Abstract: A control system for extending and retracting a ram of a hydraulic coupler for coupling an attachment to an arm of an excavator or back hoe, said control system being adapted to provide an audible and/or visual alert to an operator to indicate a leak of fluid or loss of fluid pressure from said ram and/or from a hydraulic circuit supplying said fluid to the ram. Preferably the control system further comprises a flow sensor for sensing the flow of fluid in a feed line for supplying pressurized fluid to the ram and/or a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of fluid in said feed line, said control system including at least one indication device for providing said audible and/or visual alert to an operator to indicate a leak of fluid or loss of fluid pressure in response to, or as a function of, the output of the flow sensor and/or the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator or other apparatus comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on the body. The first latch member being movable into and out of the latching state by an actuator, wherein a gravity operated valve is associated with the actuator. The valve has a first state wherein fluid can flow through the valve as the latch member is moved out of its latching state, and a second state, wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve thus preventing operation of the actuator to move the latch member out of its latching state. The valve is adapted to adopt the first state when the coupler is in a non-working orientation and the second state when the coupling is in a working orientation.

Abstract: A first structural member and a second structural member meet at a joint of a truss triangular unit. A bridge plate includes a central portion that spans across the joint. The bridge plate includes a first peripheral portion extending from the central portion in a direction of the first structural member and a second peripheral portion extending from the central portion in a direction of the second structural member. Each peripheral portion includes a slot and a first opening. A stirrup plate is provided for each peripheral portion. Each stirrup plate includes an interlocking mounting flange having an extending tab member received by the slot and a second opening aligned with the first opening. A mounting device extends through the aligned first and second openings to secure the stirrup plate and bridge plate to the underlying structural member.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator, the coupler having a body with first and second spaced-apart recesses for receiving respective pins of an excavator attachment. A first latching hook is movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in the first recess. A second latching hook is movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in the second recess. A blocking member may be provided that is movable into and out of a blocking state in which it lies in the path of the second latching member to prevent the second latching member from leaving its latching state. The blocking member may be movable into and out of the blocking state under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A post member includes a side surface, and a beam member includes a side surface and an underside edge surface. The beam member is attached to the post member using a multi-piece hanger including a first L-shaped bracket with a first mounting flange attached to the side surface of the post member, and a second L-shaped bracket with a second mounting flange attached to the side surface of the beam member. The first L-shaped bracket further includes a first interlocking flange supporting the underside edge surface of the beam member. The first interlocking flange includes an extending tab member. The second L-shaped bracket further includes a second interlocking flange positioned adjacent the first interlocking flange. At a bend of the second L-shaped bracket, at least one slot is provided which is sized and shaped to receive the extending tab member.

Abstract: A hardware apparatus includes a base portion formed by a disc-shaped base plate and a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member includes a first threaded surface. The disc-shaped base plate includes a first opening and the cylindrical member includes a second opening, with the first and second openings being concentric. The hardware apparatus further includes a cap portion including a second threaded surface. The cap portion is attachable to said base portion through engagement of the first and second threaded surfaces. In one implementation, the first threaded surface is an outer surface and the second threaded surface is an inner surface. In an alternative implementation, the second threaded surface is an outer surface and the first threaded. surface is an inner surface.

Abstract: A standoff connector forming, for example, a standoff post base, includes a base member having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first edge is configured to include an extending first projection, and the second edge is configured to include an extending second projection. The standoff connector includes a first stirrup plate member that is selectably attachable to the base member at the first edge by inserting the first projection into and through an aperture formed in the first stirrup plate that is sized and shaped to receive the first projection. The standoff connector further includes a second stirrup plate member that is selectably attachable to the base member at the second edge by inserting the second projection into and through an aperture formed in the second stirrup plate that is sized and shaped to receive the second projection.

Abstract: An L-shaped bracket includes a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is joined to the second leg at a bending-point. A first opening is formed in the first leg and a second opening is formed in the second leg. The first and second openings are each configured as a mounting opening to receive a mounting device for securing the L-shaped bracket to one or more structural members. The U-shaped bracket further includes a third opening formed at the bending point. The third opening is laterally centered between side edges of the bracket and is configured as a sighting opening allowing an installer to center the L-shaped bracket with respect to a centering mark made on the one or more structural members.

Abstract: A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.

Abstract: A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey, includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. In alternative aspects, a computer-readable program storage medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method, or a computing apparatus may be programmed to perform the method. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator has first and second recesses for receiving first and second pins, respectively, of an attachment. A latching member is movable into and out of a latching state in which it closes the second pin-receiving recess. A blocking member is movable into and out of a blocking state in which it closes the first pin-receiving recess. An actuator is provided for moving the first latching member into and out of the latching state, the actuator acting indirectly upon the blocking member to move the blocking member into and out of its blocking state as the latching member is moved into and out of its latching state. Preferably the actuator acts upon the blocking member via a resiliently deformable member acting between the actuator and the blocking member whereby the resilient member can deflect should the blocking member be obstructed to avoid excessive loading on the actuator.

Abstract: A bracket is formed from a front member and a back member. The front member includes a curvilinear portion flanked by first and second wing portions. The back member includes a central portion flanked by first and second end portions. The first and second wing portions of the curvilinear portion are secured by fasteners to the first and second wing portions, respectively, in a manner which forms a clamping area between the curvilinear portion and the central portion to frictionally attach the bracket to a received pipe/pole member. First and second upright members extend from the first and second wing portions, respectively. The first and second upright members support attachment of covering for boxing in of the received pipe/pole member and concealment of the bracket.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator, the coupler comprising first and second recesses for receiving the pins of an attachment, a latching hook movable into and out of a latching state in which it closes the second pin-receiving recess, and a blocking bar movable into and out of a blocking state in which a portion of the blocking bar closes the first recess. The arrangement is such that, when the blocking bar is engaged in use by an attachment pin contained within the first recess, the action of the pin on the blocking bar urges the blocking bar into its blocking state. The blocking bar is further arranged so that, in the blocking state, it lies in the path of the latching hook and that, upon movement of the latching hook out of the latching state, the latching hook engages with the blocking bar to retain it in the blocking state.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator having a latching member for retaining a rear pin of the attachment and a blocking member for retaining the front pin of the attachment. A hydraulic actuator and spring are provided for holding the latching and blocking members in their closed states. In the event of a failure of the actuator, the spring, the latching member and the blocking member together hold the front and rear pins in their respective recesses to allow continued operation of the coupler, while allowing the pins to move with respect to the coupler to create a rattling movement that can indicate to the operator that a failure has occurred.

Abstract: A ground anchor and weight distribution plate assembly includes a ground anchor member and a weight distribution plate member. The weight distribution plate member includes an opening formed therein which is sized and shaped to allow for only partial passage of the ground anchor member there through. During installation, the ground anchor member is partially passed through the opening in the weight distribution plate member and then driven into the ground. Compressive forces are exerted by the weight distribution plate member to compact underlying soil and provide a foundation for construction structures such as decks.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator, the coupler comprising a body having first and second recesses for receiving first and second pins, respectively, of an attachment; a latching member movable into and out of a latching state in which it at least partially closes said second pin-receiving recess; and a blocking member movable into and out of a blocking state in which a portion of the blocking member at least partially closes said first recess, actuating means for moving said first latching member into and out of said latching state, said actuating means acting indirectly upon said blocking member to move said blocking member into and out of its blocking state as the latching member is moved into and out of its latching state. Preferably the actuating means acts upon said blocking member via a resiliently deformable member acting between the actuating means and the blocking member whereby said resilient member can deflect should the blocking member be obstructed to avoid excessive loading on the actuating means.

Abstract: A control system for extending and retracting a ram of a hydraulic coupler for coupling an attachment to an arm of an excavator or back hoe, said control system being adapted to provide an audible and/or visual alert to an operator to indicate a leak of fluid or loss of fluid pressure from said ram and/or from a hydraulic circuit supplying said fluid to the ram. Preferably the control system further comprises a flow sensor for sensing the flow of fluid in a feed line for supplying pressurised fluid to the ram and/or a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of fluid in said feed line, said control system including at least one indication device for providing said audible and/or visual alert to an operator to indicate a leak of fluid or loss of fluid pressure in response to, or as a function of, the output of the flow sensor and/or the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator or other apparatus, the coupler comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on said body; said first latch member being movable into and out of said latching state by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, wherein a gravity operated valve, for example a non-return valve, is associated with the actuator, said valve having a first state, wherein fluid can flow through the valve as the latch member is moved out of its latching state, and a second state, wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve thus preventing operation of the actuator to move the latch member out of its latching state, said valve being adapted to adopt said first state when the coupler is in a non-working orientation and said second state when the coupling is in a working orientation.

Abstract: A fence panel includes a pair of end caps and a pair of rails extending between the end caps. Each rail includes a longitudinally extending groove. A plurality of pickets extend between each pair of rails and are retained within the grooves. Each picket has an end with an end feature formed therein which permits the pickets to cant in the grooves during racking of the fence panel. In an implementation, the pickets are formed from short boards, with separate boards on each row providing the illusion of one solid board running top to bottom for each picket while not requiring a single continuous length board. Alternatively, the pickets are formed of longer boards providing one board running from top to bottom. The short boards for the pickets can be made from lumber mill board “shorts” or “drops,” or alternatively made from recycled fencing materials. The shorts can be joined end to end to form longer boards.

Abstract: A post anchor includes a ground engaging portion in the form of fins and a post receiving portion that has an oversized top and angled, linear segment or circular impressions below. The impressions form a clamp when downward force is applied to seat the post that is inserted into the post receiving portion. Adjustment in plumb can be made by moving the top of the post to the desired location and inserting hardware at the top edge of the receiving portion. A damaged post can be replaced by removing the hardware, replacing the post and reinserting the connection hardware.