Abstract: A vibratory mechanism comprises a motor-driven shaft, a first mass carried by the shaft for rotation therewith, and a variable mass supported for rotation relative to the shaft whereby the angular relationship between the first mass and the variable mass can be selectively adjusted to vary the amplitude of vibration. A drive member is rotatable with the shaft. The variable mass carries a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced abutment surfaces. The drive member carries a contact face. Engagement between the contact face and the abutment surfaces occurs at different angular relationships between the first mass and the variable mass to vary the amplitude of vibration.

Abstract: Method for the construction of a cable-stayed or rein-girth bridge in which the stiffening beam is built together with the guying provided for the final state by the cycle-pushing method and brought into its final position. The guying takes over in this case the support of the stiffening beam during mounting and displacement of the bridge, so that temporary supports between the bridge piers and a temporary guying at the front end of the super-structure are not required.

Abstract: A seal having an elongated body including a mounting portion extending along its longitudinal edges for securement to a pair of spaced-apart structural members defining a gap therebetween in an expansion joint assembly. The seal has an intermediate expansion portion formed integral with the mounting portion and having an upper treadway surface formed with at least three integrally connected corrugated members each having a central, substantially planar surface and a pair of inclined legs extending downwardly and outwardly to form a substantial V-shaped groove at the joinder of adjacent legs, the outermost legs being integrally connected to the mounting portions. A lower expansible section is formed with at least two laterally spaced protuberances and an integral connecting section joining the protuberances.

Abstract: A vibratory compactor vehicle includes a roller drum provided with internal concentrically mounted eccentric weights which are rotated for imparting vibration to the drum. The weights are mounted upon concentric shafts of helical polygonal shape having mating, helically ribbed and grooved surfaces, whereby longitudinal movement of one of the shafts with respect to the other brings about relative rotation of the weights, thereby changing the amplitude of the resulting vibration.

Abstract: The present invention uniformly spreads a topping material over a wet concrete surface and includes a spreader, a bridge and a drive system. The spreader stores a supply of topping material and dispenses a uniformly wide layer of the topping material as it is translated along the bridge. The bridge supports the spreader above the wet concrete surface and spans the entire width of the concrete surface. The drive systems translates the spreader across the bridge to dispense a uniformly wide layer of topping material over the concrete surface. Sequential lateral translations of the spreader across the bridge followed by sequential lateral translations of the bridge along the length of the concrete surface covers the entire concrete surface with a uniform layer of topping material.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for elevating a mobile workover rig to an elevated operating position proximate wellhead. It includes a portable platform arranged for positioning proximate the wellhead with the platform having a fixed generally horizontal upper surface portion for receiving and supporting the wheels of the rig thereon. It also includes ram means comprising two longitudinally aligned portions connected to the platform for forming an inclined ramp extending from the upper surface of the platform to the ground for moving the rig thereonto. It also includes means connected to the ramp means for raising at least one of the portions of the rig to an elevated generally horizontal position substantially the same height as the upper surface of the platform while wheels of the rig are supported thereon to thereby elevate and support the rig in the elevated operating position.

Abstract: An improved frame construction for a portable, vibrating-type concrete screed incorporates a specially designed hollow ridge tube extending along the apex of an elongated open frame of triangular cross section and providing means for adjusting relative angular positions of adjoining screed units and for passage of air when the screed is air operated.

Abstract: A retractable porch and stair apparatus suitable for use with trailers and the like has a pair of parallel elongate channel members for attachment to the underside of a trailer. A floor member having preferably iron grating therein for strength and cleanliness is disposed on a pair of parallel runner members slidingly mounted on the channel members so that the floor member can be slidingly moved from the underside of the trailer to a position adjacent thereto. A stair combination having parallel side support members in the form of channel members is connected at one end to a corresponding pair of second channel members mounted on the underside of the floor member and extending to the side of the floor member so that the stair combination can be raised to horizontal position and slidingly moved underneath the floor member, and the floor member and stair members can then be slidingly moved under the trailer for storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for asphalt paving in which existing asphalt pavement is removed, mixed with additives and relaid as a fresh layer of pavement. The apparatus includes a train, composed of a series of cars or trailers, which is adapted to move along the roadway. The train includes a fuel operated electrical generating unit which generates electricity that is transmitted through a power line extending along the length of the train. The hot gases of combustion from the generating unit are discharged into contact with the pavement to pre-heat the pavement. Following the pre-heater in the train, is a microwave heating unit which is connected to the power line and operates to soften the pavement. Additional aggregate, asphalt and other additives can be applied to the existing softened pavement ahead of a planar, or other pavement removing unit.

Abstract: A console traffic direction post which may be used for highway engineering and vehicular traffic regulation is disclosed. The console traffic direction post comprises a staking carrier in which is placed a vertical support post connected with a horizontal arm carrier. A downwardly hanging reflector--connected to the horizontal arm carrier and an upwardly extending vertically placed direction stick is also attached to the horizontal arm carrier. The vertically placed direction stick is located at an end of the horizontal arm carrier opposite the locus of attachment of said horizontal arm carrier to the vertical support post. The hanging reflector is located proximate to said end of the horizontal arm carrier where the direction stick is located. Interconnection of the horizontal arm carrier and vertical support post is effected utilizing one or more plastic safety retaining members capable of shearing upon impact.

Abstract: A leveling device for an asphalt finisher or the like including a pair of screeds disposed at front and rear portions of the device on auxiliary frames which are slidably coupled to a main frame. The main frame is pivotably mounted to a pair of supporting arms extending from the vehicle body. The screeds are both movable laterally and tiltable sidewards so that a predetermined depth of asphalt coating can be attained and a crown portion provided if desired.

Abstract: A brake system for an aircraft passenger loading bridge monitors the operation of a drive system which raises and lowers the bridge. In the event of a malfunction of the drive system, the brake system interrupts power to the drive system and actuates a brake to prevent further operation of the drive system.

Abstract: The road grading and tamping appliance (1) has a bottom plate (2) and at least one rotating, eccentrically-supported and driven weight for providing vibration. The bottom plate (2) is provided with a shaft (5) disposed perpendicular thereto and on which the rotating eccentric weight (10) is rotatably supported, specifically at a predetermined distance from the bottom plate (2). The eccentric weight (10) consequently rotates in a plane parallel to the bottom plate. By adjustment of the rotating eccentric weight (10) axially of the vertical shaft (5), the eccentric action, that is the leverage action, on the bottom plate (2) can be reduced or increased.

Abstract: A dockleveller installation is provided having a dockboard hinged for pivotal movement and a composite pneumatic-hydraulic system for pivoting the dockboard. The composite system includes a fluid-filled cylinder attached to the dockboard, a pressurized air supply, and a multiplier connected therebetween. The multiplier is a closed cylindrical member comprising an air cylinder segment connected to the air supply and a fluid cylinder segment connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The interior cross-sectional area of the air segment is greater than that of the fluid segment. The multiplier also includes a double headed piston, one end of which reciprocates and seals in the air segment, the other end of which reciprocates and seals in the fluid segment. This composite system enables pressure to be transferred through the multiplier from the air supply to the hydraulic cylinder, causing the cylinder to open and the dockboard to pivot.

Abstract: A retractable speed bump mounted in a street, road or roadway for controlling the speed of vehicles, which includes a generally rectangularly-shaped encasement containing upper and lower, relatively movable, wedge-shaped members slidably fitted in the encasement and configured to cooperate by means of friction-reducing means such as ball bearings in adjacent, inclined faces to selectively raise the top of the upper member above street or road level responsive to activation of a hydraulic cylinder attached to the encasement and the lower member.

Abstract: A vibratory compacting roller includes a rotatable compacting roll, and a motor driven vibrator. The vibrator includes a shaft, a movable mass rotatable with the shaft and adjustable transversely thereof, and a position regulator for regulating the position of the mass to provide for a variable amplitude of vibration, the amplitude of vibration of the vibrator being lowest when the center of gravity of the mass is nearest the shaft and greatest when the center of gravity of the mass is farthest from the shaft. The position regulator comprises a spring which automatically positions the eccentric mass to the low amplitude position when the shaft is at rest, whereby minimal start-up torque is imposed upon the motor. A releaseable locking mechanism locks the mass in the low-amplitude position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pavement marker for engagement with an underlying roadway for providing a marking visible from an oncoming vehicle on the roadway surface. The pavement marker comprises a lens member of light-transmitting synethetic resin including a front face having a light-receiving and refracting portion adapted to be inclined at an angle of at least 15.degree. and a rear face having reflex reflective means for reflecting light transmitted through the light-receiving and refracting portion back to the source. The pavement marker has an untempered glass sheet fixedly disposed on the light-receiving and refracting portion and the glass is in compression throughout the expected temperature range to which the pavement marker is exposed in use.

Abstract: A composite expansion joint assembly having a pair of edge members, a plurality of elongated resiliently yieldable sealing elements, rigid structural members interposed between adjacent sealing elements and laterally spaced support bars for the structural members. Equalizing springs acting directly upon the structural members independently of the support bars are compressed by movement of the structural members away from each other and from the edge members as the sealing members open, providing equalizing forces to maintain equidistant spacing between the structural members whether they are laterally slidable on the support bars in a single support bar system or are fixed to the support bars in a multiple support bar system.

Abstract: A ship to shore bridge is movable between a stowed position in which it is received in a recess formed in a quay face and effectively forms a continuation of the quay face along the length of the recess, so that the quay can be used in normal manner, and an operative position in which the ship end of the bridge is moved out of the recess by slewing of the bridge about its shore end, so that the bridge can provide access from the quay to a bow or stern door of a ship berthed alongside the remainder of the quay.

Abstract: A glarefoil assembly for mounting to a median barrier which divides opposing lanes of a highway system and operates to reduce the glare of headlights from oncoming vehicles. The glarefoil assembly includes a plurality of glare blades which are rigidly attached to a base section in an appropriate light-blocking orientation. The base section is rigidly mounted to the top of the median barrier at opposing ends, thereby preserving some latitude for vibrational movement within this base section. By virtue of the rigid attachment between the glare blades and base section, along with the compatible elastic moduli of these materials, the glarefoil assembly operates as an integral unit providing energy transfer from the glare blades into the base section. Such energy transfer prevents material failure developed by pulsating winds which typically arise from passing traffic.