Abstract: A monolithic surfacing system is capable of being applied to almost any stable, compacted base which is capable of supporting the weight of the system. The system provides an economical solution to the cracking and degradation which is experienced with conventional artificial surfaces which are exposed to the elements or extended wear. The surfacing system includes a bottom layer comprised of a pile fabric having a flexible backing and a plurality of upstanding pile elements. Each of the pile elements has an upper and a lower end. The pile elements are in-filled with a quantity of in-fill material which is sufficient to form a layer of substantially uniform density extending from the flexible backing of the bottom layer to substantially the upper end of the pile elements. A quantity of binder is added to the system, and a top layer comprising a wear coating having an upper and a lower surface is applied to the in-fill material and binder.

Abstract: A self-propelled trench-cutting machine includes a chassis and a drive assembly mounted to the chassis for driving the machine along a surface to be cut. The machine includes a boom and a rock cutting wheel that is mounted on the boom for rotation about a wheel axis. The boom has a first end and a second end and is mounted along a side of the chassis for pivotal movement about a pivot axis at the first end. A mechanism is provided for rotating the rock cutting wheel about the wheel axis, and a locking mechanism is provided that is adapted to lock the second end of the boom to the chassis.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting an accessory to the chassis of a vehicle includes an accessory mounting frame which includes a first base plate and a second base plate, and a pair of clamping mechanisms for mounting the base plates of the mounting frame to the horizontal portions of a pair of longitudinal frame components of the chassis. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each clamping mechanism includes an elongated clamp block having a first end and a second end, and a fastener that is adapted to fasten the clamp block to the base plate. The first end of each clamp block is adapted to engage a surface of the horizontal portion of a longitudinal frame component, while the second end is adapted to engage the base plate while the base plate also engages a surface of the horizontal portion of the longitudinal frame component that is not engaged by the first end of the clamp block.

Abstract: An identification module and a reader are employed in a system for applying identification information to an item of property, and for retrieving such information. The identification module contains a semiconductor memory chip that contains identification information and a component mount that is adapted to hold the memory chip in an interior space of the item of property in a prescribed manner. The reader for retrieving the identification information from the semiconductor memory chip is adapted for connection to a computer or other information retrieval device. The reader includes a probe that is adapted to make electrical contact with the memory chip while the chip is mounted in the interior space of the item of property so that the identification information may be retrieved from the chip.

Abstract: A sample collector for aggregate material is provided. The collector includes a support frame having a first end and a second end. A pair of guide plates are attached to the first end of the support frame. These guide plates are spaced apart so as to define a collection space therebetween. At least one of the guide plates is provided with a track that extends generally along the periphery of the collection space. A flexible closing plate is disposed between the guide plates and is adapted for sliding engagement with the track, so that the closing plate may be moved between an open position which exposes the collection space and a closed position which encloses the collection space. A mechanism is also provided for sliding the closing plate between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: An anti-rocking safety kit is disclosed for converting or stabilizing rocking devices having rocker arms to non-rocking devices. The kit includes a pair wedges which are capable of quick and easy attachment or detachment to a wide variety of rocking devices having rocker arms. The wedges are secured to the rocking devices using a pair of straps. In addition to its use in preventing a rocking device from rocking, the invention is also capable of reducing the likelihood that a rocking device may be tipped over sideways. The simple design and attachment means allows this invention to be used almost universally with rocking devices having rocker arms.

Abstract: A therapeutic device may be used in providing physical therapy for a patient's knee by moving the patient's leg through a plurality of cycles of motion in each of a number of treatment sessions. The device includes a “Comfort Zone” range of motion feature which allows an operator to temporarily increase the flexion angle (or decrease the extension angle) to alleviate discomfort the patient is experiencing as the upper leg support and lower leg support pivot or attempt to pivot through a portion of the operational range of motion. The preferred embodiment of the device will automatically decrease the flexion angle (or automatically increase the extension angle) at a predetermined rate over a period of treatment time, so that the device may return to operation between the preset operational limits of the range of motion with a lower chance that the patient will experience the same pain or discomfort which necessitated the establishment of a Comfort Zone limit.

Abstract: A vascular interventional device may be introduced over a guidewire into a vessel of the cardiovascular system of a patient. This device includes a hollow, flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end that is adapted to selectively engage a target vessel of the cardiovascular system of the patient. This tube also includes a lumen that is continuous from the proximal to the distal end, and has an end hole in the distal end that is in fluid communication with the lumen. A plurality of side holes are provided near the distal end of the tube, each of which is in continuous fluid communication with the lumen. The device also includes a hollow vessel dilator that is adapted for insertion into and through the tube and over the guidewire. The dilator has an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the guidewire and an outside diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the lumen of the tube.

Abstract: A therapeutic device which may be used in providing physical therapy for a patient's knee by moving the patient's leg through a plurality of cycles of motion in a treatment session. The device includes a “Fast Back” range of motion feature that permits the machine to be operated at more than one speed or rate per cycle, wherein the patient's knee may pass through a critical or working range of motion at a first rate, and through a non-critical or non-working range of motion at a second rate, so as to increase the portion of time of a treatment session that is spent in the working of the range of motion, as compared to conventional CPM machines.

Abstract: A continuous passive motion device which may be used in providing physical therapy for a patient's knee by moving the patient's leg through a plurality of cycles of motion in a treatment session includes an “Oscillation Zone” range of motion feature that permits the machine to be operated in such a manner that the patient's knee is flexed and his leg extended through a critical or working range of motion more frequently than through the non-critical range of motion, or the remainder of the range of motion of the device, so as to increase the portion of time of a treatment session that is spent in the working range of motion. A preferred embodiment of the device allows the patient's knee to be flexed, extended and held in certain positions a predetermined number of times per cycle, so as to provide a treatment regimen which replicates the holding and stretching one might receive through physical therapy conducted by a therapist or a physician.

Abstract: A therapeutic device may be used in providing physical therapy for a patient's knee by moving the patient's leg through a plurality of cycles of motion in each of a number of treatment sessions. The device includes a progressive range of motion feature that permits an automatic decrease in the flexion angle (or an automatic increase in the extension angle) over a period of time as rehabilitation progresses. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carriage holding the patient's leg is decelerated, at a controlled rate over a controlled distance, from the operational speed to zero, as the carriage approaches the extension or flexion limit, and the carriage is accelerated in the same fashion as the carriage moves away from the extension or flexion limit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for cutting rumble strips in the surface of a roadway. The apparatus is a self-propelled machine which includes a frame and a drive mechanism mounted to the frame and adapted for advancing the machine across the surface of the roadway. The machine also includes a generally cylindrical cutting drum that is mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis that is disposed generally parallel to the surface of the roadway. A plurality of cutting teeth are mounted on the outer surface of the drum in a predetermined pattern, and a mechanism is provided for rotating the cutting drum about its axis. The drum is maintained at a predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway so that the cutting teeth will cut into said surface a relatively constant, predetermined depth as the drum is rotated about its axis while the machine is advanced along the surface of the roadway.

Abstract: An apparatus for making asphalt paving material includes a dust collection and distribution system by which aggregate dust that is collected during the heating and drying of aggregate may be introduced into the mixing chamber and distributed over a substantial portion of the area of the mixing chamber. By distributing the aggregate dust over a broader area of the mixing chamber than has been previously known, the mixing effort required to achieve a thorough blending of the dust into the mixture is reduced, and the quality of the asphalt paving composition is improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing therapeutic musculoskeletal massage to a patient. The apparatus comprises a table having a plurality of roller assemblies, each of which is mounted on a support rail that is attached to the table. The roller assemblies each have rollers and extension arms of differing sizes, lengths, and contours that are specifically designed and selected to provide optimal therapeutic effect to a specific portion of a patient's spine.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition, method and apparatus for use in treating a bale of hay. The composition is essentially free of ammonia, urea and lye, and contains about 10% to about 50% by volume sweetener, about 0.5% to about 8% by volume liquid fat, about 0.5% to about 10% by volume gelatin, at least about 0.2% by volume phosphoric acid, at least about 0.3% by volume elemental calcium, at least about 500 IU Vitamin A per gallon of composition, at least about 100 IU Vitamin D per gallon of composition, and water. The method includes injecting this composition into a bale of hay. A concentrate is also provided that may be mixed with water to form the liquid composition, which concentrate is essentially free of ammonia, urea and lye, and contains about 30% to about 85% by volume sweetener, about 1.5% to about 40% by volume liquid fat, about 1.5% to about 40% by volume gelatin, at least about 1% by volume phosphoric acid, at least about 1.

Abstract: A hatch cover assembly for an access port includes a hatch which is adapted to cover the access port and a mechanism for applying a generally vertically-directed force to the hatch to raise it upwardly off the port, while maintaining the hatch in a generally-horizontal attitude. The assembly also includes a mechanism for mounting the hatch on the access port so that the hatch may be rotated about a generally vertical shaft from a closed position which covers the port to an open position which exposes the port, while avoiding any non-pivotal horizontal movement of the hatch with respect to the access port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring comminuted product from an unpressurized storage unit to a tank, especially a trailer-mounted tank. According to this method, an inert gas source is provided, preferably mounted on the trailer, and a conduit is provided to carry the product, which conduit is connected between the storage unit and the tank. The tank and conduit are evacuated so as to create a pressure differential between the storage unit and the tank, and the inert gas is allowed to flow into the evacuated tank in response to the partial vacuum therein. The product is then allowed to flow through the conduit to the tank in response to the partial vacuum therein. An improved trailer for receiving comminuted product according to a practice of the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample collector for aggregate material is provided. The collector includes a collector frame having a probe that is shaped so as to be insertable along a defined axis into a quantity of aggregate material. The collector also includes a plurality of elongate support rods. The first end of each rod is attached to the probe, and a seat is provided to which the second end of each of the support rods is attached. Each rod is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the axis, and the rods are spaced apart from each other so as to define a collection space. The collector also includes a sleeve which is adapted to slide over the collector frame between an open position which exposes the collection space and a closed position which encloses the collection space. A sliding mechanism is also provided for sliding the sleeve over the collector frame between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A method of making a dyed nylon walk-off mat having improved washfastness includes dyeing nylon yarn, or a tufted nylon mat, in a fiber reactive dye solution having a pH in the range of about 0.5 to about 2.5. The yarn is then heated, such as by steam, at a temperature above 200.degree. F., after which the yarn is treated with an alkaline solution followed by a heat treatment. A backing, such as of rubber or vinyl, is applied to the mat at an elevated temperature. The application of the backing at elevated temperature, and the heat treatment subsequent to application of the alkaline solution, may be performed simultaneously.