Wet pad strike off system

Abstract

A wet pad strike off system includes a frame adapted to rest on a base structure on which a quantity of wet concrete is placed. A blade is suspended from the frame for relative rotation in a plane. Coupled to the blade is the means for sensing elevation of the blade relative to a grade plane. Coupled to the frame is the means for facilitating adjustment of the frame relative to the base structure so that the blade's rotational plane can be positioned parallel to the grade plane. Coupled to at least one of the blade and frame is means for positioning the blade's rotational plane coincident with the grade plane.

1 . A wet pad strike off system, comprising:
 a frame including at least one support adapted to rest on a base structure on which a quantity of wet concrete is placed;   a blade coupled to and suspended from said frame for relative rotation in a plane;   first means, coupled to said blade, for sensing elevation of said blade relative to a grade plane;   second means, coupled to said frame, for facilitating adjustment of said frame relative to the base structure so that said plane can be positioned parallel to the grade plane; and   third means, coupled to at least one of said blade and said frame, for positioning said plane of said blade coincident with the grade plane.   
   
   
       2 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one support comprises two supports disposed on either side of said blade. 
   
   
       3 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 1  wherein a leading edge of said blade defines an S-shape in said plane. 
   
   
       4 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 1  further comprising a wing coupled to a trailing edge of said blade, said wing extending angularly away from said trailing edge and terminating beneath the grade plane when said plane of said blade is coincident with the grade plane. 
   
   
       5 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 1  wherein said first means comprises a laser receiver. 
   
   
       6 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 1  wherein said second means comprises at least one level sensing device coupled to said frame. 
   
   
       7 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 1  further comprising a shaft fixedly coupled to said blade with a longitudinal axis of said shaft being perpendicular to said plane, said shaft being supported by said frame to permit rotation of said shaft about said longitudinal axis resulting in rotation of said blade in said plane. 
   
   
       8 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 7  further comprising a motor coupled to said shaft for generating said rotation thereof. 
   
   
       9 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 1  wherein said third means comprises at least one linear actuator. 
   
   
       10 . A wet pad strike off system, comprising:
 a frame including at least one support adapted to rest on a base structure on which a quantity of wet concrete is placed;   a blade coupled to and suspended from said frame for relative rotation in a plane;   first means, coupled to said blade, for sensing elevation of said blade relative to a grade plane;   second means, coupled to said blade, for generating on-demand rotation of said blade;   third means, coupled to said frame, for facilitating adjustment of said frame relative to the base structure so that said plane can be positioned parallel to the grade plane; and   fourth means, coupled to at least one of said blade and said frame, for positioning said plane of said blade coincident with the grade plane, wherein subsequent rotation of said blade can strike off a wet pad of concrete coincident with the grade plane.   
   
   
       11 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 10  wherein said at least one support comprises two supports disposed on either side of said blade. 
   
   
       12 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 10  wherein a leading edge of said blade defines an S-shape in said plane. 
   
   
       13 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 10  further comprising a wing coupled to a trailing edge of said blade, said wing extending angularly away from said trailing edge and terminating beneath the grade plane when said plane of said blade is coincident with the grade plane. 
   
   
       14 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 10  wherein said first means comprises a laser receiver. 
   
   
       15 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 10  wherein said second means comprises a motor. 
   
   
       16 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 15  wherein said motor is detachable from said blade. 
   
   
       17 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 10  wherein said third means comprises at least one level sensing device coupled to said frame. 
   
   
       18 . A wet pad strike off system, comprising:
 a frame including at least one support adapted to rest on a base structure on which a quantity of wet concrete is placed;   a rotatable blade assembly coupled to and suspended from said frame, said rotatable blade assembly including a blade that is rotatable in a plane;   an elevation sensor coupled to said blade for sensing elevation of said blade relative to a grade plane;   a motor coupled to said rotatable blade assembly for generating on-demand rotation of said blade in said plane;   at least one level sensing device coupled to said frame and referenced to said plane of said blade for generating indications of a position of said plane relative to the grade plane wherein said frame can be adjusted in position relative to the base structure so that said plane can be positioned parallel to the grade plane; and   at least one linear actuator coupled to at least one of said blade and said frame for positioning said blade such that said plane of said blade is coincident with the grade plane.   
   
   
       19 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 18  wherein said at least one support comprises two supports disposed on either side of said blade. 
   
   
       20 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 18  wherein a leading edge of said blade defines an S-shape in said plane. 
   
   
       21 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 18  further comprising a wing coupled to a trailing edge of said blade, said wing extending angularly away from said trailing edge and terminating beneath the grade plane when said plane of said blade is coincident with the grade plane. 
   
   
       22 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 18  wherein said elevation sensor comprises a laser receiver. 
   
   
       23 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 18  wherein said indications generated by said at least one level sensing device are selected from the group consisting of visual and electronic indications. 
   
   
       24 . A wet pad strike off system as in  claim 18  wherein said motor is detachable from said rotating blade assembly.