Abstract:
An apparatus and process for cutting a precise even groove into a concrete wall for tilt-up roof panel installation. The apparatus includes a platform assembly to which a saw assembly is mounted. The platform assembly includes at least one forwardly projecting roller wheel firmly biased against the top surface of a concrete wall and at least two vertically suspended guiding roller wheels. The platform assembly rolls across the top surface of a concrete wall to guide and support the attached saw frame, which holds a concrete, saw motor and a saw blade at a desired angle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates generally to concrete saws, and more particularly to an apparatus for generating precise, even grooves in a concrete wall for ease of tilt-up roof panel installation.  
           [0003]    2. Background of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Current apparatuses for cutting grooves in a concrete wall for tilt-up roof panel installation are hand held, such as a power cutting saw. Often, when using such an apparatus, the grooves are imprecise in angle and not perfectly straight, due to general human error, thereby making it very difficult to install tilt-up roof panels. As is often the case, such apparatuses are also bulky and difficult to manage, thereby making the process for cutting even grooves both time consuming and labor intensive.  
           [0005]    Consequently, there exists an unfulfilled need for an apparatus and process for cutting precise, even grooves in a concrete wall for ease of tilt-up roof panel installation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides such an apparatus and process for cutting precise, even grooves in a concrete wall. Specifically, the present invention enables the efficient cutting of precise, even grooves into a concrete wall, at any angles, while requiring little physical labor. The invention includes a platform assembly to which a saw assembly is mounted. The platform assembly includes at least one forwardly projecting roller wheel firmly biased against the top surface of a concrete wall and at least two vertically suspended guiding roller wheels. The platform assembly rolls on the top surface of a concrete wall to guide and support an attached saw frame that holds a saw motor and a concrete saw blade at a desired angle for cutting a groove into the side of the wall.  
           [0007]    First, the platform assembly is placed on the top surface of a concrete wall, with all roller wheels firmly biased against the top and side surfaces of the wall. Next, the saw blade is adjusted to a selected angle. Then, the position of the saw frame is adjusted to place the saw blade flush against the surface of the wall in a position where a groove is to be cut. Finally, the motor is activated to operate the saw blade. The platform assembly is manually moved along the upper surface of the concrete wall to cause the saw blade to cut a groove along the sidewall surface.  
           [0008]    An object of the invention is to enable the cutting of precise, even grooves in a concrete wall in a labor and time efficient manner.  
           [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a more efficient means for installing tilt-up roof panels. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the bottom portion of a frame assembly according to the present invention; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged side view of a frame assembly according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]    The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. This detailed description of a particular preferred embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice the invention, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the concepts for the wall saw and the specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent methods and systems do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.  
         [0015]    An assembly according to the present invention, for cutting an angled groove along a concrete wall is shown in perspective view in FIG. 1. The apparatus includes a platform assembly  5  atop a wall  10  and a saw assembly  15 . A saw  17 , adjustable to a selected angle, forms a groove  20  in wall  10 .  
         [0016]    The platform assembly  5  includes a frame  23  that supports saw assembly  15 . Frame  23  presents two rigid, downwardly projecting tabs  25 ,  26  along the sides of such frame. At least one longitudinal bar  30  is coupled securely at both ends to tabs  25 ,  26 . Longitudinal bar  30  extends transversely through frame  23 . Longitudinal bar  30  preferably mounts at least one forwardly projecting roller wheel  33  that is normally firmly biased against top surface of concrete wall  10  during operation. Top surface  27  of wall  10  is ideally level.  
         [0017]    Mounted at opposite, outward side edges of frame  23  are at least two vertical bars  45 ,  45   a . Vertical bars  45 ,  45   a  are suspended at their top ends by fasteners. In an embodiment of the present invention, stepped washers  300  and fasteners  305  are used to attach vertical bars  45 ,  45   a  to frame  23 , as illustrated in more detail in the following FIG. 3.  
         [0018]    Vertical bars  45 ,  45   a  are preferably of unequal lengths, with the vertical bar  45   a  located on the side of frame  23  opposite saw assembly  15  being of greater length than that of the vertical bar  45  located on the same side as the saw assembly  15 . Mounted to each vertical bar  45 ,  45   a  is at least one forwardly projecting stabilizing wheel  47 ,  47   a  that is normally firmly biased against each side of wall surface  28 ,  29  of concrete wall  10 . Such stabilizing wheels  47 ,  47   a  mounted on bars  45 ,  45   a  ensure stability and guidance to frame  23  as saw assembly  15  is operated on wall  10 . Ideally, the length of the longer vertical bar  45   a  is determined by the weight of saw assembly  15 . The present invention enables a unique method for stabilizing the platform assembly  5  by offset of the weight of the saw assembly  15  against the pressure exerted onto side wall surface  29  by stabilizing wheel  47   a  mounted to the longer of the vertical bars  45   a.    
         [0019]    The saw assembly  15  has a motor  35 , which is shown as a hydraulic motor but may be powered by a variety of methods including, electricity, air, or the like. Motor  35 , which supports and propels saw blade  17 , is mounted on an adjustable frame  37 , which is coupled to a support rod  38 . Support rod  38  is coupled to primary support arm  39 . Adjustable frame  37  is vertically adjustable by tightening or loosening a first adjustment means, such as a screw attached to support rod  38 , such as at location A. Frame  37  is also horizontally adjustable by tightening or loosening a second adjustment means, such as a screw attached to the coupling joint of support rod  38  and primary support arm  39 , such as at location B. By adjusting the screw attached to support rod  38  at location A, frame  37  may be adjusted to a plurality of angles as required for groove cutting. By adjusting the screw attached to the coupling joint of support rod  38  and primary support arm  39  at location B, frame  37  may be adjusted to position saw blade  17  against sidewall surface  28  for cutting groove  20 . Saw blade  17  preferably has a saw guard  40  that may be fitted with a pair of water hose fittings  42 , which are conventional in cutting concrete.  
         [0020]    In operation, platform assembly  5  is lifted onto wall  10 , with forward roller wheel  33  and stabilizing wheels  47 ,  47   a  firmly biased against wall top surface  27  and side surfaces  28 ,  29 . Then, the angle of saw blade  17  is adjusted by loosening the first adjustment means attached to support rod  38  at location A and setting the frame  37  to the desired angle. Once saw blade  17  is at an appropriate angle, the first adjustment means is tightened and frame  37  is locked in place. Then, saw blade  17  is positioned flush against the wall side surface  28  by the second adjustment means at the coupling joint of support rod  38  and primary support arm  39 , at location B. Next, a hydraulic hose is affixed to motor  35  and the motor is started. Hydraulic oil is passed through motor  35  beginning the movement of saw blade  17  into surface  28  to cut groove  20 . Finally, platform assembly  5  is manually moved along the top surface  27  of the wall  10  to cut a precise, even groove  20  along the concrete wall  10 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein two horizontal bars  30  are coupled to tabs  25 ,  26  by stepped washers  200  and fasteners  205 . Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 3, four vertical bars  45 ,  45   a  are coupled to the frame  23  by stepped washers  300  and fasteners  305 .  
         [0022]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.  
         [0023]    While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from basic concepts and operating principles of the invention taught herein. Therefore, for purposes of determining the scope of patent protection, reference shall be made to the appended claims in combination with the above detailed description.