Abstract: Method for installing a duct where an existing longitudinal member is present along a section over which the duct is to be installed. The longitudinal member is utilized as a guide for the duct. The tape-shaped element is closed around the longitudinal element through mating of complementary coupling devices longitudinally situated along the tape-shaped member so as to form a duct, with the coupled tape-shaped element then being propelled along the longitudinal element to extend the duct. The tape-shaped element can house an optical fiber cable. Through use of such a tape-shaped element, the duct, illustratively housing an optical fiber cable, can be formed around an existing (e.g. copper) telecommunications cable with any need to interrupt or remove that cable.

Abstract: A method of preventing seismic liquefaction of the ground in an urban area built on reclaimed land consisting of a loose fine grained layer vulnerable to liquefaction underlain with a soft cohesive layer liable to uneven settlement comprising pumping out pore water from the loose fine grained layer to lower the groundwater table to the bottom level of that layer, then injecting into the loose fine grained layer tap water saturated with air and containing micro particles of fly ash or another mineral serving as vehicles of the air into the loose fine grained layer so as to form countless tiny air bubbles and thereby reduce the degree of saturation of that layer to a level preventing seismic liquefaction.

Abstract: A system includes a support for a pool cover box lid comprising an elongated mounting element extending along at least one wall of the pool cover box, and a plurality of bracket assemblies, each connecting to the mounting element at multiple positions along the mounting element to support the lid. A method is directed to supporting a lid on a pool cover box. A system also forms a pool cover box lid, comprising form support elements spaced apart from each other, a base sheet, lid forming elements, each being connected to one of the form support elements and extending upward, and wall elements disposed perpendicular to the lid forming elements for forming the lid. A method is directed to forming a lid for a pool cover box.

Abstract: A support assembly for a flexible line comprises a hanger to suspend the flexible line from an offshore oil rig without subjecting the line to a bending stress adjacent the support assembly, a frame supporting the hanger, and a connector coupled to the frame to removeably connect the support assembly to the rig. In an embodiment, the support assembly further comprises a base that may be a plate, an open-ended box, or a plurality of beams. In another embodiment, the flexible line includes an end comprising a swivel plate that mates with the hanger.

Abstract: A cushioning apparatus such as a pillow which includes an upper pocket with reception cavity for receiving preferably loose or grouped non-integral filler material such as down, fiberfill or fiber-balls and another pocket for receiving additional filler material such as a foam core filler material. The foam core filler material is preferably an integrated or monolithic foam body of, for example, visco-elastic or alternate polyurethane foam. The core preferably has a non-planar upper surface contour allowing for a relatively thin, consistent height upper pocket thickness. The pillow also preferably includes a lower pocket joined about its periphery to the upper pocket such as by way of an intermediate gusset panel with beading and with the lower pocket also receiving loose or non-integrated filler material and with the bottom surface of the core preferably having a convex surface such as one symmetrical with the top surface.

Abstract: A system for directing water, nutrients and air to the root system of a plant includes an elongated, hollow housing having a wall member that permits water and air to be transmitted therethrough and which defines an internal cavity with an open top and an open bottom. The system may include a plurality of deflectors that are configured to direct water entering into the open top in a direction toward the wall member so that the water may be passed through the wall member. The system may include an upper flange, which may be coupled to the housing proximate the open top, and/or a lower flange, which may be coupled to the housing and extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A sleeping bag having a cinch mechanism that can be closed with a single hand. The cinch mechanism includes, for example, a loop and a cord attached at an end of the sleeping bag. When the sleeping bag has been rolled, the loop is pulled in one direction, while the cord is pulled in the other direction. The cord is then extended through the loop, and pulled back and attached to itself. For example, a clasp may be used to attach the cord to itself.

Abstract: A sleep system, for providing a bed, includes a frame with cross support members coupled with a first and second panel assembly. A sleep support mechanism operationally engages the first and second panel assemblies with one another and further engages a pad to provide adjusting support to the user. The sleep support mechanism employs a cone coupled with a first and second spring, the first and second spring further coupling with the first and second panel assemblies, and the cone engaging with the pad to provide the adjustable support capability.

Abstract: The watercraft ramp comprises a frame and a plurality of hull-support assemblies mounted thereon. The frame has a pair of elongated channel rails held in laterally spaced condition. Each rail has a longitudinally aligned internal recess and a longitudinally aligned elongated slot for access into the internal recess. The slot is narrower than the transverse width of the recess. Each hull-support assembly has a mounting bracket, a fastener for fixing the bracket on a rail, and at least one hull roller. The fastener has a locking part that extends through the rail slot into the internal rail recess for locking engagement to the rail at any desired location. A stabilizer part on the bracket cooperatives with the slot to maintain alignment of the bracket on the rail.

Abstract: An integrated paver comprising a self-propelled chassis having a paving apparatus, such as a screed, supported on its rear end and a lifting conveyor supported on its front end. The conveyor is capable of picking-up loose paving material laid in the windrow on the road surface. It is pivotally supported on a mounting which is in-turn pivotally supported on the chassis such that the conveyor can be adjusted in two dimensions relative to the chassis. Grade controls on the conveyor control hydraulic cylinders to adjust the tilt and grade of the conveyor relative to the road surface. Alternatively, the conveyor can rest, by force of gravity on runners which slide along the ground and hold the conveyor head a predetermined height (possibly zero) above the ground. Additionally, the runners can be linked to floating break-away scrapers which are maintained at a set position relative to the runners.

Abstract: An improved roadway marker rubber-like strip in which the upper layer is deformed into protruberances such as wedges or ridges, preferably provided with a coating of exposed retro-reflective beads, that have been cross-link-vulcanized to provide the same with memory that permits shape restoration following depression by vehicle traffic, and a cold-flow un-vulcanized bottom layer adhered to the roadway and conforming without memory to the same under vehicle traffic.

Abstract: An apparatus that raises and lowers a rotatable vestibule of the type used in airports to transfer passengers from a terminal building to a passenger loading bridge. A first plurality of telescoping columns are interconnected to and passively follow a second plurality of telescoping columns disposed interiorly of and in concentric relation with said first plurality of columns when the second columns are activated. J-shaped bushings made of Nylitron facilitate the extension and retraction of the columns and flat sections of that material provide additional bearing surfaces at other locations of the apparatus. The J-shaped bushing also provides stops that limit the extension of the apparatus.

Abstract: A reflective pavement marker of the type having a shell-like housing of synthetic resin or other moldable material with a reflective end wall of light transmitting material with a filler of epoxy or other potting material. The reflective end wall is formed with retro-directive reflective elements of cube corner type. The end wall is dished so that light rays reflect from the array of cube corner reflective elements and converge to enhance the candle power of the reflective light. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for making the device.

Abstract: A traffic control apparatus for use in combination with a roadway having a paved surface, comprising an elongated housing structure disposed beneath said roadway; the major axis of said housing being perpendicular to the direction of traffic on said roadway; said housing having an upper wall disposed generally in the plane of said paved surface; said upper wall defining a generally rectangular opening; speed bump means disposed in said housing for selective movement relative thereto between predetermined inactive and active positions; said speed bump means being elongated, and substantially the length of said opening; said speed bump means having a flat surface portion adapted to close said opening and to bridge the width of said opening in the plane of the paved surface; said speed bump means having a generally cylindrical portion adapted to close said opening and to bridge the width of said opening with a projection above the plane of the paved surface; actuation means for selectively moving said speed bump

Abstract: A locking device for a covering comprised of a frame and a cover includes arms, which are inserted in depressions or bores formed in the frame and/or cover, whereby they undergo elastic deformation and consequently form a frictional engagement with the cover. The free end each of the arms project beyond an inner flange of the frame and form there a positive connection between the arms and the inner flange. This results in a simple, but effective connection between the cover and the frame, without requiring machining of the arms or depressions.

Abstract: A paving block is provided for forming of paved surfaces comprising a plurality of the block laid in adjacent relationship. The blocks are of a planar configuration having a primary body section with coplanar top and bottom surfaces and a vertical peripheral side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces. Four main wall elements are included in the peripheral wall with these wall elements disposed in parallel pairs, the pairs being positioned in orthogonal relationship to each other. A fifth wall element is included in the peripheral side wall and is positioned between two adjacent ones of the main wall elements in equiangular relationship to each other. In one version of the paving block, two tongue elements are provided in integrally formed relationship with the primary body section and project a distance laterally therefrom at diametrically opposed corners adjacent the respective main wall elements that are interconnected by the fifth wall element.

Abstract: Apparatus for smoothing a gravel road comprises a mat which incorporates a series of wave-form members, typically of flexible material such as rubber. The mat is towed over the road surface with the result that the crests of the wave-form members dig into corrugations in the surface and disturb the gravel. The disturbed gravel can flow upwardly through the spaces between the wave-form members.

Abstract: A safety roadway delineator includes one or more elongate recessed marker surfaces which are coated with a reflective material, preferably a retroreflective material such as reflective glass beads. The recessed marker surfaces are vertical or at least inclined to the horizontal to insure water run-off and are formed either directly in cast-in-place concrete roadway members or in pre-cast polymer concrete facing panels which are attached to the cast-in-place concrete roadway members. The roadway delineator is substantially continuously protected from normal wear and reliably exhibits reflectivity both under dry and rainy weather conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a road-finishing machine with a laying beam (2) which is provided with control members (8) for adjusting the height and inclination of the laying beam (2) as well as measuring sensors for this purpose, the output signals of the measuring sensors serving as actual values for adjusters (10, 11) controlling the control members (8) in accordance with desired values which can be predetermined.

Abstract: A moving type three-dimensional road which can travel to a region where road surface repair work is to be carried out, includes a working road constituent unit associated with a traveling device and a plurality of access road constituent units associated with traveling devices. The working road constituent unit includes a horizontal floor plate disposed above and supported by a plurality of extensible/retractible support legs to form a working space thereunder. The access road constituent units are connected to the opposite ends of the working road constituent unit, and each includes an inclined floor plate disposed above and supported by a plurality of extensible/retractible support legs.