Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc.

University of Texas System

Other

University of California

Matrix Technologies Corporation

City of Hope National Medical Center

Berkel & Company

Kenneth J Blum

Brian Roblee Zuckerman

Jack E Wallace

P J Sheridan

E P Noble

Ernest P Noble

Michael C Trachtenberg

Arthur H Briggs

Peter J Sheridan

An auger assembly designed for creation of bores at sites where solid earth has a layer of loose overburden comprising an elongated auger shaft presenting a working end, with outwardly extending, helical fighting along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. Apparatus proximal to the working end is operable to compress the loose material as the auger assembly is rotated in a first direction, and preferably is in the form of arcuate rake structure above the working end; the auger serves to compress the loose material during rotation in the first direction until the solid earth is encountered, whereupon the auger assembly is rotated in the opposite direction to form the bore within the solid earth. The auger assembly preferably includes an upper auger section and a detachably secured lower auger bit assembly. The auger assembly is particularly useful in the formation of cast-in-place cementious piles.

Reversible displacement auger tool

An auger assembly designed for creation of bores at sites where solid earth has a layer of loose overburden comprising an elongated auger shaft presenting a working end, with outwardly extending, helical flighting along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. Apparatus proximal to the working end is operable to compress the loose material as the auger assembly is rotated in a first direction, and preferably is in the form of arcuate rake structure above the working end; the auger serves to compress the loose material during rotation in the first direction until the solid earth is encountered, whereupon the auger assembly is rotated in the opposite direction to form the bore within the solid earth. The auger assembly preferably includes an upper auger section and a detachably secured lower auger bit assembly. The auger assembly is particularly useful in the formation of cast-in-place cementious piles.

An auger bit is provided for a foundation pile system including a drilling rig adapted for mounting and rotating a grout pipe connected to the auger bit to form an auger. The auger bit includes a stem with lower and upper sections, which taper towards a transition whereat the stem has a maximum diameter. A pile foundation forming method includes the steps of providing a drilling rig, forming an auger with a grout pipe coupled to an auger bit, rotating the auger wit the rig, forming a borehole with laterally displaced soil, pumping pressurized grout through the auger and into the borehole, placing a reinforcing cage in the wet grout and curing same.

Full-displacement pressure grouted pile system and method

The present invention relates to a kit and an intervenously administrable preparation, both, with a signal transmitter precursor, an enhancer of precursor uptake, and an inhibitor of neurotransmitter reuptake or signal transmitter catabolism. The kit also contains an appropriate swab for obtaining oral cells suitable for allelic analysis. The intervenous formulation contains similar materials and, in some cases, ethanol. Either the kit composition or the intervenous formulation may be used as guided by a subjects allelic analysis. Collections of particular alleles, especially those relating to neural system are comprehensible in terms of likelihood of success in the administration of an interveinous formulation or ingestion of components of the subject kit.

Diagnosis and treatment system for reward deficiency syndrome (RDS) and related behaviors

Enhancement of attentional processing is attained by administration of an endorphinase inhibitor or enkephalinase inhibitor and optionally, a dopamine precursor, or a serotonin precursor, a GABA precursor, or an endorphin or enkephalinase releaser, or certain herbal compounds including Rhodiola rosea extract (Pharmaline) and/or Huperzine. These components promote restoration of normal neurotransmitter function and the components combined enhance the release of dopamine at the nucleus accumbens and are non-addictive. Use of the dopamine precursors L-phenylalanine, or L-Tyrosine, the enkephalinase inhibitor D-phenylalanine, and/or the serotonin precursor -hydroxytryptophan and a natural acetylcholenesterase inhibitor and chromium salts (i.e. picolinate, nicotinate, etc.) is especially preferred, but not limited to assist in relieving symptoms associated with brain phenylalanine deficiency.

Allelic polygene diagnosis of reward deficiency syndrome and treatment

An improved lateral soil displacement and compaction auger (24) is provided including a central shaft (34) equipped with a central cementious material pipe (42), helical flighting sections (36,38) and lower rollers (64A-64E) positioned between lower flight sections. The rollers (64A-64E) are strategically located so that their outer peripheries cooperatively define an expanding spiral from the lower end of the auger (24) towards the central section (50) thereof. The rollers (64A-64E) are primarily responsible for lateral soil displacement and compaction during rotation of the auger (24) and do so with reduced frictional buildup. The preferred auger (24) also includes a lower cap (40) which is retained during auger rotation by teeth (90,92); during filling operations, the cap (40) is shifted downwardly to allow ejection of cementious material from the pipe (42) while retaining the cap (40). Downhole pressure buildup during filling can be monitored and adjusted through use of a pressure gauge (108) and throttle valve (110). In an alternative embodiment, an auger (132, 134) is equipped with an upper, lateral soil displacement and compaction portion (136) together with a lower drilling extension (138). Alternately, a auger monitoring and control assembly (182) is used, made up of series-coupled cementious material flow and cementious material pressure sensors (186, 188), together with an auger depth sensor (190). The sensors (186-190) are coupled to a readout device (200).

Pile forming apparatus

In an important embodiment, the present invention concerns a method for diagnosing and detecting compulsive disorder susceptibility of an individual. The method comprises initially obtaining a DNA sample of said individual and then determining the presence or absence of particular human D.sub.2 receptor gene alleles in said sample. Detection of said alleles in the sample are indicative of predilection to compulsive disorder. A most preferred embodiment is to detect predisposition to impulsive, addictive, and compulsive disorders such as, but not limited to, alcoholism, obesity, smoking, polysubstance abuse and drug addiction, particularly because said alleles have been found to be present in a majority of individuals clinically diagnosed with these compulsive disorders. The human D.sub.2 receptor gene A1, B1, and .sup.In6-Ex7 haplotype I alleles are most preferably detected in said sample.

Allelic diagnosis of susceptibility to compulsive disorder

An apparatus for monitoring grout pressure in an auger assembly during construction of an auger pressure grouted piling includes a pressure sensing element positioned within the lower end of a hollow auger for sensing the pressure exerted on the pressure sensing element by grout supplied through the auger during installation of the piling. A pressure indicator is provided for displaying the pressure sensed at the element, and a transmission line connects the element and indicator for transmitting the pressure sensed at the element to the indicator. The sensing element preferably includes a fluid-filled bulb that is compressible so that pressure exerted on the bulb is transmitted to the fluid in the bulb, and the transmission line includes a first fluid line section connected to the sensing bulb, a second fluid line section connected to the pressure indicator, and a swivel coupling positioned between the first and second fluid line sections for permitting relative rotation therebetween so that the first line section and sensing bulb can rotate together with the hollow auger during construction of the piling.

Apparatus for monitoring grout pressure during construction of auger

In an important embodiment, the present invention concerns a method for detecting compulsive disorder susceptibility of a human. The method comprises initially obtaining a DNA sample of said human and then determining the presence or absence of a particular human D.sub.2 receptor gene allele in said sample. Detection of said allele in the sample is indicative of susceptibility to compulsive disorder. A most preferred embodiment is to detect a susceptibility to alcoholism and cocaine dependence, particularly because said allele has been found to be present in a majority of clinically diagnosed alcoholics and cocaine users. The human D.sub.2 receptor gene A1 and B1 alleles are most preferably detected in said sample.

Allelic association of the human dopamine(D2) receptor gene in

Apparatus (30) is disclosed for preventing accumulation of debris such as clay, dirt or stones in the flighting (28) of an elongated earth auger (12) so that when the auger is removed from a bore hole while continuing to rotate, accumulated debris is not left in the flights which could fall on adjacent workmen or equipment. The apparatus includes a fan-shaped flight cleaning device (76) having a rotatable hub (80) which carries a series of radially extending, co-planar petal elements (82) adapted to successively extend into the auger flighting to dislodge debris tending to accumulate in the flights. As the auger rotates, the flighting engages the edges of the petal elements to cause the cleaning device to rotate and successively bring the petal elements into the area between adjacent flight sections for dislodgement of debris tending to accumulate in such areas. Pivotal mounting means (60, 84) for the flight cleaning device (58) allows the device to be deflectable as necessary to clear cylindrical connector collars of the auger, or to swing out of the way when a debris dislodgement element encounters debris wedged in the auger flighting that could damage the cleaning device.

Cleaning device for earth augers

In an important embodiment, the present invention concerns a method for diagnosing compulsive disease predisposition of an individual. The method comprises initially obtaining a DNA sample of said individual and then determining the presence or absence of a particular human D.sub.2 receptor gene allele in said sample. Detection of said allele in the sample is indicative of predilection to compulsive disease. A most preferred embodiment is to detect predisposition to alcoholism, particularly because said allele has been found to be present in a majority of clinically diagnosed alcoholics. The human D.sub.2 receptor gene A1 allele is most preferably detected in said sample.

Allelic association of the human dopamine (D.sub.2) receptor gene in

A pre-lubrication system (14) for an internal combustion engines (10) having a pressurized lubrication system (12) is provided which serves to rapidly pre-lubricate internal engine components during an engine ignition sequence. The assembly (14) preferably includes a vessel (16) adapted to hold a charge of lubricant under positive pressure, together with a valve assembly (19) and conduit (54) coupling the vessel (16) and the engine lubrication system (12). The valve assembly (19) preferably includes a solenoid operated valve (58) and a parallel check valve (60) which cooperatively permit filling of the vessel (16) with lubricant during normal engine operation, while maintaining a pressurized charge of lubricant within the vessel (16) when the engine (10) is stopped. The solenoid valve (58) is preferably wired (80, 82) for selective and/or automatic valve opening during an ignition sequence. Opening of the valve (58) permits rapid flow of the lubricant charge from the vessel (16) into the pressurized lubrication system (12) of engine (10).

Pre-lubrication system for reducing engine wear

Cocaine addiction is treated by administration of an endorphinase or enkephalinase inhibitor, and optionally, a dopamine precursor, or a serotonin precursor, a GABA precursor, or an endorphin or enkephalin releaser. These components promote restoration of normal neurotransmitter function and are non-addictive. Use of the dopamine precursors L-phenylalanine or L-tyrosine, the enkephalinase inhibitor D-phenylalanine and/or the serotonin precursor L-tryptophan is especially preferred.

Treatment of cocaine addiction

A grapple device (12) adapted for coupling to a conventional loader (110) is provided which is especially adapted for the pickup and handling of elongated auger sections. The device (12) includes a pair of pivotal arms (28,30) having auger-engaging pickup members (72,74) secured to the outermost ends thereof. The arms (28,30) are movable between a closed, auger-engaging position and an open position by a stationary piston and cylinder assembly (94) equipped with an extensible piston rod (96); the rod (96) is coupled to the arms (28, 30) by pivotal links (104,106). Selective rotation of the arms (28, 30) is effected by motor (108) coupled via chain (112) and sprockets (110,88) to the arm assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Parkville, MO, United States of America

Kenneth J Blum