Abstract:
An apparatus for facilitating leveling of an unrestrained material such as uncured concrete with a straight edge board is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a first engagement and a second engagement member which are attached to the straight edge board. Each engagement member includes a frame, a handle, an adjustable handle bracket and a fastening bolt. The apparatus allows a worker to extend further without bending and prevents poor ergonomics. The apparatus may be used with most straight edge boards, and is easy to disassemble and store in a relatively small space.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not Applicable  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&amp;D  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus for attachment to a straight edge board for use in leveling an unrestrained or loose material. More specifically, the present invention is directed at an apparatus for attachment to a straight edge board for use in leveling concrete.  
           [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0006]    Typically, a straight edge two-by four board is used to level newly poured cement, such as in the construction of a sidewalk. This usually requires the worker to extend himself over the newly poured concrete in a ergonomicly incorrect manner, which could result in back injury and the like. Additionally, the worker must grasp the board with his/her fingers increasing the fatigue on the worker&#39;s muscles.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides a solution to the problem of leveling unrestrained materials such as concrete, sand, gravel and the like. The present invention allows for a straight edge board, which is well accepted in the industry, to be more efficiently utilized in the leveling of unrestrained materials, with better ergonomics for the worker.  
           [0008]    One aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for utilization with a straight edge wooden board for leveling of uncured concrete. The apparatus includes a first engagement member and a second engagement member. The first engagement member includes a first frame, a first adjustable handle bracket, a first fastening bolt and a first cylindrical handle. The first frame is composed of steel. The first frame is attached to the straight edge wooden board. The first frame has a top plate with a first plate extending downward approximately 2.5 inches from a first edge of the top plate, and a second plate extending downward 2.5 inches from a second edge of the top plate. The first plate has a first aperture therethrough. The first adjustable handle bracket is attached to an exterior surface of the top plate. The first fastening bolt is disposed through a threaded nut and the first aperture of the first plate for securing the first engagement member to the straight edge wooden board. The first cylindrical elongated handle has a first end threadingly engaged to the first adjustable handle bracket and second end with a grip thereon. The second engagement member includes a second frame, a second adjustable handle bracket, a second fastening bolt and a second cylindrical handle. The second frame is composed of steel. The second frame is attached to the straight edge wooden board. The second frame has a top plate with a first plate extending downward approximately 2.5 inches from a first edge of the top plate, and a second plate extending downward 2.5 inches from a second edge of the top plate. The first plate has a first aperture therethrough. The second adjustable handle bracket is attached to an exterior surface of the top plate. The second fastening bolt is disposed through a threaded nut and the first aperture of the first plate for securing the second engagement member to the straight edge wooden board. The second cylindrical elongated handle has a first end threadingly engaged to the first adjustable handle bracket and second end with a grip.  
           [0009]    A second aspect of the present invention is a combination for leveling of uncured concrete. The combination includes a straight edge 2×4 wooden board, a first engagement member and a second engagement member. The first engagement member includes a first frame, a first adjustable handle bracket, a first fastening bolt and a first cylindrical handle. The first frame is composed of steel. The first frame is attached to the straight edge 2×4 wooden board. The first frame has a top plate with a first plate extending downward approximately 2.5 inches from a first edge of the top plate, and a second plate extending downward 2.5 inches from a second edge of the top plate. The first plate has a first aperture therethrough. The first adjustable handle bracket is attached to an exterior surface of the top plate. The first fastening bolt is disposed through a threaded nut and the first aperture of the first plate for securing the first engagement member to the straight edge 2×4 wooden board. The first cylindrical elongated handle has a first end threadingly engaged to the first adjustable handle bracket and second end with a grip thereon. The second engagement member includes a second frame, a second adjustable handle bracket, a second fastening bolt and a second cylindrical handle. The second frame is composed of steel. The second frame is attached to the straight edge 2×4 wooden board. The second frame has a top plate with a first plate extending downward approximately 2.5 inches from a first edge of the top plate, and a second plate extending downward 2.5 inches from a second edge of the top plate. The first plate has a first aperture therethrough. The second adjustable handle bracket is attached to an exterior surface of the top plate. The second fastening bolt is disposed through a threaded nut and the first aperture of the first plate for securing the second engagement member to the straight edge 2×4 wooden board. The second cylindrical elongated handle has a first end threadingly engaged to the first adjustable handle bracket and second end with a grip.  
           [0010]    It is an object of the present object to provide an apparatus to facilitate the leveling of an unrestrained material such as uncured concrete.  
           [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to facilitate the leveling of an unrestrained material, that is easy to disassemble and store in a relatively small space. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention attached to a straight edge board.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an isolated front view of an engagement member of the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an isolated side view of an engagement member of the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an isolated view of a handle of an engagement member of the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus leveling an unrestrained material. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 5 , the apparatus of the present invention is generally indicated  10 . The apparatus  10  is utilized with a straight edge board  15 . The apparatus  10  has a first engagement member  20   a  and a second engagement member  20   b.  The first engagement member  20   a  has a first frame  25   a,  a first elongated handle  30   a,  a first adjustable handle bracket  35   a  and a fastening bolt  40 . The second engagement member  20   b  has a second frame  25   b,  a second elongated handle  30   b , a second adjustable handle bracket  35   b  and a fastening bolt  40 .  
         [0018]    Each of the first frame  25   a  and the second frame  30   b  has a top plate  45 , a first plate  50  and a second plate  55 . The first plate  50  extends downward from a first edge  60   a  of the top plate  45  and the second plate  55  extends downward form a second edge  60   b  of the top plate  45  to form an U-shaped frame. Each of the first frame  25   a  and the second frame  25   b  are preferably composed of a metal material such as steel, titanium (a lightweight material), brass and the like. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other materials such as polymers (for example polyamides) may be utilized for the first and second frames  25   a  and  25   b  without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0019]    Each of the first plate  50 , second plate  55  and top plate  45  of each of the frames  25   a  and  25   b  having a thickness, “T”, preferably ranging from 0.10 inch to 0.25 inch, and most preferably a thickness of approximately 0.125 inch. The distance, “D”, between the first plate  50  and the second plate  55  of each of the frames  25   a  and  25   b  preferably ranges from 1.5 inch to 2.0 inch, more preferably 1.8125 inches to 1.875 inches to attached to a straight edge board  15 , which is typically a straight edge 2×4 wooden board. Each of the first plate  50 , second plate  55  and top plate  45  of each of the frames  25   a  and  25   b  having a width, “W”, preferably ranging from 2.0 inches to 5.0 inches, and most preferably a width of approximately 4.0 inches.  
         [0020]    Each of the first plate  50  and the second plate  55  of each of the frames  25   a  and  25   b  having a length, “L”, extending downward from an edge  60   a  or  60   b  of the top plate  45  preferably ranging from 2.0 inches to 3.5 inches, and most preferably a length of approximately 2.5 inches to attach to a straight edge board  15 .  
         [0021]    Each first plate  50  of each of the frames  25   a  and  25   b  has a first aperture  65   a  therethrough, and preferably a second aperture  65   b  therethrough. The apertures  65   a  and  65   b  are preferably positioned in parallel along a central horizontal plane of the first plate  50 , 1 inch from opposing edges of the first plate  50 . A fastening bolt  40  is disposed through each of the apertures  65   a  and  65   b  for securing each of the first engagement member  20   a  and second engagement member  20   b  to the straight edge board  15 . Each of the fastening bolts  40  are preferably engaged with a threaded nut  70 . Each fastening bolt  40  preferably has a flat end  75  to facilitate tightening of the fastening bolt  40  into the straight edge board  15 . Those skilled in the art will recognize other means for securing it engagement member to the board without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0022]    The first adjustable handle bracket  35   a  is disposed an exterior surface of the top plate  45  of the first frame  25   a , preferably in the center of the top plate  45 . The second adjustable handle bracket  35   b  is disposed an exterior surface of the top plate  45  of the second frame  25   b , preferably in the center of the top plate  45 . Each adjustable handle bracket  35   a  and  35   b  is composed of a base  80 , a fixed socket  85  and a moveable threaded socket  90  for receiving an attachment end  95  of a handle  30   a  or  30   b . The attachment end  95  of each handle  30   a  and  30   b  is preferably metal threaded for removable attachment a corresponding adjustable handle bracket  35   a  or  35   b.    
         [0023]    Each handle  30   a  and  30   b  is elongated and preferably cylindrical with a diameter ranging from 0.75 inch to 2.0 inch, and most preferably 1 inch. A second end  100  of each handle  30   a  and  30   b  preferably has a grip  105  thereon. Each handle  30   a  and  30   b  preferably has a length, “L′”, preferably ranging from 12 inches to 36 inches, and most preferably approximately 24 inches. Each handle  30   a  and  30   b  is preferably composed of wood, however, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other materials could be used for each of the handles  30  and  30   b  without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The grip is preferably composed of a rubber or poly mer material, and preferably has a texture thereon for better gripping by a working utilizing the apparatus  10  of the present invention.  
         [0024]    In practice, each engagement member  25   a  and  25   b  is attached an appropriate distance on a straight edge board, typically equal distance from the center of the straight edge board  15 . A worker/user, can adjust the distance between the engagement members  25   a  and  25   b  to the worker&#39;s appropriate distance for the workers body dimensions. Thus, the present invention allows for facilitated “fitting” of the apparatus  10  to the worker. This facilitated fitting decreases injury to the worker since the worker does not have to adjust, but instead can adjust the apparatus to the worker&#39;s dimensions. Each engagement member  25   a  and  25   b  is attached by turning each fastening bolt  40  into the straight edge board  15  to engage and secure each engagement member  25   a  and  25   b  to the straight edge board  15 .  
         [0025]    Each of the handles  30   a  and  30   b  are attached to each corresponding adjustable handle bracket  35   a  and  35   b . The workers grips the grip end  100  of each handle  30   a  and  30   b  and pulls the unrestrained material to level the material to create a level surface such as a sidewalk. For instance, with concrete, the uncured concrete is poured and then is leveled to create a sidewalk, porch or other substantially flat surface. The 360 degree adjustability of the handles  30   a  and  30   b  due to the 360 degrees movement of the socket  90  of each of the adjustable handle brackets  35   a  and  35   b  allows for greater positioning of the straight edge board  15  on the material to be leveled.  
         [0026]    After use of the apparatus  10 , the components may be quickly disassembled and the apparatus stored (without the straight edge board) in a relatively small space. Thus, the apparatus  10  may easily be transported from work site to work site without sacrificing valuable space on a vehicle such as a work truck.