Abstract: An inexpensive, yet beautiful retaining wall may be formed with architecturally pleasing, coordinating or matching materials such as marble, granite, stone, metal or the like. Architecturally pleasing, thin decorative facing panels are attached to plastic blocks which have hollow spaces to be filled with gravel or the like. The retaining wall is formed from several rows of such plastic blocks with the blocks in an upper row stacked upon the blocks in an adjacent lower row below the upper row and with the bottom edges of the upper row blocks being supported on adjacent lower row blocks. Decorative facing panels are provided which are substantially smaller in size than the plastic blocks and include a rear face attached to the front face of the plastic blocks to change the outward appearance of the front faces of the plastic blocks. Reinforcing ribs are formed in the walls of the hollow plastic blocks to add strength and rigidity while reducing the amount of plastic needed for the blocks.

Abstract: A device and method of replacing an electronics module in a seismic cable on the open sea, where the replacement is carried out with the aid of a small boat equipped with cable rollers, the method including positioning the part of the cable including the electronics module on a first and a second cable roller respectively in such a way that the electronics module and its couplings are located between the two rollers, clamping the sections of cable on either side of the electronics module in a first and a second clamping arrangement, respectively, with the clamping arrangements connected together via a mechanical tensioning device, moving the clamped sections of cable towards each other using the tensioning device in such a way that the tension in the seismic cable is taken up by the tensioning device, after which the electronics module can be removed and replaced after which the tensioning device is slackened slightly and the clamping arrangement is released from the sections of cable before the part of the s

Abstract: A retraction system allows disengagement of retrieval latch dogs of a down hole running tool from a bit locking sleeve. The locking sleeve is slidably retained within a drive sub and includes a pair of slots which are engaged by the retrieval latch dogs when the tool is used to retrieve bit segments from the drive sub. The retraction system includes a sleeve which is slidably mounted on a main body of the tool and spring which is biased to push the sleeve over the retrieval latch dogs. The sleeve has a pair of diametrically opposed slots through which the retrieval latch dogs can extend for contacting the inner surface of the drive sub. The retraction system also includes a length of the inner surface of the drive sub which is made of progressively reducing diameter in the direction of retraction of the tool from the drive sub. The upper end of each slot is provided with a bevel for directing the retrieval latch dogs in the inward direction.

Abstract: A quick coupling device for quickly and easily coupling and decoupling a work implement to and from a stick assembly is disclosed. The quick coupling device includes a hook member defined in the stick assembly. The hook member defines a recess. An implement pin secured to the work implement is positionable within the recess. The quick coupling device further includes an over-center spring which biases or otherwise secures the implement pin within the recess. The quick coupling device yet further includes an actuator which selectively loads the over-center spring so as to secure the implement pin within the recess, or alternatively removes the load from the over-center spring so as to allow the bucket to be decoupled from the stick assembly. In one embodiment the actuator includes a operator controlled fluid cylinder, whereas in another embodiment the actuator includes a lever assembly having a lever with a cam lobe secured thereto.

Abstract: A barrier vehicle system for an amusement race track is formed from a chain of pivotally coupled barrier modules. Each barrier module has a top and a bottom link separated by a spacer structurally joined with the top and bottom links to create a rigid structure when assembled. A pin extends through the top and bottom links, to one side of the spacer. An resilient, deformable barrel is journalled on the pin. To assist in attenuating high energy impacts, an extendable, energy-absorbing mechanism is attached to one end of the barrier, and the other end of the barrier is anchored to the ground.

Abstract: A trench cleaning apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the trench cleaning apparatus for extricating crumbs from a trench into control of the tractor. The trench cleaning apparatus utilizes a rigid member having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. When the rigid member is inserted into a trench at an angle to horizontal and propelled, the first edge and the second edge engage the sidewalls of the trench and the bottom edge of the rigid member engages the bottom of the trench. As the rigid member is propelled, crumbs flow from the bottom of the trench to the top of said rigid member such that crumbs are extricated from the trench and the trench is cleaned. A bucket can be utilized in cooperation with the trench cleaning apparatus such that crumbs above ground level can also be removed.

Abstract: This device is a pipe wiping apparatus. The pipe wiping structure incorporates a housing and the housing is provided with a central opening to enable the housing to be positioned along the pathway of a pipe string. The pipe string is extended upwardly and passes through the housing. The pipe string is made of a number of drill pipes which are serially connected to extend through the housing so that the external surface can be wiped. As the pipe string passes through the housing, it is exposed to the action of similar wipers which are mounted on multiple actuators where each actuator incorporates a low pressure pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder operates a piston which moves a piston rod which operates a belt crank. This belt crank mechanism rotates an arm to thereby rotate a curving conformed resilient wiper element of sheet material. It is supported on the arm extending radially inwardly toward the pipe. Retraction is permitted to pull the wiper away from the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling rotation of an outer sleeve member relative to an inner cylindrical duct member is used in a drilling system for controlling steering of a downhole drilling tool. The apparatus includes an annular swash plate pump and a stack of annular brake disks in the space between the members. The pump is driven by the rotation to pump fluid into a supply cylinder driving the brake. An orifice controls escape of the fluid from the chamber at a controlled rate. The rate is controlled to maintain a balance between the pumping rate and the brake pressure to keep the rotation at a required rate. The apparatus is used in the drilling system which includes a shallow bend in the drilling tool and a system for rotating the bent drilling tool slowly about a longitudinal axis of the drilling tool while the drill bit rotates more rapidly. The controlled orifice further allows the slow rotation to be halted at a predetermined orientation of the bend axis so as to effect a change in drilling direction.

Abstract: A spillway for use in a sloped embankment which defines a top and a toe. The spillway is adapted to dissipate the kinetic energy of water flowing downwardly from the top of the embankment to the toe thereof in a primary flow direction. The spillway comprises a plurality of building blocks arranged in rows which are stacked upon each other in a shingle-like overlap such that the building blocks of each row are offset relative to the building blocks of each adjacent row and a series of steps are defined thereby. The building blocks are sized and configured such that water cascading down the steps defined thereby is caused to flow in three dimensions so as to impart velocity components to the falling water that act at generally right angles relative to the primary flow direction and generate turbulence which dissipates the kinetic energy of the water.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which reliably and conveniently controls fluid flow through a sidewall of a tubular string. In a described embodiment, an auto-fill sub includes a check valve disposed in a housing. The check valve includes a generally tubular flexible member for sealingly engaging a sidewall of the housing to prevent fluid flow through an opening formed through the sidewall. A flow deflector may be provided to prevent abrasive wear, flow cutting and extrusion of the flexible member. Other features may include a lockout sleeve and a piston for displacing the lockout sleeve relative to the housing.

Abstract: A pick holder (110) is frictionally seated via a round cylindrical barrel (112) in a pick box of a continuous miner. A pick is in operation rotationally located in a bore (114). The bore (114), toward a rear thereof, has an internal, inwardly projecting screw thread (30). When the pick has been removed, the pick holder (110) is extracted from the pick box by screwing a screw threaded shank into the screw thread (30), and applying an extracting force via the shank and the interengaged screw threads to the pick holder (110).

Abstract: An excavating machine is provided having an L-arm assembly located between a power unit and an earth cutting device, the L-arm assembly for raising and lowering the earth cutting device. The L-arm assembly has a first arm for operable attachment to the power unit and a second arm integral with and substantially transverse to the first arm for operable attachment to the earth cutting device. The first arm of the L-arm assembly is longer than the second arm of the L-arm assembly. Hydraulic cylinders are included resulting in an earth cutting device which is held down into the ground in a positive manner so as to be more efficient in operation.

Abstract: A telescopic boarding bridge mounted at ground level for bridging the space between a small aircraft and a terminal gate doorway. The bridge includes a terminal bridge section supported in a fixed position adjacent the terminal gate doorway and at least one moveable bridge section adapted to slidably receive a front end of the terminal bridge section. The moveable bridge section has idler wheels for allowing movement thereof on the ground. A drive mechanism is operational to selectively push and pull on each side of the moveable bridge section to linearly displace the same relative to the terminal bridge section. The telescopic boarding bridge further includes a flexible canopy enclosure which is displaceable between a retracted position for providing wing tip clearance and an extended position for covering the doorway and the sides of the stairs of a small aircraft.

Abstract: A method of mounting and tensioning a freely tensioned tension member, particularly a stay cable for a cable-stayed bridge, and a device for carrying out the method, wherein the polyethylene casing of each individual strand is removed during the tensioning process over the length of the extension distance occurring during tensioning at the tensioning end. The peeling tool of the device for carrying out the method is composed of a sleeve having at one end thereof at least one cutting edge, wherein the sleeve surrounds the respective strand over at least an essential portion of the circumference thereof. The sleeve can be positioned in a stationary manner between the anchoring disk and the tensioning press, wherein the strand is pulled through the sleeve during the tensioning process.

Abstract: According to the invention, monitoring the load on hydraulic powered shield supports in underground use is performed by using the controller (13) serving for extraction control, which is equipped with microelectronics for load monitoring and load control, the components of the powered shield support being assigned sensors (14 to 18) whose electric measured values are used by the controller (13) for evaluating the measured signals and for driving the hydraulic rams (6, 7) and/or the angle cylinder (11) assigned to the powered shield support. The load control is preferably designed here in such a way that the critical load situations "one-sided loading" and/or "tip-toeing" are detected as early as during the setting operation, with the aid of appropriate sensors, and are rendered non-damaging in their effect by appropriately driving the hydraulic rams and/or the angle cylinder.

Abstract: A high performance, twin rotor riding trowel for finishing concrete and hydraulic circuitry therefor, enabling complete joystick control to the operator. The rigid trowel frame mounts two spaced-apart, downwardly-projecting, bladed rotor assemblies that frictionally engage the concrete surface. The rotor assembly blades finish the surface while supporting the trowel. The rotor assemblies are tilted with double acting, hydraulic cylinders to effectuate steering and control. Double acting hydraulic cylinders also control blade pitch. A joystick system enables the operator to hand control the trowel with minimal physical exertion. The joystick system activates electrical circuitry that fires solenoid control valves that in turn energize the various hydraulic cylinders that tilt the rotors and alter blade pitch. The hydraulic control circuitry comprises a motor driven pump delivering pressure to a flow divider circuit.

Abstract: A device for creating a localized water jet within a body of water allows for the displacement of material from the floor of the body of water. The device includes two powered screws within a jet pipe. The screws are arranged coaxially and their direction of rotation, pitch, and speed of rotation are arranged such that the torque produced by one of the screws tends to counteract the torque produced by the other, allowing for improved control of the device.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body which connects to a drill string. Three cutters are rotatably secured to a bearing shaft of the bit and a large number of chisel-like cutting elements are secured to each cutter. Each cutting element has a cylindrical base and a cutting end. An elongate crest is located at the tip of the cutting end. A conical chamfer connects the crest and the cutting end. The junction created by the chamfer is non-tangential and reduces the amount of unsupported material at the crest. The conical contour of the chamfer is defined by by a straight line moving in an oval path about the longitudinal axis. The contour of the cutting end avoids abrupt changes and associated stress concentrations. This is achieved by avoiding surfaces of rotation in non-axisymmetric configurations.

Abstract: Specially-shaped blocks of foam for use underground as aggregate. Because of protuberances on the faces of the blocks, the blocks fit closely together in only a small number of ways. In filling a volume, the overwhelmingly more likely arrangements provide a reasonably certain percentage void. Thus, the blocks can be transported to an application arranged without any significant void, and then used to fill a volume, providing a reasonably well known percentage void and compressive strength. Use of these foam blocks can provide thermal insulation, cushioning and various combinations of compressive strength and void, depending on the size and shape of the blocks and the size and shape of the protuberances relative to the blocks.

Abstract: A reduced travel operating mechanism for downhole tools is provided. The reduced travel operating mechanism (57) includes a load ratio system (59) which may include compression ring (102) disposed within circumferential guide pocket (123) and a linkage system (61) disposed within mechanism pocket (125). The linkage system (61) may include first link (112), master link (114), and second link (116) coupled between compression ring (102) and connecting member (118). A loading system (63), which may include a hydraulic piston (100), acts on compression ring (102) to move compression ring (102) a first distance. Connecting member (118) moves a second distance in response to the movement of compression ring (102) a first distance. The linkage system (61) may operate such that the second distance is greater than the first distance or operate such that the first distance is greater than the second distance.