Abstract: A vibrating concrete screed having a motor driven vibrating shaft in an elongated frame mounts at each end of a single or interconnected plural frames a detachable winching unit driven by the shaft through a fluid motor. The screed may be winched automatically, at varying angles, at different speeds at each end and with the winching units performing a screeding function.

Abstract: A traffic barricade is constructed of disposable material such as cardboard and is formed of a single flat sheet of material formed into separate sheets by folding along a predetermined line. The fold forms a first and second sheet of material, each having a pair of scorelines, the first of which defines a border of a vertical area and the second of which forms a border of a horizontal area when the barricade is erected. The flat sheets each have a sloping surface between the score lines when the barricade is erected. The vertical areas of the two flat sheets formed by the folding of the single flat sheet are permanently secured to each other. The horizontal areas of each of the two flat sheets extend toward one another and one of the horizontal areas extends between the sloping surfaces of the sheets to maintain the sheets in spaced apart relation at the horizontal areas.

Abstract: Pavement (12) is rapidly heated in depth by irradiation with microwave energy accompanied by supplemental surface heating which counteracts an inverted temperature gradient otherwise produced by microwave heating. Energy efficiency is increased by performing the surface heating with thermal energy derived from the exhaust gases of a motor (19) which drives a generator (18) to energize the microwave source (68). An energy applicator (36) simultaneously applies both the microwave energy and hot gas to a selected area of pavement while blocking release of microwave energy in upward and outward directions and is preferably attached to a mobile support (37) through support and positioning linkage (38) which enables shifting of the applicator between localized areas of pavement to be heated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power shift transmission having torque converter, an input shaft driven by the torque converter, a countershaft in continuous driving relation with the input shaft, an output shaft having first, second, and third speed ratios journaled thereon and driven via the countershaft, a reverse speed ratio gear splined to the output shaft and driven via a gear on an idler shaft driven by the countershaft, a first friction clutch mechanism for connecting the first speed ratio gear to the output shaft, a second friction clutch mechanism for connecting the output shaft directly to the input shaft, a blocker-clutch assembly for coupling the second and third speed ratio gears to the output shaft, and an actuator assembly for shifting the blocker-clutch assembly into and out of coupling engagement. The friction clutches are momentarily engageable to relieve driving and coast mode torque on the blocker-clutch and to synchronize the blocker-clutch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power shift transmission having torque converter, an input shaft driven by the torque converter, a countershaft in continuous driving relation with the input shaft, an output shaft having first, second, and third speed ratios journaled thereon and driven via the countershaft, a reverse speed ratio gear splined to the output shaft and driven via a gear on an idler shaft driven by the countershaft, a first friction clutch mechanism for connecting the first speed ratio gear to the output shaft, a second friction clutch mechanism for connecting the output shaft directly to the input shaft, a blocker-clutch assembly for coupling the second and third speed ratio gears to the output shaft, and an actuator assembly for shifting the blocker-clutch assembly into and out of coupling engagement. The friction clutches are momentarily engageable to relieve driving and coast mode torque on the blocker-clutch and to synchronize the blocker-clutch.

Abstract: Asphaltic concrete constituents (13) or the like deposited in a windrow (14a) along a surface (12) to be paved are molded into a preliminary narrow layer (14b) of greater height than the final layer (14d) of pavement to be formed on the surface and are then heated by directing microwave energy into the preliminary layer. The heated preliminary layer is then spread out to form the final thinner layer of paving material for smoothing and compaction. Molding means (37) for the preliminary layer and microwave heating means (38) may be carried on a vehicle (16) which travels along the windrow. The vehicle may also carry mixing, spreading and compaction means (39, 92, 89) or some or all of these elements may be on a separate paver vehicle.

Abstract: A fine grader for fine grading the surface of the subgrade on which fresh concrete is to be poured to form a uniformly level surface for receiving freshly poured concrete is formed by coupling together a fine grader attachment with a vibratory screed. The screed includes first and second ends and first and second end brackets which are coupled to the first and second ends of the screed frame. A winch is coupled to each end bracket for translating the screed along the length of the side forms. The fine grader attachment for the screed includes a fine grader blade, a series of brackets coupled to the screed frame and to the fine grader blade for maintaining the blade in a grading position below and in front of the screed.

Abstract: Flexible elongate web structures with reflective faces are fixed on opposing ends of a support arm which is centrally mounted over a highway barrier. Appropriate geometric structure and material selection provide a non-destructive bending response for the respective web structures during vehicle impact and provide for restoration to original orientation. The support or mounting arm is formed of polymer material having sufficient rigidity to support the web structure during static conditions and sufficient compliance and flexibility to bend and twist during the vehicle impact.

Abstract: A manhole tent including a substantially planar sheet-like portion for placement in contiguous relationship to the ceiling of a manhole, an opening in the sheet-like portion, a chimney attached to the sheet-like portion and leading to the opening for permitting ingress and egress of personnel into a manhole, and grommets in the edges of the sheet-like portion for receiving ties for securing the manhole tent in position.

Abstract: An automatic transmission with a torque converter for use with an internal combustion engine in which the ignition timing is changed over to an advancing timing region or a retarding timing region in response to the operating condition of the engine. Two different speed shifting characteristics are provided in response to whether the ignition timing is in the advancing timing region or in the retarding timing region. In addition, the two speed shifting characteristics are changed over to each other according to the two ignition timing characteristics.

Abstract: A releasable clasp for a necklace or the like wherein a rigid housing having an open end houses a tubular holder of flexible material with a transverse web having a hole therethrough adjacent the open housing end. Also included is a shaft of rigid material having an enlarged head at one end thereof which is sized so that the shaft head can pass through the hole in the web with the application of a predetermined joining force and can be withdrawn therefrom only upon application of a pre-established withdrawal force. The housing and holder together form a first clasp part, while the shaft constitutes a second clasp part. The shaft may be twisted to detent into a locking position.

Abstract: A sealing system and method for sealing an expansion joint in a roadway gap. Channel-shaped members are mounted at each side of the joint. A seal having a bead at each side is sealingly clamped by a retainer bar against the channel member to provide a seal across the roadway gap. The retainer bar is maintained in a clamping position against the seal bead by retainer plates and by a keeper pin which overlies the bar. The bar is forced downwardly into sealing engagement with the bead to permit positioning of the keeper pin over the retainer bar to hold it in clamping and sealing engagement.

Abstract: This invention provides for an apparatus and method for prestressing concrete. The apparatus includes a tendon with a tensionable peripheral member and core members that can be releasably latched against the peripheral member in tension or compression. Methods are provided for constructing prestressed concrete slabs for joining the slabs to form a prestressed concrete pavement.

Abstract: A rigid self-supporting highway delineator post having reflective material mounted at the upper end and a first flex area at a height above grade and a second flex area located immediately below the reflective material whereby the post is non-destructively bent down about the lower flex area when hit by a moving vehicle and may be bent about the upper flex area to facilitate removal and insertion of sheets of reflective material.

Abstract: A snow grooming device for leveling a snowmobile trail comprising a frame having retractable wheels for transporting the snow grooming device and a set of angled blades which direct the snow back and forth across the trail to a leveler bar that directs the snow to a compacter attachment.

Abstract: A rotary power transmitting shaft decoupling device has a driving component xially aligned with a driven component and keyed thereto by a plurality of force transmitting elements held in operable relation to the driving and driven components, respectively, by an axially shiftable slide element that is coaxial with the driving and driven components and is provided with a lead screw. Actuation to effect decoupling is effected by engaging the lead screw with a plunger so that rotation of the device results in axial shifting of the slide element and withdrawal of the force transmitting elements from operable relation to the driving and driven components.

Abstract: Mating fasteners having a convex receiving surface and a concave inserting surface rotationally symmetrical about an insertion axis. A key code of annular projections and grooves is located in a plane normal to and concentric with the insertion axis. A locking mechanism engages the mating pieces only when in mating relation as determined by the key code. A planar embodiment is included. Easy and accurate assembly or connection becomes much less critical.

Abstract: A moveable device used for delineating traffic lanes, adapted to be selectively placed into permanent dug holes for channeling vehicular traffic. The device comprises a bendable tubular post of polyethylene fastened to a rigid conical base. The base has a downward circular anchoring extension which can be inserted into a dug hole. The base has a very low above-ground profile and can be impacted by high speed vehicles without being damaged or pulled off the ground.

Abstract: A method of installing an electromagnetic sensor loop in a multiple lane highway for monitoring vehicle traffic which includes the steps of placing a test loop at a desired location in a highway traffic lane approximately centrally thereof and varying the lateral dimension of the test loop until the field strength generated thereby at the lane edge is such that the loop will reliably distinguish between a vehicle in the lane in question and a vehicle in the next adjacent lane.

Abstract: A buckle device for safety belts having a latch member pivotally mounted to a base member which serves as a load member and engageable with notches of a tongue member when the tongue is inserted into the base member so as to latch the base member and the tongue member together, resilient member for biasing the latch member in notches engaging direction, and a manually operable member for moving the latch member against the bias of the resilient member to unlatch the tongue member. Either of the latch member and the operable member has camming surfaces which engage engaging portions of the other of the above two members, whereby the sliding movement in the tongue insertion direction of the operable member is transformed to the substantially pivotal movement of the latch member.