably attached at the grade establishing element and the vibratable member at least partially floats behind the grade establishing element on the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete and is at least partially supported at the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete as the wheeled unit is moved in the screeding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Michael R. Keranen, Carl B. Kieranen
  • Publication number: 20110164923
    Abstract: A wheeled screeding device is movable over a surface of uncured concrete and is operable to level and smooth the uncured concrete surface. The wheeled screeding device includes a wheeled support having a frame portion supported by at least one wheel, with the wheel defining an axis of rotation. A screed head is mounted to the frame portion and is at least partially supportable on an uncured concrete surface. The screed head is pivotable about a pivot axis generally normal to the axis of rotation and relative to the wheel to adjust an angle of the screed head relative to the axis of rotation. The wheeled screeding device is movable in a direction of travel during screeding of the concrete surface and the pivot axis may be generally parallel to the direction of travel of the wheeled screeding device during screeding of the concrete surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen, Howard E. Hohmann, JR.
  • Patent number: 7909533
    Abstract: A wheeled screeding device includes a wheeled support having a frame portion supported by at least one wheel, with the at least one wheel defining an axis of rotation. A screed head is mounted to the frame portion and is balanced such that the screed head is at least partially supportable on an uncured concrete surface. The screed head is adapted to impart a force onto the uncured concrete surface. An adjustment device may be operable to adjust a balance of the wheeled support about the axis of rotation to adjust the force imparted by the screed head. The screed head may be pivotable about an axis generally normal to the axis of rotation of the wheel and relative to the at least one wheel to adjust an angle of the screed head relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen, Howard E. Hohmann, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110064518
    Abstract: A wheeled concrete screeding device includes a wheeled unit having wheels for movably supporting a frame portion, and a screed head supported at the frame portion and following behind the wheeled unit when the wheeled unit is moved in a screeding direction. The screed head includes a grade establishing element and a vibratable member. The grade establishing element is generally vertically adjustable responsive to a signal from a laser receiver disposed at the screed head to establish a struck-off surface of the uncured concrete at a desired grade. The vibratable member is adjustably attached at the grade establishing element and the vibratable member at least partially floats behind the grade establishing element on the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete and is at least partially supported at the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete as the wheeled unit is moved in the screeding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Michael R. Keranen, Carl B. Kieranen
  • Patent number: 7854565
    Abstract: A method of establishing a desired grade of an uncured concrete surface or subgrade surface includes providing a wheeled apparatus having a wheeled support and a plow assembly, which may include a plow member for establishing the desired grade and/or a vibrating member for vibrating and smoothing the concrete. The down pressure of the plow assembly may be adjusted when the wheeled support is moved in a rearward direction. The elevation of the plow member may be controlled when a direction signal is indicative of the wheeled support stopping and/or moving in the forward direction. The rearward speed of the wheeled support may be reduced in response to a detection of a surface irregularity of the subgrade, and the frame portion and/or the plow assembly may be controlled to substantially maintain the plow assembly at a desired orientation when the wheel engages the detected surface irregularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Michael R. Keranen, Carl B. Kieranen
  • Patent number: 7850396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for screeding post tensioned concrete slabs includes providing a screeding device having a wheeled support having a frame portion and spaced apart wheels rotatably mounted to the frame portion. The screeding device has a screed head mounted to the wheeled support. The screed head includes a vibrating member and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to the vibrating member. The vibrating member is at least partially supportable on the uncured concrete surface, and the grade setting device is adjustable relative to the vibrating member to strike off excess uncured concrete in front of the vibrating member to establish the desired grade or level of the uncured concrete. The screed head may be pivotable relative to the wheeled support about a longitudinal pivot axis extending along the screeding device and in the direction of travel of the screeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, Jason M. Wiitanen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen
  • Publication number: 20100172695
    Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member relative to a grade setting device after the grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade. The control may be operable to delay lowering the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device at least until the control receives an input indicative of at least a portion of the screed head assembly being moved to a position generally over a newly placed concrete area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Frank E. Anderson, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Mark A. Pietila
  • Publication number: 20090175681
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for screeding post tensioned concrete slabs includes providing a screeding device having a wheeled support having a frame portion and spaced apart wheels rotatably mounted to the frame portion. The screeding device has a screed head mounted to the wheeled support. The screed head includes a vibrating member and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to the vibrating member. The vibrating member is at least partially supportable on the uncured concrete surface, and the grade setting device is adjustable relative to the vibrating member to strike off excess uncured concrete in front of the vibrating member to establish the desired grade or level of the uncured concrete. The screed head may be pivotable relative to the wheeled support about a longitudinal pivot axis extending along the screeding device and in the direction of travel of the screeding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, Jason M. Wiitanen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen
  • Publication number: 20090123229
    Abstract: A wheeled screeding device includes a wheeled support having a frame portion supported by at least one wheel, with the at least one wheel defining an axis of rotation. A screed head is mounted to the frame portion and is balanced such that the screed head is at least partially supportable on an uncured concrete surface. The screed head is adapted to impart a force onto the uncured concrete surface. An adjustment device may be operable to adjust a balance of the wheeled support about the axis of rotation to adjust the force imparted by the screed head. The screed head may be pivotable about an axis generally normal to the axis of rotation of the wheel and relative to the at least one wheel to adjust an angle of the screed head relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen, Howard E. Hohmann, JR.
  • Patent number: 7491011
    Abstract: A wheeled screeding apparatus includes a vibrating member adjustably mounted at an end of a frame portion of a wheeled support, with the vibrating member at least partially supporting the end of the frame portion. The vibrating member is generally vertically adjustable relative to the frame portion to adjust a level of the vibrating member relative to the wheeled support. A level control is operable to automatically adjust the vibrating member relative to the frame portion in response to an output of a level sensor, with the level control automatically adjusting the vibrating member relative to the frame portion to substantially maintain the frame portion at a desired orientation relative to horizontal as the screeding device is moved over and through the uncured concrete in a screeding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D Halonen, Howard E. Hohmann, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090028641
    Abstract: A method of establishing a desired grade of an uncured concrete surface or subgrade surface includes providing a wheeled apparatus having a wheeled support and a plow assembly, which may include a plow member for establishing the desired grade and/or a vibrating member for vibrating and smoothing the concrete. The down pressure of the plow assembly may be adjusted when the wheeled support is moved in a rearward direction. The elevation of the plow member may be controlled when a direction signal is indicative of the wheeled support stopping and/or moving in the forward direction. The rearward speed of the wheeled support may be reduced in response to a detection of a surface irregularity of the subgrade, and the frame portion and/or the plow assembly may be controlled to substantially maintain the plow assembly at a desired orientation when the wheel engages the detected surface irregularity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Michael R. Keranen, Carl B. Kieranen
  • Patent number: 7407339
    Abstract: A wheeled strike-off apparatus is movable over a surface of uncured concrete or subgrade materials and is operable to establish a desired grade of the uncured concrete surface or subgrade surface. The apparatus includes a wheeled support and a plow assembly. The plow assembly may be adjustably mounted to a front frame portion and may be vertically adjustable relative to the frame portion. The plow assembly may include a plow member for engaging and establishing the desired grade and/or may include a vibrating member for vibrating and smoothing the concrete after the plow member establishes the desired grade. The apparatus may include a user input that is adjustable by an operator to adjust a down pressure of the plow assembly at the concrete when the wheeled support is moved in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Michael R. Keranen, Carl B. Kieranen
  • Patent number: 7396186
    Abstract: A screeding device for screeding a concrete surface includes a support member, a screed head assembly mounted to the support member, and a control. The screed head assembly includes a grade setting device and a vibrating member, and is selectively movable in a screeding direction over and along the concrete surface by the support member. The vibrating member is vibratable to screed the concrete surface as the screed head assembly is moved in the screeding direction over and along the concrete surface. The control is operable to automatically stop vibration of the vibrating member when the support member is not moving the screed head assembly in the screeding direction and to automatically vibrate the vibrating member when the support member moves the screed head assembly in the screeding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Frank E. Anderson, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Mark A. Pietila
  • Publication number: 20080131205
    Abstract: A wheeled screeding apparatus includes a vibrating member adjustably mounted at an end of a frame portion of a wheeled support, with the vibrating member at least partially supporting the end of the frame portion. The vibrating member is generally vertically adjustable relative to the frame portion to adjust a level of the vibrating member relative to the wheeled support. A level control is operable to automatically adjust the vibrating member relative to the frame portion in response to an output of a level sensor, with the level control automatically adjusting the vibrating member relative to the frame portion to substantially maintain the frame portion at a desired orientation relative to horizontal as the screeding device is moved over and through the uncured concrete in a screeding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen, Howard E. Hohmann
  • Patent number: 7320558
    Abstract: A screeding apparatus and method for screeding and smoothing an uncured concrete surface includes a vibrating member and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to said vibrating member. The screeding apparatus may include a wheeled support which at least partially supports the vibrating member and/or the grade setting device. The grade setting device may be vertically adjustable to set or indicate the desired grade of the concrete surface as the screeding apparatus is moved over and through the uncured concrete. The level of the screeding apparatus may be automatically adjustable to maintain a desired level and angle of attack of the vibrating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J Quenzi, Russ E Stein, Mark A Pietila, Carl B Kieranen, Philip D Halonen, Howard E Hohmann, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070140792
    Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member relative to a grade setting device after the grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade. The control may be operable to delay lowering the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device at least until the control receives an input indicative of at least a portion of the screed head assembly being moved to a position generally over a newly placed concrete area. Optionally, the control may delay lowering of the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device until a period of time has elapsed after an activating event. Optionally, the control may automatically stop vibration of the vibrating member when the screed head assembly is not moving in the screeding direction and may automatically vibrate the vibrating member when the screed head assembly moves in the screeding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Quenzi, Carl Kieranen, Frank Anderson, Jeffrey Torvinen, Mark Pietila
  • Publication number: 20070127985
    Abstract: A wheeled strike-off apparatus is movable over a surface of uncured concrete or subgrade materials and is operable to establish a desired grade of the uncured concrete surface or subgrade surface. The apparatus includes a wheeled support and a plow assembly. The plow assembly may be adjustably mounted to a front frame portion and may be vertically adjustable relative to the frame portion. The plow assembly may include a plow member for engaging and establishing the desired grade and/or may include a vibrating member for vibrating and smoothing the concrete after the plow member establishes the desired grade. The apparatus may include a user input that is adjustable by an operator to adjust a down pressure of the plow assembly at the concrete when the wheeled support is moved in a rearward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Halonen, Russ Stein, Mark Pietila, Michael Keranen, Carl Kieranen
  • Publication number: 20070090203
    Abstract: A wheeled hose moving device is movable over a support surface and is operable to grasp and lift and move a concrete supply hose at the support surface. The wheeled device includes a wheeled support and a hose grasping device movably supported by the wheeled support. The hose grasping device includes a pair of arms that are generally vertically movable relative to the frame portion and that are movable relative to one another. The wheeled support is positionable generally at a concrete supply hose and the hose grasping device is lowerable to a level generally at the concrete supply hose. The arms are movable to engage and grasp the concrete supply hose, and the hose grasping device is operable to lift the grasped concrete supply hose, whereby the grasped and lifted concrete supply hose is movable over the support surface by the wheeled support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Philip Quenzi, Mark Pietila, Timothy Ruonavaara, Michael Keranen