Concrete finishing float with rear fitting bar

• US 4,892,437 A
• Filed: 05/23/1988
• Issued: 01/09/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kraft Tool Company
• Original Assignee: Simon Kraft
• Inventors: Kraft, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Massie, IV, Jerome W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spahn, Gay Ann
• Application Number:
  US07/197,279
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 404/97, 404/114, 404/118-120, 15/235.4, 15/235.5, 15/235.8, 15/144 R, 425/458
• US Class Current: 404/97
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 21/244 with means to adjust the working angle of the leveling blade or plate

Abstract

A concrete finishing float for finishing wet concrete consists of a long, detachable handle assembly which is attached to a float by means of an incline adjusting mechanism. This mechanism allows the user from a remote location by the use of a long handled shaft to alter the incline of the float in relation to the handle assembly while the float is in use by axially rotating the handle assembly. The incline adjusting mechanism includes a rod which connects the handle receiving member to the float. Axial rotation of the handle causes the rod to move the float relative to the handle.

Claims

1. A tilting mechanism for an elongated concrete finishing float having a forward edge and a rear edge, comprising:

(a) support means adapted for mounting on said float;

said support means having an upper portion and a lower portion, a hinge connecting said support means upper portion to said support means lower portion for tilting motion therebetween along an axis running generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said float;

(b) an elongated shaft, rotatable connecting means for connecting said shaft to said support means upper portion whereby said shaft extends generally transversely and rearwardly of said float; and

(c) a link having a first end and a second end, said link first end being adapted for pivotal connection to said shaft at a position spaced rearwardly from said rotatable connecting means;

said link second end being adapted for pivotal connection below and rearwardly of said hinge for movement with said support means lower portion;

(d) stop means which are associated with said hinge means;

said stop means comprising inclined stops abutting each outer side of said support means lower portion;

said inclined stops having upper stop surfaces;

said support means upper portion having lower stops surfaces for stopping engagement with said upper stop surfaces; and

(e) whereby rotational movement of said shaft produces tilting between said support means upper and lower portions which translates into tilting motion of said float with respect to said shaft.

2. The tilting mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said link is adjustable in length.

3. The tilting mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) a ball joint is provided on at least one of said link ends to facilitate universal movement between said link and structure to which it is pivotally connected.

4. A tilting mechanism for a concrete finishing float having a forward edge and a rear edge, comprising:

(a) support means adapted for mounting on said float;

said support means having an upper portion and a lower portion, a hinge connecting said support means upper portion to said support means lower portion for tilting motion therebetween along an axis running generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said float;

(b) an elongated shaft, rotable connecting means for connecting said shaft to said support means upper portion whereby said shaft extends generally transversely and rearwardly of said float;

(c) a link having first and second ends adapted for pivotal connection with respect to said support means above and below said hinge; and

(d) positive stop means limiting the tilting motion between said support means upper and lower portions;

said stop means comprising inclined stops abuting each outer side of said support means lower portion;

said inclined stops having upper stop surfaces;

said support means upper portion having lower stop surfaces for stopping engagement with said upper stop surfaces;

(e) whereby rotational movement of said shaft produces limited tilting between said support means upper and lower portions which translates into limited tilting motion of said float with respect to said shaft.

5. The tilting mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

(a) said upper and lower stop surfaces extend both forwardly and rearwardly of said hinge, thereby providing positive stop means upon tilting motion of said support means upper and lower portions in opposite directions.

6. A float mechanism for concrete finishing, said float mechanism including an elongated float having a forward edge and a rear edge:

(a) said float mechanism further including an elongated shaft;

(b) support means adapted for mounting said float to said shaft, said support means having an upper portion and a lower portion, a hinge connecting said support means upper portion to said support means lower portion for tilting motion of said float with respect to said shaft along an axis running generally parallel to said float;

said support means lower portion being removably secured to said float, hinge stop means on said support means for said stop means comprising inclined stops abuting each outer side of said support means lower portion;

said inclined stops having upper stop surfaces;

said support means upper portion having lower stop surfaces for stopping engagement with said upper stop surfaces;

(c) means rotatably connecting said shaft to said support means upper portion, said shaft extending transversely and rearwardly of said float; and

(d) a link having a first end and a second end, said link first end being pivotally connected to said shaft at a position spaced rearwardly from said hinge, said linkage second end being pivotally secured to said support means lower portion in a position spaced rearwardly from said hinge;

(e) whereby rotational movement of said shaft produces limited tilting between said upper and lower portions which translates to said tilting motion of said float with respect to said shaft.

7. The float mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first and second link ends include ball joints.

8. The float mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein said hinge stop means extends both forwardly and rearwardly of said hinge.