Abstract: A method of selectively closing off a loading dock opening defined by a loading dock pit recessed within a floor of a building and a doorway into the building, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a pit seal panel having a substantially incompressible height and width to a barrier position where the pit seal panel closes off a rectangular area substantially spanning an entire vertical dimension and an entire widthwise dimension of the loading dock pit; and (b) lowering an overhead door to concurrently contact the pit seal panel and the floor of the building to close off the loading dock opening.

Abstract: A Park inhibition solenoid assembly for preventing the undesirable shifting of a transmission from an out-of-Park mode to a Park mode includes a follower and an armature slidably disposed within a valve body/housing and within a solenoid. The follower is moveable between an out-of-Park position and a Park position and the armature is moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The follower and armature include detents for supporting a bearing. The armature and bearing prevent the follower from moving from the out-of-Park position to the Park position when the armature is held in place in the lock position by the solenoid.

Abstract: A handrail for a gangway and a method for manufacturing the same where the handrail comprises a single, continuous piece of plastic.

Abstract: Mechanical joints are provided in which the angle between a first coupled member and a second coupled member may be varied by mechanical actuators. In some embodiments the angle may be varied around a pivot axis in one plane and in some embodiments the angle may be varied around two pivot axes in two orthogonal planes. The joints typically utilize a cam assembly having two lobes with an involute surface. Actuators are configured to push against the lobes to vary the rotation angle between the first and second coupled member.

Abstract: Provided is an XY table actuator that, while building-in a drive means for freely moving an object placed on a table within an XY-plane and positioning the object, can be significantly reduced in size and that helps to suppress an increase in table height.

Abstract: A suspension bridge is supported by a cable having one or more cable bands. An anti-rusting device is comprised of one or more covers, each of the covers including an inner peripheral surface and covering the cable so as to leave a gap between the inner peripheral surface and an outer periphery of the cable, the gap being capable of conveying a gas along the outer periphery of the cable; and a ventilator configured to dry and feed the gas into the gap, the ventilator air-tightly communicating with the gap.

Abstract: A speed change control device for a transmission of an internal combustion engine includes a driving means having an electric motor for rotatably driving a shift drum. The electric motor has a rotation axis orthogonal to an axis of a shift drum. A barrel cam having a cam groove rotates about an axis parallel to that of the electric motor. A transmission rotation member is interlocked and is coupled to the shift drum so as to be rotatable about the axis orthogonal to the rotation axis of the barrel cam. The transmission rotation member is provided with a plurality of engagement pins that selectively engages the cam groove. The resulting configuration allows the electric motor to be disposed inwardly with respect to an outermost side of the body of the internal combustion engine in the direction of the axis of a shift drum and improves the shift accuracy.

Abstract: A composite material comprises: an open grid comprising at least two sets of strands. Each set of strands has openings between adjacent strands. The sets are oriented at a substantial angle to one another. A tack film is laminated to the open grid. The tack film has first and second major surfaces, such that a material of the tack film at its first and second major surfaces is a material including about 50% or more of resinous non-asphaltic component and about 50% or less of asphaltic component.

Abstract: A wheeled concrete screeding device includes a wheeled unit having wheels for movably supporting a frame portion, and a screed head supported at the frame portion and following behind the wheeled unit when the wheeled unit is moved in a screeding direction. The screed head includes a grade establishing element and a vibratable member. The grade establishing element is generally vertically adjustable responsive to a signal from a laser receiver disposed at the screed head to establish a struck-off surface of the uncured concrete at a desired grade. The vibratable member is adjustably attached at the grade establishing element and the vibratable member at least partially floats behind the grade establishing element on the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete and is at least partially supported at the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete as the wheeled unit is moved in the screeding direction.

Abstract: A control system for controlling movement of individual hydraulically moveable ends of a screed head carried by a boom of a machine so as to maintain a selected elevation position between each end of the screed head and a reference in a concrete paving application as the screed head is moved toward the machine, includes elevation receivers mounted on the ends of the screed head, and a first sensor for sensing the orientation of the screed head along its length from the first end to the second end of the screed head. A second sensor senses rotational movement of the machine which will induce an error in the output of the first sensor, and providing an output indicating such rotational movement.

Abstract: A reusable energy-absorbing crash attenuator comprises a base, a rail disposed on and extending along a length of the base, and a plurality of energy absorbing modules slidably disposed on the rail. Each of the energy absorbing modules comprises a first module portion and a second module portion which are attached together. Each of the module portions comprise plastic, preferably high density polyethylene (HDPE), and have a combination of concave and convex curvature. A plurality of fender panels are disposed in adjoining end-to-end fashion along each side of the length of the crash attenuator. The fender panels are arranged to slide together in telescoping fashion upon impact of the crash attenuator by a vehicle.

Abstract: A composition for chemical improvement of soil and road base materials including an aqueous solution of a water repellant and an aqueous emulsion of a soil stabilizer and dust retardant is herein disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-use asphalt paving tractor with frame raise capability and a blind-mateable connector to facilitate quick connection with interchangeable attachments for performing the functions of a paver, a mix transfer conveyor and road widener.

Abstract: An improved prestressed concrete bridge having internal and external tensioning tendons which follow approximately similar pathways which are not straight.

Abstract: The cover layer is applied as an asphalt cover layer (5, 5?, 5?) to avoid significant restrictions of the running traffic and for shortening the construction time. Also, this asphalt cover layer is arranged above the upper face (OK) of the runway or roadway in need of renewal and an asphalt base coarse layer (4, 4?, 4?, 4??, 4??, 4???) is disposed between the base layer (2, 2?) and the asphalt cover layer (5, 5?, 5?). A method subdivides the roadway or runway in the direction of travel into a primary lane (7) and at least one secondary lane (8, 9). First, the work subzones (10) to (14) of the primary lane (7) are processed and then the work effort is transferred to subzones (15) to (20) of the secondary lanes (8, 9) for processing. At least the frost-protective layer (1) remains in the earth and at least an asphalt base layer (4, 4?, 4?, 4??, 4??, 4???) and an asphalt cover layer (5, 5?, 5?) are applied thereon.

Abstract: An inflatable tube (10) in a fascine is provided with a cover (11) of a braided material to provide significant strength. An outer cover (12) of KEVLAR™ may also be provided. The braided cover (11) and the inflatable tube (10) are held at the ends of the tube by a clamping mechanism (17, 18, 19) and a cylinder (40) of inflation gas is supported within the tube (10), when the tube (10) is inflated.

Abstract: An extended safety cage provides access to a plurality of hatches on the top of a mobile container. The cage is rotatably attached to the end of a gangway, which extends from and is rotatably attached to a platform. The platform carries a pair of braces that extend out in opposite directions and support the cage through spring-loaded lifting arms. The apparatus can include actuators, such as hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, that urge the gangway and cage downward when activated. Secondary braces ensure that the lifting arms and safety cage move in unison.

Abstract: A device to secure, cut and sequentially remove a manhole from a street environment. The manhole removing device is supported and rotatably driven hydraulically by a mobile operation equipment. A circular disk assembly has adjustable pavement cutters adjustably positioned from there within an inter-related manhole centering and a locking alignment and engagement plate assembly define a one-step cutting and removal of an existing manhole from the street for replacement.

Abstract: Disclosed are a concrete dowel placement devices and a method of utilizing the same. A metallic stud is driven, screwed, or otherwise attached to a form. The stud may be a unitary structure, or may be a hollow tube with conventional fastening means such as nails and screws extending through and holding the hollow tube to the form. A cover having an interior compartment substantially equal in diameter to the stud is slidably placed thereon, and a first enclosed area is developed with a plurality of forms. Concrete is poured into the first enclosed area, and upon curing, the form and the stud are removed, leaving the cover embedded in the concrete. A metallic dowel is inserted into the cover, and a second enclosed area is developed with like configured forms. The metallic dowel extends into the second enclosed area.

Abstract: A compactor wheel is disclosed that includes a hub mountable to an axle of a compaction machine and a rim mounted around an outer circumference of the hub, with the rim having a wrapper and inner and outer circumferential edges. The compactor wheel also includes a modular axle guard positioned near the inner circumferential edge and extending outward from the wrapper, the modular axle guard having a plurality of guard modules arranged about an outer circumference of the rim. Each of the guard modules includes a pair of wedge segments affixed to the wrapper and positioned on the wrapper in a spaced apart relationship and a guard segment positioned on the wrapper and seated between the pair of wedge segments. The guard segment includes a portion that extends radially outward from the wrapper and beyond the pair of wedge segments.