Abstract: A dismountable bridge comprises at least one bridge section including a top deck and a bottom boom disposed underneath the top deck. The bottom boom includes a mechanism for adjusting the length of the bottom boom. Rigid end supports each have one end hinged to a respective one of the ends of the top deck and have another end hinged to a respective one of the ends of the bottom boom. Tension elements are disposed laterally of the bridge section and are stressed only tensionally. Each tension element has one end hinged to one end of the top deck and another end hinged to an end of the bottom boom opposite to the one end of the top deck. The bridge section can be changed from a transport position, in which the top deck and the bottom boom are collapsed for maintaining a low height for transporting, and into an operating position in which the top deck is remote from the bottom boom at least at one end of the bridge section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for making cavities in a roadway surface so as to install road markers which is particularly well adapted to make the required cavities in a very speedy and efficient manner, thereby reducing to the lowest extent the risk of traffic jams when the road markers are to be installed on a busy road or highway. The machine is part of a vehicle that can be driven along the road or the highway where the road markers are to be installed. It incudes a cutting device that can be moved laterally away from the vehicle up to the desired location, and then pressed downwardly after having been suitable adjusted to be properly levelled with the roadway surface. Such positioning and operation of the cutting device can be easily carried out by the driver of the vehicle from his or her cabin, thereby making the required cutting and subsequent installation of the road markers very fast to complete.

Abstract: A nut harvester includes a frame drawn by a tractor over nut and debris windrows on the ground of a nut orchard. The nut harvester collects the nuts from the windrows and separates the debris collected therewith while minimizing the dust emissions and airborne pollutants generated by the nut harvester. The nut harvester includes three primary sections: a pick-up section, a stationary grid section, and a conveyor/fan section. The pick-up section includes finger assemblies which engage the ground to propel the nuts and debris forwardly and upwardly into a rotating feed reel which in turn deposits the nuts onto a stationary grid. The stationary grid includes a number of parallel bars which are spaced to prevent the nuts from falling therebetween. Wipers extend transversely across the grid and advance the nuts therealong.

Abstract: This invention relates to asphalt concrete paving systems and how they are structured. For more than the last sixty years, such systems have been one integrated structure consisting of (1) one or more "lower supporting courses" and (2) one or more "surface wearing courses". Such systems are integrated structures and, therefore, cracking starting from either the top or bottom will proceed through the entire structure. This invention provides a third type of course, a "separation course" between the "lower supporting courses" and the "surface wearing courses". The "separation course" prevents bonding of the "lower supporting courses" to the "surface wearing courses". This "separation course" is a barrier to stop the cracking at this point. It is also waterproof and will stop water from getting into the "lower support courses" and causing them to fail. The concept of a "separation course" is applicable to both roadways and running tracks.

Abstract: A supporting frame for a mower attachment of the rotary or flail type to provide for quick attachment of the mower to and detachment of the mower from a road grader or similar prime mover. The mower is designed for mowing roadside ditches, and the supporting frame mounts the mower so it can float and still be easily raised and lowered by the operator when necessary for transport.

Abstract: A speed bump for use in connection with a roadway located in a climate wh a snow plow is used to clear a roadway, the bump is made from roadway construction materials extending across each lane of a roadway, the bump having a crown of fixed width running substantially the length of the bump; the right-side of the bump having a conventional profile portion, the left-side having a tapered ramp portion having an incline equalling about ten to thirty degrees, allowing a snow plow to lift smoothly over the bump, a plurality of bumps having the same shape can be aligned to manage multiple-lane, one-way and two-way traffic.

Abstract: A heated screed assembly (10) for use with a paving machine (12) includes a screed (16). An elastomeric, electrically-powered heating element (36) is carried on the upper surface (28) of the screed. A retaining member (48) is disposed to overly the heating element, whereby the heating element is retained in contact with the upper surface of the screed during operation of the paving machine. Electric power is supplied to the elastomeric heating element by a generator (44).

Abstract: A hedge trimmer blade assembly preferably a double acting assembly having upper and lower reciprocating blades. Superimposed cutting teeth extend laterally from the sides of the assembly from each of the blades. Guard portions extend from the teeth of the upper blade only on one side and from the teeth of the lower blade only on the other side. The guard portions are asymmetrical with a straight side and a tapered side, the taper preferably including a shallow bevel near the base and a sharper bevel near the tip of the guard portion. The cutting teeth of both upper and lower blades on both sides form oval shaped cutting chambers with cooperative hook configurations at the entry to the cutting chambers. The upper and lower blades are preferably identical in configuration but inverted one relative to the other in the assembly. The straight sides of the guard portions are all faced toward the power head of the trimmer to produce a hooking action as the user sweeps the trimmer during operation.

Abstract: A mowing apparatus is provided by a reel-type or rotary mower towed by a vehicle, such as a bicycle, by a draw bar adapted to mount onto existing mower brackets and onto the vehicle by a connector that mounts to a frame element of the vehicle. The draw bar includes a resilient element that preferably permits flexing relative to the vehicle so that the mower articulates relative to the vehicle and so that a normal load force may be applied to the mower. The connector is preferably adjustable to allow selective variance in the load force applied. The draw bar may be a single arcuate piece utilizing a spring as the resilient element. Alternatively, the draw bar may be one or a pair of stiff, yet resilient arms. A guard portion may be provided as an extension of the draw bar or as an auxiliary piece, and a grass shield may be employed.

Abstract: An acoustical barrier wall system for use as an external wall acoustical attenuator for sound sources, is disclosed. The wall system comprises a plurality of acoustical barrier panels adapted for vertically stacked co-operating engagement. There are first and second attachment members each having a first end anchored within the main body portion of the acoustical barrier panels and an opposite threaded second end extending outwardly beyond the main body portion. There are first and second upright bracing members, each having a corresponding plurality of attachment member receiving means spaced therealong, the attachment member receiving means being adapted to receive the respective first and second attachment members therein. Connecting means in the form of co-operating nuts adapted to connect the attachment members and the attachment member receiving means in secured relation to one another.

Abstract: A paving machine employs at least one gate mechanism which can selectively alter the weighting of the flow of paving materials from the discharge opening of a hopper by adjusting the contour of the effective lower edge of the gate mechanism. This contour is preferably adjusted by forming the gate mechanism from front and rear vertically adjustable gates, the lower edges of which have opposed tapers. The discharge of materials from the opening is weighted towards one side when the front gate is raised and the rear gate lowered or partially lowered, and is weighted towards the other side when the rear gate is raised and the front gate lowered or partially lowered. Discharge may be prevented altogether by fully lowering both gates.

Abstract: A mobile paving machine which may, with minor modification, be employed either to distribute material along the path of movement of the machine or in a region which is laterally offset to one side of the motion path. In order to spread material in a laterally offset region, which may correspond to a break-down lane being formed along the side of a travel lane, a tiltable secondary skip is installed above the primary skip to which paving material is normally supplied. A scraper is mounted from an extension of the distribution beam of the machine to controllably disperse material discharged through an end of the secondary skip when the loaded secondary skip is angularly inclined to cause gravity induced flow of material into the lateral region.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a machine frame, front and rear wheels rotatably mounted on the machine frame, a control handle mounted on the machine frame, and a cutting assembly suspended by the machine frame for angular movement about a swing axis extending along a direction in which the mowing machine can travel straight. The front and rear wheels comprise single wheels, respectively, so that the mowing machine is two-wheeled. The machine frame, the front and rear wheels, and the control handle jointly serve as a non-swingable section, and the cutting assembly serves as a swingable section, the swingable section being suspended in offset relationship to the swing axis, the swingable section including a guide member for keeping the cutting assembly spaced from ground. The mowing machine may further include an angular range limiting mechanism for limiting the range of angular movement of the swingable section.

Abstract: A potted shell style pavement marker reinforced with fiberglass in the form of a mat of fiberglass strands located near the bottom of the marker or in the form of chopped fiberglass strands distributed throughout the fill material. The mat provides support against torsional or bending stresses near the bottom of the marker. The chopped strands in the fill material provide three-dimensional support throughout the height and depth of the fill in the interior of the housing. Both means of support are expected to reduce the number of cracks that develop in the fill, to prevent the expansion of any cracks which do develop, to prevent premature disintegration of the marker, and to increase average marker life. The supporting mat and the chopped fiberglass strands can be used together in a single marker.

Abstract: Access means for chair carried passengers embarking or disembarking an aircraft in which a pair of separate spaced-apart longitudinally extended pathways are disposed to traverse a stairway leading to the aircraft cabin, and the pathways each receive one side of the chair in the course of transport of the chair over the stairway, and the space between the spaced apart pathways is an opening which does not obstruct the footing surface of the stairway for the chair carrying personnel.

Abstract: A tire chain ramp member in cooperation with a tire chain assembly is arranged to receive the cross link portion of the tire chain within a groove directed into the top wall of the ramp structure. The ramp top wall accommodates a tire member thereon to permit case of mounting of the tire chain assembly relative to the vehicle tire, wherein subsequently the vehicle is driven from the ramp.

Abstract: A mulching device for a reel-type mowing machine, especially power-driven machines, wherein the mulching device is mounted to the front of a reel-type lawn mower such that the device is in substantially closely spaced relationship to the rotating reel assembly, and above a portion of the reel assembly so as to direct a significant portion of the particles generated by the cutting action of the reel in front of the reel assembly for more complete comminution and eventual deposition upon the turf surface.

Abstract: In order to prevent the penetration of surface water into a shaft or manhole, the latter is fitted with an insert (5) consisting of a dish-shaped section (9) of impermeable material and the interior space of this dish is connected via connecting ducts (11) with the portion of the shaft or manhole located below the dish (9). The connecting ducts (11) are provided with shut-off devices (12) in the form of spherical floats which act in conjunction with a valve seat (13) to seal off the connecting ducts (11) when the level of liquid in the dish rises (FIG. 1).

Abstract: In general, apparatuses or machines for compacting the shoulders of roads include a plurality of wheels in side by side relationship, which are merely rolled over the gravel shoulder of a road. Such machines rely on the weight of the wheels to effect compacting.

Abstract: A ramp for loading and unloading vehicles includes an elevated track assembly. A ramp assembly is mounted on the track assembly. The ramp has wheel support surfaces extending substantially an entire length of the ramp. A movable track is carried on the track assembly with the track extending a length of the assembly. The ramp is coupled to the track for the ramp to be urged by the track to slide on the assembly.