, or an electrical power source 150 such as a battery system or a generator system. In some aspects and embodiments the power system 150 may include an output shaft coupled to a hydraulic assembly 160, for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a plurality of components necessary to operate screed apparatus 10 via a plurality of electrically actuated control valves. Hydraulic assembly 160 may comprise a conventional hydraulic pump 162, manifold 164, and associated control valves for supplying pressurized fluid to various components of screed apparatus 10. In yet further aspects the power system 150 may be entirely electric, for example a rechargeable battery or batteries, or an electric motor or generator, requiring no hydraulic system 160, and thereby further reducing the weight and emission pollutants of screed apparatus 10. In these embodiments all components of screed apparatus 10 are electric or electromechanical, and are thus driven by a battery 150 or generator 150 as necessary.

In some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, concrete screed apparatus 10 power source 150 may be mounted directly on screed head assembly 100, thereby reducing the weight of screed apparatus 10 compared to conventional two part frame mounted machines. Additionally, optional hydraulic system 160 may also be mounted to or directly over screed head assembly 100. These embodiments also enable the relatively even distribution of screed apparatus 10 weight across the frame assembly 40, thereby providing for easier leveling of apparatus 10 and more even finished surfaces. In some embodiments electronic actuators, discussed herein below, may be utilized to raise and lower the frame in substitution of a hydraulic system 160 in order to improve the reaction time of apparatus 10 and produce a highly accurate level surface.

In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 11, system and apparatus 10 may further comprise a controller 200 which may a processor or processors 202 and memory 204. System 10 controller 200 may further comprise a plurality of signal outputs 210 and signal inputs 220 that may be operatively connected to a plurality of system 10 components to monitor and direct system 10 operation. Furthermore, in some embodiments controller 200 may include a wireless or hard-wired communications interface 230 that enables controller 200 to communicate with external devices or communications networks such as the internet, that may be integrated into system 10. Furthermore, inputs 220 and outputs 210 may be operatively coupled to, for example, a plurality of electrically actuated valves to operate hydraulic system 160 and other components as discussed further herein below. Throughout the specification the operation of hydraulic cylinders will be understood to be effected through the use of a hydraulic system 160, comprising electrically actuated hydraulic valves and a controller 200 for operating said valves, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Additionally, controller 200 may be equipped with an operator or user interface 240 to provide audible or visual feedback to a user as well as provide a user the ability to provide instructions or commands to controller 200. Exemplary but non-limiting user interfaces that may be employed include a mouse, keypads, touch-screens, keyboards, switches, joysticks and/or touch pads. Any user interface 240 may be employed for use in the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Furthermore, user interface 240 wirelessly communicate with controller 200 such that it may be remotely located from screed apparatus 10. It will be understood that FIG. 11 constitutes, in some respects, an abstraction and that the actual organization of the components of apparatus 10 and controller 200 may be more complex than illustrated.

The processor 202 may be any hardware device capable of executing instructions stored in memory 204 or data storage 206 or otherwise processing data. As such, the processor may include a microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar devices.

The memory 204 may include various memories such as, for example L1, L2, or L3 cache or system memory. As such, the memory 204 may include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), or other similar memory devices. It will be apparent that, in embodiments where the processor includes one or more ASICs (or other processing devices) that implement one or more of the functions described herein in hardware, the software described as corresponding to such functionality in other embodiments may be omitted.

The user interface 240 may include one or more devices for enabling communication with a user such as an administrator. For example, the user interface 240 may include a display, a mouse, and a keyboard for receiving user commands, or a joystick or similar device for directing apparatus operations. In some embodiments, the user interface 240 may include a command line interface or graphical user interface that may be presented to a remote terminal via the communication interface 230.

The communication interface 230 may include one or more devices for enabling communication with other hardware devices. For example, the communication interface 230 may include a network interface card (NIC) configured to communicate according to the Ethernet protocol. Additionally, the communication interface 230 may implement a TCP/IP stack for communication according to the TCP/IP protocols. Various alternative or additional hardware or configurations for the communication interface 230 will be apparent. In some aspects the communication interface 230 may implement a machine code standard, such as machine code J1939, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The storage 206 may include one or more machine-readable storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, or similar storage media. In various embodiments, the storage 206 may store instructions for execution by the processor 202 or data upon which the processor 202 may operate. For example, the storage 206 may store a base operating system for controlling various basic operations of the hardware. Other instruction sets may also be stored in storage 206 for executing various functions of system 10, in accordance with the embodiments detailed below.

It will be apparent that various information described as stored in the storage 206 may be additionally or alternatively stored in the memory 204. In this respect, the memory 204 may also be considered to constitute a “storage device” and the storage 206 may be considered a “memory.” Various other arrangements will be apparent. Further, the memory 204 and storage 206 may both be considered to be “non-transitory machine-readable media.” As used herein, the term “non-transitory” will be understood to exclude transitory signals but to include all forms of storage, including both volatile and non-volatile memories.

While the controller 200 is shown as including one of each described component, the various components may be duplicated in various embodiments. For example, the processor 202 may include multiple microprocessors that are configured to independently execute the methods described herein or are configured to perform steps or subroutines of the methods described herein such that the multiple processors cooperate to achieve the functionality described herein. Further, where the controller 200 is implemented in a cloud computing system, the various hardware components may belong to separate physical systems. For example, the processor 202 may include a first processor in a first server and a second processor in a second server.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-7 and 12-21, and in some aspects and embodiments apparatus 10 further comprises a leveling system or assembly 300, that may include a plurality of vertically adjustable leveling legs 310 that are secured in a generally vertical orientation to screed head assembly 100 at leveling assembly mounts 36. In some embodiments as leveling legs 310 may comprise a vertically movable leg 310 journaled in a sleeve 312 that is secured to leveling assembly mounts 36. As shown in the drawing Figures, in one exemplary but non-limiting embodiment of the invention two opposed legs 310 are spaced apart and disposed at a front frame 30, proximate screed head assembly 100 and generally positioned at a opposed ends 102 thereof while a single leg 310 is secured to rear frame 40 of screed apparatus 10, proximate the center thereof. In this embodiment, the two vertically adjustable opposed legs 310 may be used to level the screed head 100, while the rear leg 310 may be used to adjust the tilt thereof, as will be discussed further herein below. In some aspects electrical or electronic actuators 320 may be secured to leveling legs 310 and mounts 36, as discussed in detail below, to effect high speed leveling of a poured concrete surface.

The screed apparatus 10 in some aspects further comprises a plurality of wheel mounts 330 secured to said leveling legs 310 at a bottom portion thereof, onto which a plurality of wheels 340 are rotatably mounted. In these aspects and embodiments of the invention, screed apparatus 10 essentially forms a “one piece” or unitary apparatus 10 whereby the entire screed 10 is leveled and moved by leveling legs 310 while screed head assembly 100 is leveling and smoothing a poured concrete surface. Wheels 340 may be comprised of a hard concrete resistant material such as rubber, and in some embodiments may comprise aluminum spindles that easily roll through the concrete being screeded, as well as being easy to clean after use.

In further embodiments wheel mounts 330 and wheels are 340 capable of swiveling or turning around a central vertical axis such that each wheel 340 may both rotate and swivel. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 12, for example, in certain embodiments leveling legs 310 each include a gear 314 journaled thereon that rotates with leveling legs 310. The plurality of gears 314 may be secured together through engagement with a chain or belt 316, or the equivalent thereof, such that when a one of said legs 310 rotates each leg 310 rotates in a corresponding fashion. In some embodiments chain or belt 316 may be routed through a plurality of pulleys or gears 317 to facilitate the routing and movement thereof without impeding the operation and function of other components of apparatus 10.

In some embodiments a steering handle 318 may be secured to a one of said plurality of leveling legs 310, such that rotating steering handle 318 causes each of the plurality of leveling legs 310 to rotate, thus moving all wheels 340 together. As can be readily seen this embodiment of the invention permits a user or operator to easily turn and maneuver screed 10 by a simple rotation of steering handle 318. Since all wheels 340 are turned together in this embodiment, as best depicted in FIGS. 12-19 apparatus 10 can readily be moved in any direction by simple rotation of steering handle 318.

In a further embodiment of the invention chain 316 may be omitted so that only the wheel 340 that is secured to the leveling leg 310 that is controlled by steering handle 318 is manually turned. In this embodiment of the invention the remaining wheels 340 are free to turn as needed and simply follow along as the steered wheel 340 is used to turn and control screed apparatus 10. In a yet further embodiment of the invention, the non-steered wheels 340 may be disconnected from the steered wheel 340 by simply removing a clevis pin or like fastener from gears 314 on leveling legs 310, thereby disconnecting those leveling legs 310 from the steering-linked leg or legs 310.

In some embodiments the number and positioning of legs 310 around frame 20 of screed apparatus 10 may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the drawing Figures depict three leveling legs 310 secured to frame 20 it will be understood that a plurality of leveling legs may be employed in apparatus 10 without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, leveling assembly 300 may in some embodiments comprise a plurality of actuators 320 secured to leveling legs 310 and leveling mounts 36 or sleeves 312 that are operable to force slidable leg 310 upwardly or downwardly in sleeve 312 to thus elevate or lower frame 20 with respect to a reference plane, thereby leveling the entire screed apparatus 10 as a unit. Actuators 320 may include an input operatively coupled to an output 210 of controller 200, said output 210 being representative of a position or height of frame 20 and thus the grade setting of screed head assembly 100, since screed head assembly 100 moves in concert with frame 20. This feature of the instant invention provides an extremely level finished concrete surface, since the entire concrete screed apparatus 10 is continuously leveled using high-speed electronic actuators 320, with respect to a desired reference plane.

In yet further aspects and embodiments, actuators 320 may comprise hydraulic cylinder 320 that extend and retract to provide vertical adjustment to legs 310. In these embodiments an electrically actuated hydraulic valve having an input responsive to an output 210 of controller 200 is provided to route pressurized hydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinders 320 thereby retracting or extending legs 310 and raising or lowering screed apparatus 10. In this embodiment, actuators 320 may comprise electrically operated actuators 320 of many varieties, including linear actuators and gear driven actuators. In embodiments where leveling system 300 is electrically actuated, screed 10 does not require a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump 162 or manifold 164, thereby further reducing the total weight of apparatus 10, which is advantageous in upper deck pour applications. In these embodiments electrical actuators 320 may have an input operatively coupled to an output 210 of controller 200, said output 210 being representative of a position or height of frame 20 and thus the grade setting of screed head assembly 100. Furthermore, electrically operated actuators 320 may include an output or outputs representative of leveling leg 310 position operatively coupled to an input 220 of controller 200, thereby providing positive feedback of leveling leg 310 position to controller 200. In one exemplary but non-limiting embodiment actuators 320 may comprise linear actuators that include an electric motor to drive a gear set and thus extend or retract leveling legs 310. Linear actuators 320 can include various inputs and outputs that are operatively coupled to the inputs 220 and outputs 210 of controller 200, such that controller 200 may quickly and accurately control the extension and retraction of leveling legs 310 as set forth herein below.

In various aspects and embodiments wheels 340 may be driven by either hydraulic or electric motors 350, mounted on wheel mount 330 and controlled responsive to an output 210 operatively coupled to controller 200. Motors 350 may be hydraulic motors supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid through operation of pump 162 and manifold 164. Alternatively motors 350 may be one of many commercially available electric motors, for example a direct drive DC motor or the like, depending upon the power source 150 being utilized with screed apparatus 10.

In one embodiment of the invention each wheel 340 is driven by an independent motor 350. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention only the wheel or wheels 340 proximate the rear frame 40 are driven by a motor or motors 350, such that the other wheels 340 are free to rotate and simply follow driven wheel 340. In various embodiments motors 350 are controlled via outputs 210 from controller 200 responsive to an input 220 to controller that is supplied by operator interface 240. For example, a joystick, a plurality of pushbuttons, handle mounted triggers, a track pad, or a touch screen may be provided for a user to provide input commands to controller 200 indicative of a desired rotation of a driven wheel or wheels 340 so that motors 350 are energized to turn wheels 340 responsive to a user's commands. In some aspects and embodiments, and as seen in FIG. 1, for example, a user interface 240 may be mounted or secured on steering handle 318 to be readily accessible while screeding a concrete pour. In other embodiments, user interface 240 may be provided as a remote smart device, for example a smart phone or tablet in wireless communication with controller 200 without departing from the scope of the invention. In the wireless remote control user interface 240 embodiment an operator may be positioned away from the screed apparatus 10 for safety as well as a reduction in weight on the deck area being poured. In each of these embodiments all screed 10 functions may be operated through interface 240.

The steering system for screed 10 may in some embodiments also be operated electro-mechanically and/or hydraulically such that wheels 340 may be rotated at least 90 degrees from “forward”, thereby providing screed 10 the ability to move sideways or parallel to the pour as best seen in FIGS. 12, 13 and 22. For example, as depicted in FIG. 22 a steering motor 360, either electric or hydraulic, may drive a gear 317 that engages chain 316 and thus turns leveling legs 310 and concomitant wheels 340 in any desired direction. Motor 360 may be controlled by an output 210 from controller 200 responsive to an input 220 to controller 200 that is supplied by operator interface 240. In this embodiment of the invention, a user may provide a command via operator interface 240 to control both the direction of wheel 340 turn and rotation, thereby providing a screed apparatus 10 that may be completely controlled remotely by a user.

In some aspects and embodiments as shown in FIG. 13, a linear actuator 320 may be secured at a point to frame assembly 40 or sleeve 312 and also to chain or belt 316. By operating actuator 320 responsive to an output 210 from controller 200 responsive to an input 220 to controller 200 that is supplied by operator interface 240, actuator 320 can effectively steer apparatus 10 by simply retracting or extending actuator 320. In some aspects and embodiments chain or belt 316 is tensioned such that extending actuator 320 allows wheels 340 to turn in a first direction while retracting actuator 320 allows wheels 340 to turn in a second direction. In further aspects and embodiments linear actuator 320 may be provided with an output 210 from controller 200 that is representative of a “center” position for wheels 340 thereby permitting an operator to precisely straighten wheels 340 for a screeding pass.

As depicted in FIGS. 12-19 the combination of at least one or a plurality of driven wheels 340 that may or may not be linked by chain 316 and steering to turn together provides the ability for screed apparatus 10 to be driven directly horizontally (or at a 90 degree angle to the general screed direction) so that the machine may be easily moved horizontal to a pour. In fact, screed apparatus 10 can be moved in virtually any direction, and is capable of “crabbing”, or moving in virtually any direction. This feature of the invention is also particularly advantageous for maneuvering screed apparatus 10 through narrow doorways or other restricted space areas as required in many interior concrete pours.

In various embodiments as best seen in FIGS. 1-6 leveling system 300 may include a plurality of laser leveling eyes 402 may be mounted to screed head assembly 100, for example on a post or upright 404 secured or fastened at either end of screed head 100 to level screed 10. Furthermore, a slope sensor 410 may also be secured to screed apparatus 10 proximate rear frame 40 such that the front/rear tilt of the screed head 100 may be detected thereby. Leveling eyes 402 have outputs operatively coupled to an input 220 of controller 200, said outputs being representative of an elevation with respect to a reference plane. Similarly, slope sensor 410 also has an output operatively coupled to an input 220 of controller 200, said output representative of the front-to-back slope or “tilt” of the screed apparatus 10. Since screed head assembly 100 is rigidly secured to frame 20, by adjusting rear leveling leg or legs 310 the front-to-back tilt of screed apparatus 10 can be adjusted. In various embodiments controller 200 monitors both slope 410 and level 402 outputs and automatically adjusts leveling legs 310 to provide apparatus 10 with a predetermined elevation and tilt.

In various embodiments, screed 10 has a three-point leveling system 300, wherein the screed may be leveled side-to-side by adjusting the opposed outer legs 310 responsive to the laser eyes 402 with respect to a reference plane, and then titled front to back by adjusting the rear leg 310