Concrete screed

Abstract

A concrete screed includes a pair of longitudinal supports having proximal ends that are located opposite distal ends, where the proximal ends are pivotably mounted to an operating machine, such as a skid steer, such that the longitudinal supports extend in a longitudinal direction from the skid steer. A pair of cross members and an end member extend between the longitudinal supports, where the end member is located near the distal ends of the longitudinal supports. A screed blade is pivotably mounted to the end member at a single pivot point, and extends outboard of the longitudinal supports in opposing lateral directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A support platform extends between the cross members and may support a compacting machine. If desired, the screed blade may flexed and/or vibrated during use.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A concrete screed comprising:
 a pair of longitudinal supports having respective proximal end portions and distal end portions, said proximal end portions configured to be pivotably coupled to an operating machine;   an end member extending between said longitudinal supports proximate said distal end portions;   a support platform coupled to said longitudinal supports; and   a screed blade pivotably coupled to said end member at a pivot point, said screed blade extending laterally outboard of said longitudinal supports;   wherein said screed blade is vibratable by placing a compacting machine on said support platform and activating the compacting machine.   
     
     
         2 . The concrete screed of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of cross members extending between said longitudinal supports and extending along forward and rearward portions of said support platform. 
     
     
         3 . The concrete screed of  claim 2 , wherein said cross members cooperate with portions of said longitudinal supports to define a machine-receiving cavity above said support platform. 
     
     
         4 . The concrete screed of  claim 1 , wherein said support platform comprises a sheet panel. 
     
     
         5 . The concrete screed of  claim 1 , wherein said screed blade is pivotably coupled to said end member about a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The concrete screed of  claim 5 , wherein said screed blade is pivotably coupled to said end member via a single pin at the longitudinal axis, wherein said single pin is manually removable to decouple said screed blade from said end member. 
     
     
         7 . The concrete screed of  claim 5 , wherein said longitudinal supports are pivotably coupled to the operating machine via a pair of pins that are manually removable to decouple said longitudinal supports from the operating machine. 
     
     
         8 . The concrete screed of  claim 7 , further comprising a pair of flexible elongate supports coupled to and extending between respective ones of said longitudinal supports and respective opposite end portions of said screed blade. 
     
     
         9 . The concrete screed of  claim 1 , wherein said screed blade is laterally extendable and retractable to increase and decrease its width. 
     
     
         10 . The concrete screed of  claim 9 , further comprising a pair of extension members configured to be coupled to opposing ends of said screed blade. 
     
     
         11 . The concrete screed of  claim 10 , wherein the width of said screed blade is adjustable by selectively coupling said extension members to said screed blade at selected ones of a plurality of spaced-apart locations. 
     
     
         12 . The concrete screed of  claim 1 , wherein said screed blade is linearly movable by the operating machine and pivotable about a longitudinal axis in a laterally-oriented vertical plane. 
     
     
         13 . The concrete screed of  claim 1 , further in combination with said compacting machine, wherein said compacting machine comprises a self-contained portable compacting machine. 
     
     
         14 . The concrete screed of  claim 1 , further comprising a brace structure coupled to said screed blade and extending upwardly from said screed blade, said brace structure configured to provide structural support to said screed blade. 
     
     
         15 . The concrete screed of  claim 14 , wherein said brace structure comprises:
 a middle brace member spaced above a central region of said screed blade; and   a pair of diagonal brace members coupled to respective outboard end portions of said middle brace member and to respective end portions of said screed blade;   wherein said diagonal brace members extend laterally outwardly and downwardly from said outboard end portions of said middle brace member to said screed blade.   
     
     
         16 . The concrete screed of  claim 15 , wherein said brace structure further comprises a pair of upright brace members coupled to said respective outboard end portions of said middle brace member and extending downwardly to couple to said screed blade. 
     
     
         17 . The concrete screed of  claim 15 , further comprising a linear actuator at said middle brace member, wherein said middle brace member is laterally extendable and retractable by said linear actuator to impart flexing forces to said screed blade via said diagonal brace members. 
     
     
         18 . A concrete screed comprising:
 a longitudinal support having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said proximal end portion configured to be pivotably coupled to an operating machine;   a screed blade pivotably coupled to said longitudinal support proximate said distal end portion, said screed blade extending outboard of said longitudinal support in opposing lateral directions and pivotable about a longitudinal axis; and   a brace structure coupled to said screed blade, said brace structure comprising:
 a middle brace member spaced above a central region of said screed blade; 
 an upright brace member having a lower portion coupled to said screed blade and an upper portion coupled to said middle brace member; and 
 a pair of diagonal brace members extending laterally outward and downward from opposite ends of said middle brace member, and coupled to said screed blade at respective locations spaced laterally outboard of said distal end portions of said longitudinal supports. 
   
     
     
         19 . The concrete screed of  claim 18 , further comprising an actuator at said middle brace member, wherein said middle brace member is laterally extendable and retractable by said actuator to impart flexing forces to said screed blade via said diagonal brace members, and wherein said screed blade is configured to assume a concave-down curved shape in response to extension of said middle brace member by said actuator. 
     
     
         20 . The concrete screed of  claim 18 , wherein said longitudinal support comprises a pair of spaced-apart lateral supports, said concrete screed further comprising a support platform coupled to said longitudinal supports, wherein said screed blade is vibratable by placing a compacting machine on said support platform and activating the compacting machine