Abstract: The present invention relates to polyester straps, methods of their manufacture, systems and uses thereof, particularly as may be used in binding applications of discrete articles into bundles.

Abstract: The disclosed modular dozer platform provides systems and methods for safely accessing a platform for mounting a mobile piece of mining equipment. The disclosed systems and methods comprise a platform with modular frame, a plurality of ground engaging members supporting the frame and one or more sets of stairs providing access to the modular frame. In practice, the mobile piece of mining equipment is positioned in a central location and the modular frame sections are positioned around the mobile piece of mining equipment.

Abstract: A boom lockout device for use with a hydraulic front shovel comprising a first half and a second half, each of which comprises a flat ceiling and two flat side walls. The ceiling is situated between the two side walls and is joined to the two side walls along a longitudinal edge of the ceiling. The angle between the ceiling and each of the two side walls is approximately ninety degrees. The first half and the second half are bolted together around the cylinder rod. The boom lockout device is installed between the barrel and the mount of the boom cylinder to prevent the rod from retracting into the barrel.

Abstract: A water truck body comprising a floor, two side walls, a front wall and a rear wall, a plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies with open bottom ends, a top plate situated on top of each of the cylindrical baffle bodies so that the cylindrical baffle body is centered underneath the top plate, and a tubular support structure. Each of the plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies comprises a plurality of apertures configured to permit liquid to flow through them. The tubular support structure is configured to hold the top plates and provide structural stability to the side walls, front wall and rear wall.

Abstract: A water truck body comprising a floor, two side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, a plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies with open bottom ends, a top plate situated on top of each of the cylindrical baffle bodies so that the cylindrical baffle body is centered underneath the top plate, and a tubular support structure. Each of the plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies comprises a plurality of apertures configured to permit liquid to flow through them. The tubular support structure is configured to hold the top plates and provide structural stability to the side walls, front wall and rear wall.

Abstract: A boom lockout device for use with a hydraulic front shovel comprising a first half and a second half, each of which comprises a flat ceiling and two flat side walls. The ceiling is situated between the two side walls and is joined to the two side walls along a longitudinal edge of the ceiling. The angle between the ceiling and each of the two side walls is approximately ninety degrees. The first half and the second half are bolted together around the cylinder rod. The boom lockout device is installed between the barrel and the mount of the boom cylinder to prevent the rod from retracting into the barrel.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of square tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy. The present invention also encompasses a tube-style tailgate and an alternate embodiment in which I-beams are used in lieu of square tubing.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for simultaneous processing of multiple fluid samples. The apparatus comprises a multiple well plate for holding a plurality of sample reservoirs for simultaneous processing of multiple samples. The wells are configured in the plate in staggered rows. The well plate is dimensioned to be compatible with a vacuum manifold or positive pressure system either as a stand-alone unit or in conjunction with a separate fluid handling system. The apparatus may further comprise a sample collection plate having the same number of wells as the multiple well plate. The wells in the samples collection plate are arranged in the same staggered configuration as the wells in the well plate and are sized for holding sample collection vials. When the well plate and sample collection plate are assembled in a manifold, the vials in the sample collection plated are aligned directly beneath the sample exits of corresponding sample reservoirs in the well plate.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square or rectangular tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy. The present invention also encompasses a tube-style tailgate, an alternate embodiment in which I-beams are used in lieu of square tubing, and an alternate embodiment in which a gusset is used in lieu of a cover plate for the double-size support members.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of square tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy.

Abstract: A method for converting a dump truck body into an improved truck body. The dump truck body is configured for hauling a payload and has a canopy, a floor, two sidewalls, and a front wall. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: if the dump truck body has a tailgate, removing the tailgate; extending the floor to the rear by adding a floor extension component at a floor angle approximately ten degrees greater than a pre-conversion floor angle; increasing the height of the sidewalls by adding two fabricated sidewall attachment components; and tying the sidewall extensions into the rear of the floor extension component by adding a fabricated component. Preferably, a material dam is incorporated into the canopy forward of the front wall to form a shelf that is configured to retain and balance the payload.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for simultaneous processing of multiple fluid samples. The apparatus comprises a multiple well plate for holding a plurality of sample reservoirs for simultaneous processing of multiple samples. The wells are configured in the plate in staggered rows. The well plate is dimensioned to be compatible with a vacuum manifold or positive pressure system either as a stand-alone unit or in conjunction with a separate fluid handling system. The apparatus may further comprise a sample collection plate having the same number of wells as the multiple well plate. The wells in the samples collection plate are arranged in the same staggered configuration as the wells in the well plate and are sized for holding sample collection vials. When the well plate and sample collection plate are assembled in a manifold, the vials in the sample collection plated are aligned directly beneath the sample exits of corresponding sample reservoirs in the well plate.

Abstract: A rock box liner for a floor of a dump truck body includes a plurality of bins coupled to the floor. Each bin has an opening for receiving an amount of payload material from a payload that is deposited within or dumped from the body. When payload material from the payload is deposited within the bins, a portion of the payload material extends upward and outward from the openings of the bins to thereby create a supplemental surface upon which a substantial portion of the payload moves across when dumped. The supplemental surface shields the floor of the body from frictional wear due to loading and dumping of payloads and thus extends the body's operational life.

Abstract: A lightweight body for a dump truck includes a floor with a pair of opposed spaced upwardly extending side walls coupled thereto. An upwardly extending front wall is included and coupled to the floor between the side walls to thereby create a space for carrying a payload and a rearward spillway for dumping the payload. The floor is formed of a plurality of adjacently positioned sections that are either separate pieces or form part of one continuous piece. The sections are arranged in an order of increasing thickness or hardness with the thickest or hardest section located at the spillway. This body structure substantially reduces weight while simultaneously preserving body strength, thereby allowing dump truck payload capability to be increased.

Abstract: A matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/laser desorption ionization (MALDI/LDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) which includes an ion source employing a ground voltage configuration. The improved MALDI/LDI TOF-MS includes a laser for ablating a sample positioned within a gridless source. The ionized sample is then repelled through a floating flight tube toward a detector and within a vacuum chamber. The floating flight tube allows a lower than conventional voltage to be applied to the ions. A digital camera is provided for viewing a sample when positioned in the vacuum ready for analysis. The sample image is displayed on the control computer monitor and is available for computer analysis and instrumentation control, including external instrumentation such as that involved in sample preparation and handling.

Abstract: A photocatalytic reactor for processing selected reactants from a fluid medium comprising at least one permeable photocatalytic membrane having a photocatalytic material. The material forms an area of chemically active sites when illuminated by light at selected wavelengths. When the fluid medium is passed through the illuminated membrane, the reactants are processed at these sites separating the processed fluid from the unprocessed fluid. A light source is provided and a light transmitting means, including an optical fiber, for transmitting light from the light source to the membrane.

Abstract: A truck includes a chassis with a body movably mounted to the chassis behind a cab. The body is movable between a first position generally parallel to the chassis and a second generally upright position with respect to the chassis. A canopy is movably mounted to the body. The canopy is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the canopy extends outwardly from the body to cover the cab when said body is in the first position. The canopy is retractable to decrease the overall height of the truck when the body is in the generally upright second position.

Abstract: A method of transversely cutting a prefabricated slab having one or more hollow longitudinal cores includes inserting a pair of expandable plugs into at least one of the one or more cores, the plugs of the or each pair being positioned in a respective core spaced apart on opposite sides of an intended cut line and post-insertion expansion of the plugs blocking the respective core; introducing settable material into a portion of the or each blocked core between its spaced apart pair of expanded plugs; and after at least partial setting of the introduced settable material, cutting the slab transversely across the intended cut line.

Abstract: A non-invasive medical probe for monitoring a patient's condition in particular an intra-uterine device for monitoring fetal condition is featured. The medical probe includes a resilient walled suction cup having a peripheral rim for application to a patent's skin, a pump adapted for connection to the cup for evacuating the cup to adhere the cup to the patient's skin, and a pair of non-invasive skin contact electrodes for connection to diagnostic apparatus. One of the electrodes is disposed on a mounting located centrally within the cup to leave a channel to be evacuated by the pump and the second electrode is disposed externally of the cup adjacent to the cup to provide a second contact in the vicinity of the first electrode.