Roller for impressing patterns in a malleable surface having a replaceable shell thereon
First Claim
1. An apparatus for imprinting a pattern upon a malleable surface as said apparatus is rolled across said surface, said apparatus comprising:
- a hub constructed with a cylindrically-shaped frame for rotation about a rotational axis when pulled in a direction perpendicular to said axis;
means for pulling said hub in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the hub, thereby causing said hub to rotate; and
a cylindrically-shaped pattern forming shell, detachably mounted on said hub, having a plurality of ribs secured upon an outer periphery thereof, said ribs forming said desired pattern in the malleable surface when rolled thereacross, said shell being slidably received over said hub.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A roller assembly is provided for imprinting a pattern in a malleable surface wherein a hub is formed with a cylindrical frame receives a pattern forming shell thereon. The shell is formed of a thin cylindrical tube having a smooth interior surface and a raised ridged pattern on its exterior surface corresponding to the desired pattern. The shell includes a separation crack or seam extending longitudinally along its perimeter parallel to the rotational axis of the shell, to allow the shell to expand and receive the cylindrical hub therein. Within the cylindrical shell and along opposite sides of the crack or seam, is formed a support which includes latches to close the crack. When locked, these latches cause the diameter of the shell to contract and fit snugly against the cylindrical frame of the hub. The roller further includes a shaft positioned in front of and extending across a face of the roller. This shaft supports a roll of ultra-thin plastic which is unrolled simultaneously with the roller. This sheet of plastic is formed with sufficient elasticity and sufficiently thin to allow the roller to easily press the plastic into wet concrete. The ultra-thin plastic is extremely elastic in order that it may stretch around the contact points between the ridges formed on the rolling shell, thereby providing rounded edges along each groove formed in the concrete.
57 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for imprinting a pattern upon a malleable surface as said apparatus is rolled across said surface, said apparatus comprising:
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a hub constructed with a cylindrically-shaped frame for rotation about a rotational axis when pulled in a direction perpendicular to said axis; means for pulling said hub in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the hub, thereby causing said hub to rotate; and a cylindrically-shaped pattern forming shell, detachably mounted on said hub, having a plurality of ribs secured upon an outer periphery thereof, said ribs forming said desired pattern in the malleable surface when rolled thereacross, said shell being slidably received over said hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for imprinting a pattern upon a malleable surface as said apparatus is rolled across said surface, said apparatus comprising:
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a hub constructed with a cylindrically-shaped frame for rotation about a rotational axis when pulled in a direction perpendicular to said axis; and a plurality of ribs arranged in a cylindrical-shape, said ribs being slidably received over, and detachably mounted upon, said hub, said ribs forming said desired pattern in the malleable surface when rolled thereacross, said plurality of ribs including a seam traversing a length thereof to enable said ribs to expand and contract radially to engage frictionally and disengage said hub. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification