Abstract: A resilient ramp structure for highways, especially useful as a highway speed bump has at least two ramp plates fixable to a highway surface. Each ramp plate has an inclined surface leading to a level platform surface which can be abutted against another such plate or to a flat platform plate. In the ramp plate, the inclined and platform sections are formed integrally. A reinforcing strip runs along the inclined portion of the ramp plate and receives screws to be affixed in the underlying material. Junctions between abutting ramp and/or platform plates are secured by pressure plates that are disposed in recesses at the corners of the plates and hold each adjacent plate to the underlying material.

Abstract: A modular system of rectangular pavers which can be laid down across a grass area to support foot or vehicle traffic while permitting grass to grow through apertures in the pavers. Each paver is made up of a base plate having a rectangular grid of upstanding walls secured thereto. An aperture is provided through the base plate within each grid cell. The maximum distance between opposite walls in each cell is about one inch. Typically, the pavers will have thicknesses of up to about one inch. The base plates extend slightly beyond the edge of the grid on two sides, with the grid extending the same distance beyond the base plate on the other two sides so that a plurality of pavers can be assembled in a contiguous overlapping relationship. Abutting pavers may be secured together, such as by staples. To hold the assembly in place, anchoring spikes are provided having a rectangular head corresponding to the interior area of the bottom of each cell and an elongated, pointed shaft.

Abstract: An erosion control revetment and wall made from preformed blocks which are secured to elongate support members by interlocking sleeves. The block is formed with transversely extending slots which extend from the top end to the bottom end of the block and have an enlarged opening on the top end for receiving a tubular sleeve which encircles the elongate support members. The outer diameter of the sleeve is snugly received within the enlarged opening, but is larger than the width of the remainder of the slot, preventing unintended removal of the block from the support member. The elongate support members may be semi-rigid rods or cables. The revetment is formed from alternating rows of blocks which are offset by one elongate support member relative to blocks in adjacent rows. Alternatively, the blocks may be assembled into a wall having vertically aligned blocks or blocks which are offset relative to one another in adjacent rows.

Abstract: A stage system and apparatus for construction of flat stages, choral risers, and the like which utilizes a basic structural flat rectangular panel module with an edge of extruded material having a re-entrant groove on the outer surface and upper and lower sockets on each side of each corner of the panel to receive support legs fashioned to be received in the bottom sockets. Railing stanchions are provided to seat in the top sockets. In the vertically spaced and overlapping choral risers, the top sockets serve to locate the overlap and mechanically lock the panels in an overlap position. Inserts received in the re-entrant groove interengage with the re-entrant groove of an adjacent panel to provide lateral and vertical stability to adjacent panels.Special leg brackets are provided to engage the bottom sockets of two to four adjacent module panels to provide vertical support and lateral retention. Leg assemblies can be formed as a folding frame to facilitate shipping and storage.

Abstract: A portable airfield runway having an anchoring and tensioning system is crised of a plurality of fiberglass reinforced plastic panels anchored with earth anchors at each end of the runway and uses self-contained hydraulic tensioning and load maintenance units to maintain constant tension on the runway while allowing for both expansion/contraction due to temperature and dynamic aircraft braking loads.

Abstract: There is disclosed an interlocking assembly for floating dock units of quadrangular section, comprising eye lugs, outwardly projecting from the four corners of the floating units. The lugs are superposable one over the others at the junction of four adjacent floating units. A bolt is provided, including a head and a threaded spindle with an associated nut. The bolt spindle is engageable through the eye of each lug for connecting the four adjacent floating units. The nut has inturned guide flanges releasably engaging the lowermost lug for holding the nut in register with the lug and for preventing its rotation when the bolt is screwed within the nut. Bumpers and cleats are also provided and secured to exposed lugs around the dock.

Abstract: An interlocking wooden mat assembly for supporting heavy equipment and vehicles around oil field drilling sites and the like comprises a three layered lamination of substantially parallel and closely spaced wooden planks forming each layer. Selected planks of the top layer are offset longitudinally and extend beyond the intermediate layer at one end to provide a male extension on one end and a female recess at the other end. Selected planks of the intermediate layer are offset laterally to extend beyond the surface and underlying layers at one side to provide a male extension on that side and a female recess at the other side. The surface layer has one less plank than the underlying layer to provide an exposed area on the side of the intermediate layer and to expose recessed areas on one side plank of the underlying layer. The mats may be removably secured together in end-to-end and edge-to-edge relation by the male extensions fitting the female recesses and being nailed together at the point of overlap.

Abstract: By means of the coupling members and corresponding supporting feet of adjacent elements a coupling between an arbitrary number of elements of the floor covering assembly is possible. In order to prevent the separation of the engaged respective pairs supporting feet-coupling members in a positive manner locking cams having upwards facing abutment surfaces lock behind side sections of respective adjacent elements.

Abstract: A floor, useful for ice or roller skating, including a planar surface made up of a plurality of panels and including locating devices positioned over and under adjacent panels to restrict relative movement between the panels.

Abstract: A garden structure includes a plurality of adjacent plastic base members with each of the base members including a frame portion, a filler portion, a sealing portion and a fastening portion. The frame portion includes spaced substantially flat major sections, sections having substantially the same configuration and being disposed substantially parallel to each other. Sidewall sections extend between adjacent peripheral edges of the major sections and at least two opposed sidewall sections are substantially parallel to each other throughout their lengths. The spaced major sections and sidewall sections together form a cavity within the base member. The filler portion includes particulate material compressed within the cavity of the base member and filling same. The sealing portion includes an opening in one sidewall of the base member and a cover section engageable with and completely enclosing the opening.

Abstract: A multilateral modular structure having fastening devices for connection to similar structures, the fastening devices including the module member having surfaces terminating in edges, a tab extending outwardly from an edge of and being offset from said member, the tab being connected to the member by a hinge integral with the member and the tab, the tab having one surface extending outwardly from said edge alignable with one surface of the member, the tab having an opposite surface to its said one surface unaligned with a surface of the member, and a connecting pin adjacent said edge from which the tab extends, the pin extending and supported from said one surface of the member, said opposite surface of said tab being transversely alignable with said pin, said tab having an opening therethrough, said opening having an axis generally parallel to the axis of the pin.

Abstract: The erosion control system of the present invention typically includes at least first and second primary elements each having at least three sides and a height H. Each primary element includes a truncated conical aperture located in alignment with the midsection of each side and set back into the interior of each primary element. The conical aperture includes a lower diameter d.sub.1 and an upper diameter d.sub.2 less than d.sub.1. A link interconnects the first and second primary elements and includes a height h<H. The link includes first and second truncated conical end sections each having a lower diameter d.sub.3 .ltoreq.d.sub.1 and an upper diameter d.sub.4 .ltoreq.d.sub.2. The conical side surfaces of the end sections are oriented generally parallel to the conical side surfaces of the apertures of the primary elements. A strut is coupled to the first and second end sections of the link to maintain a fixed distance between the end sections.

Abstract: A reinforcing track for soft ground comprises two rows of pressed sheet metal rib members 1. The inner ends of corresponding rib members 1 in the two rows are articulated to connecting rods 5 near their lower, pointed edges. Longitudinal ties 2 and 8 and transverse ties 3 all of spring steel strip reinforce a plastics sheet covering 7 which together with the ties 2 and 3 are sandwiched between track plates 9 and flanges on the rib members 1. The track is flexible and can be reeled onto, and unreeled from a reel on a vehicle for recovery of and laying the track. The reel is carried by a frame supported on a turntable bearing on the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: Prefabricated concrete elements for constructing paths corresponding to a width N or a multiple thereof contain two groups. The first group comprises flat, four-sided slabs for the straight sections of the path, having a dimension corresponding to the normal width N or half said normal width. The second group of prefabricated concrete elements comprise a plurality of sets of flat, sector slabs for the curved sections of the path having different predetermined radius each set consists of sector slabs having a predetermined radius and radii having a dimension corresponding to the normal width.

Abstract: A landing mat for compacted terrain is formed by assembling a multiplicity of mat elements in contiguous relationship. Each of these elements has a rectangular plan configuration and is formed along its longitudinal edges with downwardly bent flanges, and between these flanges, with flattened corrugations forming longitudinal ribs perpendicular to the planar upper surface of the element. Stabilizing plates can extend transversely to the ribs and flanges and can have upwardly open slots snugly receiving the ribs. Clips bridging contiguous edges of adjoining elements are fitted into elongated windows spaced inwardly of these edges to hold the elements together and an edge member, likewise having a flattened-corrugation rib, is fixed along one edge of the mat and has downwardly turned tongues fitted into the window of the elements along the latter edge.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for multiple sections of structural flooring and the like having contiguous corners (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d). The corner end of each section is grooved to present a sector (13) of a cylinder which when combined present a cylindrical bore at the junction of the section corners (10). At least the upper surface of each corner (10) has formed therein a dovetailed recess (15) which widens away from the corner junction point. A flat locking key washer member (17, 22) having dovetailed tabs (20) is fitted into the recesses (15, 15') maintains the contiguous corners (10) in place and a bolt (21) passing through a central aperture (18) of member (17) and to the cylindrical bore presented at the corners (10) may be employed to secure the assembly to a supporting structure (11).

Abstract: A plurality of sections of portable roadway are removably interconnected for use during periods of adverse weather conditions during which soil conditions are such that it is impossible to build a permanent road, or when the economics are such that a temporary road is advantageous. Each section consists of a hardwood frame which is connected to and supports a plywood surface. At the front and rear of each section, a transverse stiffening bar extends through and laterally to the side of the section. Connecting members are attached between the free ends of these stiffening bars. In the center of each section, a lifting bar is disposed to aid in removal and placement of the sections in an expeditious manner.

Abstract: An articulated erosion control system provides a flexing articulated mat comprising a plurality of blocks which interlock in a three dimensional fashion allowing a mat formed of the blocks to conform to changes in terrain. In the preferred embodiment there is provided at least one "lock block" (FIG. 1) having a plurality of open ended sockets spaced about the periphery thereof and at least one "key block" (FIG. 2) being connectable during operation to the lock block; the key block providing a plurality of locking arms spaced about and integrally formed with a central portion of the key block. Connection of the lock block and the key block can be achieved by relative vertical movement of the key block towards the lock block when the key block locking arm is superimposed over the open ended socket of the lock block--the connection being completed when a portion of the locking arm occupies at least in part the space within the socket.

Abstract: Each road surface element (1) has a cut-out portion (3), which is delimited by means of section (4b) of a plate (4). The cut-out portion (3) is traversed by a bolt (6). A locking piece (2), which has two catches (26) on its lower side is inserted into the chamber formed by the cut-out portions of two adjacent elements and is then rotated so that the catches (26) come to rest beneath the bolts (6). The two elements are then locked together and forces are transmitted through the two locking portions and the catches (26) to the bolt (6) and thus from one element to the other. The upper surface of the locking piece (2) is level with the surface of the two elements.Application more particularly to the production of temporary road surfaces, for example, during road detours or for use in construction excavations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in controlling soil erosion comprising a matrix of cellular concrete blocks, having foliage growth passageways therethrough, and held together by a series or system of cables or the like passing through internal passageways within each block. The cables are anchored into the ground to retain the blocks in position.

Abstract: An improved structure adapted for undersea construction is described comprising a plurality of foundation blocks, each foundation block comprising a rectahedral parallelepiped opposite faces of which are concave and convex, respectively, the opposite faces being sized and shaped to interengage matingly, such foundation blocks being interfitted into a three-dimensional array; a plurality of base pad units supporting said foundation blocks, each base pad unit comprising a rectahedral parallelepiped one face of which is convex, the opposite face of which has a plurality of protruding lugs, and the intermediate faces of which have T-shaped slots extending the length of each side, such base pad units being interfitted into a two-dimensional array by means of I-shaped keys which fit into adjacent T-shaped slots; a plurality of leg blocks supporting said base pad units, each of said leg blocks comprising a rectangular parallelepiped one face of which is convex, the opposite face of which is concave, the opposite fac

Abstract: An artificial ice skating rink floor with a layer of cushion material thereon and a plurality of floor plates formed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethyene laid directly on the layer of cushion material with the floor plates held in position by plate-like and U-shaped insertion members.

Abstract: Changes in temperature and humidity over a long period of time lead to propensities for breaking the adhesive bond between adjacent tiles when the tiles are adhered together only at underfitting-overhanding boundary zones. Propensities for such malfunctioning are minimized by providing two sizes of tiles and laying the rectangular tiles so that in both rectangular directions, the adhesive paths across the floor area are not straight lines, but have offsets and staggers so that there is no straight line of adhesion longer than the length of one and one-half large tiles.

Abstract: A frictional self-draining structure for a vehicular supporting surface, comprised of a plurality of prefabricated interlocking panels, each panel including a relatively flat upper surface to which is attached a layer of structurally rigid porous aggregate, each panel having a plurality of parallel longitudinal fluid conduits therethrough beneath its upper surface and perforations communicating between the upper surface and the conduits.

Abstract: A highway joint system, and the method of forming the same, wherein bars are employed between adjacent concrete highway sections having obliquely disposed end joints imposing a biasing force upon the sections during the occurrence of section lateral displacement due to expansion. The joint system utilizes biasing bars which may employ torsion forces for realigning the highway sections after expansion thereof, and the system contemplates the utilization of a tongue and groove interconnection in conjunction with the bars to prevent "buckling" and other misalignment at concrete highway joints. A V-shaped divider plate is employed to define the tongue and groove relationship, and this plate supports the biasing bars, and is supported by a framework capable of releasable attachment to the bars.