Abstract: A paving stone configured to be arranged in a paving stone bond in an area-covering grid-shaped lattice of paving stones comprised of lattice elements. The paving stone has side walls and includes a plurality of spacers disposed on the side walls thereof. Each of the spacers has an abutting surface adapted to be positively joined to a respective abutting surface of a spacer on an adjacent paving stone in the lattice of paving stones. In this manner, a crossing joint is formed between the paving stones. The abutting surface of each of the spacers includes a stepped contour for positively meshing with a corresponding stepped contour on the respective abutting surface of the spacer on the adjacent paving stone, the plurality of spacers being disposed on the side walls of the paving stone such that the stepped contours of their respective abutting surfaces are identically oriented in either of two rotational directions defined around the side walls of the paving stone.

Abstract: An end treatment for a thrie-beam type guardrail and a safety device specifically oriented toward trucks, vans and other utility vehicles having high profiles and centers of gravity. A slotted thrie-beam terminal is featured for use with highway guardrail systems. At least one reinforced slotted section is provided within the thrie-beam terminal to reduce the ability of the thrie beam to resist buckling in response to an axial type loading from end-on impacts. The terminal also provides for gating of laterally impacting vehicles. The terminal incorporates a break-away support post cable release mechanism which lessens risk to impacting vehicles which impact the lead post.

Abstract: A retroreflective structure and a method for forming the structure are disclosed. The structure has a window side and a facet side. The facet side has a plurality of steps with treads and risers intersecting at an angle. The risers include an array of retroreflective elements. Preferably, the elements are cube-corner prisms.

Abstract: An improvement in apparatus for assisting the transit of a person seated in a chair transport device in either direction between a lower level and an upper level in which a longitudinally extended pathway having upper and lower ends is disposed between the lower level and the upper level to accommodate a support on a side of a chair and in which the pathway includes at least one stop for maintaining the location of the chair at a predetermined location along the length of the pathway, the stop being at a location along the length of the pathway intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof.

Abstract: A roadway for bicycle and other tired wheel vehicles formed of a plurality of end-to-end abutting tiles, preferably of a structural foam plastic such as polyethylene includes a generally rigid base having opposed top and bottom surfaces, with the top surface being flat and carrying integrally longitudinally and laterally spaced arcuate ridges. The arcuate ridges form alternating, laterally aligned rows of longitudinally spaced, oppositely facing arcuate ridges, with the arcuate ridges of a given row being offset laterally from corresponding arcuate ridges of adjacent longitudinally spaced rows by one half the length of an arcuate ridge. Further, the arcuate ridges of each lateral row are spaced from each other a distance such that the ends of the arcuate ridges of a given row lie within the concave curve of arcuate ridges of the adjacent, oppositely facing lateral row.

Abstract: A lawn mower discharge chute door is vertically hinged. A forward and rear camming surface cam the door shut when an obstacle is encountered in either a forward or rearward direction. The door is contoured on its inner surface to match the aerodynamic interior surface of the deck when it is in a closed mulching position.

Abstract: A wave motion power generator comprising a frame, including ballast members and buoyancy members, first cross members extending between opposed buoyancy members, a plurality of pairs of cylinders, a hollow piston rod associated with each cylinder, support bars extending upwardly from the second cross members, a buoyancy plate having elongate openings through which the support bars extend, the buoyancy plate being connected to the piston rods associated with a pair of the cylinders, a pressure reservoir, a manifold connected with the reservoir, a flexible conduit connected between each piston rod and the manifold and an electricity generator driven by liquid discharged from the reservoir.

Abstract: A tire puncturing spike strip is disclosed which can be placed on a road surface in front of a moving vehicle. The spike strip is comprised of essentially rectangular modular frame units with low height for easy storage in a trunk of a police vehicle, and the frame units have interlocking ends which can be quickly assembled in any desired length for placement across a roadway with spikes in a normal down position to allow safe passage of vehicles over the strip, but said spikes may be selectively and remotely activated to their up position electromechanically by an operator to target a specific fleeing vehicle. Once the fleeing vehicle crosses over the strip, the spikes may be electromechanically returned to their down position to allow pursuing police cars to safely cross over the strip and apprehend the disabled fleeing vehicle.

Abstract: The coring rod realignment tool of the present invention is comprised of a body that has a fixed arm which protrudes beyond one of its sides, and a sliding arm that protrudes beyond an opposite side. The slideable arm can be positioned so that its end that protrudes out from the body is in horizontal alignment with the protruding portion of the fixed arm, and it can be moved so that its end that protrudes out from the body is not in horizontal alignment with the end of the fixed arm that protrudes from the body, but is parallel to that end. The portion of the fixed arm, and the portion of the slideable arm, that protrudes out from the body, is coupleable a coring rod of the type used in conjunction with a coring knife, in the installation of horizontal underground piping.

Abstract: A leaching chamber for burial in the ground includes non-symmetrical corrugations extending laterally across the leaching chamber. Each corrugation has a ridge and a shoulder with the ridge being higher than the shoulder and sloping down from the ridge to the shoulder. Additionally, the ridge of each corrugation is also wider than the shoulder. The corrugations are oriented relative to each other such that the ridge of each corrugation is adjacent to the shoulder of an adjoining corrugation. Identical chambers are joined by mating flanges, each flange including a series of flange members alternating about a common reference curve, which defines a matable surface of each flange member.

Abstract: An internal fastening band for an internal manhold chimney seal is disclosed, as well as a means for expanding the band and a means for removing the band. One end of the band is narrower than the other end so that when overlapped the ends of the band nest into one another to form a continuous expansion band. The first end portion has a plurality of apertures longitudinally spaced along the fastening band, and a plurality of slots spaced between the apertures and an end of the fastening band. The second end portion also has a aperture along a tab for engaging one of the slots to connect the first end portion to the second end portion with the particular slot being selected to adjust the continuous circular fastening band to a desired diameter. A tool is described for engaging an aperture in each end portion to increase the diameter of the circular expansion band and force the resilient sleeve against the inside surface of the manhole.

Abstract: A soil mixing and pumping truck system comprising a support region for a truck having a cab at the forward end; a chamber for the receipt of soil to be dispensed located on the support region, the chamber including a bottom wall, side walls and tapering intermediate walls therebetween, the chamber having an aperture extending downwardly therefrom with a conduit to a mud pump, the chamber having three linearly extending rods rotatable on bearing members, each rod having plural sets of blades for churning soil thereadjacent; drives for rotating the rods and blades in a common direction, the drives include a motor, transmission and drive box with associated chains between the drive box and the shafts for the rotation thereof during the pumping of the soil from the container; a mud pump located on the support region rearwardly of the chamber and coupled at an input end to the conduit from the chamber with a hose at an outlet end for the dispensing of soil from the container; a water pump located on the support re

Abstract: A paving stone (10) is provided which includes individual sectors (20, 30) of uniform size and shape. Each sector (20, 30) is joined together to form a unique pattern such as a cross-paver (10), a Z-paver (110) or an S-paver (210). Some sectors (20, 30) are tips sectors (20) which attach to only one other central sector (30) and some sectors (20, 30) are central sectors (30) which attach to two or more other top sectors (20). Each of the sectors (20, 30) extend between a common top surface (40) and a bottom surface (50). An outside surface (60) defines a periphery of the paving stone. A V-groove (80) is positioned on the top surface (40) at margins between adjacent sectors (20, 30). The V-groove (80) includes a crease (82) on a bottom thereof which encourages vertical crack propagation from the top surface (40) through to the bottom surface (50) in a plane when a appropriate force-applying tool is utilized. When this occurs the paver (10) is modified into a paver of a different shape.

Abstract: A module for constructing a modular bridge suitable for use in both a dry span and a floating role comprising a buoyant structure having interconnection apparatus for connecting the module end to end to an adjacent similar module to form a bridge and having one or more link members which are releasably securable to the underside of the bridge module by link securing apparatus. Each link is provided at one end with a double limb connection member and at the other with a complementary single limb connection member, both provided with holes for insertion of a pin to connect two links from adjacent bridge modules together. The releasably securable link members are removed from a bridge assembled for a floating role to reduce redundant weight.

Abstract: A powered, wheeled vehicle for preparing a trough in crushed stone or similar material layed in a trench, and for covering over a field line drain pipe positioned in the trough with the material previously displaced therefrom, said vehicle comprising a body having a rear section and a front section pivotally connected for body articulation together in a substantially horizontal plane, a stanchion having a vertical position axis and a longitudinal axis, is mounted on the body by cooperating pivot elements on the stanchion and on an outer end portion of the front section, the pivot elements allowing the stanchion to be maintained in a generally upright posture on the front section while providing angular adjustability to the stanchion, the adjustability consisting of individual rotational and tilting paths of motion with respect to the vertical position axis, the stanchion further having a work shaft to which any of the implement means can be affixed, and cooperating elements of a first bearing on the work shaf

Abstract: A pull-type bifold hay rake includes a draw bar mounted at its rearward end to a cross-member, with a pair of rake arms pivotably mounted to the cross-member. A series of rotatable rakes are mounted to each rake arm for movement between a raised and lowered position. A linkage assembly is interposed between the draw bar and the rake arms for moving the rake arms between an operative open position and an inoperative closed position. A hydraulic cylinder assembly, including an extendible and retractable rod, is interconnected with the linkage and with the draw bar for moving the linkage between a first position in which the rake arms are open and a second position in which the rake arms are closed. A cable and pulley arrangement is interconnected between the hydraulic cylinder assembly and a control rod mounted to each rake arm for providing movement of the rake assemblies between their raised and lowered positions in response to operation of the hydraulic cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A crash attenuator for an exposed end of a concrete highway barrier includes a light weight array of sheet metal energy-absorbing elements interposed between diaphragms. The crash attenuator is cantilevered from one end of the barrier by a mounting arrangement that includes mounting tubes on the barrier and the attenuator that can be quickly secured together by removable pins. The energy-absorbing elements define a single row of tubular columns in forward portions of the crash attenuator and two rows of tubular columns in rearward portions of the crash attenuator. Vehicle deflecting members extend between the barrier and the crash attenuator and can fold against the barrier for storage.

Abstract: A rod guide molded in intimate contact with a sucker rod increases the amount of rod guide material available for wear. Adequate bypass area is provided so as not to impede the efficient movement of the rod and guide in tubing, yet more material for wear significantly lengthens the useful life of the rod guide. In a preferred embodiment, the rod comprises two guide elements, each with two lobes or vanes. The vanes of the two guide elements are opposed by ninety degrees for smooth operation and stability of the guide. Each lobe has an exterior contact surface with it circular radius of curvature that matches that of the tubing into which the guide is to be inserted.

Abstract: A portable, demountable bridge which can be self-launched. The bridge uses a traditional beam system to conform the deck of the bridge. Two hollow, bottom-plated, triangular footings are added as supports for this beam. These footings, buried into the soil of a riverbank or the bank of a chasm, absorb the horizontal forces using the weight of the soil above the bottom plates of the footings. Sets of vertical plane trusses parallel to the axis of the deck and located on each side of the deck at the entrance, help the beam of the deck to support vertical loads, by means of a transversal truss which touches the beam of the deck at its upper chord. Each set of the additional vertical plane trusses are founded on two bottom plated footings buried into the riverbank or the bank of a chasm. The footing near the water uses the soil as a bearing, and the other footing is used as a counterweight. The bridge also uses the soil of the riverbank or bank of the chasm as a protection against floods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously cutting parallel slots in a pavement surface is provided, especially for dowel bar retrofit load transfer restoration at joints. The apparatus includes a movable frame lockable with a brake, plurality of parallel cutting blades rotatably mounted on twin cutting heads on the frame, vertical travel unit for raising and lowering the blades independently or in unison, and horizontal travel units for moving the blades horizontally. One of the twin cutting heads is mounted on each side of the frame, with hydraulic adjusting rams for independently setting the width therebetween. A slurry control system which is mounted on the frame provides the blades with coolant and vacuums up the slurry produced during cutting.