Abstract: A conduit for dispersing or gathering liquids in the earth has an arch shape cross section and alternating peak and valley corrugations along its length. A more rigid shiplap joint is formed between mating conduits by means of cantilever legs extending from the end of a conduit, forming a female pocket like space for the mating unit, and by having a continuous web on the peak corrugation adjacent the end. A sub-arch at the top of an overlapped valley end, to enable connection of a pipe to the conduit, is spaced apart from the web of the adjacent peak corrugation; there are multiple legs on either side of the sub-arch, with the sub-arch connected by webs to the adjacent legs, and by other webs to the peak corrugation.

Abstract: A protective pad assembly for the loader bucket of a backhoe that prevents the bottom surface of the loader bucket from marring or destroying any surface upon which it is forced downwardly upon when the backhoe is being used. The major component of the structure is an elongated rubber pad that has a top plate secured to its top surface. The front end of the top plate has a hook member extending rearwardly above its top surface for detachably capturing the lower front cutting edge of the loader bucket. A predetermined length of chain has one end connected to the top plate and its other end connected to a second hook member having a curved portion being configured to detachably receive the upper front edge of the loader bucket. There is also structure for temporarily shortening the extended length of the chain between the top plate and the second hook member thereby clamping the protective pad assembly to the loader bucket of a backhoe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the promoting movement of a cable-like element in a selected direction in a pipe with the assistance of a flowing agent moving in the selected direction in the pipe include the use of profiles arranged on the external surface of the cable-like element to produce turbulence which promotes co-movement of the cable-like element in the pipe, together with the flowing agent in the selected direction. A number of different turbulence generating flow promoting structures for the profiles are disclosed.

Abstract: Sediment barrier for reducing the erosive energy of water flow through on a watercourse such as a surface, a rill or similar channel, and for increasing the deposition of sediments therein. The sediment barrier includes a plurality of individual strands emanating outwardly from a foundation common to all the strands, and forming a structured flow-permeable array having a certain shape to extend outwardly from the watercourse on which the barrier is placed. The individual strands preferably are crimped or otherwise distorted in external configuration so as to provide fiber-to-fiber cohesion which helps maintain the overall array of the barrier. The sediment barrier is anchored in place on a surface or within a rill or gully, so as to maintain the strands in upright relation to the watercourse.

Abstract: A snow plow member is attached to selected ones of the shanks of a cultivator frame by inserting the leading edges of the sweep at the lower end of the shank into slots formed on the rear surface of the snow plow member. A leading edge of the snow plow member follows the C-shaped curvature of the shank. The shank is clamped to the underside of the snow plow member. With such snow plow members attached to selected ones of the cultivator shanks, the snow plow members can be used to form furrows in the snow which acts to trap additional snow and to prevent the snow from being stripped from the field. The resultant increased accumulations of snow provide additional moisture retention for the field.

Abstract: An assembly of wear elements for installation on the wearable part of a structure engageable with abrasive material including a relatively elongated base element adapted to be secured to the wearable part and a relatively elongated wear element releasably, reversibly mounted on the base element, each of the elements having first and second pair of longitudinally spaced apart dovetail surfaces with one of the elements having third and fourth pairs of longitudinally spaced apart dovetail surfaces.

Abstract: A self-propelled irrigation ditch cleaner for use by a single operator which includes a side-oriented conveyor to transport debris up and out of the ditch for the later collection.

Abstract: In-situ vitrification of soil is initiated by placing a cord of dielectric material impregnated with conductive material in thermally-conductive contact with the soil, and energizing the cord with an electric current for heating the cord and starting the vitrification process.

Abstract: A system and method for containing oil or other contaminants which have leaked from an oil tanker or similar structure is disclosed. A series of flotation members are connected end to end and stored around the perimeter of the tanker. A membrane is folded and packed into a recess in each member and held between the member and the tanker. The members are held against the sides of the tanker by a movable stay. In case of an oil leak, a triggering mechanism sequentially moves the stays to release the flotation members, which drop off the tanker into the water. One edge of the membrane is attached to the members while the opposite edge of the membrane is free. The free edge of the membrane falls from the members so that the membrane forms a curtain in the water. Each flotation member is further connected to adjacent members by a flexible jacket and adjacent edges of each membrane are connected to each other.

Abstract: A combination mechanically retained and adhesively bonded attachment structure and method for a guy wire, cable, rod, tube or like member is described which comprises an elongate fitting of preselected external shape having a plurality of axially spaced coaxial bores of respective preselected diameters, the smallest selected to loosely receive the member to be attached, the annular spaces defined between the fitting and member being packed with a finely divided particulate abrasive material and filled with a curable resin to form an adhesive bond between the abrasive material, fitting and member and to define abrasive interfaces between the abrasive material and fitting and between the abrasive material and member.

Abstract: A floating dredge and hydraulic dredging apparatus for mining underwater mineral bearing deposits is disclosed. The dredge includes an overburden excavator and an ore excavator mounted to a pontoon for removing overburden and ore material, respectively. Processors on the pontoon receive material from the excavators. Dredging control components coordinate the operation of the ore and overburden excavators to efficiently remove and mine the desired material.

Abstract: A system for containing oil or other contaminants which have leaked from an oil tanker or similar structure is disclosed. A series of flotation members are connected end to end and stored around the perimeter of the tanker. A membrane is folded and packed into a recess in each member and held between the member and the tanker. The members are held against the sides of the tanker by a movable stay. In case of an oil leak, a triggering mechanism sequentially moves the stays to release the flotation members, which drop off the tanker into the water. One edge of the membrane is attached to the members while the opposite edge of the membrane is free. The free edge of the membrane falls from the members so that the membrane forms a curtain in the water. Each flotation member is further connected to adjacent members by a flexible jacket and adjacent edges of each membrane are connected to each other. In this manner a continuous curtain surrounds the tanker to prevent passage of all or most of the spilled oil.

Abstract: An artificial reef of lightweight construction employs a dome-shaped, thin-walled enclosure of plastic material having apertures therein to permit acquatic life to enter and exit. The enclosure has a circular perimeter that is provided with a circumferential trough integrally formed with the enclosure. At a staging area adjacent the installation site, concrete ballast is poured into the trough to form a perimetrical weight which holds the reef in position on the desired underwater surface. The construction allows the reef to be installed from the surface of the water by releasing it over the site and permitting it to parachute downwardly through the water until it comes to rest.

Abstract: An assembly of wear element for installation on the wearable part of a structure engageable with abrasive material including a relatively elongated base element adpated to be secured to the wearable part and a relatively elongated wear element releasably, reversibly mounted on the base element, each of the elements having longitudinally spaced apart dovetail surfaces in one outstanding wall portion and a single surface in an opposed outstanding wall portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for affixing cutter drums on an apparatus designed to cut trenches in the ground.The driver includes a revolving plate 4 disposed perpendicular to its axis and to the end of the latter, the plate having on its periphery a convex polygonal shape 9. A cutter drum 8 is provided with a portion 8a including a central hollow of concave polygonal shape 10 corresponding to the convex polygonal shape 9 of the plate 4 and of slightly greater dimensions. Bolts 11 unite the cutter drum 8 to the said plate 4 such that the rotational driving of the cutter drum 8 by the plate is performed through the medium of the aforesaid polygonal surfaces 9, 10 which come into engagement with one another.

Abstract: Magnesium oxide is included in a bentonite clay anti-friction composition in an amount of 0.025-0.25% based on the dry weight of the clay to substantially improve the efficiency of underground cable or pipe installation. The anti-friction composition is applied between an outer surface of the cable or pipe and tunnel walls to substantially and unexpectedly reduce the amount of force, e.g., hydraulic pressure, necessary to push or pull the cable or pipe into its intended location within the tunnel. The composition includes a water-swellable colloidal smectite clay, such as bentonite, and magnesium oxide in an amount of 0.025-0.25% based on the dry weight of the clay. In another embodiment, the composition also includes a polymeric fluid loss reduction agent, such as carboxymethyl cellulose to decrease the amount of the clay composition absorbed into the tunnel walls. Soil is extracted underground to form a tunnel and the cable or pipe is forced by a hydaulic jack, into the tunnel.

Abstract: A wheeled platform towable behind a snowthrower to apply a downward force on the traction wheels of the snowthrower. The person operating the snowthrower stands on the platform so that a portion of his/her weight is applied to a towbar that extends from the snowthrower to the platform. The front end of the towbar exerts a downward force on the rear end of the snowthrower.

Abstract: Cutting device with a number of cutting tools which individually and replaceably are mounted upon a supporting edge, each tool being V-shaped with a short leg and a long leg. The space between said legs fits upon the tapered shape of said edge, each long leg extending into a bracket which is integral with the part having said edge and is located at a distance from said edge. Between said part and said long leg a deformable element is placed in a space formed between the bracket and the edge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a prefabricated culvert unit comprising a bottom plate, two sidewall plates intended to be positioned onto the upper surface of the bottom plate adjacent to the side edges thereof, and a cover plate intended to be positioned on top of the sidewall plates to form together with these sidewall plates and bottom plate a closed duct. Advantageously, this unit further comprises a pair of shoulders integrally projecting from the lower surface of the cover plate and a pair of ledges projecting upwardly from the upper edges of the sidewall plates to lock the cover plate onto the sidewall plates. The unit also comprises a tongue and groove joint on the upper surface of the bottom plate adjacent each of its side edges and on the lower end of the corresponding sidewall plate, respectively, to lock the sidewall plate and bottom plate together when the culvert unit is assembled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling assembly for connecting two members. The coupling assembly prevents excessive radial movement, scrubbing of the coupling members, and leakage of fluid being transferred through the coupling. The coupling assembly includes a tube end having a pair of spaced apart annular beads defining a groove for a resilient seal ring seated in the groove and the other member defined a bore for receiving the tube end. A guide ring substantially centers the tube in the bore whereupon a clamping assembly releasable connected to the tube is clamped to the other member securing the tube in the centered position while permitting limited axial movement of the tube.