Abstract: A reinforced composite pallet assembly of the sandwich-type having a cellular core which is locally crushed is provided. The assembly includes a pair of substantially flat decks having front, back and side edges. Each of the decks includes a load-bearing skin made of a reinforced thermoplastics material, a grid of reinforcing slats, a cellular core made of a thermoplastics material, and a tine-engaging skin made of a reinforced thermoplastics material. The grid of reinforcing slats is positioned at predetermined places against the tine-engaging skins. The distance between the skins of each deck is reduced during molding of the deck which molding locally crushes the core at the predetermined places. A plurality of supports support the decks at the predetermined places against the reinforcing slats so that tines can lift and support the pallet assembly at the tine-engaging skin. The resulting assembly is ultra light weight, meeting all forecasted government weight restrictions. Other features include molded-in features added as part of the forming process (i.e., pockets, grooves, and/or ribs on retraining walls).

Abstract: An aircraft deck support system includes horizontal deck support beams connected to the aircraft's frames. Each deck support beam has a plurality of machined, generally T-shaped supports. Each T-shaped support includes either a horizontal recess or a raised surface formed in a deck support beam upper chord and a U-shaped aperture formed in a beam web. The T-shaped support matably receives a cross-support beam attachment flange perpendicularly aligned with the deck support beams. Each cross-support beam includes a web perpendicularly connected at an upper end to the attachment flange, and a stiffening flange at a web lower end. Both the web and the stiffening flange are freely suspended within the U-shaped aperture of the T-shaped support. When joined, the cross-support beam seats on the T-shaped support allowing both the cross-support beam and the deck support beam to develop maximum bending moments at a reduced structural weight.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus (10) includes a base (12), a patient-support deck (14), a deck-positioning assembly (16) coupling the patient-support deck (14) to the base (12), and a locking mechanism (300), the locking mechanism (300) having a first state to prevent longitudinal movement of the patient-support deck (14) relative to the base (12), and a second state to allow longitudinal movement of the patient-support deck (14) relative to the base (12).

Abstract: A description is given of laboratory testing, initial test results, and continuing research to develop design procedures and plans for construction of a two-span highway overpass on US-151 in the state of Wisconsin using only a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement system in the concrete bridge deck. The use of FRP reinforcing is being pursued to increase the durability of bridge decks and to reduce unit cost and time. The unique aspect of the new bridge is that it will use FRP stay-in-place formwork, placed over precast concrete I girders, to serve as formwork and as the bottom transverse reinforcement of the bridge deck. In addition, a heavy-duty prefabricated FRP grid will be used for the top layer of concrete reinforcing. Full-scale prototype laboratory testing is being used to develop design recommendations including effective distribution widths. From the spring to fall of 2003, a construction productivity study comparing the FRP deck construction sequence with that of identical adjacent stee...

Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a top deck pallet portion and a bottom deck pallet portion which are mounted to each other and have a plurality of column portions extending therebetween. At least one of the top deck pallet portion and bottom deck pallet portion has a first surface with a plurality of cross-ribbed members projecting therefrom. The pallet assembly further includes at least one stiffening member securely mounted to the plurality of cross-ribbed members to define a plurality of box beam sections between the at least one stiffening member and the at least one of the top deck pallet portion and bottom deck pallet portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a treadmill having a frameless treadbase. The treadmill is lightweight and inexpensive. A preferred embodiment features an arched deck. The arched deck has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion is has an upward incline or convex arch. The arched deck provides intrinsic cushion and incline. The arched deck maintains a convex arch independent of any structure in the treadmill. Additionally, the arched deck is connected to a front support and a rear support, the front support being independent from the rear support.

Abstract: Many concrete bridge decks develop transverse cracking and most of these cracks develop at early ages, some right after construction and some after the bridge has been opened to traffic for a period of time. Transverse cracks usually occur when concrete is set and widen with time. These cracks have been observed in most geographical locations and on many superstructure types. It is estimated that more than 100,000 bridges in the United States develop early transverse cracks. These cracks are typically full depth, located 1-3 m (4-12 ft) apart along the length of the span, and usually observed over transverse reinforcement. It has been reported that transverse cracking is the predominant form of deck cracking. These cracks reduce the service life of the structure and increase maintenance costs, which is of paramount importance in highway maintenance activities. Transverse cracks accelerate reinforcement corrosion, especially in regions where deicing chemicals are applied. Corrosion damage has been observed even on epoxy coated reinforcing bars. Freeze-thaw cycles of water in cracks and leakage of water to supporting structures may also reduce service life of structures. Cracks in concrete occur when a restraint mass of concrete tends to change volume. Volume change in concrete depends on the properties of its constituents and their proportions as well as environmental conditions such as ambient temperature changes and humidity. Restraint, which is basically due to composite action of deck and girder, depends on design characteristics of the bridge (i.e., structural design factors). Construction techniques also contribute to volume change and/or to degree of restraint of concrete mass. Factors associated with mix design/material and construction procedures have been the subject of a significant number of research studies over the past several decades. Structural design factors, however, have not been the subject of much research in the past and they were the main thrust of this research study. Using 2-D and 3-D linear and nonlinear finite element models many design factors such as girder stiffness, deck thickness, girder spacing, relative stiffness of deck to girder, amount of reinforcements, etc., were studied. The research study also included a comprehensive review of the existing literature as well as survey of 24 bridges in the state of New Jersey. Results of each research task are presented and discussed in detail. Furthermore, based on analytical results and literature review, the effect of various factors are quantified and specific recommendations for possible consideration in design are made. These are classified under the three major categories: 1) material and mix design; 2) construction practice and ambient condition factors; and 3) structural design. A simple Windows application program to more accurately estimate deck stresses during design is also developed under this study. Future research needs are also identified.

Abstract: Three fiber-reinforced polymer deck-to-girder connection concepts were evaluated for longitudinal structural capacity, ease of erection, and affordability. The first two concepts employed a composite sleeve to confine grout around three shear studs. In both cases, failure was due to a loss of confinement and local crushing of the composite. As a result, a connection that contained a larger volume of grout to alleviate local crushing and steel spirals to aid in grout confinement was developed by Cassity et al. in 2000. This connection detail utilizes a trapezoidal cell of the deck’s core to confine grout around three shear studs. Following the strength tests on this connection it was fatigued according to AASHTO specifications for 10.5 million cycles (75-year design life) and tested for residual capacity. The connection survived fatigue loading with negligible loss in stiffness. The haunch exhibited minimal debonding and cracking. Connection capacity after one lifetime of fatigue was within 2% of initial c...

Abstract: A patient support is provided comprising a frame including a deck support and a step deck positioned on the deck support. The step deck has an upper deck, a lower deck, and a side wall, the upper deck being spaced apart from the lower deck to define a recess of the deck. The step deck includes a first section and a second section configured to articulate relative to the first section.

Abstract: A composite pallet member that provides enhanced performance characteristics. A composite pallet member comprising at least one deck member having a first surface and a second surface. The deck member having a plurality of open spaces and a strengthening layer positioned against at least one of the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A buried pipeline construction laser alignment survey platform mountable on manhole sections The platform has a platform deck and two opposing sets of foldable handrail mounted on the perimeter of the platform deck which are inter-connected by safety chains to complete a safety perimeter A manhole access in the platform deck has a slideable access cover providing for a closed set-up position, an open access position, and a partially open laser alignment position One or more sets of anchor pedestals on the bottom of the platform deck provide for securing the platform to manhole sections of one or more diameters

Abstract: A treadmill for walking exercise or medical testing has the the usual frame mounting rollers around which an endless belt is driven through a lower course and an upper course, the upper course of the belt being supported by an improved deck particularly adapted to rest on longitudinal support members of the frame One improvement lies in connecting one end of a planar deck to a anchor member by a flexible hinge, the member being attachable to the frame and the flexibility of the hinge allowing the deck to yield to the impact of a user's tread both vertically and longitudinally of the deck Many available treadmills are designed to receive a standard deck which is essentially a rectangular plank bounded by flat surfaces which enclose a prismatic volume The present deck is rectangular and planar but has recesses rabbetted along its underside opposite the supporting frame members, the recesses being filled with strips of compressible, elastomeric material located within the cubic volume of the standard deck Consequently the present deck can fit in the standard volume and further provide shock absorption The deck is therefore useful, without modification, in treadmills of different manufacture

Abstract: A one-piece, hollow, continuous wall pallet having a deck and underside structural features that function in conjunction with the deck for support and reinforcement when a load is placed on the pallet or when a side of the pallet is impacted. The structural features may include an arched bottom recess, side impact depressions, and kiss-off structures, in one of the legs or portion of the underside. The pallet deck may have a dual entry rib configuration. The pallet is preferably made using rotational molding.

Abstract: A research project is currently in progress to investigate the seismic performance of segment-to-segment joints of precast segmental concrete bridges. The paper presents the experimental and analytical results of two large scale tests which model the superstructure response of a prototype precast segmental bridge, post-tensioned with internally bonded tendons, under fully reversed vertical cyclic displacements. The joints of the first test unit were epoxy bonded with no reinforcement crossing the joints other than the prestressing steel. The second test unit had a reinforced cast in place deck closure with the remaining portions of the joints connected by epoxy. Both test units were subjected to fully reversed cyclic loads simulating earthquake vertical motions. The paper also presents results from nonlinear finite element modeling of the simulated seismic response of the test units.

Abstract: An ornamental guardrail system that has an improved base assembly, which allows water and debris to escape from the deck surface. The system uses a mounting arrangement that supports the glass panels above the surface of the deck without using full-height posts. This mounting arrangement makes a structural glass railing useful in many types of construction projects that require the surface water to sheet flow under the railing system, or to achieve a certain visual style.

Abstract: Advanced fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bridge decks offer tremendous potential to meet critical needs for rehabilitation of existing bridges and construction of new bridges. FRP materials are robust and durable materials with high strength to weight ratios that lend themselves well to automated fabrication techniques. These qualities make FRP a material well suited to use in bridge decks. As compared with cast-in-place concrete bridges decks, they weigh 80% less, can be erected twice as fast and have service lives that may be two to three times greater. This article describes the task of developing and demonstrating a FRP bridge deck system as part of the Advanced Composites for Bridge Infrastructure Renewal Program. This program was funded by a research agency, public sector and private industry. The scope of the project included development of design criteria, design and construction of a demonstration bridge in Ohio, laboratory testing and validation of the system and performing life-cycle cost analyses. The challenge of the project was to develop a deck system that can be connected compositely to steel girders. To the author's knowledge, this demonstration bridge is the first bridge in the world to fully rely on composite action between a FRP deck and girders to resist superimposed dead and live load. (A)

Abstract: A deck attachment bracket and method of attaching a deck to a building are provided. The attachment bracket is mountable to a concrete foundation of an existing house or other structure. The bracket includes a mounting surface for attaching the bracket to the structure, a support surface extending perpendicular to the attachment surface and at least one load transmission member interfacing the support surface to the attachment surface. The bracket further includes a deck joist retaining member attached to the support surface. The deck joist attachment member accepts a standard deck joist and allows the same to be adjustable retained therein. In one preferred embodiment, the deck joist attachment member is adjustably attached to the support member of the adjustment bracket to allow the deck joist retained in the joist retaining member to be adjustably spaced from the side of the house or other structure to account for a variety of siding materials and thicknesses.

Abstract: Surfacings on steel orthotropic decks act compositely with the steel deck plate and must be regarded as an integral part of the structural deck system. Surfacing materials are generally visco-elastic to plastic and behave elastically only at low temperatures. Elastic moduli of most surfacings strongly depend on temperature. In semi-plastic condition flexural strain distribution through the surfacing thickness becomes non-linear. With a soft bonding layer, shear slip occurs at the interface. Surfacings contribute substantially to deck rigidity and are subject to considerable stresses due to local bending of the steel deck plate. Locations and causes of critical deck plate stresses affecting surfacing performance are discussed. Characteristic properties of the two basic surfacing categories, the bituminous and the polymer materials, are presented with examples of their applications on orthotropic decks. It is suggested that satisfactory performance of surfacings should be achieved by more stringent limitations of the local deck flexibility.

Abstract: A patient support is provided having a frame, a deck positioned on the frame, and a mattress. The deck includes a deck section configured to move relative to the frame. The frame includes a recessed portion configured to receive the deck section during movement of the deck section relative to the frame.

Abstract: A dispensing package for fluent products includes a container of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction having a hollow flexible body, and a rigid integral finish defined by a deck that spans one end of the body, a package dispensing opening in the deck and a wall upstanding from a perimeter of the deck surrounding the deck and the opening. An actuator disk is mounted within the peripheral wall overlying the deck and the dispensing opening, and is pivotal between a closed position closing the opening and an open position for dispensing product from the opening through the actuator disk.