MOTORIZED BUMP CUTTER ASSEMBLY

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to concrete finishing tools, including a motorized bump cutter.

BACKGROUND

Bump cutters are tools used to smooth the top surface of wet concrete so that the concrete, once dried, may have a nice upper finish. In general, bump cutters are used to level the surface of the concrete by removing high spots and filling in low spots.

Typical bump cutters are handheld and may include a wide flat blade coupled perpendicularly to a handle. In use, the user may hold the handle and push and pull the blade across the surface of the concrete to smooth uneven areas.

However, for larger areas of wet concrete, multiple workers may be required to utilize bump cutters simultaneously to complete the job before the concrete cures.

In addition, workers may be required to walk upon the wet concrete to get to inner areas that require smoothing. As such, the workers must then use the bump cutter to remove the footprints and other irregularities caused by walking on the concrete. This adds a significant amount of work to such jobs thereby increasing the time and cost of the work.

Accordingly, there is a need for a motorized bump cutter assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a motorized bump cutter assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a motorized bump cutter assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show aspects of a bump cutter assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a motorized bump cutter assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a motorized bump cutter assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a motorized bump cutter assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a motorized bump cutter assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a motorized bump cutter assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a support arm assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 12 shows a top view of a support arm assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a support arm assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of a support arm assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

FIG. 15 shows a side view of a support arm assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, a motorized bump cutter system is provided. The system motorizes use of a bump cutter tool that is typically performed manually, and as such, implements a plurality of inventive aspects to accomplish the solution.

FIG. 1 shows the bump cutter system 10 (also referred to herein as simply the system 10) including a movement system 100, a front bump cutter assembly 200, and a support assembly 300. In general, the movement system 100 includes a device (preferably motorized) designed to mechanically cause controlled movement of the bump cutter assembly 200, and the bump cutter assembly 200 is coupled to the movement system 100 via the support assembly 300. In use, the bump cutter system 10 provides controlled motorized movement of the bump cutter assembly 200 to finish wet concrete, e.g., to cut high spots and to fill dips in the wet concrete surface to create a level finish.

Additionally, the bump cutter system 10 may include a rear bump cutter assembly 400. The rear bump cutter assembly 400 may be used in addition to or instead of the front bump cutter assembly 200. This rear assembly 400 will be described in later sections. The system 10 also may include other elements and components as necessary to fulfill its functionalities.

Movement System 100

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the bump cutter system 10 including the movement system 100, the bump cutter assembly 200, and the support assembly 300. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the same.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the movement system 100 includes a movement device 102 designed to cause controlled movement of the system 10. In some embodiments, the movement device 102 includes a ride-on power trowel or a walk-behind trowel. In some embodiments, the movement device 102 includes a chassis 104 (also referred to herein as a frame), a motor 106, and a control system 108. The chassis 104 may generally include the mechanical and structural elements of the movement device 102, e.g., the frame. The motor 106 may cause the movement of the chassis 104 (e.g., of the ride-on trowel) and the control system 108 may provide control mechanisms to control various parameters of the movement device 102 (e.g., to control the direction (e.g., forward or reverse), speed, steering, and/or to generally operate the movement device 102). For example, the control system 108 may enable a user to control the power, forward/reverse, steering, and/or other parameters. This will be described in other sections.

For the purposes of this specification, the movement system 100 will be described primarily as a power trowel, e.g., a walk-behind power trowel and/or a ride-on power trowel. However, it is understood that the movement system 100 may include any suitable types of movement systems and that the scope of the bump cutter system 10 is not limited in any way by the type(s) of movement system(s) that the bump cutter system 10 may utilize. For example, it also is contemplated that the movement system 100 may include a remote-controlled unmanned vehicle.

Front Bump Cutter Assembly 200

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the front bump cutter assembly 200, FIG. 4 shows a top and bottom view of the front bump cutter assembly 200, and FIG. 5 shows a front and rear view of the same.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the bump cutter assembly 200 includes a first rail 202 (e.g., a front edge rail) and a second rail 204 (e.g., a rear edge rail). The first and second rails 202, 204 may preferably be aligned horizontally and arranged parallel with one another, and spaced apart, e.g., by about 6 inches to about 10 inches. In this way, the bottoms of each of the first and second rails 202, 204 may be aligned with one another along a common horizontal plane (e.g., on the ground plane G of FIG. 2). As shown, the first rail 202 may define the front side of the bump cutter assembly 200, and the second rail 204 may define the rear side of the bump cutter assembly 200. As is known in the art, as the bump cutter 200 is moved across wet concrete (e.g., in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2), the bump cutter 200 may level the concrete by cutting high spots and filling low spots. The rails 202, 204 may comprise rectangular steel tubing and/or may comprise other suitable materials such as magnesium, aluminum, and/or other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, the first and second rails 202, 204 also may each include blades 206 mounted to the respective bottom surface of each rail 202, 204. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, image (2) (bottom view of the assembly 200), the first rail 202 may include a first blade 206 mounted to its bottom surface and generally extending from the far left of the rail 202 to the far right of the rail 202. In addition, the second rail 202 may include a second blade 206 mounted to its bottom surface and generally extending from the far left of the rail 204 to the far right of the rail 204. In this way, the first blade 206 mounted to the first rail 202 may define the front edge of the assembly 200, and the second blade 206 mounted to the second rail 204 may define the rear edge of the assembly 200.

Each blade 206 may be arranged horizontally with a width that may preferably match or be slightly wider than the width of its respective rail 202, 204. That is, in some embodiments, as best seen in FIG. 4, image (1) (top view of the assembly 200) each blade 206 may extend beyond the inner side of its respective rail 202, 204, e.g., towards the area between the rails 202, 204. In this way, buildup material (e.g., wet concrete) may collect between the first and second blades 202, 204 thereby providing material to fill in low spots in the concrete encountered during use of the system 10. The blades 206 may comprise one-inch thick (or other suitable thicknesses) ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW) and/or similarly suitable materials.

In some embodiments, each rail 202, 204 also may include left and right bumpers 208, e.g., mounted at the far left and far right ends of the rails 202. 204. The left and right bumpers 208 may generally cap the left and right ends of the rails 202, 204 (as well as the left and right ends of the blades 206) by extending over the ends of both rails 202, 204 and joining them together. As such, the bumpers 208 may be generally perpendicular to the rails 202, 204 and the blades 206, with the left bumper 208 defining the left side of the assembly 200 and the right bumper 208 defining the right side of the assembly 200. In this way, the bumpers 208 may provide protection and durability to the left and right ends of the rails 202, 204, and may provide additional coupling support between the rails 202, 204. The bumpers 208 also may provide protection to other structures that may come into contact with the left and/or right sides of the rails 202, 204 during use of the system 10 so that these structures are not damaged by the ends of the metal rails 202, 204, e.g., pillars and/or walls within the concrete being smoothed.

In some embodiments, the left and right bumpers 208 may each extend beyond the rear side of the second rail 204 on the respective left and right sides such that these extension portions may each capture build up material (e.g., wet concrete) and prevent it from being passed from the far left and right sides of the assembly 200 into the areas of the wet concrete outside the assembly 200. The bumpers 208 also may comprise one-inch thick (or other suitable thicknesses) ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW) and/or similarly suitable materials.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the first and second rails 202, 204 may be coupled to one another using one or more first coupling support members 210 that are coupled to and that extend between each of the rails 202, 204. For example, a left first coupling member 210 may be configured between the first and second rails 202, 204 on the left side of the assembly 200, and a right first coupling member 210 may be configured between the first and second rails 202, 204 on the right side of the assembly 200. It may be preferable that the coupling members 210 extend generally perpendicular to and between the first and second rails 202, 204, that the members 210 are arranged vertically, and that the members 210 each have a height that generally matches the height of the rails 202, 204. In this way, the coupling members 210 may generally extend from the bottom of each rail 202, 204 to the top of each rail 202, 204 at the connection location with each rail 202, 204. This may provide rigid coupling between the first and second rails 202, 204 from the bottom of the rails 202, 204 to the top of the rails 202, 204. The coupling members 210 may be welded, bolted, clamped, and/or otherwise securely attached to each rail 202, 204 to hold the rails 202, 204 together and in position. Additional first coupling members 210 may be similarly positioned at other locations along the assembly 200 to provide additional support.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the assembly 200 also may include one or more horizontal coupling members 212 that also may be coupled to and may extend generally perpendicularly between the first and second rails 202, 204 to provide further rigid coupling between the rails 202, 204. In some embodiments, the horizontal coupling members 212 may be arranged generally horizontally between the rails 202, 204, e.g., at or near the top of each of the rails 202. 204. In this way, the horizontal coupling members 212 may provide lateral rigidity between the rails 202, 204. In addition, as will be described in other sections, the horizontal coupling members 212, being horizontal, also may each provide an upper mounting surface for other elements of the bump cutter assembly 200, e.g., for left and right torsion bar assemblies.

In some embodiments, the assembly 200 may include a first horizontal coupling member 212-1 between the rails 202, 204 at or near the far-left side of the assembly 200, a second horizontal coupling member 212-2 to the left of a midpoint M_P of the assembly 200, and a third horizontal coupling member 212-3 between (e.g., midway between) the first and second horizontal coupling members 212-1, 212-2. The assembly 200 also may include a fourth horizontal coupling member 212-4 at or near the far-right of the assembly 200, a fifth horizontal coupling member 212-5 to the right of the midpoint M_P of the assembly 200, and a sixth horizontal coupling member 212-6 between (e.g., midway between) the fourth and fifth coupling members 212-4, 212-5. The horizontal coupling members 212 may be welded, bolted, clamped, and/or otherwise securely attached to each rail 202, 204 to hold the rails 202, 204 together and in position and to provide upper surfaces for mounting the torsion bar assemblies.

As is known, torsion forces may cause twisting and deformation along an object's length when the object is subject to outside forces. Because the bump cutter assembly 200 may encounter strong outside forces during its use in smoothing wet concrete, the assembly 200 may include one or more torsion bar assemblies 214 to counteract these torsional forces and to hold the assembly 200 flat, straight, and linear from its far-left side to its far-right side. In this way, the first and second rails 202, 204 and their respective bottom blades 208 may be held linear to provide linear bump cutting front and rear edges.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 image (1), and 5, the bump cutter assembly 200 includes a first torsion bar assembly 214 configured with its left side and a second torsion bar assembly 214 configured with its right side. Each torsion bar assembly 214 may include a torsion bar 216 with a first mount 218 configured with its first end (e.g., its inner end) and a second mount 220 configured with its second end (e.g., its outer end). Each torsion bar 216 also may include an inner mount 222 configured to hold the bar 216 at a location between its first and second ends.

In some embodiments, the first mount 218 of the left side torsion assembly 214 is mounted to the upper surface of the second horizontal coupling member 212-2, and the second mount 220 is mounted to the upper surface of the first horizontal coupling member 212-1. The left side torsion assembly's inner mount 222 may be mounted to the upper surface of the third horizontal coupling member 212-3.

In some embodiments, the first and second mounts 218, 220 each include tightening mechanisms designed to receive a respective end of the torsion bar 216, so rigidly secure the end of the bar 216, and to provide tension to the bar 216. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second ends of the torsion bar 216 may be threaded and the first and second mounts 218, 220 may include tightening nuts designed to receive and tighten the respective ends of the bar 216 (e.g., thereby providing outward bias or tension to the bar 216). The mounts 218, 220 also may include locking nuts such that when the mounts 218, 220 are adjusted to provide the desired amount of tension to the torsion bar 216, the mounts 218, 220 and the respective ends of the bar 216 may be locked. Other types of tightening mechanisms and/or locking mechanisms also may be used. This may enable the torsion bar 216 to be properly set to counteract torsional forces that may be exerted onto the bump cutter assembly 200 (e.g., to the first and second rails 202, 204, e.g., especially on the left side of the assembly 200). The inner mount 222 mounted to the third horizontal coupling member 212-3 may include a pass-through mount that may generally hold the bar 216 in position.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the first mount 218 may connect to and hold the first end of the torsion bar 216 at a slightly higher elevation with respect to the first and second rails 202, 204 compared to the second mount 220 (e.g., 0.5 inches to about 3 inches higher).

Regarding the right side torsion bar assembly 214, in some embodiments, the first mount 218 may be mounted to the upper surface of the fourth horizontal coupling member 212-4, the second mount 220 may be mounted to the upper surface of fifth horizontal coupling member 212-5, and the inner mount 222 may be mounted to the upper surface of the sixth horizontal coupling member 212-6. The mounts 218, 220, 222 on the right side may be generally equivalent to the mounts 218, 220, 222 on the right side and may be similarly configured with the right side torsion bar 214 to provide torsional support to the bump cutter assembly 200, e.g., especially to the right side of the assembly 200.

Because the horizontal coupling members 212 supporting the mounts 218, 220, 222 are each rigidly coupled between the first and second rails 202, 204, the torsional support provided by the torsion bars 216 and the overall torsion bar assemblies 214 is provided directly to both the first and second rails 202, 204 in combination.

Support Assembly 300

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the bump cutter system 10 and FIG. 7 shows a side view of the same.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the support assembly 300 includes a first support arm assembly 302 with a first end coupled to and extending away from the rear side of the bump cutter assembly's second rail 204 and a second end coupled to a frame portion (and/or other suitable portion) of the movement system 100. The first support arm assembly 302 may be positioned to the left of the bump cutter assembly's midpoint M_P to provide linkage between the bump cutter assembly 200 and the movement system 100 on the left side.

In some embodiments, the support assembly 300 includes a second support arm assembly 302 with a first end coupled to and extending away from the rear side of the bump cutter assembly's second rail 204 and a second end coupled to a frame portion (and/or other suitable portion) of the movement system 100. The second support arm assembly 302 may be positioned to the right of the bump cutter assembly's midpoint M_P to provide linkage between the bump cutter assembly 200 and the movement system 100 on the right side.

It may be preferable that the first and second support arms 302 extend perpendicularly away from the second rail 202 an equal distance (e.g., about 8 inches to 16 inches).

In some embodiments, the proximal ends of the first and second support arms 302 may be welded to the rear side of the second rail 302 while in other embodiments, the proximal ends of the support members 302 may pass through corresponding cutouts in the second rail 302 and may extend to and be connected to the first rail 202 as well (e.g., to the first rail's rear surface and/or into a cutout in the first rail's rear surface). It may be preferable that the support arms 302 be welded at the cutouts as well as at the interface with the first rail 202. Other attachment techniques in addition to and/or instead of welding may be used, such as, bolts, clamps, other attachment mechanisms, and/or any combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the second ends of the first and second support arms 302 may be coupled to corresponding frame portions of the movement system 100. In some cases, mounting plates, support bars, and/or other mounting structures may be implemented depending on the architecture of the movement system's frame and chassis. This will be described in detail in other sections.

In some embodiments, portions of the first and second support arm assemblies 302 may each be hinged, e.g., rotatable up and down. In this case, the first and second support arm assemblies 302 may each include a first support member 304 coupled to the bump cutter assembly 200 (e.g., as described above with respect to the support arm assembly's first end), a second support member 306 coupled to the movement system 100 (e.g., as described above with relation to the support arm assembly's second end), and a hinge member 308 configured between the first and second support members 304, 306 to provide up and down rotation between the members 304, 306.

For example, in some embodiments, the hinge member 308 may include outer side plates configured with each first and second support member combinations with pivot pins passing through the side plates and at least one of the support members 304, 306 about which one or both of the members 304, 306 may rotate. In other embodiments, the side plates may be integrated with the support members 304, 306 so that the support members 304, 306 may be configured to rotate with respect to one about the pivot pins and/or about an inner support section configured within the pivot pins and the side plates. This may enable the bump cutter assembly 200 to be pivoted (e.g., rotated) upward and/or downward about the pivot pins with respect to the movement system 100. This may enable the pitch of the bump cutter assembly 200 with respect to the ground G to be set. It may be preferable that the pivot pin configured with the first support arm assembly 302 be aligned along a common axis with the pivot pin configured with the second support arm assembly 302 so that the entire bump cutter assembly 200 may pivot about the common axis. Other types of hinge members also may be used. In addition, the support arm assemblies 302 and their elements (e.g., the members 304, 308) may comprise rectangular steel tubing and/or other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, upward and/or downward pivoting of the bump cutter assembly 200 may be controlled by forces applied to the assembly 200 by a force providing mechanism 310. For example, in some embodiments, the force providing mechanism 310 may include a hydraulic cylinder including a first end rotatably coupled to the bump cutter assembly 200 and a second end coupled to the movement system 100 (e.g., to a portion of the movement system's frame, etc.).

In some embodiments, a first rotatable mount 312 may be coupled to the bump cutter assembly 200, e.g., to a support beam 312 coupled between the first and second rails 202, 204 at or near the upper surface of the rails 202, 204 and preferably at the midpoint M_P of the bump cutter assembly 200. In some embodiments, the first rotatable mount 312 may provide a first pivot point P1, e.g., a hole through which a pivot pin configured with the first end of the force providing mechanism 310 may pass, a disk or ball joint, etc. In this way, the force providing mechanism 310 may pivot about the first pivot point P1 and its first end with respect to the bump cutter assembly 200.

In some embodiments, a second rotatable mount 314 may be coupled to the movement system 100, e.g., to a support member configured with the movement system's frame and preferably located at a position that corresponds to the midpoint M_P of the bump cutter assembly 200 when the bump cutter assembly 200 is configured with the movement system 100. In some embodiments, the second rotatable mount 314 may provide a second pivot point P2, e.g., a hole through which a pivot pin configured with the second end of the force providing mechanism 310 may pass, a disk or ball joint, etc. In this way, the force providing mechanism 310 may pivot about the second pivot point P2 and its second end with respect to the movement system 100.

As mentioned previously, in some embodiments, the force providing mechanism 310 may include a hydraulic cylinder. In this case, a hydraulic pump 316 may be implemented to provide actuation of the hydraulic cylinder (e.g., via hydraulic lines), thereby causing the hydraulic cylinder to extend and/or retract in the direction of the force arrow F in FIG. 7. The hydraulic pump 316 may be controlled using a control mechanism 318, e.g., a lever, knob, dial, handle, etc., thereby providing control of the hydraulic cylinder's in and out movement.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, when the force providing mechanism 310 is caused to retract upward in the direction of the arrow F, the bump cutter assembly 200 may pivot upward in the direction of the arrow P about the hinge members 308. Conversely, when the force providing mechanism 310 is caused to extend downward in the direction of the arrow F, the bump cutter assembly 200 may pivot downward in the direction of the arrow P about the hinge members 308. In this way, the pitch of the bump cutter assembly 200 (e.g., the pitch of the coupled first and second rails 202, 204) may be adjusted with respect to the ground G by the user during use of the system 10. In addition, because the force providing mechanism 310 may apply a downward force to the bump cutting assembly 200 when desired, the force providing mechanism 310 also may regulate the downward force applied to the bump cutting assembly during use of the system 10. This functionality may enable an operator of the system 10 to apply a desired downward force to hold the bump cutting assembly 200 in place and at the desired pitch during its use in smoothing the concrete.

In some embodiments, other types of force providing mechanisms 310 may be implemented, such as, without limitation, rack and pinion assemblies, pneumatic cylinders, other types of force providing mechanisms, and/or any combinations thereof.

As is known, different commercially available movement systems 100 (e.g., walk-behind and/or a ride-on power trowels) may include frames and chassis that may differ from one another depending on the manufacturer, etc. However, it is preferable that the frames and/or chassis of the different movement systems 100 include one or more suitable attachment points that may be utilized to configure additional support structures for use in supporting and securing the bump cutter assembly 200.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the movement system 100 may include various attachment points A that may be utilized to attach one or more additional support structures between the movement system 100 and the bump cutter assembly 200 to couple and support the elements 100, 200 together.

For example, the movement system 100 may include an upper frame member F1 (e.g., a rack that extends about the periphery of and that provides support to the movement system's seat area) that may provide attachment points A1 and A2. The system 100 also may include peripheral side guards G1, G2, G3 (e.g., that generally encircle and provide outer protection to the movement system's lower left and right rotating trowel blades) that may provide left and right attachment points A3 and A4. Other attachment points A may be provided by other structures of the moving system's frame and/or chassis.

In some embodiments, the support assembly 300 may provide one or more support structures that may be attached to and/or between the one or more attachment points A provided by the movement system 100. For example, a first upright and/or angled support bar 320 (e.g., to the left) may have a first end attached to a first attachment point A, e.g., attachment point A1, and a second end attached to a second attachment point A, e.g., attachment point A4. This support bar 320 may provide support and rigidity between the upper frame F1 and the lower peripheral side guards G1, G2, G3 on the left side.

Additionally, a second upright and/or angled support bar 320 may be implemented (e.g., to the right) with its first end configured with the frame F1 at attachment point A2 and with its second end configured with the attachment point A3, e.g., with the guards G1, G2, G3. This support bar 320 may provide support and rigidity between the upper frame F1 and the lower peripheral side guards G1, G2, G3 on the right side.

In some embodiments mounting plates 322 and/or 324 (individually or combined) may be attached to the first, second, and/or third guards G1, G2, G3 to provide additional support thereto and/or to provide rigid and secure mounting areas for other support structures, e.g., to the left and/or right support bars 320 and/or to the support members 306. For example, a first mounting plate 322, 324 may be coupled to the attachment point A4 to provide an attachment area for the attachment of the second support member 306 to the movement system 100. This connection also may be reinforced by the corresponding support bar 320. In addition, the mounting plate 322 may include an upper portion 324 that may extend to and/or over and be attached to additional guards, e.g., G2 and/or G3, to provide additional support to the guards and to the first angled support bar 320.

Additionally, a second mounting plate 322, 324 may be coupled to attachment point A3 to provide an attachment area for the attachment of the second support member 306 to the movement system 100 at this location. This connection also may be reinforced by the corresponding support bar 320. In addition, the mounting plate 322 may include an upper portion 324 that may extend to and/or over and be attached to additional guards, e.g., G2 and/or G3, to provide additional support to the guards and to the second angled support bar 320.

In some embodiments, an attachment point A5 may be provided, e.g., by the frame F1, for the attachment of the second rotatable mount 314 that may rotatably secure the second end of the force providing mechanism 310. This attachment also may include a mounting plate.

In some embodiment, support structures may be attached to the movement system 100 for the attachment of the hydraulic pump and other necessary components.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the various support structures of the support assembly 300 may be welded, bolted, clamped, and/or otherwise attached to the movement system 100 using any suitable technique. The various support structures may comprise rectangular steel tubing, steel bars, steel beams, steel plates, other structures comprising steel and/or other suitable materials, and/or any combinations thereof.

Rear Bump Cutter Assembly

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9-11, the bump cutter system 10 may include a rear bump cutter assembly 400. The rear bump cutter assembly 400 may be used in addition to or instead of the front bump cutter assembly 200. FIG. 9 shows the bump cutter system 10 including both the front bump cutter assembly 200 (in a tilted configuration as described in other sections) and the rear bump cutter assembly 400.

In general, the rear bump cutter assembly 400 is configured on the rear side of the movement system 100 generally opposite the front bump cutter assembly 200 and is utilized by being dragged behind the movement system 100 while moving forward and/or by being pushed by the movement system 100 moving in reverse.

In some embodiments, the rear bump cutter assembly 400 includes the same or similar aspects, structures, and elements as the front bump cutter assembly 200, and as such, these descriptions will be omitted to avoid duplicative sections of this specification.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the rear bump cutter assembly 400 may be rotatably coupled to the movement system 100 in a similar fashion as the front bump cutter assembly 200 is attached to the movement system 100 as described in other sections. For example, the rear bump cutter assembly 400 may be attached to the movement system 200 using support arm assemblies 302 with each support arm assembly 302 including first and second support members 304, 306 to provide up and down rotation of the rear bump cutter assembly 400 with respect to the movement system 100. This is described in other sections with respect to the configuration of the front bump cutter assembly 200 and it is understood that those descriptions also may pertain to the rear bump cutter assembly 400.

In some embodiments, the rear support arm assemblies 302 also may include an additional structure and functionality to enable tilting of the rear bump cutter assembly 400 with respect to the movement system 100 and the ground floor to set the bump cutter's pitch. This will be described in other sections.

The rear bump cutter assembly 400 may be configured to the movement system's upper frame member F1 (e.g., a rack that extends about the periphery of and that provides support to the movement system's seat area) and/or to the system's peripheral side guards G1, G2, G3 (e.g., that generally encircle and provide outer protection to the movement system's lower left and right rotating trowel blades) in the rear portion of the movement system 100.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the system's upper frame member F1 may provide rear attachment points A6 and A7, and the system's peripheral side guards G1, G2, G3 may provide rear attachment points A8 and A9. Other attachment points A may be provided by other structures of the moving system's frame and/or chassis.

In some embodiments, the support assembly 300 may provide one or more support structures that may be attached to and/or between the one or more attachment points A provided by the movement system 100 to support the rear bump cutter assembly 400. For example, a third upright and/or angled support bar 320 (e.g., to the left in FIG. 9) may have a first end attached to a first attachment point A, e.g., attachment point A6, and a second end attached to a second attachment point A, e.g., attachment point A8. This support bar 320 may provide support and rigidity between the upper frame F1 and the lower peripheral side guards G1, G2, G3 on the rear left side.

Additionally, a fourth upright and/or angled support bar 320 may be implemented (e.g., to the right in FIG. 9) with its first end configured with the frame F1 at attachment point A7 and with its second end configured with the attachment point A9, e.g., with the guards G1, G2, G3. This support bar 320 may provide support and rigidity between the upper frame F1 and the lower peripheral side guards G1, G2, G3 on the rear right side.

In some embodiments mounting plates 322 may be attached to the first, second, and/or third guards G1, G2, G3 to provide additional support thereto and/or to provide rigid and secure mounting areas for other support structures, e.g., to the left and/or right rear support bars 320 and/or to the rear support members 306. For example, a third mounting plate 322 may be coupled to the attachment point A8 to provide an attachment area for the attachment of the second support member 306 to the movement system 100 in the rear. This connection also may be reinforced by the corresponding support bar 320. In addition, the mounting plate 322 may include an upper portion 324 that may extend to and/or over and be attached to additional guards, e.g., G2 and/or G3, to provide additional support to the guards and to the associated angled support bar 320.

Additionally, a fourth mounting plate 322 may be coupled to attachment point A9 to provide an attachment area for the attachment of the second support member 306 to the movement system 100 at this location. This connection also may be reinforced by the corresponding support bar 320. In addition, the mounting plate 322 may include an upper portion 324 that may extend to and/or over and be attached to additional guards, e.g., G2 and/or G3, to provide additional support to the guards and to the second angled support bar 320.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the rear bump cutter 400 configured with the movement system 10 via a first support arm assembly 302 and a tilt lever 326, and FIG. 13 shows a top view of the same. FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the first support arm assembly 302 configured with the tilt lever 326, and FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of the same.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 12-15, the rear bump cutter assembly 400 includes a tilt lever 326 configured between the first and second support members 304, 306. The tilt lever 326 may be used to controllably tilt the rear bump cutter assembly 400 with respect to the ground floor and/or the movement system 100.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 14-15, the second support member 306 includes outer opposing side plates on either side of its outer end including a first pivot pin 328 passing through the opposing side plates, and the first support member 304 includes outer opposing side plates on either side of its outer end (opposing the second member's outer end side plates) including a second pivot pin 330 passing through the opposing side plates.

In some embodiments, the tilt lever 326 includes a mount 334 at its proximal end and an adjustment mechanism 322 at its distal end. The mount 334 includes two side-by-side through holes 336 passing through the mount 334, with a first through hole 336 designed to receive and rotate about the first pivot pin 328 and a second through hole designed to receive and rotate about the second pivot pin 330. This is shown in FIGS. 14-15.

As shown in FIGS. 14-15, the tilt lever's base 334 may be inserted into the space between the opposing ends of the first and second support members 304, 306 with the first pivot pin 328 passing through the second support member 306 and the first through hole 336 in the lever's mount 334 and the second pivot pin 330 passing through the first support member 304 and the second through hole 330.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, with the tilt lever 326 configured as described above, an upward counterclockwise movement of the tilt lever 326 in the direction of the arrow L1 causes the lever's base 334 to lift the second pivot pin 330 upward in the direction of the arrow L2. This in turn lifts the first support member 304 coupled to the rear bump cutter 400 thereby tilting the rear bump cutter 400 a shown in FIG. 14.

In some embodiments, the tilt lever's adjustment mechanism 332 may be used to cause the tilt lever 326 to rotate in said counterclockwise direction L1 to cause the tilting of the rear bump cutter 400. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 332 includes a bolt threadedly coupled to the end of the tilt lever 326 that may be driven downward and/or upward with respect to the lever 326. As shown in FIG. 14, when the bolt is driven downward (e.g., screwed downward) the bolt's distal end may engage with the top of the first support member 304, and as the bolt is driven downward further, the engagement of the bolt with the first support member 304 may cause the tilt lever 326 to move upward and to the left as shown (L1). As described, this movement may cause the rear bump cutter 400 to tilt, and as such, the bolt may be used to set the tilt angle of the rear bump cutter 400. Downward movement of the bolt may cause an increase in the tilt and upward movement of the bolt may cause a decrease in the tilt. In some embodiments, each of the first support arm assemblies 302 connecting the rear bump cutter assembly 400 to the movement system 100 may include the above-described tilt lever 326 configuration such that each end of the rear bump cutter 400 may be tilted accordingly. It may be preferable that each of the tilt levers 326 be adjusted to generally match such that the rear bump cutter 400 is tilted evenly across its length. It also may be preferable the adjustment mechanism 332 be lockable such that it may remain in its set position once adjusted as desired.

It is understood that any details and/or aspects of any embodiments of the motorized bump cutter system 10 described herein may be combined with any details and/or aspects of any other embodiments of the motorized bump cutter system 10 in any way to form additional embodiment(s) of the motorized bump cutter system 10 all of which are within the scope of the motorized bump cutter system 10.

Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs” and includes the case of only one ABC.

As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.

As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”

In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.

It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.

As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”

The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).

As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.

It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).

Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.