Abstract: A highway marker device is provided for marking the location of an object, such as a culvert, located adjacent to a highway. The marker device is comprised of a coil spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the coil spring is comprised of a plurality of windings around a spring axis. Further, a marker post is connected with the first end of the coil spring, wherein the marker post has a post axis and wherein the post axis is substantially perpendicular to the spring axis. Finally, the marker device is comprised of a mounting mechanism for connecting the device with the object such that the coil spring is substantially restrained from bending about the spring axis.

Abstract: A pre-cast textured tile system and method for positioning on walkways, crosswalks and other areas of pedestrian traffic for providing direction and warning to visually handicapped persons. The tile may be made for embedding in fresh concrete on a walking surface and have a substantially planar piece with a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a plurality of raised elements and the bottom surface being scarified. A number of the tiles may be aligned so as to easily adapt to a number of different shapes and purposes. The tiles are not interconnected, but rather abut one another with at least one edge being flush to the walking surface.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage having a geometry designed to substantially hold the plane of a main screed and the plane of an extension screed at a generally constant relative angle with respect to one another through a predetermined range of screed depth adjustments. The linkage is configured to allow the extension screed to be raised and lowered by an amount sufficient to compensate for angle of attack and elevation changes in the main screed. In particular, the linkage compensates for the effect of the radial distance differences from the axis of rotation of tow bars of the main screed and extension screed as the main screed pivots with respect to the tow point of the tow bars for different asphalt mat depths. An alternate embodiment includes actuators, together with sensors, for sensing the position of the extension screed with respect to the main screed and automatically compensating for changes in main screed position to properly orient the extension screed with respect to the main screed.

Abstract: A furrow forming tool (20) for use in agricultural apparatus, the tool (20) including a furrow forming disc (27) and a ground engaging wheel (28) associated therewith, the disc (27) and its associated ground engaging wheel (28) being assembled another with respect to the normal direction of travel of the tool (20) when in use, the disc (27) being mounted relative to the tool (20) so that its leading edge (29) is disposed forwardly of the leading edge of the ground engaging wheel (28).

Abstract: A walk-behind trenching implement has a side mounted rotary trenching tool for creating a profiled trench into the surface of the earth, which can also be used as an implement to edge landscape beds. The trenching implement is powered by an engine that delivers rotational power in an unbalanced manner to the wheel adjacent to the rotatable trenching tool. The wheel opposite to the trenching tool is can be non-powered to freely rotate as the implement is moved across the surface of the ground, or braked to unbalance power delivery through a differential. This unbalanced propulsion drive induces a skewing action into the operation of the implement that counterbalances the opposite skewing action resulting from the operation of the trenching tool to provide a more smoothly operating implement. A trenching tool having a configuration conducive to profile modification allows flexibility in the desired shape of the trench being formed.

Abstract: A member, screed and method for realigning material and compacting. A material realigning member is provided including structure for moving at least a first portion of a depth of a quantity of material laterally from an initial position thereof and then at least a second portion of the depth of the quantity of material back towards the initial position. In this fashion, aggregate particles may be moved in three horizontal directions, e.g., a direction of travel by a roller waveform, and both lateral directions by the invention, to realign material and allow for improved compaction.

Abstract: A dock leveler and installation thereof having a bumper assembly to protect the deck and the lip of the leveler. In one embodiment the dock leveler comprises a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the deck and moveable with the deck. The bumper is selectively moveable to protrude beyond the end of the deck to protect the dock leveler from impact. In another embodiment a dock leveler installation comprises a loading dock having a front face. A dock leveler is mounted at the loading dock and has a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the front face beneath the dock leveler and projecting in front of the lip when the lip is in a pendent position.

Abstract: A tillage tool includes a relatively narrow shank that slices through the soil while a ripper point at its lower end fractures and lifts the subsoil. Minimum surface disturbance adjacent the opposite sides of the shank is assured through the provision of a pair of independently mounted down-pressure wheels on opposite sides of the shank that engage and apply constant downward pressure against soil tending to erupt at the top surface. Each down pressure wheel is mounted to the shank assembly by its own leaf spring so that the two wheels react to ground changes independently of one another and without adversely affecting each other. A guide plate associated with each leaf spring prevents twisting of the spring as it flexes and provides stops for limiting the opposite extremes of up and down flexing of the spring.

Abstract: A roof-raking device designed to safely and efficiently remove pine straw and leaf debris from roofs of houses. When attached to a lightweight telescopic or other long pole this device can be used by a person standing at ground level or on a ladder, eliminating the risk of climbing and walking on a pitched roof. Formed of a flexible, resilient material our rake-head is a one-piece injection molded device comprising a plurality of deeply curved, reinforced tines, a central housing support structure and a female flange fitting. The tines are of varying length, width, thickness and curve radius. When slight downward hand pressure is applied to the upper surface of a connecting pole the flexible self-adjusting tines form themselves evenly to any horizontal pitched roof surface, and when applied to a V-shaped roof angle where two roof planes meet, the tines flex and form themselves to both roof planes simultaneously.

Abstract: A manhole access way security apparatus and method for using the security apparatus are disclosed. The inventive security apparatus includes an insert, at least one locking pin and a locking mechanism each interconnected to allow users to easily and quickly install a security barrier under a manhole, handhole or vault, and thereby prevent authorized access through the manhole, handhole or vault. The inventive apparatus uses an insert that may either sit on the existing manhole frame rim under the manhole cover, or if there is insufficient clearance on the manhole frame rim, brackets may be installed under the manhole frame upon which the insert rests. In either configuration, the insert is secured in place under the manhole cover by one or more locking pins that extend radially through the insert and are then locked to the insert.

Abstract: A speed hump device for discouraging vehicles form exceeding a designed threshold speed is disclosed. The speed hump device mainly comprises: a housing device, whose figure is like a box, having a housing room therein and a opening thereon; a hump device with a hump member and a arc-shaped member pivoted on the housing device by a first pivot, the hump member can be rotated in and out the housing room from the opening about the first pivot; a transmission device including a gear set, a transmitting mechanism and a abutment member, wherein the arc-shaped member is engaged with one gear of the gear set; a rebound device used to push the hump member out the housing device when no extra force presses on the hump member. When a car passing through the speed hump device with a slow speed, e.g.

Abstract: The structural or bridge element is constructed from a sheath (1) made of textile fabric, preferably of low extensibility, which is covered in an airtight manner with a flexible plastic. Secured longitudinally within the sheath 1 are a plurality of textile webs of low extensibility in an assembly of mutually parallel planes. The thread profile of first layers 4 of the fabric of the webs 3 is turned through approximately 45° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the bridge element. Second layers 5, each arranged within the same web 3 as the first layer 4, have a thread profile which is selected to be parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bridge element. Bars 6 are arranged on the outside of the sheath 1, respectively in each plane of the webs 3, and are secured within shackles on the sheath 1. The sheath 1 is supplied with compressed air within the range of a few 100 mB.

Abstract: A hitch for hitching a plow to a vehicle. The hitch includes a vehicle portion and a plow portion. The vehicle portion includes a mounting member having a substantially planar face. The plow can be pivotally mounted to the plow portion of the hitch. The plow portion of the hitch can be removably mounted to the vehicle portion of the hitch. The plow portion can include a pair of clamping members with one clamping member being movable with respect to the other clamping member. The plow portion can also include a lift assembly for moving the plow between a plowing position and an elevated position.

Abstract: A catch basin filtration system is disclosed. A filter body is dimensioned to fit within a drain inlet forming a trough or reservoir obstructing at least a portion of the inlet. The filter body is supported by a filter body support dimensioned to cooperatively engage with the interior walls of the inlet and with the filter body to substantially maintain said filter body in a pre-selected shape and position within the inlet. One or more connectors removably connect the filter body to the filter body support. One or more adjustable high fluid flow bypasses prevent the system from backing up and flooding surrounding areas during periods of high fluid flow.

Abstract: A folding ramp is provided that includes an upper ramp, a lower ramp, and at least one handle assembly for providing ease of transport of the folding ramp. The upper ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and includes an upper ramp loading track, an upper first side support, an upper second side support, and a vehicle mounting member. The lower ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and the lower ramp includes a lower ramp loading track, a lower first side support, a lower second side support, a ground engaging member, and the rotation member. The upper ramp and the lower ramp include a rotation member that extends between the upper and lower first side supports and the upper and lower second side supports to allow rotation of the lower ramp relative to the upper ramp. The lower ramp loading track includes a first side and a second side and extends from the first end of the lower ramp to the second end of the lower ramp.

Abstract: An interlocking paving stone of rectangular or square shape, the stone having a width W, a length L, and a thickness H. Each side of the stone is provided with at least one pair of alternating tongues and grooves on a bottom part thereof, having a size and shape adapted to receive a corresponding tongue or groove of an adjacent block. The groove has an overall volume greater than the volume of the tongue to facilitate the pouring of joint filling materials. The length of a pair of tongue and groove is equal to a length I, where both W and L are whole multiples of I. Furthermore, the tongues and grooves have a generally truncated pyramidal shape, where the peak of the truncated pyramid lies below the top surface of the block by 40 to 50% of the total height of the stones. The stone according to the present invention provides greater lateral and vertical stability to an assembled pavement.

Abstract: A multiple section, front-folding implement has gauge wheel assemblies located on the front side of laterally extending beams of the sections during field operations. As the wing sections are folded forwardly to prepare the machine for transport, the gauge wheel assemblies are simultaneously swung around to the ends of the beams into outboard positions so that they extend generally forwardly from the beams when the beams are fully folded. Thus, instead of taking up space between the folded beams, the gauge wheel assemblies are moved into clearance positions that enable the wing sections to be folded more closely together, reducing the overall roading width of the machine when folded.

Abstract: A subsoil applicator has an upright shank provided with a leading soil-slicing edge and a pair of opposite sides. At the bottom of the shank, a pair of soil lifting wings are provided, presenting a pair of outermost wing edges that diverge rearwardly from the lowermost and forwardmost point of the shank to the rear extremity of the applicator. The wings are generally relatively thin and flat except for a thickened portion across their rear extremity making an upright, rearwardly facing rear wall. A pair of laterally spaced discharge outlets are located in the rear wall and communicate with an internal tubular passage within the shank for delivering substance down into the soil behind the wall as the applicator advances through the soil. The discharge outlets are located in undercut portions of the rear wall, while top, upwardly facing surfaces of the thickened portion are convexly curved to improve soil flow and provide extra protection against premature wear for the internal substance passageways.

Abstract: A walk-behind tiller has a body and a pair of wheels mounted on the body for undergoing rotation to cause the walk-behind tiller to undergo travelling along a ground surface. A tilling device is mounted on the body for undergoing a first movement operation in which the tilling device travels along the ground surface while the tilling device is disposed in spaced-apart relation to the ground surface, a second movement operation in which the tilling device tills the ground, and a third movement operation in which the tilling device is maintained generally horizontal to the ground surface.

Abstract: An automatic level-control floating apparatus supports a pontoon bridge, a floating floor or another superstructure floating on the sea, where the height of tide or the sea level varies. It is difficult to maintain the level of such a superstructure, which the floating apparatus can keep at a constant level without using motive power. The floating apparatus includes a supporting tank 3, which rests on the water bottom. The top of the supporting tank 3 is open to the atmosphere. A piston body 1 can reciprocate vertically in the supporting tank 3. The apparatus also includes floating tanks 2, which are integral with and positioned outside the piston body 1. The tops of the floating tanks 2 are open to the atmosphere. The floating tanks 2 are floating on the water. A floating body 4 can move vertically in each floating tank 2 and supports the superstructure.