Abstract: Flexible brackets or “wings” molded from marine grade, UV resistant PVC allow attachment of inflatable boat fenders to any piling or dock structure regardless of shape or size. Adjustable straps are used to encompass the fender and fasten it to the “wings” allowing use of any size fender from six to twelve inches in diameter. A short section of line is used to secure the fenders, when used vertically, to an eye screw fastened to the piling or structure in a location above the fenders where the line can pass through the central opening in the fenders and tie in a large knot at the bottom of the fenders.

Abstract: A paving stone system for producing aesthetically pleasing paving stones. The paving stone system includes positioning a tile member within a container, applying a bonding agent to the tile member and filling the container with concrete. The tile member is comprised of a flat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first side wall extending from the lower surface and a second side wall extending from the lower surface. The first side wall and the second side wall are preferably curved inwardly toward one another to lock within the concrete. A unique pattern may be applied to the upper surface of the tile member providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A method of deploying a communications cable below the surface of the body of water includes loading the cable around a reel within a housing, lowering the housing and the reel into the body of water, retrieving the connector of the cable from the housing, moving the connector and the attached cable to a position away from the housing, and connecting the connector to a subsea communications connection. An umbilical line is extended over a crane structure extending over the side of an offshore structure. The umbilical line is electronically connected to the communications cable. A remotely operated vehicle or a diver will intercept the connector and deliver the connector to the subsea communications connection.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for concretizing vertical shafts having a depth of e.g. 500 m or more. The concrete is conveyed to a low-lying application site (20) in the shaft by a concrete column that is situated in a downpipe (30). Delivery of concrete is guaranteed without separation (demixing) or clogging of concrete. The concrete is removed in portions of from the succeeding concrete column at the output end of the downpipe (30), is separated from the concrete column, is depressurized and it subsequently conveyed to the application site.

Abstract: A method of lowering a floating body of a floating foundation and carrying a structure projecting above the water surface to an end position located beneath the water level, includes threading, through each of the upwardly projecting tubes, which are secured to the floating body above-through-openings formed in the floating body, a cable or a rod and connecting the cable or rod to a set-in-ground anchor, lowering the floating body, with the uptake devices provided at the free ends of the tubes, to the end position of the floating body beneath the water surface against buoyancy of the floating body, and fixidly securing the cables or rods, in the end position of the floating body, to the floating body and cutting off sections of the cables and rods above fixation points of the cables and rods with the floating body and removing the tubes.

Abstract: A melting member is adapted to melt snow and ice as it contacts the snow and ice. The melting member is a tablet of sufficient size for melting a substantial amount of ice or snow before dissolving. One or more melting members are placed on snow or ice formed on an inclined roof of a building. The melting members melt the snow or ice as they move downwardly toward the roof of the building. The melting members then continue to melt the snow or ice as they slide downward along the inclined surface of the roof of the building. Water from melted snow and ice is then drained through the channels formed by the melting members. The channels also function to break up ice dams formed on the roof to allow for safe and easy removal of the ice dams and to prevent damage to the roof of the building.

Abstract: A method for driving a sheet pile wall into the ground includes providing a sheet pile with at least one sheet pile interlock having a longitudinal opening giving access to an interlock chamber in the sheet pile interlock. The method further includes inserting an inflatable tube device in the interlock chamber, inflating the inflatable tube so that the inflatable tube closes the longitudinal opening, driving the sheet pile into the ground, deflating the inflatable tube and withdrawing the inflatable tube from the interlock device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for deployment of an object in a fluid, e.g. the sea, with at least a first (4) and a second cable (5), to be connected to the object, the apparatus comprising winch elements for reeling in and out the cables (4, 5) in order to allow movement of the object with respect to the apparatus. The apparatus is provided with a bundling apparatus (10) for bundling the cables, when reeled out, in order to provide a single cable assembly between the apparatus and the object during deployment. The apparatus and the method are not only adapted for bundling cables when reeling out the cables during deployment, but the apparatus and the method are adapted for removing a bundling element (13) from the cables when reeled in during recovery.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a swinging door with an extendible hinge disposed along an inner edge of the door. The extendible hinge allows the door to pivot through a range of pivotal positions and, when necessary, allows the door to move through a range of extended positions. The pivotal positions allow the door to open and close normally across a doorway, while the extended positions help protect the door assembly from damage in the event the door is forced to swing beyond its pivotal positions. In some embodiments, the door includes a spring-tensioned chain that draws the inner edge of the door against an anchor attached to a side edge of the doorway. The flexibility of the chain allows the door to pivot, while the compliance of the chain's spring allows the door to shift away from its normal pivot point and move to various extended positions.

Abstract: A tunnel waterproofing construction method that avoids dripping and fogging during spray application, organic solvents, unpleasant odors, and cracking, while providing workability, superior tunnel waterproofing characteristics, and economic advantage. A primary spray cement concrete is sprayed onto the excavated tunnel surface, and an ambient-temperature vulcanization-type rubber emulsion is sprayed onto the primary concrete, thereby forming a rubber film, and a secondary concrete coating is then established on the rubber surface. The primary spray cement concrete may be used to even out the irregular earthen excavation surface, and a drainage layer may be used along with the primary spray cement concrete surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting and stabilizing a foundation including a pier having a top end and a bottom end, the pier being disposed in shaft drilled proximate the foundation to a desired underground formation suitable for supporting the foundation, a slab bracket connected to a side of the foundation and not supporting the foundation from the underside thereof, a jacking bracket attached to the top end of the prier and positioned below the slab bracket, and means for supporting the foundation positional between the jacking bracket and the slab bracket.

Abstract: A floating platform with motion characteristics for offshore deepwater developments with vertical axial symmetry and decoupling of hydrodynamic design features. A motion-damping skirt (120) is provided around the base of the hull (1), which is configured to provide ease of installation for various umbilicals and risers. A retractable center assembly (300) is used in a lowered position to adjust the center of gravity and metacentric height, reducing wind loads and moments on the structure, providing lateral areas for damping and volume for added mass for roll resistance. The center assembly (300) is used to tune system response in conjunction with the hull damping skirt (120) and fins (121). The center assembly (300) also includes separators (350) below the floating platform deck which serve to add stability to the floating structure by shifting the center of gravity downward, the separators (350) capable of being raised and lowered vertical separators alone or as a unit.

Abstract: A bifurcated wrap-around covering which covers an already seated person, infant to adult. The covering is made to straddle a vertical obstruction in the crotch area 54 of a child's seating structure and made to wrap a child's legs into leg compartments 57 and 57A. Significant is the cut of the top edges of the rear leg compartment panels 56 and 56A that surround a user's buttocks 84 wherein a user's buttocks is exposed, allowing the covering to be placed without the necessity of lifting a user, nor lifting a user's legs. Additional material allows the invention to become a body wrap. The covering in larger sizes wraps the legs of larger persons and can be used as a blanket, or with ties at the waistline, a slacks garment for invalids and handicapped persons in wheelchairs.

Abstract: A wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system. The wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from the exterior face to the interior face, and a top surface and a bottom surface. Further provided in the wall block is a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and an arcuate bottom surface. The channel extends across one of the faces and surfaces.

Abstract: A shell for providing impact protection to a marine drilling riser, the shell comprising a body having at least one hollow chamber defined by inner and outer faces of the shell, the body being provided with a plurality of holes allowing flooding of the chamber.

Abstract: An orifice shield for a wastewater drainage conduit is an injection molded unitary body which is cylindrically-shaped with a first open end and an opposed second open end. The body is provided with a top wall and rounded sidewalls extending from the top wall. At least one flow through slot is provided in the top wall of the body to allow the flow of effluent therethrough. The rounded sidewalls terminate in spaced edges which extend along the length of the unitary body for receiving and gripping a conduit. Longitudinally extending spacers are provided along an interior surface of the unitary body for spacing the top wall of the orifice shield from the drainage conduit.

Abstract: A cleaning device for use with a gutter system includes at least a first body portion connected to the top of the gutter pipe. The cleaning device includes a downspout, connected to the gutter, with a flexible segment. The flexible segment can be extended or compressed to allow removal or insertion into a storm drainage pipe. The downspout may pivot at the flexible segment to divert water away from the structure while the cleaning device is in use.

Abstract: A bed with air adjustable elevation components having a generally rectangular foundation, a mattress having a plurality of sections, and an air chamber under each section of the mattress that is to be raised. The contour and shape of the mattress is controlled by inflating and deflating each air chamber to elevate and incline the section of the mattress. The mattress is formed of connecting sections including a back section and a buttock section adjacent the back section. Adjacent the buttock section is an upper leg section and adjacent the upper leg section is lower leg section. The sides of the upper leg section and the lower leg section abutting each other are formed at an angle such that when the leg sections of the mattress are in a non-elevated position a V-shaped cut out area is formed between the two sections. The air chambers are connected to a pump and a controller is provided to easily inflate and deflate the chambers, together or separately, with compressed air.

Abstract: A method of removing a deck from an offshore structure is provided. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A ground cover mat includes a first end interlock at a first end of the body which is adapted to interlock with a second end interlock at a second end of a like body. A second end interlock is provided at the second end of the body which is adapted to interlock with the first end interlock at a first end of a like body. A first side interlock is provided at a first side of the body which is adapted to interlock with a second side interlock at a second side of an adjacent like body. A second side interlock is provided at the second side of the body which is adapted to interlock with the first side interlock at a second end of an adjacent like body.