Abstract: A combination machine for trenching, for forming the edge of a bed, and for laying and burying tubing, cable, piping, and the like. The machine includes steerable caster wheels mounted on the rear of the machine which, together with a single front wheel, allow for a tight turning radius when using the machine. The machine also includes a blade height adjustment which allows for the trenching or edging blade depth to be readily adjusted in a substantially infinite variation. Other aspects of the present invention include an edging machine and a trenching machine, both being of a compact design. Both include an extendable handle which, in a preferred embodiment retracts or folds to allow for the volume of space occupied by the machines to be minimized, preferably, to the extent that either of such machines can typically be carried in a trunk of a standard automobile.

Abstract: An elastic drainage pavement comprising waste-polyurethane chips for use on existing roads and a paving method using the same, which uses a binder specially developed to secure the binding between an upper polyurethane-chip layer and a lower existing-pavement layer as well as the binding among the waste-polyurethane chips, resulting in excellent strength and durability, and uses recycled polyurethane chips to provide elasticity and permeability suitable for sports activities, walking, and outdoor exercises.

Abstract: A handle is attached to a multipurpose gardening implement that has six narrow, parallel (in full length) tines, separated by no less than 6 mm nor more than 7 mm, on one side of the implement head and two narrow, parallel (in full length) tines, separated by no less than 2 mm nor more than 3 mm, on the opposite side. The implement heads are each attached at 90-degree angles to the handle and 180-degrees relative to each other. When used to extract weeds, the side with multiple tines is employed for those with fibrous root systems while the opposite side is used to aid in the extraction of weeds with singular ‘taproot’ root structure. Rotation of the handle 180 degrees allows alternate use of either side depending on the type of weed to extract.

Abstract: A system for forming and applying a coherent refractory mass on the surface of a road wherein one or more non-combustible materials are mixed with one or more metallic combustible powders and an oxidizer, igniting the mixture so that the combustible metallic particles react in an exothermic manner with the oxidizer and release sufficient heat to form a coherent mass under the action of the heat of combustion and projecting this mass against the surface of the road so that the mass adheres durably to the surface of the road.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for aligning a door of an aircraft to a passenger loading bridge. A final parking position of the aircraft is defined as being immediately adjacent to a position of the passenger loading bridge, such that when the aircraft is stopped at the final parking position, the passenger loading bridge requires only a telescopic extension of less than about 1 meter to complete the alignment operation. To this end, an indicating device that works cooperatively with an aircraft-engaging end of the passenger loading bridge is provided for displaying human intelligible instructions for use by a pilot of the aircraft to guide the aircraft to the final parking position.

Abstract: A shovel which has a blade and a handle, the blade having first and second side edges and first and second wings extending outwardly and upwardly from respective side edges, each of the wings having a front edge which merges with a respective shovel side edge at a point rearwardly of the shovel front edge. The wings provide an extra cutting edge useful for cutting roots and the like.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods provide for a single vehicle that has both loading ability to grade and otherwise move dirt while also having the ability to compact soil. One or more compaction wheels are included on a vehicle such as a skid steer loader. Wiper bars are also included to clean circumferential grooves defined by compaction studs located about the periphery of the compaction wheels. The compaction studs have a substantially flat ground-contacting surface with a surface area significantly smaller than the typical contact area of a tire, which results in increased pressure to provide for soil compaction. A loader bucket of the vehicle may be elevated to various heights to alter the weight distribution applied to the compaction wheels and/or may be filled with material such as dirt to control the overall vehicle weight applied to the compaction wheels.

Abstract: A novel soil conditioning rotary reel comprised of a rotary reel having a plurality of flat bars attached to support plates in a symmetrical helix arrangement is disclosed. The number of bars and the diameter of the reel are determined by the limitation that the straight-line distance between two adjacent bars be less than six inches.

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 system and method of facilitating excavating a below grade opening at a construction site in a parcel of land includes a first vehicle having a motor operably connected to at least a pair of traction members and a second excavating vehicle. The motor is operably connected to a first receiver for receiving a signal from a remotely controlled transmitter to actuate the motor. Upon actuation of the motor, the motor rotates the traction members for maneuvering the first vehicle within the opening. The first vehicle has a graduated measurement device mounted generally vertically thereon for remotely controlled vertical telescopic movement. A second beam receiver is mounted to the graduated measurement device for receiving a laser beam from a laser transmitter to facilitate precise determination of the depth of the floor of the opening.

Abstract: A collapsible bridge has two track girders constructed as truss girders with a triangular cross-section. A chord profile is provided at each triangulation point and two corners of the triangular cross-section are situated at the same level with the third corner situated above the corner. A pair of truss planes are formed from diagonal struts, a lower chord and an upper chord, with lower and upper truss nodes respectively being formed at connection points of two diagonal struts and a lower chord and an upper chord respectively. The two track girders are force-lockingly connected by transverse girders. Roadway planks are provided which are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the bridge and are force-lockingly connected with the transverse girders.

Abstract: A planar, turf cutter blade formed from either high carbon or stainless steel has planar cutting teeth that extend radially from the periphery of a central part of a planar disc in which a centrally located hole is formed. A turf aerator that uses the turf cutter blades aerates turf by slicing or cutting turf and does not punch holes into the turf.

Abstract: A dock leveler for a truck loading dock includes a pivotal deck that is actuated by an inflatable column assembly. The inflatable column assembly includes a pliable tube that when inflated has a generally vertical cylindrical shape that can provide a heavy deck with substantial columnar support. The shape and orientation of the column assembly is such that the lengths of the pliable tube's seams are minimized. A pliable fabric sheet held in tension against the underside of the deck provides a generally flat, broad surface against which the pliable tube can push as the inflatable column assembly pushes the deck upward. A footed pallet underneath the pliable tube can be banded to the deck during shipment. After installation, the pallet can be readily lifted for cleaning the pit floor underneath the pallet.

Abstract: An earth grooming device for attachment to a vehicle includes a rectangular frame having a plurality of teeth secured to the front thereof to form a rake and a scraper blade secured to the rear of the frame. A side rail is attached to each side of the frame with each side rail having a bottom edge tapered forwardly and upwardly beginning from a point intermediate both ends of the side rail where a bottom edge of the scraper blade is positioned and tapered rearwardly and upwardly from the point to form a fulcrum about which the side rail pivots. A pair of rear wheels are mounted adjacent the ends of the side rail and a pair of adjustable wheels are mounted intermediate of the frame. Actuator means are also provided for adjusting a height of the pair of adjustable wheels relative to the frame.

Abstract: A drainage structure having perforated parallel top and bottom plates (5 & 6) separated by spacer members (7). A web (15) joins adjacent spacer members (7) and has a curved profile (17) such that water spilling over the web (15) does so, at a varying velocity profile to increase oxygenation of the water. This drainage structure (1) can also be filled with good drainage soil (42) and planted with grass (4) to filter and retain water that passes therethrough, with a layer of filter medium (42) below and a water permeable drain (1 & 24) below the filter medium (42), to transport water into the substrate and into a reticulation tank (57) where the water can percolate back into the soil.

Abstract: A collision safety device having a breakaway coupling. The collision safety device comprises first and second post segments. A first shear plate is attached to the first post segment and a second shear plate is attached to the second post segment. The first shear plate has a first contact surface and the second shear plate has a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface. The first and second shear plates are releasably attached by a breakaway coupling including a band. Friction between the shear plates and strength of the band are adjustable such that the upper post is released from the lower post when subjected to a pre-selected collision force.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a coherent refractory mass on the surface of a road wherein one or more non-combustible materials are mixed with one or more metallic combustible powders and an oxidizer, igniting the mixture so that the combustible metallic particles react in an exothermic manner with the oxidizer and release sufficient heat to form a coherent mass under the action of the heat of combustion and projecting this mass against the surface of the road so that the mass adheres durably to the surface of the road.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surfacing structure for traffic areas and for surfaces of structures, which has a substructure located on the base of the surfacing and has a superstructure, which covers the latter and is comprised, at least in part, of concrete, sepecially asphaltic concrete. The substructure comprises at least one lattice work extending along the surfacing and having a number of strips, which intersect while forming a mesh, consist of high strength fiber billets with different tensile E-moduli, and which are interconnected with material fit or in a non-positive manner. A thermally removable covering can be applied to at least one surface of the lattice work.

Abstract: A weep hole blade is operably mounted on the heel of the grader blade of a motor grader which is movable between raised and lowered positions with respect to the grader blade to create weep holes or channels in a ridge of roadway material being deposited at the side of a road by the motor grader.

Abstract: An arch shape cross section chamber for receiving and dispersing stormwater when buried beneath the surface of the earth is corrugated and has a cross section geometry which is a continuous curve. Preferably, the curve is a truncated semi-ellipse. A chamber also has a combination of a standard corrugations along most of the length, in combination with smaller end corrugation with standard corrugations, to enable joining of chambers in overlap fashion, as a string; corrugations which have elliptically curved corrugation widths when viewed from the side of the chamber; and, sidewall base flanges which have turned up outer edges in combination with fins which connect said edges with the curved chamber sidewall. A domed end cap is adapted to both close the end of the chamber and to be positioned within the chamber length to provide a baffle.