Abstract: A ballast distributing and planing machine comprises an elongated machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages for mobility along the track in an operating direction, a ballast broom extending transversly across the track and mounted on the machine frame at a rear end thereof in the operating direction, and a ballast plow arrangement mounted on the machine frame. A ballast storage container is mounted on the machine frame and has at least one discharge opening enabling ballast stored in the container to be discharged onto the track, and a ballast discharge conveyor band is mounted immediately below each discharge opening and is arranged to close the opening, each conveyor band having a drive for moving the conveyor band in a conveying direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-shaft kneading auger system having a plurality of kneading shafts or rotating shafts used to form a continuous wall in the ground. Grouting blades driven by chains, are positioned near the lower ends of the kneading shafts. A grouting edge of the blade forms a predetermined angle with the surface of the kneading shafts. Also, a scraping apparatus is formed in a part of the rotating shafts. The scraping apparatus comprises a supporting member laterally supported in the part of the rotating shafts, plain blades vertically movably supported on the supporting member and substantially located on common tangential lines of the rotational surfaces of the grouting blades, a coupling member including rollers and laterally coupling the plain blades, and cams provided in the part of the rotating shafts and adapted to engage with the rollers.

Abstract: A lean-to well protector apparatus for use on offshore wells having a generally vertical upstanding conductor pipe extending between the sea bed and the water surface includes a pair of jacket legs defining a plane that is angularly oriented with respect to the conductor pipe forming an acute angle therewith. A first plurality of structural chord members interconnects the jacket legs and can occupy the plane defined by the jacket legs. The first plurality of chord members and the jacket legs form a truss that leans towards the conductor pipe during operation of the offshore well. A first clamp connector is positioned at the middle portion of the conductor pipe and a second clamp connector is positioned at the upper portion of the conductor pipe generally near the water surface area. A second plurality of structural chord members interconnects the conductor pipe with the truss at the clamp connectors.

Abstract: Snowplow apparatus is provided having a blade assembly and elongated tongue secured at one end to the blade assembly and having a connector device at the other end for detachably securing of the tongue to a single-point hitch assembly of an automotive vehicle whereby the tongue may oscillate in a vertical plane about its point of attachment. A stabilizing mechanism secured to the tongue in axially spaced relationship to the connector device detachably connects with the vehicle to prevent oscillation of the tongue about its point of attachment to the hitch assembly of the vehicle in a horizontal plane. The blade assembly is provided with lift units automatically operable upon traversing movement of the blade assembly over a ground surface to be cleared of snow accumulation to lower the blade assembly into plowing relationship when moved in a direction effective for plowing and to lift the blade assembly a distance above the ground and support it for transport when moved in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A bracing device for a self-advancing shield tunnelling machine for tunnel construction comprising a control shield within which is mounted a cutting unit, and at least two bracing shields each having a closed circumferential wall construction which are connected together by feed cylinders, the bracing shields being able to be radially braced with the tunnel wall independently of each other by bracing elements fixed thereon. The bracing elements are composed of elastic pressure hoses positioned around the closed circumferential bracing shield walls. The circumferences of the bracing elements can be continually enlarged by expansion, particularly by inflation. The invention furthermore relates to the use of such bracing elements for a self-advancing shield tunnelling machine in which the control shield and the first bracing shield arranged behind it as well as the first and second bracing shield engage in each other and overlap telescopically.

Abstract: To ease the mounting of a snow plow structure by use of a measured means extending between the attaching structure fixed on a vehicle and its lift chain to bring the hitch pin holes of plow structure push arms into vertical alignment with pin holes on attaching structure as the plow structure is lifted from its center of gravity and in fore and aft balance. Little movement, if any, of the lifted plow structure will be needed to transversely align pin holes for the full insertion of the hitch pins. A single pull cable is connected to two spring actuated hitch pins to pull them from the pin holes on the vehicle mounted attaching structure when connecting the plow structure thereto. Upon release of the pull cable the pins will enter the transversely-aligned pin holes of the structures. All this having been done with little manual effort.

Abstract: A wing plow for use with a main plow has a scraper blade and a fixed moldboard mounted on the top edge of said scraper blade for the inner portion of the wing plow and a flexible moldboard sheet member joined to said rigid moldboard section and extending to the discharge end of said wing plow. An adjusting arm and hydraulic cylinder are connected to the top corner of the outer end of the flexible sheet to independently position and contour the discharge end of said sheet to control the discharge of material from the wing plow.

Abstract: An elongated building block has spaced apart inner and outer faces and top and bottom faces and complementary end portions with openings therein. The openings of the block are disposed on a straight longitudinal axis and clearance is located adjacent the longitudinal axis and a central portion of the inner face of the block. When horizontal rows of similar blocks are stacked one upon the other, end portions of the blocks in one row are positioned above central portions of blocks in an adjacent row, so the joints between the blocks are staggered. Generally vertical connecting rods pass through aligned openings to connect alternate rows of the blocks together. Clearance in alternate rows of blocks exposes intermediate portions of the connecting rods. When used as an embankment retaining wall, generally horizontal tie back rods embedded in the embankment connect with the exposed intermediate portions of the connecting rods passing between alternate rows of blocks.

Abstract: A gravity base structure for an offshore platform having deck supporting columns extending from seabed to above seawater level includes bottom and top slabs having inner and outer protective walls extending between them with a lattice structure for transmitting impact energy from the outer wall to the inner wall. The deck supporting columns are substantialy free of means for transmitting impact energy from the inner and outer protective walls to them.

Abstract: A reinforced soil embankment having precast concrete face panels with cantilevered sections extending into the embankment to support the panels in an upright condition and provide a surface beneath which a wedge may be inserted to plumb the panels during erection of the embankment. Soil reinforcing elements are secured to the panels intermediate their height to reinforce the embankment and secure the face panels in place. Connectors are provided for securing the reinforcing elements to the panels by means of loops formed on the elements for extension through eyes on the panels. The connectors also serve to orient the reinforcing elements in a horizontal disposition within the embankment.

Abstract: A metal to ceramic sealed joint which can withstand wide variations in temperature and maintain a good seal is provided for use in a device adapted to withstand thermal cycling from about 20 to about 1000 degrees C. The sealed joint includes a metal member, a ceramic member having an end portion, and an active metal braze forming a joint to seal the metal member to the ceramic member. The joint is positioned remote from the end portion of the ceramic member to avoid stresses at the ends or edges of the ceramic member. The sealed joint is particularly suited for use to form sealed metal to ceramic joints in a thermoelectric generator such as a sodium heat engine where a solid ceramic electrolyte is joined to metal parts in the system.

Abstract: A new and improved walking dragline excavator frame has an annular rail pad and a rail girder web for structurally backing up the rail pad, with a generally annularly arranged oblique reinforcing plate structure attached to and between the rail pad and the rail girder web for controlled transfer and distribution to the rail girder web of cyclically varying roller loads imposed on the rail pad. The arrangement provides facility for economical repair in the field of single web rail girder frames in which there has been failure of the welded joint between the rail girder and the rail pad.

Abstract: A process for raising a sunken, in-ground sprinkler is provided. In the first step of this process, which is especially useful with pop-up sprinklers, the area around the top of the sprinkler is first cleared. Thereafter, the motor compartment structure and the rotatable sprinkler head are removed from the sprinkler housing. A circular sleeve adaptor is then attached to the sprinkler housing, and a threaded shaft is then attached to the adaptor. A support platform, with a hole in its middle, is then placed over the sprinkler, and one end of the threaded shaft is placed through the hole. A wing nut is then attached to the threaded shaft, and the rotation of the wing nut causes it to contact the top of the support platform, thereby raising the sprinkler assembly.

Abstract: A fluid tight structure or vault particularly suited to having hazardous liquid storage tanks located therein for storage of liquids such as gasoline, and used as a replacement for underground storage tanks in facilities such as gasoline stations, truck stops, or industrial plants, so that the storage tanks are available for periodic inspection and any leakage from such tanks is contained within the structure to avoid contaminating surrounding ground, is constructed of prefabricated concrete panels having weldable material embedded therein where the panels meet so that the panels may be seal welded together along adjacent edges to provide the fluid tight structure. Thus, floor panels have plates of weldable material embedded therein over which wall panels having bottom edges of weldable material are placed and welded. Adjacent side edges of the wall panels are also welded. The welds provide seals between the various panels and provides structural strength to hold the panels in assembled position.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a boat from harmful contact with the piling of a dock is provided. The apparatus comprises a generally rigid, vertical, elongated tube, preferably made of PVC pipe and a hollow sleeve. The sleeve is preferably made of concentric layers of resilient and strength imparting material and has a hollow core aligned with the elongated axis of the tube. Lag bolts extend from inside the core of the sleeve, through the sleeve and wall of the tube into a wooden 2.times.4 within the tube. Also, lag bolts extend from inside the core of the sleeve, through the sleeve and into a piling. In this way, the tube is attached to the sleeve which is in turn attached to the piling. A seal and a cap with a vent are attached to the bottom and top of the tube respectively.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for setting a deck structure or other marine superstructure using a barge mounted cantilevered support structure. The cantilevered support structure is attached at one end of a floating vessel. The cantilevered support structure extends past the edge of the vessel and, in one embodiment, includes means for rotating parallel support members about the deck of the floating vessel permitting the cantilevered support structure to be raised and lowered while it remains substantially parallel with the top of the offshore platform enabling the superstructure to engage the top of a previously installed offshore platform in a synchronized manner. Alternatively, this superstructure may be aligned directly over the platform. A cantilevered drilling rig is then aligned over the cantilevered support structure and used to lift the deck structure or marine superstructure, permitting the vessel and cantilevered support structure to move.

Abstract: A lift shovel attachment adapted for detachable mounting on a vehicle is disclosed. The attachment includes a support adapted for detachable pivoted mounting on the undercarriage or frame of a vehicle. The support is mounted to a generally "U"-shaped support frame which includes a pair of spacedly mounted arms. A shovel having a bottom pair of spacedly mounted upstanding sidewalls and a laterally extending backwall is mounted in the frame by means of pivoted connections between each arm and a respective sidewall. The frame includes a laterally-extending shelf which extends beneath the shovel bottom and serves as a support therefor. A fluid pressure cylinder is mounted to the support and to the shovel backwall and is adapted to incline that shovel by pivoting the shovel about its respective pivot mountings on the frame.

Abstract: A retaining wall system which provides landscape terraces on the face of the structure. The multi-tier retaining wall system uses a plurality of tieback counterfort elements in conjunction with wall panels specifically aligned to produce terraces for landscaping. The design offers a high degree of flexibility in the sizing and spacing of the tieback/counterfort elements so as to meet site specific geometric and geotechnical conditions while using standard precast concrete components or other materials.

Abstract: A snowplow mounting apparatus for use on trucks and the like is provided in which a pair of clam-shell plates are mounted on the front of the truck in place of the usual bumper. The plates are pivotally joined together at the top. The removed bumper is mounted on the outer plate of the clam-shell and the actuating hydraulic cylinder is mounted within the clam-shell where it is fully protected. The plow blade is mounted on the outer clam-shell with a quick disconnect feature and a pair of cam surfaces is mounted on the inside of the clam-shell plates. The hydraulic cylinder through cam followers cooperatively engaging said cam surfaces force the plates apart about the pivot point of the clam-shell which raises the plow from engagement with the surface being plowed.

Abstract: A boltless U-shaped holding clamp for wedgedly clamping cutting teeth to scarifier shanks of earth moving equipment. The clamp includes a first receiving channel having inclined bearing surfaces for engaging locking grooves of the snout of the scarifier shank, and a second receiving channel defined by a flat portion of the shank and the U-shaped member to receive an elongated cutting tooth of constant transverse cross section. The U-shaped clamp member is formed of a material having a certain modulus of elasticity to provide a resilient wedging force between the clamp and shank so as to absorb impact and vibrational forces applied to the tooth under load conditions, while the tooth material is a substantially hardened material for providing good wear resistance. The clamp is designed to translate substantially all of the clamp-to-shank wedging force to a frictional contact force between the tooth and the clamp, which in turn, develops a frictional contact force between the tooth and the shank.