Vibrating screed

Abstract

A vibrating screed is disclosed and includes a screed member; a motor; an exciter assembly configured to vibrate the screed member in response to receiving torque from the motor; an electronic controller configured to operate the motor in response to an input signal received from an actuator; a first wire harness having a first end electrically connected with the actuator; a second wire harness having a first end electrically connected with the electronic controller; a wire connector electrically connecting the first wire harness to the second wire harness; and a connector housing surrounding the wire connector; wherein the first wire harness and the second wire harness are each electrically connected to the wire connector within the connector housing.

1 . A vibrating screed comprising:
 a screed member;   a motor;   an exciter assembly configured to vibrate the screed member in response to receiving torque from the motor;   an electronic controller configured to operate the motor in response to an input signal received from an actuator;   a first wire harness having a first end electrically connected with the actuator;   a second wire harness having a first end electrically connected with the electronic controller;   a wire connector electrically connecting the first wire harness to the second wire harness; and   a connector housing surrounding the wire connector;   wherein the first wire harness and the second wire harness are each electrically connected to the wire connector within the connector housing.   
     
     
         2 . The vibrating screed of  claim 1 , wherein the connector housing is an ingress protection-rated connector housing to inhibit ingress of materials into the connector housing. 
     
     
         3 . The vibrating screed of  claim 2 , further comprising a motor housing in which the motor is located, and wherein the connector housing is removably secured to the motor housing by one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         4 . A vibrating screed comprising:
 a screed member defining a first natural frequency;   a motor;   an exciter assembly configured to vibrate the screed member at a vibration frequency in response to receiving torque from the motor; and   a plug mass secured to the screed member adjacent an end thereof, the combined screed member and plug mass defining a second natural frequency further from the vibration frequency than the first natural frequency.   
     
     
         5 . The vibrating screed of  claim 4 , wherein the plug mass is located adjacent an end of the screed member. 
     
     
         6 . The vibrating screed of  claim 4 , wherein the plug mass is located along a length of the screed member. 
     
     
         7 . The vibrating screed of  claim 4 , wherein the plug mass is a first plug mass located at one end of the screed member, and wherein the vibrating screed further comprises a second plug mass located at an opposite end of the screed member. 
     
     
         8 . The vibrating screed of  claim 4 , wherein the plug mass is formed from a plastic, rubber, or metal material. 
     
     
         9 . The vibrating screed of  claim 4 , wherein the plug mass is removable from the screed member and repositionable to a different location along a length of the screed member. 
     
     
         10 . The vibrating screed of  claim 4 , wherein the plug mass is fixed to the screed member. 
     
     
         11 . A vibrating screed comprising:
 a frame including a handle terminating at an end;   a screed member coupled to the frame;   a motor coupled to the frame;   an exciter assembly coupled to the frame and configured to vibrate the screed member in response to receiving torque from the motor; and   a tuned mass system coupled to the handle, the tuned mass system comprising
 an end cap coupled to the handle adjacent the end, 
 a spring member having a first end coupled to the end cap, and 
 a tuned mass coupled to an opposite, second end of the spring member; 
   wherein the tuned mass system is configured to attenuate vibration emitted by the motor or the exciter assembly to the handle.   
     
     
         12 . The vibrating screed of  claim 11 , wherein the spring member comprises a coil spring or an elastically deformable member. 
     
     
         13 . The vibrating screed of  claim 11 , wherein the spring member comprises an elastomer or a spring steel. 
     
     
         14 . The vibrating screed of  claim 11 , wherein the end cap is aligned along a cap axis. 
     
     
         15 . The vibrating screed of  claim 14 , wherein the cap axis extends through a center of the end cap. 
     
     
         16 . The vibrating screed of  claim 15 , wherein the cap axis is coaxial with the handle. 
     
     
         17 . The vibrating screed of  claim 15 , wherein the spring member is elastically deformable such that the tuned mass becomes misaligned with the cap axis upon vibration of the handle. 
     
     
         18 . The vibrating screed of  claim 11 , wherein the end cap does not deflect with respect to the handle. 
     
     
         19 . The vibrating screed of  claim 11 , wherein the tuned mass moves within the handle to attenuate vibration transmitted to the handle. 
     
     
         20 - 23 . (canceled)