Abstract: The dipstick fuel squeegee of the present invention includes an elongated, rigid but lightweight base with foot pegs on either end and is long enough to span the opening of most large tanks. The base has a midsection into which first a wiper member and then a securing member are releaseably attached. There are openings in the midsection, the wiper member, and the securing member which are vertically aligned. The openings of the midsection and the securing member are approximately equal in size while the opening in the wiper element is smaller. The wiper element is made of a flexible, resilient material and substantially centered over the opening in the seat. During use, a dipstick is inserted through the three openings of the squeegee, the user secures the squeegee by standing on the foot pegs, and the wiper member dislodges any liquid adhering to the dipstick as the user raises it through the squeegee.

Abstract: A three-piece tank assembly including a tank, a support base, and a support liner. The tank has a conical bottom with a discharge conduit at its apex; a longitudinally corrugated antisplash filling trough integrally formed with a sidewall of the tank; and an integrally formed cover including a bunghole for providing access to the filling trough. The discharge conduit may include a flow valve and check valve. The base includes a sidewall for nesting engagement with the tank sidewall, a flat ground-engaging surface and transverse longitudinal slots for receiving the forks of a forklift. The support liner has an upstanding wall and a conical top wall for supporting the conical bottom of the tank and nesting within the support base. Mating projections and grooves in the tank and support base prevent relative movement of the three elements of the tank assembly. Each of the three elements is rotationally molded of cross-linked, high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A three-piece tank assembly including a tank, a support base, and a support liner. The tank has a conical bottom with a discharge conduit at its apex; a longitudinally corrugated antisplash filling trough integrally formed with a sidewall of the tank; and an integrally formed cover including a bunghole for providing access to the filling trough. The discharge conduit may include a flow valve and check valve. The base includes a sidewall for nesting engagement with the tank sidewall, a flat ground-engaging surface and transverse longitudinal slots for receiving the forks of a forklift. The support liner has an upstanding wall and a conical top wall for supporting the conical bottom of the tank and nesting within the support base. Mating projections and grooves in the tank and support base prevent relative movement of the three elements of the tank assembly. Each of the three elements is rotationally molded of cross-linked, high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine for boring a curvilinear tunnel in earthen strata is described.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine for controlled boring of a curvilinear tunnel including a rotating cutter wheel mounted on the forward end of a thrust cylinder assembly having a central longitudinal axis aligned with the cutter wheel axis of rotation; the thrust cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder barrel and an extendable and retractable thrust arm received therein. An anchoring assembly is pivotally attached to the rear end of the cylinder barrel for anchoring the machine during a cutting stroke and providing a rear end pivot axis during curved cutting strokes. A pair of laterally extending, extendable and retractable arms are fixedly mounted at a forward portion of the cylinder barrel for providing lateral displacement in a laterally curved cutting mode and for anchoring the machine between cutting strokes and during straight line boring.

Abstract: A fastening insert adapted to be molded into the wall of a plastic container in order to provide a flat, fluid-tight sealing surface on the outer surface of the wall. The insert comprises a rigid annular base and a rigid rib which extends axially outward from the base. A plurality of threaded connectors are provided on the insert. The rigid rib and base prevent the plastic material from shrinking and sagging around the connectors during the plastic curing process.

Abstract: A machine for boring a shaft in earth strata or the like. An annular support ring means having an outside diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the shaft which is selectively engageable or disengageable with the shaft wall by the use of clamping means is disclosed. A carriage means which is slidably mounted on the annular support ring means and orbital thereabout is also disclosed. A rotary cutting wheel means having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the shaft is mounted on the carriage means and is axially displaceable with respect thereto for movement in a direction which may be parallel or inclined with respect to the axis of the shaft. Various drive means for moving the carriage means circumferentially about the annular support ring means, and for moving the rotary cutting wheel means in an axial direction with respect to the carriage means, and for rotating the rotary cutting wheel means are described.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine for boring a tunnel through mixed ground with stable ground conditions and unstable ground conditions. The tunnel boring machine is operable in a stable ground boring mode with the machine anchored to tunnel sidewall portions and also in an unstable ground mode wherein cutting thrust is provided by a shield means in cooperation with tunnel lining structure. Combined mode operation is also possible.

Abstract: A machine for boring a tunnel having an end face wall, a roof wall, a bottom wall, and opposite side walls. The machine comprises a rotatable cutting wheel means having an annular peripheral wall supporting a plurality of cutting devices and a generally convex-shaped upper wall supporting a plurality of cutting devices. The cutting wheel means is rotatable about an axis of rotation which is inclined in a forward direction relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for simultaneously cutting the tunnel face along two intersecting surfaces defined by the cutting devices on the annular peripheral wall and the cutting devices on the convex-shape upper wall. Support shoe means are mounted beneath the cutting wheel means for movably supporting the cutting wheel means on the tunnel floor.

Abstract: A molded container with a hinged lid in which the hinge rod is partially exposed to function as a handle. Integrally molding axle bushings in the container body can support a wheeled axle. The container is characterized by a minimum number of parts which can be quickly and easily assembled after molding.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus, which sprays herbicides, fungicides and insecticides mixed in water or liquid fertilizer, includes a fluid storage tank, a pump and one or more spray heads. An agitator, which is mounted in the fluid storage tank on the end of a bypass return pipe extending between the pump and the fluid storage tank, mixes the fluid in the fluid storage tank. The agitator includes a conical plate or cap overlaying the opening in the bypass return pipe. Spiral shaped fins or ribs are mounted on the concave side of the conical plate for directing the fluid from the bypass return pipe in a spiral rotating fashion to thereby mix the fluid in the fluid storage tank by imparting a gentle rolling action to the fluid. A nozzle between the bypass return pipe and the conical plate provides a fixed gap to control the fluid momentum in the fluid storage tank. The spraying apparatus also includes an anti-vortex device mounted on a fluid outlet pipe.

Abstract: A tunneling machine adapted to cut tunnels on a continuous basis and to apply continuous pressure on the tunnel face even during repositioning of the gripping legs is disclosed. The machine includes at least two supporting frames having a plurality of extendible feet which are adapted to grip the tunnel wall. The support frames are provided with axial bores therethrough, and a hollow piston extends through all of the bores for longitudinal movement along the axis of the tunnel. In accordance with the method, a tunneling operation is carried out by extending at least one pair of extendible feet against the walls of the tunnel to securely hold at least one of the support frames relative to the tunnel wall. The piston chamber of each support frame which is clamped to the wall is pressurized to drive the cutter head against the face of the tunnel.

Abstract: A drum capable of being molded in 55 gallon size from high density, cross-linked polyethylene. The drum body or shell has substantially cylindrical walls closed at both ends, respectively, by top and bottom end pieces or heads integral with the sidewalls. The drum includes an integrally molded hollow arcuate chime located at the intersection of the top end piece or head and the cylindrical sidewall and extending circumferentially around the drum. A plurality of rolling hoops located between the top and bottom end pieces extend circumferentially around the drum and protrude sufficiently outward from the drum walls to permit sufficient engagement by the forks of a forklift to support a fully loaded drum thereon. The drum may be reinforced by a plurality of inwardly protruding vertical ribs which run continuously substantially from the top to the bottom of the drum. The top end piece or head includes at least one bunghole integrally formed therewith.

Abstract: A diametrically compact tunneling machine for boring tunnels is disclosed. The machine includes a tubular support frame having a hollow piston mounted therein which is movable from a retracted position in the support frame to an extended position. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted in the hollow piston and carries a cutter head at one end. The hollow piston is restrained against rotational movement relative to the support frame and the drive shaft is constrained against longitudinal movement relative to the hollow piston. A plurality of radially extendible feet project from the support frame to the tunnel wall to grip the tunnel wall during a tunneling operation wherein the hollow piston is driven forwardly so that the cutter head works on the tunnel face.