System, method, and apparatus for leveling concrete and similar materials

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus for leveling concrete and similar materials. The automated, remotely controllable screed for leveling concrete can be used on any kind of sub-grade, it is lightweight and can be moved quickly to any location or floor level. It is highly accurate, and less labor intensive compared with the lightweight devices. It is all electrical mechanical. It is low noise. It is remotely controlled.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A powered screed for leveling a bed of a fluid concrete material to a desired grade, comprising:
 a pair of rails dimensioned to extend across a lateral extent of a bed of concrete to be screeded;   a plurality of support pedestals to support the pair of rails in an elevated position above the bed of concrete;   a power screed having a frame and a plurality of support rollers coupled to the frame, at least one of the plurality of support rollers is a drive roller, the plurality of support rollers configured to movably carry the power screed on the pair of rails, and the drive roller is engageable with the pair of rails to provide a motive force to move the power screed along a length of the pair of rails;   a motor coupled to a transmission assembly to rotate the drive roller; and   a main screed element attached to a bottom of the frame, the main screed element oriented to screed across a longitudinal extent of the bed of concrete as the power screed traverses the pair of rails.   
     
     
         2 . The power screed of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first linear actuator coupled between the frame and the main screed element, the first linear actuator operable to selective raise or lower the main screed element relative to the bed of concrete.   
     
     
         3 . The power screed of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an expansion screed coupled to the main screed element, the expansion screed selectively extensible to expand a length of the main screed element to the longitudinal extent of the bed of concrete.   
     
     
         4 . The power screed of  claim 3 , further comprising
 a second linear actuator coupled between the frame and the expansion screed, the second linear actuator operable to selectively extend and retract the expansion screed relative the main screed element.   
     
     
         5 . The power screed of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a foot moveably disposed on the frame; and   an actuator coupled between the foot and the frame, the actuator operable to selectively extend the foot to support the power screed on the foot, and retract the foot so that the power screed may be supported on the pair of rails by the plurality of support rollers.   
     
     
         6 . The power screed of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vibration module attached to the main screed element, the vibration module configured to deliver a vibratory force to the main screed element that is imparted to the bed of concrete.   
     
     
         7 . The power screed of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support pedestals are vertically adjustable to orient the pair of rails in an alignment with a desired grade of the bed of concrete. 
     
     
         8 . The power screed of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a plurality of threads at a top end of a pedestal shaft;   a collar threadingly engageable with the plurality of threads to adjust a vertical height of the collar relative to the pedestal shaft; and   a yoke disposed at a top end of the plurality of support pedestals, the yoke having a top opening dimensioned to receive a transverse dimension of one of the pair of rails therein, and a downwardly extending cylindrical shaft having a bore dimensioned to receive the top end of the pedestal shaft, and a length to be supported on the collar.   
     
     
         9 . The power screed of  claim 8 , further comprising,
 a base plate having an aperture defined in a top surface of the base plate, the aperture dimensioned to receive a bottom end of the pedestal shaft.   
     
     
         10 . The power screed of  claim 9 , wherein the aperture extends through the base plate and the bottom end of the pedestal shaft is received through the aperture and has a length to penetrate a ground surface subjacent to a bottom of the base plate. 
     
     
         11 . The power screed of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an annular rim around the bottom end of the pedestal shaft, wherein the annular rim is positioned at a desired penetration depth of the pedestal shaft into the ground surface.   
     
     
         12 . The power screed of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a remote controller for controlling a direction and a rate of the drive roller.