EXTRUDED BOX CONCRETE FLOAT BLADE

Abstract

An implement for working uncured concrete includes a removable manipulator and a tool for engaging the surface of uncured concrete. The implement is configured to permit manipulators to be interchanged such that the appropriate manipulate or may be used to perform a particular task during the concrete curing process.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/268,121, filed Dec. 16, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the devices for finishing the surface of concrete. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the structure of the finishing tool of an implement for working flat concrete to establish the finish of the surface of the concrete.

BACKGROUND

The use of a vibratory apparatus to impart vibration to a so-called bull float is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,595. Additional structures for imparting vibration to concrete working tools is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,857,803 and 5,375,942.

Working of large areas of flat concrete while the concrete is still wet or uncured includes placing the wet concrete, striking off or “screeding” the concrete to a particular elevation, and then working of the surface of the concrete to establish the finish of the concrete once the concrete cures. Often times, part of the finishing step includes working the surface of the uncured concrete with a device known in the art as a “bull float.” The bull float may be moved over the concrete manually without any additional mechanical energy being added, or the bull float may have vibration added to provide additional working of the concrete surface.

The bull float includes an elongated tool with a generally planer lower surface that is moved over the surface of the concrete to apply a finish. The lower surface may have different surface finishes to provide different textures in the surface of the concrete. However, the elongate structure experiences bending forces during use, especially when vibration is apply. The bending forces tend to work the elongate structure to cause the tool to bend and take a set. When this occurs, the tool is unsuitable for use as it will not properly finish the concrete surface.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.

According to the present disclosure, various embodiments of enclosed tools configured to be used in bull floating concrete are disclosed.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an implement for working the surface of uncured concrete comprises a manipulator, a tool and a quick release support structure. The manipulator is configured to permit a user to manually move the implement over the surface of the incurred concrete. The tool includes a concrete engaging surface, a plurality of elongate channels, and the channels being separated by at least one relatively thin wall that extends from a lower wall to an upper wall. The quick release support structure is secured to the tool, the manipulator being releasably secured to the quick release support structure.

In some embodiments, the manipulator comprises a handle having a shaft, a collar supported on the shaft and slidable relative to the shaft, a pair of struts pivotably coupled to the collar at a first end of each of the struts, a bracket, each of the struts pivotably coupled to the bracket at a second end of each strut, the bracket being releasably secured to the quick release support structure.

In some embodiments, the quick release support structure comprises a pair of spaced apart supports, each supports extending upwardly from a top surface of the tool.

In some embodiments, the quick release support structure comprises a manually manipulable clamp screw engaged with each support of the quick release support structure, the bracket being clamped to each of the supports by respective manually manipulable clamp screw.

In some embodiments, the bracket includes a respective notches that overlie the shaft of the respective clamp screws to secure the bracket from lateral movement relative to the he supports.

In some embodiments, the tool comprises at least three channels that extend along the length of the tool. In some embodiments, the tool includes at least two outboard channels. In some embodiments, each outboard channel has a first sidewall extending upwardly from the lower wall and defining an edge of the tool. In some embodiments, each outboard channel is further defined by an inner wall that extends from the lower wall to the upper wall, the inner wall being shorter than the first sidewall, and each outboard channel being defined by an incline wall that extends from the first sidewall to the inner wall of each respective chamber.

In some embodiments, each support of the quick release support structure is secured to the tool by a fastener that extends through the upper wall of the tool and into a channel of the tool.

In some embodiments, the fastener that secures the support of the quick release support structure extends through a spacer and threads into a plate positioned in the channel.

In some embodiments, each support of the quick release support structure is secured to the tool by a fastener that extends through the upper wall of the tool and into a channel of the tool.

In some embodiments, the fastener that secures the support of the quick release support structure extends through a spacer and threads into a plate positioned in the channel.

In some embodiments, the implement further comprises a vibrator unit configured to transfer vibration to the tool.

In some embodiments, the vibrator unit is configured to be supported by the supports of the quick release support structure.

In some embodiments, a manually manipulable clamp screw simultaneously secures the bracket and the vibrator unit to a support of the quick release support structure.

In some embodiments, the vibrator unit comprises a frictional throttle.

In some embodiments, the manipulator comprises a handle that is independent from the vibrator unit, the orientation of the handle relative to the tool being adjustable independent of the vibrator unit.

In some embodiments, the struts move with the handle as it is adjusted.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tool configured to be used as a bull float comprises a plurality of internal channels and first and second flat sides.

In some embodiments, the tool may be reversible to use a second side of the tool when the first side is damaged or worn.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a tool configured to be used to work uncured concrete has a plurality of thin walls that separate elongate channels.

In some embodiments, the walls are expanded in certain areas to receive a fastener to secure a manipulator to the tool.

In some embodiments, certain portions of the tool have increased thickness to accommodate wear of the tool during use without exposing the elongate channels along a longitudinal length.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and/or those listed in the claims, can comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view that shows the profile of a prior art elongated tool for finishing concrete;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view that shows the profile of a first embodiment of an elongated tool for finishing concrete according the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view that shows a profile of a second embodiment of an elongated tool for finishing concrete according the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view that shows the profile of a third embodiment of an elongated tool for finishing concrete according the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 5 with a cap over the end of the tool to prevent uncured concrete from accumulating in the interior space of the tool;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a profile of a fourth embodiment of an elongated tool for finishing concrete according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a profile of a fifth embodiment of an elongated tool for finishing concrete according to the present disclosure, the tool having a quick release support mounted to the tool;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an implement for finishing concrete that includes the tool of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an implement for finishing concrete, the implement including the tool of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an implement for finishing concrete, the implement including the tool of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is an exploded assembly view of the implement of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view, with portions omitted, taken along lines 13-13 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an implement for finishing concrete, the implement including the tool of FIG. 7 and further including a powered vibrator assembly;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view a portion of the view of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of an elevator bracket used in the embodiment of FIGS. 14-15;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of an elevator bracket used in the embodiment of FIGS. 10-11; and

FIG. 18 is a plan view of yet another elevator bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A prior art elongated tool 10 for use to finish the surface of uncured concrete is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The elongate tool 10 is used similar to the tool shown in the embodiments of U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,595. The tool 10 includes a lower surface 12 that contacts the upper surface of the concrete during use. The tool 10 is monolithic extruded structure that is formed to include two ribs 14 and 16 extending from an upper surface 18 along the elongated sides 20, 22 of the tool 10. The ribs 14 and 16 serve to stiffen the tool. An additional two ribs 24 and 26 extend from the upper surface 18 and include flat upper surfaces 28 and 30. The flat upper surfaces 28 and 30 may be drilled and tapped to form threaded holes 32, 34, 36, and 38 which are used to mount a handle (not shown) or other hardware.

After placing and screeding the concrete to a desired flatness, the secondary practice is to do what is called “bull floating” the concrete to smooth out the ripples left behind during the screeding process. This practice improves the flatness and brings cement to the surface for further finishing. The tool 10 is used to accomplish this bull floating.

As the cement hardens the concrete will crust over and prevents the bleed water from leaving. The tool 10 is used again and again to break the crust until the concrete is strong enough to support labor and or equipment. The ribs 14, 16, 24, and 26 are also used for accessory attachments for the handle connections. The lengths can vary from approximately eight inches wide and two to ten feet long as indicated by arrow 40. As the length 40 increases, the potential for bowing or bending of the tool increases. This bending of the tool 10 is detrimental to the finishing process and will leave small valleys or depressions on the surface of the concrete. If the tool 10 is straight, as the concrete hardens, weight can be added and the finisher will shake the handles in an effort to continue breaking the surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 9, a float assembly 102 includes a tool 110 of the present disclosure. The tool 110 comprises an enclosed box with channels 112, 114, and 116 formed there through. The structure of the tool 110 provides rigidity along the longitudinal length 140 of the tool 110 to reduce weight through the use of the enclosed channels 112, 114, and 116 through the addition of an upper wall 134. The tool 110 also includes a lower wall 118 with a lower surface 120 that is positioned to contact the surface of the concrete being worked. There are two sidewalls 122, 124 positioned on the elongated sides 126, 128 of the tool 110. In addition, there are two interior walls 130, 132 which separate the channels 112, 114 and 114, 116 respectively. The upper wall 134 is position to engage the side walls 122, 124 and interior walls 130, 132 to enclose the tool 110. Threaded through holes 136, 138 are positioned along the length of the interior walls 130, 132 to facilitate mounting of a manipulator 141 which includes handle 142 and a bracket 144. Bolts 146 are threaded into the holes 136, 138 as shown in FIG. 9. Because the through holes 136 and 138 are accessible from either the lower wall 118 or the upper wall 134, the tool 110 may be flipped over and the handle 142 may be mounted on the lower wall 118. This allows an upper surface 135 of the upper wall 134 to become a concrete contacting surface. In this way, if the tool 110 wears excessively when used in one orientation, the orientation may be reversed to permit additional use of the tool 110, thereby extending the life of the tool 110.

Referring to FIG. 9, the tool 110 is elongated along the length 140 with opposite ends 145 and 147 formed having a curved profile 148 and 150, respectively. The curved profiles 148 and 150 are formed to provide a diminishing intersection with the edges 152 and 154 of the tool 110 to reduce the potential for the tool 110 to create a gouge in the surface of concrete being worked by the tool 110. The bracket 144 includes a base 160 and a cup 162 that is adjustably secured to the base 160 through a clamp 164 that permits the attitude of the cup 162 to be adjusted about an axis 166 to change the relative angle between the handle 142 and the tool 110. This permits a user to adjust the handle 142 to optimize the orientation of the handle 142 as the distance between the user and the tool 110 varies, as is known in the art.

A profile of a second embodiment of a tool 210 is shown in FIG. 4. The tool 210 includes a lower wall 212 with the concrete contacting lower surface 214. The tool 210 includes side walls 216 and 218 positioned at the elongated sides 220 and 222 respectively. The profile of the tool 10 is thickened at the intersection of side walls 216, 218 and lower wall 212 as indicated by reference numerals 226, 228, respectively. As the tool 210 is used, the outer corners 226 and 228 at the intersection of 216, 218 and lower wall 212 can be broken down as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 4. The thickened portions 224, 226 provide additional material to reduce the potential of wearing through and creating an opening into respective channels 230 and 234. The tool 210 also includes an interior channel 232 with the channels 230 and 232 being separated by an interior wall 236 and the channels 232 and 234 being separated by an interior wall 238. The interior walls 236 and 238 are enlarged to facilitate the forming of threaded holes 240, 242 to be used for mounting handles or hardware, such as the handle 142 of the embodiment of FIG. 9 along with the associated hardware shown in FIG. 9. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the interior walls 236 and 238 are taller in the profile view than the side walls 216 and 218. An upper wall 244 extends between the interior walls 236 and 238 and includes a flat upper surface 246. An inclined wall 248 extends between side wall 216 and interior wall 236 to enclose the upper side of channel 230. Similarly, an inclined wall 250 extends between side wall 218 and interior wall 238 to enclose the upper side of channel 234.

A third embodiment of a tool 310 is shown in FIGS. 5-6. Tool 310 is similar to tool 210, with tool 310 having a lower overall profile. The tool 310 includes a lower wall 312 with the concrete contacting lower surface 314. The tool 310 includes side walls 316 and 318 positioned at the elongated sides 320 and 322 respectively. The profile of the tool 10 is thickened at the intersection of side walls 316, 318 and lower wall 312 as indicated by reference numerals 324, 326, respectively. In use, as the tool 310 is used, the outer corners 326 and 328 at the intersection of 316, 318 and lower wall 312 can be broken down as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 4. The thickened areas 324, 326 provide additional material to reduce the potential of wearing through and creating an opening into respective channels 330 and 334. The tool 310 also includes an interior channel 332 with the channels 330 and 332 being separated by an interior wall 336 and the channels 332 and 334 being separated by an interior wall 338. The interior walls 336 and 338 are enlarged to facilitate the forming of threaded holes 340, 342 to be used for mounting handles or hardware. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the interior walls 336 and 338 are taller in the profile view than the side walls 316 and 318. An upper wall 344 extends between the interior walls 336 and 338 and includes a flat upper surface 346. An inclined wall 348 extends between side wall 316 and interior wall 336 to enclose the upper side of channel 330. Similarly, an inclined wall 350 extends between side wall 318 and interior wall 338 to enclose the upper side of channel 334.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 13, a tool 410 includes a lower wall 412 with the concrete contacting lower surface 414. The tool 410 includes side walls 416 and 418 positioned at the elongated sides 420 and 422 respectively. The tool 410 includes outboard channels 434 and 436 that extend along the longitudinal length of the tool 410. The tool 410 also includes an interior channel 432 with the channels 434 and 432 being separated by an interior wall 430 and the channels 432 and 434 being separated by an interior wall 428. An upper wall 464 extends between the interior walls 428 and 430 and includes a flat upper surface 466. An inclined wall 468 extends between side wall 416 and interior wall 430 to enclose the upper side of channel 434. Similarly, an inclined wall 450 extends between side wall 418 and interior wall 428 to enclose the upper side of channel 436.

As shown in FIG. 10, the tool 410 is used as part of a manual float 402 and is elongated along a longitudinal length 440 with opposite ends 444 and 446 formed having a curved profile 460 and 462, respectively. The curved profiles 460 and 462 are formed to provide a diminishing intersection with the sides 420 and 422 of the tool 410 to reduce the potential for the tool 410 to create a gouge in the surface of concrete being worked by the tool 410. Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 10, a float 402 includes the tool 410 and a manipulator 141 that includes the bracket 144 having a base 160 and a cup 162 adjustably secured to the base 160 through a clamp 164. The clamp 164 permits the attitude of the cup 162 to be adjusted about an axis 470 to change the relative angle between a handle 142 of the manipulator 141 and the tool 410 similar to the arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 9 discussed above. It should be understood that the base 160 is secured to the tool 110 or tool 410 by a set of bolts 146. The bolts 146 may be secured into threaded holes as discussed above with the regard to the embodiments of FIGS. 3-5, or may be secured using a backing material in the central channel of the particular tool as will be discussed below with regard to the embodiments of FIGS. 11-15.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a float 520 includes a tool 410 and a manipulator 500 which provides lateral stability to the user by providing struts 502 and 504 that extend from the handle 142 and connect to an elevator bracket 506 that spans between two quick-release supports 508, 510 that are spaced apart and are configured to secure the elevator bracket 506 to the tool 410. The struts 502, 504 are pivotably coupled to the ends of the elevator bracket 506 and are configured to rotate relative to the elevator bracket 506 about an axis 512. The struts 502 and 504 are also each pivotably coupled to a collar 514 that is positioned on a cylindrical shaft 143 of the handle 142. The collar 514 is slidable along the shaft 143. The struts 502, 504 rotate relative to the collar 514 about an axis 516.

The manipulator 500 includes a bracket 144 that permits the attitude of the cup 162 to be adjusted about an axis 522 to change the relative angle between a handle 142 relative to the tool 410 similar to the arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 9 discussed above. The base 160 is secured to a plate 505 of the elevator bracket 506 as shown in FIG. 17. A lower edge 507 of the elevator bracket 506 rests on the upper surface 466 of the tool 410 when the elevator bracket 506 is secured to two quick-release supports 508, 510. The elevator bracket 506 has two notches 530, 532 that are received on respective clamp screws 534, 536 on the respective quick-release supports 508, 510. The clamp screws 534, 536 are used to clamp the elevator bracket 506 to the supports 508, 510 as suggested by FIG. 12. This permits the manipulator 500 to be quickly attached or detached from the supports 508, 510.

Referring to FIG. 13, the support 508 is shown secured to the tool 410. The support 508 is L-shaped with a base 540 and an upright 542 that extends vertically from the based 540. The clamp screw 534 includes a partially threaded shaft 570 with the threads 572 being received in a threaded hole 574 in the upright 542. The shaft 570 includes a cylindrical receiver 576 that supports the elevator bracket 506. A retainer 578 clamps the elevator bracket 506 against the upright 542 when the clamp screw 534 is tightened. The base 540 is formed to include through-holes 545 that receive a pair of bolts 544 there through. The bolts 544 extend through the upper wall 464 and through a rigid member 546 and thread into a plate 548. The member 546 and plate 548 extend along the length of the channel 432 such that each of the bolts 544 and bolts 146 secure the base 160 to the tool 410 are secured to the plate 548.

The orientation of the handle 142 relative to the tool 410 is adjustable by releasing the clamp 164 and adjusting the position of the handle 142. As the handle 142 is adjusted relative to the tool 410, the struts 502 and 504 rotate about the axis 512. This action causes the struts 502 and 504 to act on the collar 514 with the struts 502 and 504 rotating relative to the collar 514 about the axis 516 and urge the collar 514 to move along the shaft 143 to compensate for the change in orientation of the struts 502 and 504 relative to the tool 410.

A user may apply pressure to the handle 142 in the direction of arrow 550 or in the opposite direction 552 shown in FIG. 11. This pressure will tend to cause the float 520 to move in a yaw motion about an axis 554 that passes through the bracket 144. The struts 502, 504 transfer the force to the elevator bracket 506, which, in turn, transfers load to the supports 508, 510 causing the rotation about axis 554. Similarly, pressure applied in either direction 556 or 560 will cause a pitch rotation of the tool 410. The manipulator 500 assists in distributing the applied forces as compared to the way in which the forces would be transferred in the arrangement of bracket 144 in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a portion of a concrete implement 602 is shown to include a tool 610 for working uncured concrete. The implement 602 includes is configured to engage with a brace assembly similar to the manipulator 500 discussed above. Notably, the implement 602 has two quick release assemblies similar to the quick-release supports 508 and 510 discussed above. A single quick-release assembly 608 is shown in FIG. 8. The quick-release assembly 608 includes a support 632 having a base 634 and an upright 636. The upright is formed to include a threaded hole 638 that receives the threads 572 of a shaft 570 of a clamp screw 640.

The vertical spacing 660 of the threaded hole 638 is closer to the upper wall 620 of the tool 610 than an vertical spacing 662 of the threaded hole 574 of the support 508 in FIG. 13. This distinction is important for the use case of the implement 602 as compared to the float 520, as will be discussed below.

The tool 610 has a lower wall 612 and a pair of vertical walls 614 and 616 which cooperate with the lower wall 612 and upper wall 620 to form a channel 624 that extends along a longitudinal length of the tool 610. An inclined wall 618 interconnect the lower wall 612 and upper wall 620 to form a channel 626 that extends along the longitudinal length of the tool 610 and has a triangular cross-section. The tool 610 has a nose 630 on a forward side of the tool 610 and nose 628 on the rear side of the tool 610. These noses 628 and 630 may be used to break the curing concrete as discussed above.

The reduced vertical spacing 660 of the implement 602 permits a bracket 670, shown in FIG. 18, to be used to engage a bracing assembly similar to the manipulator 500. The lower vertical spacing 660 causes any lateral force (such as those illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 by reference numerals 550 and 552) applied to a handle 142 to be transferred more directly to the tool 610 to cause the tool 610 to rotate about a vertical axis passing through the bracket 144 when it is mounted. The struts 502 and 504 are closer to the upper wall 620, thereby causing any forces applied in direction parallel to the shaft 143 of the handle 142 to be distributed without having the entire load borne by the bracket 144.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, a power float 710 includes a tool 410 and a vibrator unit 712 which is supported on a pair of quick release supports 714 and 716. A manipulator assembly 718 includes a handle 142 and is similar to the manipulator 500 discussed above. However, the manipulator 718 omits the elevator bracket 506 and utilizes an elevator bracket 720 shown in FIG. 16. The quick release supports 714 and 716 have clamp screws 722 and 726 which are vertically spaced from the surface 466 of the tool 410 by a height 728 which is greater than the height of 662 of the embodiment of FIG. 13. The height 728 provides clearance for the vibrator unit 712 to be mounted to the supports 714 and 716.

The vibrator unit 712 includes a power source 730 which is operable to rotate an eccentric in a vibrator head 732 as is known in the art. A clamp 738 clamps the vibrator 734 to a frame member 736. Frame member 736 is secured to the supports 714 and 716 by the clamp screws 722 and 726. Vibration from the vibrator head 732 is transferred to the frame member 736 through the supports 714, 716 to the tool 410 to impart vibration to the tool 410 and thereby work the uncured concrete. The vibrator unit 712 includes a frame 740 which is clamped to the frame member 736 by a grip 742 that is secured by a clamp screw 744. While not shown in the figures, a similar grip and clamp screw are positioned on the opposite side of the frame 740 above the support 716. The vibrator unit 712 includes a handle bar 750 with a grip 752. The handle bar spans the width of the frame 740 with the grip positioned above the power source 730. The frame 740 includes a second grip 754 positioned at a top end of the frame 740. To manipulate the vibrator unit 712, a user grasps grips 752 and seven and 54 which are positioned to provide balance when manipulating the vibrator unit 712 to allow user to lift the vibrator unit 712 onto or off of the supports 714, 716. The vibrator unit 712 includes a frictional throttle (not shown) which a user may adjust to establish the speed of the power source 730, with the frictional throttle maintaining the speed while user manipulates the power float 710 with the handle 142.

Referring now to FIG. 15, supports 714 and 716 are each configured with threaded holes 760 and 762 which are unused in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15. The threaded holes 760 and 762 are positioned at varying heights. For example the holes 760 correspond to a height from the upper surface 466 of the tool 410 similar to the spacings 662 shown in FIG. 13. The threaded holes 762 are positioned at a height similar to the spacing 660 shown in FIG. 8. Because of the multiple threaded holes in the support 714 716, the arrangement of FIG. 15 allows a user to utilize either the manipulator 718 of FIG. 15, or the manipulator 500 of FIGS. 11-12, or a manipulator that utilizes an elevator bracket 780 shown in FIG. 18 and appropriate to use with a clamp screw positioned at the spacing 660 shown in FIG. 8. Because of the quick release nature of the clamp screws, a user is able to quickly utilize the tool 410 for various purposes, including as a break/screed, as the tool of a manual float 520 such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, or as a tool of a power float 710 as shown in FIGS. 14-15.

Referring to FIG. 6, tool 310 is shown with a cap 352 positioned on the end 354 of the tool 310 to enclose the channels 330, 332, and 334. The cap 352 is welded to the end 354 of the tool 310 and serves to prevent uncured concrete from entering the channels 330, 332. It should be understood that each of the embodiments of tools 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610 may be modified to include caps on each end of the respective tools 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610. The caps may be affixed to the tool through welding or any other suitable fastening approach that prevents the ingress of concrete into the interior spaces of the tool. In the illustrative embodiments, the tools 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610 are extruded magnesium alloy. In other embodiments, the tools 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610 may be extruded aluminum alloy, a glass filled composite material, a polymer based material, or other material suitable for working concrete.

It should also be understood that each tool 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610 may be used in combination with any version of manipulator disclosed herein. The various tools 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610 and manipulators 141, 500, 718 are interchangeable using the various structures disclosed herein. For example, using the supports 714 and 716 with any of the 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610 allows any of the manipulators 141, 500, 178 to be used, as well as a manipulator utilizing the elevator bracket 780. When one of the tools 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610 is used with the supports 714 and 716, and bracket 720, the vibration unit 712 may be mounted to the structure to impart vibration to the particular tool 110, 210, 310, 410, and 610.

Although this disclosure refers to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the subject matter set forth in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An implement for working the surface of uncured concrete comprising

a manipulator configured to permit a user to manually move the implement over the surface of the incurred concrete,

a tool having a concrete engaging surface, the tool including a plurality of elongate channels, the channels being separated by at least one relatively thin wall that extends from a lower wall to an upper wall, and

a quick release support structure secured to the tool, the manipulator being releasably secured to the quick release support structure.

2. The implement of claim 1, wherein the manipulator comprises a handle having a shaft, a collar supported on the shaft and slidable relative to the shaft, a pair of struts pivotably coupled to the collar at a first end of each of the struts, a bracket, each of the struts pivotably coupled to the bracket at a second end of each strut, the bracket being releasably secured to the quick release support structure.

3. The implement of claim 2, wherein the quick release support structure comprises a pair of spaced apart supports, each supports extending upwardly from a top surface of the tool.

4. The implement of claim 3, wherein the quick release support structure comprises a manually manipulable clamp screw engaged with each support of the quick release support structure, the bracket being clamped to each of the supports by respective manually manipulable clamp screw.

5. The implement of claim 4, wherein the bracket includes respective notches that overlie the shaft of the respective clamp screws to secure the bracket from lateral movement relative to the he supports.

6. The implement of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises at least three channels that extend along the length of the tool, wherein the tool includes at least two outboard channels, each outboard channel having a first sidewall extending upwardly from the lower wall and defining an edge of the tool, and each outboard channel being defined by an inner wall that extends from the lower wall to the upper wall, the inner wall being color than the first sidewall, and each outboard channel being defined by an incline wall that extends from the first sidewall to the inner wall of each respective chamber.

7. The implement of claim 6, wherein each support of the quick release support structure is secured to the tool by a fastener that extends through the upper wall of the tool and into a channel of the tool.

8. The implement of claim 7, wherein the fastener that secures the support of the quick release support structure extends through a spacer and threads into a plate positioned in the channel.

9. The implement of claim 3, wherein each support of the quick release support structure is secured to the tool by a fastener that extends through the upper wall of the tool and into a channel of the tool.

10. The implement of claim 9, wherein the fastener that secures the support of the quick release support structure extends through a spacer and threads into a plate positioned in the channel.

11. The implement of claim 10, wherein the implement further comprises a vibrator unit configured to transfer vibration to the tool.

12. The implement of claim 11, wherein the vibrator unit is configured to be supported by the supports of the quick release support structure.

13. The implement of claim 12, wherein a manually manipulable clamp screw simultaneously secures the bracket and the vibrator unit to a support of the quick release support structure.

14. The implement of claim 13, wherein the vibrator unit comprises a frictional throttle.

15. The implement of claim 14, wherein the manipulator comprises a handle that is independent from the vibrator unit, the orientation of the handle relative to the tool being adjustable independent of the vibrator unit.

16. The implement of claim 15, wherein the struts move with the handle as it is adjusted.

17. The implement of claim 1, wherein the implement further comprises a vibrator unit configured to transfer vibration to the tool.

18. The implement of claim 14, wherein the manipulator comprises a handle that is independent from the vibrator unit, the orientation of the handle relative to the tool being adjustable independent of the vibrator unit.

19. The implement of claim 18, wherein the quick release support structure comprises a pair of spaced apart supports, each supports extending upwardly from a top surface of the tool.

20. The implement of claim 19, wherein the vibrator unit is configured to be supported by the supports of the quick release support structure, and wherein a manually manipulable clamp screw simultaneously secures the bracket and the vibrator unit to a support of the quick release support structure.