Abstract: A discharge chute assembly (30) includes a chute (32) and a pivotal deflector (34), the overlapping end portions of which define a partial spherical or bail joint (40) which maintains a tight seal against backflow and leakage over the entire range of rotation and deflection of the assembly. The assembly (30) is preferably secured to a rotatable base (54) by means of lower pivots (70) and a releasable fastener (72) for collapsibility.

Abstract: A retaining mechanism (10) for captively retaining an adapter (4) to the forward lip (2) of a bucket for earth excavating utilizes a ratcheted pawl (14) within a C-clamp (12). The pawl ratchet (24) engages a complementary pawl surface (26) of the rear half (16b) of a split pin assembly (16). The forward half (16a) of the split pin can be attached to the rear half (16b) by shear screws (52). Moreover, the forward half (16a) of the split pin can be attached to the rear half (16b) by an elastomeric element (64). The split pin assembly (16) acts as a wedge member, firmly securing the adapter (4) to the lip (2). To remove the retaining mechanism (10) from the adapter (4) and lip (2), the pawl (14) may be disengaged from the rear split pin (16b) by manipulating the pawl through an access port (28 ) in the C-clamp (12). Alternatively, the forward split pin (16) may be driven through the opening in the adapter and lip.

Abstract: A flexible sheet barrier includes a flexible sheet which has a first face to receive adhesive surface from a material being a strip of duct tape. The flexible sheet has a spaced series of apertures along at least one edge of the sheet, and inwardly spaced from the edge of the sheet. When the duct tape is placed over the apertures, the adhesive surface adheres to a substrate on the opposite face of the flexible sheet. The adhesive surface also adheres to the material on the first face of the sheet. This effectively provides a bonding of the flexible sheet to the substrate. Applied to a secured area, a room or space or floor can be lined so that safe asbestos abatement can be effected.

Abstract: A process of soil remediation in which an encapsulation solution is introduced into contact with a soil matrix containing chemical contaminants such as polynucleated aromatics in an amount sufficient to form a saturated admixture of the soil matrix and the encapsulation solution, the encapsulation solution being capable of preferentially attracting the chemical contaminants contained in the soil matrix, and containing an effective amount of non-ionic surfactant material and water; and the admixture is admixed for an interval sufficient to permit the chemical contaminants to preferentially dissociate from contact with the soil matrix in favor of association with the encapsulation solution. Once this occurs, the encapsulation solution with associated chemical contaminants can be removed from contact with the soil matrix.

Abstract: A floating wave absorber is composed of a main wave-absorber body formed by a construction body floating on the surface of water, wires of which each one end is connected to an end portion of the main wave-absorber body, a first traction member of which one end is connected to the other bound end portion of each wire and the other end is fixed to an anchor, and a second traction member of which one end is connected to the bottom of the main wave-absorber body and fixed to another anchor. The main wave-absorber body is floated on the water according to a so-called "kite flying" principle and absorbs waves. Thus, the wave absorber is more advantageous in economic performance and free from washing-away by abnormally high waves in a typhoon, etc., and can be installed quickly and absorb waves effectively.

Abstract: In an earth boring device of either the impact ram or static type wherein the device is driven forwardly either by the impacts of an impact piston or by a forward pressure exerted on the device through a rod, directional control of the device is achieved by arranging a plurality of pressure fluid ejecting nozzles on the head of the device symmetrically with respect to its longitudinal axes, and by individually controlling the pressure and/or amount of pressure fluid supplied to each nozzle to deflect the device in one direction away from what would otherwise be its forward drive path.

Abstract: A winged plow for moving snow or other materials with a vehicle has a support frame pivotally connected with one end of a plow vehicle. An elongated plow blade having two opposing ends is pivotally connected with the terminal end of the support frame for generally horizontal rotation between a centered position with the plow blade oriented generally perpendicular to the support frame and an angled position with the plow blade rotated substantially away from the centered position. One of a pair of plow blade wings is pivotally connected at each of the opposing ends of the plow blade for rotation between a closed position in which the wings project generally forward, the wings and plow blade defining a generally U-shaped assembly, and an open position in which the wings project in generally opposite directions, away from each other, effectively extending the length of the plow blade.

Abstract: A threaded fastener and method of fabrication thereof wherein the fastener or nut includes a first portion having external, wrench-engaging surfaces and a central, through bore, internally threaded for at least a portion of its length from a base surface. A wall portion extends integrally from the end of the first portion opposite the base surface, concentrically surrounding and spaced radially outwardly from the end of the bore. The first and wall portions are formed as a metal casting with the wall portion in two segments separated by longitudinally extending, V-shaped notches. The free edges of the wall segments, which initially lie in a plane normal to the axis of the bore, are deformed by a die, moving radially inward so that the wall segments are in a domed configuration with the free edges defining a substantially oval opening having a major axis with a length about equal to the diameter of the bore and a minor axis about 4/5 that of the major axis.

Abstract: An underground tubular structural system capable of having a very large cross section, for the construction of urban or rural conduits, underground passages and other civil engineering installations. At least two conduits (S1) (S2), namely, a high conduit (S2) and a low conduit (S1), are superposed and at least the high conduit (S2) is formed in cross section by at least two prefabricated elements, namely a lower element (4) (6) in the shape of an inverted U capping the low conduit (S1) and bearing along two lateral sides (14) of the latter and an upper covering element (2') (5) capping the lower element (4) (6) of the high conduit and closing the section (S2) towards the top. One or more supplementary conduits can easily be added to an already existing conduit.

Abstract: A method of processing contaminated soil whereby the soil in the form of feed stock is heated in a combustion chamber of a processor with the hydrocarbons being evacuated to a condensing system resulting in a petroleum product while the soil feed stock is detoxified in an afterburner to form clean soil for general use.

Abstract: Elevating scrapers are useful for loading material into a bowl and transporting the material to a location for dumping. When the elevator loads material into the bowl, a portion tends to slide forward between the side walls and the elevator and out of the bowl. The subject arrangement provides a blocking plate attached to the side wall which extends toward the elevator. The blocking plate blocks the reverse flow of material between the side wall and the elevator. This arrangement of components reduces the amount of time needed to load the material into the bowl.

Abstract: A conveyor chain arrangement for a track maintenance machine is mounted on the machine frame for receiving and conveying ballast and comprises two separate and independently operable ballast receiving and conveying units at opposite sides of the machine frame extending alongside the track. Each unit comprises a vertically and transversely adjustable chain track extending longitudinally in an oblique plane with respect to the track plane adjacent a respective machine frame side, each chain track consisting of two track sections. Drives are connected to the chain track for vertically and transversely adjusting the chain track, and an endless ballast excavating and conveying chain is guided in the chain track, and comprises a chain drive for the chain.

Abstract: A scoop for a mobile implement such as an excavator or an excavator-like device is made in two parts in the form of scoop sections able to be pivoted about parallel pivot axes by a piston and cylinder unit. The scoop includes an attachment head so that the scoop may be pivotally connected with a boom of the mobile implement. In order to pivot the entire scoop laterally, a further piston and cylinder unit is integrally provided for lateral pivoting of the entire scoop about a central pivot axis in the attachment head, the further piston and cylinder unit is connected at one end with a pivot point, preferably one of the pivot axes of one of the scoop sections, and at the other end with a lever. The lever is connected at one end with a pivot point, preferably the other respective one of the pivot axes on the other respective scoop section and the other end of the lever is connected via a link with a projection on the attachment head.

Abstract: A padding machine used for overlaying a pipeline disposed within a trench with sifted dirt to eliminate contact by rock or other abrasive material with the pipeline and, thereby, preclude rusting, corrosion or like damage. A trench typically lies along the edge of a right-of-way on which the padding machine travels, i.e. pulling, for example, as from a tractor. Raw filling material is introduced onto a shaker driven and/or vibrating screen through the use of, for example, a common backhoe. Rocks or larger sized particles move, by gravity, onto the right-of-way adjacent the side of the machine opposite to that of the trench, where sifted filler material passes onto and from a moving conveyor which is directed toward the desired covering relationship with the pipeline. A feature of the padding machine is the use of a boom which interconnects the freely vertical movable front end of the padding machine to a towing vehicle and includes an hydraulically operated piston for leveling purposes, i.e.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a hydraulic-piston-lifted snowplow adapted to scrape a surface (e.g., a snowplow for scraping snow and ice off pavements) is shown. To save unnecessary wear on the snowplow blade, the system can be operated to allow less than the full weight of the moldboard and blade to rest on the surface being scraped. In the operation of the plow, a fraction of the moldboard and blade weight selected, the magnitude of an instantaneous deviation therefrom is measured and converted into an electrical signal, and a servo-operated control valve is actuated in response to said signal for bypassing more or less hydraulic fluid away from piston in connection of the hydraulic lift given the moldboard and blade by the piston.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction reducing device for an elongate member. The device comprises a friction reducing sleeve removably positionable on a first longitudinal segment of the elongate member. The present invention also provides a method of inserting an elongate assembly into the ground. The method comprises the step of incorporating the inventive friction reducing device in the elongate assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved rollable subterranean drainage core device which has T-shaped finned projections to which may be adhered a water-penetrable soil filtration fabric. The fin structure provides impact resistance and high compressive strength while providing high water channel flow-through capabilities. An exemplary method for fabricating the drainage device involves extruding a unitary finned polymeric core sheet having T-shaped projection members on at least one major side thereof, and then removing a portion of the fins in a cross direction at periodic intervals along the machine direction, so that individual T-shaped projection members are spaced in rows and columns on the rollable core sheet. The drainage core member is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with waterproofing membranes.

Abstract: A wear strip (A) for use on material handling equipment, such as chutes, plough blades, scrapers and gates, comprises an elongate body (30) of metal of substantially rectangular cross-section, and wear resistant tiles (31) bonded to the body and extending across one face (32) from at least one edge (33), the tiles being spaced along the body which is provided with slots (34) in alignment with the gaps (36) between the tiles (31), to make it possible to bend the strip (A) to suit the curvature of say a plough blade or a scraper to which the strip can then be "stitch" welded and readily removed (when worn) by a cutting torch or an angle grinder. Other wear strips (B and C) have, respectively, further tiles on an adjacent face, and a cross-section of substantially right-angled triangular form.

Abstract: A padding machine attachment for a vehicle is provided. When padding of a ditch for a pipeline or cable is required, the padding machine is removably attached in a position at one end of a conventional bucket loader, bulldozer, or other base machine or vehicle, whereby said attachment moves along the path of travel of the vehicle. As the vehicle moves the padding machine attachment along one side of the pipeline ditch, the padding machine attachment picks up at least a portion of a pile of excavated material placed parallel to and along the same side of the ditch and processes the excavated material into padding material for placement into the ditch for padding the pipeline or cable.

Abstract: Vertical bore holes are constructed for municipal sanitary landfills by drilling or otherwise excavating holes of large dimension to substantial depth, in virtually all known soil conditions however variable. They can be excavated well below the groundwater table, then lined with an impermeable or other permanent liner. This allows the landfill area to be much more efficiently used for the storage of various waste products. Solid organic waste other than cellulosics can be anaerobically fermented to methane and compost. A central core shaft is used as gas removal vent and conduit. After methane generation and removal the resulting compost is removed for use as soil nutrients. This system fully complies with the Environmental Protection Act and other regulations now in force in North America. Air, soil, groundwater, and surface water pollution and contamination are eliminated as all waste storage is contained within its own environment below natural grade.