Abstract: The invention relates to a dethatching machine having an improved rotating shaft mechanism. The shaft mechanism is provided with a plurality if engaging tines to engage and remove unwanted thatch. The shaft is also provided with added weight located at the periphery of the shaft mechanism so as to provide improved kinematic condition for the shaft.

Abstract: A mobile self-propelled aircraft loading bridge adaptor for bridging between small aircraft and the conventional bridge entry ways provided at airports for use with standard size jets and similar aircraft. In one embodiment, the bridge is supported by spaced apart adjustable lifts that provide independent elevation and lowering of portions connected to the lifts. In another embodiment, a pivot is positioned at a predetermined location near one end of the bridge, and it is operative in combination with a hydraulic lift located near the other end of the bridge to provide desired adjustment. In still another embodiment, the bridge is deployed between a small aircraft and a bus.

Abstract: A optical submarine cable system having an optical cable comprised of a main optical fiber pair and a sub optical fiber pair; a branching joint box for separating the sub optical fiber pair into a first branching optical fiber pair and a second branching optical fiber pair; a redundant optical cable comprised of extended first and second branching optical fiber pairs; and an end box mounted at the end of the redundant optical cable, so that an expansion of the system and a maintenance and operation of the system are achieved by way of the end box.

Abstract: An anchor for supporting an umbrella post in a vertical position relative to a ground surface. The inventive device includes a cylindrical main body positionable into the ground surface and having a cylindrical bore for receiving the umbrella post. The cylindrical body includes a shovel formed at a lower end thereof, and a storage cup secured to an upper end for receiving and storing small articles or the like.

Abstract: The invention is a monitoring well cover with a generally planar lid, a generally cylindrical rim, and one or more generally cylindrical skirts. The lid has threads on its side to secure the lid to the rim. The rim has an L-shaped upper edge for receiving and sealing tightly with the lid and has snaps positioned around its lower edge for receiving and sealing tightly with one of the skirts. The skirts each having flanges positioned around their upper ends and snaps positioned around their lower ends such that the first of the skirts may seal tightly with the rim and each subsequent skirt may seal tightly with the skirt preceding it. The lid, the rim, and the skirt are all constructed from a fiber reinforced, heat stabilized, high strength thermoplastic.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of forming a ground anchor to spread evenly the loads produced during, for example, pipe lining. The ground anchors comprise a frame and means for clamping the frame to upper ends of a series of ground engaging piles such that the frame and piles define a substantially rigid assembly. The frame may comprise first and second frame portions through which the piles may be driven, the frame portions being held in spaced apart relationship during pile driving by temporary coupling means.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a ramp movable between a raised position and a lowered position in response to selective inflation of an inflatable member disposed between the ramp and a support located below the ramp, and an improved mounting arrangement for securing the airbag in position below the ramp. The improved mounting arrangement includes a flap extending from the airbag, which preferably consists of extended portions of the airbag walls extending outwardly from an edge defined by one or more internal airbag cavities. The flap is folded and preferably sealed about a rod, and a clamping arrangement is engageable with the flap between the rod and the airbag internal cavities for securing the airbag to a mounting surface, such as a surface defined by the support with which the airbag is engageable.

Abstract: A dock leveler including a ramp is movable to a raised position by inflation of an inflatable member, such as an air bag assembly. One or more filler members are located within an internal cavity defined by the air bag assembly, to occupy void volume therein. The filler members expedite inflation of the bag assembly when an inflating device is operated to introduce air under pressure into the bag assembly. The filler members also function to maintain the bag assembly in an engaged condition with the underside of the ramp, and to prevent the air bag assembly from fully collapsing in order to prolong bag life.

Abstract: A sealed system for facilitating the safe transfer of hazardous material through a port in the floor of a containment enclosure to an open topped storage container positionable in precise axial alignment below the port and supported on a lift cart for vertical movement toward and away from the port. The port is defined by a vertically depending flange or enclosure ring in the floor of the containment enclosure and is closeable by a seal cover within said containment enclosure positionable for sealing engagement with the periphery of the port. The port is also closed alternately by a sturdy plastic bag supported from a seal ring engageable in leak-proof sealed relation with the port and partially contained within the storage container supported on the lift cart. A succession of bags are positioned under the port, elevated into sealed relation with the port, filled, sealed shut, severed from the sealed port and lowered and removed for permanent storage.

Abstract: A pipe laying apparatus for assembling segments of pipe into a pipeline, the pipe laying apparatus having a pipe storage assembly supported by a driving assembly. A pipe removing assembly removes individual pipe segments to a queuing area. A pipe orienting assembly orients the pipe axially, if required, and a supporting and aligning assembly lowers the oriented pipe segment to axial alignment with the pipeline being constructed, while a pipe coupling device installs the aligned pipe segment with the pipeline end. A sag control assembly provides support for the pipeline and lowers same to a desired location as the pipe laying assembly is driven along a selected pipeline construction route.

Abstract: The invention provides a connector for removably connecting a first piece of equipment to a second piece of equipment. The connector includes a rigid body having a back end and a front end. Means are provided at the back end of the body and are adaptable for slidable engagement in a vertical direction with the first piece of equipment. At least one axially translatable member is provided at the front end of the rigid body, with the translatable member being translatable between an insertion position and engagement position. The translatable member is adapted for engagement with the second piece of equipment when in the engagement position. A means is provided which is operable from a location away from the body for translating the translatable member between the insertion position and the engagement position.

Abstract: A removable post assembly for securing an area including basically four parts: an underground base member, a removable post member, a hinge assembly and a locking mechanism. The underground base member includes a housing that partially receives the post member and an anchorage assembly mounted to the housing assembly. The hinge assembly includes two leaves and one of them is pivotally mounted to the housing at a position substantially adjacent to the ground level. The locking mechanism locks the other hinge leaf to the removable post member. A cover is rigidly mounted to the post member so that it houses the locking mechanism thereby protecting it from tampering. The cover includes a bottom opening that permits a user to insert a key or otherwise release the locking mechanism. The bottom opening is sufficiently close to the ground level to prevent the introduction of any tampering tools.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for identifying a down diver in distress comprising activating automatic inflation means to inflate a tube, activating automatic signal means, to provide sensory indication of a diver in distress, releasing the tube and the signal means away from a diver's body, allowing the tube and the signal means to float to the surface of the water and signalling for help with the signal means.

Abstract: A road intersection comprising a main road having at least two traffic lanes in each direction and an inside and an outside lane in each direction having parallel center lines, and a secondary road having at least one traffic lane in each direction intersecting said main road. There is provided a traffic island in the intersection extending parallel to and disposed between the inside lanes of the main road so as to block the lanes of the secondary road. A pair of opposed detour roads is disposed on either side of the intersection, and each detour road is located vertically above or below the main road in a manner such that the land space lying vertically under each detour road is substantially within the boundaries of the land space lying vertically under the main road.

Abstract: A power inflator housing has a pressurized gas inlet for connection to a gas supply hose, an inflation outlet for connection to a buoyancy compensator inflation hose, a passageway connecting the gas inlet to the inflation outlet, and a valve actuating stem extending through part of the passageway into the gas inlet for selectively actuating a control valve at the outlet end of a gas supply hose coupled to the gas inlet. A manually operable button on the housing is linked to the stem for selectively urging the stem outwardly into an operative position to open the hose control valve. The stem is biassed towards an inoperative, retracted position.

Abstract: A traffic delineator has a hollow cylindrical shell which may be of a preselected color over a preselected portion of the cylindrical shell with a wall thickness which is smaller at its top than at its bottom. As a result of the reduced weight at the top of the shell, the delineator has better recovery than delineators with constant wall thickness shells. In addition, the reduced wall thickness requires less material thereby permitting the shell to be made from a higher recovery, higher cost material, such as polyurethane. In one embodiment the wall thickness varies continuously from top to bottom and in another embodiment there is a series of steps with a constant wall thickness section between steps. The delineator has a smaller diameter base which provides rigidity and permits the delineator to be releasably supported by a support stand having a recess which releasably engages the base in a preselected orientation, held therein by a pin.

Abstract: Drainage gutters for installation in the ground are known which comprise a gutter body at the upper edges of which are integrally cast frames into which a cover can be placed. As they are installed in the ground the drainage gutters are sealed from the ground along their upper edges by means of first sealing devices. To produce a watertight seal between each two drainage gutters that abut one another by their end faces, second sealing devices are provided. These sealing devices each comprise grooves that can be filled with a sealant. The known drainage gutters are not completely watertight with respect to the ground. It is proposed to provide connecting channels between the first and the second grooves, so constructed that the sealant of the first sealing devices can be introduced so as to be continuous with the sealant of the second sealing devices by way of a complete or integral transition region.

Abstract: An access pathway is provided as a device that may be temporarily or portably deployed for wheelchair users accompanied by an assistant. The device, which is a pathway that may be carried by the user or provided at a site when required, is installed in cooperation with a pre-existing anchor at the site, and may be subject to temporary loan, such as from a central community service provider or a library. A convenient and inexpensive system is thus provided that achieves wheelchair access in many circumstances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing wastes containing a large amount of water and a method for processing leachate from industrial wastes. Specifically, the present invention provides a method which comprises maintaining reduced pressure in the dryer equipped with a stirring means, feeding wastes containing a large amount of water to the dryer, stirring the wastes while blowing refrigerated air at -20.degree. C..+-.5.degree. C. to the dryer, and drying the frozen moisture portion of the wastes by sublimation. Air heated at 80.degree. C.+10.degree. C. can be used instead of refrigerated air to dry water of the wastes by evaporation. The present invention also provides a method for processing leachate which comprises pooling leachate industrial wastes and burned ashes, and utilizing the leachate to absorb wet-type toxic gas, thereby confining the leachate within the waste treatment plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibratory packing plank for a road finisher, having a vibration unit, which comprises a vibration element exhibiting a large-area base plate and coupled to a vibration drive, and a guide plate positioned obliquely towards the base plate, a vibration strip being disposed between the guide plate and the base plate of the vibration unit, which vibration strip is coupled to the vibration drive and provided with a run-in slope.