Other

Somero Enterprise, Inc.

Paul J Somero

Philip J Quenzi

David W Somero

William W Niemela

A deflection indicating adjustable highway straight-edge. The highway straight-edge is designed to effectively level wet concrete by allowing the user to determine when the device is not straight and provides the user with a means of controlled adjustment for straightening. In the preferred embodiment, a laser light beam and electronic sensing device is used to detect deflection of the straight-edge. Undesirable deflection can be eliminated through the external adjustment of steel tension cables inside the straight-edge tube. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, deflection is detected by means of an electrically conducting wire having contact points to indicate that the straight-edge requires adjustment. In another embodiment, a steel wire or string line stretched tightly inside the straight-edge tube indicates deflection requiring adjustment.

Deflection indicating adjustable highway straight-edge

An apparatus and method are disclosed for pivoting a screed assembly during screeding of placed and/or poured, uncured concrete or like loose, spreadable materials to maintain proper screeding contact by the screeding assembly with the concrete or like material by counteracting the force of concrete or other like material acting against the screed assembly as it is moved along the concrete. The apparatus includes a support, preferably of the self-propelled type, a boom and boom mount, and a pivot between the boom and the screed assembly. The axis of the pivot extends generally perpendicularly to the screeding direction in which the screed sassmblyis moved. A power source, such as a pair of fluid cylinders, rotates the screed about the pivot axis, preferably in response to an electro-hydraulic leveling sensor mounted on the screed. The lateral incline of the screed perpendicular to the screeding direction may be controlled about additional pivot axes orthogonal to the first. A power operated elevation control is preferably responsive to a fixed laser beam reference plane positioned externally of the screed assembly. The boom is telescoping and has multiple sections for extending and retracting the screeding assembly with respect to the support. The screed preferably includes a vibration assembly vibrationally isolated from the remainder of the screed for smoothing the concrete.

Screeding apparatus and method

A self-propelled apparatus and method are disclosed for screeding placed and/or poured, uncured concrete or like loose, spreadable materials without use of prepositioned guides or rails. The apparatus includes a frame supported on hydraulically drive, steerable wheels, a cantilevered boom mounted on the frame, and a hydraulically driven, auger-type, vibratory screed either fixedly mounted or mounted for movement along the boom to spread and smooth the concrete as the screed is moved toward the vehicle. Screed control means are included for automatically adjusting the elevation of the screed relative to a laser beacon reference plane positioned off the apparatus such that the finished height of the concrete or other material is controlled within close tolerances. Preferably, the boom is rotatably mounted on the frame and also may be extended and retracted to properly position the screed and ease movement of the vehicle around fixed obstacles. The boom may also be pivoted vertically for screeding sloped surfaces. The method includes propelling the vehicle through uncured concrete or like material while screeding behind the vehicle. Also encompassed is the method of screeding by moving the screed toward the vehicle at a controlled rate.

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New Ipswich, NH, United States of America

Paul J Somero