Abstract: The invention concerns a loading bridge for making a connection between a loading platform and a vehicle, wherein the height of the bridge is variable at the side of the vehicle to allow for vehicles with different heights. A gas-operated driving mechanism is disclosed of which the costs are considerably less than prior art hydraulic driving mechanisms. Further a mechanism is disclosed for automatically controlling the movements of a lid connected with the loading bridge.

Abstract: A conveyance loading apparatus for conveying passengers to and from an aircraft. The apparatus includes an elevated chamber with a sidewall structure. The sidewall structure includes a plurality of access openings so that passengers can enter and exit the chamber. One or more covered stairways are connected to one or more of the access openings for enabling passengers to have access to the chamber from ground level. The elevated chamber can be aligned with the open end of a conventional aircraft loading bridge. One or more covered stairways are connected to respective access openings for enabling passengers to have access to the chamber from ground level. A covered walkway is connected to a stairway at ground level.

Abstract: A stone-laying machine is provided have laying tongs fixed to a boom arm which can be controlled from the driver's cab. The front and rear wheels of the machine are rotatable about points of rotation lying on a longitudinal center line behind the front axle and in front of the rear axle, respectively. In order to prevent overturning of the machine when the front and rear axles are swivelled in relation to one another, the center of gravity of the machine is altered with respect to conventional stone-laying machines by relocating the boom arm relative to the front axle.

Abstract: A modular construction system that provides structures utilizable in the manufacture of bases for pavements, pavements, slopes, canals, walls, arches, and bridges. A flexible structure is obtained formed by the articulated and indissoluble union of a multiplicity of identical modular units that have articulated, unbreakable joints, although there are free spaces between the units, in such a way that when a weight is placed in any area of the flexible structure, a part of the load is immediately distributed to the adjacent areas, the structure thus resulting in a stress distribution system, being flexible, articulated, and indissoluble. The distribution of stresses occurs both in the horizontal and the vertical direction. Two or more structures can even be placed one on top of the other, duly articulated between each other, with a separating layer between each one of them, by means of latch pins such as to allow the structure to be flexible, functioning in a manner similar to how a single structure functions.

Abstract: An expansion joint strip seal for use between spaced apart ends of sections of a highway, bridge, or the like, the strip seal having an elongate metallic rail with a C-shaped cavity therein embedded in the end of one of the sections, a second elongate metallic rail with a reverse C-shaped cavity therein embedded in the end of an adjacent section, and an elastomeric, elongate membrane having ear portions extending along its opposed edges, each of the ear portions being sealingly engaged by one of the metallic rails. The membrane, which is formed integrally in a single piece, has a central web portion, which is generally V-shaped in cross section, and each ear portion has an enlarged end portion and a transitional portion between the enlarged end portion and the central web portion. The transitional portion has upper and lower planar surfaces which sealingly engage planar sealing surfaces of an entrance of each metallic rail that engages such ear portion.

Abstract: A utility cut patch identification tag comprises a plate of durable material having at least two barbed legs extending from it slower surface, and a labeling indicia on its upper surface. The tag is preferably circular with a diameter of from about one to about two inches. The tag is pressed into the surface of fresh paving material which has been introduced into a previously cut out section of pavement.

Abstract: A bridging system for clearing a breach comprising at least two identical beams rigidly connectable endwise and including each one at least one supporting structure having treadways at the upper portion and two noses pivoted to both ends, respectively, of the supporting structure so that each nose assumes a position folded back onto the structure and a position extended in prolongation of the latter.

Abstract: An arrangement in a bridge deck and the like surface-forming structure to be subjected to mobile concentrated loads of small extent, so-called point loads, moving along the bridge deck, comprises a plurality of neighboring elongate units, so-called deck slabs (1), supported by and anchored to a base in the form of beams or like supporting system (25), the units or slabs (1) being provided with a tongue (8) and groove (9) adapted to laterally join neighboring units. The groove (9) and tongue (8) are located in such manner relative to the unit or slab portions engaging with the base that when the units are positioned on the base (25), at least portions of a first edge part of each unit are directly supported by and anchored to the base, while, by the groove/tongue engagement, an opposite second edge part is supported by the first edge of the neighboring unit, which is directly supported by the base.

Abstract: An arcuate paving block assembly comprising two outer transitional blocks (1) with four arcuate sides, wherein two adjacent sides (10, 18) are curved inwards and the other two sides (19, 20) are curved outwards in order to form a continuous transition from one arc to another; adjacent thereto on both sides an equal number of arc blocks (2, 3, 4; 2a, 3a, 4a) constructed to be mirror images of each other and symmetrical or mirror image shaped keystones of apex blocks (5, 6, 5a, 6a; 7, 7a, 8) which together make up the entire length of an arc, the whole being such that when laid the two outer edges (10) of the transitional blocks (1) enclose an angle of 90.degree. and the height (H) of all the blocks measured at right angles to an imaginary baseline (S) through the lower corner of the transitional blocks (1) is the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a utility cut in a section of pavement is provided. The method includes the steps of transferring broken pavement and underlying base material from the utility cut, mixing the transferred material with predetermined quantities of water and binder material to form a fluid, unshrinkable, settable filler mixture which is then reapplied to the utility cut. The filler mixture hardens to a set state in a short period of time. All of the operative elements of the apparatus for performing the method are arranged for use directly at the utility cut site. An optional crusher for reducing larger excavated particles to a smaller size and a heater for heating the filler material reapplied to the utility cut may also be employed. Further, the removed material may be separated according to size to exclude particles above a predetermined size.

Abstract: A bridge deck panel support system and method for supporting precast bridge deck panels on a bridge girder. The bridge deck panel support system (10) comprises at least one grade bar support member (24) which is anchored to the bridge girder (14) with a grade bar support anchor (16) so as to extend upwardly from the bridge girder (14). At least one grade bar (28) for supporting one or more deck panels (12) is secured to the upper portion (26) of the grade bar support member (24), the grade bar (28) being selectively spaced from the girder (14) such that a grout receiving space (32) is defined between the grade bar (28) and the girder (14). The grout receiving space (32) is filed with non-shrink grout (34) such that the load of the deck panels (12) is transferred from the grade bar (28) to the grout (34).

Abstract: A method of obtaining a composite sealing structure for permanent roadways, in which there is applied, between the at least partially concrete base support and the sealed layer or layers, a draining mix having a high content of voids which enable the air and/or the water being released in the form of vapor from the support to be diffused in order to prevent the appearance of deformities, including bubbles and blisters.

Abstract: A method for constructing a bridge joint in a channel overlying an expansion joint involves lining the channel with a thermoplastic asphaltic elastomeric binder followed by successive applications of layers of aggregate and binder mixture wherein the thickness of each layer is restricted to about the maximum dimension of the aggregate in the layer. Care is taken to insure that both the binder and the aggregate are hot when the layered joint is formed to insure good bonding between layers and with the roadway material. The aggregate of each layer is raked to project upwardly from the mass of the layer before a subsequent layer is applied to enhance the interlock between layers. A final layer containing smaller aggregate is applied at the joint top and the joint is then sealed and rolled to form an integrated, resilient load bearing structure.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a vibratory drum mounted for rotation about its axis with a vibratory device mounted upon a framework overlying the drum, with a fluid dispensing cylinder mounted overlying the vibratory drum to minimize adhering of the cement in a non-hardened form upon the drum. The drum includes a pattern series of blades for imparting a predetermined pattern upon the cement surface, wherein the invention further includes the drum formed with a series of through-extending apertures extending through the drum to define a matrix of apertures therethrough for reception of fastener bosses mounted to bottom surfaces of randomly shaped blades to enable positioning of blades in any predetermined pattern upon the drum surface.

Abstract: A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway includes an elongated frame having a number of sections including a front section and at least one additional section arranged end to end along an axial direction. The frame is configured to collapse when axially struck on the front section by a vehicle. A wire cable extends generally parallel to the frame and has a forward end portion anchored independently of the frame and a rearward end portion. Friction brakes are mounted to the front section for engaging the wire cable to generate a retarding force to decelerate a vehicle as the brake moves along the wire cable during collapse of the frame following impact of the vehicle against the front section. Each section includes a pair of side panels, and axially adjacent side panels are connected by a flexible tension strap by fasteners. The tension strap operates to peel the fasteners out of the side panels during axial collapse.

Abstract: An animal running surface composition and optimization technique is described. The surface provides a firm in-place foundation layer above which is spread a surface layer. The surface layer intermixes earthen material and rubber particles which may be sized from one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch. These particles may also be shredded rubber from scrap tires to assist in waste disposal. The ratio of the amount of rubber particles to earthen material in the surface, the size of the rubber particles, and the depth of the surface layer can be varied to optimize the surface for particular uses ranging from horse or equestrian tracks to dog tracks to arenas, etc. Several other variations such as the avoidance of organic material, removal of any metallic materials, and inclusion of other layers are also provided for. The present invention provides resiliency, optimizes water use, is porous for drainage, and can be reasonably constructed, among other advantages.

Abstract: A temporary road is provided which includes a plurality of sets each defined by a first and second matrices which include an upper surface for supporting heavy vehicles and the like over rough or impassable terrain and a second matrices which comprises support members for the upper or first matrices. Thus, one set is laid down such that the first matrices is in a top or upper position and cross members of the second matrices support the top member or upper matrices and thereafter a second set is positioned such that the first matrices is on the ground or in mud or the impassable surface is such that the second matrices or bottom of the second set with its spaced cross-support members interlocks with the spaced cross-support members of the first set and thereafter each set is interlocked such that the first, third, and fifth et sequence provide the upper surface of the road and the second, fourth and sixth et sequence sets provide the support for the upper sets.

Abstract: A night-visible traffic lane marking device for aircraft landing and takeoff strips, roadways and the like. The markers are installed embedded into the lane with their upper surfaces flush with the traffic surface. Reflective, fluorescent or phosphorescent elements are provided encased within a transparent uppermost layer. Each element extends vertically to provide a substantial profile for long distance visibility. The transparent covering extends a substantial distance from the reflective element in the direction of oncoming traffic, to increase long distance visibility. Night visibility of the element may be further enhanced by a self-contained, solar powered, illumination unit installed within the transparent layer.

Abstract: A raised pavement marking device for use in pavement roadways includes a conical body, a plurality of supporting legs, a cavity, a nozzle member, a plurality of apertures, and a reflector, whereby the device can effectively melt and dry snow ice and/or moisture on the pavement roadways.

Abstract: A narrow stationary impact attenuation system (10) for reducing the severity of vehicular collisions occasioned by an errant vehicle striking an immovable object at narrow hazard sites. The subject narrow stationary impact attenuation system (10) includes crash cushion means (12), lateral stability means (14), backup means (16), support means (18), lateral deflection means (20), vehicle anti-vaulting means (22), redirection means (24), and base means (26). The lateral stability means (14) extends the length of the crash cushion means (12) on either side thereof. The backup means (16) is positioned in juxtaposed relation to the crash cushion means (12) at the rear thereof. The support means (18) is positioned in juxtaposed relation to the crash cushion means (12) at the front thereof. The lateral deflection means (20), the vehicle anti-vaulting means (22) and the redirection means (24) are each mounted in supported relation at selected positions relative to the crash cushion means (12).