Abstract: Apparatus for neutralizing a heating element contaminated with acid. A housing is provided which receives water and a base material. The water and base material combine within the housing to form a neutralizing agent. The neutralizing agent is then passed through the heating element in order to neutralize the heating element for safe disposal as municipal waste.

Abstract: A cotton stripper with an improved row unit having brush rolls and augers with parallel shafts driven by a gear drive. The parallel shafts permit the unit to be narrowed several inches compared with the conventional units. A cut-off member between the brush roll and auger has an edge which runs parallel to the shafts below the axis of the brush roll shaft to break up stalks and facilitate power feeding of stripped material toward the lower part of the auger. The auger housing is formed with angled flat walls for better stalk breakage. The row unit housing includes a light, low friction plastic cover with a quick attach and release mounting arrangement including a rear panel that serves both as a unit drive cover and a hold-down structure for the rear of the plastic cover. The cover includes inner and outer walls separated by a hollow interior for strength, rigidity and noise and weight reduction.

Abstract: For providing an in-ground system for treating contaminated groundwater, of the funnel-and-gate type, a cylindrical caisson is driven into the ground. The native soil is augered out of the caisson, and porous treatment material substituted. The caisson is then withdrawn, leaving a prism of porous treatment material in the ground. A sheet metal barrier element is inserted into the ground, one portion of the element extending into the prism and the other portion into the surrounding soil. More prisms are provided as further treatment gates, and more barrier elements are arranged to funnel the groundwater through the gates.

Abstract: A transportable drop hammer for impacting a ground surface adapted to be removably coupled to a driven host transport apparatus having lifting arms. An upstanding frame is couplable to the host transport apparatus and is provided as having a stabilizing foot portion attached to the frame for contacting the ground surface. A mast is mast attached to the frame and is disposed substantially vertical to the ground surface. A weight assembly, having a ground confronting face portion and at least one bearing surface engaging the mast, is operable between a ground position impacting the ground surface and a drop position. For selectively raising the weight assembly to a predetermined drop position, a manually controlled lifting apparatus is provided which actuable to release the weight assembly for its substantial free fall from the drop position to the ground position.

Abstract: A Christmas-tree stand (2) essentially consists of a housing (6) in which two clamping bars (18, 20) are rotatably supported so as to allow a swivelling movement around two support pins (22, 24). The activation of the clamping straps (18, 20) takes place via a central clamping device which essentially consists of a threaded rod (26) with two inversely threaded sections (32, 34) constructed thereon. When rotating the threaded rod (26), the free ends of the clamping bars (18, 20) are moved along by the nuts (30, 30') running along with the threaded sections (32, 34), so that a Christmas-tree trunk can be fixed or fastened between the clamping bars (18, 20).

Abstract: A self-righting warning marker includes a base having a warning sign attached thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom. The warning sign is preferably formed of a polymer which is rigid yet resilient and flexible, to prevent breakage upon contact from a vehicle or the like. The base of the marker has a pivot surface extending between a rearward face and a bottom surface so that the marker will roll along the pivot surface from an upright orientation to a horizontal orientation if contacted by a vehicle. A ballast weight within the base is located such that the center of gravity of the marker is located forwardly of the pivot surface to thereby cause the marker to be self-righting. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an illuminator is mounted on the marker, with a lens attached along an upper edge of the warning sign and a bundle of fiber optic cables extending through the panel of the warning sign to a power source in the base which includes a light and a battery.

Abstract: This is a hand operated fertilizing tool by means of which, upon ground penetration of a tine, the apparatus may be swung in a side-to-side and back-to-front motion so as to enlarge the void created by the tine, into which enlarged void the fertilizing substance, whatever it may be, is gravity fed downwardly through a dispensing tube and directly into the enlarged void, the fertilizing substance being blocked from passage through the dispensing tube until a laterally shiftable blocking means intercepting through the dispensing tube is slid from a no go to a go position.

Abstract: A barrier device for a traffic bollard to protect movable secondary objects, such a vehicle doors, from damage during contact, such as when the doors are opened. Devices are provided which circumferentially span and connect to the bollard. Various attachment methods are taught, including the incorporation of the attachment device embedded in the device during the molding process. Alternatively, a trench design is disclosed to provide concealment of the attachment device following installation. The use of panels cut from the tread section of used vehicular tire casings is disclosed. One embodiment of this design bonds two such panels together placing the attachment apparatus secured longitudinally therebetween. Draw straps are disclosed as a practical attachment device. Printed images may be applied to the exterior surface to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the device or provide a platform for advertisement material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking a surface with a predetermined pattern is described. The apparatus includes a surface marking mechanism that supports a material dispenser. The material dispenser is manipulated along a number of axes including an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. In addition, the material dispenser is manipulated to rotate around a w-axis and to form a tilt angle with the w-axis. The surface marking mechanism includes movement devices for initial positioning of the mechanism and for re-positioning the mechanism to complete a selected pattern that does not fit within the border of the mechanism. The surface marking mechanism is responsive to control signals from a controller. The control signals are derived from a mathematical model characterizing the spatial relationship between the predetermined pattern, the material dispenser, and the surface to be marked.

Abstract: A speed controlling unit for maintaining a traffic hump in a raised position for a limited time to discourage vehicles from exceeding a threshold speed. The speed controlling unit includes a first surface (15a,415a,515a,615a) adapted for actuation by a moving vehicle, a second surface (15b,415b,515b,615b) which constitutes the traffic hump, and mechanical control structure (16,26; 416,426; 516,526; 616,626) for temporarily supporting the second surface in its raised position. An assembly of the speed control units may be arranged side by side across a traffic lane.

Abstract: A building module for the erection of plantable bin walls which can be used as freestanding, sound absorbing/reducing walls and retaining walls. Each module has two longitudinal bins separated and supported by a cross beam and two cross beams support blocks. The longitudinal bins run parallel to the wall plane and have weirs at both ends which retain water within the bin to support plant growth therein.

Abstract: The use of a cam member having a plurality of camming groups to cause a raising and lowering motion to be transferred to a cutting head to install a series of SNAP depressions in the surface of an asphalt road. Two cutting methods are disclosed, the first allowing cutting through the cut, the second allowing a near plunge cut to be made. Cutting through the cut permits a smaller diameter cutting drum than would fit the resulting cut while providing for a smooth action to the cutting procedure. A near plunge cut permits adaptation of existing equipment utilizing current use cutting drum which diameter approximate the shape of the resulting cut. Proper spacing is ensured by having the cam member in direct communication with the surface under treatment with movement provided by the installing machine. The optional adaptation of a skip pattern within the series is taught.

Abstract: A two-part traffic channelizing device including a recycled rubber base (or other suitable material) having a slot with a textured interior surface extending therethrough and a vertically upwardly extending vertical member coated with reflective material and releasably inserted inside the slot, forming a friction/compression fit between the vertical member and the textured interior surface of the slot. The vertical member is held in position in the slot by friction/compression alone. Upon impact, the vertical member pops out of the slot, and the device is reassembled simply by reinserting the vertical member into the slot; no replacement parts are necessary, except for accessory items such as lighting devices or power sources.

Abstract: An auxiliary blade apparatus for connecting to a lawn mower having an engine, a mower blade, a mower deck over the mower blade having side edges, a mower drive shaft extending from the mower blade to a mower blade drive element drivably connected to the engine, the auxiliary blade apparatus includes an auxiliary blade support structure pivotally connected to the lawn mower, to pivot upward to permit the mower to pass through a narrow gate in a yard fence, and downward to extend the width of the cutting area of the mower to widen the path the mower can cut, and an auxiliary blade fastened to an auxiliary drive shaft extending through the auxiliary blade support structure and fastened to an auxiliary drive element connected to the mower blade drive element. The auxiliary blade support structure preferably includes an auxiliary deck pivotally joined to one of the mower deck side edges.

Abstract: The ramp bridging member has a bridge plate connected to ramp so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis It has a free end. An extension with a substantially vertical leg 14 is provided with which the extension is connected to the free end of the bridge plate. The extension is extendable from a rest position in a longitudinal direction of the bridge plate for resting on a vehicle platform to be loaded and unloaded and is retractable in the longitudinal direction into the rest position. A plurality of parallel support beams extending in the longitudinal direction of the bridge plate is provided. The support beams are extendable and retractable together with the extension. Each one of the support beams has a front end and a rear end. A vertical plate is connected to the front end of the support beams. The vertical leg engages in a hook-like manner a bottom edge of the vertical plate.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible safety reflector and barricade for use adjacent a stranded vehicle. The barricade includes multiple sets of "x" linkages, each formed of two bars hinged together in the middle for free pivoting. Each corner of each set of linkages is pivotally connected to separate corner links, with each corner link being common between two of the sets. As such, the "x" linkages for a three dimensional structure with corner links at each of the corners of this structure. Two sets of these corner links also mount support staffs, each fixed to a lower one of the associated set of corner links, and mounted for sliding movement with respect to an upper one of the associated set of corner links. The support staffs each mount an end of a band of flexible reflective material. The free ends of the staffs also include mounting cups to receive a light, flare, flag, or other safety signal.

Abstract: A method of forming cellular rigid pavement utilizing a planar orthogonal matrix of upwardly convex domed forms over which concrete is poured to create a corresponding matrix of voids within the concrete around which downward loads are distributed and which minimizes pavement warpage and concrete volume, and a panel of such domed forms used in practicing the method.

Abstract: A support and attachment mechanism for a dock leveler lift bag. The dock leveler includes a supporting structure which is mounted in a pit in a loading dock and the rear end of a ramp is pivoted to the supporting structure so that the ramp is movable between a horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position. A bag support member is pivoted to the supporting structure and is located in the pit beneath the ramp. An inflatable bag assembly is located adjacent the rear end of the ramp and is positioned between the underside of the ramp and the bag support member. By inflating the bag assembly, the ramp can be pivoted from the horizontal to the upwardly inclined position. The bag assembly includes a rearwardly extending tether which is secured to the supporting structure and prevents the bag assembly from squeezing forwardly as the bag assembly is inflated.

Abstract: A check valve for connection with the top end of a drillstring as a mud saver comprises a tubular valve member (18) which is axially shiftable within a tubular body (10) through a sleeve seal (19) which is mounted in the body (10) and which cooperates with ports in the wall of the tubular valve member (18) and which is disposed adjacent a downstream end of the tubular valve member. A compression spring (20) urges the tubular valve member (18) in the upstream direction into abutment with an upstream stop (15). The downstream end of the tubular valve member is closed by means of a frangible glass disc (21). The sleeve seal (19) is also axially shiftable in the body (10) in an upstream direction away from a downstream stop (17) and the compression spring (20) urges the sleeve seal (19) in the downstream direction. In a compact arrangement, the tubular valve member (18) is housed within an upstream hollow pin (30) of a saver sub particularly suited to a top drive arrangement.

Abstract: A mole is provided for use in replacing or preparing for replacement an existing underground pipe. The mole is sized to permit insertion into and movement along the existing pipe. The mole is provided with a front portion having a cutting edge for engaging the internal wall of the existing pipe and to fracture the same. The rear portion of the mole clamps to a new pipe or a liner for the existing pipe. Accordingly, The mole is adapted to tow the new pipe or the liner through the fractured pipe. The head portion of the mole is tapered toward the front and has flat or scalloped sides defining therebetween integral cutting edges.