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: 7195423
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D Halonen, Russ E Stein, Mark A Pietila, Michael R Keranen, Carl B Kieranen
  • Patent number: 7175363
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J Quenzi, Carl B Kieranen, Frank E Anderson, Jeffrey W Torvinen, Mark A Pietila
  • Publication number: 20070031191
    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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Philip Quenzi, Russ Stein, Mark Pietila, Carl Kieranen, Philip Halonen, Howard Hohmann
  • Patent number: 7121762
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    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: 20060216114
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: Somero Enterprises, Inc., a corporation of the state of Delaware
    Inventors: Philip Quenzi, Carl Kieranen, Frank Anderson, Jeffrey Torvinen, Mark Pietila
  • Patent number: 7044681
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J Quenzi, Carl B Kieranen, Frank E Anderson, Jeffrey W Torvinen, Mark A Pietila
  • Publication number: 20060018715
    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 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Philip Halonen, Russ Stein, Mark Pietila, Michael Keranen, Carl Kieranen
  • Patent number: 6976805
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen
  • Patent number: 6953304
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen
  • Publication number: 20050069385
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Philip Quenzi, Russ Stein, Mark Pietila, Carl Kieranen, Philip Halonen, Howard Hohmann
  • Publication number: 20040190991
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Frank E. Anderson, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Mark A. Pietila
  • Publication number: 20040086338
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen
  • Patent number: 6695532
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 6623208
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila
  • Patent number: 6588976
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila
  • Publication number: 20030089050
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Eldon Tipping, Philip J. Quenzi, Russ Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen
  • Publication number: 20030068200
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D. Halonen
  • Publication number: 20020192026
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    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
  • Publication number: 20020076279
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila
  • Publication number: 20010048850
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila