Curb former

Abstract

A curb former (10) includes a rotatable drive shaft (20), a gutter drum (80), and a curb profiling drum (100). The gutter drum (80) is secured to the drive shaft (20) such that the drive shaft (20) and gutter drum (80) rotate together. The curb profiling drum (100) is detachably secured relative to both the drive shaft (20) and the gutter drum (80). This configuration allows one curb profiling drum (100) to be replaced with another curb profiling drum (100) to change the profile of a curb resulting from a curbing operation using the curb former (10).

Claims

1. A curb former, comprising: a drive shaft; a drum mounted on said drive shaft; a first curb profiling drum detachably mounted relative to each of said drive shaft and said drum, wherein adjacent end portions of said drum and said first curb profiling drum are disposed in at least one of closely spaced or abutting relation; and a guide positioned on and detachably mounted to said drive shaft separately from said first curb profiling drum, wherein said first curb profiling drum is located between said drum and said guide along said drive shaft, and wherein said guide rotates with said drive shaft; wherein said guide is disposable at each of a plurality of different positions along said drive shaft to accommodate different spacings between said first curb profiling drum and said guide along said drive shaft and that produces a different width of an upper wall of a curb when formed by said first curb profiling drum, wherein said guide is detachably mountable to said drive shaft at each of said plurality of different positions.

2. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said drive shaft comprises a screed roller.

3. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said drum is fixedly attached to said drive shaft.

4. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said drum is welded to said drive shaft.

5. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said drum is a gutter drum.

6. The curb former of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners that secure said first curb profiling drum to said drum.

7. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said guide clamps onto said drive shaft.

8. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said guide comprises a sleeve, a first guide flange that extends radially outwardly relative to said sleeve, and a second guide flange that is spaced from said first guide flange and that also extends radially outwardly relative to said sleeve, and wherein said first guide flange is located between said second guide flange and said first curb profiling drum.

9. A curbing system comprising: the curb former of claim 8; a lower form; an upper form spaced from said lower form, that extends to a higher elevation than said lower form, and that comprises inboard and outboard surfaces with said inboard surface projecting in a direction of said lower form; and wet concrete between said lower form and said upper form; wherein said drum is positioned on an upper surface of said lower form, one of said first curb profiling drum and said drive shaft is positioned on an upper surface of said upper form, and said first guide flange engages said outboard surface of said upper form.

10. A curbing system comprising: the curb former of claim 8; a lower form; an upper form that is spaced from said lower form and that extends to a higher elevation than said lower form; and wet concrete between said lower form and said upper form; wherein said drum is positioned on an upper surface of said lower form, said sleeve is positioned on an upper surface of said upper form, and an upper section of said upper form is positioned between said first and second guide flanges.

11. The curbing system of claim 10, wherein a maximum spacing between said lower form and said upper form is 36″.

12. The curbing system of claim 10, wherein said drum defines a gutter and said first curb profiling drum defines a curb that is integral with said gutter.

13. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said drum comprises first and second drum ends that are spaced from one another along said drive shaft, wherein a first drive shaft section extends beyond said first drum end in a direction that is away from said second drum end, wherein a second drive shaft section extends beyond said second drum end in a direction that is away from said first drum end, wherein a length of said first drive shaft section and a length of said second drive shaft section each accommodate installation of both said first curb profiling drum and said guide thereon, and wherein said first curb profiling drum and said guide are positioned on a common one of said first drive shaft section and said second drive shaft section.

14. The curb former of claim 13, wherein said first drive shaft section comprises a first drive input and wherein said second drive shaft section comprises a second drive input.

15. The curb former of claim 14, wherein said first drive input is on a first free end of said first drive shaft section and said second drive input is on a second free end of said second drive shaft section.

16. The curb former of claim 14, further comprising a drive assembly, a first drive configuration, and a second drive configuration, wherein said first drive configuration comprises said drive assembly interfacing with said first drive input of said first drive shaft section, and wherein said second drive configuration comprises said drive assembly interfacing with said second drive input of said second drive shaft section.

17. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said drum comprises first and second drum ends that are spaced from one another along said drive shaft, wherein a first drive shaft section extends beyond said first drum end in a direction that is away from said second drum end, wherein a second drive shaft section extends beyond said second drum end in a direction that is away from said first drum end, and wherein said first curb profiling drum is positioned on said first drive shaft section.

18. The curb former of claim 17, wherein said first drive shaft section comprises a first drive input and wherein said second drive shaft section comprises a second drive input.

19. The curb former of claim 18, wherein said first drive input is on a first free end of said first drive shaft section and said second drive input is on a second free end of said second drive shaft section.

20. The curb former of claim 18, further comprising a drive assembly, a first drive configuration, and a second drive configuration, wherein said first drive configuration comprises said drive assembly interfacing with said first drive input of said first drive shaft section, and wherein said second drive configuration comprises said drive assembly interfacing with said second drive input of said second drive shaft section.

21. The curb former of claim 17, wherein said curb former comprises a second curb profiling drum positioned on said second drive shaft section and detachably mounted relative to each of said drive shaft and said drum.

22. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said drum comprises first and second drum ends that are spaced from one another along said drive shaft, wherein said drive shaft extends at least 2 feet beyond said first drum end in a direction that is away from said second drum end, and wherein said drive shaft extends at least 2 feet beyond said second drum end in a direction that is away from said first drum end.

23. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said drum and said first curb profiling drum each comprise a perimeter surface that contacts wet concrete when forming a curb with said curb former, and wherein said perimeter surface of said drum and said perimeter surface of said first curb profiling drum are each concentrically disposed relative to a rotational axis of said drive shaft.

24. The curb former of claim 1, wherein said guide comprises a sleeve and a first guide flange that extends radially outwardly relative to said sleeve, wherein said sleeve is disposed about said drive shaft.

25. A curb forming kit comprising the curb former of claim 1 and a plurality of said first curb profiling drums, wherein one said first curb profiling drum of said plurality of said first curb profiling drums has a different profile than another said first curb profiling drum of said plurality of said first curb profiling drums such that said one said first curb profiling drum will produce a first curb profile when said one said first curb profiling drum is detachably mounted relative to each of said drive shaft and said drum and such that said another said first curb profiling drum will produce a second curb profile when said another said first curb profiling drum is detachably mounted relative to each of said drive shaft and said drum, wherein said first curb profile is different from said second curb profile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a curb former that utilizes a removable curb profiling drum.

(2) FIG. 2 is a partially exploded side view of the curb former of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an end view of the curb former of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a view of an end of a curb profiling drum that is adjacent to a gutter drum for the curb former of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the curb profiling drum of FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5.

(6) FIG. 6 is a partially exploded side view of a variation of the curb former of FIG. 1, namely a curb former that utilizes a removable guide.

(7) FIG. 7 is a side view of the removable guide utilized by the curb former of FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a clamping ring having an integral guide flange, and that is utilized by the guide of FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is an end view of the clamping ring of FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is a side view of a sleeve having an integral guide flange, and that is utilized by the guide of FIG. 7.

(11) FIG. 11A is a side view of the curb former of FIG. 6 and a form assembly in relative position to form a representative integral curb and gutter configuration.

(12) FIG. 11B is a representative top view of the form assembly of FIG. 11A.

(13) FIG. 12 is a side view of another variation of the curb former of FIG. 1.

(14) FIG. 13A is a top elevation view of one embodiment of a rotational drive for a curb former.

(15) FIG. 13B is an end elevation view of the rotational drive of FIG. 13A.

(16) FIG. 13C is a front elevation, exploded view of drive motor and drive plate assembly components of the rotational drive of FIG. 13A, illustrating the manner by which they may engage a rotatable drive shaft or tube of a curb former.

(17) FIG. 13D is an end view an input end of the rotatable drive shaft or tube shown in FIG. 13C.

(18) FIG. 14A is a front view of one embodiment of a dual-drive power unit for a curb former, where the power source is in the form of an electric motor.

(19) FIG. 14B is a front view of another embodiment of a dual-drive power unit for a curb former, where the power source is in the form of an engine.

(20) FIGS. 15A-H are representative integral curb and gutter configurations that may be defined by the curb former of FIGS. 1-3, the curb former of FIG. 6, the curb former of FIG. 12, and the rotary screed of FIG. 16, using an appropriately configured curb profiling drum.

(21) FIG. 16 is a side view of one embodiment of a cement screeding system or rotary screed that simultaneously forms a lane and an associated curb.

(22) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a handle assembly that may be used by the rotary screed of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(23) FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of a curb former that is identified by reference numeral 10. The curb former 10 include a drive shaft or tube 20 and a drum assembly 70 that are collectively rotatable in a common direction (e.g., the drive shaft 20 and drum assembly 70 simultaneously rotate in a common direction and at a common rotational speed). The drive shaft 20 may be of any appropriate configuration for imparting a rotational force/rotational motion to the drum assembly 70. The illustrated embodiment has the drive shaft 20 being in the form of a rotatable screed roller of a type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,544,012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

(24) The illustrated embodiment has the drive shaft 20 including a tube body 30 having a first free end 42 and a second free end 52 that are disposed opposite of one another (e.g., spaced along a length or length dimension of the drive shaft 20, which may coincide with a rotational axis of the drive shaft). The tube body 30 may have a cylindrical perimeter. Separate plugs 32 are disposed at both the first free end 42 and the second free end 52, with each plug 32 being maintained in a fixed position relative to the tube body 30 in any appropriate manner (e.g., welded). Each of these plugs 32 includes structure to allow the corresponding end of the drive shaft 20 to be driven by an appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 13A-D; 14A; 14B). As such, the first free end 42 may be characterized as a first drive input for the drive shaft 20, while the second free end 52 may be characterized as a second drive input for the drive shaft 20. Such a drive input for each plug 32 includes a recess 34 and a plurality of threaded holes 36 for interfacing with a rotational drive/drive assembly at least generally of the type shown in FIGS. 13A-14B.

(25) The drum assembly 70 is configured to simultaneously form an integral curb and gutter (i.e., such that there is no joint of any kind between the curb and gutter), and furthermore to produce various different profiles for the curb portion of an integral curb and gutter. In this regard, the drum assembly 70 includes a drum 80. This drum 80 is configured to form the gutter portion of an integral curb and gutter, and thereby may be referred to as a “gutter drum 80.” A first drum end 82 and a second drum end 84 for the gutter drum 80 are spaced from one another along the drive shaft 20 (e.g., along its length dimension). A drum body or gutter profiling surface 86 (e.g., a perimeter surface of the gutter drum 80) extends from the first drum end 82 to the second drum end 84 and is disposed about the drive shaft 20 (e.g., the gutter profiling surface 86 may be concentrically disposed relative to the drive shaft 20, particularly its rotational axis). The drive shaft 20 and the gutter drum 80 are fixed to one another in any appropriate manner (e.g. via one or more welds) such that the gutter drum 80 will rotate along with the drive shaft 20 when being rotated by an appropriate rotational drive source. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeter of the drum body 86 is cylindrical, with the drive shaft 20 extending through the center of this cylinder 86 (e.g., the drum body 86 and the tube body 30 are concentrically disposed in the illustrated embodiment).

(26) Another component of the drum assembly 70 is a curb profiling drum 100 (e.g., a first curb profiling drum 100), which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, and which is used to define a curb portion of an integral curb and gutter. Notably, the curb profiling drum 100 is detachably connectable relative to both the gutter drum 80 and the drive shaft 20. Changing a curb profiling drum 100 of one profile for a curb profiling drum 100 of a different profile will therefore change the profile of the corresponding curb, while still being able to use the same gutter drum 80 and drive shaft 20. As such, the gutter drum 80 may also be referred to as a universal drum for the curb former 10 (or more generally as a “first drum 80”). A curb forming kit could include an assembly in the form of a gutter drum 80 that is fixed to the drive shaft 20, and a plurality of curb profiling drums 100 of different profiles. Generally, the curb profiling drum 100 and the gutter drum 80 are disposed at different positions along the drive shaft 20 (e.g., along its length or length dimension), with an end portion of the curb profiling drum 100 (e.g., shoulder 108 discussed below) being disposed in closely spaced or abutting relation to the first drum end 82 of the gutter drum 80.

(27) Enlarged views of the curb profiling drum 100 for the curb former 10 are presented in FIGS. 4 and 5. A first drum end 102 and a second drum end 104 for the curb profiling drum 100 are spaced from one another along the drive shaft 20 when in an installed configuration. A curb profiling surface 106 extends at least the majority of the distance between the first drum end 102 and the second drum and 104 of the curb profiling drum 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the curb profiling surface 106 extends from a shoulder 108 (proximate the second drum end 104) to the first drum end 102. The curb profiling surface 106 may be of any appropriate shape or configuration, and will typically define the shape of at least the “riser” or sidewall of a curb (e.g., a portion of the curb that extends at least generally in the vertical dimension; see FIGS. 15A-H, addressed below). The curb profiling surface 106 (e.g., a perimeter surface of the curb profiling drum 100) is disposed about the drive shaft 20 (e.g., the curb profiling surface 106 may be concentrically disposed relative to the drive shaft 20, particularly its rotational axis). Preferably the curb profiling surface 106 of the curb profiling drum 100 extends from the gutter profiling surface 86 of the gutter drum 80, although there could be one or more small gaps therebetween proceeding about the perimeter.

(28) An outer diameter of the gutter drum 80 is larger than the outer diameter of at least part of the curb profiling drum 100. At least part of the perimeter surface of the curb profiling drum 100 (e.g., at least part of its curb profiling surface 106) at least generally converges toward the drive shaft 20 in proceeding away from the gutter drum 100 and toward the corresponding end 42, 52 of the drive shaft 20 for the illustrated embodiment. At least part of the curb profiling surface 106 of the curb profiling drum 100 may be characterized as defining the profile of a riser or sidewall of a curb (e.g., FIGS. 15A-15H). In one embodiment, the outer diameter of at least part of the first curb profiling drum 100 (e.g., at the first drum end 102 of the curb profiling drum 100) is at least 3 inches less than an outer diameter of the drum 70, and which could be equated with minimum height of the riser or sidewall of the curb defined by the curb former 10 in at least certain instances.

(29) An aperture 112 extends from the first drum end 102 to the second drum end 104 of the curb profiling drum 100 to accommodate the installation of the curb profiling drum 100 on the drive shaft 20. The inner diameter of the curb profiling drum 100 at its first end 102 may be at least generally the same as the outer diameter of the tube body 30 for the drive shaft 20, including where the inner diameter of the curb profiling drum 100 at its first end 102 is in contact with or is at least disposed in closely spaced with the tube body 30 when the curb profiling drum 100 is installed on the drive shaft 20. As noted above, the curb profiling drum 100 includes an annular shoulder 108 that is at least generally proximate to its second drum end 104. An inset 110 extends from this shoulder 108 and is disposed against (or is disposed in close proximity to) an interior surface at the first drum end 82 of the gutter drum 80. A plurality of fasteners 114 of any appropriate type extend through a sidewall of the gutter drum 80 (e.g., the drum body 86) and engage the inset 110 at a plurality of locations that are spaced about the drive shaft 20 to secure the curb profiling drum 100 to the gutter drum 80. The drive shaft 20, the gutter drum 80, and the curb profiling drum 100 will thereby collectively rotate in a common direction and at a common rotational velocity when the drive shaft 20 is rotated by an appropriate drive source.

(30) The drive shaft 20 extends beyond the first drum end 82 of the gutter drum 80 (in a direction that is away from the second drum end 84) and that defines a first drive shaft section 40, and the drive shaft 20 also extends beyond the second drum end 84 of the gutter drum 80 (in a direction that is away from the first drum end 82) and that defines a second drive shaft section 50. The first drive shaft section 40 may be described as that portion of the drive shaft 20 that extends between the first drum end 82 and the first free end 42 of the drive shaft 20, while the second drive shaft section 50 may be described as that portion of the drive shaft 20 that extends between the second drum end 84 and the second free end 52 of the drive shaft 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the curb profiling drum 100 is disposed between the first drum end 82 of the gutter drum 80 and the first free end 42 of the drive shaft 20. Moreover, the drive shaft 20 extends beyond the first drum end 102 of the curb profiling drum 100 in a direction that is away from the second drum end 104 of the curb profiling drum 100.

(31) Each of the first drive shaft section 40 and the second drive shaft section 50 may be of an appropriate length (measured along the drive shaft 20, or more specifically along its rotational axis), including where the length of drive shaft sections 40, 50 is the same and where they are of different lengths. One embodiment has each of the first drive shaft section 40 and the second drive shaft section 50 being at least two (2) feet in length. Preferably both the first drive shaft section 40 and the second drive shaft section 50 of the drive shaft 20 are of a length that accommodates installation of at least a curb profiling roller (e.g., curb profiling roller 100) thereon.

(32) Another embodiment of a curb former is illustrated in FIG. 6 and is identified by reference numeral 10′. Corresponding portions of the curb former 10′ of FIG. 6 and the curb former 10 of FIGS. 1-3 are identified by the same reference numeral, and the discussion of these components with regard to the curb former 10 are equally applicable to the curb former 10′ unless otherwise noted to the contrary. The primary difference between the curb former 10′ of FIG. 6 and the curb former 10 of FIGS. 1-3 is the addition of a guide 120. Generally, the guide 120 is positioned on and rotates with the drive shaft 20 of the curb former 10′ and is used by an operator so as to be able to advance the curb former 10′ along a form assembly when defining at least a curb (e.g., form assembly 160 discussed below with regard to FIG. 11A) and to remain in at least substantial alignment with this form assembly. The curb profiling drum 100 is located between the gutter drum 80 and the guide 120 along the drive shaft 20. In the illustrated embodiment, both the curb profiling drum 100 and the guide 120 are disposed on the first drive shaft section 40 of the drive shaft 20. Preferably both the first drive shaft section 40 and the second drive shaft section 50 of the drive shaft 20 are of a length that accommodates installation of both a curb profiling roller (e.g., curb profiling roller 100) and a guide 120 thereon in the case of the curb former 10′ (i.e., as an alternative to what is shown in FIG. 6, the curb profiling roller 100 and guide 120 could both be positioned on the second drive shaft section 50 of the drive shaft 20).

(33) Additional views of the guide 120 are presented in FIGS. 7-10. The guide 120 includes a pair of split clamp rings 122a, 122b that are spaced along and appropriately fixed (e.g., welded) to a sleeve 140 (as such the clamp rings 122a and 122b are also spaced along the drive shaft 20 when the guide 120 is in an installed configuration). A guide flange 148 is fixed to one end (or end portion) of the sleeve 140, with the guide flange 148 extending radially outwardly relative to the sleeve 140. Both the sleeve 140 and the guide flange 148 include a split line 142. This allows opposing edges of the sleeve 140 and guide flange 148 to be moved away from one another along the split line 142, and also to be moved toward one another.

(34) A guide flange 128 is fixed to one end of the clamp ring 122a, with the guide flange 128 extending radially outwardly relative to the sleeve 140. Both the clamp ring 122a and the guide flange 128 include a split line 124. This allows opposing edges of the clamp ring 122a and its corresponding guide flange 128 to be moved away from one another along the split line 124, and also to be moved toward one another. In this regard and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the clamp ring 122a includes a pair of clamping apertures 126, with one clamping aperture 126 being disposed at least generally adjacent to and on one side of the split line 124, and with the other clamping aperture 126 being disposed at least generally adjacent to and on the opposite side of the split line 124. The clamp ring 122b also includes a pair of such clamping apertures and a split line (not shown). As such, the entirety of the guide 120 is split along its length dimension.

(35) The guide 120 may be positioned on and detachably mounted/secured to the drive shaft 20 of the curb former 10′ at each of a plurality of different positions along the length of the drive shaft 20 (to thereby change the spacing between the guide 120 and the curb profiling drum 100, more specifically its first drum end 102). The spacing between the guide flange 148 and the first drum end 102 of the curb profiling drum 100 will define the width of the upper wall of a curb that is formed by the curb former 10′. Changing the spacing between the guide flange 148 and the first drum end 102 of the curb profiling drum 100 will change the width of the upper wall of a curb that is formed by the curb former 10′, although such a curb will have the same profile for its “riser” or sidewall via the curb profiling surface 106 of the curb profiling drum 100. Nonetheless, the mere ability of the curb former 10′ to change the spacing between the guide 120 and the curb profiling drum 100 allows for formation of a plurality of different curbs by the curb former 10′ (where these curbs would differ from one another based upon having different widths for their respective upper walls).

(36) At least a slight expansion of the guide 120 along the split lines 124, 142 may be required for the installation of the guide 120 on the drive shaft 20 (e.g., to increase an inner diameter of the guide 120). In any case, the opposing edges of the sleeve 140, clamp rings 122a, 122b, and guide flanges 128, 148 that define the corresponding split lines 124, 142 will typically be at least slightly spaced when the guide 120 is initially positioned on the drive shaft 20. The guide 120 may be slid or advanced along the length of the drive shaft 20 to a desired position relative to the curb profiling drum 100 (more specifically its first drum end 102). Appropriate fasteners (not shown) may be installed in the clamping apertures 126 of the two clamp rings 122a, 122b and may be activated to compress/clamp the guide 120 onto the drive shaft 20 of the curb former 10′ such that the guide 120 will then collectively rotate with the drive shaft 20 (and the drum assembly 70) and in a common rotational direction. This compression or clamping of the guide 120 onto the drive shaft 20 may be achieved via a reduction of the inner diameter of the guide 120 through activation of the fasteners in the noted clamping apertures 126 of the two split clamp rings 122a, 122b.

(37) FIG. 11A shows the curb former 10′ of FIG. 6 (in a side view) and a representative support or form assembly 160 (in cross section) to define an integral curb and gutter, and that may be collectively referred to as a curbing system 150. The form assembly 160 includes a lower support or form 170 and an upper support or form 180 that are spaced from one another in a lateral or horizontal dimension (the spacing between the lower form 170 and upper form 180 in FIG. 11A coinciding with this horizontal or lateral dimension). The length dimension for the lower form 170 and upper form 180 is orthogonal to the lateral dimension, and with a representative length dimension of the forms 170, 180 for the form assembly 160 being shown in FIG. 11B. The spacing between the lower form 170 and the upper form 180 may be at least substantially constant proceeding in the length dimension of the form assembly 160. Typically an appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 13A-14B) would be interconnected with the first free end 42 of the drive shaft 20 of the curb former 10′ to form an integral curb and gutter using the curb former 10′ (such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the upper form 180). However, such a rotational drive/drive assembly could instead be interconnected with the second free end 52 of the drive shaft 20 to form an integral curb and gutter using the curb former 10′ (such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the lower form 170). This would be applicable to the curb former 10 (FIG. 1) and the curb former 10″ (FIG. 12) as well when forming an integral curb and gutter using the form assembly 160.

(38) The lower form 170 includes an upper surface 172 and an outboard surface 174. A plurality of supports 178 are positioned along the length of the lower form 170 and engage the outboard surface 174 of the lower form 170. The upper form 180 includes an upper surface 182, an inboard surface 186, and an outboard surface 184. A plurality of supports 188 are positioned along the length of the upper form 180 and engage the outboard surface 184 of the upper form 180. The upper surface 182 of the upper form 180 is at a higher elevation than the upper surface 172 of the lower form 170 (e.g., the upper form 180 is taller in the vertical dimension compared to the lower form 170).

(39) A typical spacing between the forms 170, 180 for forming an integral curb and gutter using any of the curb formers addressed herein is within a range of 18″-36″, with a typical maximum spacing between the forms 170, 180 being about 36″. The offset or “drop” in the vertical dimension between the upper surface 172 of the lower form 170 and the upper surface 182 of the upper form 180 may be of any appropriate value. A 6″ offset or drop in the vertical dimension between the upper surface 172 of the lower form 170 and the upper surface 182 of the upper form 180 may be used to define curbs of the type shown in FIGS. 15A-15F and 15H, addressed below. Changing the amount of offset in the vertical dimension between the upper surface 172 of the lower form 170 and the upper surface 182 of the upper form 180 may be used to change the orientation of at least the base surface of the gutter (e.g., curb 400 shown in FIG. 15G, addressed below).

(40) Concrete 190 is poured between the lower form 170 and the upper form 180 (this may be referred to as wet or poured concrete 190). The gutter drum 80 is positioned on the upper surface 172 of the lower form 170, while either the curb profiling drum 100, the drive shaft 20, or the sleeve 140 may be positioned on the upper surface 182 of the upper form 180. The position of the guide 120 along the drive shaft 20 may be adjusted to change the width of the upper wall of the resulting curb as noted above. Increasing the spacing between the first drum end 102 of the curb profiling drum 100 and the guide flange 148 of the guide 120 will increase the width of the upper wall of the resulting curb (assuming the forms 170 and 180 are correspondingly spaced), while decreasing the spacing between the first drum end 102 of the curb profiling drum 100 and the guide flange 148 of the guide 120 will decrease the width of the upper wall of the resulting curb (again, assuming the forms 170 and 180 are correspondingly spaced).

(41) The guide flange 148 may be positioned against the outboard surface 184 of the upper form 180 (FIG. 11A) to maintain the curb former 10′ in proper alignment with the form assembly 160 as the curb former 10′ is advanced by an operator along the length dimension of the form assembly 160 (FIG. 11B). In this case either an end portion of the curb profiling drum 100 or the drive shaft 20 would be positioned on the upper surface 182 of the upper form 180. Another option would be to position an upper section of the upper form 180 between the guide flange 148 and the guide flange 128 of the guide 120 to maintain the curb former 10′ in proper alignment with the form assembly 160 as the curb former 10′ is advanced by an operator along the length dimension of the form assembly 160 (not shown), in which case the sleeve 140 would be positioned on the upper surface 182 of the upper form 180. In any case, the curb former 10′ is advanced along the form assembly 160 to form a curb. The curb former 10′ is pulled in a first direction in the longitudinal or length dimension to form a curb using the form assembly 160. Rotation of the drive shaft 20 and drum assembly 70 would instead tend to advance the curb former 10′ in an opposite second direction in the longitudinal or length dimension along the form assembly 160. This may also be described as advancing the curb former 10′ against the rotational force of the drive shaft 20 and drum assembly 70, and in any case forms the integral curb and gutter by a screeding action relative to the wet concrete 190. This same basic operational principle would apply to the curb former 10 discussed above and to the curb former 10″ that will now be addressed.

(42) Another embodiment of a curb former is illustrated in FIG. 12 and is identified by reference numeral 10″. Corresponding portions of the curb former 10″ of FIG. 12 and the curb former 10 of FIGS. 1-3 are identified by the same reference numeral, and the discussion of these components with regard to the curb former 10 are equally applicable to the curb former 10″ unless otherwise noted to the contrary herein. The primary difference between the curb former 10″ of FIG. 12 and the curb former 10 of FIGS. 1-3 is having a first curb profiling drum 100a on the first drive shaft section 40 and positioned against the first drum end 82 of the gutter drum 80, and having a second curb profiling drum 100b on the second drive shaft section 50 and positioned against the second drum end 84 of the gutter drum 80. As such, the drum assembly 70″ of the curb former 10″ of FIG. 12 differs from drum assembly 70 for the curb former 10 of FIGS. 1-3.

(43) The shape of the curb profiling surface for the first curb profiling drum 100a may be different than the shape of the curb profiling surface for the second curb profiling drum 100b. As such, the first curb profiling drum 100a may be used to define a first profile for a curb using the curb former 70″ (e.g., using the form assembly 160), while the second curb profiling drum 100b may be used to define a different second profile for a curb using the curb former 70″ (e.g., using the form assembly 160). Although not shown, a guide 120 could be positioned on the first drive shaft section 40, a guide 120 could be positioned on the second drive shaft section 50, or both. In one embodiment, only one of the first curb profiling drum 100a or the second curb profiling drum 100b is used at a given point in time for a curbing operation by the curb former 10″.

(44) An appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 13A-14B) could be interconnected with the first free end 42 of the drive shaft 20 of the curb former 10″ to form a curb using the first curb profiling drum 100a (e.g., in combination with a form assembly 160, and such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the upper form 180), although such a rotational drive/drive assembly could instead be interconnected with the second free end 52 of the drive shaft 20 to form a curb using the first curb profiling drum 100a (such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the lower form 170). An appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 13A-14B) could be interconnected with the second free end 52 of the drive shaft 20 of the curb former 10″ to form a curb using the second curb profiling drum 100b (e.g., in combination with a form assembly 160, and such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the upper form 180), although such a rotational drive/drive assembly could instead be interconnected with the first free end 42 of the drive shaft 20 to form a curb using the second curb profiling drum 100b (such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the lower form 170).

(45) FIGS. 13A-D show one embodiment of a rotational drive assembly 220 that may be used rotate the drive shaft 20 of a curb former of the type addressed herein. One end or end portion of the drive shaft 20 for the curb former may be attached to/interconnected with the drive assembly 220. The drive assembly 220 includes a drive motor 224, which in turn provides the rotational power to operate the curb former (more specifically to rotate the drive shaft 20). The drive motor 224 is fixed within the drive assembly 220 by the use of a motor frame 236 that also provides the point of fixed attachment for a handle assembly 226. The handle assembly 226 extends upward through an extension bar 228 from the motor frame 236 to position a control grip or handle 230 and a pull grip or handle 232 in a position so that the entire handle assembly 226 can be easily controlled by an operator. Finally, the power to the drive motor 224 is supplied through a power cord 242 by way of the control handle 230. The drive motor 224 may also be powered by an appropriate “on board” battery, an internal combustion engine, or any other appropriate power source.

(46) To perform a curbing operation, the drive motor 224 is engaged by the use of the control handle 230, which in turn powers the drive shaft 20, which in turn rotates the drum assembly 70/70″/70a. As both the draft shaft 20 and drum assembly 70/70″/70a rotate in a common direction and at a common rotational speed, the operator of the drive assembly 220 pulls/moves the drum assembly 70/70″/70a in a direction that is opposite to the rotation of the drive shaft 20 over the unfinished concrete (e.g., rotation of the drum assembly 70/70″/70a would tend to move the drum assembly 70/70″/70a in a direction which is opposite to the direction that the operator pulls on the drum assembly 70/70″/70a for a curbing operation). This action has been found to be effective in producing the desired finish on the upper surface of the finished or screeded concrete that defines the curb, while also causing the concrete to compact to a desired consistency.

(47) The output of the drive motor 224 is configured so that it can be fitted to a drive socket 238, which may be of a common 6-point impact type as illustrated in FIG. 130. As the drive socket 238 passes through the motor frame 236, the drive socket 238 is encased by a socket bearing 240. The socket bearing 240 allows the drive socket 238 to rotate with the drive motor 224, while securely holding it within the stationary motor frame 236. The use of the drive socket 238 allows for the securement of a drive plate assembly 252, which in turn bolts to the proximal end of the drive shaft 20. To facilitate this, the drive plate assembly 252 is equipped with a rearwardly extending hexagonal shaft 253 that is specifically designed to engage the internal surface of the drive socket 238. Additionally, each of these components has an attachment pin hole 258. The attachment pin holes 258 allow for the passage of an attachment pin or the like (not shown) through the drive socket 238 and hexagonal shaft 253 to secure the two together (such that they collectively rotate).

(48) The drive plate assembly 252 also has a circular drive plate 244 that may be of the same outside diameter as the drive shaft 20 of the curb former. The drive plate 244 allows for the attachment of the drive plate assembly 252 to the drive shaft 20 through the use of a plurality of bolts 254 or other suitable fasteners (e.g., that threadably engage with a corresponding threaded hole 36 of the plug 32 on the driven end of the drive shaft 20). Additionally, the distal surface of the drive plate 244 is equipped with a centrally located male shoulder 270 that operates to center a female attachment plug 32 of the drive shaft 20 with reference to the drive plate assembly 252 (e.g., shoulder 270 is disposed within recess 34 of the plug 32 on the driven end of the drive shaft 20). This configuration not only transfers the rotational power of the drive motor 224 to the drive shaft 20, but also ensures that all of the operational components are properly aligned.

(49) FIG. 14A illustrates one embodiment of a dual-drive power unit 300 that may be used rotate the drive shaft 20 of a curb former of the type addressed herein. The dual-drive power unit 300 includes a handle 302 having a pair of grips 304 for engagement by an operator. The handle 302 may be attached to a frame 306 in any appropriate manner (e.g., detachably, fixedly). The handle 302, grips 304, and frame 306 each may be of any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration, and may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials.

(50) A power source in the form of an electric motor 310 is supported relative to the frame 306 in any appropriate manner. The electric motor 310 may be of any appropriate size for a curbing application. The output of the electric motor 310 provides/defines an input for a gearbox 312. An output of the gearbox 312 is in the form of a rotatable shaft 314. The gearbox 312 may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type. The gearbox 312 may also provide any appropriate gear reduction.

(51) What may be characterized as a first drive output 316 is rotated by the output shaft 314 from the gearbox 312, and this first drive output 316 may be detachably interconnected with the drive shaft 20 of the curb former in any appropriate manner. A second drive output 318 is also rotated by the output shaft 314 from the gearbox 312, and this second drive output 318 may be detachably interconnected with the drive shaft 20 of the curb former in any appropriate manner. Each of the first drive output 316 and the second drive output 318 may be in the form of a drive socket or coupling for providing a desired interface with the drive shaft 20 of the curb former so as to be able to rotate the same.

(52) The dual-drive power unit 300 may also include a back plate 308 and a front plate or shield (not shown). The back plate 308 may be attached to the frame 306 in any appropriate manner, and furthermore may be used to structurally support the electric motor 310. The back plate 308, along with the noted front plate (which may be attached to the frame 306 and/or back plate 308 in any appropriate manner, including detachably or fixedly), may at least partially enclose the electric motor 310 to offer at least some degree of protection for the same during handling/use of the power unit 300.

(53) The first drive output 316 and the second drive output 318 rotate at a common speed and in a common direction. The first drive output 316 and the second drive output 318 may be characterized as being disposed in opposing relation or on opposite sides of the dual-drive power unit 300. Incorporating these oppositely disposed first drive output 316 and second drive output 318 allows the dual-drive power unit 300 to be attached to either end of the drive shaft 20 of a curb former and so as to be able to pull the curb former in each of first and second directions that are opposite of each other.

(54) FIG. 14B illustrates another embodiment of a dual-drive power unit 330 that may be used rotate the drive shaft 20 of a curb former of the type addressed herein. The dual-drive power unit 330 includes a handle 332 having a pair of grips 334 for engagement by an operator. The handle 332 may be attached to a gearbox housing 350 in any appropriate manner (e.g., detachably, fixedly). A throttle 336 may be incorporated into one or both of the grips 334. The handle 332, grips 334, and gearbox housing 350 each may be of any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration, and may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials.

(55) A power source in the form of an engine 340 (e.g., gasoline; internal combustion) is supported from the gearbox housing 350 in any appropriate manner. The engine 340 may be of any appropriate size for a curbing application. The output of the engine 340 provides/defines an input for a gearbox 342 that is located within the gearbox housing 350. The gearbox 342 may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type (e.g., one or more gears, one or more sprocket/chain drives, or both; a planetary gear system). The gearbox 342 may also provide any appropriate gear reduction. In one embodiment, the engine 340 provides an output of about 6,000 RPM, while the output of the gearbox 342 is within a range of about 250 RPM to about 300 RPM (e.g., the gearbox 342 may provide a gear reduction within a range of about 24:1 to about 20:1 in this example).

(56) What may be characterized as a first drive output 346 from the gearbox 342 may be detachably interconnected with the drive shaft 20 of a curb former in any appropriate manner. A second drive output 348 from the gearbox 342 may be detachably interconnected with the drive shaft 20 of a curb former in any appropriate manner. Each of the first drive output 346 and the second drive output 348 may be in the form of a drive socket or coupling for providing a desired interface with a screed roller so as to be able to rotate the same.

(57) The first drive output 346 and the second drive output 348 rotate at a common speed and in a common direction. The first drive output 346 and the second drive output 348 may be characterized as being disposed in opposing relation or on opposite sides of the dual-drive power unit 330. Incorporating these oppositely disposed first drive output 346 and second drive output 348 allows the dual-drive power unit 330 to be attached to either end of the drive shaft 20 of a curb former and so as to be able to pull the curb former in each of first and second directions that are opposite of each other.

(58) FIGS. 15A-H show various representative examples of an integral curb and gutter 400 that may be formed using any of the curb formers 10, 10′, and 10″. Each such integral curb and gutter 400 includes a gutter 410 and a curb 420 that are of an integral construction (e.g., no joint between the curb 420 and gutter 410). The gutter 410 has a base or base surface 412 that is primarily defined by the gutter profiling surface 86 of the gutter drum 80. The curb 420 has a riser or sidewall 422 and an upper wall 424. The sidewall 422 of the curb 420 is defined by at least a portion of the curb profiling surface 106 of a corresponding curb profiling drum 100, while the upper wall 424 of the curb 420 may be defined by a portion of the curb profiling surface 104 of a corresponding curb profiling drum 100, by an adjacent portion of the drive shaft 20, or both.

(59) Each of the curb formers addressed herein may be used to define an integral curb and gutter. This may be done using a form assembly, such as of the type shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In this case the gutter drum 80 would typically be disposed on the upper surface 172 of the lower form 170. Either one or more of an end portion of a curb profiling drum 100 and/or an adjacent portion of the drive shaft 20, or the sleeve 140 of a guide 120 (if a guide 120 is being used), would be positioned on the upper surface 182 of the upper form 180. The curb formers addressed herein could also be used to define an integral curb and gutter, where one or both of the above-noted forms is replaced with a concrete slab or the like (e.g., an adjacent portion of a road, street, highway, or the like). In any case, the curb formers addressed herein are supported by a pair of surfaces between which an integral curb and gutter is to be formed (e.g., these curb formers may be disposed on two or more supports that are spaced from one another), and during/for a curbing operation.

(60) One embodiment of what may be referred to as a cement screeding system or a rotary screed is illustrated in FIG. 16 and is identified by reference numeral 90. The rotary screed 90 is similar to the curb formers addressed herein (and as such may also be referred to as a curb former), except that the rotary screed has been adapted to simultaneously form a concrete lane and curb (e.g., in a single pass of the rotary screed 90). Such a concrete lane may be in the form of a road, street, highway, cart path, walkway, or the like. Such a concrete lane for a road, street, or highway may be of a width to accommodate a single vehicle. The rotary screed 90 could be utilized to simultaneously form a single vehicle lane and curb, and thereafter may be utilized to simultaneously form an adjacent single vehicle lane and curb to define a two-lane roadway with a pair of spaced curbs. It may be that the rotary screed 90 could be configured/utilized to simultaneously form a lane and at least one integral curb, where the lane is of a width that accommodates multiple vehicles.

(61) The rotary screed 90 uses at least some of the same components as one or more of the curb formers described herein. These components are identified by the same reference numerals in FIG. 16 and the discussion above regarding these components remains equally applicable to the rotary screed 90. Those corresponding components of the rotary screed 90 that differ in one or more respects are further identified by an “a” designation in FIG. 16.

(62) Components of the rotary screed 90 include a drive shaft or tube 20a and a drum assembly 70a that are collectively rotatable in a common direction and at a common rotational speed (e.g., the drive shaft 20a and drum assembly 70a simultaneously rotate in a common direction and at a common rotational speed), and that are each longer than the corresponding components of the curb formers addressed above. The drive shaft 20a for the rotary screed 90 may be of any appropriate configuration for imparting a rotational force/rotational motion to the drum assembly 70a. As above, the illustrated embodiment has the drive shaft 20a being in the form of a rotatable screed roller of a type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,544,012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

(63) The drum assembly 70a is configured to simultaneously form an integral lane and curb. In this regard, the drum assembly 70a includes a drum 80a (longer than the drum 80 for the curb formers addressed above) and a curb profiling drum 100 (again, which is detachable relative to both the drive shaft 20a and the drum 80a to allow the rotary screed 90 to produce different curb profiles). The drum 80a is that portion of the drum assembly 70a that forms/defines a concrete lane. In this regard, the drum 80a includes a drum body or lane profiling surface 86a (e.g., a perimeter surface of the drum 80a) that extends from the first drum end 82 to the second drum end 84 and that is disposed about the drive shaft 20a (e.g., the lane profiling surface 86a may be concentrically disposed relative to the drive shaft 20a, particularly its rotational axis). The drive shaft 20a and the drum 80a are fixed to one another in any appropriate manner (e.g. via one or more welds) such that the drum 80a will rotate along with the drive shaft 20a when being rotated by an appropriate rotational drive source. In the illustrated embodiment, the drum body 86a is cylindrical (more specifically its perimeter), with the drive shaft 20a extending through the center of this cylinder 86a (e.g., the drum body 86a and the tube body 30a are concentrically disposed in the illustrated embodiment).

(64) The rotary screed 90 of FIG. 16 may be characterized as a “longer” version of the curb former 10′ of FIG. 6 (with the increase in length being provided by a longer drum 80a and a longer drive shaft 20a). One embodiment has the drum assembly 70a being of a length of at least 5 feet. The drum 80a is that portion of the drum assembly 70a that is used to form a lane, and as such may be referred to as a “lane forming section” of the drum assembly 70a. The curb profiling drum 100 is that portion of the drum assembly 70a that is used to form a curb, and as such may be referred to as a “curb forming section” of the drum assembly 70a. Although the configuration of the rotary screed 90 of FIG. 16 is advantageous with regard to the ability to change a resulting curb profile by simply using a curb profiling drum 100 having a different curb profiling surface 106, the drum assembly 70a could instead be of an integral construction with a lane profiling surface 86a and a curb profiling surface 106. It also should be appreciated that the lane forming section of drum assembly 70 could be defined by a single drum 80a or a plurality of drums 80a that are disposed in end-to-end relation along the drive shaft 20a.

(65) FIG. 16 shows the rotary screed 90 being used with a support assembly 160a to simultaneously define a lane and curb. The support assembly 160a in FIG. 16 primarily differs from the form assembly 160 of FIGS. 11A and 11B only in relation to the spacing “W” between its lower support 170 (the supports 178 not being shown in FIG. 16) and its upper support 180 (the supports 188 not being shown in FIG. 16). Typically the spacing W between the supports 170, 180 will be at least 5 feet so as to provide a lane of an acceptable width. Each of the lower support 170 and the upper support 180 may be of any appropriate configuration. For instance, the lower support 170 may be a form, a screed pole, or a screed pipe. The lower support 170 could also be in the form of an existing/previously-formed lane. What is of importance is that the rotary screed 90 is supported at a plurality of locations while simultaneously forming a lane and at least one curb.

(66) As in the case of the curb formers addressed herein, the rotary screed 90 is pulled in a first direction in the longitudinal or length dimension to simultaneously form a lane and an integral curb using a support assembly 160a. Rotation of the drive shaft 20a and drum assembly 70a would instead tend to advance the rotary screed 90 in an opposite second direction in the longitudinal or length dimension along the support assembly 160a. This may also be described as advancing the rotary screed 90 against the rotational force of the drive shaft 20a and drum assembly 70a, and in any case simultaneously forms a lane and integral curb by a screeding action relative to the wet concrete 190.

(67) An appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 13A-14B) could be interconnected with the first free end 42 of the drive shaft 20a of the rotary screed 90 to simultaneously form a lane and curb using the form assembly 160a, and such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the upper support 180. An appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 13A-14B) could be interconnected with the second free end 52 of the drive shaft 20a of the rotary screed 90 to simultaneously form a lane and curb using the form assembly 160a, and such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the lower support 170 (or actually on the lower support 170 if in the form of an existing lane). In both of these instance, a handle assembly could be interconnected with the opposite, non-driven end of the drive shaft 20a. Yet another option would be to interconnect an appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 13A-14B) with the first free end 42 of the drive shaft 20a of the rotary screed 90 and such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the upper support 180, and to interconnect another appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 13A-14B) with the second free end 52 of the drive shaft 20a of the rotary screed 90 such that an operator would walk on the outboard side of the lower support 170 (or actually on the lower support 170 if in the form of an existing lane), where these two rotational drives/drive assemblies would rotate the drive shaft 20a in a common rotational direction and at a common rotational speed.

(68) A representative embodiment of a handle assembly is shown in FIG. 17, is identified by reference numeral 60, and may be used when the rotary screed 90 is being driven by a single rotational drive/drive assembly. The handle assembly 60 of FIG. 17 includes a pull bearing 62 that is secured to the plug 32 on a non-driven end of the drive shaft 20a for the rotary screed 90 (the handle assembly 60 being spaced from the rotational drive/drive assembly along the drive shaft 20a). A handle bracket 64 extends from the outer housing of the pull bearing 62, with the drive shaft 20a thereby being rotatable relative to this handle bracket 64. A handle 66 engages the handle bracket 64 and extends away from the drive shaft 20a such that two operators could exert a pulling force on the rotary screed 90 (one handle being associated with the rotational drive/drive assembly, and the other being the handle assembly 60, and with each such handle being rotationally isolated from the drive shaft 20a so as to not rotate with the rotating drive shaft 20a). The handle 66 may be of any appropriate type/configuration and may be interconnected with the outer housing of the pull bearing 62 in any appropriate manner. Depending upon the length of the drum assembly 70a (or the spacing W between the lower support 170 and the upper support 180) and as noted above, it may be desirable for an appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 14A-14B) to be interconnected with the first free end 42 of the drive shaft 20a of the rotary screed 90, and for an appropriate rotational drive/drive assembly (e.g., FIGS. 14A-14B) to be interconnected with the second free end 52 of the drive shaft 20a of the rotary screed 90.

(69) The rotary screed 90 of FIG. 16 uses the guide 120 discussed above with regard to the curb formers. The rotary screed 90 could be used without this guide 120, or could be used with a different guide, to simultaneously form a lane and a curb (in one pass of the rotary screed 90). It should also be appreciated that one curb profiling surface could be incorporated on one end of the drum assembly 70a and that another curb profiling surface could be incorporated on the opposite end of the drum assembly 70a in order to simultaneously define a lane and a pair of laterally spaced curbs in a single pass of the rotary screed 90.

(70) The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.