Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a culvert includes a rod pushing and pulling machine, a rod string made from a series of extension rods coupled end to end, which rod string is mounted at a proximal end to the rod pushing and pulling machine. A debris removal tool is mounted on a distal end of the rod string. The debris removal tool may comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, the rod having a coupling at its proximal end. A bucket is mounted at the distal end of the rod, which bucket has an end opening positioned so that movement of the bucket along the culvert scoops debris into the bucket.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system includes a bracket and a clip. During closing, an arm of the clip rides down against an inclined rear surface of a first tie wing and a portion of the clip bends resiliently, exerting a force that locks a locking edge portion of the clip in a recess beneath second tie wings. During opening, the arm rides up against the inclined rear surface of the first tie wing as the locking edge portion of the clip is removed from the recess beneath the second tie wings. The clip is then moved to an open position to permit placement and removal of the archwire and held in that position.

Abstract: A method for reforming or rerounding an underground pipe includes the initial steps of inserting a reforming tool into the underground pipe and locating the pipe reforming tool at a location to be reformed. At least two arms of the reforming tool are then extended into engagement with the inner periphery of the underground pipe, which arms push the underground pipe outwardly in a manner effective to change its cross-sectional shape. The arms may then be retracted and the tool withdrawn from the pipeline. Such “reforming” or “rerounding” tool is preferably mounted at the distal end of a rod string so that the tool can be pushed, pulled and/or spun by operation of the rod pulling and pushing machine powering the rod string.

Abstract: A portable winch suitable for use in underground pipe bursting and replacement includes a mounting frame positionable at a top opening of a hole such as a receiving pit or manhole. A telescoping mast having a series of nested, top and bottom mast sections is mounted on the frame. A powered winch unit, also mounted on the frame, includes a drive unit and a cable. A guide assembly includes a sheave that guides the cable from the drive unit to the bottom mast section. Suitable means are connected to the frame for mechanically raising and lowering the mast into and out of the hole. As such, the mast according to the invention does not require assembly or disassembly at the beginning and end of each job. The mechanical means for raising and lowering the mast is preferably the powered winch unit.

Abstract: A cable pulling machine of the invention includes a frame, a mechanical linkage including first and second links having first and second cable gripping shoes disposed thereon respectively in opposed positions, a latching cylinder actuable to cause the mechanical linkage to pivot on multiple axes to bring the shoes into engagement with a cable disposed therebetween, a main cylinder having one end mounted on the frame and actuable to move the linkage in a manner effective to pull the cable in a pulling stroke once the latching cylinder has brought the shoes into engagement with the cable, and suitable means for extending and retracting the main and latching cylinders. The machine may also include suitable means for holding the cable in tension between pulling strokes, such as a pivoting wedge mechanism as described hereafter.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a culvert comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the housing having an interior chamber, the housing has an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the culvert, and at least one paddle operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod inside the interior chamber of the housing, the at least one paddle operable to dislodge and loosen debris inside the culvert.

Abstract: An orthodontic force mechanism includes a jack screw having a pair of ends, at least one of which is threaded, and a central spindle between the ends, which spindle has two intersecting radial through-holes therein. A pair of nut housings are mounted on the end portions of the jack screw, at least one of which is threadedly coupled to a threaded end portion of the jack screw. A lock mechanism mounted on the central spindle section includes a spring-loaded detent configured to engage an end opening of each of the through holes in the spindle when the through hole is in alignment with the detent, such that the spindle cannot rotate relative to the lock mechanism when the detent is inserted into a through hole. The detent can be moved out of engagement with a through hole using a tool inserted into that through hole from its opposite end.

Abstract: A packaged, pre-pasted orthodontic bracket includes a container having an open well therein and a top surface surrounding the well. A cover film with a central hole is disposed over the top opening of the well and secured to the top surface of the container with a layer of adhesive. An orthodontic bracket mounted in the central hole of the cover film has a base, a central portion extending from the base, at least two opposed tie wings extending from the central portion of the bracket, and a layer of light-curable adhesive disposed on the base of the bracket. The bracket is mounted in the central hole of the cover film such that the cover film contacts the central portion of the bracket and supports the bracket with the adhesive layer and base inside the well and the tie wings outside the well.

Abstract: A network of secure servers, requiring no central entity to administer user identities or access permissions. Each autonomous server hosts a set of user accounts. Users may link to and access the accounts of all other users in the network. Resources in accounts are private, but users may grant each other partial permissions to them. Links and permissions are independent of the location of accounts, and are cryptographically authenticated. Users may migrate their account between servers without loosing accumulated permissions, or breaking links that others have to their account. The ability to grant permissions may be delegated to reflect complex organizational structures. A permission may be configured to unlock data in a multitude of accounts. The system will support applications that require secure information sharing across multiple organizational boundaries, and provides a distributed security model which is feasible to deploy as it is wholly administered by its users.

Abstract: An impactor for use with a directional boring machine for replacement of underground pipes includes a bursting head having a rearwardly opening recess and a front end opening that communicates with the recess. An inlet pipe is connected at its front end to a distal end of the drill string and extends into the recess of the bursting head through the front end opening. A striker is mounted for sliding movement along the inlet pipe, and a distributing mechanism responsive to pressure fluid supplied through the drill string and inlet pipe causes the striker to reciprocate in the rearwardly opening recess of the head to deliver forward impacts against the bursting head. The striker and distributing mechanism are mounted in a tubular housing, and a pulling connection is provided by which the impactor can be pulled by the drill string while the striker is delivering impacts against the head in the same direction as a pulling force exerted by the drill string.

Abstract: A process of stripping a coating according to the invention comprises subjecting a coated substrate to an aqueous medium containing a peroxide and an interfacial mixing agent, and to heating preferably by either ultraviolet (UV) and/or infrared (IR) radiation. The substrate is completely stripped of the coating and suffers no damage to itself as a result of the paint debonding/dislodging process. No toxic wastes are generated from this process, nor are particulates associated with air pollution generated. The metal substrates being stripped also do not undergo corrosion or other damage as a result of the described process.

Abstract: A cable pulling machine of the invention includes a frame, a mechanical linkage including first and second links having first and second cable gripping shoes disposed thereon respectively in opposed positions, a latching cylinder actuable to cause the mechanical linkage to pivot on multiple axes to bring the shoes into engagement with a cable disposed therebetween, a main cylinder having one end mounted on the frame and actuable to move the linkage in a manner effective to pull the cable in a pulling stroke once the latching cylinder has brought the shoes into engagement with the cable, and a mechanism for extending and retracting the main and latching cylinders. The machine may also include a mechanism for holding the cable in tension between pulling strokes, such as a pivoting wedge mechanism as described hereafter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guide for a power saw or router of the type having a blade and a housing wider than the blade which directly overlies the blade during the cutting operation. The guide includes a guide bar having a straight outer edge configured for guiding a peripheral edge of the saw housing and a gauge device. The gauge device includes an elongated holder and a light beam projector mounted on the holder for projecting a beam of light at an angle relative to a lengthwise axis of the holder. In this respect, the light beam projector is mounted on the holder for projecting a beam of light at a right angle relative to a lengthwise axis of the holder such that the beam of light is parallel to the straight outer edge of the guide bar. The light beam projector is preferably a laser.

Abstract: A rod pushing and pulling machine includes at least one hydraulic cylinder having a front end thereof engagable with a reaction surface at an entry opening of a existing pipeline or borehole, a spindle assembly, and a dual vise assembly. The spindle assembly includes a frame, a spindle shaft rotatably mounted in the frame, a distal end of the spindle shaft being threaded for engagement with a mating thread of a rod, a drive system for rotating the spindle shaft in threading and unthreading directions, the spindle frame being secured to a rear end of the hydraulic cylinder for pushing or pulling of a rod string engaged to the spindle shaft upon extension or retraction of the hydraulic cylinder, and a support assembly for the spindle shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new application for an inductive coupler (12) used proximate a power transmission line (14). The magnetic field based power measurement method and system discussed herein in unique and differs from the prior technology by using near-real time intervals and periods that occur systemically in parallel with electrical systems rather than an accumulated period with little or no active capacity or proactive features. The inductive coupler (12) described herewith is used to collect, measure, and/or extract electromagnetic changes.

Abstract: A method for the removal of a ductile pipe includes passing a strand through the ductile pipe, crimping the ductile pipe in at least one location so that it is secured in a crimp about the strand and pulling the strand from an end of the ductile pipe with a winch or hydraulic puller. Preferably, the strand is a solid wire or wire rope and may be pushed through the pipe with a power wire feeding apparatus. As the strand and ductile pipe are pulled, segments of the pipe and strand are cut at the end of the pipe proximate the winch or puller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating flat postal items according to thickness classes. A rigid system of overlapping lamellae (5) on two continuous traction mechanisms (3) revolving on two deflection rollers (4) provides a lamella-type conveyor belt. The lamellae (5), in the end zones of the belt, are inclined outward at the same angle, thereby forming inward-leading gaps in between them. The lamella-type conveyor belt is inclined with respect to the horizontal to such an extent that postal items (10) that are conveyed to the lower part of the belt transporting the postal items upwards can slide, due to their gravity, into the interior of the lamella-type conveyor belt through the downward leading gaps if they are thinner than the gap width. The sorted out postal items (11) slide onto a transport device (7) by means of rigid guides (6) in the interior of the lamella-type conveyor belt. Said transport device transports the postal items laterally outward from the lamella-type conveyor belt.

Abstract: A method for sweeping mail pieces from pockets of a sorter including the steps of (1) sorting mail pieces to a plurality of pockets based upon a preselected sorting criteria, (2) positioning an unloading robot adjacent to a selected one of the pockets when the pocket has received a predetermined volume of mail pieces, the robot carrying a tray having upright side walls and bottom wall, (3) engaging the pocket with a sweeping apparatus, (4) removing mail pieces in the pocket with the sweeping apparatus, (5) loading the removed mail pieces into the tray carried by the robot, and (6) carrying the tray containing the removed mail pieces to a destination with the robot. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.