Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for compacting and smoothing freshly poured concrete during the construction of a floor or other flat surface. The apparatus is a screed divided in two portions. The first portion is used to level, compact and remove excess concrete and the second portion allows the screed to float on the freshly poured and soft concrete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a concrete screeding apparatus, and more particularly to an improved portable and lightweight vibrating concrete screed enabling a workman to use same without the need for rigid forms. The screeding apparatus comprises a generally elongated beam having a horizontal surface and a generally vertical surface. A plurality of vibrators are mounted on the beam. The height of the vertical surface diminishes from the center to the edges so as to increase the amplitude of vibration and, therefore, improve the manoeuverability of the screed. In addition, the corners formed by the trailing edge and the side edges of the horizontal surface are rounded so as to avoid the penetration of the side edges into the freshly poured concrete.

Abstract: A portable screed for working concrete and having an elongated screed plate which has a flat bottom bearing surface and a width sufficient to permit the screed to float on the concrete while the screed is being guided by an operator. For imparting uniform vibrations to the screed plate for tamping the concrete, the screed includes a stiffening brace extending substantially the length of the screed, a series of rigid, spaced cross supports secured to the brace, and a vibratory mechanism connected to vibrate the screed plate through the cross supports. A motor is mounted on the screed plate for operating the vibratory mechanism.

Abstract: A portable vibrating screed includes a driven, vibratory rotatable shaft assembly mounted on an elongated frame equipped with means for screeding concrete. The shaft assembly includes a plurality of bearing assemblies spaced along the length of the shaft. Each bearing assembly includes a pair of separate bearing elements mounted on the shaft and supported in bearing supports secured to the frame. Failure of any single bearing element allows a companion bearing element in the same assembly to absorb all of the load imposed on such assembly to prevent shutdown and without impairing the needed vibration.

Abstract: A screed assembly has two screed sections hingedly connected together at meeting beveled ends. The hing between the screed sections maintains a hinge axis at the soles thereof as one of the screed sections is swung upwardly to define a sloped face for a berm alongside a paving mat as a paving machine with the screed assembly progresses to form the berm and paving mat simultaneously.

Abstract: A vibrating screed for striking off, float finishing and vibrating plastic concrete in a single pass, without being supported upon forms. A rigid, buoyant pan which floats and supports the screed comprises a generally planar surface portion in contact with the plastic concrete and a terminal portion coupled to an associated blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a central L-bracket having a lower horizontal portion substantially parallel with the pan, which terminates in a leading edge adapted to first contact and strike-off unfinished concrete. An associated face plate includes a central portion adapted to be rigidly fastened to the pan terminal portion with the L-bracket substantially sandwiched therebetween. The face plate comprises a downwardly angled guard member which defines a flotation volume between itself and the lower L-bracket, and an upper, diverging wing portion which prevents the accumulation of stricken-off concrete interiorly of the pan.

Abstract: A screed for forming the surface of a freshly poured concrete slab has parallel blades which are slidable relative to each other enabling extension and contraction of the screed during operation. The concrete surface is formed by pivoting movement of the screed around fixed pivot structure which supports and anchors one end of the screed. Vibrating mechanism may be included to tamp the concrete concurrently with the surface forming operation. The apparatus may be operated by a single person if necessary and the operator may extend and contract the screed during the pivoting movement in order to follow the outline of the concrete slab and/or to avoid interference from obstructions in the vicinity of the slab.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for filling voids in recycled asphalt. When asphalt has been recycled through the use of a heater-scarifier-screed apparatus, inherently, the pavement surface has voids therein which render the surface porous. The apparatus disclosed herein spreads a thin layer of asphalt over the recycled asphalt in such a manner that substantially all of the voids in the surface thereof are filled. When the method disclosed herein has been completed, the result is a substantially smooth, recycled, repaved trafficable asphalt surface.

Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed composed of a plurality of interconnected sections. Each section includes a series of frame members which are located at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the section. Each frame member is generally triangular in configuration and is composed of a base and a pair of sides which are connected together at an apex. The ends of the bases of the frame members are connected to a pair of parallel screed plates, while a ridge tube is connected to the apices of the frame members. The ridge tubes of adjacent sections are connected together by an adjustable connecting mechanism, and axial adjustment of the ridge tubes will tend to tilt the screed plates of one section relative to the adjacent section to provide the desired crown for the screed.

Abstract: A concrete finishing apparatus includes a supporting frame having first and second spaced apart end sections engaging first and second guide tracks for advancing the apparatus along the length of an area of plastic concrete. A support element extends between the first and second end sections and includes vertically extending front and rear surfaces and an upper surface interconnecting the front and rear surfaces. A carriage is laterally translatable along the length of the support element and includes front and rear legs which straddle the support element. The carriage includes a concrete finishing device which is coupled to the front leg of the carriage for engaging and finishing the plastic concrete in front of the support element. A power source is coupled to the rear leg of the carriage and is interconnected with the concrete finishing device to energize the concrete finishing device.

Abstract: A concrete screed comprising an elongate frame with a first longitudinally extending screed plate connected to a leading portion of the frame, and a second longitudinally extending screed plate connected to the frame rearwardly of the first screed plate. A plow body is mounted on the frame in close proximity to the first screed plate and presents discrete surface portions, comprising: (i) a first generally horizontal surface portion, extending forwardly from the vicinity of the first screed plate to a front leading edge and generally horizontally aligned with the first screed plate, and (ii) a second surface portion integrally joined to the front leading edge of the first surface portion and extending upwardly therefrom to an upper edge. Means are coupled to the frame for translating it along concrete to be screeded, whereby the first and second screed plates and plow body are brought into operative screeding engagement with the concrete.

Abstract: A device for grade leveling having a lower member with a flat bottom surface terminating in an upwardly-beveled leading edge, upright members secured above the lower member, and first and second pivot-mounts on the uprights. One of said first and second pivot-mounts defines a fixed pivot axis on the uprights and the other defines a pivot location which is variable along an arc centered around said fixed pivot axis.

Abstract: A concrete screed comprising an elongated beam with top and bottom flat surfaces joined to an intermediate hollow, tubular cylindrical section, formed of a plurality of interconnected separable beam units. Each adjacent pair of beam units is interconnected by a tongue body of a size and shape adapting it to closely fit within passages at end portions of the adjacent beam units, such passages being formed corporately by the bottom flat plate, the tubular section, and generally vertical ribs joining the bottom plate portion to the tubular section. The tongue body is secured to each of the adjacent beam units, with its respective ends disposed within the respective passages of the adjacent beam unit. The screed comprises means for imparting vibrations to the second plate portion, and a handle connected to the first plate portion.

Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed includes a frame having first and second ends and a length equal to or greater than the width of plastic concrete to be finished. A screed blade is coupled to the screed frame and engages the full width of the plastic concrete. Vibration generating structure is coupled to the screed for vibrating the screed blade. An oscillating strike-off is positioned in front of the vibrating screed blade to level, smooth and compact the plastic concrete surface before engagement by the vibrating screed blade. The oscillating strike-off includes a strike-off blade having a vertically oriented front face and a horizontally oriented lower face. Suspension means maintains the desired orientation of the front and lower faces of the strike-off blade, maintains the strike-off blade at a fixed vertical position with respect to the screed blade, and enables the strike-off blade to be laterally displaced within a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A pneumatically energized hand-held vibrating cement float. A rectangular base plate is provided for contacting the surface of wet cement. Centrally disposed intermediate the ends of the base plate is a rotary ball vibrator, extending from which is a handle terminating in a pneumatic coupling. Fluid communication is provided internally of the handle between the coupling and the vibrator. Upon introducing pressurized air to the coupling, the base plate, which is in contact with the cement, vibrates in an amount sufficient to work suspended gravel and the like downward and to provide a finished surface.

Abstract: A lightweight and portable screed utilizes an extruded beam element as the principal structural element. The extruded beam element provides a mounting surface for both a handle and a gasoline engine, a housing for a vibrating shaft driven by the engine, a screed surface vibrated by the shaft and support surfaces for supporting the ends of the screed on forms.

Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed includes a frame and a substantially horizontal screed blade. A pair of end-mounted winches advance the screed along concrete forms into an area of unfinished plastic concrete. A concrete spreading device is translated back and forth along the length of the screed to partially level the unfinished concrete before engagement by the screed blade. The concrete spreading device includes grading means having distributing means in the form of an auger and metering means in the form of a plow. The auger initially levels and redistributes the plastic concrete while the plow receives the plastic concrete from the trailing edge of the auger and regulates the level of plastic concrete discharged from the concrete spreading device and intercepted by the screed blade. A carriage maintains the grading means at a predetermined elevation in front of the screed blade and translates the spreading device along the length of the screed frame.

Abstract: A portable screed for working concrete and which is mounted on the user. The screed includes a variable length screed plate, a vibrator for the screed plate, a frame attached to the screed plate, a body harness connected intermediate the ends of the frame, and a balancing weight positioned so that the center of gravity of the screed is essentially coextensive with the center of gravity of the operator. The body harness is adjustable along the frame, and the frame may be adjustable as required to ensure that the center of gravity of the frame is positioned coextensively with the center of gravity of the operator so that the operator is not unbalanced by the screed.

Abstract: A portable screed for working concrete and which is mounted on the user. The screed includes a variable length screed plate, a vibrator for the screed plate, a frame attached to the screed plate, a body harness connected intermediate the ends of the frame, and a balancing weight positioned so that the center of gravity of the screed is essentially coextensive with the center of gravity of the operator. The body harness is adjustable along the frame, and the frame may be adjustable as required to ensure that the center of gravity of the frame is positioned coextensively with the center of gravity of the operator so that the operator is not unbalanced by the screed.

Abstract: A concrete-finishing machine has a drive horse, a slave horse, and a bridge-like truss selectively connectable to, or separable from, those horses at different levels so those horses can roll along surfaces at the same level or at distinctly-different levels. Vertically-directed jacks can dispose a screed or a float at different distances below the level of the bridge-like truss, and that screed and that float can be shifted along the length of that bridge-like truss to avoid obstructions within the area to be concreted. Those jacks can set different sections of the screed at different levels and thereafter simultaneously move all sections of that screed up or down. Interacting surfaces on the jacks and on the bridge-like truss enable those jacks to be readily secured to or separated from that bridge-like truss.

Abstract: A device for screeding and finishing concrete pavements having an elongate sectional framework, turnbuckles between framework sections to provide a crown or sag, a rotating shaft with eccentric weights driven by an internal combustion engine to impart vibration, hydraulic pumps and motors driving winches for self-propulsion of the device across the concrete. The screed bars are hollow rectangular members having two useable wearing surfaces. The screed bars may be rotated to bring their second wearing surfaces into contact with the concrete.

Abstract: The present invention levels freshly poured concrete, internally vibrates a linear segment of that concrete and then moves forward and remixes a surcharged concrete layer to yield a more uniformly dense mass of concrete. The apparatus includes a bridge spanning the width of a plastic concrete surface and is suppported above and maintained substantially parallel to the plastic concrete surface. A small diameter auger is coupled to a carriage suspended beneath the bridge and is laterally translatable back and forth along the length of the bridge within the linear segment of concrete to level the irregular concrete surface to form a flat intermediate surface. An internal vibrator module is laterally translatable along the bridge for internally vibrating the plastic concrete to densify material within the linear segment into a surcharge layer.

Abstract: The present invention simultaneously finishes the surface of an area of plastic concrete and forms a curb along one or both sides of the area as the apparatus is translated along the length of the area. The apparatus includes a vibratory concrete finishing machine such as a triangular truss concrete screed having first and second sides and spaced apart front and rear screed blades. The two sides of the finishing machine are supported by roller support units which engage each of the spaced apart forms. Coupling means connects the first roller support unit to the first side of the finishing machine, adjusts the lateral spacing between the first side of the finishing machine and the form, and adjusts the elevation of the screed blades with respect to the form. A curb form is coupled to the finishing machine between the form and the first side of the finishing machine.

Abstract: A paving arrangement for coating a base with a self-setting synthetic molding material comprises a rigid frame in the form of a shallow box having an open bottom. The frame is supported by a pair of sleigh members mounted on the lower portion of the frame in spaced relationship from each other so that the frame can be slid over the base. One of the sleigh members is shorter than the other and has its rear end terminating forwardly of the rear end of the longer sleigh member. A hopper is mounted on the frame for storing therein the molding material. A transversely elongate outlet opening is formed at the bottom of the hopper at a position rearwardly of the rear end of the shorter sleigh member and extending in the transverse direction between the inner edge of the longer sleigh member and an imaginary extension of the outer edge of the shorter sleigh member.

Abstract: Channel construction machinery is provided with a levelling and material lining application attachment to thus provide a continuous mode of channel construction operation in either the longitudinal or transverse direction of operation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The levelling and/or lining attachment is provided with at least one shaft which is mounted and driven so as to rotate. The length of the shaft is proportioned to the length of the embankment section to be worked on. Located about the circumference of the shaft are blade-like elements, whose surfaces are directed at an angle to the axis of the shaft. The shafts and angularly directed blades are mounted on implement carriers of the channel construction machine in a manner such that they oscillate by being connected to vibration actuators. The implement carriers, however, attached to the frame of the apparatus are isolated from the vibrations of the vibrator by damping elements.

Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed includes a frame having first and second ends and a length equal to or greater than the width of plastic concrete to be finished. A screed blade is coupled to the screed frame and engages the full width of the plastic concrete. Vibration generating structure is coupled to the screed for vibrating the screed blade. A concrete spreading device is coupled to the screed frame to level the surface of the plastic concrete and to evenly distribute excess plastic concrete in front of the screed blade. The concrete spreading device includes a grading device having either an auger or a grading blade or both an auger and a grading blade. A carriage maintains the grading device at a desired relative elevation to the screed blade and translates the grading device back and forth along the length of the screed frame. The side to side translation of the grading device along the screed frame laterally distributes the excess concrete and displaces the concrete forward and away from the screed blade.

Abstract: A vibrating float for prefinishing concrete. The float includes a float member with a planar surface, an elongated handle for manipulating the float member over the concrete with its planar surface in contact with the surface of the concrete, and a pair of pneumatically driven vibrators. The vibrators are mounted on the upper surface of the float member on either side of the centrally attached handle and can be adjusted easily and quickly to vary the vibrational pattern of the float member for the most efficient and effective working of the particular concrete mix. Each vibrator has an exterior housing member with a rotatable mounted collar member within it. The collar member is cylindrical and end pieces are provided to confine a ball member within the collar member. The housing member has an air hole through it and the collar member has at least two air holes in it of different sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically advancing a concrete screed as the screed tamps and levels concrete. The apparatus includes cable reeling means attached to either end of the concrete screed for winding a drive cable. The drive cable is adapted for attachment to a fixed location downstream from the screed so that winding of the cable on the reeling means propels the concrete screed towards the fixed location. The cable reeling means is driven by a power transfer means including a driven pulley and a slave pulley with an endless belt loosely mounted around the pulleys so that when the driven pulley is rotated, the belt will normally not drive the slave pulley. The apparatus also includes an assembly positioned to tension the belt between the drive and slave pulleys to cause the driven pulley to drive the slave pulley through the belt, and therefore drive the cable reeling means, propelling the concrete screed across the concrete.

Abstract: A lightweight portable concrete screed utilizes an elongated open frame supported on opposed forms and adapted to screed an entire width of concrete formed road and simultaneously form associated curbing on both sides of the road.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable, vibrating-type concrete screed utilizes an elongated, open frame structure, is adapted to being winched automatically to screed a concrete-formed road and simultaneously form and smooth associated curbing and guttering with improved vibrator and smoothing means.

Abstract: A screed includes a triangular truss frame having first and second ends and a top support member forming the apex of the triangular truss. Front and rear screed blades are coupled in a spaced apart relationship to the lower portion of the front and rear of the frame. The screed includes a detachable screed blade extension bracket which is coupled to the top support member and to the front and rear screed blades. The detachable screed blade extension bracket includes a bracket frame, front and rear blade extension elements which are coupled to the bracket frame and aligned respectively with the front and rear screed blades for extending the effective length of the blade by a predetermined, desired amount. The detachable end bracket extends the effective length of the front and rear screed blades without extending the length of the top support member or the triangular truss frame of the screed.

Abstract: For trowelling concrete spread over a floor, a trowelling device is used, which includes a carrier having a cantilever arm swingable over the floor. At the distal end of the arm a rotatable trowelling member is carried in a pedestal structure permitting vertical adjustment of the floor contacting parts. A laser sends a horizontal beam at a predetermined level over the floor, and an upwardly directed measuring rod at the housing of the trowelling member is provided with a detector for catching the beam, and for transferring deviations of the beam from a mark thereon into signals for adjusting the position of the trowelling member.

Abstract: An improved, portable, lightweight vibrator which is an integral unit and is easily and quickly removably secured to a screed board to vibrate it. Only a source of electrical power is required to operate it. Virtually any 2.times.4, 2.times.6 or larger boards of wood or metal such as aluminum or magnesium up to 20 feet in length can be used as the screed board. When properly installed on the screed board, the vibrator will walk or pull the screed board toward the rough pour, to save time and labor in leveling concrete.

Abstract: An improved frame construction for a portable, vibrating-type concrete screed incorporates a specially designed hollow ridge tube extending along the apex of an elongated open frame of triangular cross section and providing means for adjusting relative angular positions of adjoining screed units and for passage of air when the screed is air operated.

Abstract: A leveling device for an asphalt finisher or the like including a pair of screeds disposed at front and rear portions of the device on auxiliary frames which are slidably coupled to a main frame. The main frame is pivotably mounted to a pair of supporting arms extending from the vehicle body. The screeds are both movable laterally and tiltable sidewards so that a predetermined depth of asphalt coating can be attained and a crown portion provided if desired.

Abstract: The road grading and tamping appliance (1) has a bottom plate (2) and at least one rotating, eccentrically-supported and driven weight for providing vibration. The bottom plate (2) is provided with a shaft (5) disposed perpendicular thereto and on which the rotating eccentric weight (10) is rotatably supported, specifically at a predetermined distance from the bottom plate (2). The eccentric weight (10) consequently rotates in a plane parallel to the bottom plate. By adjustment of the rotating eccentric weight (10) axially of the vertical shaft (5), the eccentric action, that is the leverage action, on the bottom plate (2) can be reduced or increased.

Abstract: A vibrating concrete screed having a motor driven vibrating shaft in an elongated frame mounts at each end of a single or interconnected plural frames a detachable winching unit driven by the shaft through a fluid motor. The screed may be winched automatically, at varying angles, at different speeds at each end and with the winching units performing a screeding function.

Abstract: An asphalt laying machine having a vibrating smoothing and compacting unit, called screed assembly, and being of the type, which has a main screed with a plurality of laterally slidable extensions. In known machines said units are rigidly interconnected and their dimensions are so large that stationary vibrations may be produced in the smoothing and compacting unit, resulting in a non-homogenous asphalt course. According to the invention the smoothing and compacting unit (5) is divided into a plurality of units (12,13) having respective vibration generating means (24) and being mutually vibration isolated by means of vibration dampers (17A, 17B) ensuring a controlled, vibratory movement. The swing of each unit at the front edge preferably differs from the swing at the rear edge.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of self power or being towed and specifically designed to distribute and/or apply cementitious material, and in particular, pervious concrete, over a given surface area such as a roadway or the like. A support frame has mounted thereon a distributor casing specifically configured to direct cementitious material in layer form along a transverse length relative to the direction of travel of the support frame. A delivery hopper moves transversely on the frame and along the length of the casing and serves to continuously feed cementitious material to the casing. Material such as pervious concrete is continuously discharged from the distributor casing by a percussive action imparted to it by forward motion of the frame. A blade element and compacting edge is adjustably positioned above the surface being treated and is attached to the casing to mechanically move therewith so as to compact the cementitious material as it is extruded from the casing upon mechanical actuation thereof.

Abstract: A vibrating concrete screed having a motor driven vibrating shaft in an elongated frame mounts at each end of a single or interconnected plural frames a detachable winching unit driven by the shaft through a fluid motor. The screed may be winched automatically, at varying angles, at different speeds at each end and with the winching units performing a screeding function.

Abstract: A powered jointer having a scoring undersurface for forming a stress joint in a wet concrete slab, followed by a reciprocating tamper foot which forms a stress joint while moving rock out of the joint and a smoothing tip following the formation of the stress joint for smoothing out the same, all in a single pass.

Abstract: A fine grader for fine grading the surface of the subgrade on which fresh concrete is to be poured to form a uniformly level surface for receiving freshly poured concrete is formed by coupling together a fine grader attachment with a vibratory screed. The screed includes first and second ends and first and second end brackets which are coupled to the first and second ends of the screed frame. A winch is coupled to each end bracket for translating the screed along the length of the side forms. The fine grader attachment for the screed includes a fine grader blade, a series of brackets coupled to the screed frame and to the fine grader blade for maintaining the blade in a grading position below and in front of the screed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed herein for simultaneously tamping and leveling concrete and similar materials. The device includes an elongated, rectangular enclosure having a substantially flat bottom for acting upon the concrete or other material. A shaft extends within and is rotatably mounted to the enclosure, and is connected at one end to a motor which is operable to drive the shaft in rotation. Several weights are eccentrically mounted upon the shaft at evenly spaced locations. Preferably several bearing houses are mounted within the enclosure and the shaft is rotatably received therein, each of the several weights being positioned adjacent one of the bearing houses. A handle extends outwardly from one end of the enclosure and the motor which drives the shaft is preferably mounted upon the handle at a location spaced outwardly of the enclosure. The other end of the enclosure may include a handle or may rest upon a stake received within a downwardly open aperture in the enclosure.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to power screed boards or apparatus for leveling, settling and/or compacting material such as concrete. More particularly, it relates to a method and apparatus which can be easily and quickly removably secured to a length of board such as a 2.times.4 or the like to thereby adapt or convert the length of board to a power screed board.

Abstract: A lightweight and portable vibrating screed is provided with an elongate open structure frame which may be made up of a plurality of interconnected frame units. A shaft is supported for rotation in spaced bearings along the frame and extends outwardly beyond the bearings at each end of the frame. Variable speed drive means is provided for rotating the shaft at a sufficient speed to cause deflection of the portions of the shaft between the bearings and the portions of the shaft extending outwardly beyond the bearings to impart uniform vibrations throughout the length of the screed.