Surface finishing trowels, systems, and methods thereof

Abstract

A trowel for finishing a material surface includes a blade configured to finish the material surface. A pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface, and a frame has a motor is coupled thereto. The motor rotates the blade about a first axis. A fork is pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis such that pivoting of the fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle. An actuator is coupled to the frame and operable to pivot the fork. An input device is operable to control the actuator, and the input device is configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the pitch angle of the blade.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trowel for finishing a material surface, the trowel comprising:
 a blade configured to finish the material surface, wherein a pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface;   a frame with a motor coupled thereto, wherein the motor rotates the blade about a first axis;   a fork pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis whereby pivoting of the fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle;   an actuator coupled to the frame and operable to pivot the fork; and   an input device operable to control the actuator, and wherein the input device is configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the pitch angle of the blade.   
     
     
         2 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , wherein the input device is a switch. 
     
     
         4 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a battery that provides electrical power to the actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The trowel according to  claim 4 , wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         6 . The trowel according to  claim 4 , wherein the battery, the input device, and the actuator are electrically independent of the motor. 
     
     
         7 . The trowel according to  claim 5 , further comprising lights, and wherein the battery provides electrical power to the lights. 
     
     
         8 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, wherein the crossbar is configured to be engaged by an operator, and wherein the input device is mounted on the crossbar. 
     
     
         9 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame has a slot in which a bolt of the actuator is slidably received such that the actuator can be moved into a first position while the pitch angle is at a minimum pitch angle. 
     
     
         10 . The trowel according to  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is actuated from the first position toward a second position to thereby increase the pitch angle from the minimum pitch angle. 
     
     
         11 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, wherein the crossbar is configured to be engaged by the operator; and
 wherein the frame has a support bracket in which a slot is defined.   
     
     
         12 . The trowel according to  claim 11 , wherein the support bracket and the handle extend parallel to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is moveable into and between a first position that corresponds to the pitch angle at a minimum pitch angle and a second position that correspond to the pitch angle at a maximum pitch angle. 
     
     
         14 . The trowel according to  claim 13 , wherein the minimum pitch angle is 0.0 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The trowel according to  claim 13 , further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, wherein the crossbar is configured to be engaged by an operator, and wherein the input device is mounted on the crossbar. 
     
     
         16 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and having a crossbar, wherein the crossbar is configured to be engaged by an operator, and wherein the input device is mounted on the crossbar such that the operator can maintain two-handed engagement with the crossbar while operating the input device. 
     
     
         17 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spider assembly that acts on the blade when the fork is pivoted to thereby change the pitch angle. 
     
     
         18 . The trowel according to  claim 1 , wherein the input device is a first input device that is a switch operable to control the actuator; and further comprising light and a second input device to control the light. 
     
     
         19 . A method for adjusting pitch angle of a trowel used for finishing a material surface, the method comprising:
 providing a frame on which a motor is coupled, wherein the motor rotates a blade about a first axis and wherein the pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface;   mounting a fork to the frame such that fork pivots about a second axis, wherein pivoting the fork changes the pitch angle of the blade; and   actuating an actuator via an input device to thereby pivot the fork and change the angle.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 providing a handle mounted to and extending away from the frame, wherein the handle has a crossbar that configured to be engaged by an operator; and   wherein the input device is mounted to the crossbar.