Patents Assigned to Somero Enterprises, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11965345
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Matthew A. Kangas, Mark A. Pietila
  • Patent number: 11719008
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
  • Patent number: 11447966
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
  • Patent number: 11066790
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
  • Patent number: 10961728
    Abstract: A wheeled hose moving device that is movable over a support surface and that is operable to lift and move a concrete supply hose at the support surface. The device includes a wheeled support including a hose lifting device and a hose support element. The hose lifting device is vertically movable between a raised position and a lowered position and is adjustable between a lifting state and a non-lifting state. The hose support element is adjustable between a support state and a non-support state. The hose lifting device is, when lowered to be at the hose, adjusted to engage and lift the hose. As the hose lifting device lifts the hose upward, the hose support element is automatically adjusted from the non-support state to the support state to support the lifted hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
  • Patent number: 10895045
    Abstract: A screeding machine for screeding an uncured concrete surface includes a screed head assembly movable over the concrete surface via the screeding machine. A pair of elevation sensors disposed at opposite ends of the screed head assembly sense an elevation of the respective end of the screed head assembly. An angle sensor disposed at the screed head assembly senses a pitch angle and/or a roll angle of the screed head assembly. A gyroscope sensor disposed at the screed head assembly senses rotational velocity of the screed head assembly about a lateral axis and/or a longitudinal axis of the screed head assembly. A control uses gyroscope sensor data and angle sensor data to determine pitch angle and/or roll angle of the screed head assembly. The control controls the screed head assembly based on the signals from one or both of the elevation sensors and the determined pitch and/or roll angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Kangas
  • Patent number: 10550990
    Abstract: A protective shield device is disposed at the joint between connected concrete hoses to protect the joint connecting one concrete hose to another from accidentally catching on an obstruction on the surface over which the concrete hose joint is moved during operation and disconnecting the two concrete hoses. The protective shield device is formed by two housing portions that are hinged on one side and connected by one or more retaining elements to surround and encapsulate the concrete hose joint. The closed protective shield device has a larger central portion to accommodate the joint structure, and narrower end portions to provide no protruding structure that will catch any underlying obstructions that could cause the enclosed joint latch to be exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Stoltzfus, Jacob R. Stoltzfus
  • Patent number: 10494776
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
  • Patent number: 10443251
    Abstract: A wheeled hose moving device that is movable over a support surface and that is operable to grasp, lift and move a concrete supply hose at the support surface. The device includes a wheeled support including a hose grasping device and at least one hose support element. The hose grasping device includes a pair of grasping arms configured to grasp and release a concrete supply hose. The hose grasping device is vertically movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The hose support element includes a pair of support arms that pivot relative to one another. The pair of grasping arms move from their opened state toward their closed state to engage and grasp the concrete supply hose. As the grasping device raises the grasped hose upward, the support arms pivot from their opened state toward their closed state to support the grasped and raised hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Trevor Eenigenburg, Ryan Kangas
  • Patent number: 10302241
    Abstract: A protective shield device is mounted on the joint between connected concrete hoses to protect the joint connecting one concrete hose to another from accidentally catching on an obstruction on the surface over which the concrete hose joint is moved during operation and disconnecting the two concrete hoses. The protective shield device is formed by two hollow shells that are hinged on one side and connected by friction closure members to surround and encapsulate the concrete hose joint. The assembled protective shield device is preferably in the shape of an ovoid with a larger central portion to accommodate the joint structure, and narrower end portions to provide no protruding structure that will catch any underlying obstructions that could cause the enclosed joint latch to be exposed. The protective shield device can be opened by forcing the two shell members apart, or by using a mechanically disengagable latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Stoltzfus, Jacob R. Stoltzfus
  • Patent number: 10190268
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, James E. Kangas, Philip J. Quenzi
  • Patent number: 10060900
    Abstract: A method for screeding of an uncured concrete surface includes providing a screeding machine and a control. The uncured concrete surface is screeded and the control processes data captured by the sensors while the screeding machine is screeding the uncured concrete surface. While the screeding machine is screeding the uncured concrete surface, and responsive to data processing by the control of data captured by the sensors while the screeding machine is screeding the uncured concrete surface, the control estimates a flatness or levelness or quality of the surface of the concrete surface being screeded. The control may generate an output indicative of the estimated flatness or levelness or quality of the surface, and/or a display may display information associated with the estimated flatness or levelness or quality of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Kangas
  • Patent number: 9835610
    Abstract: A screeding system for use with a screeding machine during screeding of an uncured concrete surface includes a control and a plurality of sensors. The sensors are disposed at the screeding machine, which has a screed head assembly that is movable over uncured concrete to screed the concrete surface. The sensors include elevation sensors that sense an elevation of the screed head assembly relative to a reference plane established at the concrete area. The control processes data captured by said plurality of sensors while the screeding machine is screeding the uncured concrete surface. Responsive to the data processing of captured data, the control estimates a flatness or levelness or quality of the surface of the concrete being screeded. While the screeding machine is screeding the uncured concrete surface, the control generates an output indicative of the estimated flatness or levelness or quality of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Kangas
  • Patent number: 9353490
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen
  • Patent number: 9234318
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen
  • 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: 8075222
    Abstract: A concrete finishing apparatus for smoothing and leveling partially set-up concrete at a support surface includes a frame portion, a first concrete working member and a second concrete working member disposed at the frame portion. The first concrete working member is rotatable about a first axis of rotation that is generally vertical when the first concrete working member is supported at a generally horizontal support surface. The second concrete working member is rotatable about a second axis of rotation that is generally vertical when the second concrete working member is supported at a generally horizontal support surface. The first and second concrete working members engage the partially set-up concrete surface at the support surface and rotate about the first and second axes of rotation to process the concrete surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, David W. Somero, Tracy L. Matson
  • Patent number: D919774
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Stoltzfus, Jacob R. Stoltzfus
  • Patent number: D933173
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Stoltzfus, Jacob R. Stoltzfus