Abstract: A vent device has an elongate body having a main body of one or two members with a top end and a bottom end, an elongate side member on each side of the main body being bent inward the same direction, and a suspension clip formed on an end of each elongate side member for suspending the vent device from the rim of a trash container. When formed of two members comprising an upper member and lower member, the lower body member includes preformed clips for attachment through slots on the upper body member and the length of the device is determined by the slots selected for insertion of the clips. The main body may include score lines for breaking off portions of the main body and adjusting the length of the device to fit the height of a trash container.

Abstract: A method for weighing vehicles moving on a bridge deck pavement is provided. At least one vibration sensor is mounted on a lower side of the pavement to sense low frequency pavement vibrations generated by moving vehicle wheels and propagated in waves in the pavement. Vibration sensor output signals are provided to a computing device. Sensed vibration energy rate is computed and, with signals from vibration sensors mounted at two locations separated by a known longitudinal distance, vehicle speed is also computed. The weight of the vehicle is determined as the product of a calibration coefficient and the ratio of sensed vibration energy rate to velocity. Using vibration sensor signals indicative of wheel generated vibrations in the very near field and summing vibration energy rates computed from these signals during vehicle passage over the vibration sensors the weight of individual vehicles is computed when other moving vehicles are present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus prevents vacuum restraint during removal of a plastic trash bag liner from a trash container. The side wall of the trash container includes a vent port near the bottom of the container, and a flapper valve attached above the vent port on the inside of the container covers the port with a covering element while the trash bag rests. When the trash bag is filled and thereafter lifted out of the trash container, the covering element lifts to open the vent port and cause an inflow of air under the trash bag to prevent a vacuum forming.

Abstract: A hand-operated gatherer for gathering pecans, nuts, or other objects such as golf balls. The gatherer includes a basket assembly connect to a first end of a shaft and a handle and trigger connected to a second end of the shaft. A pair of pivotally hinged doors biased to a closed position by a spring device attach to a frame member in the basket assembly via depending tabs, and a gatherer head comprised of wire bails separate the doors. A control linkage attaches to at least one of the doors and runs lengthwise along the shaft to the trigger, whereby the trigger is finger actuated to pull the control linkage and open the door or doors that are attached to the control linkage to release the items held within the storage component of the basket assembly.

Abstract: The lobby dustpan of the invention includes a receptacle that is pivotally connected to a bail and includes an elongate handle connected to the bail. A receptacle-connecting member is situated on the top wall rearward of the bail for pivotal connection of an elongate manipulating rod to the receptacle. A gripping member retained in relation to the elongate handle for lineal movement and connected to the elongate manipulating rod enables manipulation of the receptacle the between a resting position and a disposal position.

Abstract: A hand-operated gatherer for gathering pecans, nuts, or other objects such as golf balls. The gatherer includes a basket assembly connect to a first end of a shaft and a handle and trigger connected to a second end of the shaft. A pair of pivotally hinged doors biased to a closed position by a spring device attach to a frame member in the basket assembly via depending tabs, and a gatherer head comprised of wire bails separate the doors. A control linkage attaches to at least one of the doors and runs lengthwise along the shaft to the trigger, whereby the trigger is finger actuated to pull the control linkage and open the door or doors that are attached to the control linkage to release the items held within the storage component of the basket assembly.

Abstract: A seismic weigh-in-motion system (12) which utilizes a seismic sensor (32) mounted, off-pavement of the highway prior to the point at which the truck (10) enters the deceleration lane at the truck weighing station. The sensor (32) senses seismic vibrations which are transferred into the ground by the moving truck (10). Signals indicative of these vibrations are transmitted through a fiber optic cable (44) connected to a main processor (42) mounted in the weigh-in station. These vibration signals along with signals proportional to the speed of the truck (determined by speed detecting devices/processes (34, 36)) as the truck moves down the highway is processed in the processor (42) to provide an output which is indicative of the weight of the truck. Additional components such as soil temperature (28) and soil moisture content (30) measuring devices provide additional inputs to the processor (42) to increase accuracy of the system.

Abstract: The lobby dustpan of the invention includes a receptacle that is pivotally connected to a bail and includes an elongate handle connected to the bail. A receptacle-connecting member is situated on the top wall rearward of the bail for pivotal connection of an elongate manipulating rod to the receptacle. A gripping member retained in relation to the elongate handle for lineal movement and connected to the elongate manipulating rod enables manipulation of the receptacle the between a resting position and a disposal position.

Abstract: A swivel wheel wheelbarrow includes a pair of spaced beams that project forwardly from a tray. The wheel is supported by a fork from which a post extends. The lower end of the post is connected to the beams by a lower yoke support, and the upper end of the post is connected to the beams by an upper yoke support. The lower and upper yoke supports are maintained in a stationary position in order to provide optimum support for the wheel. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a lock is provided for the post. When the lock is engaged, the wheel is locked in a wheel-straight position; when the lock is disengaged, the wheel can pivot freely about the post.

Abstract: A swivel wheel wheelbarrow includes a pair of spaced beams that project forwardly from a tray. The wheel is supported by a fork from which a post extends. The lower end of the post is connected to the beams by means of a lower yoke support, and the upper end of the post is connected to the beams by means of an upper yoke support and braces. The lower and upper yoke supports are maintained in a stationary position in order to provide optimum support for the wheel.