Seal member for a vibrating screed

1. A vibrating device for surfacing concrete, said vibrating device comprising:

a surfacing blade;

a vibration-causing assembly in communication with said surfacing blade;

an actuator in communication with said vibration-causing assembly, so as to cause said vibration-causing assembly to impart a vibratory motion to said blade; and

a seal member configured to extend around a junction between said actuator and said vibration-causing assembly;

wherein said seal member is configured to seal said junction from concrete during surfacing.

2. A vibrating device according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator is in communication with said vibration-causing assembly via a transmission at said junction therebetween.

3. A vibrating device according to claim 2 , wherein said seal member is mounted about said transmission.

4. A vibrating device according to claim 3 , wherein said transmission comprises an axle.

5. A vibrating device according to claim 4 , wherein said axle comprises a flexible axle.

6. A vibrating device according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises a driving assembly for acting on said vibration-causing assembly.

7. A vibrating device according to claim 6 , wherein said seal member is mounted about said driving assembly.

8. A vibrating device according to claim 6 , wherein said driving assembly comprises a driving shaft in communication with an axle, said seal member sealing said axle.

9. A vibrating device according to claim 8 , wherein said axle comprises a flexible axle.

10. A vibrating device according to claim 9 , wherein said seal member is mounted about said flexible axle.

11. A vibrating device according to claim 6 , wherein said seal member comprises a material that provides for said vibration-causing assembly to impart said vibratory motion to said blade.

12. A vibrating device according to claim 11 , wherein said seal member comprises resilient flexible material.

13. A vibrating device according to claim 12 , wherein said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, and plastic.

14. A vibrating device according to claim 1 , wherein said seal member comprises resilient flexible material.

15. A vibrating device according to claim 14 , wherein said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, and plastic.

16. A vibrating device according to claim 15 , wherein said seal member comprises top and bottom portions and middle portion therebetween.

17. A vibrating device according to claim 16 , wherein said seal member comprises a ring-like configuration.

18. A vibrating device according to claim 16 , wherein said actuator is housed within an actuator housing, said vibration-causing assembly comprising a counterweight body, said seal member top portion being in communication with said actuator housing, said seal member bottom portion being in communication with said counterweight body.

19. A vibrating device according to claim 18 , wherein said actuator housing comprises a top plate portion extending therefrom, said counterweight body comprising a bottom plate portion extending therefrom, said seal member top portion being mounted to said top plate portion, said seal member bottom portion being mounted to said bottom portion.

20. A vibrating device according to claim 19 , wherein said seal member top and bottom portions comprise respective mounting elements.

21. A vibrating device according to claim 19 , wherein said mounting elements comprise protruding fasteners, said top and bottom plate portions comprising respective apertures corresponding to said protruding fasteners.

22. A vibrating device according to claim 1 , wherein said seal member is mounted between two opposite plate portions of a plate member.

23. A vibrating device according to claim 21 , wherein said plate member is in communication with said vibration-causing assembly.

24. A vibrating device according to claim 23 , wherein said vibration-causing assembly comprises a counterweight body connected to said plate member.

25. A vibrating device according to claim 24 , wherein said counterweight body is in communication with said blade.

26. A vibrating device according to claim 25 , wherein said counterweight body is connected to an elongate vibrating member being connected to said blade.

27. A vibrating device according to claim 23 , wherein said plate member is in communication with said blade.

28. A vibrating device according to claim 27 , wherein said plate member is connected to an elongate vibrating member connected to said blade.

29. A vibrating device according to claim 28 , wherein said vibration-causing assembly is connected to said vibrating member.

30. A vibrating device according to claim 29 , wherein said vibration-causing assembly comprises a counterweight body, said counterweight body is connected to said vibrating member.

31. A vibrating device according to claim 1 , wherein said vibration-causing assembly comprises a shaft assembly and a bearing assembly in communication with said shaft assembly for substantially avoiding undesired movement of said blade during said vibratory motion.

32. A vibrating device according to claim 31 , wherein said bearing assembly comprises a double bearing assembly.

33. A vibrating device according to claim 32 , wherein said double bearing assembly comprises a first bearing mounted to one end of said shaft assembly and a second bearing mounted to an opposite end of said shaft assembly.

34. A vibrating device according to claim 31 , wherein said undesired movement comprises an undesired oscillating movement that prevents smooth surfacing of the concrete.

35. A vibrating device according to claim 31 , wherein said undesired movement comprises a wiggling movement.

36. A vibrating device according to claim 31 , wherein said actuator comprises a driving shaft connected to said shaft assembly via a flexible axle, said flexible axle causing said undesired movement.

37. A vibrating device according to claim 1 further comprising a steering assembly in communication with said blade.

38. A vibrating device according to claim 37 , wherein said steering assembly comprises a handle assembly, said handle assembly comprising at least one arm in communication with said blade, said at least one arm being so adjustable as to vary the length thereof.

39. A vibrating device according to claim 38 , wherein said at least one arm comprises telescoping portions, said telescoping portions being moveable relative to each other so as to vary the length of said arm.

40. A vibrating device according to claim 38 , wherein said handle assembly comprises two said arms.

41. A vibrating device according to claim 37 , wherein said at least one arm comprises one end in communication with said blade and an opposite free end having a handle.

42. A vibrating device according to claim 41 , wherein said handle comprises a controller linked to said actuator for control thereof.

43. A vibrating device according to claim 41 , wherein said one end is connected to a vibration-resistance member in communication with said blade and providing to substantially avoid said vibratory motion from being transmitted to said arm.

44. A vibrating device according to claim 43 , wherein said vibration-resistance member is in communication with said vibration-causing assembly.