Abstract: A plastic sleeve is applied to a pole of varying cross-sectional area. A series of poles are advanced along their lengths through the opening of an extruder die, plastic is extruded onto the pole to form a cylindrical sleeve, and the rate of advancement of the pole through the die is adjusted in accordance with the increasing or decreasing diameter of the pole, so as to assure an even application of the plastic about the pole. The ends of the plastic are gathered while the plastic is still hot, forming a closure of the plastic about the ends of the pole.

Abstract: A system and method for using nanoparticles for antimicrobial activity. The coding may include a polymeric film and a plurality of discreet first particles. The discreet particles may include silver metal, silver oxide or a combination of both. The discreet particles may be in contact with the polymeric film.

Abstract: A belt guiding mechanism, for example for a child vehicle seat, which is suitable for guiding a belt extending through the belt guiding mechanism and locking said belt against movement. The belt guiding mechanism comprises a cam that is capable of pivoting movement relative to a bearing surface, said belt being movable in a tensioning direction and in the opposite direction through a passage present between said cam and said bearing surface. The cam is pivotable in a direction towards the hearing surface for locking the belt against movement. The cam is connected to a sleeve that can be positioned against a person's shoulder, in which sleeve the belt is slidably accommodated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improving the cooling of a blown-gas cooling chamber or of a blown-air cooling section in a line for heat treating steel and/or aluminum, and/or of improving the quality of products for treatment by reducing the vibration generated by the cooling, in which jets of gas or air are projected against each of the faces of the strip traveling through said section or chamber.

Abstract: A rubber compound comprising any raw rubber, from about 5% to about 75% by weight, and a zinc oxide dispersion, from about 25% to about 95% by weight. The specific gravity of the compound is within the range from about 1.4 gm/cc to about 3.4 gm/cc. The resulting material is a soft, pliable and flexible rubber with a relatively high specific gravity. Further, the compound is non-toxic, containing no known hazardous ingredients. The compound is a good alternative to metallic weights or metallic-filled rubbers currently used in the fields of sporting goods, exercise equipment, rehabilitation equipment, and any other manufacturing arenas.

Abstract: Briefly described, the present invention relates to a wale for use in forming a driven wall structure including a plurality of elongated structural panels. The wale includes a base wall, a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The base wall and the top wall are parallel, the first side wall and the second side wall extend between both the base wall and the top wall such that the wale is of a trapezoidal cross-section.

Abstract: Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a sheet pile installation apparatus for inserting a sheet pile vertically into a soil formation, the installation apparatus including an elongated body configured to releasably receive the sheet pile, the body having an upper end, a lower end, a lower edge, a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one aperture formed at said lower end. The installation apparatus further includes a catch having a first portion and a second portion, the catch being pivotally mounted in the aperture about said pivot axis such that the first portion and the second portion are disposed on opposed sides of the lower end of the body when the catch is in an at-rest position. The first portion of the catch is configured such that insertion of the body into the soil formation rotates the first portion upwardly such that the first portion engages a lower end of the sheet pile disposed adjacent the top surface of the body.

Abstract: A rubber compound comprising any raw rubber, from about 5% to about 75% by weight, and a zinc oxide dispersion, from about 25% to about 95% by weight. The specific gravity of the compound is within the range from about 1.4 gm/cc to about 3.4 gm/cc. The resulting material is a soft, pliable and flexible rubber with a relatively high specific gravity. Further, the compound is non-toxic, containing no known hazardous ingredients. The compound is a good alternative to metallic weights or metallic-filled rubbers currently used in the fields of sporting goods, exercise equipment, rehabilitation equipment, and any other manufacturing arenas.

Abstract: A series of duplicate structural panels form a substantially flat sea wall, barrier wall, and the like, fabricated of synthetic resin material for driving into soils. The structural panel is elongated and of constant size and shape along its length, and is characterized by having been extruded lengthwise. The structural panel includes, in cross section, a central wall section having an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposed side wall sections. A male locking element is disposed on and extends laterally from one side section and a female locking element is disposed on and extends laterally from the other side wall section, the female locking element being configured to slidably receive and retain the male locking element. First and a second strengthening flanges are integrally formed on the inner surface, both substantially perpendicular to the central wall section and substantially parallel to each other. The first and second strengthening flanges extend along the length of the structural panel.

Abstract: An improved railroad frog, and method incorporating the same, for facilitating the intersection of rail lines in a more efficient, effective, and durable manner. In one aspect the invention is a railroad frog apparatus comprising: a body having flangeways that intersect; and at least one connection plug extending from the body for connecting to a running rail; the at least one connection plug having a cross-sectional profile that is substantially identical to a cross-sectional profile of the running rail. In another aspect the invention is a railroad frog apparatus having at least one flangeway having a floor with a convex surface formed of at least one arc. Such geometric surface shape of the floor reduces rail batter, undesirable vibration, and damage to train wheels.

Abstract: A reinforced structural member comprising an elongate reinforcing structure formed of high strength material defining an array of equally spaced openings therethrough. The reinforced structural member also includes an exterior body of water-impermeable material positioned about and in contact with the reinforcing structure, wherein the reinforcing structure is encapsulated within the exterior body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a retaining panel of one-piece construction for a body of water. A preferred embodiment of the retaining panel comprises a central portion, two side portions, and two flanges. The central portion has a first end and a second end. One side portion is integrally connected to and extends at a first angle from the first end of the central portion. Similarly, the other side portion is integrally connected to and extends at a second angle from the second end of the central portion. It is preferred that the first angle and the second angle are approximately equal. It is further preferred that the lengths of the first and second side portions are approximately equal. One flange is integrally connected to and extends at a third angle from a rear end of one side portion, and the other flange is integrally connected to and extends at a fourth angle from a rear end of the other side portion. It is preferred that the third and fourth angles are approximately equal.

Abstract: A concrete curing and texturing machine includes a truss frame supporting a reservoir of curing fluid and drive members positioned at the ends of the truss frame for powering the machine longitudinally along a roadway being surfaced. A texturing carriage is mounted to the truss frame and arranged to longitudinally move back and forth along the truss frame. A truss member is mounted rearwardly of the truss frame and includes a sprayboom carriage unit which moves longitudinally move back and forth along the truss member. The sprayboom carriage unit supports a sprayboom having a plurality of nozzles operatively connected to the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A concrete curing and texturing machine includes a truss frame supporting a reservoir of curing fluid and drive members positioned at the ends of the truss frame for powering the machine longitudinally along a roadway being surfaced. A texturing carriage is mounted to the truss frame and arranged to longitudinally move back and forth along the truss frame. A truss member is mounted rearwardly of the truss frame and includes a sprayboom carriage unit which moves longitudinally move back and forth along the truss member. The sprayboom carriage unit supports a sprayboom having a plurality of nozzles operatively connected to the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A drum mixer for heating, mixing and drying an aggregate material, such as a mixture of recycled asphaltic pavement and virgin aggregate. The drum mixer includes an inclined drum having a first end and a second end. The drum forms a pre-heating/blending section adjacent the first end, a heating/mixing section adjacent the second end, and a heating/drying/mixing section therebetween. A feed assembly for feeding aggregate material, preferably having a high ratio of RAP material to virgin aggregate, is provided. The feed assembly feeds the aggregate material into the pre-heating/blending section of the drum for movement of the aggregate material sequentially through the pre-heating/blending section, the heating/drying/mixing section and the heating/mixing section. A burner assembly extends from the second end of the drum into the heating/drying/mixing section of the drum.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly having upper and lower truss portions includes a hinge mechanism structurally arranged to be secured to the upper truss and lower truss portions. Rotational movement of the hinge mechanism lowers the lower truss portion while simultaneously positioning the upper truss portion in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lower truss portion.

Abstract: A drum mixer for heating, mixing and drying an aggregate material, such as a mixture of recycled asphaltic pavement and virgin aggregate. The drum mixer includes an inclined drum having a first end and a second end. The drum forms a pre-heating/blending section adjacent the first end, a heating/mixing section adjacent the second end, and a heating/drying/mixing section therebetween. A feed assembly for feeding aggregate material, preferably having a high ratio of RAP material to virgin aggregate, is provided. The feed assembly feeds the aggregate material into the pre-heating/blending section of the drum for movement of the aggregate material sequentially through the pre-heating/blending section, the heating/drying/mixing section and the heating/mixing section. A burner assembly extends from the second end of the drum into the heating/drying/mixing section of the drum.

Abstract: A vibrator assembly is described for use with a concrete paving machine moveable longitudinally along a body of poured concrete. The paving machine includes a machine frame and a finishing carriage unit moveable transversely back and forth across the body of concrete. A plurality of support members are mounted to the paving machine frame and include extension members structurally arranged to move between a collapsed position and an extended position. A vibrator truss support frame member is mounted to the extension members and a ganged vibrator carriage assembly is mounted to the vibrator truss support frame member and structurally arranged to move transversely back and forth across and through the body of concrete.