Electric Polisher for Concrete Surfaces

Abstract

A battery-powered electric polisher for treating concrete has the operational form of a self-propelled riding trowel. A rigid frame mounts a pair of rotors that descend into contact with the concrete surface. Hydraulic tilting circuits for polisher steering control are activated with joysticks. An electrically driven hydraulic pump powers the tilting circuits. Each rotor drives a lower, circular drive ring comprising a plurality of spokes. Drive ring spokes are nested within rigid channels defined in a lower a support plate so that the latter is removable. A plurality of radially spaced-apart abrasion devices descend from the support plate into contact with the concrete surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electric polisher for treating concrete:
 a frame adapted to be supported over a concrete surface to be treated by at least one rotor;   a seat upon which a trowel operator may be comfortably seated;   at least one rotor assembly secured to the frame and descending into contact with the lower concrete surface below;   hydraulic tilting circuits for controlling each rotor assembly;   a pair of joysticks for controlling the hydraulic tilting circuits;   a hydraulic pump for driving said tilting circuits;   an electric motor for powering said hydraulic pump;   an electric motor for revolving each rotor assembly;   at least one battery for powering said electric motors;   each rotor controlling a circular drive ring;   a support plate coupled to said drive ring; and,   a plurality of radially spaced-apart abrasion rotors secured to said support plate.   
     
     
         2 . The polisher as defined in  claim 1  wherein the drive ring comprises radially spaced apart spokes extending to an outer, peripheral reinforcement ring. 
     
     
         3 . The polisher as defined in  claim 2  wherein said support plate is removably coupled to said drive ring. 
     
     
         4 . The polisher as defined in  claim 3  wherein the support plate comprises a plurality of radially spaced apart channels adapted to receive at least a portion of said drive ring spokes for mounting said support plate to said drive ring. 
     
     
         5 . The polisher as defined in  claim 4  further comprising potentiometers for adjusting the speed of the rotors. 
     
     
         6 . A ride-on electric polisher for treating a concrete surface:
 a frame adapted to be propelled over the concrete surface to be treated;   a seat upon which a trowel operator may be comfortably seated;   a pair least of rotor assemblies secured to the frame and descending into contact with the concrete surface;   hydraulic tilting circuits for controlling each rotor assembly to effectuate polisher steering;   a pair of joysticks for controlling the hydraulic tilting circuits;   a hydraulic pump for driving said tilting circuits;   an electric motor for powering said hydraulic pump;   an electric motor for revolving each rotor assembly;   at least one battery for powering said electric motors;   each rotor controlling a circular drive ring;   a support plate coupled to each of said drive rings; and,   a plurality of radially spaced-apart abrasion rotors secured to said support plate.   
     
     
         7 . The polisher as defined in  claim 6  wherein each drive ring comprises radially spaced apart spokes extending to an integral, outer, peripheral reinforcement ring. 
     
     
         8 . The polisher as defined in  claim 7  wherein said each support plate is removably coupled to a drive ring. 
     
     
         9 . The polisher as defined in  claim 8  wherein each support plate comprises a plurality of radially spaced apart channels adapted to receive at least a portion of said drive ring spokes for mounting said support plate to said drive ring. 
     
     
         10 . The polisher as defined in  claim 9  further comprising potentiometers for adjusting the speed of the rotors.