Abstract: A lawn rake having an improved means of tine containment. The tines are positioned and locked within a spreader bar heretofore used primarily for maintaining a spacial relationship between adjacent tines. Additionally, the tines are anchored within the rake socket portion by means of a spring clip which also coacts with a stiffener spring engaging the spreader bar to enhance fixed tine location within the rake head assembly.

Abstract: A containment reservoir for a liquid, such as petroleum oil, comprising, a walled ground containment space or pit, opening upwardly, with the space containing a liquid impervious flexible liner generally following the contour of the space, and with the liner comprising a layer of pervious fabric material having on at least one of its sides a layer of liquid impervious material, such as rubber, the liner being operable to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space; means are provided coacting with the liner covered containment space for removing liquid from the reservoir. A covering layer of pervious fabric material filters anything, including liquid, passing into the reservoir. A method of forming the reservoir from predetermined width strips of liner stock, and a method of retaining and salvaging oil spilled along a railroad track environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable thickness fabric mat for use at a stress transition zone juncture such as at a bridge-roadway juncture or a railroad crossing-roadway juncture, for more evenly spreading the stress forces from traffic thereover to the underlying support surfaces. The variable thickness mat is preferably formed of non-woven fabric and is of variable thickness in a direction lengthwise of the mat as well as in a direction transverse of the mat.

Abstract: A containment reservoir for a liquid, such as petroleum oil, comprising, a walled ground containment space or pit, opening upwardly, with the space containing a liquid impervious flexible liner generally following the contour of the space, and with the liner comprising a layer of pervious fabric material having on at least one of its sides a layer of liquid impervious material, such as rubber, the liner being operable to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space; means are provided coacting with the liner covered containment space for removing liquid from the reservoir. A covering layer of pervious fabric material filters anything, including liquid, passing into the reservoir. A method of forming the reservoir from predetermined width strips of liner stock, and a method of retaining and salvaging oil spilled along a railroad track environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rail anchor drive machine for boxing and then driving two coacting rail anchors in sequential operations. The machine is operated by a single operator and includes a wheeled frame adapted to be moved along a railroad track having two rails, and an anchor drive mechanism operatively mounted on the frame for operative positioning on either of the two rails when the wheeled frame is disposed at a preselected position on the track. The boxing operation is effected by a single hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanism and the anchor driving operation is effected by a single hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanism. The anchor drive mechanism is free of sliding members, with all connections therein being pivotal.

Abstract: A containment and storage system for liquids, such as petroleum based liquids, for use for instance in a railroad track environment, comprising a walled containment reservoir formed in the ground and opening upwardly, with the containment reservoir including a flexible impervious liner to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space, and a receiving or storage reservoir disposed in spaced relation to the containment reservoir and means coacting between the reservoirs for transferring liquid caught in the containment reservoir, to the storage reservoir. In one embodiment, a mechanical pump is utilized for transferring to the storage reservoir liquid caught in the containment reservoir. In another embodiment, gravity flow is utilized for transferring such liquid. An improved arrangement is disclosed for handling liquid caught in the containment reservoir, and preventing leakage from the reservoir, at the exit point from the containment reservoir.

Abstract: A variable thickness fabric mat for use with railroad track right of way beneath the track structure. The mat has a central portion of predetermined thickness, and lateral shoulder portions of a reduced thickness as compared to said cental portion, with the central portion being of a predetermined width of adequate dimension to generally completely underlie the railroad track structure. The mat provides a method for transmission of force from a train on the railroad track structure to be spread over a greater area of the underlying earth bearing surface, and with the mat possessing the capability of passing water, and aiding in draining water from the soil beneath the mat, as well as from the top and sides of the track support.

Abstract: A containment and storage system for liquids, such as petroleum based liquids, for use for instance in a railroad track environment, comprising a walled containment reservoir formed in the ground and opening upwardly, with the containment reservoir including a flexible impervious liner to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space, and a receiving or storage reservoir disposed in spaced relation to the containment reservoir and means coacting between the reservoirs for transferring liquid caught in the containment reservoir, to the storage reservoir. In one embodiment, a mechanical pump is utilized for transferring to the storage reservoir liquid caught in the containment reservoir. In another embodiment, gravity flow is utilized for transferring such liquid. An improved arrangement is disclosed for handling liquid caught in the containment reservoir, and preventing leakage from the reservoir, at the exit point from the containment reservoir.

Abstract: A containment reservoir for a liquid, such as petroleum oil, comprising, a walled ground containment space or pit, opening upwardly, with the space containing a liquid impervious flexible liner generally following the contour of the space, and with the liner comprising a layer of pervious fabric material having on at least one of its sides a layer of liquid impervious material, such as rubber, the liner being operable to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space; means are provided coacting with the liner covered containment space for removing liquid from the reservoir. A covering layer of pervious fabric material filters anything, including liquid, passing into the reservoir. A method of forming the reservoir from predetermined width strips of liner stock, and a method of retaining and salvaging oil spilled along a railroad track environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A one piece plastic injection molded snow shovel in which the blade, synthetic plastic handle stem and D-top handle are molded in one operation and a finished unit is produced from one cycle of the molding machine. A generally rectangular scoop of synthetic plastic has an integral generally cylindrical hollow handle stem extending centrally outwardly from the rear edge of the scoop. One embodiment has an inwardly reinforced cylindrical stem extending inward of the scoop for several inches from the back edge and then outward for a space normally grasped by a hand of the shoveller. A second embodiment has the handle stem entering from the back of the scoop with a section including an arcuate shell having an arc between about 220.degree.-235.degree. and with a central reinforcing rib diametetrically of the arc. In either case, much of the outwardly extending handle stem consists of upwardly opening arcuate shell between about 220.degree.-235.degree.

Abstract: A separate insulator pad generally L-shaped in section, has a longer leg which is flat and which is held firmly between the inclined flange of the rail on one side and the inclined surface of the holding clip on the other side. The pad has upstanding shoulders on opposite sides in the direction of rail travel and the clip fits between the shoulders to prevent longitudinal slippage of the pad relative to the clip. The shorter leg of the pad extends snugly between the outer edge of the rail flange and a downwardly extending leg of the clip thus preventing lateral movement of the rail and at the same time, insulating the rail from the fastener structure.

Abstract: A module for cooperative installation with a plurality of similar modules proximate a set of railway tracks, and borne upon support members therefor to yield a modularized railway crossing grade assembly, is comprised of a hollow form having exterior side walls, end walls and a bottom wall, a keyway formed in a first end wall and a key formed in the opposing end wall, the keyway and key being of complementary geometrical configuration whereby successive forms may be positively interlocked, and anchoring members for securing the form to a support member. The module is adapted to receive a quantity of load-bearing fill material within the hollow form.

Abstract: A variable thickness fabric mat for use in railroad track structures, and particularly at stress transition zones in the railroad track; the mat is preferably formed of non-woven, multi-layered fabric, with the layers connected together, as for instance by needle punching to form an integral member. The mats are applicable for use with poor load bearing soils, and form a generally stepped, resilient bed for conventional railroad track structure, to help support and progressively spread the stress from the wheeled traffic, over a wider area. The mats provide for effective passing of runoff water, and aid in drainage of water from the soil beneath the mats, to thus improve the track support. The invention also provides a method of forming a railroad track construction so as to spread the stress from wheeled traffic at stress transition zones, over wider areas.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a plastic lawn rake head or lawn broom head having a sheet-like body member, a rearwardly opening handle socket, a perpendicular wall around the edge of the body portion, and forwardly projecting raking prongs. The body portion is pleated to provide stiffness in the sheet-like area of said body portion while allowing the desired flexibility of the prongs.

Abstract: A one-piece spring-type rail anchor of substantially uniform wall thickness, for gripping the base of a rail having laterally projecting flanges, is comprised of a bowed throat portion, a pair of generally C-shaped members extending from opposing ends of the throat and adapted for engaging respectively opposite edges of the rail base, and a pair of bearing surfaces located at the junctures of the throat and C-shaped members for engaging the bottom of the base of the rail at spaced locations thereof, said rail anchor having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section throughout.

Abstract: A shaft for a golf club having steps angled obliquely relative to the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming the head of a golf club by rotating a blank, adapted to form the head, about an axis of rotation defined by the centerline of a bore in the blank that receives a shaft of the club. Controllable shaping means oriented with respect to the axis of rotation of the blank and disposed laterally thereof contacts and shapes the blank during its rotation.