Abstract: A measuring vehicle for roadways comprises a tow vehicle and an instrument carrying vehicle connected for movement to the tow vehicle. The connection between the two vehicles includes a periodically operative lost motion arrangement so that as the tow vehicle moves continuously along the roadway, the instrument carrying vehicle automatically remains stationary periodically.The connection between the tow vehicle and the instrument carrying vehicle advantageously comprises a connecting rod connected at one end to the instrument carrying vehicle and at its other end to an endless belt or chain revolving on guide means such as rollers or sprockets whose rotational speed is proportional to the speed of the tow vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing and treating sheets and rolls of photographic materials. Sheets are placed within a first cylindrical container and also within and outside of second cylindrical containers which coaxially fit within the first container such that a plurality of concentric sheet-mounting surfaces are formed; whereby, several different sheets of materials may be simultaneously processed and treated. A rotatable shaft is cooperatively mounted with the first container to provide for rotatably mounting the second containers and also reels loaded with films. The shaft mounts with the containers and reels along their common central axes such that when the shaft is rotated, the second container can be axially rotated and likewise, the reels can be rotated. The rotation described provides for circulation of fluids relative to the materials.

Abstract: A method of re-levelling railway track of the kind having rails fastened to sleepers supported on a ballast bed is disclosed. The method comprises lifting the sleepers off the ballast bed and pneumatically placing ballast stones by an air stream in the gap formed between the underside of a lifted sleeper and the underlying ballast bed using a tool which is driven into the ballast bed adjacent a side face of the sleeper to a depth such that an outlet for the ballast stones propelled by the air stream is provided at the level of the gap. The tool used comprises a spade-like member having a channel along which the air stream and the ballast stones are fed into the gap, the member being disposed so that its channel extends generally downwardly with its mouth facing the sleeper side face and the length of the channel being greater than the depth of the channel.

Abstract: An optical system for establishing a reference datum in relation to which operations can be carried out in roadway workings comprises optical devices which define an optical triangle whose plane inclines downwardly towards the plane of the roadway. The inclination of the plane of the optical triangle is adjustable so that a corner of the triangle is set at the level of the roadway as determined by a reflected image of the roadway surface.