Winch apparatus for vibrating concrete screed

Claim 1

In a self-propelled concrete screed of the type having a base screed unit including: (a) an elongated open frame structure comprising at least one frame unit and if more than one a group of interconnected separable frame units of similar construction each mounting a plurality of screed plates for engaging and leveling concrete as the screed is moved over the concrete; (b) a vibrating element comprising a semi-flexible shaft rotatively supported in said frame structure and extending for the length thereof and having means operatively associated with said shaft enabling said shaft when driven to deflect between points of support and to impart substantially uniform vibrations throughout the lengths of each of said screed plates; and (c) drive means mounted intermediate the ends of said base screed unit and connected to drive said shaft to impart said vibrations to said plates, the improvement comprising: (d) an auxiliary combined winching and screed unit comprising: (i) an elongated open frame structure of less length than said base screed unit and adapted to mate the open frame structure of said base screed unit with an equal plurality of mating screed plates for engaging and leveling concrete for the length of the auxiliary unit as an extension of the length engaged and leveled by said base screed unit; (ii) means for detachably connecting adjacent end portions of said base screed unit and auxiliary open frame structures in fixed relationship including when desired an angular relationship; (iii) a vibrating element comprising a semi-flexible shaft detachably connected to said base screed unit shaft at the juncture of said base screed unit and auxiliary open frame structures and rotatively supported in said auxiliary frame structure and extending for the length thereof and adapted to operate as an extension of said base screed unit shaft and to deflect and impart substantially uniform vibrations throughout the lengths of said auxiliary unit screed plates when said base screed unit shaft is rotated by said drive means; (iv) power transmission means mounted on said auxiliary unit open frame structure connected to be driven off said auxiliary unit shaft to drive an output shaft and including means to control the speed thereof; and (v) winching means mounted on said auxiliary unit frame structure including: (aa) a cable drum connected to be driven by said output shaft; (bb) a cable wound on said drum; and (cc) cable guide means secured on said auxiliary unit frame structure enabling said cable to be withdrawn from said drum and anchored at some selected position ahead of the position of the screed preparatory to being wound on said drum by operation of said output shaft.