Abstract: The present invention provides a support sleeve for supporting an internal pipeline apparatus in a pipeline. The sleeve is provided with a number of deformable splines around its circumference which keep the pipeline apparatus centralized in the pipeline during operation. The leading edges of the splines have chamfers so that, when the sleeve encounters a reduction in the diameter of the pipeline, the splines deform in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. It this way, less force is required to move the apparatus and sleeve through a portion of pipeline of reduced diameter than is the case with conventional disc supports.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus, method and system for supporting risers in a floating platform. The apparatus comprises a table disposed above a hull-top surface, a first riser opening in the table, and a first dedicated riser tensioner attached to the table and disposed about the first riser opening. The apparatus further comprises a second riser opening, and a second dedicated riser tensioner attached to the table and disposed about the second riser opening. The method comprises tensioning a first riser with a first dedicated riser tensioner, and tensioning a second riser with a second dedicated riser tensioner, wherein the first dedicated riser tensioner is responsive to the second dedicated riser tensioner. The system comprises a mechanism for tensioning a first and a second riser, wherein the mechanism for tensioning the first riser is responsive to the second riser.

Abstract: A portable wall section for incorporation in a mine stopping or for use as a mine permanent stopping or seal form, comprising vertically extensible panels secured in side-by-side relation, a stopping installed in a mine, a stopping system utilizing one or more of said sections, and methods of installing the stopping and form.

Abstract: A portable child's bed is a bassinet hangably suspended from a pair of frame members. The bassinet includes a pair of opposing sidewalls that have a seam which allows for the sidewalls to inwardly pivot and then fold so as to allow for the compaction of the bassinet unit. The bassinet also includes a plurality of storage pockets capable of holding such infant-care related items such as diapers, powder, ointments, small blankets, towelettes, formula, feeding bottles and many other related items. The bassinet may also include a canopy for shielding the infant's head while resting or sleeping. The frame members include a telescoping strut which extendably expands or contracts within a strut housing. The telescoping strut and strut housing are in fluid communication and connected by a rotatable joint having an anterior and posterior sleeve to accommodate the pair of frames.

Abstract: A retaining wall system for stabilizing an earthen wall. The retaining wall system comprises a plurality of face panels, a plurality of anchor mesh panels, and a plurality of connecting pins. The face panels each comprise a wall portion and at least one connecting portion. Each connecting portion defines a void system comprising at least one third passageway that intersects the mesh opening. In use, the face panels are stacked in a plurality of vertically spaced rows with openings between vertically spaced wall portions. The anchor mesh panels are buried within the earthen wall with a portion of one of the anchor mesh panels inserted into each of the mesh openings. Connecting pins are inserted into one of the third passageways and one of the mesh openings to connect the anchor mesh panels to the face panels. The earthen wall is accessible through the gaps or openings defined by the wall portions.

Abstract: A submarine apparatus is laid undersea by a submarine-cable laying device. The submarine apparatus comprises a cylindrical body performing a signal processing, a conical boot arranged at each of both ends of the body so as to fix an end of a submarine cable, and a gimbal joint provided on each of both ends of the body so as to support an end of an arm portion extending from the boot. The diameter of an end of the boot is smaller than a diameter of each of both ends of the body. A spacer mechanism is provided between the body and the boot so as to occupy a part of a space therebetween.

Abstract: A protective wall assembly (8) for protecting an embankment (6) to prevent scouring of the embankment (6) during high water flows such as experienced in floods or tidal waves. The protective wall assembly (8) comprises a plurality of block assemblies (10) each having a body (11), a top surface (30), and a bottom surface (32). Each block assembly (10) further includes four side faces (34,34a,34b,34c) interconnected by four intermediate faces (13,13a,13b,13c) to define an eight-sided body. Each intermediate face (13,13a,13b,13c) has a bore (21,22) extending perpendicularly thereinto. A first connecting device (42) engages the bores (21,22) in a first pair of intermediate faces (13,13b) of a first pair of block assemblies (10A,10C). The length of one (21) of the bores (21,22) is different than a length of the other of the bores (21,22). The protective wall assembly (8) provides an environmentally friendly structure harmonized with the surrounding scenery.

Abstract: A wave dissipating concrete block for covering an inclined surface facing seaside on a breakwater for the purpose of dissipating waves. The concrete block of the present invention includes a cylindrical body, tapered lump legs projecting from the cylindrical body and branch legs cylindrically projected through a circular base disposed on the cylindrical body. Projections are disposed on the branch legs and extend parallel or perpendicular to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A sewer lining system comprising several components in combination. There is a plurality of longitudinal liner supports and a plurality of arcuate inner supports with each support having a plurality of threaded bolt holes running there through. There is a plurality of arcuate support locks, with a plurality of bolt holes there through. Bolts couple the arcuate inner supports to the arcuate support locks. Spacer pin subassemblies comprise a spacer pin and a pin locking collar and a plurality of locking bolts. Pipe spacers have a flange end and a pipe end. A sewer liner fabricated of a flexible degradation resistant material is formed into a tube configuration.

Abstract: An article adapted to be releasably attached to a bed railing, the article having a housing defining an opening for slidingly receiving a portion of the railing, when the housing is mounted on the railing. The article also has a first pawl movably connected to the housing and arranged to be moved from a retaining position, in which the pawl is adapted to block the opening to prevent removal of the railing from the opening, to a release position to enable removal of the article from the railing member. Further, the article has a spring connected to the housing and bearing against the pawl to bias the pawl towards its retaining position with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A helical pier assembly having a helix mounted on the end of a pier shaft. A pier-cap stabilizer is driven with force down over the pier shaft until the top of the pier meets a stop pin secured in the pier cap. A platform screw jack is placed op top of the pier cap under the footing or foundation. The jack screws are extended down onto the pier cap until the platform jack comes into contact with the bottom of the footing or foundation. The jack screws are turned until the required support contact is achieved between the pier cap stabilizer and the footing or foundation. A bag of concrete is placed between the screw jack and the bottom of the footing to prepare the footing.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame, a head portion, a foot portion and a seat portion. The foot portion includes a removable foot section and laterally spaced foot supports configured to define a central opening therebetween. The foot supports are configured to move about a substantially vertical axis and about a substantially horizontal axis. A position adjustment mechanism is provided for locking the foot supports in desired positions relative to the frame. A light assembly is supported by the foot portion. Likewise, calf supports are coupled to the foot supports and are adjustable between storage and use positions. An actuator is provided to move the head portion relative to the seat and foot portions. A release system is coupled to the actuator to facilitate rapid lowering of the head portion of the patient support.

Abstract: Compacted granular or stone columns are constructed in soil to increase the load-bearing capacities or drainage capabilities of the native soil. A vibratory probe is penetrated down into the soil to the desired depth. As the probe is incrementally withdrawn, the cavity is filled with granular material that is compacted in place by the probe. Granular material is transported directly to the tip of the probe through a transfer pipe running along the length of the probe. A material container located at the top of the probe mechanism contains the granular material that feeds the transfer pipe. The rate and quantity of flow of the granular material from the material container is visually monitored in real-time by the operator on a closed-circuit television monitor so that the construction process can continue uninterrupted and the operator can adjust the contents of the material container according to the in situ soil response.

Abstract: A portable cofferdam and method for use in stabilizing the subsurface of box culvert structures. The portable cofferdam is inserted inside the tubular section of large box culverts, which are often used as road crossings over streams, creeks and small rivers. The portable cofferdam is designed as a chamber having an open top end and open bottom end with a floor seal to engage against the box culvert floor. Once inside the culvert, the chamber floor seal is compressed against the culvert floor by an expansion device which extends against the culvert ceiling. Once a proper seal is created against the culvert floor, the chamber is dewatered. With the culvert floor exposed, a hole can be drilled through the culvert floor bottom and grout or other hard curing material is pumped into the subsurface void for stabilization of the box culvert structure.

Abstract: A floating slat frame adapted to provide additional flexibility within mattress foundations of various configurations. The floating slat frame is constructed for attachment to a core assembly, and has a series of slats in a first plane, at least some of which are resiliently supported relative to a second series of slats in a second plane.

Abstract: A method and a working machine (1) for the laying of wires (2) and/or infrastructures, wherein the steps of excavation (S) to execute an excavation (S) having a depth and width in accordance with the type of wire (2), of laying the wire (2) inside said excavation (S) and filling up said excavation (S) are executed without interruptions, through the use of just one working machine (1). The machine comprises a milling tool (12) to excavate a bench consolidating device (8), laying device (6) including a feeding duct (19), and filling device (7) including a tank (23) and injector device (24) to inject a semifluid material, for example concrete, into the bench.

Abstract: The watercraft ramp has a watercraft-supporting assembly with a water end and a shore end. It is formed of a laterally spaced pair of U-shaped rails equipped with hull-supporting roller wheels mounted in the U-shape. A transverse footprint brace is mounted under the rails at the water end and a transverse footprint stabilizer bar is mounted under the rails at the shore end. A winch support beam is mounted to the stabilizer bar so as to upward cantilever out beyond the shore end of the rails in an angular relationship closer to parallel than perpendicular to the rails. The components in unassembled condition can be shipped and then assembled by a customer-user.

Abstract: A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a base, and spaced side walls, a weir in the base at the inlet end of the channel, and at least one bed form in the channel downstream of the weir. The bed form has an upwardly inclined upstream face extending downstream of the leading end, an upper portion, and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to the trailing end. A primary flow path for water extends over the weir and bed form. A secondary flow passageway extends through the bed form, with a first end adjacent the trailing end of the bed form, and a second end in the bed form upstream of the first end.

Abstract: A horizontally pivoted structurally rigid buoyant flood gate, in a housing for the gate arranged in front of an opening to a construction, is pivotally floated out of the housing by rising water entering a portal to the housing, and rotates buoyantly upward toward the opening, rising between two side walls longitudinal to the opening and separated from each other by little more than the side-to-side distance of the gate, allowing little water through any gap separating the gate from the side walls, which preferably is sealed by a compression seal, the hydrostatic pressure of water dammed behind the rising gate urging completed closure of the gate through at least the upper half of the closing arc, pressing the gate sealingly against the jambs.

Abstract: An opening in a fabric geotextile tube is closed by clamping a backing member and friction enhancer on the inside of the geotextile tube to a friction enhancer and support on the outside of the geotextile tube. The friction enhancers reduce slippage between the fabric and the backing member on the inside of the tube and between the fabric and the support on the outside of the tube. The backing member is larger than the opening. In one embodiment, the backing member is inserted into the opening by providing a slit ring backing member, inserting the fabric through the slit and then rotating the ring and advancing the ring into the geotextile tube. In another embodiment, the backing member is inserted through the opening in segments. In another embodiment, an inlet assembly is provided by the support. In another embodiment of the invention, a connection is made to the geotextile tube for securing a UV protective cover to the geotextile tube.