SURFACE FINISHING TROWELS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS THEREOF

Abstract

A trowel for finishing a material surface includes a blade configured to finish the material surface. A pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface, and a frame has a motor is coupled thereto. The motor rotates the blade about a first axis. A fork is pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis such that pivoting of the fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle. An actuator is coupled to the frame and operable to pivot the fork. An input device is operable to control the actuator, and the input device is configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the pitch angle of the blade.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/325,223 filed Mar. 30, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to surface finishing trowels and specifically to rotary power trowels for finishing concrete.

BACKGROUND

The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference in entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,055 discloses a riding-type surface working machine includes a pair of rotors each of which carries a plurality of trowels or surface working members. Each rotor includes a transmission unit and power from the engine is transmitted through each transmission unit to rotate the individual rotors.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,519 discloses a directional control mechanism for a surface working machine. The surface working machine includes a frame that carries at least a pair of rotors each having a vertical rotatable shaft. Surface working means, including a plurality of radially extending blades, is operably connected to the shaft and rotates therewith.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,330 discloses a pitch control mechanism for a surface finishing machine. The machine includes a series of tiltable horizontal blades carried by a rotor and the blades are adapted to rotate in contact with and finish a concrete surface. The pitch control mechanism for tilting the blades includes an internally threaded sleeve located within the handle of the machine.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In certain examples, a trowel for finishing a material surface includes a blade configured to finish the material surface. A pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface, and a frame has a motor is coupled thereto. The motor rotates the blade about a first axis. A fork is pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis such that pivoting of the fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle. An actuator is coupled to the frame and operable to pivot the fork. An input device is operable to control the actuator, and the input device is configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the pitch angle of the blade.

In certain examples, a method for adjusting pitch angle of a trowel used for finishing a material surface includes providing a frame on which a motor is coupled. The motor rotates the blade about a first axis and the pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface. The method also includes mounting a fork to the frame such that fork pivots about a second axis such that pivoting the fork changes the pitch angle of the blade and actuating an actuator with an input device to thereby pivot the fork and change the angle.

Various other features, objects, and advantages will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described with reference to the following Figures. The same numbers are used throughout the Figures to reference like features and like components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional surface finishing trowel.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example surface finishing trowel according to present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the trowel depicted in FIG. 2 without blades.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel depicted in FIG. 2 along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main body of the trowel depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is another enlarged perspective view of a main body of the trowel depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the main body of the trowel depicted in FIG. 2 with a bolt of the actuator in a first bolt position.

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7 with the bolt in a second bolt position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the trowel depicted in FIG. 2 with the blades in a minimum blade pitch position and an actuator in an extended first position.

FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 9 with the blades in an intermediate blade pitch position and the actuator in an intermediate position.

FIG. 11 is a view like FIG. 9 with the blades in a minimum blade pitch position and the actuator in a retracted second position.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a housing of the trowel depicted in FIG. 3 within line 12-12 on FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a crossbar of the trowel depicted in FIG. 3 within line 13-13 on FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary conventional surface finishing trowel 10 is depicted. The trowel 10 includes a main body 11, a handle 12 extending away from the main body 11, and material working blades 13 operably coupled to the main body 11. The blades 13 are rotated by a drive shaft (not depicted) that extends vertically downwardly along a center axis 14 from a motor 16 (e.g., internal combustion motor) that rotates the drive shaft. As the blades 13 are rotated, the blades 13 finish (e.g., smooth) the material surface (e.g., concrete surface). A safety cage 15 covers the blades 13 and is configured to prevents objects (e.g., a foot of an operator) from contacting the blades 13.

As noted above, the handle 12 extends from the main body 11 and is further engaged by the operator that controls and maneuvers the trowel 10 on the material surface. The handle 12 includes a first end 21 connected to the main body 11 and an opposite second end 22 having a crossbar 23 that is grasped by the operator. A mechanical pitch mechanism 24 is coupled to the handle 12 and the blades 13 and is for changing the pitch of the blades 13 relative to the material surface. In the example depicted, the pitch mechanism 24 includes a toothed wheel 25 positioned on the handle 12 near the second end 22 thereof. The operator rotates the toothed wheel 25 to thereby cause the pitch mechanism 24 to pivot each blade 13 about its respective longitudinal axis and the material surface. For instance, the blades 13 can be moved from a generally horizontal, minimum blade pitch position (e.g., 0.0 degrees pitch) one or more blade pitch positions in which the blades 13 are each pitched an angle relative to the material surface (e.g., a maximum blade pitch position having a pitch of 20.0 degrees). The operator rotates the toothed wheel 25 to thereby move the blades 13 into and between different blade pitch positions and thereby change the manner in which the blades 13 work the material surface. As such, the operator can achieve the desired finish of the material surface (e.g., a concrete surface is smoothed). In one specific example, as the material (e.g., concrete) hardens, the operator gradually increases the pitch of the blades 13 to thereby decrease the surface area of the blades 13 contacting the material surface and increase the weight per area force the blades 13 apply to the material surface. Note that as the blades are moved into different blade pitch positions, the surface area of the blades 13 engaging the material surface changes. Reference is made to above-incorporated U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,784,519 and 5,096,330 for descriptions of example conventional trowels.

Applicants have recognized that operators using conventional trowels must remove one of their hands from the crossbar to engage the pitch mechanism when adjusting the pitch of the blades. During this adjustment, the operator only has one hand on the crossbar and may not be able to control the trowel as well as when the operator has both hands on the crossbar. That is, when the operator uses one hand to engage the pitch mechanism, the operator must now maneuver and control the trowel with only one hand as the blades continue to spin and move along the material surface. This presents potential problems which may include losing control of the trowel. For example, losing control of the trowel could cause damage to previously finished areas of the material surface thereby decreasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the troweling process. In addition, certain operators may not have adequate upper body strength to control the trowel with only one hand. Accordingly, through research and experimentation, the Applicants endeavored to develop improved trowels that incorporate systems and components that are improvements over conventional trowels and help reduce or eliminate the problems described above. In particular, the Applicants endeavored to develop systems and components that allow an operator to adjust the pitch of blades while still maintaining control of the trowel. As a result, the Applicants developed the below-described trowels, systems, components, and methods of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, an example trowel 40 according to the present disclosure is depicted. The trowel 40 includes a main body 41 with a motor 39 (depicted schematically as dashed box on FIG. 2) that rotates a drive shaft 42 (FIG. 3). The drive shaft 42 is coupled to a plurality of blades 50 (also depicted as dashed box on FIG. 6; note that the blades 50 are excluded from FIG. 3 for clarity) that finish the material surface. The trowel 40 also includes a safety cage 51 (depicted schematically as a single dashed lines on FIG. 2) around the blades 50. The main body 41 further includes a frame 43 on which the motor (not depicted) is supported. The drive shaft 42 extends vertically away from the frame 43, and the frame 43 includes opposing support members 44 that are configured to pivotably hold a fork 45 relative to the frame 43.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, the fork 45 has legs 47 that extend in a direction toward the drive shaft 42 (arrow C on FIG. 5) and one leg 47 is on either side of the drive shaft 42 (see FIG. 4). The fork 45 also has an arm 48 that extends in the opposite direction of the legs 47 and away from the drive shaft 42 (see arrow A on FIG. 5). As such, the fork 45 is pivotable about a horizontal axis 46. The legs 47 engage a spider assembly 27 (FIG. 4) which is coupled to the blades 50 and as such movement of the legs 47 causes the spider assembly 27 to act on and change the pitch of the blades 50. Reference is made to above-incorporated U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,710,055 and 4,784,519 for descriptions of example conventional spider assemblies for changing the pitch of trowel blades.

A handle 70 is coupled to the frame 43, and a support bracket 49 of the frame 43 and the handle 70 both extend away from the frame 43 and parallel to each other same direction (see arrow D on FIG. 5). An actuator 60 is connected between the support bracket 49 and the arm 48 of the fork 45 (see FIG. 6). As will be described in greater detail herein below, the actuator 60 is configured to move the arm 48 relative to the support bracket 49 to thereby pivot the fork 45 about the axis 46 and adjust the pitch of the blades 50 (see for example FIG. 6 which depicts one of the blades 50 schematically in dashed lines). The actuator 60 can be any suitable device capable of pivoting the fork 45 and being mounted between the support bracket 49 and the fork 45. The actuator 60 is capable of moving the fork 45 relative to the support bracket 49 and as described herein. In one non-limiting example, the actuator 60 is an electric piston having a cylinder and a piston rod. In another non-limiting example, the actuator 60 is a linear actuator. In another non-limiting example, the actuator 60 is a hydraulic actuator. Examples of publicly available actuator 60 that may be used with the trowel 40 of the present disclosure are manufactured by Midwest Motion Products (e.g., part no. MMP LA3-24V-40-A-50). Note that FIGS. 5-6 depict the actuator 60 in an extended first position such that the fork 45 is in a minimum pitch position corresponding to a minimum pitch angle (described further herein). In certain examples, a shroud 62 (see FIG. 6) is provided to protect at least a portion of the actuator from damage and/or contact with debris and liquids. In one instance in which the actuator includes a cylinder and a piston rod, the shroud 62 is configured to cover the cylinder when the actuator 60 is in the retracted position (FIG. 11) and cover the piston rod extending out from the cylinder when the actuator 60 is in the extended position (FIG. 9).

The present inventors have recognized that the blades 50 and subsequent replacement blades may have different geometric features and thus the position of the actuator 60 relative to the support bracket 49 may need to be changed to account for the different blades 50. To address these considerations, the trowel 40 of the present disclosure the support bracket 49 includes a slot 55 in which a bolt 56 of the actuator 60 is slidably received. The slot 55 includes a first slot end 58 and an opposite second slot end 59. The operator of the trowel 40 of the present disclosure can adjust and/or optimize the position of the actuator 60 by moving the bolt 56 in the slot 55 to different positions. As such, the actuator 60 can be advantageously located such that actuation of the actuator 60 will cause pitch adjustment of the blades 50 while being moved into and between an extended first position (see FIG. 9) and a retracted second position (see FIG. 11). In other words, pitch adjustment occurs while the actuator 60 moves through all positions between the first and second positions without instances of moving between positions not causing pitch adjustment. As such, the actuator 60 causes the blades 50 to be moved into a wide range of blade pitch positions and be oriented at different pitch angles relative to the working surface. An example sequence for adjusting the position of the bolt 56 and is described in greater detail herein below with reference to FIGS. 7-8.

FIG. 7 depicts the trowel 40 when a replacement set of blades 50 (see FIG. 2) are attached to the trowel 40 and the blades 50 are placed on a flat, horizontal surface. The fork 45 is in a horizontal position and the blades 50 will have no pitch relative to the horizontal surface. The bolt 56 of the actuator 60 is fixed in a first bolt position at the first end 58 of the slot 55. Note that the bolt 56 is initially secured in the first bolt position as this was the position set for the old removed set of blades. However, as depicted in FIG. 7, when the new blade 50 are coupled to the trowel 40, the actuator 60 is in an intermediate position (see also FIG. 10) between the extended first position (see FIG. 9) and the second position (see FIG. 11). This intermediate position is not necessarily optimal, and in the event the actuator 60 is actuated toward the first position (FIG. 9), the legs 47 of the fork 45 would pivot away (see arrow M) from the blades 50 thereby not changing the pitch of the blades 50 and/or making contact with the frame 43. As such, the efficiency of the actuator 60 to cause pivoting of the blades 50 as it moves between its first position (FIG. 9) and its second position (FIG. 11) is reduced because as the actuator 60 is moved into and between the intermediate position (FIG. 7) and the first position (FIG. 9), pitch adjustment of the blades 50 does not occur.

To optimize pitching of the blades 50, an operator adjusts the position of the bolt 56. The operator loosens the nut (not depicted) coupled to the bolt 56 and slides the bolt 56 toward the first slot end 59 until the bolt 56 is in a second bolt position between the ends 58, 59 and the actuator 60 is in its first position (FIG. 8) with the blades 50 resting flat against a surface. The operator then tightens the bolt 56 to thereby secure the bolt 56 in the second bolt position. Accordingly, when the actuator 60 is actuated, the actuator 60 moves from the first position (FIG. 8) toward the second position (FIG. 11) and thereby causes the legs 47 of the fork 45 to pivot and the blades 50 (FIG. 2) to pitch. In this manner, the pitch adjustment of the blades 50 occurs while the actuator 60 is actuated within its full range of motion between the first position (FIG. 9) and the second position (FIG. 11). Thus, the range of to pitch angle for the blades 50 is maximized. Also note that in certain examples, the slot 55 advantageously accounts for manufacturing tolerances of the support bracket 49 and/or the actuator 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, an example operation sequence for pitching the blades 50 is depicted. To start the trowel 40, the operator activates the engine (e.g., pulling the pull cord of the engine, flipping a switch to turn the engine “ON”) to thereby rotate the drive shaft 42 and plurality of blades 50. The operator then grasps the handgrips 72 (FIG. 13) and maneuvers the trowel 40 along the material surface while the plurality of blades 50 rotate. As the operator maneuvers the trowel 40, the material surface is “worked” by the blades 50. The operator may wish to change the pitch of blades 50 to apply more or less pressure via the blades 50 to the material surface. Accordingly, the user engages one or more input devices, e.g., switches 81A-B, of an input module 80 (FIG. 13) to actuate the actuator 60 and adjust the pitch of the blades 50. The input module 80 (FIG. 13) is adjacent to the handgrip 72 and the operator simply moves their thumb to engage the input module 80 keeping their fingers and/or palm on the handgrip 72. As such, the operator is capable of maintaining two hands on the crossbar 71 (FIG. 13) and control of the trowel 40 while also adjusting the pitch of the blades 50.

FIG. 9 depicts the blades 50 in the minimum blade pitch position and the actuator 60 in the extended first position. In the minimum blade pitch position pitch, the blades 50 have a minimum pitch angle relative to the material surface (e.g., the minimum pitch angle is 0.0 degrees between the blade 50 and the contact surface). As the operator engages one or more switches 81, the actuator 60 is actuated to move toward the retracted second position (FIG. 11) and the pitch angle (see angle Q on FIG. 10) of the blades 50 increases. For example, as depicted in FIG. 10, the actuator 60 is moved into an intermediate position in which the legs 47 of the fork 45 are pivoted toward the blades 50 (see second pivot direction arrow N) and the blades 50 have a first pitch angle Q relative to the material surface.

As depicted in FIG. 11, further actuation of the actuator 60 moves the actuator 60 from the intermediate position (FIG. 10) to the second retracted position (FIG. 11). The actuator 60 does not move past the second position and the actuator 60 cannot further pivot the fork 45 about the axis 46 in a pivot direction (arrow M). When the fork 45 is in the maximum pitch position, the blades 50 have a maximum pitch angle (see angle P) angle relative to the contact surface. In one embodiment, the maximum pitch angle is 20.0 degrees between the blade 50 and the contact surface.

Referring to FIG. 12, a middle portion of the handle 70 is depicted in greater detail. A battery 65 (depicted in dashed lines) is contained within a housing 66 that is coupled to the handle 70, and the housing 66 has an operable cover 67 that covers the battery 65. In certain examples, the battery is a rechargeable battery. A socket 68 (depicted in dashed lines) that releasably secures the battery 65 to the housing 66 and/or the handle 70. The socket 68 includes electrical components that permit the electrical energy stored in the battery 65 to power the actuator 60 (FIG. 2) via an electrical system (not shown) that is also connected between the battery 65, the actuator 60 (FIG. 2), and the input module 80. The electrical system can include conventional electrical components, such as wires and circuit boards. Note that in certain examples, the battery 65, the actuator 60 (FIG. 2), lights 69, and the input module 80 are electrically independent from other electrical components (e.g., a battery or an alternator of the engine) of the trowel 40. A locking mechanism 63 secures the cover to the housing 66 in a closed position. When the cover 67 is in the closed position (as depicted in FIG. 12), the cover 67 protects the battery 65 and the socket 68 from debris.

Lights 69 are connected to the housing 66 and are for illuminating the material surface. The lights 69 preferably include light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The lights 69 are pivotally connected to the housing 66 such that the operator can direct light in a desired direction. In one example, the lights 69 are powered by separate, internal batteries. In other examples, the lights are connected to the electrical system that connects the battery 65 to the actuator 60, and accordingly, the lights 69 are powered by the battery 65.

Referring to FIG. 13, the crossbar 71 of the handle 70 is depicted in greater detail. The crossbar 71 includes at least one handgrip 72 that is grasped by the operator and an input module 80 connected to the crossbar 71 that is configured to receive an input from the operator. The input module 80 includes one or more input devices, e.g., switches 81A-B, and is adjacent to one of the handgrips 72. As such, the operator can selectively operate the switches 81A-B to thereby adjust the pitch of the blades 50 (as described above). The switches 81A-B are preferably located close to the handgrip 72 such that the operator can maintain hold of the handgrip 72 while engaging the switches 81A-B. For example, the operator can use their thumb to operate the switches 81A-B while their palm and fingers remain on the handgrip 72. Thus, the operator is able to keep two hands on the crossbar 71 and/or the handgrip 72 while changing the pitch of the blades 50. Accordingly, the operator maintains good control of the trowel 40 even when adjusting the pitch of the blades 50.

The input device could any suitable device such as switches (as noted above), joysticks, potentiometers, rheostats, sliders, and the like. In examples where the input device is a switch 81A-B, the switch 81A-B may be a toggle switch, tactile switch, rocker switches, single pole single throw (SPST) switches, and double pole double throw (DPDT) switches. Note that while the present disclosure describes the use of switches 81A-B as the input device, any other input device can be utilized. The switches 81A-B are connected to part of the electrical system noted above that connects the battery 65 to the actuator 60. In one example, a first switch 81A is for moving the actuator in a direction from the extended position (FIG. 9) to the second position (FIG. 11) thereby increasing the pitch angle of the blades 50. A second switch 81B is for moving the actuator in a direction from the second position (FIG. 11) to the extended position (FIG. 9) thereby decreasing the pitch angle of the blades 50. In another example, a first switch 81A is for decreasing or increasing the pitch angle of the blades 50 (e.g., a DPDT open center momentary switch). In this example, the second switch 81B is operated to turn the lights 69 “On” or “Off” (e.g., a SPST on-off switch).

In certain examples, a trowel for finishing a material surface includes a blade configured to finish the material surface, wherein a pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface. A frame has a motor coupled thereto and the motor rotates the blade about a first axis. A fork is pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis whereby pivoting of the fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle. An actuator is coupled to the frame and operable to pivot the fork. An input device operable to control the actuator, and the input device is configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the pitch angle of the blade.

Optionally, the actuator is a linear actuator. Optionally, the input device is a switch. Optionally, a battery provides electrical power to the actuator. Optionally, the battery is a rechargeable battery. Optionally, the battery, the input device, and the actuator are electrically independent of the motor. Optionally, lights are included and the battery provides electrical power to the lights. Optionally, a handle is coupled to the frame and has a crossbar. The crossbar is configured to be engaged by an operator, and the input device is mounted on the crossbar. Optionally, the frame has a slot in which a bolt of the actuator is slidably received such that the actuator can be moved into a first position while the pitch angle is at a minimum pitch angle. Optionally, the actuator is actuated from the first position toward a second position to thereby increase the pitch angle from the minimum pitch angle. Optionally, a handle is coupled to the frame and has a crossbar. The crossbar is configured to be engaged by the operator, and the frame has a support bracket in which the slot is defined. Optionally, the support bracket and the handle extend parallel to each other. Optionally, the actuator is moveable into and between a first position that corresponds to the pitch angle at a minimum pitch angle and a second position that correspond to the pitch angle at a maximum pitch angle. Optionally, the minimum pitch angle is 0.0 degrees. Optionally, a handle is coupled to the frame and having a crossbar that is configured to be engaged by an operator, and the input device is mounted on the crossbar. Optionally, a handle is coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, the crossbar is configured to be engaged by an operator, and the input device is mounted on the crossbar such that the operator can maintain two-handed engagement with the crossbar while operating the input device. Optionally, a spider assembly acts on the blade when the fork is pivoted to thereby change the pitch angle. Optionally, the input device is a first input device that is a switch operable to control the actuator and light is provided and a second input device is provided to control the light.

In certain examples, a method for adjusting pitch angle of a trowel used for finishing a material surface includes providing a frame on which a motor is coupled, wherein the motor rotates the blade about a first axis and wherein the pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface; mounting a fork to the frame such that fork pivots about a second axis, wherein pivoting the fork changes the pitch angle of the blade; and actuating an actuator via an input device to thereby pivot the fork and change the angle. Optionally, the method includes providing a handle mounted to and extending away from the frame, wherein the handle has a crossbar that configured to be engaged by an operator; and wherein the input device is mounted to the crossbar.

Citations to a number of references are made herein. The cited references are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. In the event that there is an inconsistency between a definition of a term in the specification as compared to a definition of the term in a cited reference, the term should be interpreted based on the definition in the specification.

In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses, systems, and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses, systems, and methods. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A trowel for finishing a material surface, the trowel comprising:

a blade configured to finish the material surface, wherein a pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface;

a frame with a motor coupled thereto, wherein the motor rotates the blade about a first axis;

a fork pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis whereby pivoting of the fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle;

an actuator coupled to the frame and operable to pivot the fork; and

an input device operable to control the actuator, and wherein the input device is configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the pitch angle of the blade.

2. The trowel according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.

3. The trowel according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a switch.

4. The trowel according to claim 1, further comprising a battery that provides electrical power to the actuator.

5. The trowel according to claim 4, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

6. The trowel according to claim 4, wherein the battery, the input device, and the actuator are electrically independent of the motor.

7. The trowel according to claim 5, further comprising lights, and wherein the battery provides electrical power to the lights.

8. The trowel according to claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, wherein the crossbar is configured to be engaged by an operator, and wherein the input device is mounted on the crossbar.

9. The trowel according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a slot in which a bolt of the actuator is slidably received such that the actuator can be moved into a first position while the pitch angle is at a minimum pitch angle.

10. The trowel according to claim 9, wherein the actuator is actuated from the first position toward a second position to thereby increase the pitch angle from the minimum pitch angle.

11. The trowel according to claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, wherein the crossbar is configured to be engaged by the operator; and

wherein the frame has a support bracket in which a slot is defined.

12. The trowel according to claim 11, wherein the support bracket and the handle extend parallel to each other.

13. The trowel according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is moveable into and between a first position that corresponds to the pitch angle at a minimum pitch angle and a second position that correspond to the pitch angle at a maximum pitch angle.

14. The trowel according to claim 13, wherein the minimum pitch angle is 0.0 degrees.

15. The trowel according to claim 13, further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, wherein the crossbar is configured to be engaged by an operator, and wherein the input device is mounted on the crossbar.

16. The trowel according to claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, wherein the crossbar is configured to be engaged by an operator, and wherein the input device is mounted on the crossbar such that the operator can maintain two-handed engagement with the crossbar while operating the input device.

17. The trowel according to claim 1, further comprising a spider assembly that acts on the blade when the fork is pivoted to thereby change the pitch angle.

18. The trowel according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a first input device that is a switch operable to control the actuator; and further comprising light and a second input device to control the light.

19. A method for adjusting pitch angle of a trowel used for finishing a material surface, the method comprising:

providing a frame on which a motor is coupled, wherein the motor rotates a blade about a first axis and wherein the pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface;

mounting a fork to the frame such that fork pivots about a second axis, wherein pivoting the fork changes the pitch angle of the blade; and

actuating an actuator via an input device to thereby pivot the fork and change the angle.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

providing a handle mounted to and extending away from the frame, wherein the handle has a crossbar that configured to be engaged by an operator; and

wherein the input device is mounted to the crossbar.