Abstract: A porous pavement construction formed from environmental porous pavement materials is formed with a number of aqueduct channels located underneath the pavement surface, so that water can percolate downward into the pavement and enter the channels. Methods of forming this pavement structure are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and applying a novel pavement and patch material for roadways, driveways, walkways, patch for potholes and like surfaces, including the steps of reducing recycled asphalt roof waste to granules, adding aggregate and other solid recyclable materials to the granules, adding rejuvenating oil, adding emulsifier, adding asphalt concrete oil, adding anti-strip additives, adding liquid silicone, mixing the composition, heating the composition, applying the composition to the roadway or the like and compacting a new paving material.

Abstract: A screeding assembly and method is disclosed for spreading, grading, consolidating and smoothing loose or plastic material such as poured, uncured concrete when the assembly moved over an area of the material. The assembly includes a rotatable auger to move the material laterally across the path of travel, a vibratory screed positioned behind the auger to smooth and finish the material, and an elongated engaging member reciprocated laterally across the path at a position between the auger and vibratory screed to facilitate consolidation of the material. Preferably, a plow/striker is positioned in front of the auger to and remove excess material. The assembly may be mounted on a self-propelled vehicle or other support on a boom for moving the assembly over the material, and is preferably controlled by a laser beam responsive elevation control. A kit for attaching the reciprocating engaging member to an existing screed assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An aggregate spreader for spreading a layer of loose aggregate onto a road surface includes a first hopper for receiving the loose aggregate, a plurality of gates or other suitable means associated with the first hopper for dispensing the loose aggregate onto the road surface, a plurality of sensors or other suitable means for sensing characteristics of the road surface, and an electronic controller or other means responsive to the sensors or sensing means and operably associated with the gates or dispensing means for controlling the placement of the layer of loose aggregate onto the road surface. In the preferred embodiment, each of the gates is independently controllable by an associated actuator, and the electronic controller is in electronic communication with the sensing means and in electronic communication with the plurality of actuators for controlling the placement of the layer of loose aggregate onto the road surface by independently controlling each gate of the plurality of gates.

Abstract: A marker post having a breachable coating for providing a visual indication of the presence of an object, with the marker post comprised of glass fibers supported in a resin containing a secondary pigment to provide an internal color to the marker post, and with the breachable coating containing an ultraviolet blocking agent, with the breachable coating having a principle pigment of a color that is the same or substantially the same color as the secondary pigment in the resin so that in the event the breachable coating having the principle color pigment is breached, the underlying secondary pigment in the resin will be visible through the breached coating so that a viewer observing the marker post from a distance will see the marker post as one color even though two distinct surfaces of the marker post are exposed.

Abstract: A roadway structure comprising from top to bottom:a top layer,at least one rigid foundation layer having a high modulus of rigidity and supporting the top layer,the ground, or an untreated material or a damaged roadway, andin addition particularly having an under layer beneath and adhered to the foundation layer, which under layer has a thickness such that it constitutes a support with a smooth and flat surface for the foundation layer laid thereon.

Abstract: A bridge deck (10) is supported by tensile supports (11 and 12) and stabilized to reduce the overall aerodynamic lift on the deck (10) by the addition of aerofoil stabilizers (19 and 20) pivotally secured about respective axes (21) generally longitudinal of the deck (10). The stabilizers (19 and 20) are driven by a mechanism (21 to 26) operable by angular movement between the deck (10) and the tensile supports (11 and 12) to articulate the stabilizers (19 and 20) to a position which will generate a force, in the presence of a cross wind, to reduce the overall aerodynamic lift on the deck (10).

Abstract: Machine for the selective harvest of berries, for example, machine for gathering grapes, of the type having a shaking system constituted by two berry picking assemblies each having a plurality of superposed gathering arms, characterized in that said shaking system is coupled to at least one driving electro-hydraulic device including at least one hydraulic jack controlled by a servovalve or by a proportional solenoid valve controlled by a microprocessor electronic control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising a component of an underground sprinkler including a hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source normally associated with an underground sprinkler system, and operably connected to a base of the underground sprinkler. The hydraulic pressure provided by the pressurized fluid source is used to drive the hydraulic actuator and adjust the level of the base of the underground sprinkler within the ground. In a particular embodiment, the hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder and a wand in fluid communication with the pressurized water source. The wand is inserted into the ground around the sprinkler base, thus fluidizing the ground and allowing the operator to more easily move the sprinkler base.

Abstract: A screeding assembly and method is disclosed for spreading, grading, consolidating and smoothing loose or plastic material such as poured, uncured concrete when the assembly moved over an area of the material. The assembly includes a rotatable auger to move the material laterally across the path of travel, a vibratory screed positioned behind the auger to smooth and finish the material, and an elongated engaging member reciprocated laterally across the path at a position between the auger and vibratory screed to facilitate consolidation of the material. Preferably, a plow/striker is positioned in front of the auger to and remove excess material. The assembly may be mounted on a self-propelled vehicle or other support on a boom for moving the assembly over the material, and is preferably controlled by a laser beam responsive elevation control. A kit for attaching the reciprocating engaging member to an existing screed assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A pneumatic fumes collection system for an auger-type distributing device that spreads hot asphalt behind a mobile paver includes a rotatable auger shaft extending horizontally above a surface being paved and laterally to a longitudinal centerline axis of the paver. The shaft includes a plurality of auger flights spaced therealong, and can be raised and lowered to a plurality of elevations above the surface being paved. A fumes intake inlet is positioned above, and in a fixed spacial relation to, the auger shaft, whereby the fumes inlet raises and lowers simultaneously with the auger shaft, resulting in an a more uniform fumes collection over a plurality of auger flight elevations. A fumes exhaust fan and exhaust stack are positioned on the paver.

Abstract: An improvement for use with a pier installation apparatus of the type employed in lifting and supporting a foundation is provided. The invention comprises a mounting beam assembly for mounting hydraulic power cylinders in a straddling position around a pier to be driven into the ground by the installation apparatus. The beam assembly is a planar member having a central opening for receiving the pier therethrough. It is comprised of opposing plate members upon which the hydraulic cylinders are mounted. The plate members each have an opening which allows passage through of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder. The mounting beam assembly allows for lateral placement around a pier in the installation apparatus, and may be completely disassembled for quick and efficient installation and removal.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for self-righting a signpost after it has been tipped over comprising a plate for connecting to the signpost and a complementary tray secured to the ground. Most of the apparatus is located below ground out of harm's way. The tray has upturned peripheral edges within which the plate resides. A chain is connected to the plate, extends through a hole in the tray and into the bore of a pipe for connecting to the bottom of a compression spring. When the signpost and plate tip, the plate rotates within the tray, displacing the chain and compressing the spring. Preferably a lip extending over the edge of the plate causes the plate to ride up the edge of the tray, increasing the chain's displacement. The increased tension in the chain urges the plate and signpost to right themselves. The plate and tray are complementary and square shape so that the square sides engage during tipping and prevent rotation of the signpost's orientation when it returns to the upright position.

Abstract: An anti-clogging or anti-bridging mechanism is disclosed which is structurally arranged to engage the nozzle ports in a cutting housing to seal the ports from pulverized road bed material. The mechanism further includes cable members which facilitate movement of the pulverized material through the cutting housing.

Abstract: This invention provides for painting a second coat upon a set of parallel striped lines in exact registration in one pass of a motorized painting vehicle for such applications as painting aircraft taxi stripes at airports. Beads are also registered on one of the lines in the same pass. Provisions are made for maintaining registration about curved lines by steering around curves with a shortened wheelbase vehicle and by extending paint nozzles for striping a plurality of parallel lines, typically a center twelve inch wide yellow line between two six inch wide black lines, outboard from one side of the painting vehicle. The vehicle comprises two four wheeled units articulated together by a universal articulation joint permitting vertical articulation so that the leading and trailing wheels may be lifted off the ground to reduce the wheelbase for steering around curves.

Abstract: The paving system has a perforated pavement covering a deep substrate of mainly hard nodules or shells, the whole being surrounded by impervious walls to provide temporary storage in the interstices for chemical spillage or flood water, wherein liquids may be chemically treated or biologically decomposed, and from whence the rate of outflow may be regulated, the pavement consisting of preformed pavings of brick, concrete or other material, laid edge to edge without mortar or cement, and these pavings can be perforated or notched to allow liquids to run down into the substrate. The pavings are laid on a screen which filters out solid particles to reduce clogging. The system allows biological substances to grow, or be introduced, with or without additional nutrients, and allows chemical treatments to be introduced, from above, when needed. The whole pavement system can be lifted out for cleaning or, substitution, and relaid as new.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for raising and supporting an edge of a foundation includes a lifting saddle slidably received over a pier that is driven into the ground adjacent the edge of the foundation, a bracket supported by the lifting saddle and adapted to be affixed to and to support the foundation, and a load transfer device configured to be supported atop an upper end of the pier. The lifting saddle is connected to the load transfer device by threaded rods slidably received through the load transfer device. The bracket is pivotally connected to the lifting saddle such that the bracket can rock side-to-side, thus self-aligning and remaining aligned with the foundation during a lifting operation. The bracket can also pivot about a vertical axis and can slide in a forward or rearward direction relative to the lifting saddle. The lifting saddle can pivot relative to the pier about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A traffic management system is provided including a primary dispensing post and a banner having an inboard coupled to the primary dispensing post to be dispensed and retracted by way of a crank. The banner has traffic managing indicia positioned thereon. Further, a terminal post is connected to an outboard edge of the banner for maintaining the same upright.

Abstract: A pipeline connection assembly includes a landing platform and rotary or swivel connection hub which may be attached to a pipeline branch, termination, or manifold. The landing platform is mounted so that it may be rotated about the connection hub. This permits the installation of a subsea connection on a near level platform and allows the pipeline to be laid subsea with greater roll angles than would be acceptable otherwise. Orientation of the landing porch horizontally removes the requirement to manufacture the connection jumper to compensate for the roll differences in the hubs. In the preferred construction, the elevation of the platform can be adjusted by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and locked into place once the adjustment is completed.

Abstract: A heated screed assembly (10) for use with a paving machine (12) includes a screed (16). An elastomeric, electrically-powered heating element (36) is carried on the upper surface (28) of the screed. A retaining member (48) is disposed to overly the heating element, whereby the heating element is retained in contact with the upper surface of the screed during operation of the paving machine. Electric power is supplied to the elastomeric heating element by a generator (44).