Abstract: A pipe laying machine is disclosed. The example pipe laying machine includes a platform configured to move continuously relative to the ground and a pipe connector section configured to slide along a portion of length of the platform relative to the platform. The pipe connector section includes an upstream stopper and a downstream pipe connector section configured to slide along a portion of a length of the pipe connector section relative to the pipe connector section. The upstream stopper is configured to prevent a bell mouth of a bell end of an upstream pipe from passing through. The downstream pipe connector section includes a downstream clamp, which is configured to grip a spigot end of a downstream pipe. The downstream pipe connector section is configured to slide toward the upstream pipe to connect the upstream pipe with the downstream pipe.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe laying machine for glued or gasketed piped is disclosed. The example pipe laying machine includes a platform including a first end and a second end. The pipe laying machine also includes a clamp configured to grip a portion of a bell end of an upstream pipe to prevent the upstream pipe from moving, a spigot end of the upstream pipe being connected to a second upstream pipe. The pipe laying machine further includes a plunger located adjacent to the second end of the platform and configured to push against a bell end of a downstream pipe causing a spigot end of the downstream pipe to connect to the bell end of the upstream pipe. The plunger is configured to push against the face of the bell end of the downstream pipe when the clamp grips the portion of the bell end of the upstream pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle that includes a first self propelled steerable structure having a first portion, a second self propelled steerable structure having a second portion and a tensioning device connected to the first and second self propelled steerable structures. Whereby the tensioning device is configured to allow a load to be compressed and lifted between the first self propelled steerable structure and the second self propelled steerable structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load. The load can include a perimeter with a first side and a second side, the second side extending substantially parallel to the first side and a plurality of supports extending from the first side to the second side, the supports allowing the load to withstand a lateral compression force suitable to lift the load.

Abstract: A control system for steering at least one vehicle including a first plurality of sensors operably coupled to a respective wheel of the vehicle, a second plurality of sensors operably coupled to a respective input device, and a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller is operably coupled to the sensors and each respective wheel for controlling the velocity of each wheel to achieve a desired speed and direction based on the data signals received from the sensors. The vehicle controller controls the velocity of each wheel independently to achieve the desired speed and direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system that includes a first self propelled steerable vehicle having a first end and a second end, a second self propelled steerable vehicle having a first end and a second end and an electronic device that maintains a relative position between at least one of the first end and the second end of the first self propelled steerable vehicle and at least one of the first end and the second end of the second self propelled steerable vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering system and method are provided. The system includes an input device coupled to a first vehicle and a processor. The processor is configured to determine if the first vehicle is a master vehicle or a slave vehicle to a second vehicle. If the first vehicle is the master vehicle, the processor determines an instantaneous center of rotation based at least partly upon an input received from the input device. If the first vehicle is the slave vehicle, the instantaneous center of rotation is received by the first vehicle. The system also includes a controller configured to position a wheel unit of the first vehicle with the path of the wheel unit being perpendicular to a line passing through the center of the wheel unit and the instantaneous center of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting a building. The device includes a first support structure, the first support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis and a second support structure, the second support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis. The first support structure and the second support structure are configured to couple together to support and transport the building.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting a building. The device includes a first support structure, the first support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis and a second support structure, the second support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis. The first support structure and the second support structure are configured to couple together to support and transport the building.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device, including a movable structure configured to support and transport a building. At least four drive devices are coupled to the movable structure, each of the at least four drive devices including at least two wheels and at least two motors, each of the being motors adapted to drive one wheel. An input control device is configured to allow an operator to direct the movement of the transport device. The device can include a global positioning receiver. A control system is configured to calculate the desired heading and velocity of the transport device using differential steering based on inputs from the operators and the global positioning receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for a load. The transport device includes at least one device configured to alter the orientation of the load relative to at least a portion of the transport device. At least one sensor is adapted to detect if at least one of the following occurs: the portion of the load becomes substantially non-planar and the portion of the load becomes substantially non-level. Electrical components are in communication with the sensor and are adapted to adjust the at least one device such that the portion of the load maintains at least one of the substantial planarity and the substantial levelness.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a wheeled vehicle utilizes interchangeable wheel hubs to secure various types of tires to provide better performance and maintenance on the vehicles. The design of the hubs is such that fabrication costs are reduced as well as costs for maintaining wheel inventories. The hubs are designed with locking elements and shoulders to ensure that tires are effectively secured in the wheel assembly. The hub is configured so that replacement of worn tires is done quickly, without having to touch the wheel bearings or drain the lubricant.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a wheeled vehicle utilizes interchangeable wheel hubs to secure various types of tires to provide better performance and maintenance on the vehicles. The design of the hubs is such that fabrication costs are reduced as well as costs for maintaining wheel inventories. The hubs are designed with locking elements and shoulders to ensure that tires are effectively secured in the wheel assembly. The hub is configured so that replacement of worn tires is done quickly, without having to touch the wheel bearings or drain the lubricant.

Abstract: An amusement ride attraction has an anti-roll back track with stops or cross bolts covered by a continuous brush material. A vehicle such as a roller coaster car or water flume boat has an anti-roll back pawl which rides above the fiber material on skis, when the vehicle moves forward. If the vehicle begins to move backward, the skis move downwardly through the brush material and the pawl engages a stop on the track, to prevent further reverse movement. The brush material prevents the pawl from banging over each of the stops on the track, thereby reducing noise and wear.