WO1998009040A1

WO1998009040A1 - Hovering concrete finishing machine

Info

Publication number: WO1998009040A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000550
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Peter Burgess
Original assignee: Stephen Peter Burgess
Priority date: 1996-08-28
Filing date: 1997-08-28
Publication date: 1998-03-05
Also published as: AUPO192196A0

Abstract

A finishing machine for finishing a poured surface utilises an air cushion to traverse the poured surface (14) without permitting the machine from contacting the surface (14). The finishing machine includes a wing-type platform (12), a turntable assembly (15) rotatable about the wing-type platform (12), a first motor member (2) for providing rotation of a first fan member (3) to produce a forceful stream of gas in the vertical direction to lift the machine above the poured surface (14), a second motor member (4) operatively coupled to a second fan member (15) for producing a forceful stream of gas in the horizontal direction to propel the machine along the surface (14). A rudder member (6) mounted on the turntable assembly (15) and engaged by the stream of gas provided by the second fan member (5) to provide directional control of the machine. A finishing member (11) mounted to the wing type-platform (12) engages the poured surface (14) to finish the surface during movement of the machine across the surface.

Description

HOVERING CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION. The present invention relates to a hovering concrete trowelling machine. More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates to a propeller driven hovering craft or machine adapted to finish the surface of freshly poured concrete.

Hand operated levels and screeds (a straight edge) and trowels are known to be maneuvered across freshly poured concrete slabs by handles, extension handles, power equipment, cables and other devices to change the raw concrete surface from an unfinished to a specified concrete finish. However, such machanical and hand operated implements have limitations. For example, to perform any work upon freshly poured concrete which was beyond the reach of an extension handle or scaffold, the user had to wait until a certain hardness was achieved in the concrete surface for it to support the weight of the user for any work on the concrete surface to take place This delay leads to extended periods of waiting for this hardness to come about Mechanical operated finishing of concrete is done by, what is known as a trowelling machine. These machines may weight from 60kg to in excess of 600kg, plus the operator's weight. It is at the very least, under normal circumstances, several hours before freshly poured concrete reaches a certain hardness and is able to support such weights. These finishing machines have a circular motion which, especially at the early stages of finishing, tend to push the surface out of shape or profile. The heavier the machine, the more likely it is for this to happen, so the longer the wait before the surface may be treated. These factors add more problems in the concreting workplace Concrete sets quicker when engaging a wall and such areas may be ready for finishing but, you may have to cross over an unset area to reach the area adjacent the wall. This usually results in the wetter concrete surface having foot prints or lumps and bumps of some kind that must be removed.

Water which bleads from a freshly poured mix has to be let lay, thereby insulating the surface and prolonging the drying period until the concrete can support the weight of a man who will them remove it with a squeegee but leave behind his footprints

Thus, there are may difficulties that need to be considered while finishing concrete, and these difficulties are overcome by an air cushioned vehicle or hovercraft in accordance with the present invention SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to overcome and substantially ameliorate the above and other disadvantages of mechanical and hand operated trowels, screeds and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to compliment existing trowels, replace them in certain circumstances and perform mechanical trowelling where currently the accepted practice is via a hand manipulated trowel.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and unique hovering concrete finishing machine.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel and unique hovering concrete trowelling machine.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and unique hovering machine which is capable of removing water from a surface. The present invention relates to a hovering concrete trowelling machine comprising a wing-type platform, a turntable assembly which rotates above the wing-type platform at

360degrees, a drive motor for providing rotation to a first fan or thrust producing member mounted in the centre of the wing-type platform, to thereby produce a forceful stream of gas in the vertical direction to lift the machine above the surface of the concrete. A second fan or thrust producing member is mounted to the machine frame or housing. The second fan member is mounted to the wing-type platform and operatively connected to a drive motor to produce a forceful stream of gas in the horizontal direction to propel the machine along the concrete surface. In accordance with the present invention, a rudder means or member is pivotally mounted and aligned with the trust of air from the second fan member to provide directional control of the machine.

A trowel or a float-type implement member or other type finishing or texturing implement may be mounted, as desired, to the frame or housing of the machine via appropriate linkages for engagement with the surface of the concrete to finish the same. Additionally, the present invention involved a hovering concrete finishing machine which includes a trowel or float implement member adapted to be positioned to engage a freshly poured concrete surface to finish the concrete surface. These machines include a turntable assembly and frame which rotates about 360 degrees above the wing-type platform and include thrust producing devices mounted above the wing-type platform and adapted to produce individual forceful streams of gas, one vertically and one horizontally Control means is provided to steer and control the horizontal thrust producing member on the machine in a desired direction over the concrete surface and is provided to control the other thrust producing member and the accompanying stream of gas vertically directed underneath the wing portion and the concrete surface to vertically lift the machine over the concrete surface Such a control means includes a steering mechanism adapted to produce rotation of the turntable assembly and frame and the resultant thrust producing member with respect to the wing type portion and the stream of gas travelling in the vertical direction Preferably, the trust producing members are fans or propellers, one producing a horizontal stream of gas and the other producing a vertical stream of gas Both propellers are motor driven either with electric or petrol motors, as desired In another embodiment of the present invention, the trust producing fan member, mounted to the turntable assembly and frame, and which provides the horizontal stream of gas, is pivotally mounted to the assembly and frame is rotatable about 180 degrees with respect to the frame. The rotation of the frame member changes the direction of the machine and provide a means of control of the machine By providing a cushion of air between the freshly poured concrete surface and the machine, the user may access the concrete at almost anytime during the drying process while only applying weight to the surface by choice This method of finishing concrete in this manner provides a variety of choices as the existing or new tool implement applied to the job The tools or implements may include a straight-edge for the levelling of concrete, a trowel for the finishing of the concrete surface, or a squeegee for the removal of water All of these tools may be adapted to the machine via a universal fitting The machine permits multiple tasks with greatly increased access to a surface Another feature of the present invention is that when using it with a trowel attached, the finishing is not dependent on a circular motion of the actual trowels against the concrete Thus, a better and flatter finished surface is achieved

The design of the hovering concrete machine is such that the machine does not have a designated front or rear thereby maximising maneuverability for a machine of this type The operator has a choice of three different methods of steering the craft so that he is able to move forward, backward and left or right, or any other angle desired. 95 Additionally, if it is desired to remove standing water from the concrete or an athletic surface, the hovering machine may utilize the vertical thrust producing device to drive off the water from the west surface.

The invention consists of certain novel features and structural details hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the

100 appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For the purposes of facilitating and understanding of the present invention, there is

105 illustrated in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments thereof, from an inspection, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages will be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a hovering concrete trowelling machine in 110 accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic plan view of the mechanism for rotating the turntable member of FIG 1;

FIG 3 is a schematic top plan view of the hovering concrete trowelling machine in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 115 FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic top plan view of the mechanism for rotating the turntable member of FIG. 3,

FIG 5 is an schematic top plan view of the control for the horizontal forward propulsion of the machine of FIG. 3,

FIG 6 is a sectional plan view of the adjustment mechanism and tubular skirt 120 member of the hovering machine of FIG. 3,

FIG 7 is a partial sectional plan view of the adjustment mechanism of the machine of FIG. 6, and

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a hovering machine in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT.

The drawings illustrate and depict a hovering concrete trowelling or finishing machines 20, which include a wing-type platform or frame portion 12 which is necessary for the operation of the machines. The wing-type platform 12 permits and directs a vertical

130 gas flow which provides a cushion of air between the platforms lower surface 12a and the freshly poured concrete surface 14a of the concrete 14.

A motor 2 is operatively coupled by a shaft 19 to a first fan or thrust member 3 which is mounted substantially in the centre of the machine 20 to rotate the fan 3 to thereby provide a cushion of air between the wing type platform 12 and the freshly poured concrete 135 surface 14a. Turntable members 8 and 9 are included as part of a turntable assembly 15. Turntable member 8 is fixedly mounted to the wing type platform 12 while turntable member 9 is mounted to a bearing 30, preferably a cross roller bearing, mounted to member

8 or to the frame or housing 22, which permits member 9 to turn left or right in complete revolutions independently of turntable member 8 and the frame 12, as desired. The member

140 9 supports the operator 1. This operative relationship provides the steering control of the machine.

As shown in FIG. 1 . The turntable member 8 includes a bearing member 30, which encloses the shaft 19 extending from motor 2 to fan member 3 and which supports member 9. As shown in FIG. 2, turntable member 9 may be rotated with respect to turntable 45 member 8 via a motor 7 mounted to the frame or housing 22 and operatively coupled to and powering a gear 13 which meshes with gear edge (not shown) of turntable 8. This provides one means and method of controlling the machine. In another form of control, the operator 1 using leg, arm or body pressure may manually rotate turntable member 9 about member 8, as desired. 50 A trowel or finishing member 11 is indirectly mounted to turntable member 9 via a linkage 10. Accordingly, the trowel member 1 1 follows the position of turntable member

9 relative to the wing-type platform 12 and turntable member 8.

The angle and pressure of the trowel 1 1 against the concrete 14a is controlled via the linkage 10 by operator 1. While the trowel 11 may have different dimensions and 55 configurations, the engaging surface of trowel 1 1 is adapted to substantially float upon the concrete surface 14a when the machine is suspended over the concrete

A motor 4 is provided and drives second fan member 5, both of which are mounted to turntable member 9 At the command of the operator 1, a forceful stream of gas produced by the second fan member 5 provides the forward power to move the hovering

160 trowelling concrete machine 20 across the freshly poured concrete surface 14a. A rudder member 6 is controlled via a linkage control member 13 by the operator 1 The rudder 6 is mounted and aligned to be engaged by the forceful stream of gas created by second fan member 5

In operation, power plant or motor 2 is activated to rotate first fan member 3

165 thereby producing a forceful stream of gas which is trapped between the concrete surface 14a and the lower surface 12a of the wing-type platform 12 thereby providing a cushion of air between the concrete 14 and the platform 12 to lift the hovering machine above the concrete surface 14a By activating power plant or motor 4 to rotate the second fan member 5, a forceful stream of gas is produced in the horizontal direction The speed of fan

170 member 5 is increased and controlled to provide a forceful stream of gas that is able to overcome the drag of the trowel 11 on the concrete surface 14 thereby resulting in forward movement of the trowel 11 and the hovering machine 20 over the concrete surface 14a The continued action of the trowel 1 1 engaging the concrete surface 14a provides the desired trowelling, finishing or texturing of the concrete surface.

175 In the present invention, when a change of direction of machine 20 is required, motor 7 is activated to turn turntable member 9 with respect to turntable member 8 via gear 13, as specifically shown in FIG. 2 The turntable 9 and the second fan member 5 are now in a new position in relation to the wing-type platform 12 Accordingly, the machine 20 is positioned and travelling in a new direction Thus, the operator 1 may drive down to a dead

180 end section of concrete, whereupon fan member 5 is rotated by rotating member 9 with respect to turntable 8 The new position permits the user to simply drive in and then simply drive out of corners or ends of the concrete surface A change of direction of the machine may also be effected by the angled movement of rudder member 6 or members against the forceful stream of gas created by second fan member 5 This has the effect of steering the

185 hovering concrete trowelling machine 20 to the left or the right over the concrete surface 14a, as desired At the centre of wing-type platform 12, a circular void or opening 18 is provided which allows the vertical stream of gas from the first fan or propeller 3 to enter the space between the concrete surface 14a and the underside of the platform and wing member 17

190 (FIG. 1). The underside of the wing-type platform 12 may include a cylindrical shaped pipe or tube 25 which is secured to the corners of the wing-type platform 12, as shown in FIGS 3, AND 6-8. The means for attachment of the cylindrical shaped pipe or tube 25 to the wing-type platform 12 is through members 29, which control the amount of free movement between the platform 12 and the tube 25 to accommodate a different consistency of

195 concrete mix or the attachment of other tools to the finishing machine 20.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-8, a flexible skirt 24, comprising of any material, which is flexible and air impervious, is utilized to seal the pipe 25 to the wing-type platform 12. Is utilisation of a flexible skirt 24 permits the operator to transfer weight on the upper surface of the wing-type platform 12 without unduly effecting the cylindrical

200 shaped pipe against the concrete surface. The flexible skirt provides increase lift performance, creates a trowel on all sides of the machine and allows for easy attachment of the cylindrical shaped pipe to the wing-type platform. For example, a sipper may be sewn in the flexible skirt for removal and this permits that after daily usage the skirt may be removed for easy cleaning of the cylindrical shaped pipe.

205 Turntable 9 or the frame or housing 22 (FIGS. 2-8) is attached to the wing-type platform 12 to permit the turntable 9 to rotate in all directions. In FIGS.2-8, the frame or housing 22 is provided to hold the necessary hardware in place for the rotation of the components the upper housing or frame with respect to the wing-type platform 12. This hardware includes the power plant 4, the second fan member 5, the power plant 2, the first

210 fan member 3, the user 1 of the machine, as well as seat 28. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame or housing 22 is mounted to the bearing 30 which is supported by support members 27 (FIG. 4) over the void or opening 18 in the wing-type platform 12. As shown in FIG. 4, attached to the ends of the frame 22 are wheels 26 which rest upon the upper surface of the wing-type platform 12. Preferably, the wheels 26 are of a pneumatic type which are able

215 to transfer weight that is carried on the bearing 30 to strategic points on the wing-type platform. Additionally, the wheels provide stability to the overall structure of the machine and the relationship between the wheels 26 and the upper surface of the wing type platform 12. Thus, the bearing 30, the frame or housing 22 and wheels 26 provide for an upper turntable relationship with respect to the wing-type platform 12. Located outwardly of

220 wheels 26 are motors 7 which provide for forward and reverse rotation to wheels 26 and, thus, rotation of the frame or housing 22 with respect to wing-type platform 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bearing 30 is positioned on the support frame or bridge 27 over the opening 18 of the upper wing-type portion 12. The upper frame or housing 22 with all the associated equipment necessary to operate the machine is mounted on the bearing.

225 This equipment includes an operator 1, a seat 28, a power plant 2, a fan 3, a horizontal fan 5, rudders 6, as well as a power plant 4 for driving the horizontal fan 5. Linkage 13 is provided between the operator 1 and the rudder system 6 to control the same. A throttle control 23 for the power plant 4 is utilized to control the forward thrust of the machine 20. Finally, a control box 32 is provided for controlling the forward and reverse of motors 7

230 which are connected to the wheels 26. Thus, as shown in FIG 3, the entire frame 22 and equipment rotate with respect to the wing-type platform 12. In FIG. 8, the upper frame 22 is mounted on the bearing 30 which is positioned on the power plant 2, which rests on bridge 27. In such an assembly, the power plant 2 and fan 3 do not rotate while the remaining elements, as set forth above, rotate with respect to the win-type platform 12.

235 The specific mounting of the bearing 30 upon the bridge or struts 27 is shown in

FIG. 4 and the schematic controls of the present machine is shown in FIG. 5 which involves a linkage 13 between the operator 1 and the rudder system 6 as well as the relationship of the power plant 4 which powers the horizontal fan 5.

In use, the power plant 2 is activated to produce rotation of propeller 3 where upon

240 a forceful stream of gas is trapped between the concrete surface 14a and either the wing 17 (FIG. 1) or between the wing-type platform and the skirt 24 and cylindrical pipe 25 thereby providing a cushion of air between the machine and the treated surface. It is important to note that power plants 2 and 4 are preferably, petrol driven, but they could be electrically driven. When power plant 4 is actuated, this produces rotation of propeller 5 by the control

245 adjustment by the control member and appropriate speed may be induced in propeller 5. Once a desired thrust is achieved by propeller 5, the friction of the power thrust member 11 upon the concrete is overcome and the machine and trowel 11 will begin to traverse the freshly poured concrete surface 14a. When a change of direction is required, the electric motor 7 may be activated to turn either gear 13 or wheels 26 to effect a change or 250 orientation of turntable 9 or housing 22 with respect to the wing- type platform 12

Accordingly, the directional thrust induced by propeller 5 is altered to effect steering of the machine 20 in the desired direction.

It is within the scope of the present invention that the hovering machine 20 ha a utilisation beyond texturing or finishing a surface of concrete. For example, the hovering 255 machine could be utilised as a device for drying and removing water from an athletic sports surface by utilising the downward and outward force of the air escaping the gap between the cylindrical shaped pipe and the wet surface, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3

Additionally, variations on the relation ship between turntable 8 and 9 as well as the relationship between the frame or housing 22 and the wing- type platform 12 are numerous 260 The number of trowels or finishing tools may be installed by include front, back and sides of the machine and it is envisioned that the invention might compliment other mechanical finishing equipment.

If should be appreciated that modifications, alterations obvious to those skilled in the art and not considered as beyond the scope of the present invention It is envisioned that 265 the invention disclosed herein might compliment other mechanical finishing equipment, for example a broom or the like may be attached to give the concrete a textured finish, additionally a rubber squeegee may be attached for the removal of surface water from either the concrete or from the wet athletic surface .

Claims

I CLAIM: 270 1 A concrete finishing machine for finishing a poured concrete surface utilizes an air cushion to traverse the poured surface without permitting the machine from contacting the concrete surface.

2. The concrete finishing machine in accordance with claim 1, including; a wing-type platform, 275 a turntable assembly rotatable above said wing-type platform between 0 to 360 degrees, a first motor member for providing rotation of a first fan member thereby producing a forceful stream of gas in the vertical direction to lift the machine above the surface of the concrete; a second motor member operatively coupled to a second fan member mounted on said 280 turntable assembly for producing a forceful stream of gas in the horizontal direction to propel the machine along the concrete surface; a rudder member mounted on said turntable assembly and engaging by said forceful stream of gas provided by said second fan member to provide directional control of the machine; and 285 a finishing member mounted to said wing-type platform which engages the surface of the concrete to finish the same during movement of the machine across the concrete surface. 3 The concrete finishing machine in accordance with claim 2, wherein wing-type platform includes a tubular member attached thereto which defines an air cushion cavity to permit travel across the poured surface. 290 4 The concrete finishing machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein said tubular member is sealingly attached to said wing-type platform

5 The concrete finishing machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein said tubular member is sealingly attached to said wing- type platform by a flexible shirt member.

6 The concrete finishing machine in accordance with claim 1 including 295 a wing-type platform, a support frame rotatable above said wing-type platform between 0 to 360 degrees, a first motor member for providing rotation of a first fan member thereby producing a forceful stream of gas in the vertical direction to lift the machine above the surface of the concrete. 300 a second motor member operatively coupled to a second fan member mounted on said turntable assembly for producing a forceful stream of gas in the horizontal direction to propel the machine along the concrete surface, a rudder member mounted on said turntable assembly and engaging by said forceful stream of gas provided by said second fan member to provide directional control of the machine;

305 and a finishing member mounted to said wing-type platform which engages the surface of the concrete to finish the same during movement of the machine across the concrete surface.

7. The concrete finishing machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said support frame is mounted to a bearing supported by said wing-type platform to permit rotation

310 thereof.

8. A machine for removing water from a wet surface utilises an air cushion to traverse the wet surface to remove water therefrom without permitting the machine from contacting the wet surface.

9. The machine in accordance with claim 8 including: a wing-type platform; a 315 support frame rotatable above said wing-type platform between 0 to 360 degrees; a first motor member for providing rotation of a first fan member thereby producing a forceful stream of gas in the vertical direction to lift the machine above the surface of the concrete; a second motor member operatively coupled to a second fan member mounted on said turntable assembly for producing a forceful stream of gas in the horizontal direction to 320 propel the machine along the concrete surface, a rudder member mounted on said turntable assembly and engaging by said forceful stream of gas provided by said second fan member to provide directional control of the machine; and a tubular member mounted to said wing- type platform which defines an air cushion cavity which permits travel across a wet surface to remove water therefrom.