Abstract: An underwater servicing device includes a substantially hollow housing (30) having an open face (32) whereby the configuration of the open face (32) substantially conforms to the surface of an article to which the housing (30) is to be mounted. A seal (34) is provided about the peripheral edge of the open face (32), as is a pump (42) in fluid communication with the interior of the housing (30) that is capable of evacuating fluid from therewithin and removing such evacuated fluid externally of the device. A mechanism for moving the device from one location on the article to another is also provided, the mechanism being capable of raising the device away from the article. An adjustable air supplier is provided that is capable of allowing air to enter the interior of the housing (30).

Abstract: The present invention provides a stress absorbing composite for road repair that comprises a low stiffness geotextile, a viscoelastic material disposed over the low stiffness geotextile, and a high stiffness geotextile disposed over the viscoelastic material. Also provided is a method for retarding reflective cracking in an overlay using a stress absorbing composite and a repaired road containing a stress absorbing composite.

Abstract: An undersea release apparatus for positively releasing a connecting link from an underwater device, the apparatus comprising a latching mechanism on the device for latching the connecting link to the device in a latched condition, and for unlatching the connecting link to be free of the device in an unlatched condition. A driving mechanism positively moves the latching mechanism to its unlatched condition. The driving mechanism drives a rotatable cam which retains a pelican hook at a fixed latched position, and positively drives the pelican hook from the latched position to an unlatched position. The apparatus is also provided with an arming function, whereby the rotatable cam is rotated in a direction opposite to that which is effective to unlatch the connecting link, whereby the pelican hook is pivoted back to its first or latched position in which the pelican hook relatches with the connecting link.

Abstract: A precast segmental viaduct construction system, comprises an elongated erection and assembly vehicle for spanning between at least two viaduct piers and for moving between successive piers, the vehicle having a top deck, an elongated central longitudinal beam having a down facing elongated planar bottom support surface, a pair of elongated trusses secured to and inclined outward from said beam, and a pair of elongated longitudinal planar top support surfaces extending along opposite side edges of said top deck, a plurality of jacks spaced along the vehicle for cooperatively engaging piers on which the vehicle is supported for positioning the vehicle relative to piers on which it is supported, and a support assembly for supporting the vehicle on a pier, the support assembly having jacks for selectively elevating and lowering the vehicle.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a deck assembly, a first hydraulic cylinder to power said deck assembly to a raised position, lip mounted to said deck assembly, and a second hydraulic cylinder for powering said lip into an extended position. An hydraulic power circuit is coupled to the first and second hydraulic cylinders to control movement of said deck and lip. The hydraulic power circuit includes a pump to deliver fluid under pressure, a first valve operatively coupled to the pump to control fluid flow to the first hydraulic cylinder. A second valve is operatively coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder. An adjustable relief valve is coupled to the second valve to prevent a reduction of fluid pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder after the pump has supplied fluid under pressure through the second valve to extend the lip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a traffic stripe having improved reflectivity includes a vehicle having an apparatus for applying the traffic stripe, an applying assembly for dispersing a reflective material over the traffic stripe, another applying apparatus for applying an anti-adhesion agent, and a deformation apparatus disposed rearward thereof for forming interval grooves in the traffic stripe. The application of the anti-adhesion agent directly onto the traffic stripe or onto the deformation apparatus prevents the freshly applied traffic stripe from lifting off the road surface and adhering to the deformation apparatus.

Abstract: An improved screed control device includes two pairs of interacting cylindrical surfaces for controlling the "angle of attack" or elevation of a screed of a paver, a first pair of the two pairs of interacting surfaces having either right-hand or left-hand threads and the other pair of interacting surfaces having threads with handedness opposite from that of the first pair. A reversing pin is adapted to selectively maintain one pair of the two pairs of interacting surfaces stationary relative to each other as a hand-crank arrangement operationally causes the other pair to threadably interact. Handedness of the control device is accomplished by moving the reversing pin to a different set of co-linearly aligned apertures such that the threadably interacting pair of the two pairs of interacting surfaces are caused to become stationary relative to each other and the stationary pair to become threadably interacting relative to each other.

Abstract: A method and article for sealing a manhole riser and a catch basin. The method is an economical process whereby elastomeric bands are placed around a manhole riser and/or a catch basin and effectively seal the manhole riser and catch basin from infiltration of water and other contaminants.

Abstract: A round , prestressed concrete pile having front and back flat portions and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the piles. The apparatus comprises essentially a plurality of horizontally placed piling molds and a concrete feeder and spreader. The concrete feeder and spreader are pulled across the pile molds by a spreader driver attached to a first end of the pile molds and the piles are removed from the pile molds by a cable tensioner and piling extractor attached to a second end of the pile molds. The piles are prestressed with flexible cable, wrapped with concertina wire, and embedded in concrete poured into the pile molds. The piles may be cast in different lengths by utilizing a bucket mold on the lower end.

Abstract: An end connector for use with oil containment booms, wherein the connector design utilizes a stress distribution technique which avoids the need for proximal end flanges, internal cavity traction surfaces, and further avoids bolts, rivets, or other fasteners through the boom fin end. The end connector design has a smaller size than conventional end connector designs with comparable tensile strength capabilities. Further, the end connector may be fabricated faster than conventional end connectors, reduces connector cost, and reduces final boom assembly time.

Abstract: The invention provides a device which includes a bracket to be firmly embedded in a driveway; and includes a post which is adapted to be slidably seated in the bracket in a vertical position to serve as an obstruction to passage of a motor vehicle from the driveway. An Ell-rod provided in the post is manually operable to interlock the post against removal from the bracket, and is adapted to be locked in the interlocked condition by a padlock. The ell-rod is manually operable upon removal of the padlock to release its interlocked condition so as to allow removal of the post from the bracket to enable vehicle passage over the driveway.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a beach-front ecosystem erosion prevention system which can be comprised of the combination of a sand ladder located at a sand dune of the beach-front ecosystem and a sand ladder reef submerged in the water of the beach-front ecosystem. The sand ladder has a curved surface facing the water, while the sand ladder reef has at least one such curved surface facing the shore-line of the beach-front ecosystem. Each of the curved surfaces of the sand ladder and/or sand ladder reef is comprised of a plurality of individual plank members arranged in an overlapping, non-touching manner so that openings between the plank members are created. The curved surfaces of the sand ladder and sand ladder reef are concave in shape and act to work with the force of the approaching wave, or retreating undertow wave.

Abstract: A motorized retractable speed bump or warning device wherein the raising and lowering of the retractile is controlled by multiple remote means from signals generated by traffic conditions. The motorized retractable speed bump, wherein a retractile comprising of bi-folding hinged plates, which are elevated to present a visible obstruction to motor vehicles, and a position restraining device, operated by rotary and or linear motor drive means, by on/off manual push button switching, or through a series of Programmable Logic Controllers, by way of analog or digital signals emanating from permanently mounted speed detecting devices.

Abstract: A portable barrier strip having retractable tire-puncture means for puncturing a vehicle tire. The tire-puncture means, such as spikes, have an armed position for puncturing a tire and a retracted position for not puncturing a tire. The strip comprises a plurality of barrier blocks having the tire-puncture means removably disposed in a shaft that is rotatably disposed in each barrier block. The shaft removably and pivotally interconnects the plurality of barrier blocks. Actuation cables cause the shaft to rotate the tire-puncture means to the armed position for puncturing a vehicle tire and to the retracted position for not puncturing the tire. Each tire-puncture means is received in a hollow-bed portion of its respective barrier block when in the retracted position. The barrier strip rests stable in its deployed position and substantially motionless as a tire rolls thereon and over.

Abstract: A power crown adjustment apparatus for an asphalt screed includes first and second screed subassemblies movable with respect to each other, power apparatus for moving the subassemblies with respect to each other to alter the crown and control apparatus for automatically preventing the first and second screed subassemblies from moving beyond the predetermined range of movement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for constructing an artificial ocean reef for use below the ocean surface to serve as an offshore breakwater for inbound waves and thereby prevent beach erosion. The reef has a plurality of adjacent sections, each of which comprises an arched wall having a series of side-by-side transverse concrete blocks, and flexible interconnections between the blocks at adjacent lateral edges to provide a generally smooth outer surface. The arched wall sections are each formed above the water surface on a barge or the like and then submerged with a shoreward side having a shoreward end resting on the floor of the ocean and a seaward side with a seaward end resting on the floor of the ocean outwardly from the shoreward end to present the smooth outer surface on the seaward side of the wall to incoming waves. Adjacent sections are secured together to form a continuous barrier aligned with the shore line of the beach being protected.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for obtaining uniform compaction of asphalt concrete to reduce or prevent cracking of the asphalt concrete surface. A mobile confinement edge force is maintained in contact with the edge surface of an asphalt concrete mat while the mat is being compacted. This is performed in a manner such that the density of the mat across the full width of the mat becomes uniform. By obtaining uniform density of each lane of the mat as it is laid significantly reduces the incidence of joint cracking and deterioration of the asphalt concrete, in the longitudinal joint area, over time.

Abstract: A guide groove provided in an inner lower cord of a bridge section of a portable bridge includes an extruded profile section which is comprised of a vertical strip having an upper end and a lower end, and being composed of, over its entire height in at least a partial cross section thereof, a homogeneous material; and an upper wall section extending from the upper end of the vertical strip and a lower wall section extending from the lower end of the vertical strip. The guide groove has an increased service life when the vertical strip has a thickness in cross section which is reduced at the center portion of the bridge section over at least a part of the length of the bridge section in respect to at least one of the end portions of the bridge section. The guide groove is repairable by a method in which an insertion element is replaced, the insertion element being provided over a part of the length of the bridge section in which the thickness in cross section of the vertical strip is not reduced.

Abstract: An improved geotextile container of the type for maintaining fill material. An end portion of the container is constructed to give enhanced strength when compared with the seamed ends in prior designs. Specifically, the closed end of the container is back-folded into the inner cavity to form a pouch. At least one anchor object is positioned in the pouch and tied off by a clamping mechanism situated about a neck portion of the pouch. As a result, the pouch is closed and the anchor object is maintained on the inside thereof. Due to this construction, an axially outward force imparted by the fill material will be directed against the inner surface of the bag instead of directly against the closed end. Various embodiments of this construction may also be used to interconnect small geotextile bags such that a larger container of a desired length may be constructed.

Abstract: The use of impact force to cause an impression to be transferred to an asphalt road surface in a repetitive manner to form a series of depressions. The use of hydraulic, pneumatic and gravity drop as power sources are discussed. Imprint plates having single impression or a plurality of impressions are disclosed. Various shapes for the resulting depressions are explained including a shape that matches current milled depressions. Several methods of installing the series are discussed including stationary stamping, where the machine is paused during stamping, continuous stamping and continuous machine movement with imprint plate pause relative to the surface under treatment. The latter discloses a methodology wherein the imprint plate is transferred rearward on the transport vehicle at a pace equal to the advance of the transport vehicle. Various gauging means are explained to ensure that the resulting depressions are within predetermined parameters which prevent overstamping and understamping.