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).
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Patent number: 7195423Abstract: 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 wheeled support may have a front frame portion and a pair of front wheels rotatably mounted at the front frame portion, and may have a rear frame portion and a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted at the rear frame portion. The plow assembly may be adjustably mounted to the front frame portion and may be vertically adjustable relative to the frame portion via an actuator. The plow assembly includes at least one plow member for engaging and establishing the desired grade.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip D Halonen, Russ E Stein, Mark A Pietila, Michael R Keranen, Carl B Kieranen
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Patent number: 7175363Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member of a screed head assembly into engagement with a concrete surface at a time and place where the vibrating member is not positioned over an overlap area of already screeded concrete. The vibrating member is automatically lowered onto newly placed concrete at or near the junction or cold-joint between the already screeded concrete and the area of newly placed concrete, so as to avoid depressions in the already placed concrete. Optionally, the soft landing control system may include a timing device and may lower the vibrating member after a period of time following an activating event. Optionally, the control system may detect when the vibrating device is positioned at or near the newly placed concrete and may lower the vibrating member in response to such detection.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip J Quenzi, Carl B Kieranen, Frank E Anderson, Jeffrey W Torvinen, Mark A Pietila
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Publication number: 20070031191Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Inventors: Philip Quenzi, Russ Stein, Mark Pietila, Carl Kieranen, Philip Halonen, Howard Hohmann
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Patent number: 7121762Abstract: A screeding apparatus 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 is vertically adjustable, such as via a laser plane responsive control system, 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. The vibrating member may be activated only when the screeding apparatus is moved in a screeding direction so as to reduce depressions that otherwise may occur if the vibrating member vibrates on the uncured concrete when not moving.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen, Howard E. Hohmann, Jr.
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Publication number: 20060216114Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member of a screed head assembly into engagement with a concrete surface at a time and place where the vibrating member is not positioned over an overlap area of already screeded concrete. The vibrating member is automatically lowered onto newly placed concrete at or near the junction or cold-joint between the already screeded concrete and the area of newly placed concrete, so as to avoid depressions in the already placed concrete. Optionally, the soft landing control system may include a timing device and may lower the vibrating member after a period of time following an activating event. Optionally, the control system may detect when the vibrating device is positioned at or near the newly placed concrete and may lower the vibrating member in response to such detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2006Publication date: September 28, 2006Applicant: Somero Enterprises, Inc., a corporation of the state of DelawareInventors: Philip Quenzi, Carl Kieranen, Frank Anderson, Jeffrey Torvinen, Mark Pietila
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Patent number: 7044681Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member of a screed head assembly into engagement with a concrete surface at a time and place where the vibrating member is not positioned over an overlap area of already screeded concrete. The vibrating member is automatically lowered onto newly placed concrete at or near the junction or cold-joint between the already screeded concrete and the area of newly placed concrete, so as to avoid depressions in the already placed concrete. Optionally, the soft landing control system may include a timing device and may lower the vibrating member after a period of time following an activating event. Optionally, the control system may detect when the vibrating device is positioned at or near the newly placed concrete and may lower the vibrating member in response to such detection.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip J Quenzi, Carl B Kieranen, Frank E Anderson, Jeffrey W Torvinen, Mark A Pietila
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Publication number: 20060018715Abstract: 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 wheeled support may have a front frame portion and a pair of front wheels rotatably mounted at the front frame portion, and may have a rear frame portion and a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted at the rear frame portion. The plow assembly may be adjustably mounted to the front frame portion and may be vertically adjustable relative to the frame portion via an actuator. The plow assembly includes at least one plow member for engaging and establishing the desired grade.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Inventors: Philip Halonen, Russ Stein, Mark Pietila, Michael Keranen, Carl Kieranen
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Patent number: 6976805Abstract: A lightweight screeding apparatus for screeding and smoothing an uncured concrete surface includes a concrete surface working member, such as vibrating beam or member, and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to said vibrating beam. The screeding apparatus may include a wheeled support which at least partially supports the vibrating beam and/or the grade setting device. The wheels of the wheeled support may be powered or driven to assist an operator in moving the screeding apparatus over and through the uncured concrete. The grade setting device is 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 grade setting device may be adjusted by means of a laser plane responsive control system.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen
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Patent number: 6953304Abstract: A lightweight screeding apparatus for screeding and smoothing an uncured concrete surface includes a concrete surface working member, such as vibrating beam or member, and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to said vibrating beam. The screeding apparatus may include a wheeled support which at least partially supports the vibrating beam and/or the grade setting device. The wheels of the wheeled support may be powered or driven to assist an operator in moving the screeding apparatus over and through the uncured concrete. The grade setting device is 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 grade setting device may be adjusted by means of a laser plane responsive control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen
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Publication number: 20050069385Abstract: A screeding apparatus 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 is vertically adjustable, such as via a laser plane responsive control system, 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. The vibrating member may be activated only when the screeding apparatus is moved in a screeding direction so as to reduce depressions that otherwise may occur if the vibrating member vibrates on the uncured concrete when not moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2004Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Philip Quenzi, Russ Stein, Mark Pietila, Carl Kieranen, Philip Halonen, Howard Hohmann
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Publication number: 20040190991Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member of a screed head assembly into engagement with a concrete surface at a time and place where the vibrating member is not positioned over an overlap area of already screeded concrete. The vibrating member is automatically lowered onto newly placed concrete at or near the junction or cold-joint between the already screeded concrete and the area of newly placed concrete, so as to avoid depressions in the already placed concrete. Optionally, the soft landing control system may include a timing device and may lower the vibrating member after a period of time following an activating event. Optionally, the control system may detect when the vibrating device is positioned at or near the newly placed concrete and may lower the vibrating member in response to such detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Frank E. Anderson, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Mark A. Pietila
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Publication number: 20040086338Abstract: A lightweight screeding apparatus for screeding and smoothing an uncured concrete surface includes a concrete surface working member, such as vibrating beam or member, and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to said vibrating beam. The screeding apparatus may include a wheeled support which at least partially supports the vibrating beam and/or the grade setting device. The wheels of the wheeled support may be powered or driven to assist an operator in moving the screeding apparatus over and through the uncured concrete. The grade setting device is 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 grade setting device may be adjusted by means of a laser plane responsive control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen
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Patent number: 6695532Abstract: A concrete finishing apparatus and method for smoothing and flattening partially cured concrete to a close-tolerance surface includes a movable unit which is movable and entirely supported on or over a partially cured concrete surface and at least one rotatable finishing member, such as a cylindrical tube, roller or the like, mounted to the movable unit. The rotatable finishing member is positioned at the partially cured concrete surface and rotatable to engage and finish the surface of the partially cured concrete to a high quality, close-tolerance flat and level concrete floor surface. The rotatable finishing member is preferably rotatable in a direction generally opposite to the direction of travel of the movable unit to enhance the finishing process and to carry any cement paste or residue forward with the finishing member to fill in any low areas as the concrete finishing apparatus moves over the partially cured concrete.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventors: David W. Somero, David M. Somero, Philip J. Quenzi, Philip D. Halonen, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Paul H. Poyhonen, Robert A. Peterson
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Patent number: 6623208Abstract: A concrete placing apparatus is provided for placing uncured concrete on a support surface, such as an elevated deck of a building. The apparatus comprises a base unit and a movable support, with a conduit assembly extending therebetween. A supply end of the conduit assembly is positioned at the base unit and is connected to a supply line for uncured concrete or other material, while a dispensing end of the conduit assembly is supported by the movable support and extends outwardly therefrom to dispense uncured concrete or other material through a discharge outlet. The movable support is movable arcuately and/or radially relative to the base unit to dispense the concrete in a generally uniform manner over a targeted area. The apparatus may further include a screeding device at the discharge outlet to grade, level, compact and smooth the concrete as it is placed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila
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Patent number: 6588976Abstract: A concrete placing apparatus is provided for placing uncured concrete on a support surface, such as an elevated deck of a building. The apparatus comprises a movable base unit and a movable support unit, with a conduit assembly extending therebetween. A supply end of the conduit assembly is positioned at the base unit and is connected to a supply line for uncured concrete or other material, while a dispensing end of the conduit assembly is supported by the movable support and extends outwardly therefrom to dispense uncured concrete or other material through a discharge outlet. The movable support is movable arcuately and/or radially relative to the base unit to dispense the concrete in a generally uniform manner over a targeted area. The apparatus may further include a plowing and/or screeding device at the discharge outlet to grade, level, compact and smooth the concrete as it is placed.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila
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Publication number: 20030089050Abstract: A device and method for measuring an initial camber of a beam includes a support member positionable at a beam of a structure. The support member includes a laser receiver for receiving a laser reference plane at a first location when the support member is positioned at an end of the beam and at a second location when the support member is positioned at a central region of the beam. The initial camber of the beam is then derived by determining a difference between the first and second locations on the laser receiver. A loose shoring system provides an adjustable length support section and a positive stop for limiting deflection of the beam at a desired amount generally equal to the measured initial camber of the beam. The stop is adjustable to set a gap approximately equal to the expected deflection or initial camber of the beam as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Eldon Tipping, Philip J. Quenzi, Russ Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen
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Publication number: 20030068200Abstract: A lightweight screeding apparatus for screeding and smoothing an uncured concrete surface includes a concrete surface working member, such as vibrating beam or member, and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to said vibrating beam. The screeding apparatus may include a wheeled support which at least partially supports the vibrating beam and/or the grade setting device. The wheels of the wheeled support may be powered or driven to assist an operator in moving the screeding apparatus over and through the uncured concrete. The grade setting device is 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 grade setting device may be adjusted by means of a laser plane responsive control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen
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Publication number: 20020192026Abstract: A concrete finishing apparatus and method for smoothing and flattening partially cured concrete to a close-tolerance surface includes a movable unit which is movable and entirely supported on or over a partially cured concrete surface and at least one rotatable finishing member, such as a cylindrical tube, roller or the like, mounted to the movable unit. The rotatable finishing member is positioned at the partially cured concrete surface and rotatable to engage and finish the surface of the partially cured concrete to a high quality, close-tolerance flat and level concrete floor surface. The rotatable finishing member is preferably rotatable in a direction generally opposite to the direction of travel of the movable unit to enhance the finishing process and to carry any cement paste or residue forward with the finishing member to fill in any low areas as the concrete finishing apparatus moves over the partially cured concrete.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: David W. Somero, David M. Somero, Philip J. Quenzi, Philip D. Halonen, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Paul H. Poyhonen, Robert A. Peterson
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Publication number: 20020076279Abstract: A concrete placing apparatus is provided for placing uncured concrete on a support surface, such as an elevated deck of a building. The apparatus comprises a movable base unit and a movable support unit, with a conduit assembly extending therebetween. A supply end of the conduit assembly is positioned at the base unit and is connected to a supply line for uncured concrete or other material, while a dispensing end of the conduit assembly is supported by the movable support and extends outwardly therefrom to dispense uncured concrete or other material through a discharge outlet. The movable support is movable arcuately and/or radially relative to the base unit to dispense the concrete in a generally uniform manner over a targeted area. The apparatus may further include a plowing and/or screeding device at the discharge outlet to grade, level, compact and smooth the concrete as it is placed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2002Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila
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Publication number: 20010048850Abstract: A concrete placing apparatus is provided for placing uncured concrete on a support surface, such as an elevated deck of a building. The apparatus comprises a base unit and a movable support, with a conduit assembly extending therebetween. A supply end of the conduit assembly is positioned at the base unit and is connected to a supply line for uncured concrete or other material, while a dispensing end of the conduit assembly is supported by the movable support and extends outwardly therefrom to dispense uncured concrete or other material through a discharge outlet. The movable support is movable arcuately and/or radially relative to the base unit to dispense the concrete in a generally uniform manner over a targeted area. The apparatus may further include a screeding device at the discharge outlet to grade, level, compact and smooth the concrete as it is placed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila