Apparatus for finishing surfaces

A grinding apparatus and leveling process utilizing the grinding apparatus for the leveling of concrete and other masonry surface are provided. The invention particularly relates to leveling and smoothing the surfaces of foundations in preparation for the installation of industrial equipment and machinery. Specifically, a support base and a vertically height adjustable leveling base which sets atop the support base when the apparatus is in use, are provided. Mounted to the leveling base is, preferably, a power driven grinding mechanism fixed at a set vertical position relative to the leveling base.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to an apparatus for finishing surfaces, and more 
specifically, to an apparatus for the preparation of concrete surfaces 
that provides foundational support for equipment. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the installation of machinery and equipment, and especially in the 
installation of heavy machinery and equipment, concrete or other masonry 
substances are used to provide foundational support for the machine. It is 
often of utmost importance that the surface of the foundation provide a 
smooth and level surface for the areas of transition between the 
foundation and the machine, in order to prevent damaging or excessive 
vibratory motion while the machine is in use. In addition to possibly 
damaging the machine and foundation, excessive vibratory motions may also 
result in, for example, the translocation of the machine thereby further 
worsening performance, the production of products falling short of 
specifications, the malfunctioning of a system of which the machine is an 
integral part, the creation of structural defects in situations where the 
machine provides structural integrity, and the creation of a state of 
imbalance wherein the machine is in danger of becoming upended. 
The surfaces of masonry foundations have conventionally been prepared by 
hand bushing the surface. Areas of the foundation are made smooth and 
level by using either a hammer and chisel or a hammer with a serrated end 
(bushing hammer). In general, this requires that the surface alternately 
be hand bushed and the degree of levelness and smoothness checked until 
the surface is sufficiently smooth and level. While simple in theory, this 
process can be very time consuming and costly. After the surface is made 
smooth and level, the machine is then installed, preferably utilizing 
shims disposed between the foundation and the machine. Supplementary to 
the quality and economic aspects of equipment and machinery installation, 
most manufacturers of quality industrial equipment specify a minimum 
degree of contact between the equipment or shims and the foundation. 
Minimum levels as high as 80% are often specified. Such high levels of 
contact may be extremely difficult and expensive, if not impossible, to 
obtain. 
Apparatuses have been provided in the past for grinding, finishing and 
dressing surfaces. These and other apparatuses generally either do not 
provide leveling mechanisms integrated as part of such apparatus or are 
not otherwise ideally suited to the preparation and grinding of masonry 
surfaces of sufficient quality for industrial equipment installation. 
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus to be 
used in conjunction with a power driven grinding mechanism for grinding 
masonry surfaces sufficiently smooth and level so as to provide for high 
degrees of contact between the masonry surface and equipment mounted onto 
said surface. 
It is also an object to provide an apparatus used in conjunction with a 
power driven grinding mechanism for grinding masonry which provides 
smooth, level surfaces at a reduction of time, manpower and expense 
relative to conventional processes utilized in the area of machine 
installation. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
It has been found that the objects identified above are met by the present 
invention. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates using a power 
driven grinding mechanism which is mounted between a pair of rails in such 
a way that the grinding mechanism may be horizontally moved, but not 
vertically moved, in a direction parallel to the rails. The remaining 
elements of the apparatus provide a unique and highly efficient means 
ideal for grinding masonry surfaces smooth and level. It should be 
realized, of course, that the present invention can also be effectively 
applied to other grinding and surface treating processes, and such 
applications shall not be construed to fall outside the scope of this 
invention. 
More specifically regarding the apparatus, a novel means for leveling the 
grinding apparatus is provided. The grinding mechanism is supported by and 
disposed within the confines of a frame like leveling base. The leveling 
base rests on a support base which is preferably of the same shape and 
dimensions as the leveling base. Leg members of the support base contact 
the surface which is to be treated. Means are provided for 
contemporaneously supporting the leveling base on the support base at a 
plurality of points and which enable the vertical height of the leveling 
base to be adjusted as desired. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality 
of bolts vertically extending through the leveling base are utilized as 
support and adjustment means. Other support and adjustment means within 
the scope of this invention will be known or apparent to those skilled in 
the art. The bolts are of conventional design, having a rod portion and, 
at one end, a handle. The handle end is positioned above the leveling 
base. The other end, consequently, extends through the leveling base and 
contacts the support base. By rotating the bolts, the vertical height of 
the leveling base can be independently adjusted at each of the plurality 
of support points. By strategically adjusting the leveling base height by 
rotating the bolts, the grinding mechanism can be positioned such that a 
high quality, flat, smooth horizontal surface may be ground. Since the 
bolts are inherently infinitely adjustable, this enables a high degree of 
accuracy to be obtained. Thus, high manufacturer specification which 
previously were difficult to obtain can be more easily and quickly 
achieved. 
Our invention provides a foundation surface that gives a relatively high 
degree of contact between a machine to be installed on shims in an 
economical, relatively quick manner. The hand methods are not effective to 
provide the relatively greater shim to foundation contact as our 
invention. 
Optionally, level indicators may be integrated into the leveling base in 
order to aid an operator to strategically manipulate the bolts. Also 
optionally, weights may be placed in the apparatus, preferably on the 
leveling base, in order to reduce vibrations and to ensure that the 
leveling base and leveling support is firmly situated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown is a grinding apparatus 28. The apparatus 
28 has a metal, rectangular support base 1 which has three support base 
leg members 2 which contact a surface to be ground when the apparatus is 
in use. A rectangular, metal leveling base 4 is set on the support base 1. 
The leveling base 4 is of similar dimensions as the support base 1. In the 
preferred embodiment, the rectangular leveling and support bases 4, 1 each 
have four corners 4', 1'. A cylindrical, vertical socket 5 having a 
grooved interior 5' is provided at each leveling base corner 4'. A 
rotatable leveling bolt 6 extends through each socket 5. Each bolt 6 has a 
handle 7 and a grooved rod portion 7'. The groved rod portion 7' contacts 
the support base 1 at the corresponding support base corner 1'. Socket 
valves 5" are provided for each socket 5. It is desirable to lubricate the 
socket 5 and/or the bolt 6 to ease rotation and prevent corrosion. The 
purpose of the socket valves 5" is to allow drainage of excessive 
lubricant from the socket 5. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a power driven grinding mechanism 8 is shown. 
The particular grinding mechanism shown is air driven. The grinding 
mechanism 8 is disposed within a carriage 10 having a carriage handle 23. 
The grinding mechanism 8 is securely bolted to the carriage 10 with 
attaching bolts 10' and attaching nuts 10". A grinding element 9 is 
rotatably connected to the grinding mechanism 8 by an axle 8'. An orifice 
10" is provided, through which the axle 8' passes. A brace 10"" provides 
additional support for the grinding mechanism 8. 
Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that a pair of parallel 
carriage rails 11 are provided. In the preferred embodiment, the carriage 
rails 11 are integrated as members of a one piece rectangular frame 11'. 
Perpendicular to the carriage rails 11 and parallel to each other are a 
pair of connector members 11", which are also part of the rectangular 
frame 11'. The frame 11' is securely connected the leveling base 4 by bolt 
means 11"". 
The carriage 10 is slidably connected to each of the carriage rails 11 with 
upper cylindrical bearings 12 and lower cylindrical bearings 15 such that 
vertical movement of the carriage independent of the carriage rails is 
prevented. The upper bearings 12 are rotatably connected to the carriage 
10 by an upper bearing axle 13 and an upper bearing nut 14. The lower 
bearing 15 are similarly connected to the carriage 10 by a lower bearing 
axle 16 and a lower bearing nut 17. 
An air hose 18 with swiveling connection at each end extends from the 
grinding mechanism 8 and is connected to a hollow, air hose elbow 19, 
which is in turn attached to a shut off ball valve, an air hose support 
18' with U-shaped rods 20 and U-shaped rod nuts 21. The air hose support 
18' is a convenience and safety feature which ensures that the air hose 18 
does not become entangled during the operation of the apparatus 28. 
Level indicators 22 are attached to the leveling base 4. The level 
indicators 22 facilitate an operator of the apparatus 28 to continuously 
monitor progress while adjusting the vertical height of the leveling base 
4 by rotating the leveling bolts 6. Preferably, a level indicator 22 is 
provided between each vertical heights adjustment means, which in the 
preferred embodiment, are the leveling bolts 6. 
An additional feature which is particularly useful for the grinding of 
masonry is a means for increasing the mass of the apparatus 28. Such means 
reduces the amount of downward force which must be supplied by the 
operator to ensure that the support base legs 1' remain in contact with 
the surface 3 during grinding. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, leveling base weights 25 are detachably 
connected to the leveling base 4. Each leveling base weight 25 has 
leveling base weight supports 26 which are designed to fit onto the level 
base 4. Leveling base weight handles 27 are provided for convenience. 
Leveling base handles 24 securely connected to the leveling base 4 are 
also provided to facilitate mobility of the leveling base 4 and carriage 
rail 11 assembly. 
It should be pointed out that it may be necessary to adjust the carriage 
rails 11 to increase or decrease their length to provide for different 
patterns and sizes; therefore, although not shown, they may be adjustibly 
connected within the rectangular frame 11' or different size frames could 
be provided. 
The following procedure is recommended for operation of the present 
invention in connection with the installation of machinery. First, the 
foundation is prepared for grinding by using a pneumatic bushing hammer to 
relieve a path at least as wide as the shim which is to be used in 
connection with installation of the machine, Preferably, the path is 
approximately 1/4" deep and 1/2" to 1" larger to in horizontal dimensions 
than the shim. The support base is placed over the area to be ground. The 
leveling base and grinder mechanism are then placed on the support base; 
and, by rotating the leveling bolts and monitoring the level indicators, 
the leveling base is leveled at a vertical height at which the grinding 
element is slightly higher than the surface. The grinding mechanism is 
switched on. The operator(s) slowly lower the grinding mechanism by 
rotating the leveling bolts while maintaining the leveling base in a level 
condition. Lowering of the grinding mechanism is stopped when the entire 
surface area of the grinding element is in contact with the surface. The 
carriage may be slid along the carriage rails to a precise, predetermined 
spot or to enlarge the area of grinding. During grinding, a small but 
constant flow of water should be maintained over the surface which is 
being ground. 
While the foregoing description describes the preferred embodiments of the 
present invention, said description is not meant to limit the scope of the 
invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the claims in 
determining the scope of the invention.