Screed grip

Abstract

A gripping tool for engagement onto a board or other member used to screed concrete. The screed grip is formed of a resilient body having first and second side panels that engage the sides of the screed member under the internal resilience of its material of construction. The screed grip has an ergonomic contour to improve the efficiency of a user when screeding concrete, and is removable to allow for replacement of the screeding member.

1 . A screed grip for removable attachment onto a screed member, the screed grip comprising:
 a top panel;   a first side panel extending from the top panel, with a first transition between the first side panel and the top panel, and defining a first included angle between the first side panel and the top panel; and   a second side panel extending from the top panel opposite the first side panel, with a radiused second transition between the second side panel and the top panel.   
     
     
         2 . The screed grip of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel resiliently flex between an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration upon engagement of the screed grip onto the screed member. 
     
     
         3 . The screed grip of  claim 2 , wherein the first side panel comprises an edge opposite the first transition, and defining a grip width between the edge of the first side panel and a confronting face of the second side panel, wherein the grip width is less than a corresponding screed member width in the undeformed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The screed grip of  claim 3 , wherein the grip width is about 0.5 to about 0.85 the screed member width in the undeformed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The screed grip of  claim 3 , wherein the grip width is about 0.67 the screed member width in the undeformed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The screed grip of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel, the first side panel and the second side panel are integrally formed from a unitary piece of sheet metal material. 
     
     
         7 . The screed grip of  claim 1 , wherein the radiused second transition between the second side panel and the top panel comprises a smoothly contoured outwardly directed portion proximal the top panel and an inwardly directed bend proximal the second side panel, together forming a generally P-shaped profile. 
     
     
         8 . The screed grip of  claim 1 , wherein the first included angle defines an angle of no more than 90°. 
     
     
         9 . The screed grip of  claim 1 , wherein the screed member comprises a 2×4 plank. 
     
     
         10 . The screed grip of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one engagement member projecting inwardly from the top panel. 
     
     
         11 . The screed grip of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one engagement member comprises a pointed spike for embedding within the screed member upon installation of the screed grip onto the screed member. 
     
     
         12 . The screed grip of  claim 1 , wherein the second side panel is generally perpendicular to the top panel. 
     
     
         13 . The screed grip of  claim 12 , wherein the first side panel is angled inwardly from the top panel toward the second side panel, and wherein the first included angle is between 45° and 85°. 
     
     
         14 . A screed grip for removable attachment onto a screed member, the screed grip comprising a top panel, a first side panel extending from the top panel at an inwardly directed included angle of between 45° and 85°, and a second side panel extending generally perpendicular to the top panel opposite the first side panel, wherein a transition between the second side panel and the top panel comprises a smoothly contoured outwardly directed portion proximal the top panel and an inwardly directed bend proximal the second side panel, together forming a generally P-shaped profile. 
     
     
         15 . The screed grip of  claim 14 , comprising a unitary integral body formed of sheet metal. 
     
     
         16 . The screed grip of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one engagement member projecting inwardly from the top panel. 
     
     
         17 . The screed grip of  claim 14 , comprising a resilient body that flexes between an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration upon engagement onto the screed member. 
     
     
         18 . The screed grip of  claim 17 , wherein the first side panel comprises an edge opposite the top panel, and defining a grip width between the edge of the first side panel and a confronting face of the second side panel, wherein the grip width is less than a corresponding screed member width in the undeformed configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The screed grip of  claim 18 , wherein the grip width is about 0.5 to about 0.85 the screed member width in the undeformed configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The screed grip of  claim 18 , wherein the grip width is about 0.67 the screed member width in the undeformed configuration. 
     
     
         21 . A screed tool comprising:
 a screed grip comprising first and second gripping panels; and   a screed member removably securable between the first and second gripping panels.