Roller screed with dual-drive power unit

Abstract

A powered roller screed ( 366 ) is disclosed, that uses a dual-drive power unit ( 370 ) and a screed roller ( 368 ). A power source ( 372 ) of the dual-drive power unit ( 370 ) includes a first drive output ( 374 ) and a second drive output ( 376 ), which rotate in the same direction and at the same rate. Each of the first drive output ( 374 ) and the second drive output ( 376 ) may be used to rotate the screed roller ( 368 ). For instance, the first drive output ( 374 ) could be attached to a first end of the screed roller ( 368 ), or the second drive output ( 376 ) could be attached to the second end of the screed roller ( 368 ), all to rotate the screed roller ( 368 ) in the same direction as the screed roller ( 368 ) is being pulled over wet concrete ( 364 ).

1 . A powered roller screed, comprising:
 a screed roller; and   a power unit comprising first and second drive outputs, wherein one of said first and second drive outputs is interconnected with said screed roller.   
   
   
       2 . The powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said screed roller comprises a plurality of screed roller sections. 
   
   
       3 . The powered roller screed of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of screed roller sections are detachably interconnected in end-to-end relation. 
   
   
       4 . The powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said power unit comprises a handle and a power source. 
   
   
       5 . The powered roller screed of  claim 4 , wherein said power source rotates said first and second drive outputs at a common velocity and in a common direction. 
   
   
       6 . The powered roller screed of  claim 4 , further comprising a gearbox disposed between said power source and said first and second drive outputs. 
   
   
       7 . The powered roller screed of  claim 4 , further comprising a gearbox, wherein said power source provides an input to said gearbox, and wherein said first and second drive outputs are outputs of said gearbox. 
   
   
       8 . The powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said power unit comprises a power source selected from the group consisting of an electric motor and a gasoline engine. 
   
   
       9 . The powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second drive outputs are disposed in opposing relation. 
   
   
       10 . The powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second drive outputs are positioned on first and second sides of said power unit. 
   
   
       11 . The powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said one of said first and second drive outputs is detachably mounted to an end of said screed roller. 
   
   
       12 . The powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second drive outputs is detachably connectable to each of two ends of said screed roller. 
   
   
       13 . The powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said screed roller comprises first and second roller ends, wherein said first drive output may be detachably interconnected with said first roller end to rotate said screed roller in a first rotational direction while said screed roller is being pulled in a first direction over wet concrete, and wherein said second drive output may be detachably interconnected with said second roller end to rotate said screed roller in said first rotational direction while said screed roller is being pulled over said wet concrete in said first direction. 
   
   
       14 . A concrete system, comprising:
 first and second forms disposed in spaced relation;   wet concrete located between said first and second forms; and   the powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said screed roller comprises first and second roller ends, wherein said screed roller contacts said first and second forms, wherein said first drive output may be detachably interconnected with said first roller end to rotate said screed roller in a first rotational direction while said screed roller is being pulled at least generally along said first and second forms in a first direction, and wherein said second drive output may be detachably interconnected with said second roller end to rotate said screed roller in said first rotational direction while said screed roller is being pulled at least generally along said first and second forms in a first direction.   
   
   
       15 . A concrete system, comprising:
 wet concrete disposed on a supporting surface; and   the powered roller screed of  claim 1 , wherein said screed roller comprises first and second roller ends, wherein said first drive output may be detachably interconnected with said first roller end to rotate said screed roller in a first rotational direction while said screed roller is being pulled at least generally along said wet concrete in a first direction relative to said supporting surface, and wherein said second drive output may be detachably interconnected with said second roller end to rotate said screed roller in said first rotational direction while said screed roller is being pulled along said wet concrete in said first direction relative to said supporting surface.