Abstract: A high performance, twin rotor riding trowel for finishing concrete and a joystick operated electro-hydraulic control circuit enabling complete joystick control to the operator. The rigid trowel frame mounts two spaced-apart, downwardly projecting, and bladed rotors that frictionally contact the concrete surface. The rotors are tilted with double acting, hydraulic cylinders to effectuate steering and control. Double acting hydraulic cylinders also control blade pitch. A joystick system enables the operator to hand control the trowel with minimal physical exertion. The proportional joystick system directly controls electrical circuitry that outputs proportional control signals to electrically controlled, proportional, pressure-reducing valves in line with the tilting cylinders. The hydraulic circuitry comprises a motor driven pump delivering pressure to a flow divider circuit. A bypass-valve in line before the flow divider enables an operator to customize the trowel steering characteristics.

Abstract: In an articulated sequence or array of ground-reinforcement panels, each panel has parallel rectilinear edges, one of them provided with a number of male interlock members projecting therefrom in the plane of the panel and the other provided with a corresponding number of female interlock members recessed therein, so constructed and arranged that the male members can be forcibly but detachably interengaged with the female members in a next-adjacent panel in a direction vertical to the plane of the panels but cannot be disengaged therefrom in the plane of the panels, while, when interengaged, the respective male and female members and the adjacent panels associated therewith are capable of limited rotation with respect to each other.

Abstract: A novel energy absorbing module is described which is relatively inexpensive, easy to make and provides for a relatively consistent crush resistance along its length when impacted axially. The module is made up of a generally cylindrical metal member which is formed from a roll of sheet metal that is wound into a tube having a spiral cross-section. A layer of spacer material, such as polyethylene foam, is placed adjacent the sheet metal so that the winds of the spiral are separated from one another. The energy absorbent module of the present invention provides a relatively constant and predictable level of crush resistance which makes it particularly suitable for such applications as an insert for a guardrail end treatment or other crash barrier. The module is formed by rolling a sheet of metal, or similar material, and the spacer sheet into a tubular or cylindrical form. A portion of one end of the module is then crushed slightly by impact loading.

Abstract: A telescopic boarding bridge mounted at ground level for bridging the space between a small aircraft and a terminal gate doorway. The bridge includes a terminal bridge section supported in a fixed position adjacent the terminal gate doorway and at least one moveable bridge section adapted to slidably receive a front end of the terminal bridge section. The moveable bridge section has idler wheels for allowing movement thereof on the ground. A drive mechanism is operational to selectively push and pull on each side of the moveable bridge section to linearly displace the same relative to the terminal bridge section. The telescopic boarding bridge further includes a flexible canopy enclosure which is displaceable between a retracted position for providing wing tip clearance and an extended position for covering the doorway and the sides of the stairs of a small aircraft.

Abstract: Method for building bridges and bridge built according to the method especially a girder bridge with one, two or more girders or longitudinal beams resting on supports at abutments or the like. The novelty lies therein that the girder or longitudinal beams have end portions extending beyond the supports at the abutments and that between such extending ends and the abutments are arranged anchoring devices which after being fixed to the ends of the extending ends of each girder exert a supporting moment to the portion of the girders between the abutments.

Abstract: A tamper has a housing, a transmission in the housing converting rotary movement to reciprocating movement, and a tamper plate underneath the transmission and connected thereto for tamping material over which the tamper is moved. A gasoline-fueled engine mounted on the housing supplies rotary movement to the transmission and a fuel tank mounted on the housing adjacent the engine is connected with the engine for supplying fuel thereto. A dome-shaped and downwardly concave cover fixed to the handle is positioned above the engine. The cover is made of a sound-absorbing material and includes a rigid shell having an underside provided with a layer of sound-absorbing material.

Abstract: A bridge-laying apparatus has a vehicle adapted to travel in a longitudinal direction and a longitudinally extending laying arm adapted to lay down and pick up bridges formed of at least one bridge section. A rigid link has an upper end pivoted on the laying arm and a lower end pivoted directly on the vehicle and an expansible main cylinder offset horizontally from the link has an upper end pivoted on the arm and a lower end pivoted directly on the vehicle. A pusher cylinder extending nonparallel to the main cylinder has a lower end pivoted on the vehicle and an upper end pivoted on the arm.

Abstract: A system for covering and protecting the supporting structure of a bridge. The system is generally comprised of first plates positioned in covering relation over the top surface of the support pillars and second plates positioned in covering relation over the spans of beam which interconnect the pillars. The cover plates overhang the pillars and beam spans and include flashings and gutters appropriately positioned in order to channel and direct water away from the bridge support structure. In bridge constructions which utilize two I-beams extending in spaced, parallel relation to one another, a third plate is securely attached to, and positioned in between the two I-beams, and includes a gutter which carries water away from the bridge support structure.

Abstract: A trough bridge is composed of a plurality of interconnected bridge sections each formed of a roadway deck segment and side wall segments located at opposite sides of the roadway deck segment. An articulation for pivotally attaching the side wall segments to each roadway deck segment includes spaced and aligned first hinge sleeves affixed to the roadway deck segment; a separate first hinge recess defined next to each first hinge sleeve; spaced and aligned second hinge sleeves affixed to the side wall segments; and a separate second hinge recess defined next to each second hinge sleeve. In an assembled state the first hinge sleeves are received in respective second hinge recesses and the second hinge sleeves are received in respective first hinge recesses. The first and second hinge sleeves are in alignment with one another. A hinge pin passes through the first and second hinge sleeves for pivotally joining the side wall segments to the roadway deck segment.

Abstract: A road anti-dazzle device that is installed on a safety island to prevent car lights from stimulating drivers' eyes so as to avoid possible road accidents. The device includes a cylinder made of high-density polyethylene materials. The cylinder has a plurality of longitudinal adjacent curved faces that have turbulent functions to enhance the cylinder's resistance to wind pressure. The cylinder has an elongated slot on a bottom portion thereof. A bolt is passed through a securing disk and into the bottom end of the cylinder. The bolt passes out from the elongated slot so that a circumferential flange of the securing disk presses against the bottom portion of the cylinder. A long-handle spanner is used to extend into a through hole at an upper end of the cylinder to lock the bolt into a threaded hole in the ground. The cylinder is firmly positioned on the ground by the securing disk.