Apparatus and system for surface processing of plastically deformable masses

Abstract

An apparatus for surface processing of plastically deformable masses, fresh concrete, mortar or screed is disclosed. The apparatus includes an L-shaped housing having a first housing axis and a second housing axis. The first housing axis and the second housing axis intersect one another at an angle. The L-shaped housing includes a handle, which is arranged along the first housing axis, and a receptacle for an energy store formed at a free end of the handle. The L-shaped housing further includes a head portion is arranged along the second housing axis and a base plate arranged at a free end of the head portion. The apparatus includes a vibration unit accommodated at least in sections within the head portion and on which the base plate is arranged.

Claims

1. An apparatus for surface processing of plastically deformable masses, fresh concrete, mortar or screed, comprising: an L-shaped housing comprising a first housing axis and a second housing axis, wherein the first housing axis and the second housing axis intersect each other at an angle (), wherein: the L-shaped housing comprises a handle arranged along the first housing axis, a receptacle configured as an energy storage device and arranged and formed at a free end of the handle, and the L-shaped housing comprises a head portion arranged along the second housing axis, and a base plate arranged at a free end of the head portion, and a vibration unit arranged at least partially within the head portion, the vibration unit configured such that the base plate may be arranged thereon.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a control unit configured to monitor a state of charge of the energy storage device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged within the handle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a center of gravity of the apparatus is located in a center of gravity plane defined by the first housing axis and by the second housing axis, and the center of gravity is arranged between the second housing axis and the free end of the handle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a damping element configured to damp vibration caused by the vibration unit between the L-shaped housing and the base plate.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the damping element is arranged in a first plane orthogonal to the second housing axis between the L-shaped housing and the base plate.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the maximum radial extension of the damping element with respect to the second housing axis is greater than the maximum radial extension of the base plate.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the L-shaped housing comprises a sealing element arranged in a second plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane, the first plane arranged between the second plane and the base plate.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a maximum radial extension of the sealing element with respect to the second housing axis is greater than the maximum radial extension of the base plate.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the L-shaped housing comprises one piece from a cast aluminum.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base plate is configured to be supported in a decoupled manner from the head portion.

12. A system for surface processing of plastically deformable masses, fresh concrete, mortar or screed, comprising: an L-shaped housing comprising a first housing axis and a second housing axis, wherein the first housing axis and the second housing axis intersect each other at an angle (), wherein: the L-shaped housing comprises a handle arranged along the first housing axis, a receptacle configured as an energy storage device and arranged and formed at a free end of the handle, and the L-shaped housing comprises a head portion arranged along the second housing axis, and a base plate arranged at a free end of the head portion, and a vibration unit arranged at least partially within the head portion, the vibration unit configured such that the base plate may be arranged thereon; and a processing plate comprising a bottom side arranged and configured to face the plastically deformable mass fresh concrete, mortar or screed, and a top side arranged opposite to the bottom side and comprising a fastening device configured to fasten the apparatus to the processing plate.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the fastening device comprises a receptacle for the base plate.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus is configured to be inserted into the receptacle in a first position and in a second position, the first position differing from the second position by a rotation of the apparatus about the second housing axis relative to the processing plate.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the receptacle comprises a rotationally symmetrical basic shape in a top view, and the base plate comprises a corresponding basic shape configured so as to facilitate arrangement of the apparatus in the receptacle in different positions.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein a depth of the receptacle is greater than the distance from a bottom edge of the base plate to the second plane supporting the sealing element.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the fastening device comprises a locking unit configured to fix the apparatus in the receptacle.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the fastening device comprises a further receptacle configured as a base plate of another apparatus.

19. The system according claim 12, wherein the bottom side configured to be faced towards a plastically deformable mass, fresh concrete, mortar or screed to be processed of the processing plate comprises at least one shaping profile.

20. A method of surface processing plastically deformable masses, fresh concrete, mortar or screed comprising the steps of: providing an L-shaped housing comprising a first housing axis and a second housing axis, wherein the first housing axis and the second housing axis intersect each other at an angle (), wherein: the L-shaped housing comprises a handle arranged along the first housing axis, a receptacle configured as an energy storage device and arranged and formed at a free end of the handle, and the L-shaped housing comprises a head portion arranged along the second housing axis, and a base plate arranged at a free end of the head portion, and arranging a vibration at least partially within the head portion, the vibration unit configured such that the base plate may be arranged thereon; arranging a processing plate comprising a bottom side arranged and configuring to face the plastically deformable mass fresh concrete, mortar or screed, and a top side arranged opposite to the bottom side and comprising a fastening device configured to fasten the apparatus to the processing plate; applying the bottom edge of the processing plate to a surface to be processed, assuming a tilted position of the housing, wherein the top edge of the processing plate is spaced from the surface to be processed, activating the vibration unit, and moving the system over the surface to be processed, wherein an end of the housing lying rearward in a direction of movement represents the bottom edge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further advantageous features and details of the various embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent from the ensuing description of preferred exemplary embodiment or embodiments and further with the aid of the drawings. The features and combinations of features recited below in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations shown after that in the drawing description or in the drawings alone, may be used not only in the particular combination recited by also in other combinations on their own without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0045] The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:

[0046] FIG. 1 a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0047] FIG. 2 a side view of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0048] FIG. 3 a top view of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0049] FIG. 4A a side view of a base plate with vibration unit;

[0050] FIG. 4B a perspective view of a base plate with vibration unit;

[0051] FIG. 5 a side view of a system according to the invention;

[0052] FIG. 6 a front view of a system according to the invention;

[0053] FIG. 7A a schematic side view of a processing plate;

[0054] FIG. 7B a schematic side view of another processing plate;

[0055] FIG. 7C a schematic front view of a processing plate;

[0056] FIG. 7D a schematic front view of another processing plate;

[0057] FIG. 8A a top view of a system according to the invention; and

[0058] FIG. 8B a top view of another system according to the invention.

[0059] Identical parts are provided with the same reference signs in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] As used throughout the present disclosure, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term or encompasses all possible combinations, except where infeasible. For example, the expression A or B shall mean A alone, B alone, or A and B together. If it is stated that a component includes A, B, or C, then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, the component may include A, or B, or C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C. Expressions such as at least one of do not necessarily modify an entirety of the following list and do not necessarily modify each member of the list, such that at least one of A, B, and C should be understood as including not only one of A, only one of B, only one of C, or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus 100 according to the invention for surface processing of plastically deformable masses. The apparatus is L-shaped, with the two legs forming the L being formed by a first housing axis 112 and a second housing axis 114. The first housing axis 112 and the second housing axis 114 part at an angle of 90. The L-shaped housing 110 includes a base plate 120 disposed on the shorter leg of the L corresponding to the second housing axis 114. The base plate 120 is supported on the L-shaped housing 110 in a decoupled manner because a vibration unit 130 is connected to the base plate 120 within the L-shaped housing 110. Along the longer leg of the L-shaped housing 110 is a handle 116 oriented in the direction of the first housing axis 112. An actuating switch 105 can be used to turn the vibration unit 130, and thus the entire apparatus 100, on and off.

[0062] The handle 116 includes a contour 119 in the form of indentations to improve grip security for a user. At a free end 117 of the handle 116, which faces away from the second housing axis 114, there is a receptacle for an energy storage device 200 (not shown). The energy storage device is thus decoupled from the vibration unit 130 in the best possible way and can be changed very easily. In addition, the center of gravity of the apparatus 100 shifts in the direction of the handle 116 when an energy storage device 200 is inserted into the receptacle at the free end 117. As the center of gravity shifts, the entire apparatus 100 loses stability, facilitating flexible single-handed handling by a user. Additionally, a control unit 132 is located within the handle 116 that can monitor the charging state of an inserted energy storage device 200. The control unit 132 is located within the handle 116 between the free end 117 and the second housing axis 114. In the embodiment, the center of gravity of the apparatus 100 is located in a center of gravity plane. The center of gravity plane is defined by the first housing axis 112 and the second housing axis 114. The center of gravity is located between the second housing axis 114 and the free end 117. Preferably, the center of gravity is located outside of the L-shaped housing 110, further facilitating instability of the apparatus 100 and thus single-handed handling.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an apparatus 100 according to the invention. The illustration shows the L-shaped configuration with the first housing axis 112 and the second housing axis 114, wherein the first housing axis 112 and the second housing axis 114 intersect at an angle of 90. The L-shaped housing 110 includes the base plate 120, which is mounted on the L-shaped housing 110 in a decoupled manner, and the handle 116, which is oriented in the direction of the first housing axis 112. The handle 116 includes the contour 119 in the form of indentations, and a receptacle for an energy storage device 200 (not shown) is located at the free end 117 of the handle 116 facing away from the second housing axis 114.

[0064] A damping element 122 is disposed between the base plate 120 and a head portion 111 of the L-shaped housing 110. The damping element 122 is for damping vibration caused by the vibration unit 130 inside the L-shaped housing 110, whereby the vibration is not directly transmitted to the L-shaped housing 110 and thus to the handle 116. The damping element 122 lies in a first plane 150 and is circumferentially disposed around the base plate 120. In this regard, the base plate 120 includes a protrusion in the radial direction, the advantages of which are described in particular in FIG. 5 in connection with the processing plate 170. The first plane 150 is formed orthogonally to the second housing axis 114 and parallel to the base plate 120. Additionally, a sealing element 124 is located on the L-shaped housing 110 and is disposed in a second plane 160 above the first plane 150. The second plane 160 is formed parallel to the first plane 150 and is located on a side of the first plane 150 away from the base plate 120. The sealing element 124 is arranged in a circumferential direction around the head portion 111 of the L-shaped housing 110, similar to the damping element 122. The protrusion of the damping element 122 also provides advantages that are described in particular in FIG. 5 in connection with the processing plate 170.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a top view of an apparatus 100 according to the invention. The illustration again shows the L-shaped housing 110 with the handle 116, wherein the handle 116 extends along the first housing axis 112. The handle 116 further comprises the contour 119 in the form of recesses and at the free end 117 of the handle 116, there is a receptacle for an energy storage device 200 (not shown). In addition, the L-shaped housing 110 includes the base plate 120, which is decoupledly supported on the head portion 111 of the L-shaped housing 110. The vibration unit 130 is disposed inside the head portion 111 of the L-shaped housing 110.

[0066] The base plate 120 has a rotationally symmetrical basic shape in the form of a regular octagon. In conjunction with a corresponding octagonal basic shape of the receptacle 190 on the base plate 170, the apparatus 100 can be arranged in various positions in the receptacle 190. Additionally, torque can also be transmitted between the apparatus 100 and the base plate 170, facilitating handling by preventing the apparatus from slipping or misaligning during operation.

[0067] FIG. 4A shows a side view of a base plate 120 with arranged vibration unit 130. The vibration unit 130 is directly fixed to the base plate 120.

[0068] FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a base plate 120 with vibration unit 130. Through the perspective view of the base plate 120, the octagonal basic shape of the base plate is apparent, whereby the apparatus 100 can be arranged in various positions in conjunction with the corresponding octagonal basic shape of the receptacle 190 on the base plate 170.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a system 300 according to the invention. The system 300 comprises an apparatus 100 and a processing plate 170. The processing plate 170 comprises a fastening device 180 with a receptacle 190 for arranging the base plate 120 of the apparatus 100 on the processing plate 170. The receptacle 190 is located on the top side 174 of the processing plate 170 and by means of a locking unit 185 the apparatus 100 is fixed in the receptacle 190.

[0070] When the system 300 is used, the bottom side 172 of the processing plate 170 is faced towards a plastically deformable mass 400 to be processed, such as fresh concrete, mortar or screed. The system 300 is used to process the surface of a plastically deformable mass. In particular, the L-shaped housing of the apparatus 100 results in an unstable arrangement with a slight tilting moment. The unstable arrangement entails that the apparatus 100 can be operated with only one hand and can be handled particularly easily. In conjunction with the processing plate 170, the entire system 300 can be actuated and vibrations are applied from the base plate 120 to the plastically deformable mass 400 via the processing plate 170. Surface processing of plastically deformable masses is made easier and more efficient. The fresh concrete mass containing solid concrete constituents and aggregate grains is compacted. Voids are largely closed and air bubbles formed during casting rise to the top.

[0071] During the surface processing method, the system 300 is held by the handle 116 and held together with the processing plate 170 in a tilted position in such a way that the bottom edge 176 of the processing plate 170, which is located at the rear in the direction of movement B1, is placed on the surface to be processed, and the top edge 177 of the processing plate 170, which is located at the front in the direction of movement B1, is held at a distance from the surface to be processed. By activating the vibration unit 130, vibrations are applied from the base plate 120 via the processing plate 170 to the plastically deformable mass 400.

[0072] Alternatively, it is also possible to hold the system 300 by the handle 116 during the surface processing method and to transfer it together with the processing plate 170 to a tilting position in such a way that the top edge 177 of the processing plate 170, which is located at the rear in the direction of movement B2, is placed on the surface to be processed and the bottom edge 176 of the processing plate 170, which is located at the front in the direction of movement B2, is held at a distance from the surface to be processed.

[0073] In this case, the method for surface processing plastically deformable masses is applicable in an identical manner. Here, only the first direction of movement B1 is replaced by the second direction of movement B2, the bottom edge 176 becomes the new top edge and the top edge 177 becomes the new bottom edge of the system 300. In particular, the method relates to the steps of providing a system 300 according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, applying the top edge 177 of the processing plate 170 to the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed, adopting a tilted position of the system 300 with the bottom edge 176 of the processing plate 170 spaced from the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed. After activating the vibration unit 130, the system 300 is moved over the surface of the plastically deformable mass to be processed, with the end of the system 300 that is rearward in a second direction of movement B2 being the top edge 177.

[0074] FIG. 6 shows a front view of a system 300 according to the invention on a freshly cast wall coping. The wall coping is located between a pair of two spaced formwork walls 405. The system 300 is in a tilted position and the bottom edge 176 of the processing plate 170 is placed on the surface to be processed. In addition, the two spaced formwork walls 405 each include an internally disposed chamfer profile 410 to chamfer the edges of the wall coping. The opposing pair of chamfer profiles 410 additionally serve as a stop for guiding the system 300 over the surface to be processed. In this case, the bottom edge 176 of the processing plate can be placed directly on the chamfer profiles 410. To reduce the risk of injury to the operator, the top edges 177 are rounded at the lateral corners.

[0075] FIG. 7A shows a schematic side view of a processing plate 170. The processing plate 170 includes the bottom side 172 to be faced towards a plastically deformable mass to be processed and a top side 174 with the fastening device 180 including the receptacle 190 for placing the apparatus 100 on the processing plate 170. The fastening device 180 has a depth T. A bottom edge 176 is located at a first end of the processing plate 170, and a top edge 177 is located at an opposite end of the processing plate 170.

[0076] FIG. 7B shows a schematic side view of a further processing plate 170. Identical to the previous embodiment, the processing plate 170 comprises the bottom side 172 to be faced towards a plastically deformable mass to be processed, the top side 174 with the fastening device 180 including the receptacle 190 for arranging the apparatus 100 on the processing plate 170. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the fastening device 180 comprises a receptacle 190 and a further receptacle 192. This has the technical advantage that more than one apparatus 100 (not shown) can be used simultaneously. A second apparatus 100 also allows larger processing plates 170 to be used and thus larger concrete surfaces to be processed.

[0077] FIG. 7C shows a schematic front view of a processing plate 170, comprising the bottom side 172 to be faced towards a plastically deformable mass to be processed and a top side 174 with the fastening device 180 including the receptacle 190 for placing the apparatus 100 on the processing plate 170. The fastening device 180 has a depth T. A triangular shaping profile 173 is located on the bottom side 172. When the processing plate is moved over a plastically deformable mass to be processed by means of the apparatus 100 placed in the receptacle 190, a joint in the form of a joint gap can be realized. For example, in addition to the receptacle 190, the fastening device 180 can also comprise one or more further receptacles (not shown), whereby more than one apparatus 100 (not shown) can be used at the same time and larger processing plates 170 can also be used and thus larger concrete surfaces can be processed.

[0078] FIG. 7D shows a schematic front view of an additional processing plate 170. This additional processing plate 170 also comprises the bottom side 172 to be faced towards a plastically deformable mass to be processed and a top side 174 with the fastening device 180 including the receptacle 190 for arranging the apparatus 100 on the processing plate 170. On the bottom side 172 there is a plurality of shaping profiles 173 each having a triangular cross-section. The plurality of shaping profiles are directly adjacent to each other. When the processing plate is moved over a plastically deformable mass to be processed by means of the apparatus placed in the receptacle 190, a plurality of parallel depressions can be drawn in the surface to be processed. For example, in addition to the receptacle 190, the fastening device 180 may include one or more further receptacles (not shown), allowing more than one apparatus 100 (not shown) to be used at a time and also allowing larger processing plates 170 to be used and thus larger concrete surfaces to be processed.

[0079] FIG. 8A shows a top view of a system 300 according to the invention. The system 300 comprises an apparatus 100 and the processing plate 170, the processing plate 170 having a fastening device 180 with a receptacle 190 into which the base plate 120 of an apparatus 100 is inserted. The receptacle 190 is located on the top side 174 of the processing plate 170, with a bottom edge 176 located at a first end of the processing plate 170 and a top edge 177 located at an opposite end of the processing plate 170.

[0080] The apparatus 100 is oriented with respect to the processing plate 170 in such a way that the handle 116 points in the direction of movement B1. In a top view, the receptacle 190 has a rotationally symmetrical basic shape in the form of an octagon. The base plate 120 of the apparatus comprises corresponding octagonal basic shape.

[0081] FIG. 8B shows a top view of another system 300 according to the invention. The system 300 comprises the identical apparatus 100, the processing plate 170 with the fastening device 180 and the receptacle 190 for inserting the base plate 120 of an apparatus 100. The receptacle 190 is also located on the top side 174 of the processing plate 170 and at the first end of the processing plate 170 is the bottom edge 176 while at the opposite end of the processing plate 170 is the top edge 177 with rounded corners. The apparatus 100 is oriented with respect to the processing plate 170 such that the handle 116 is rotated 45 counter-clockwise with respect to the direction of movement B1. Thus, the position of this embodiment relative to the position of the preceding embodiment differs by rotation of the apparatus 100 about the second housing axis 114 relative to the processing plate 170. The receptacle 190 has a basic rotationally symmetrical shape in the form of an octagon when viewed from above. The base plate 120 of the apparatus includes the corresponding octagonal base shape. Thus, the apparatus 100 can be arranged in eight different positions relative to the processing plate 170. The octagonal configuration also allows for torque transmission, which at least ensures that the apparatus cannot slip or misalign during operation.

[0082] Since the devices and methods described in detail above are examples of embodiments, they can be modified to a wide extent by the skilled person in the usual manner without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the mechanical arrangements and the proportions of the individual elements with respect to each other are merely exemplary. Some preferred embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention have been disclosed above. The invention is not limited to the solutions explained above, but the innovative solutions can be applied in different ways within the limits set out by the claims.