Abstract: An outrigger system includes an outrigger frame, a pair of hydraulic cylinders coupled to the outrigger frame, a pair of rear outriggers coupled to the outrigger frame and coupled to respective hydraulic cylinders, and a pair of multi-arm assemblies coupled to respective rear outriggers and respective hydraulic cylinders and arranged to permit the pair of rear outriggers to rotate, with respect to the outrigger frame, among a first stowed position, a first fully deployed position, and a first site transportation position via extension and retraction of the pair of hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: An outrigger system includes an outrigger frame, a pair of hydraulic cylinders coupled to the outrigger frame, a pair of rear outriggers coupled to the outrigger frame and coupled to respective hydraulic cylinders, and a pair of multi-arm assemblies coupled to respective rear outriggers and respective hydraulic cylinders and arranged to permit the pair of rear outriggers to rotate, with respect to the outrigger frame, among a first stowed position, a first fully deployed position, and a first site transportation position via extension and retraction of the pair of hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: One example of the invention is a vehicle including a chassis, engine and wheels, and further comprising a rotating main turret; an outflow conveyor mounted on the main turret and configured to be rotated relative to the vehicle through rotation of the main turret; a feed turret assembly configured for vertical movement between a lowered storage position and a raised operational position, the feed turret assembly configured for rotation independent of and relative to the main turret; a feed conveyor configured to be rotated relative to the vehicle through rotation of the feed turret assembly, a discharge end of the feed conveyor connected to the feed turret assembly and positioned above the outflow conveyor when the feed turret assembly is in a raised operational position; and wherein when the feed turret assembly is in a raised operational position material being carried along the feed conveyor is deposited from the discharge end of the feed conveyor downward onto the outflow conveyor and transferred along t

Abstract: A method of saturating porous aggregate material includes: (a) filling an interior of a vacuum vessel with porous aggregate material; (b) applying a vacuum to the vessel interior until a desired vacuum level is reached; (c) drawing water into the vessel under vacuum until substantially all of said aggregate material is covered; and (d) pumping unabsorbed water from the vacuum vessel. A system for saturating porous aggregate materials includes: (a) a vacuum vessel; (b) a vacuum line fluidly connected to a top portion of the vessel, whereby opening the vacuum line using a valve imparts negative pressure to the vacuum vessel; (c) a water delivery conduit fluidly connected at one end to a water source and at its other end to the vessel interior; and (d) a water removal conduit fluidly connected at one end to the vessel interior and at its other end to a pump.

Abstract: An apparatus orients to a vertical position a precast wall panel formed in a horizontal position. The panel has holes formed in opposite sides thereof. The apparatus includes an overhead crane having a pair of suspended hooks and a lifting beam assembly suspended from the crane hooks. The lifting beam assembly includes a pair of oppositely facing pin carriages each having a pin adapted to be received in one of the panel holes. The lifting beam assembly further includes a motorized drive mechanism for displacing the pin carriages toward and away from each other along the length of the lifting beam. Displacing the pin carriages toward each other along the length of the lifting beam allows the pins to align with and engage the panel holes. Raising the crane hooks orients the wall panel in a vertical position.

Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism adjusts the height between first and second walls of a building panel. The walls are typically formed from poured concrete. The mechanism includes a tubular base with an interior threaded surface and extending arms for embedding the base within the first wall when cured. A cap is removable from the base upon curing of the first wall material to expose the base interior threaded surface. A cylindrical torpedo screw is translatable vertically upon rotation of the torpedo screw about its longitudinal axis within the base. The torpedo screw distal end is immersible within the second wall material before curing. In operation, removal of the cap from the base exposes the torpedo screw proximal end such that rotation of the torpedo screw at its proximal end adjusts vertical orientation of the first wall with respect to the second wall.

Abstract: A movable pallet is used in the fabrication of concrete products. The movable pallet comprises a bottom panel including an upper surface and a first gate disposed at a first end of the bottom panel. The first gate is configured to be movable between a first position, in which the first gate extends vertically relative to the upper surface of the bottom panel, and a second position, in which the first gate extends away from the first end of the bottom panel. A corresponding method for fabricating a pre-stressed concrete product comprises: (a) securing a strand to a first gate, (b) extending the strand through a form configured to receive concrete, (c) elongating the strand, (d) securing the strand to a second gate, and (e) providing concrete into the form.

Abstract: One example of the invention is a vehicle including a chassis, engine and wheels, and further comprising a rotating main turret; an outflow conveyor mounted on the main turret and configured to be rotated relative to the vehicle through rotation of the main turret; a feed turret assembly configured for vertical movement between a lowered storage position and a raised operational position, the feed turret assembly configured for rotation independent of and relative to the main turret; a feed conveyor configured to be rotated relative to the vehicle through rotation of the feed turret assembly, a discharge end of the feed conveyor connected to the feed turret assembly and positioned above the outflow conveyor when the feed turret assembly is in a raised operational position; and wherein when the feed turret assembly is in a raised operational position material being carried along the feed conveyor is deposited from the discharge end of the feed conveyor downward onto the outflow conveyor and transferred along t

Abstract: A trailer assembly for transporting one or more vertically-oriented panels includes a frame having front and rear sections, a first set of lower crossbeams extending laterally across the front section of the frame, and a second set of lower crossbeams extending laterally across the rear section of the frame. The crossbeams provide vertical support for the panel(s). A hitch extending from the front section of the frame is attachable to a towing vehicle. A set of front vertical members extend upwardly from either the hitch or the frame. A set of front crossbeams extend laterally between the front vertical members and a set of rear crossbeams extend laterally between the rear vertical members. The front and rear crossbeams impede longitudinal movement of the panel(s). A set of wheels axially mounted on struts extend laterally from oppositely facing sides of the rear section of the frame.

Abstract: A trailer assembly for transporting one or more vertically-oriented panels includes a frame having front and rear sections, a first set of lower crossbeams extending laterally across the front section of the frame, and a second set of lower crossbeams extending laterally across the rear section of the frame. The crossbeams provide vertical support for the panel(s). A hitch extending from the front section of the frame is attachable to a towing vehicle. A set of front vertical members extend upwardly from either the hitch or the frame. A set of front crossbeams extend laterally between the front vertical members and a set of rear crossbeams extend laterally between the rear vertical members. The front and rear crossbeams impede longitudinal movement of the panel(s). A set of wheels axially mounted on struts extend laterally from oppositely facing sides of the rear section of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering concrete to two spaced deposition points having a funnel-shaped hopper with a pair of outlets in the bottom which deposit concrete on conveyors. An inclined chute feeds concrete to the inner conical wall of the hopper as the chute rotates to minimize segregation of the concrete. Each outlet has a gate to control flow of the concrete to the conveyor beneath.To divert concrete from the hopper a side discharge chute is pivotally mounted in the conical wall of the hopper and can be tilted to receive concrete discharged from the inclined chute.