Abstract: One end of a passenger bridge or a goods-handling device of mobile type can be expediently and securely connected to a door on a craft, especially an aircraft, by determining the position of the door in relation to a reference point on the craft and storing it in a computer system. Furthermore, the absolute position of the door when the craft has come to a halt and the passenger bridge or the goods-handling device is to be connected, is determined by measuring the distance from a reference point on the ground to the craft. Finally, the computer system guides the passenger bridge to the door of the craft, the position of the end of the passenger bridge or the goods-handling device being determined during the guiding operation and inputted into the computer system.

Abstract: A variable stackable ramp system for forming ramp assemblies for providing challenging obstacle courses including ones for aerial lift for sport jumping with skateboards, inline skates, bicycles and the like. The ramp system includes ramp modules of at least two different configurations with one being an inclined ramp module having an inclined upper riding or support surface and a straight ramp module having a generally horizontal straight upper riding or support surface. The ramp modules are adapted to be interconnected horizontally and vertically in a variety of orientations to provide ramp assemblies of selectively different overall configurations.

Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed includes a vibration isolation system that minimizes the transmission of vibrations to the operator under normal operating conditions, but becomes more rigid during screed control forces applied to the blade through the isolation system when the operator applies greater forces to the operator handle. The system includes low durometer elastomer vibration isolators isolating the operator handle from the vibration exciter and screed blade in a manner that limits vertical compressive movement of the isolators, yet permits substantially greater horizontal shear movement to effectively isolate the operator from vibration. The isolator mounting arrangement also includes retainers that engage the isolator to limit the amplitude of horizontal shear movement when the operator applies a greater control force to the operator handle.

Abstract: A heavy gauge agricultural implement hitch is disclosed which is offset such that the implement and the tractor are not directly in line with one another, but allows the tractor to follow the previous crop rows and the implement to be offset of the previous crop rows. This offset of the hitch allows the implement to function with more ease, especially when the implement is a planter, thus making it possible to plant soybeans, for example, more easily in a field with corn stubble.

Abstract: Permeable and elastic pavement blocks comprising waste-polyurethane chips, which use a binder specially developed to secure the binding between an upper polyurethane-chip layer and a lower permeable-concrete layer as well as the binding among the waste-polyurethane chips, resulting in excellent strength and durability, and use recycled polyurethane chips to provide elasticity and permeability suitable for sports activities, walking, and outdoor exercises the like.

Abstract: A reflective road marker (10, 48) to be mounted on a road surface to indicate the position of traffic control lines on that surface. The road marker has a base (14, 62) which can be secured to the road surface by adhesive. An resilient support (20, 50) is secured to the base and supports light reflectors (24, 68) at an acute angle to the road surface. The support allows the reflectors to be deflected resiliently towards the base in response to passage of a vehicle tyre over the road marker. To prevent damage to the reflectors means is provided to prevent ingress of solid particles between the reflector and the base. In the preferred embodiment, the support is provided by a hollow diaphragm of a resilient material.

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural vehicle is constructed by assembling the parts of a standard row-crop tractor to the point where the next step is that of mounting the cab to the chassis. At this point, a cab adapter module is mounted to the chassis using the mounting points normally used for mounting the cab to the chassis. The cab, provided in a form without the usual access ladder and fenders, is mounted to the cab adapter module so as to face in a direction opposite to that which it would face if mounted to the chassis. The seat and all controls for operating the tractor remain in the same locations in the cab regardless which direction the cab faces. Minor reconfigurations of hydraulic circuitry and the differential are required for permitting the vehicle to be operated in a forward direction opposite to that for the operation of the standard tractor.

Abstract: An improved storage reservoir assembly has increased resistance to leakage of fluid from the assembly into the ground. The assembly comprises a storage reservoir suitable for being buried beneath ground level and suitable for containing a fluid and at least one support unit attached to or disposed adjacent to the reservoir and suitable for attachment to an above-ground canopy. The assembly also provides for substantially surrounding the reservoir with a hydrostatic head of a second fluid for detecting reservoir leaks by infiltration of the second fluid within the reservoir. This may be accomplished through an enclosure suitable for substantially surrounding the reservoir or through the use of a double-walled reservoir, with the second fluid contained within the enclosure or between the walls of a double-walled reservoir. In addition, the assembly provides for a piping network of the distribution system for supplying remote service islands to be located within a primary above-ground canopy.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has transversely opposing sub-frames slidably mounted in the main frame of the implement to permit lateral positional adjustment of work implements carried by the sub-frames. The work implements are supported by a mounting apparatus providing a tilt adjustment, a horizontal rotational adjustment, and a transverse spacing adjustment for each respective work implement. A tilt control plate limits the transverse tilting movement of the work implement, while a rotation control plate limits the rotational movement of the work implement in a horizontal plane. A rotatable powered brush attachment can be supported on the sub-frame to provide a gentle cultivating action for the edges of plastic material covering the crop row. A pivot linkage operated through a hydraulic actuator provides simultaneous lateral movement of the opposing sub-frames to affect selective positional adjustment of the work implements. The frame is pivoted to the hitch to offset side hill operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving passengers between an airport terminal building and a doorway of an aircraft located rearward of a wing of the aircraft which includes a passageway member pivotally anchored to one of the terminal building and a passenger loading bridge for servicing a front doorway of a same aircraft. The apparatus includes a telescopic passageway member that is pivotally mounted to the passageway member via a flexible connection. In use, the apparatus is cantilevered over the wing of an aircraft with the flexible connection substantially above a highest point along an upper surface of the aircraft wing. The flexible connection allows a cabin carried at an outboard end of the telescopic passageway member to mate to the rear doorway of the aircraft, providing an open passageway between the rear doorway and the terminal building through which passengers deplane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paver for the paving of ground courses for roads or the like, having a chassis and a trailed floating screed which is articulated on the latter via tow arms and of which the angle of attack relative to the ground is capable of being adjusted via actuating cylinders and which comprises a basic screed and extendable screeds and/or attached screed parts, there being arranged between the rear region, as seen in the paving direction, of the chassis and the extendable screeds and/or the attached screed parts of each side at least one hydraulic supporting cylinder which, at the moment of start-up of the paver, is subjected to an adjustable hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A bridge for use over a racetrack surface is provided. The racetrack surface has a cross-track width. The bridge includes a bridge structure supported over the cross-track width of the racetrack at a height sufficient to provide clearance for use of the racetrack. The bridge structure has a first end and a second end and a bridge length to span at least a portion of the cross-track width of the racetrack. The bridge structure has at least one walkway to provide access to at least one seating area. Viewing seats are located in the seating area, positioned on the bridge structure to provide for viewing of at least a portion of the racetrack.

Abstract: A process for converting municipal solid waste landfills to aerobic conditions that will allow for a highly accelerated and enhanced bioreduction of landfill mass, followed by the optional excavation of the landfill cell materials subsequent to the bioreduction process, separation of excavated materials using trommels, screens, and other means as necessary, production of useable compost materials, and reclamation of recyclable plastics, metal, and glass.

Abstract: Bitumen or asphalt for producing a road topping, whereby the bitumen or asphalt contains a proportion of paraffin obtained by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FT paraffin). A road topping with the bitumen and a method for producing a corresponding road topping or roadway covering using the bitumen.

Abstract: An expansion joint system which is provided to accommodate forces applied to highway construction during normal changes in ambient conditions, and which is also designed to withstand seismic forces and vehicular forces, which may be applied in transverse and longitudinal directions. The system includes spaced-apart transverse vehicle load bearing members which are placed in a gap defined between adjacent sections of highway construction, longitudinally extending support members positioned beneath the load bearing members, means embedded within the adjacent roadway sections that control longitudinal, transverse and vertical movement, and a mechanism for controlling the spacing between the transverse load bearing beams. Preferably, this mechanism maintains a substantially equal distance between the transverse load bearing beam members.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for integrally connecting a precast or prefabricated deck to a girder. A connection structure and method for connecting a precast or prefabricated deck to a girder, makes it unnecessary to form shear pockets in the deck and to remove existing shear connectors already installed to the girder, and makes it possible to easily adjust an elevation of the deck and to obtain excellent structural integration between the girder and the deck. The connection structure includes at least one rod shaped elevation adjustor inserted through the deck to support the deck spaced apart from an upper surface of the girder at a predetermined interval. A length of the rod shaped elevation adjustor projected toward an upper face of the girder can be changed to allow the deck to be supported. At least one shear connector is inserted through the deck.

Abstract: A a pier system having at least one shelf beam which has a side panel and a shelf member, the shelf member supporting a decking unit, and a method for constructing the pier system. The decking unit may also be supported by connecting members, such as support bars or inverted trusses, which are attached to and span the distance between points on the shelf members of the shelf beams. Each shelf beam is coupled to at least one support post, and the support post may be connected to a sleeve that slides axially around the support post. The method involves constructing a pier frame out of at least two shelf beams and support posts, placing a decking unit upon the shelf members of the shelf beams, and extending the pier system by repeating the process and coupling successive pier frames to one another.

Abstract: A pit dock leveler having a base frame secured to a loading dock pit and a dock platform pivotally connected at one of its ends to the base frame and pivotally connected at its opposite end to a dock platform lip that pivots between a downward hanging position when the dock leveler is not in use and an extended position substantially co-planar with the dock platform when the dock leveler is in use, whereby the dock platform lip spans and compensates for the space and height differentials between the loading dock and a transport vehicle, the dock leveler having a counterbalancing mechanism that pivots the dock platform upwardly and a hold down mechanism preventing the dock platform from pivoting upwardly; wherein the improved hold down mechanism includes a hold down bar pivotally connected at one end to the underside of the dock platform with its other end slideably received through a clasp and within a spring under compression against the clasp, the clasp and spring being mounted within a housing that is pivo

Abstract: A bridge is provided with at least five segments connected in series. Each segment includes two opposed ends. The ends of adjacent segments are in pivoting connection with respect to each other. The bridge also comprises a plurality of cables. For each end of each segment, at least one cable extends between the end of the segment and at least one end of at least one other segment. The cables have sufficient sizes, such that when the segments are pivoted to an orientation which forms an upwardly bowed arch, each of the cables extends in a substantially straight line between the ends of the segments. In addition, the segments on the ends of the bridge may be pivoted toward each other to provide slack in the cables, which enables the segments to pivot with respect to each other to form a compact configuration.

Abstract: A rear blade mounting apparatus for a bulldozer. The mounting apparatus generally includes a frame that extends from the rear of the body of the bulldozer, the frame including a pair of extending loader arms pivotally connected to the rear of the tractor, and a blade pivotally mounted on free ends of the loader arms, and hydraulic cylinders, or the like, controlled to cause the blade to be positioned in various desired positions.