Abstract: One of the hinges between sections of the distributing chute of a concrete mixer is provided with a stop which prevents abutment of chute section and the corresponding possibility of injury to hands of a workman engaged in unhinging the chute sections. One of the sections also has a cam which restores the abutment to a safety position when the sections are unhinged and folded back into transporting position.

Abstract: An attachment to a slipform paver is provided which has side plates and surface plates engaging the sides and top surface respectively of a freshly formed slab of concrete, the slide plates being movable laterally to conform to deviations in the direction of the path of the concrete slab and the surface plate inclining upwardly toward the slab edge to maintain the slab contour during insertion of the dowel bars through the side plate into the side edge of the slab.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device between two relatively movable telescopic sections of an elevator such as a scaffolding or load hoist. The individual telescopic sections are locked together by a locking dog. The locking system can be arranged to snap in automatically, and to be released by cable actuation, or vice versa. The locking dog is actuated by a draw cable which controls a locking/release cable. The cable stretch of the draw cable is compensated by a tackle block reversal thereof, that is to say a substantially greater shortening takes place (with reduced force application) in the draw cable compared with the locking/release cable. Thus, a mechanical advantage is obtained not only within the draw cable itself, but also between the draw cable and the locking/release cable.

Abstract: The pan type mixing machine has vertical concentric annular walls between which material to be mixed is confined while paddles hung from a central revolving spindle churn such material. The transmission is supported on a ledge extending inwardly from the inner wall of the mixing space. The transmission is driven by a motor arranged outside the outer wall on frame members extending under the mixer, the frame members protecting the drive between the motor and the transmission. A novel seal is provided between the rotating spindle and the inner wall of the mixing chamber along with multiple means for adjusting the mixing paddles and protecting the arms that support them. The cover extending over the mixer space provides means for introducing liquid and also serves to reinforce the walls of the mixer when the latter is being lifted or lowered by a sling.

Abstract: A telescopic beam for use in an inclined hoist has five telescopic members. An actuator comprising a motorized winch and a block and tackle arrangement is provided for extending the telescopic members relative to one another. The block and tackle arrangement includes a cable which passes several times around sets of rollers positioned at the adjacent ends of first and second of the telescopic members. A lock is provided for fixing the positions of the first and second telescopic members. To relieve the operator of the need for controlling several actuators, the single actuator is used to control the extension of all the telescopic members, and to control the angle of inclination of the last telescopic member relative to the penultimate telescopic member. For this purpose, the cable is passed from the second telescopic member to the far end of the penultimate telescopic member, and then to the adjacent end of the last telescopic member where it is secured.

Abstract: A skirt assembly and swinging gate are both pivotally mounted on a bin hopper. The gate carries a cam which engages a follower on the skirt assembly. When the gate is closed, a notch in the cam face lifts the follower arm and the skirting assembly to its most elevated position. The final lifting action occurs while the gate is over-travelling its effective closed position. When it is desired to open the gate, the cam action is reversed until the skirt reaches sealing position; further engagements of the skirt assembly on the belt is prevented by a stop on the skirt which engages the hopper and operates with the cam face to lock the skirt in the exact position desired. It is held in this position during subsequent gate opening and regardless of the degree to which the gate is opened.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a metal charge comprises a box furnace and a container containing material for treating the charge. The box furnace is mounted on props whose length is sufficient to permit the container to be positioned under the furnace. The furnace has a shroud within which the charge is heated. Means are provided for introducing the charge into the furnace. The shroud and the container are provided with alignable openings through which the heated charge can be transferred, by charge-transfer means, from the furnace to the container. Pressurized gas is supplied to the interiors of the shroud and the container. The charge-transfer means comprises a carrier supported within the container by a support positioned outside the container. Vertical movement of the support relative to the container causes vertical movement of the carrier.

Abstract: An off-the-road vehicle has wheel sets of the same or different forms such as rolls or differentially driven wheels with a hydraulic motor and gear reduction drive for each wheel set. An engine driven variable displacement fluid pump is fed by return lines from the motors, and a fluid control system is provided including a valve associated with each motor and a restricted delivery line from each valve to its associated motor, an unrestricted delivery line from each valve to the other motor, and a restricted line connecting the two motors. Each valve is biased toward a first position by a spring and fluid pressure at the associated motor and has ports connecting the pump and restricted line to the associated motor in a first position, each valve being movable toward a second position by pump output pressure and having parts connecting the pump and the other motor through the unrestricted lines in the second position.

Abstract: A self-propelled refuse or trash compactor is provided at each cleated drum wheel with a fixed cylinder which extends around the axle housing of the compactor to the periphery of the drum wheel. A minimum operating clearance between the cylinder and the periphery of the drum wheel is allowed and is located such that there is no adjacent structure which may guide a discarded length of cable, for example, into said clearance. The fixed cylinder and drum wheel are also related so that the clearance is in the form of a labyrinth and the passage of the cable in any case and other debris in general through the clearance is prevented.