Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the curvature and the slope of ground surfaces in two different directions are disclosed. Use is made of a drivable slope-sensitive unit which emits electric signals relating to the crossfall, the hilliness, the horizontal curvature, and the covered road stretch and/or the velocity, by means of two electronic angle sensors for measuring the inclination in the vertical direction. According to the invention, the acceleration or deceleration in the direction of travel of the vehicle, the velocity, and the covered road stretch are measured by a pulse means provided in a nondriving wheel of the drivable unit and by a velocity measuring unit, the inclination of the vehicle relative to the plane through its ruts and or relative to the plane of the roadway is measured by laser ranging units, and a continuous zero-point monitoring and calibration, respectively, of the angular-velocity gyro are performed by a compass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiming a tree to be felled including a tool for precisely marking a face notch to be cut into a tree trunk, said tool comprising a main body, an aiming rod on the main body, and two pivoting tree-engaging marking arms mounted pivotably together on the main body for partially encircling the tree trunk and identifying the upper and lower cuts of a generally horizontal portion of a hinging notch when the aiming rod is aimed in the direction of fall. The tool includes angular adjustments to allow marking an aiming notch which compensates for the lean of a tree and/or for trees with trunks of irregular cross section.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining smoothness of a surface is disclosed. The apparatus has a distance wheel for determining distance travelled along the surface and two laterally spaced inclination sensors which produce signals indicative of inclination of the apparatus at locations along the surface over which the apparatus travels.

Abstract: An apparatus for the recognition of a rising slope is provided in particular for commercial vehicles, such as trucks or busses. The device comprises at least one sensor (1) for the axle load of the rear axle and/or of the front axle, as well as a device (4) for measuring the vehicle acceleration relative to the road. The signals of the sensor (1) and of the device (4) are fed into an electronics (2). The electronics (2) recognizes from these fed-in data, whether the vehicle is disposed on an uphill grade or on a downhill grade or on level ground. The thus generated signal can be further employed in various electronic systems, for example, in an automatic drawbar force control system.

Abstract: A surface profiling apparatus comprises a vehicle with a body having ground engaging wheels for supporting the body. An arm is pivotally mounted on the body at one end of the arm and a sensing wheel is rotatably connected to the arm at the other end thereof. Means for measuring the inclination of the arm relative to the horizontal position and distance measuring means for determining the distance travelled by the body are provided. A computer is included for correlating the distance and inclination data obtained, which results can be stored on a removable solid state memory device for transfer to an external computer for further analysis and calculations.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating measurement of street grades from a top of curb (TC) planar line by a single person, including a pair of hook units, each having a rigid frame structure forming a top segment for resting on a top surface of a respective curb structure, a back segment for engaging a back surface of the curb structure, and a front segment extending from the top segment downwardly and away from the back segment for balancing the unit and for engaging various contoured front curb surfaces. One of the hook units includes a locking spool for tensioning a string line that is connected to the other hook unit. The string line is threaded from the spool unit through an opening in the frame structure in the top segment, the string line extending in contact with the top of the curb, and through a slot in the front segment, the line extending directly toward the opposite curb.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in measuring the physical profile of a road surface and a methodology for frequency domain representation of the profile is disclosed. Force transducers and accelerometers are incorporated at each of the four wheels of a vehicle to measure the perturbations of the road surface in a direction normal to the surface over which the vehicle is driven. The disclosed implementation isolates the measurements from the motion of the vehicle body. A shaft encoder is incorporated at each of the front wheels to measure rotation of the wheels allowing the determination of distance traveled. A methodology for analysis of the data is also disclosed which provides vertical displacement data of the wheel/terrain interface while reducing the introduction of errors as the information is processed. Further methodology is used to analyze the data in the frequency domain and provide for the quantification of road/terrain characteristics useful for accelerated life testing of vehicles.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for grading and measuring surfaces such as roadbeds which have curved and inclined profiles which may have different shapes in successive transverse sections of the roadbed. A blade and screw cutter are supported by a frame which extends over the surface being worked, and these tools are movable along this frame. The tools are movable toward and away from the surface being shaped in response to a control means which has memorized the appropriate positions, or by reference to a deformable rule which may also be reshaped in response to computer-memorized data. According to a disclosed method, the rule is reshaped for different sections of the surface.An apparatus for checking and measuring a surface which has a curved profile includes a plurality of piston-cylinder units which are mounted on a main frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating measurement of street grades from a top of curb (TC) planar datum line by a single person, including a pair of hook units, each having a rigid frame structure forming a top segment for resting on a top surface of a respective curb structure, a back segment for engaging a back surface of the curb structure, and a front segment extending from the top segment downwardly and away from the back segment for balancing the unit and for engaging various contoured front curb surfaces. One of the hook units includes a ratcheted spool for tensioning a string line that is connected to the other hook unit. The string line is threaded from the spool unit through an opening in the frame structure proximate an intersection of the top and back segments, the string line extending in contact with the top of the curb under the top segment, and through a slot in the front segment, the line extending directly toward the opposite curb.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an uplift sensor for detecting uplift from a planar surface. The sensor comprises wedge-shaped bracket having an elongated member mounted therein which contacts the uplift and in response thereto depresses a hydraulic piston in a hydraulic cylinder thereby producing a hydraulic uplift signal. The sensor is provided with a spring operatively coupled between the elongated member and the mounting bracket for biasing the elongated member downwardly towards the uplift.

Abstract: A horticultural pruning template system (10) is provided for aiding a user in pruning a horticultural object (12) to some predetermined contour. A template member (14) which is substantially transparent includes first indicia (18, 20, 22 or 24) formed thereon to provide a general outline contour for a design. Second indicia (28) which may be in the form of cross-hairs intersecting at a center point may be aligned with a predetermined point on object (12). The template (14) is releasably coupled to the horticultural object (12) through a string member (30) which is looped around and tied to the trunk (34) of horticultural object (12). The opposing end of the string (30) is tied through openings (38) formed in template (14) to template member (14). The user then may view horticultural object (12) at varying angles prior to trimming or cutting the horticultural object (12) into the predetermined contour.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use on a measurement vehicle to measure road surface profiles while correcting for surface slope (cross slope and/or grade). Transducers are mounted on the vehicle suspended mass for measuring distance to the road surface and acceleration normal to the road surface as the vehicle is propelled over the road surface. A third transducer is responsive to fixed increments of vehicle travel over the road surface. Surface profile is determined in the spatial domain over each successive incremental distance. Total acceleration of the vehicle in the direction of the slope is measured, from which acceleration due to vehicle motion is subtracted. Elevation is determined as a trigonometric function of slope, and corrections are implemented to the profile signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for high-precision straightness and flatness measurement of objects which are so large that available measuring rulers do not cover the distance to be measured. According to the invention, the measurements are carried out in stages through the use of a measuring ruler which rests on freely adjustable feet and which is used as a base for a measuring instrument with independent reference points relative to the actual surface or edge.

Abstract: A mobile material handling machine includes a material handling element and an operator's control cab. A plate is pivotally attached to the material handling element in line with the operator's line of sight from the cab towards the element. The plate has first indicia on the edges thereof; second indicia on the top surface thereof; and third indicia on the bottom surface thereof. The first indicia is in line with the operator's line of sight when the material handling element is positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the operator's cab.