Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed in which solar heated air is drawn down a hole in the earth by a draft from a solar heated convection column located above the surface of the earth, the hot air being initially drawn downwards to a depth at which damp, moist earth is encountered with the hot air thereby evaporating water from the damp earth and producing water vapor and increasing the moisture content of the heated air and as this damp air is subsequently drawn back to the surface by the draft from the same solar heated convection column, it is allowed to contact cooled plates near the surface, the water vapor thereby condensing on the plates from which it is collected for irrigation or other purposes. In various embodiments either vertical or horizontal porous tubes in the ground contact the moist earth to bring the moisture of the earth into contact with the heated air flowing through the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral winning machine, such as a plough, movable along a guide at the mineral face side of a scraper-chain conveyor employs a connector bracket at the goaf side of the conveyor to which a floor-engaging skid plate is pivotably linked. A beam extends from a roof support and is also pivotably connected to the skid plate remote from the conveyor. A pair of piston and cylinder units are pivotably connected at their upper ends to the bracket. One of the units is pivotably connected to the skid plate and the other is pivotably connected to the beam. By operating the units together the skid plate can be held against the floor over part or all of its lower face while the conveyor goaf side is raised or lowered accordingly.

Abstract: A suspension bridge has a pair of horizontally spaced towers between which is spanned a main catenary cable. A flexible spacer element, normally a cable, extends along the main cable between the towers and is provided with generally equispaced spacers. Respective hanger assemblies are fixed at the spacers and can slide on the main cable between the towers. Respective upright hangers defining a vertical plane with the main cable have upper ends connected to the hanger assemblies and lower ends and are provided with adjusters between these ends for shortening and lengthening the distance therebetween. Respective girders are secured to the lower ends and extend generally perpendicular to the plane and respective path sections extend generally horizontally and each have one end hooked over a respective one of the girders and another end hooked over an adjacent girder.

Abstract: A cutter bit assembly comprises a holder and a cutter bit. The holder is formed with a pocket into which the cutter bit can be inserted. The cutter bit is retained within the pocket by means of an arcuate wedge inserted into a tapered gap formed between respective curved support faces formed on the cutter bit and the holder.

Abstract: The manhole has a frame 1 with a flange 4 to be embedded in the road and a movable cover 2 to fit in the cylindrical wall 3 of the frame. On its inside the wall 3 has three support surfaces 9 each downwardly sloping at an angle .alpha. to the horizontal in the circumferential direction and at an angle .beta. to the horizontal in the radial direction. Between the surfaces 9 the frame has three undercut surfaces 11 extending radially. On its underside the cover 2 has six surfaces 14, 15. When the cover is on the frame three surfaces 14 are parallel to the corresponding surfaces 9 and the three surfaces 15 are parallel to the corresponding surfaces 11. The surfaces 9, 11 on the frame abut the surfaces 14, 15 by which the cover is held against rocking.

Abstract: An adjustable dockboard for bridging the gap between a loading dock and a carrier, the dockboard including a ramp member hingedly connected to the loading dock and biased to an elevated position, and a tread plate assembly positioned in the ramp member and movable to an extended position to engage the bed of a carrier when the ramp member is lowered, the tread plate assembly being locked into a set position on engagement with the bed of the carrier, the tread plate assembly being removeable from the carrier for repair and maintenance and the ramp member being seated in the dockboard by its own weight.

Abstract: A metal concrete joint form is shown supported on a plurality of interlocking metal stakes for providing a positive, vertically-adjustable, strong locking action between these members. The top end of each stake is flattened and it has a plurality of closely-spaced vertically arranged serrations or ratchet formed on one side thereof. The concrete joint form is an elongated sheet metal member having an inverted hook portion at the top edge of the form with a downturned flange that has its lower edge hemmed on the inside and then folded outwardly to create an upwardly-inclined raw edge of the hem of the flange to serve as a locking pawl for cooperating with the vertical row of serrations or ratchet.

Abstract: An improved barge hull for offshore drilling rigs is disclosed. The invention comprises a channel in the bottom of a barge hull extending from the bottom of said barge hull to the back of said barge hull for directing the flow of water under said barge hull to the back of said barge hull in order to disrupt the relative hydrodynamic stability of a body of water immediately behind said barge hull and thereby decrease the towing resistance of said barge hull.

Abstract: A span construction having longitudinal cables extending between end supports, a flexible sheath enclosing the volume bounded by cables and end supports, a fan for forcing a gas through the sheath and gas escape holes on the underside of the sheath to raise the span in response to escaping gas. The span may have an airfoil cross-section so that it is raised in response to cross wind loading.

Abstract: Large area concrete structures, such as roadways, parking lots and playing field bases are monolithically cast with integral drainage elements using an especially formulated water-permeable concrete material having strength and durability comparable to conventional concrete. Such structures provide minimal interference with natural water flow patterns, optimal use of available land, and minimal harm to adjacent vegetation.

Abstract: A pallet for use in decking a bridge constructed from girder sections of the type disclosed in Patent No. GB 1209747 comprises a plurality of decking units (1) held in pre-determined disposition by tie bars (7) and spacers (6) so as to engage directly with corresponding recesses (4) in the girder sections (5). The pallet is provided with slinging eyes (9) and may be used to carry additional decking units for manual distribution along the girder sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for breaking concrete and asphalt pavement and the like comprising a frame adapted to be supported by and above pavement to be broken. Power operated means move the frame in one and opposite directions relative to and in parallel relationship with the pavement. A plurality of air hammers are supported in a gang parallel arrangement by the frame with their cutting tools aligned in a closely spaced parallel series. Cutting ends of the tools are adjacent the pavement with the series of tools extending in one direction and frame movement occurs in a direction substantially at right angles relative thereto. Thus, the frame movement defines a predetermined generally rectangular path of movement and pavement breaking operation of the cutting tools. A cradle on the frame is moveable relative to the frame for adjusting both the height and the angle of attack of the cutting tools relative to the pavement.

Abstract: A dock leveller for releasable securement to a loading dock installation is disclosed. The dock leveller comprises a main frame with a ramp hinged to the main frame for swinging movement. Securement devices are provided for releasably securing the dock leveller to the dock installation. The securement devices comprise at least one latch for connecting the main frame to the dock installation. The arrangement of latches is such to fix securely the dock leveller to the dock for withstanding traffic over the ramp.

Abstract: A lip construction for pivotal connection to the ramp of a dock leveller is disclosed. The lip comprises upper and lower rectangular steel plates providing front and rear lip edge portions. Means is provided for securing the lip rear edge portion for pivotal connection to a dock leveller ramp. The steel plates are bent along their lengths to define first and second lip portions which are slightly angled relative to each other. The lower plate extends slightly outwardly of the upper plate front portion, where the upper plate is secured along its front portion to the lower plate extension. The upper plate is also secured to the lower plate along the first lip portion. This arrangement places the upper plate of the second lip portion in compression and corresponding lower plate in tension when a load is applied to the lip during use.

Abstract: An excavating machine, e.g. for the recovery of coal and its removal from a coal seam comprises a rotary excavating tool which consists of a plurality of neutrally articulated coal augers which are driven and are disposed against the face to be excavated. The coal augers are provided with nozzles for spraying water or some other fast settling and spark-inhibiting liquid, the nozzles being controlled by a valve which opens flow to the nozzles only when at least one auger is disaligned from an adjustive auger as is required for coal cutting operations with such tools.

Abstract: Screed board apparatus includes a harness to secure the apparatus to a user and handles to allow the user to move the screed board.

Abstract: A soil retaining system, including an upright soil retaining wall of modular facing panels and a number of horizontal wire mesh reinforcement units, including spaced parallel wires ending in bulbous portions and interconnected by perpendicular crossbars. The mesh units are connected in tiers to the retaining wall and rest in the soil behind the wall. The connection is made by a female member embedded into the back side of the panel with internal threads, into which a male member is threadedly received with an internal bore of a suitable size to pass the wires but not the bulbous portions which bear against the forward end of the bolts. In this manner, with the wires seated within a corresponding male member, the facing panels and mesh units are connected by screwing the male member into the female member.

Abstract: A roadway expansion joint and seal is disclosed which comprises a pair of parallel metal side rails having a flexible elastomeric membrane secured therebetween. The membrane includes enlarged opposite edge portions which are solid in cross section, and which are mounted within respective C-shaped sockets in the side rails. The edge portions include a recess in the outwardly facing surface thereof and which defines a pocket between the edge portion and the inner wall of the C-shaped socket. The recess is sized and positioned to permit the edge portion to laterally flex to facilitate assembly thereof into its associated socket, and also, the pocket is adapted to be filled with an adhesive material to securely maintain the assembly of the membrane and side rails. In addition, the membrane includes a central web portion which is configured to accommodate relative movement of the side rails.

Abstract: Prefabricated concrete elements for constructing paths corresponding to a width N or a multiple thereof contain two groups. The first group comprises flat, four-sided slabs for the straight sections of the path, having a dimension corresponding to the normal width N or half said normal width. The second group of prefabricated concrete elements comprise a plurality of sets of flat, sector slabs for the curved sections of the path having different predetermined radius each set consists of sector slabs having a predetermined radius and radii having a dimension corresponding to the normal width.

Abstract: An economical reflective roadway marker having a substantially vertically disposed reflective assembly, a series of cantilevered protective flaps arranged to flex and cover reflective surfaces and an end base plate assembly by which the marker is attached to a road surface.