Abstract: A pipe float is configured for receiving a pipe therein and providing buoyancy for maintaining the pipe along the surface of a body of water. The pipe float has an inner surface presenting a central passage adapted for receiving the pipe, the inner surface including a plurality of preferably substantially planar, longitudinally extending panels which provide a continuous inner surface. Adjacent panels are angularly oriented relative to one another, and the pipe float is preferably provided as a plurality of pipe float sections assembled together whereby one panel of a pipe float section is preferably oriented at an obtuse angle to an adjacent panel of that pipe float section. The panels may be of different transverse dimensions whereby the passage has a greater transverse dimension G which is substantially greater than a smaller transverse dimension S, with the outer diameter D of the pipe received in the passage being of a value equal to or smaller than G and greater than or equal to S.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground. The pile has a wall with an inner surface. The apparatus is positionable within the pile. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior and a plurality of apertures. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions slidably extending through the apertures of the housing. The protrusions are moveable outwards from the housing for selectively deforming portions of the wall of the pile and creating anchor knobs in the pile upon pressurized hydraulic fluid being applied to the interior of the housing. The apparatus includes a plurality of support members extending outwardly from the housing. The support members are shaped to selectively abut and support the inner surface of the wall of the pile when the anchor knobs are being formed.

Abstract: An underpinning pile assembly has a first pile with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a second pile having a first portion and a second portion in which the first portion has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the second portion, and a ring affixed around the first portion of the second steel pipe. The ring has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the second portion of the second steel pipe. The ring is releasably positioned over the first portion of the second steel pipe. A cable is affixed within an interior of the first steel pipe so as to extend through the interior of the second steel pipe. A plurality of additional steel pipes can be arranged in stacked relation upon an end of the second steel pipe opposite the first steel pipe.

Abstract: An automatic pitch control system for riding power trowels enables a user to control and automatically adjust trowel blade pitch and height for concrete finishing. The disclosed system provides for blade pitch of separate rotor assemblies to be adjusted independently of one another or synchronously. The disclosed system also provides for a mode of operation that allows the user to completely flatten trowel blades for panning.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier system comprises a housing, substantially vertical members, a barrier member, and an actuation assembly. The barrier member is coupled with the substantially vertical members. The barrier member is configured to stop a moving vehicle when the substantially vertical members are in a raised position relative to the housing. The actuation assembly is operable to selectively raise and lower the substantially vertical members relative to the housing to selectively deploy and retract the barrier member relative to the housing. The actuation assembly comprises a powered rotary actuator mounted to the barrier member. The actuation assembly is operable to convert rotary motion from the rotary actuator into linear movement of the barrier member. A counterweight provides opposing mass and vertical motion relative to the barrier member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security barrier, and a method for operation thereof. The security barrier (10) comprising a support (12) and a barrier member (30) movable relative to the support between a stowed position and a deployed position. The support (12) having an upper part (22) for positioning substantially at ground level (106). The barrier member (30) being rotatably mounted relative to the support (12) such that an axis of rotation (76) of the barrier member (30) is above the upper part (22).

Abstract: A cable bolt includes a multi-strand cable segment constructed from steel wire strands, and a drive head. A compressible porous backer rod is placed along cable segment adjacent the drive head. A tubing portion provides a conduit for liquid grout injected under pressure into the bore hole. Tubing portion includes discharge holes that may be predrilled through the wall of the tubing portion. The holes provide a predetermined distribution path for the liquefied grout that is injected into the bore hole. Discharge holes may be evenly dispersed longitudinally along the wall, or distributed to provide a desired, unequal distribution of grout. Distribution holes may be larger at the top of the tubing, or may be distributed adjacent to the top of tubing portion to allow greater cross-sectional flow of grout from the tubing to compensate for factors that restrict grout flow nearer the top.

Abstract: A system and method for securely cradling a subsea pipeline is claimed that lands on one side of the pipeline, is embedded into the sea floor, reaches under the pipeline, positions the cradling structure, and then lifts the pipeline. The system typically comprises a gravity driven pile based device, comprising a pile tower, a roller carriage assembly, and a jacking assembly that engages the roller carriage assembly and pile tower rails.

Abstract: A method of temporarily supporting a soil mass susceptible to slide at a scarp slope bounding the soil mass includes advancing a supporting wall in an advancing direction along the scarp slope; and, in addition to the movement in the advancing direction, also moving a surface portion, in direct contact with the soil mass, of the supporting wall, so as to minimize friction between the soil mass and the supporting wall.

Abstract: A floating oil containment boom is comprised of boom sections connected end to end. Each boom section is of a tubular member or pipe section. The pipe or tubular member is buoyant, either closed at its ends and/or filled with foam or other buoyant material. Plates extend above and below the tubular member or pipe section for each section of boom. A specially configured connecter joins each boom section to the other, the connecter extending above and below the pipe or tubular member. An elastomeric block forms an interface between connectors on each boom section while simultaneously sealing the area between boom sections to flow of oil.

Abstract: A method of installing an edging system for a unit pavement system includes positioning a paver-contacting surface of an edge restraint against an edge of a unit pavement system including a plurality of paver units, and driving a plate-like stake in a generally horizontal direction underneath at least one paver unit of the plurality of paver units and into a granular material layer upon which the unit pavement system is supported such that the plate-like stake is operatively connected with the edge restraint. The edge restraint includes a horizontal section and a vertical section joined at a corner. The vertical section extends upwardly from and generally perpendicular to the horizontal section. An edging system for a unit pavement system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A watercraft lift with hydraulically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional boat or other watercraft cover on a powerboat or other watercraft. Control logic allows for cover operation only when the lift is raised, and has a single control for both the lift and cover system. A spring-tensioned roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The roller is hidden behind the watercraft when in a “cover-on” position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rehabilitating an underground water conduit having at least one service entrance including a plug having a light emitter which is responsive to the presence of an electromagnetic field, wherein the at least one service entrance is plugged with the plug and a semi-transparent membrane lining the internal surface of the underground water conduit thereby covering the plug. A drilling head is disposed on a body moveable within the underground water conduit, the drill head having a drill bit and a coil inductor concentric with the drill bit. The coil inductor is adapted to generate an electromagnetic field near the drilling head, wherein the light emitter of the plug is adapted to be turned on by the electromagnetic field emitted by the coil inductor to allow visual alignment of the drill bit with the light emitted by the light emitter through the semi-transparent membrane.

Abstract: A concrete floor leveling device includes a transmission device and a power source is located in a body and connected to wheels which are connected to the body. A connection unit is connected to the body and a blade is connected to the body by the connection unit. The power source outputs a stable power to drive the blade to level the concrete floor and to ensure that the blade levels the concrete floor with even force.

Abstract: A load bearing pile arrangement comprising a plurality of load bearing construction pile assemblies. Each comprises a pile provided with a support manifold at an upper end thereof. Each pile includes an outer tube and an inner tube between which, when the assembly is in use, provides a pathway for fluid pumped from above and down through the inner tube to a vortex manifold where the fluid swirls before passing upwards between the inner tube and the outer tube. The fluid also swirls as it passes upwards between the tubes and by at least one collar comprising an annular ring fixedly mounted on the tube the ring having helices, which cause the fluid to continue swirling as it passes upwards between the tubes and. In use, the load bearing pile arrangement can be used to recover heat from the surrounding ground; store heat in the surrounding ground; or, to store coolth, especially in a desert locality.

Abstract: A foundation for structures, with a combination of pile-like support elements (11) and a load distribution layer (12) which is arranged above the support elements and has an incorporated three-dimensional honeycomb structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination ramp and gate that is releasably securable to a truck bed using a three point adjustable attachment system with carabineers, with two of the three carabineers being partially concealed. The combination ramp and gate is lightweight and when collapsed into a closed position, the sections of the combination ramp and gate are coplanar for easy storage and portability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hat-type steel sheet pile whose economic efficiency, workability, and integrity are all optimized. In the hat-type steel sheet pile according to the present invention, web portions are continuously formed at both ends of an upper flange portion, and lower flange portions are formed at respective end portions of a pair of web portions. A relationship among geometrical moment of inertia I per 1 m of wall width (cm4/m) when forming a steel sheet pile wall, weight per unit wall area W (kg/m2), penetration resistance R, and web angle ? (°) is set to satisfy one of several expression groups.

Abstract: A hazardous spill ground containment system having a plurality portable metal frame sections. The frame sections are used to create an angular shaped containment frame received over various types of ground surfaces. The frame sections can be made to different lengths and heights and are used for holding in place a heavy duty liner on top of the ground surface. The liner is adapted for receiving various types of equipment, tanks and containers holding toxic chemicals and the like hazardous materials. The metal frame sections include an elongated, metal, A-shaped lower frame member and an elongated, metal, Z-shaped upper frame member for receiving and holding a side of the liner securely in place.

Abstract: An improved variable width screed device that attaches to an industrial vehicle, such as an excavator, having a push blade and controlled arm mechanism. The position of the controlled arm mechanism determines the width of the screed. The screed width can be instantaneously adjusted along a spectrum of widths by modifying the radial position of the controlled arm mechanism.