Patents Examined by Nile C. Byers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4457645
    Abstract: A pavement breaking apparatus having variable impact force for fracturing concrete to a size and pattern specification without distorting the material. The apparatus includes at least one spring pack connected between a leaf spring housing and an impact tool holder. The housing is connected to a vehicle for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis. Further, the housing is connected to the vehicle for movement about a vertical axis thereby permitting lateral swinging movement of the spring pack and tool holder. The spring pack includes a plurality of stacked leaf springs with a centrally located main leaf spring extending full length between the housing and tool holder. First and second groups of leaf springs having variable lengths are stacked together on opposite sides of the main spring. The spring pack further includes third and fourth groups of leaf springs positioned on opposite sides of the main spring between the main spring and the first and second groups of springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Wolverine Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Klochko
  • Patent number: 4453856
    Abstract: A self-propelled pavement lane apparatus comprising a radial-frequency microwave generator extending across one lane of the roadway having an antenna with a slotted waveguide directed toward the roadway for heating a lane-wide stretch of the roadway. A ripping device is provided behind the microwave generator to rip up pavement which was heated by the microwave generator. A screw conveyor conveys the heated and ripped pavement inwardly toward a central axis of the apparatus where it is fed by a chute to a mixing chamber containing counter-rotating mixing blades. Fresh bituminous binder and/or filler may be added to the mixing chamber to be mixed with the ripped pavement which is then discharged from the mixing chamber by a second screw conveyor, to be distributed across the lane. Following the second screw conveyor is a finished plate for initially compacting the refinished surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Autostrade-Concessioni e Costruzioni Autostrade S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Chiostri, Pierluigi Ceseri
  • Patent number: 4441761
    Abstract: A mining apparatus which is adapted to be connected to a sectioned powered auger conveyor assembly and driven by the central shaft of the auger is constructed with its housing divided into a cutting section and an attachment section. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the cutting section and a transmission is mounted to the drive shaft, the transmission being adapted to receive an input shaft having one end coupled to the auger central shaft so that the auger shaft will turn the input shaft and drive the shaft through the transmission. A plurality of cutting arms are rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and are pivotally rotated around the drive shaft by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders to move the arms which carry an axle mounted therein on which cutting drums are mounted enabling the cutting drums to cut material from a seam of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Inventors: Rush F. Fields, Buddy D. Fields
  • Patent number: 4440520
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing an ice aggregate structure, such as a road, at all sub-freezing temperatures likely to be encountered at high latitudes, including below -45.degree. F. Initially, ice is mined, crushed and then stripped of substantially all "fines", i.e., ice particles smaller than approximately 0.1 inch. The resulting crushed ice aggregate is then distributed and placed to the desired grade without requiring surface work or compaction. The upper thickness of the crushed ice aggregate is then bonded by spraying heated water thereon during single or multiple passes. Apparatus is provided to prevent evaporative cooling of the spray water prior to its contact with the crushed ice surface, which preferably comprises an enclosure or flexible skirt which extends around the spray nozzles downwardly to the ice aggregate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Edwin N. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4439056
    Abstract: For progressively breaking-in-place concrete of roadways or the like, a vertically extending diesel power driver, of a type used as a pile driver, but with a concrete-breaking shoe forming its lower end, is advanced by a towed chassis. Guide angles at the upper portion of the power driver, cooperating with a guide bar vertically disposed, guide the power driver in its conventional rythmic bobbing, with sufficient looseness to permit the power driver to have a pendulum like swinging action. This swinging action results from relatively intermittent movement of the bottom portion of the power driver while the top portion is advanced more steadily by the chassis. Shoe-towing means extend forwardly from the shoe to a hanging link which is resiliently biased forwardly to tow the shoe. The biasing is provided by long-throw cushions. The forwardly extending shoe-towing means is flexible, to prevent damage when the shoe is driven deeply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Pettibone Corporation
    Inventors: Clair H. Reilly, Robert M. Reilly
  • Patent number: 4435107
    Abstract: The traffic delineator assembly of the present invention is comprised of a elongated resiliently flexible delineator member, an anchor post, and a rigid pilot plate. The pilot plate is attached at the upper end of the anchor post and the lower end of the flexible delineator member is attached to the pilot plate with its lower edge lying adjacent the lower edge of the pilot plate so that when the anchor post and pilot plate are driven into the ground or road surface, the bottom end of the delineator member follows the bottom edge of the pilot plate into the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Franklin Steel Company
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 4432119
    Abstract: In a seat belt buckle comprising a housing, an opening in the housing adapted to receive a cooperating tongue having a locking portion, a locking member provided in the housing for locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue when the tongue is inserted into the opening, and releasing mechanism for releasing the locking member from locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue, the improvement comprising:the releasing mechanism being comprised of(a) an electrically energizable actuator; and(b) a connector in contact with the actuator and the locking member, the connector being movable upon energization and deenergization of the actuator;the locking member being movable in response to movement of the connector between a first position at which the locking member is in locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue and a second position at which the locking member is out of locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: O. Jay Schwark, Yogendra S. Loomba
  • Patent number: 4431335
    Abstract: This application relates to a method for quickly and efficiently filling a pothole in a road surface, utilizing a mixture of fly ash and water which hardens into a compact mass capable of supporting vehicular traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Inventor: Thomas W. Evans
  • Patent number: 4425051
    Abstract: This invention discloses a simple, fast, inexpensive method of restoring skid friction to worn asphalt or concrete pavement surfaces. This is achieved by traversing the pavement with a smooth heavy cylindrical vibratory roller of the type used in earth compactors at a speed and vibration amplitude less than that it takes to materially chip away the surface structure. The result is a material improvement in skid friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Inventor: Bob M. Gallaway
  • Patent number: 4423979
    Abstract: Expansion and cast-in retainer dams for sealing pavement joints against intrusion of water, dirt, etc., into the joint space, said dams utilizing a pair of extruded steel or aluminum frames on opposite sides of the joint and a continuous elastomer strip spanning the joint and interlocked along its opposite edges in slotted longitudinal openings in the frames by a bead of triangular cross-section on each edge of the strip, the frames each having elongated solid metal zones above and below the slotted openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: The D. S. Brown Company
    Inventor: Delmont D. Brown
  • Patent number: 4423980
    Abstract: Dump-truck mounted apparatus for repairing asphalt comprises a truck engine which drives first and second hydraulic pumps located on the truck chassis. One pump supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to operate a lift cylinder which raises and lowers the dump truck box, to operate hydraulic tools and to drive a hydraulic motor which drives an emulsion pump for expelling liquid emulsion from an emulsion storage tank which are located on a cabinet detachably mounted on the dump truck box. The other pump supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to operate a hydraulic motor on the cabinet which, in turn, drives an air compressor on the cabinet to charge a compressed air tank on the cabinet for supplying pneumatic tools. Reeled hoses are provided for supplying hydraulic fluid and compressed air to their respective tools and for supplying emulsion from the storage tank. Engine heat is supplied via a liquid coolant to heaters in the emulsion storage tank and emulsion pump to liquify the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Inventor: Denny F. Warnock
  • Patent number: 4422199
    Abstract: A flexible seal for use in adjustable dockboard unit for sealing the unit against the flow of air therethrough into and/or out of the building in which the dockboard is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Frommelt Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvan J. Frommelt
  • Patent number: 4422795
    Abstract: A compactor which includes two laterally spaced impact rollers on an axle which constrains the rollers to rotate in synchronism. The axle includes a first component which transmits bending moments, and a second component which transfers torsional forces, between the rollers.The spaced impact rollers make it possible to compact embankment edges and increase the stability of the compactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Inventor: Aubrey R. Berrange
  • Patent number: 4421440
    Abstract: The invention relates to the lining of an excavation with pile planking elements (7,8) placed one above the other, which are displaceable in vertical guide means (5) with the use of barrel-like rollers movable in guiding profiles. The lower pile planking element (8) may be removed after displacement behind the upper pile planking element. For this purpose the vertical guide elements attached to the vertical guide means are arranged in such a way that they are backwards displaceable, for example by means of hingeable levers (24,25). The planking element consists of two parallel flat plates (30,31), which are connected by terminal profiles (32,33) between which spacer elements (40) are present in the form of hat-like prolonged parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignees: Maascom B.V., Laura Metaal B.V.
    Inventor: Joseph G. B. Scheepers
  • Patent number: 4421435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying a thin film of a liquid to a vibratory plate arranged on an edge of a vibratory compactor. The apparatus for applying the thin film of liquid includes a container assembly for holding the liquid adjacent the plate. Liquid is preferably supplied to the container assembly under the influence of gravity. An element for maintaining intimate contact between a thin liquid film and a front surface of the plate as the thin film moves downwardly along the plate surface is arranged within a lower portion of the container assembly. The element is arranged adjacent to an outlet from the container provided along substantially the entire width of the front plate. The thin liquid film flows from the container as a low velocity laminar flow along the surface of the plate in the form of a liquid sheet. The liquid remains in contact with the plate surface due primarily to surface tension as the liquid moves downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Koehring Company
    Inventors: Wayne P. Zemke, Clyde M. Maki, Brian J. Smith
  • Patent number: 4420277
    Abstract: An apparatus for bolting the roof of an underground mine is disclosed comprising a mobile frame, a boom extending from the frame and a housing provided at the end of the frame. The housing supports an upwardly extending stinger, a drilling mechanism including a drill centralizer having a central bore therethrough and a passageway in communication with the central bore, a device for delivering a container of roof bolting anchoring media through the passageway and through the drill centralizer and into a drilled hole, a device for indexing a roof bolt into alignment with the drilled hole and a spinner for driving the roof bolt into the drilled hole. The present invention also provides a method for bolting the roof of an underground mine comprising the steps of stinging a housing against the roof of the mine, moving a drill centralizer into communication with the roof and drilling a hole in the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Joy Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: George A. Hibbard, Ward D. Morrison, Ralph C. Lumbra
  • Patent number: 4417828
    Abstract: A tissue mat protecting against erosion comprising a water-pervious tissue layer provided with anchoring loops. The anchoring loops have the form of a yarn woven across the tissue and protruding from the surface of the tissue. It is possible to use a rugged yarn guaranteeing a satisfactory anchorage to this end. The anchoring loops of the tissue ensure that the mat penetrates into the ground and is thus anchored. It is also possible to anchor concrete blocks of means of the anchoring loops by pouring the concrete on the mat or by pressing it thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Nicolon B.V.
    Inventor: Jan G. de Winter
  • Patent number: 4413369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to means for the lap joint connection of two bridge elements to each other on intrados or extrados, the lower bridge element being capable of becoming the upper element and vice versa. A first bridge element according to the invention has movable fingers (1, 2) which can retract into the structure of the bridge or protrude therefrom into a position in which they cooperated with boreholes (11, 12) in a second bridge element, in which holes they can be locked. This invention may be used for the construction of floating or nonfloating bridges of any length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Etat Francais
    Inventors: Michel E. Terrien, Claude Bouvet
  • Patent number: 4412757
    Abstract: A material compacting vibration machine provided with an imbalanced system having coaxial first and second independently rotatable shafts carrying first and second drive elements and a pair of unbalanced masses having third and fourth drive elements secured thereto with driving connections between the first and third drive elements and between the second and fourth drive elements, and a drive shaft selectively coupled to the first and second drive elements, wherein the four drive elements all are disposed on one side of the imbalanced system and are shielded by a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Delmag-Maschinenfabrik Reinhold Dornfeld GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Friedrich Kummel, Rudolf Hennecke, Manfred Schubert, Ludwig Unrath
  • Patent number: 4411554
    Abstract: A material spreader and bridge is described including a pair of spaced-apart wheeled frames having an elongated horizontally disposed bridge secured to and extending therebetween. A hopper assembly is movably mounted on the bridge and includes an apparatus for moving the hopper assembly between the ends of the bridge. The hopper assembly comprises a pair of hoppers which are positioned on opposite sides of the bridge and which are designed to spread material on a surface therebelow as the hopper assembly is moved between the ends of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Inventor: Edward P. Gratzfeld