Abstract: A package unbundling station receives bundles of articles to be unwrapped. The station includes a clamp for holding a bundle in a fixed position and a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of wrapping and banding on at least two sides of the bundle, resulting in an “open envelope” which is transferred to a work station for easy removal of the articles which are then conveyed for subsequent sorting. In one embodiment, an unbundling station is coupled with a package sorting system and receives banded and/or wrapped bundles of articles and includes at least a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of the banding and/or wrapping materials of the bundle and subsequently outputs the opened bundle to an output station for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A package unbundling station receives bundles of articles to be unwrapped. The station includes a clamp for holding a bundle in a fixed position and a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of wrapping and banding on at least two sides of the bundle, resulting in an “open envelope” which is transferred to a work station for easy removal of the articles which are then conveyed for subsequent sorting. In one embodiment, an unbundling station is coupled with a package sorting system and receives banded and/or wrapped bundles of articles and includes at least a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of the banding and/or wrapping materials of the bundle and subsequently outputs the opened bundle to an output station for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A de-packaging system for removing film and bands from packages includes a first conveyor configured to move packages. The de-packaging system also includes a loading station for loading packages onto the conveyor, and a film cutting station associated with the first conveyor. The film cutting station includes a cutter having an elongated cutting element that can be heated to cut film on packages. A band cutting station includes a cutter for cutting bands wrapped around packages. A clamp device includes a clamp configured to clamp bands on packages for removal of the bands. The de-packaging system further includes a second conveyor having an upstream end adjacent a downstream end of the first conveyor. A device applies force to packages to move packages from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, and at least one friction member strips film from packages as they are moved from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

Abstract: A de-packaging system for removing film and bands from packages includes a first conveyor configured to move packages. The de-packaging system also includes a loading station for loading packages onto the conveyor, and a film cutting station associated with the first conveyor. The film cutting station includes a cutter having an elongated cutting element that can be heated to cut film on packages. A band cutting station includes a cutter for cutting bands wrapped around packages. A clamp device includes a clamp configured to clamp bands on packages for removal of the bands. The de-packaging system further includes a second conveyor having an upstream end adjacent a downstream end of the first conveyor. A device applies force to packages to move packages from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, and at least one friction member strips film from packages as they are moved from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

Abstract: A reusable wall barricade assembly is disclosed. The assembly is composed of a plurality of interlocking barricade wall segments or panels which fasten securely together. The wall segments are formed with a foam interior core portion for sound deadening capabilities and with a tough, smooth exterior skin to prevent damage to the foam interior and present a pleasing exterior appearance. The outer skin substantially encases the interior core portion and has at least three edge portions. Connectors connect one panel to another at an edge portion of each panel such that a barrier of the desired height and length can be made to separate one spatial area from another spatial area, such as in a mall or other construction area. The panels are suitable for facile assembly, disassembly and reuse, providing an economical alternative to conventional barricade structures.

Abstract: A reinforced precast construction includes a generally panel-shaped reinforced concrete structural unit having a relatively flat upper surface adapted to support vehicles thereon and opposing ends configured to be positioned in abutting end-to-end contact and in abutting side-to-side contact. One of the opposing ends includes a horizontally extending gasket so that, when abutted against an adjacent identical article in an elongated arrangement, the abutting opposing ends sealingly engage the seal. Connectors are attached to the structural unit in positions so that they align and are interconnectable with fasteners to hold the structural unit to an adjacent previously laid structural unit. In one form, the precast structural units are adapted to rest on parallel beams to form a bridge construction, and include locators for locating the precast structural units horizontally on the beams.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for joining structural units. A structural unit, such as a precast concrete section of pipe, decking, bridge structure, building structure, or pavement, includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned tubular members. The ends of each structural unit are flush, and the ends of the tubular members are flush with the ends of the structural units. When two of such units are to be joined together, a guide member is inserted in one end of each of the first tubular members in the first structural unit, while an internally threaded insert member is inserted into a corresponding end of each tubular member in the second structural unit. The guide members and insert members have axial apertures with the aperture in the insert member being internally threaded. The two structural units are brought together so that each guide member on the first structural unit enters into the corresponding end of the tubular members containing the inserts in the second structural unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for joining structural units. A structural unit, such as a precast concrete section of pipe, decking, bridge structure, building structure, or pavement, includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned tubular members. The ends of each structural unit are flush, and the ends of the tubular members are flush with the ends of the structural units. When two of such units are to be joined together, a guide member is inserted in one end of each of the first tubular members in the first structural unit, while an internally threaded insert member is inserted into a corresponding end of each tubular member in the second structural unit. The guide members and insert members have axial apertures with the aperture in the insert member being internally threaded. The two structural units are brought together so that each guide member on the first structural unit enters into the corresponding end of the tubular members containing the inserts in the second structural unit.

Abstract: A rectangular reinforcing cage is provided for a cast concrete structure having longitudinal registration tubes at each corner of the cage. An outer reinforcing cage surrounds the registration tubes and a coaxial inner reinforcing cage is supported from the outer cage by a plurality of spacers. Each reinforcing cage has a pair of facing C-shaped mats having straight mats overlapping and connected to the bent ends of the "C" to complete each reinforcing cage. Each end of the C-shaped mats have a smoothly curved transition bend joining a portion perpendicular to the main portion of the mat. Each mat has a layer of longitudinal wires connected to a layer of transverse wires. The longitudinal wires being more closely spaced near the end of each mat than in the remainder of the mat with no longitudinal wires in the transition bend of each C-shaped mat. The longitudinal wires are positioned inside each C-shaped mat and outside each straight mat when a reinforcing cage is assembled.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a section of precast concrete pipe and for supporting the pipe at an inclined angle to facilitate the bringing together of alignment hardware on the supported section of pipe and on a previously laid section of pipe. The apparatus includes a lifting frame which has two vertically spaced, parallel horizontal legs. An alignment frame, with spaced pipe supporting working faces, is supported on the lower horizontal leg. The alignment frame supports the section of pipe at an inclined angle during the initial alignment and then lowers the section of pipe into full alignment. The alignment frame is supported by a hydraulic system that allows the section of pipe to be lifted, aligned and released. An adjustable lifting point on the upper leg of the lifting frame enables the lifting frame to tilt so the inclined alignment frame is parallel to the inside surface of a pipe section during the initial lift.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for testing the integrity of a joint between two sections of concrete pipe in a test-as-you-go method of assembling concrete pipe sections to form a continuous pipe. The apparatus includes a wheel mounted frame which carries a flexible seal used to cover the interior of the entire pipe joint to form a substantially closed annular space. That space and a connected tank provide a substantially known volume for measurement purposes. The pressure in the known volume is monitored over a set period of time to determine the integrity of the pipe joint. The apparatus is moved along the interior of the pipe to test each joint after it is assembled. A method of testing the pipe joints is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining precast concrete units. A precast concrete unit, such as a section of pipe, decking and pavement includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned tubular members. The ends of each concrete unit are flush and are bounded by rounded edges to prevent chipping. The ends of the tubular members are flush with the end of the concrete unit. When two of such units are to be joined together, a guide member is inserted in one end of each tubular member on one concrete unit while an internally threaded insert member is inserted into each end of the tubular member in a second concrete unit. The guide members and insert members have axial apertures with the aperture in the insert member being internally threaded. The two precast concrete units are brought together so that the guide member on one concrete unit enters into the ends of the tubular members containing the inserts in the second concrete unit.

Abstract: A windshield mounted, vehicular accessory mounting assembly is adapted to be small and compact and to reduce occupant injuries upon impact. The assembly includes a base and a coupling member releasably mounted on the base. The coupling member includes a support for mounting a vehicle accessory such as a rearview mirror. A breakaway fastening assembly extends through an aperture in the base to allow separation of the coupling member and vehicle accessory from the base should an impact occur. A series of projections extend between the periphery of the base aperture and the coupling member and are received in corresponding recesses to position the coupling member, provide a stable, three point connection, and prevent its rotation unless it separates from the base. The assembly may also include a swivel support arm to allow adjustment of the accessory position and to further reduce injuries.

Abstract: A target assembly that includes a housing in which are mounted a plurality of interceptors made of flexible, energy absorbing material that hang down behind a target face mounted thereon. Preferably, three such interceptors hang from a downwardly, rearwardly sloping rear wall of the housing. A continuous roll of adjacent target faces is mounted in the lower portion of the housing, each successive target face being hooked to the top of the housing for use. The target faces are made of a polymeric material having a color contrasting to the color of the interceptors.