Abstract: A shielding structure for a wheel having a turning axis, a rim, and a tire mounted to the rim for rolling against an underlying surface. The wheel has axially oppositely facing sides. A mounting assembly is attached to the rim to move as one piece therewith. A plurality of shielding components are attached to the mounting assembly to overlie at least a part of the tire at one of the axially oppositely facing sides of the wheel. At least one of the shielding components is made from a non-metal material and a reinforcing element.

Abstract: A method of forming an upwardly facing surface around a conduit that is embedded in ground material and defines a passageway. The conduit has an open upper end, through which access can be gained to the passageway, and an outer perimeter. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a riser assembly; placing the riser assembly in operative relationship with the open upper end of the conduit wherein the riser assembly is supported at least partially by the ground material around the outer perimeter of the conduit and defines an entry opening to the passageway; and with the riser assembly in the operative relationship with the open upper end of the conduit, forming at least one material around the conduit to a desired vertical thickness on which the upwardly facing surface is defined.

Abstract: The combination of: an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has a housing defining a cavity in which at least a portion of the valve resides. The conduit assembly further has a valve base assembly configured to interact with: a) the housing; and b) at least one of: i) the valve; and ii) the supply line to maintain a desired relationship between the housing and the at least one of: i) the valve; and ii) the supply line.

Abstract: The combination of: an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an adaptor assembly with a body made from a non-metal material and having at least a first connector. The valve has at least a second connector. The first and second connectors cooperate to maintain the body operatively connected to the valve. A first conduit part is configured to connect to the body and bound a portion of the access passage accessible through an entry opening remote from the valve.

Abstract: The combination of an underground valve, for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line, and a conduit assembly defining an access passage through which above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly further has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks an entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator through the entry opening and access passage. A part of the cap and another part of the conduit assembly interact and are relatively moved as the cap is changed between the first and second states. At least one of: a) the part of the cap; and b) the another part of the conduit assembly is made from a non-metal material.

Abstract: The combination of: a) an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which the state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and b) a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks the entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an upper conduit part and a lower conduit part. The upper and lower conduit parts are interconnected and configured so that they move axially guidingly against and relative to each other so as to vary an effective combined axial length of the upper and lower conduit parts in response to forces generated by the ground material.

Abstract: A method of repairing an existing conduit assembly embedded in ground material. The conduit assembly has an axial length and defines an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to an underground valve actuator. The method includes the steps of: removing a portion of the length of the conduit assembly to expose an upper edge defined by a remaining portion of the conduit assembly; providing a repair assembly with a conduit piece having an entry opening; engaging the conduit piece and the remaining portion of the conduit assembly; moving the conduit piece guidingly in an axial direction against the remaining portion of the conduit assembly to thereby situate the entry opening at a desired axial location; and placing a cap on the conduit piece to thereby block the entry opening.

Abstract: A method of repairing an existing conduit assembly embedded in ground material. The conduit assembly has an axial length and defines an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to an underground valve actuator. The method includes the steps of: removing a portion of the length of the conduit assembly to expose an upper edge defined by a remaining portion of the conduit assembly; providing a repair assembly with a conduit piece having an entry opening; engaging the conduit piece and the remaining portion of the conduit assembly; moving the conduit piece guidingly in an axial direction against the remaining portion of the conduit assembly to thereby situate the entry opening at a desired axial location; and placing a cap on the conduit piece to thereby block the entry opening.

Abstract: The combination of: a) an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which the state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and b) a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks the entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an upper conduit part and a lower conduit part. The upper and lower conduit parts are interconnected and configured so that they move axially guidingly against and relative to each other so as to vary an effective combined axial length of the upper and lower conduit parts in response to forces generated by the ground material.

Abstract: The combination of an underground valve, for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line, and a conduit assembly defining an access passage through which above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly further has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks an entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator through the entry opening and access passage. A part of the cap and another part of the conduit assembly interact and are relatively moved as the cap is changed between the first and second states. At least one of: a) the part of the cap; and b) the another part of the conduit assembly is made from a non-metal material.

Abstract: A storm sewer box, and a method of repairing a storm sewer box for directing water into a storm sewer conduit at a curb location, and having a housing with a front, a top and spaced sides. The housing defines a chamber and a front entry opening that communicates to the housing chamber. The housing has a first surface that at least nominally matches an adjacent curb surface at the front of the housing. The housing has: a) at least one component that defines the first surface; and b) a base to which the at least one component is connected.

Abstract: A method of covering an opening through an exposed upwardly facing surface that defines an access opening to a conduit assembly defining a communication passage to a below surface location. The method includes the steps of: providing a cover assembly with a non-metallic component; and operatively joining the cover assembly with the conduit assembly so that the non-metallic component is placed against a metal component on the conduit assembly and transmits weight forces applied to at least one of: a) the exposed upwardly facing surface; and b) a surface defined by a cover component on the cover assembly that blocks the access opening and is substantially flush with the exposed upwardly facing surface, to the metal component on the conduit assembly.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a conveying system between a conveying belt and a containment wall. The sealing assembly has a primary sealing subassembly, and a secondary sealing subassembly joined by a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly defines a locally flexible region whereat the sealing assembly can be reconfigured to allow selective movement of the primary and secondary sealing subassemblies, each relative to the other. The sealing assembly is configured so that with the sealing assembly in an operative position on a conveying system: a) the primary sealing subassembly is situated to block passage of material from a conveying portion of a conveying belt laterally beyond a containment wall; and b) the secondary sealing subassembly is situated to laterally confine material that has moved laterally beyond the containment wall from the conveying portion of the conveying belt, along a length of the conveying system.

Abstract: A tensioning system for a cleaning blade having a frame, a blade support, and a ratchet system. The blade support is movable around a first axis in a first direction to increase cleaning blade pressure and an opposite second direction. The ratchet system has (a) a first ratchet assembly with at least one ratchet surface facing in a first circumferential direction and (b) a second ratchet assembly having a first plurality of ratchet surfaces facing in a second circumferential direction. At least a part of one of the first and second ratchet assemblies is deformable to allow the blade support to pivot in the first direction to cause the one ratchet surface to (a) move past each of the ratchet surfaces of the blade support moves in the first direction and (b) abut one of the ratchet surfaces to block movement in the second direction.

Abstract: A conveyor system having a conveying belt trained around a plurality of guide rollers for movement in an endless travel path to convey articles and materials in a travel line. A first roller is mounted in an operative position on a support to bear against the conveying belt. A roller safety support system has a wall assembly that confines downward movement of the first roller in the event that the first roller becomes disengaged from the operative position. The roller safety support system further includes a frame assembly. The wall assembly is mounted to the frame assembly so that an upwardly facing surface on the wall assembly bears supportingly against the first roller in the event that the first roller becomes disengaged from the operative position. The upwardly facing surface bounds a receptacle in which the first roller is confined by the wall assembly in the event that the first roller disengages from the operative position. The receptacle has a variable configuration.

Abstract: A conveyor system having a conveying belt trained around guide rollers for movement in a travel path, a first roller which is mounted in an operative position on a support to bear against the conveying belt, and a roller support system. The roller support system has at least one wall which confines downward movement of the first roller in the event that the first roller becomes disengaged from its operative position. The roller support system defines at least one opening through which foreign matter separated from the first roller can pass.

Abstract: A mounting system for a cleaning blade for a conveying belt. The mounting system has a mounting assembly with a) a first connecting portion through which a cleaning blade can be joined to the mounting assembly and b) a mounting portion which can be attached to a support to maintain the mounting assembly in a desired operative position relative to a conveying belt that is to be cleaned so as to situate a cleaning belt joined to the mounting assembly in a first operative position. The mounting assembly has a second connecting portion that can be used in place of the first connecting portion and through which a cleaning blade can be joined to the mounting assembly so as to situate a cleaning blade joined to the mounting assembly in a second operative position.

Abstract: A load bearing assembly for a conveying belt. The load bearing assembly has a main body for attachment to a support, and a support layer capable of being operably attached to the main body and having an exposed bearing surface to act supportingly against a conveying belt. The main body has a first shoulder facing a first direction, with the support layer having a second shoulder facing oppositely to the first direction and confronting the first shoulder to prevent separation of the main body and support layer with the support layer operably attached to the main body.

Abstract: The combination of a conveying surface that is movable to advance material supported thereon, a wall projecting upwardly from the conveying surface to confine material on the conveying surface, a sealing element to block passage of material between the conveyor surface and wall, and a clamping system for the sealing element. The clamping system may consist of a) a locking assembly having a bearing portion that is mounted for movement relative to the wall between i) a mounting position and ii) a holding position, with the sealing element residing between the wall and the bearing portion with the locking element in the holding position, b) a fixing element on the wall, and c) a wedge assembly having a body that cooperates with the fixing element and that is movable slidably and guidingly relative to the locking assembly between first and second positions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preloading a scraper blade against a conveyor belt in a conveyor cleaning system. The apparatus includes a blade support adapted to mount a scraper blade for engagement with a conveyor belt, a torsion member including a first end segment spaced from a second end segment along an axis, and a stop engageable with the second end segment to maintain the torsion member in a preloaded condition with the second end segment rotated about the axis relative to the first end segment to generate a preload between a scraper blade mounted on the blade support and a conveyor belt. In one form, the first end segment has an essentially polygonal cross section engageable with the blade support to restrict rotation of the first end segment relative to the blade support.