Screeding apparatus and components therefor

Abstract

Methods of screeding and screeding apparatus which are designed to be driven through poured, uncured concrete. Embodiments of the screeding apparatus are provided with novel wheels which can be moved through concrete both before and after screeding without requiring the re-screeding of the areas through which the wheels have passed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A screeding apparatus for leveling uncured concrete, said apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    a plurality of selectively rotatable wheels connected to said frame, at least one of said wheels comprising a plurality of circumferentially-offset arcuate surfaces and means for supporting said arcuate surfaces in horizontally spaced relation; and    an adjustable screed supported by said frame.    
     
     
         2 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said screed is disposed between at least two of said wheels.  
     
     
         3 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said wheels are pivotally connected to said frame.  
     
     
         4 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising means for vibrating said wheels.  
     
     
         5 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said vibrating means is adjustable.  
     
     
         6 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the frequency of said vibrating means is adjustable.  
     
     
         7 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the force imparted by said vibrating means is adjustable.  
     
     
         8 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 4  further comprising means for vibrating said screed.  
     
     
         9 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said screed vibrating means is adjustable.  
     
     
         10 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the frequency of said screed vibrating means is adjustable.  
     
     
         11 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the force imparted by said screed vibrating means is adjustable.  
     
     
         12 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising means for vibrating said screed.  
     
     
         13 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising means for rotating at least one of said wheels.  
     
     
         14 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said rotating means comprises a motor operatively connected to said wheel.  
     
     
         15 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said rotating means comprises a pneumatic drive mechanism.  
     
     
         16 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said frame is generally rectangular and said wheels are generally positioned at the corners of the rectangular frame.  
     
     
         17 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said arcuate surfaces of a wheel are circumferentially overlapping.  
     
     
         18 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said screed is vertically adjustable relative to said frame.  
     
     
         19 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said screed is angularly adjustable.  
     
     
         20 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a laser operated vertical control mechanism.  
     
     
         21 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  comprising at least three wheels.  
     
     
         22 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  comprising at least four wheels.  
     
     
         23 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a plow.  
     
     
         24 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 23  further comprising an auger.  
     
     
         25 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising an auger.  
     
     
         26 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 1  comprising at least three wheels, a forwardly disposed plow, and an auger disposed rearwardly of said plow and forwardly of said screed.  
     
     
         27 . A wheel for use with a screeding apparatus for screeding uncured concrete, said wheel comprising: 
 a plurality of generally arcuate surfaces; and    means for supporting at least two of said arcuate surfaces in a circumferentially offset and horizontally spaced-apart relation.    
     
     
         28 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein said supporting means comprises a plurality of radially extending elongated members linked to said arcuate surfaces.  
     
     
         29 . A wheel according to  claim 27  comprising at least four arcuate surfaces.  
     
     
         30 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein said arcuate surfaces are spaced at least about 1 inch.  
     
     
         31 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein said arcuate surfaces are spaced at least about  1-½  inches.  
     
     
         32 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein said arcuate surfaces define a circumferential support comprising a diameter of at least about 12 inches.  
     
     
         33 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein said arcuate surfaces define a circumferential support comprising a diameter of at least about 15 inches.  
     
     
         34 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein said arcuate surfaces define a circumferential support comprising a diameter of at least about 24 inches.  
     
     
         35 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein said arcuate surfaces comprise circular cross-sections.  
     
     
         36 . A wheel according to  claim 35  wherein said circular cross-sections comprises a diameter of at least about ½ inch.  
     
     
         37 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein two adjacent arcuate portions collectively extend circumferentially at least about 180 degrees.  
     
     
         38 . A wheel according to  claim 27  wherein two adjacent arcuate portions collectively extend circumferentially more than 180 degrees.  
     
     
         39 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein said arcuate surfaces of are circumferentially overlapping.  
     
     
         40 . A screeding apparatus for leveling uncured concrete comprising: 
 means for leveling uncured concrete;    a plurality of rotatable supports for movably supporting said leveling means; and    means for selectively vibrating at least one of said rotatable supports.    
     
     
         41 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises an open frame wheel.  
     
     
         42 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises spaced spherical supports connected to an axle.  
     
     
         43 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 42  wherein said axle is segmented.  
     
     
         44 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises solid arcuate supports connected to an axle.  
     
     
         45 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 44  wherein said axle is segmented.  
     
     
         46 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises rigid closed loops connected to an axle.  
     
     
         47 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 46  wherein said axle is segmented.  
     
     
         48 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises closed-frame segments comprising rounded support surfaces connected to an axle.  
     
     
         49 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 48  wherein said axle is segmented.  
     
     
         50 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises discs comprising rounded support surfaces connected to an axle.  
     
     
         51 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 50  wherein said axle is segmented.  
     
     
         52 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises discs comprising non-rounded support surfaces connected to an axle.  
     
     
         53 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 52  wherein said axle is segmented.  
     
     
         54 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises an open wire-frame connected to an axle.  
     
     
         55 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises an open-frame wheel connected to an axle by a plurality of spokes.  
     
     
         56 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 55  wherein said axle is segmented.  
     
     
         57 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said rotatable supports comprises an open-frame wheel connected to an axle by a plurality of rigid, radially-diverging supports.  
     
     
         58 . A screeding apparatus according to  claim 57  wherein said axle is segmented.  
     
     
         59 . A method of leveling uncured concrete comprising the steps of: 
 providing a screeding apparatus comprising a plurality of supports which pass through the uncured concrete and a leveling mechanism;    passing said screeding apparatus through said uncured concrete such that at least one of said supports passes through a section of concrete which has already been leveled by said leveling mechanism.    
     
     
         60 . A method of leveling uncured concrete according to  claim 59  further comprising the step of vibrating at least one of said supports.  
     
     
         61 . A method of leveling uncured concrete according to  claim 59  wherein said step of providing a screeding apparatus comprises providing a self-propelled screeding apparatus.