Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed includes a vibration isolation system that minimizes the transmission of vibrations to the operator under normal operating conditions, but becomes more rigid during screed control forces applied to the blade through the isolation system when the operator applies greater forces to the operator handle. The system includes low durometer elastomer vibration isolators isolating the operator handle from the vibration exciter and screed blade in a manner that limits vertical compressive movement of the isolators, yet permits substantially greater horizontal shear movement to effectively isolate the operator from vibration. The isolator mounting arrangement also includes retainers that engage the isolator to limit the amplitude of horizontal shear movement when the operator applies a greater control force to the operator handle.

Abstract: An easily accessible phase adjustment mechanism for a vibratory plate compactor includes an improved seal arrangement to protect against leakage of internal lubricating oil into the hydraulic cylinder providing fluid pressure to the adjustment mechanism. An easily demountable cylinder housing provides ready access to the piston and seal assembly which can then be threadably detached and replaced in its entirety.

Abstract: An eccentric shaft assembly for a vibratory roller utilizes a cylindrical tubular shaft that considerably reduces the weight of the assembly, decreases substantially oscillatory shaft deflection during rotation and thereby improves bearing and seal life. The eccentric weights are mounted on the interior of the tubular shaft, thereby simplifying manufacture and providing a smoother operation.

Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed includes a vibration isolation system that minimizes the transmission of vibrations to the operator under normal operating conditions, but becomes more rigid during screed control forces applied to the blade through the isolation system when the operator applies greater forces to the operator handle. The system includes low durometer elastomer vibration isolators isolating the operator handle from the vibration exciter and screed blade in a manner that limits vertical compressive movement of the isolators, yet permits substantially greater horizontal shear movement to effectively isolate the operator from vibration. The isolator mounting arrangement also includes retainers that engage the isolator to limit the amplitude of horizontal shear movement when the operator applies a greater control force to the operator handle.

Abstract: A soil compacting percussion rammer includes an operator handle assembly that is isolated from the main machine frame by a shock absorbing mount oriented to absorb the horizontal components of operating movement of the rammer. In a preferred embodiment, the shock absorbing mount comprises a pair of torsionally resilient shock absorbers interconnecting the frame and the operator handle and oriented to position the shock absorbers on a common torsional axis that is vertically offset from and generally parallel to the horizontal operator handle.

Abstract: The cylindrical drum of a mortar/plaster mixer is locked in the mixing position by a rotatable pivot arm pivotally attached by one end to an end wall of the drum such that, when the drum is in the mixing position, the arm may be rotated between a locked position with the free end of the arm in locking engagement with the mixer frame to an unlocked position with the arm rotationally displaced from the locking position. As the mixer drum is tilted for discharge, the unlocked arm is further pivotable from the rotationally displaced unlocked position back to the locked position in response to drum rotation from the mixing position to the discharge position and reverse rotation back to the mixing position.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing a particulate filled bag or barrier. The apparatus includes a frame having terrain engaging members, such as runners. A wound coil of sheet material is mounted on the forward end of the frame, and located to the rear of the coil is an open bottom hopper that contains a particulate material, such as sand or gravel. The sides of the hopper are composed of spaced double walls and the rear surface of the hopper is formed with an outlet. The sheet material is unwound from the coil and continuously folded into a generally U-shape by a pair of lower rollers and two pair of upper rollers, which are mounted on the frame forwardly of the hopper. The bottom surface of the folded sheet extends across the open bottom of the hopper, so that the particulate material will be in direct contact with the bottom surface, while the side surfaces of the folded sheet extend upwardly in the spaces between the double side walls of the hopper.

Abstract: A winch assembly is connected to each end of a vibratory concrete screed to move the screed across a concrete slab to be finished. Each winch assembly includes a rotatable drum with a cable wound on the drum. The free end of each cable is connected to a fixed object mounted along the side of the concrete slab. To wind the cable on the drum and move the screed along the slab, the eccentric drive shaft of the screed is connected through a variable speed belt drive to the respective drum. Each belt drive includes an adjusting mechanism for varying the effective diameter of a belt drive pulley, thus providing a variation in speed. Each winch assembly also includes an eccentric gear speed reducing mechanism, which is connected between the belt drive and the drum to further reduce the output speed to the cable drum.

Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes a frame which carries a soil compacting plate, and a drive mechanism such as a gasoline engine, is mounted on the frame and has a rotatable drive shaft. A pair of eccentricly weighted shafts are mounted for rotation on the frame and the weights are in the same phase relation on the shafts. The drive shaft carries a pair of pulleys and single belt connects the pair of pulleys on the drive shaft to pulleys on the eccentric shafts. The drive shaft is connected to the drive shaft pulleys through a centrifugal clutch, which acts to selectively connect the drive shaft to one or the other of the drive shaft pulleys to thereby effect forward and reverse travel of the compactor plate of the compactor over the terrain.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated percussion apparatus for compacting soil, or other material. The apparatus includes a gear case that supports a percussion unit that is adapted to engage the soil to compact the same. A pneumatically operated motor is mounted on the gear case and air is supplied to the motor via a manually-operated "deadman" valve unit. A centrifugal clutch connects the output shaft of the motor to the percussion unit. The air flow to the motor is controlled by a governor to obtain a substantially uniform rotational speed for the motor output shaft.

Abstract: The compactor includes a frame which carries a soil-compacting plate and a drive mechanism, such as a gasoline engine, is mounted on the frame and has a rotatable drive shaft. A pair of eccentrically weighted shafts are mounted for rotation on the frame and the weights are in the same phase relation on the shafts. A belt drive connects the drive shaft to at least one of the eccentric shafts, and a timing belt is connected between the eccentric shafts, so that both eccentric shafts rotate in the same direction to vibrate the compactor plate and affect travel of the compactor over the terrain.

Abstract: A vibratory compactor attachment for mechanical equipment, such as an excavator or backhoe. The attachment includes a support frame which is pivotally attached to both the boom and the tilt arms of the excavator. One end of the support frame carries a scraper blade that can be used for leveling soil prior to compaction. A drum frame is connected to the support frame and a compaction drum is mounted for rotation on the drum frame. To vibrate the drum, an exciter is mounted on the drum frame and resilient isolation mounts interconnect the support frame and the drum frame to minimize the transmission of vibration to the support frame.

Abstract: A clutch construction for a reversible walk-behind soil compactor. The compactor includes a frame which carries a soil compacting plate and a drive mechanism, such as a gasoline engine is mounted on the frame and has a rotatable drive shaft. A pair of eccentrically weighted shafts are mounted for rotation on the frame and a belt drive connects each eccentric shaft with the drive shaft in a manner to rotate the eccentric shafts in opposite directions. Each belt drive is connected through a clutch to the drive shaft and the clutch is arranged such that each eccentric shaft is individually engaged with the drive shaft. Through manual operation of the clutch, the eccentric shafts are selectively rotated to thereby move the compactor in a forward or reverse direction over the soil to be compacted.

Abstract: A high velocity pneumatic device having particular use for excavating or dislodging soil. The device includes a body or housing having a passage that connects a source of air under pressure, such as a compressor, to an elongated discharge tube. A valve mechanism is disposed in the passage and controls the flow of air through the tube. Mounted in the distal end of the tube is a nozzle having an inwardly converging upstream and an outwardly diverging downstream end which increases the velocity of the air being discharged through the tube. A manually operable trigger is directly connected to the valve mechanism and actuates the valve to discharge air through the tube. The nozzle is formed of a non-sparking metal, such as brass, while the tube is composed of an electrically nonconductive material, such as glass reinforced resin.

Abstract: An improved drive mechanism for a reversible walk-behind soil compactor. The compactor includes a frame which carries a soil compacting plate and a drive mechanism, such as a gasoline engine is mounted on the frame and has a rotatable drive shaft. A pair of eccentrically weighted shafts are mounted for rotation on the frame and a belt drive connects each eccentric shaft with the drive shaft in a manner to rotate the eccentric shafts in opposite directions. Each belt drive is connected through a clutch to the drive shaft and the clutch is arranged such that each eccentric shaft is individually engaged with the drive shaft. Through manual operation of the clutch, the eccentric shafts are selectively rotated to thereby move the compactor in a forward or reverse direction over the soil to be compacted.

Abstract: A high velocity pneumatic device for excavating and removing material such as soil. The device includes a pressure tube having an inlet connected to a source of gas, such as air, under pressure and an outlet end connected to the distal end of a removal conduit. An annular member is secured in the distal end of the removal conduit and defines an annular chamber that communicates with the outlet end of the pressure tube. A plurality of first nozzles communicate with the chamber and face outwardly of the distal end of the removal conduit, while a plurality of second nozzles communicate with the chamber and face inwardly of the conduit. A manually operated valve member is disposed in the chamber and rotation of the valve member will selectively discharge air through the first nozzles to provide an excavating action, or through the second nozzles to provide an aspirating action for the removal of material or through both the first and second nozzles to create both an excavating and removal mode of operation.

Abstract: A pitch control mechanism for a surface finishing machine. The machine inclueds a series of tiltable horizontal blades carried by a rotor and the blades are adapted to rotate in contact with and finish a concrete surface. The pitch control mechanism for tilting the blades includes an internally threaded sleeve located within the handle of the machine. The sleeve is operably connected through a cable to the blades and the sleeve is threaded to a rod or shaft. The engaged threads of the sleeve and the shaft have a pitch in the range of two to six threads per inch.

Abstract: A compactor and blade attachment for a front-end loader. The attachment comprises a compaction drum that is journalled for rotation on the side plates of the frame. A vibratory mechanism is connected to the drum to vibrate the drum and aid in the compaction. A blade is secured to the frame and is located ahead of the drum in the direction of movement of the loader. A pair of lift arms of the loader are pivoted to the lower end of the frame, while a pair of tilt arms of the loader are pivoted to the upper portion of the frame. By operation of the tilt arms, the frame can be tilted about the pivotal connections of the lift arms to thereby selectively move the blade between a non-operative position above the level of the lower surface of the drum to an operative position beneath the level of the drum where the blade will engage the terrain.

Abstract: A slip form paving machine including a main frame supported by a front driven steering wheel and a pair of rear wheels that straddle the fore-and-aft center line of the main frame. An open top hopper is mounted on the frame and the lower end of the hopper communicates with an open bottom slip form, so that paving material, such as concrete fed into the hopper, will flow downwardly and be discharged from the slip form as the machine moves over the terrain. An outrigger frame is pivoted to the main frame about a horizontal axis and is located laterally of the rear wheels. The outrigger frame carries an outrigger wheel which is located laterally outwardly of the slip form and an inclined scraper blade is mounted forwardly of the outrigger wheel. When using a relatively wide slip form, the outrigger wheel is engaged with the terrain, and the rear wheel closest to the outrigger wheel is raised above the terrain so that the machine is supported on the outrigger wheel and the other of the rear wheels.

Abstract: A high velocity pneumatic device for excavating and removing material such as soil. The device includes an elongated pressure tube having an inlet end connected to a source of gas, such as air, under pressure and the opposite or distal end is bent and projects into a removal tube. The projecting end of the pressure tube is provided with a pair of outlets with a first of the outlets facing away from the inlet end and the second outlet facing toward the inlet end. A nozzle is removably connected in the first outlet and is constructed to increase the velocity of air being discharged through the nozzle toward the soil to thereby dislodge or excavate the soil. A plug containing an orifice is connected to the second outlet and air flowing from the pressure tube through the orifice creates as aspirating action to draw the dislodged soil upwardly through the removal tube to a discharge site.