Adjustable screed

Abstract

An improved screed for contouring cementitious material around a central drain is described. The screed includes a drain pivot element adapted and constructed to be rotatably secured in a drain depression. An elongated material contact element adapted and constructed to uniformly contour the surface of cementitous material is provided. A height adjustment element connects the drain pivot element to the material contact element. The height adjustment element is used to set the operating height of the material contact element, the drain pivot element is secured to the drain, and the material contact element is placed in contact with the cementitious material and rotated to contour the material surrounding the drain into a uniform, generally frustoconical configuration generally concentric with the drain.

1 . An improved screed for contouring cementitious material around a central drain, the screed comprising the following:
 a drain pivot element adapted and constructed to be rotatably secured in a drain depression;   an elongated material contact element adapted and constructed to uniformly contour the surface of cementitous material; and   a height adjustment element connecting the drain pivot element to the material contact element;   whereby the height adjustment element is used to set the operating height of the material contact element, the drain pivot element is secured to the drain, and the material contact element is placed in contact with the cementitious material and rotated to contour the material surrounding the drain into a uniform, generally frustoconical configuration generally concentric with the drain.   
   
   
       2 . A screed in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment element further comprises indicia corresponding to desired height settings. 
   
   
       3 . A screed in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the indicia of the height adjustment element are placed at ⅛″ increments. 
   
   
       4 . A screed in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the drain pivot element and the material contact element are fabricated from aluminum tubing having a rectangular cross-section. 
   
   
       5 . A screed in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the drain pivot element further comprises a first plastic end closure cap. 
   
   
       6 . A screed in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the material contact element further comprises a second plastic end closure cap. 
   
   
       7 . A screed in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:
 a tab extending from the drain pivot element;   a groove in the material contact element, the groove corresponding in size and configuration to slidingly receive the tab of the drain pivot element; and   a securing mechanism extending through the tab and the groove.   
   
   
       8 . A screed in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises:
 a bore through the material contact element;   a threaded insert at a terminal end of the bore; and   a vertical slot formed through the tab adjacent to the bore.   
   
   
       9 . A screed in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a threaded rod extending through the bore and the vertical slot to engage the threaded insert. 
   
   
       10 . A screed in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a fluted knob secured on the threaded rod at an end opposite to the threaded insert of the bore. 
   
   
       11 . A screed in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising a flexible boot sealing the bore at a location adjacent to the fluted knob. 
   
   
       12 . An improved screed for contouring cementitious material around a central drain, the screed comprising the following:
 a drain pivot element adapted and constructed to be rotatably secured in a drain depression;   an elongated material contact element adapted and constructed to uniformly contour the surface of cementitous material; and   a height adjustment element connecting the drain pivot element to the material contact element;   whereby the height adjustment element is used to set the operating height of the material contact element, the drain pivot element is secured to the drain, and the material contact element is placed in contact with the cementitious material and rotated to contour the material surrounding the drain into a uniform, generally frustoconical configuration generally concentric with the drain, and wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a tab extending from the drain pivot element, a groove in the material contact element, the groove corresponding in size and configuration to slidingly receive the tab of the drain pivot element; and a securing mechanism extending through the tab and the groove.   
   
   
       13 . A screed in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises:
 a bore through the material contact element;   a threaded insert at a terminal end of the bore; and   a vertical slot formed through the tab adjacent to the bore.   
   
   
       14 . A method for contouring cementitous material comprising the steps of:
 placing a drain pivot element of a screed in a central drain;   adjusting the operating height of a material contact element of the screed with an integral height adjustment mechanism; and   pivoting the screed about the central drain.