Abstract: An apparatus for controlling weeds, which includes a tine formation adapted to remove or disrupt targeted weeds, and a tine support assembly adapted to support the tine for movement about a first control axis in a generally vertical direction between an engaged position wherein the tine formation in use contacts a ground surface for removal or disruption of targeted weeds and a disengaged position wherein the tine formation is substantially retracted from the ground surface. The tine support assembly is further adapted to support the tine for movement about a second control axis in a generally horizontal direction. The tine support assembly further includes a first actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the first control axis, and a second actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the second control axis.

Abstract: A sliding groove type friction pendulum high-pier bridge seismic mitigation and an isolation bearing. The bearing includes an upper connecting steel plate, a lower connecting steel plate, and a frictional sliding component clamped between the upper connecting steel plate and the lower connecting steel plate. The frictional sliding component includes an upper bearing plate, a lower bearing plate, and a hyperbolic spheroid. The upper bearing plate and the lower bearing plate are disposed on corresponding connecting steel plates, and are mounted and cooperate by using a plurality of parallel protrusions and grooves. The hyperbolic spheroid is disposed between the upper bearing plate and the lower bearing plate. A plurality of hysteretic damping components, bearing positioning structures, butterfly-shaped spring components, and bearing limiting structures are disposed on opposite surfaces of the upper bearing plate and the lower bearing plate in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A load assembly for a self-uprighting delineator which moves from a first upright position to a second yielded or deflected position upon impact and returns to the upright position after impact. The assembly has upper and lower cell elements that have cooperating and complimentary alignment members in the form of notches and ridges. When the assembly is twisted, the alignment members cause the upper and lower cells to properly align the spring loaded cables passing through cable passages in the elements.

Abstract: A one-piece safety cleat with a flat base having an upstanding rim surrounding it to form an open shallow cup-structure. The rim has at least one drainage opening. Multiple one-piece safety cleats can be attached to flooring to increase traction on the floor surface.

Abstract: A fully floating gangway comprises a movable frame sandwiched movably in an operating plane between lower and upper parallel bearing surfaces which are supported from and positioned below a first platform. A gangway extends from the frame's front end for extending to another platform such as an aircraft doorway so that the gangway can be aligned therewith by manipulating the frame in the operating plane. Preferably the frame and bearing surfaces are supported in a mobile structures such as passenger ramp. The gangway is preferably pivoted from the frame for adapting to differential elevations. The pivoting gangway can be counterbalanced for ease of manipulation. A braking system is provided to lock gangway against movement once positioned.

Abstract: In order to design an infrastructure of an elevated bridge, first a target ductility factor &mgr;d and target natural period Td for the infrastructure are set in connection with an assumed earthquake motion. Subsequently, a yield seismic coefficient for the target ductility factor &mgr;d and target natural period Td is obtained from a yield seismic coefficient spectrum for the assumed earthquake motion as a design seismic coefficient Kh. On the other hand, a target yield rigidity Kd corresponding to the target natural period Td is obtained. Subsequently, the design seismic coefficient Kh is used to obtain a design horizontal load bearing capacity Hd and a displacement corresponding to the design horizontal load bearing capacity Hd is obtained as a design yield displacement &dgr;d from the target yield rigidity Kd. Subsequently, the design horizontal load bearing capacity Hd is distributed into a horizontal force Hf to be borne by the RC rigid frame and a horizontal force Hb to be borne by the damper-brace.

Abstract: Adjustment risers for use in a manhole or catch basin, between a lower support structure, for example, a concrete riser, and an upper frame assembly, adjacent a surface in which the hole is formed, have a molded body and typically are annular; one or more ribs extend outwardly from a first sealing face and a corresponding one or more grooves are formed in an opposed second sealing face, each groove being in opposed relationship with a rib, whereby the adjustment risers may be matingly stacked to provide a required adjustment riser height for a specified manhole or catch basin.

Abstract: A mowing machine for cutting plants with radially protruding blades of upper and lower blade disks which are coaxially disposed and rotated under the hood that is disposed at the end of a handle. The upper blade disk has a ring gear, the lower blade disk has a sun gear, and a transmission gear is provided between the ring gear and the sun gear and meshes these gears so as to rotate the ring and sun gears in the opposite directions, thus rotating the upper and lower blade disks in the opposite directions for producing a shearing force that cuts the plants.

Abstract: A water-borne road marking paint is characterized in that incorporated within the paint are particles of a solid polymer or inorganic compound, which are capable of absorbing water. Preferred particles are ion exchange resin beads. Incorporation of such particles either during or immediately after application of the paint results in an accelerated speed of drying of the paint on the road.

Abstract: A portable vibratory concrete screed is disclosed. The concrete screed includes a screed blade including a flat bottom wall extending between a front edge of the screed blade and a rear edge of the screed blade. The screed also includes a vibratory assembly, with an eccentric weight, coupled to the screed blade, wherein the eccentric weight rotates in a plane which is oblique to the bottom wall of the screed blade. Finally, the screed includes a handle assembly extending from the vibratory assembly and coupling a motor to the vibratory assembly to drive the eccentric weight and vibrate the screed blade.

Abstract: In a powered riding trowel of the type having at least two adjacent rotor assemblies wherein said rotor assemblies include rotors which are counter rotating relative to one another, and wherein the rotors circumscribe a circular path during operation, the rotor assemblies being affixed to a framework such that the paths circumscribed by the rotors are spaced apart so that tangential forces developed along the circumference of the respective paths do not interact to reinforce one another.

Abstract: A continuously-variable-ratio transmission ("CVT") of the band-and-sheave type capable of "torque control", so that what the operator demands, by movement of the accelerator pedal or other control member, is a particular driving torque applied to the ratio-varying components ("variator") A connection (21, 22) between at least one of the variator sheaves (3, 4) and its shaft (5) is torque-sensitive, so that torque at that sheave generates an axial force which is a function of the magnitude and direction of the torque to which the sheave is subjected. Examples are described in which the operating axial load, applied to the variator pulley units, comprises two parts--a first part to maintain traction between sheaves and band, and a second part related to the applied torque--and a variator using more than one band.

Abstract: A deployable bridge is assembled from individual components. The components include cross girders and pavement slabs disposed between the cross girders, the cross girders each having opposite ends and first and second continuous girders each disposed along one of the opposite ends, respectively, of the cross girders. Each continuous girder comprises an upwardly pointing truss having top and bottom chords and truss members arranged between the top and bottom chords and connected to the top and bottom chords at top and bottom nodal points, respectively. The top and bottom chords are each divided in regions of the top and bottom nodal points into a plurality of top chord members and bottom chord members. Each continuous girder further includes connecting elements connecting together the top chord members and connecting together the bottom chord members.