Concrete finishing machine

• US 4,822,210 A
• Filed: 05/06/1988
• Issued: 04/18/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rotek Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Rotek Industries Limited
• Inventors: Arndt, Charles J., Oury, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Massie, II, Jerome W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US07/190,900
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• Field of Search: 404/101, 404/106, 404/110, 404/116, 404/119, 404/96, 404/114
• US Class Current: 404/106
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/405 with spreading-out, levelling or smoothing means other than the tamping or vibrating means for compacting or smoothing, e.g. with screws for spreading-out the previously dumped material, with non-vibratory lengthwise reciprocated smoothing beam E01C19/407 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/407 with elements or parts partly or fully immersed in or penetrating into the material to act thereon, e.g. immersed vibrators or vibrating parts, kneading tampers, spaders
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/4846 with non-vibratory or non-percussive pressing or smoothing means, e.g. trailing smoothing pans, plates pressing the materials processed by immersed vibrators; with supplemental elements penetrating the paving to work the material thereof, e.g. rodding means

Abstract

A concrete finishing machine having a movable framework mounted transversely over a paved area and defining an axis. A carriage is movably attached to the framework and has means for moving the carriage along the length of the framework. The carriage carries at least one rotating auger unit having leading and trailing portions mounted on one shaft and a finishing member. The auger unit has a leading portion having a helically arranged blade with an outer edge that is positioned in a fixed, spaced relationship with a desired grade. The trailing portion has a helically arranged blade with a band attached thereto to spread forward the excess concrete left by the leading portion and to finish the concrete at the desired grade. Plunging concrete vibrators are placed adjacent the auger unit leading portions. Means for conveying concrete, aligned with the framework axis, is mounted on the framework and has a side discharge station, movably mounted on the conveyor, for directing concrete from the conveying means to the paving area along the framework length. The side discharge stations has a plow, discharge chute and operator platform to centrally control all machine operations. The framework has track engaging end sections for support. Adjustment means are mounted on the end sections to maintain a desired grade for the concrete finishing operations during skewed movement of the framework axis relative to an axis perpendicular to the direction of framework travel.

Claims

1. A concrete finishing machine comprising, in combination:

a framework mounted transversely over a paving area to be paved with concrete and defining an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of framework travel, the framework having track engaging end sections to support the framework and means for moving the framework;

a carriage movably attached to the framework for movement along the axis defined by the framework, means for moving the carriage along the length of the framework;

at least one auger unit rotatably mounted on the carriage, the auger unit having leading and trailing ends and defining an axis substantially aligned with the direction of framework travel, means on the carriage for driving the auger unit to plow excess concrete forward in the direction of framework travel;

a finishing member attached to the carriage and having a substantially horizontal surface for engaging and finishing the concrete surface at a desired grade, the finishing member positioned adjacent to the trailing end of the auger unit in a following relationship relative to the direction of frame travel; and

means for conveying concrete mounted on the framework and substantially aligned with the axis defined by the framework, the conveying having a side discharge station movably mounted thereon for directing concrete from the conveying means to the paving area along the length of the conveying means, the side discharge station having an operator platform for carrying an operator of the concrete finishing machine, a plow for directing the concrete from the conveying means, a discharge chute for receiving the concrete direct by the plow and guiding the concrete onto the paving area, said discharge chute being mounted on a gimbal secured to said side discharge station for controlling the position of said discharge chute from said operator platform, and means moving the side discharge station along the length of the conveying means.

2. The concrete finishing machine of claim 1 wherein the leading end of the auger unit and the discharge chute are positioned for independent movement in a substantially parallel, fixed spaced relationship, the discharge chute located ahead of the leading end of the auger unit in relationship to the direction of the framework travel.

3. The concrete finishing machine of claim 1 which includes stirrups mounted on opposite sides of the discharge chute for placement of the feet of the operator whereby the operator can direct the deposition of concrete onto the paving area by his feet moving the discharge chute.

4. The concrete finishing machine of claim 1 wherein the operator platform includes a control panel for centrally controlling the operation of means for moving the framework, means for moving the carriage, means for driving the auger unit, means for conveying the means for moving the side discharge station.

5. The concrete finishing machine of claim 1 wherein the conveying means includes an elongated conveyor mounted on a frame, the frame having spaced parallel support members extending the length of the conveyor and supported by the track engaging end sections of the concrete finishing machine, the side discharge station having roller means engaging the support members, the roller means mounted on a shaft journalled to the side discharge station, the shaft rotatably driven by drive means for moving the side discharge station along the length of the conveyor.

6. The concrete finishing machine of claim 1 including at least one retractable concrete vibrator mounted on the side discharge station and means for driving the vibrator, the vibrator retractably extending into the concrete placed from the discharge chute to assist the consolidation of the concrete.

7. The concrete finishing machine of claim 2 wherein said leading end has a helically arranged blade for plowing excess concrete forward in the direction of framework travel, wherein said trailing end has a helically arranged blade with an outer edge, a continuous band attached to the outer edge for contacting the concrete surface at a desired grade, the trailing portion adapted to plow excess concrete forward to the leading portion and to assist in finishing off the concrete.

8. The concrete finishing machine of claim 7 having first and second auger units in a substantially parallel spaced relationship, the helically arranged blades of the first auger unit rotating in a clockwise direction and the helically arranged blades of the second auger unit rotating in a counterclockwise direction.

9. The concrete finishing machine of claim 8 including at least one retractable concrete vibrator and means for driving the vibrator mounted on the carriage, the vibrator positioned intermediate the leading portions of the first and second auger units and retractably extending into the concrete to assist the consolidation of the concrete.

10. The concrete finishing machine of claim 9 wherein the vibrator includes means for plunging the vibrators alternately in and out of the concrete as the carriage moves along the length of the framework.

11. The concrete finishing machine of claim 8 wherein the finishing member has drive means attached thereto for alternately moving the finishing member between first and second positions, the finishing member substantially aligned along the axis defined by the first auger unit in the first position, the finishing member substantially aligned along the axis defined by the second auger unit in the second position.

12. The concrete finishing machine of claim 7 wherein the helically arranged blades of the leading and trailing portions of the auger unit are mounted on one substantially horizontal shaft journalled on the carriage, the blades of the leading portion having an outer edge positioned in a fixed spaced relationship with the desired grade for leaving a defined excess amount of concrete to be handled by the trailing portion of the auger unit, whereby the trailing portion will spread the excess concrete to fill voids and plow the remaining excess concrete forward toward the leading portion.

13. The concrete finishing machine of claim 12 wherein the fixed spaced relationship between the outer edge of the blades of the leading portion and the desired grade is at least 3/8-inches.

14. The concrete finishing machine of claim 7 wherein the means for moving the carriage includes spaced parallel track members attached to the framework, the track members substantially aligned with the framework axis and extending the length of the framework, a fixed chain mounted along the length of each of the track members, roller means engaging each of the track members and connecting the carriage to the track members, a shaft extending between the track members and aligned substantially perpendicular to the framework axis, the shaft journalled to the carriage and having fixed sprockets engaging the chains of each track member, the shaft rotatably driven by drive means for moving the carriage through the coaction of the sprocket and roller means along the length of the track members.

15. A concrete finishing machine comprising, in combination:

connected truss members forming a framework, the framework mounted transversely over a paving area to be paved with concrete and defining an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of framework travel, the framework having a cross section substantially parallel to the direction of framework travel, the cross section defining a substantially triangular shape, the framework further having track engaging end sections to support the framework;

the track engaging end sections having at least two legs and rollers adapted to travel on a track for moving the framework in the direction of framework travel, means for moving the rollers mounted on the end sections, the end sections having adjustment means to maintain a desired grade during skewed movement of the framework axis relative to an axis perpendicular to the direction of framework travel;

a carriage movably attached to the framework for movement along the axis defined by the framework, means for moving the carriage along the length of the conveyor;

at least one auger unit rotatably mounted on the carriage, the auger unit having leading and trailing ends and defining an axis substantially aligned with the direction of framework travel, means on the carriage for driving the auger unit to plow excess concrete forward in the direction of framework travel;

a finishing member attached to the carriage and having a substantially horizontal surface for engaging and finishing the concrete surface at a desired grade, the finishing member positioned adjacent to the trailing end of the auger unit in a following relationship relative to the direction of frame travel; and

means for conveying concrete mounted on the framework and substantially aligned with the axis defined by the framework, the conveying means having a side discharge station movably mounted thereon for directing concrete from the conveying means to the paving area along the length of the conveying means, the side discharge station having an operator platform for carrying an operator of the concrete finishing machine, a plow for directing the concrete from the conveying means, a discharge chute for receiving the concrete directed by the plow and guiding the concrete onto the paving area, said discharge chute being mounted on a gimbal secured to said side discharge station for controlling the position of the discharge chute from said operator platform and means for moving the side discharge station along the length of the conveying means.

16. The concrete finishing machine of claim 15 wherein the track engaging end sections have means for raising and lowering the end sections.

17. The concrete finishing machine of claim 15 wherein the adjustment means of each end section includes first and second slidable connections connecting the end section to the framework and an alignment member mounted on the end section intermediate the first and second slidable connections, each slidable connection including a slide attached to the framework and an arm assembly attached to the end section, the arm assembly having roller means for slidably engaging the slide, the alignment member connecting the legs of the end section and having arms attached to the legs and a slide member connecting the arms, the arms having roller means for slidably engaging the slide member.

18. The concrete finishing machine of claim 17 including turnbuckles connecting each arm assembly to the end section.

19. A concrete finishing machine comprising, in combination:

connected truss members forming a framework, the framework mounted transversely over a paving area to be paved with concrete and defining an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of framework travel, the framework having a cross section substantially parallel to the direction of framework travel, the cross section defining a substantially triangular shape, the framework further having track engaging end sections to support the framework;

the track engaging end sections having at least two legs and rollers adapted to travel on a track for moving the framework in the direction of framework travel, means for moving the rollers mounted on the end sections;

first and second slidable connections connecting the end section to the framework and an alignment member mounted on the end section for accommodating skewed movement of the framework axis relative to an axis perpendicular to the direction of framework travel, each slidable connection including a slide attached to the framework and an arm assembly attached to the end section, the arm assembly having roller means for slidably engaging the slide, the alignment member positioned intermediate the first and second slidable connections and connecting the legs of the end sections, the alignment member further having arms attached to the legs and a slide member attaching the arms, the arms having roller means for slidably engaging the slide member;

a carriage movably attached to the framework for movement along the axis defined by the framework, means for moving the carriage along the length of the framework;

first and second auger units rotatably mounted on the carriage in a substantially parallel spaced relationship, each auger unit having leading and trailing portions on an axis substantially aligned with the direction of framework travel, the leading portion having a helically arranged blade for plowing excess concrete forward in the direction of framework travel, the trailing portion having a helically arranged blade with an outer edge, a continuous band attached to the outer edge for contacting the concrete surface at a desired grade, the trailing portion adapted to plow excess concrete forward to the leading portion and to assist in finishing off the concrete, the helically arranged blades of the first auger unit rotating in a clockwise direction and the helically arranged blades of the second auger unit rotating in a counterclockwise direction;

a finishing member attached to the carriage and having a substantially horizontal surface for engaging and finishing the concrete surface at a desired grade, the finishing member positioned adjacent to the trailing portion of the auger units in a following relationship relative to the direction of framework travel, the finishing member further having drive means attached thereto for alternately moving the finishing member between first and second positions, the finishing member substantially aligned along the axis defined by the first auger unit in the first position, the finishing member substantially aligned along the axis defined by the second auger unit in the second position; and

means for conveying concrete mounted on the framework and substantially aligned with the axis defined by the framework, the conveying means having a side discharge station movably mounted thereon for directing concrete from the conveying means to the paving area along the length of the conveying means, the side discharge station having a plow for directing the concrete from the conveying means, a discharge chute for receiving the concrete directed by the plow and guiding the concrete onto the paving area, and means for moving the side discharge station along the length of the conveying means.

20. The concrete finishing machine of claim 19 wherein the forward portions of the auger units and the discharge chute are positioned for independent movement in a substantially parallel, fixed spaced relationship, the discharge chute located ahead of the leading portions of the auger units in relationship to the direction of the framework travel.

21. The concrete finishing machine of claim 19 wherein the side discharge station includes an operator platform for carrying an operator of the concrete finishing machine, the discharge chute having a flexible portion with sides, stirrups mounted on opposite sides of the flexible portion for placement of the feet of the operator whereby the operator can direct the deposition of concrete onto the paving area by his feet moving the flexible portion of the discharge chute.

22. The concrete finishing machine of claim 19 wherein the helically arranged blades of the leading and trailing portions of each auger unit are mounted on one substantially horizontal shaft journalled on the carriage, the blades of the leading portion having an outer edge positioned in a fixed spaced relationship with the desired grade for leaving a defined excess amount of concrete to be handled by the trailing portion of the auger unit, whereby the trailing portion will spread the excess concrete to fill voids and plow the remaining excess concrete forward toward the leading portion.

23. The concrete finishing machine of claim 22 wherein the fixed spaced relationship between the outer edge of the blades of the leading portion and the desired grade is at least 3/8-inches.

24. The concrete finishing machine of claim 19 wherein the means for moving the carriage includes spaced parallel track members attached to the framework, the track members substantially aligned with the framework axis and extending the length of the framework, a fixed chain mounted along the length of each of the track members, roller means engaging each of the track members and connecting the carriage to the track members, a shaft extending between the track members and aligned substantially perpendicular to the framework axis, the shaft journalled to the carriage and having fixed sprockets engaging the chains of each track member, the shaft rotatably driven by drive means for moving the carriage through the coaction of the sprocket and roller means along the length of the track members.

25. The concrete finishing machine of claim 19 including at least one retractable concrete vibrator and means for driving the vibrator mounted on the carriage, the vibrator positioned intermediate the leading portions of the first and second auger units and retractably extending into the concrete to assist the consolidation of the concrete.

26. The concrete finishing machine of claim 25 wherein the vibrator includes means for plunging the vibrators alternately in and out of the concrete as the carriage moves along the length of the framework.