Abstract: A fire barrier transition (10,110,210,310) comprises a first section (130,230,330) to mate with a first fire barrier (14) in a first expansion joint (16), a second section (132,232,332) to mate with a second fire barrier (18) in a second expansion joint (20), and a center section (134,234,334) therebetween to seal a gap (12) between the barriers (14,18). The first section (130,230,330) and the second section (132,232,332) each present either a convex or a concave cross-section with two sidewalls (136,236,336) and a bight section (138,238,338) therebetween. Thus, the transition (10,110,210,310) preferably presents a specific shape with the first section (130,230,330) and the second section (132,232,332) each presenting channels aligned at an angle between the joints (16,20). The barriers (14,18) can slide between the sidewalls (136,236,336) and engage the bight sections (138,238,338), thereby mating with and sealing to the first section (130,230,330) and the second section (132,232,332).

Abstract: A preferred drainage system grate assembly (10) broadly comprises a grate (12), a frame (14) to support the grate (12), and a locking device (34) to hold the grate (12) within the frame (14). The grate (12) comprises two or more crossbars (16) and a plurality of tread bars (18). Each crossbar (16) spans a watercourse (20) of a drainage system (21) and is supported by the frame (14) at both ends. The crossbar (16) includes an integral flange (56) that protrudes from the crossbar (16) substantially horizontally and at least one hole (60) centered within the flange (56). The locking device (34) includes a penetration (46) where a bolt (36) is inserted through the hole (60). As the bolt (36) is turned, the locking device (34) is raised until it contacts the frame (14), thereby securing the grate (12) within the frame (14).

Abstract: An expansion joint cover (10) comprises a first plate (18) hingedly attached to a first surface (14) of an expansion joint (12), a second plate (20) hingedly attached to the first plate (18), and a housing (26) fixedly secured to a second surface (16) of the expansion joint (12). During installation, a front plate (52) of the housing (26) can rotate about a hinge (58) to allow the second plate (20) to be installed within the housing (26). In use, the second plate (20) slides within the housing (26) to accommodate variations in separation distance and vertical offset between the two surfaces (14,16). Two hinges (36,44) accommodate variations in torsion between the two surfaces (14,16). The combination of the second plate (20) sliding within the housing (26) and the two hinges (36,44) accommodates variations in lateral offset between the two surfaces (14,16).

Abstract: A fire barrier is provided for use in connection with a structural wall having a hole through which a thermoplastic conduit normally extends. The barrier includes a housing having a side wall extending around the hole and the conduit, and defining an interior space extending between the conduit and the housing. A first end of the housing is attached to the structural wall, and the opposing end is closed around the conduit. A first support matrix is provided within the housing adjacent the second end, and defines a plurality of voids extending radially between the conduit and the side wall of the housing. A second support matrix provided adjacent the first axial end defines a plurality of longitudinal voids extending in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for fireproof cover of expansion voids consisting of expansion joint cover structure spanning the expansion void and supporting at least one layer of stainless steel foil and other refractory material in continual coverage across said void.

Abstract: An underground mining vehicle has a solid state electronic motor controller for controlling the operation of a brushless D.C. motor. A switching network is connected between a high voltage bus and portions of a stator winding for delivering current to portions of the stator winding. A first transducer produces a first group of feedback signals representative of the position and speed of the rotor. A second transducer produces a second group of feedback signals representative of the current delivered to the motor. A speed control is provided which produces an input signal representative of the desired speed of the vehicle. An electronic circuit, responsive to the input signal, the first group of feedback signals, and the second group of feedback signals, produces control signals. The control signals are input to the switching network to control the application of current to the portions of the stator winding.

Abstract: Apparatus for fireproof cover of expansion voids consisting of expansion joint cover structure spanning the expansion void and supporting at least one layer of stainless steel foil and other refractory material in continual coverage across said void.

Abstract: An improved stair nosing device especially useful in temporarily darkened stairways is provided which includes a plate member with an upper surface, at least a portion of which is covered by luminescent material. The stair nosing device includes non-slip material attached to the upper surface to provide increased frictional contact with foot traffic relative to the plate member. The non-slip material is attached as spaced apart strips with an upper surface of the non-slip material being higher relative to the plate member. In this way the luminescent material is protected from damage by foot traffic.

Abstract: A connector for joining two strings in precise axial alignment including a first enlarged section having a bore with a recess for receiving a knotted connector string, a second reduced-diameter section having alignment surfaces, and a third section having clip ends. Two such connectors are clipped together by inverting one and placing its clip ends over the second section of the other connector. The connectors are preferably of unitary plastic design, such that the clip ends are substantially rigid, with some resilience to allow for clipping. The inner shape of the clip ends corresponds to the outer shape of the second sections, and may be circular, trapezoidal, or some other shape. Clip ends may be provided with elongated ends to assist in removing the connectors from one another. The connector is designed to clip coaxially to another connector, such that the two string lines are coaxial, thus avoiding lateral forces from being exerted by the string lines on the connectors when assembled.

Abstract: A fire-rated, flush mounted corner guard is provided which serves to maintain continuous integrity in the fire rating of building walls notwithstanding the recessing thereof to accommodate a corner guard and consequent lessening of the amount of fire rock present at the corner. The corner guard preferably includes an upright, continuous, floor-to-ceiling, L-shaped in cross-section synthetic resin corner cover, means for resiliently mounting the cover within a corner recess substantially flush with the building walls, and insulating means within the corner recess beneath the cover. In this way the corner guard assembly provides a fire rating substantially equivalent to the fire rating of the walls. Preferably, the insulating means includes a heat-expandable continuous ceramic insulating sheet and steel protector disposed over the insulating material and beneath the cover and which overlaps the wall outermost surfaces adjacent the corner portion.

Abstract: A roll up floor mat is provided with rails or sections hingedly interconnected by alternating, flexible strips, which, in turn serve to cushion the mat by use of laterally extending flaps interposed between the floor or other supporting surface and the rail sections, the flaps being integral with the hinge assemblies between the sections.

Abstract: A floor mat including a plurality of rigid, elongated rails each having a side edge positioned in substantially parallel, spaced relationship to a respective side edge of an adjacent rail. A passageway opens inwardly from each rail side edge and includes an outer portion adjacent the side edge and an inner portion. The passageway inner portions have greater cross-sectional dimensions than the passageway outer portions. Each pair of adjacent rails is interconnected by an elongated, flexible hinge member which comprises a pair of opposite, spaced flanges extending longitudinally with respect to the hinge member. The flanges are interconnected by a web having a cross-sectional thickness less than a cross-sectional thickness of each of the flanges. The hinge member flanges are each slidably received in a respective passageway inner portion.

Abstract: A cycle wheel mounting fixture for a dynamic balancing machine includes a first cone that is axially slidable on the spindle of the balancer, with its apex facing towards the distal end of the spindle, to engage the inner surface of a cycle wheel hub. This cone is biased away from the flange by a spring interposed between the flange and the cone. One or more resilient pressure rings surround the spring and cone and bear against the spokes and hub of the wheel. An outer cone engages the outside of the wheel hub and centers the wheel on the spindle along with the inner cone. The bias provided to the inner cone allows it to engage the wheel with adequate supporting pressure but without exerting any damaging forces thereon. The resilient support provided by the pressure rings assures a firm mounting of the wheel on the spindle so that the two rotate in unison without any oscillation that could adversely affect the balance measurement.

Abstract: A machine and method for balancing wheels is disclosed whereby the wheel is affixed to and spun on a rotatable shaft to an initial velocity, the drive unit is decoupled and the forces of unbalance are measured during the first full revolution of the shaft after it reaches a predetermined measuring velocity. The initial velocity is selected as the lowest of a plurality of velocities which will yield a time from decoupling to measuring of unbalance of at least 2 seconds. Automatically activated drive and brake mechanisms are also disclosed as is a system of unbalance sensor arrangement having two movable sensors linked to one another at a fixed distance.

Abstract: A wall protecting assembly is provided for protecting outwardly exposed intersecting wall surfaces adjacent the intersection thereof comprising a rigid base plate securely attached to the wall surfaces and overlying an associated corner and a semi-resilient cover member mounted in spaced relation to the base plate. A cushion member projects outwardly from the base plate adjacent the corner so as to cushion impacts administered to the cover member and retains the cover member in spaced apart relationship relative to the base plate. Stop members are utilized to maintain spacing between the base plate and the cover member at locations spaced from the intersection.

Abstract: A light emitting mounting bracket is provided for a handrail arrangement. The bracket comprises a body portion which supports the handrail on an associated wall and which has a cavity therein which contains a light emitting source and provides access to associated wall fasteners. A translucent lens is wedgedly and flushly mounted on the bracket so as to give the appearance of being molded therewith, thereby presenting a clean profile.

Abstract: A light emitting mounting bracket is provided for a handrail arrangement. The bracket comprises a body portion which supports the handrail on an associated wall and which has a cavity therein which contains a light emitting source and provides access to associated wall fasteners. A translucent lens is wedgedly and flushly mounted on the bracket so as to give the appearance of being molded therewith, thereby presenting a clean profile.

Abstract: A floor grid is provided for a trafficway for removing debris from traffic passing thereover. The grid comprises a support structure below the surface of the trafficway, a plurality of spaced tread rails defining an upper surface which is generally flush with the surface of the trafficway and being supported by the support structure, and a plurality of traverse spacer bars or channels positioned immediately beneath the tread rails. Each tread rail is secured to each spacer channel by a bolt where both cross. Each bolt has a head which is received in and is slidable, when the bolt is not tightened, along a pair of confronting slots in an associated tread rail. Each of the slots has a flat vertical surface which respectively butt against a pair of flat vertical surfaces of the bolt head preventing rotation of the bolt relative to the tread rail. Preferably the slots are just high enough to snugly receive the bolt heads. Feet extend outwardly from the lower end of each tread rail and engage the spacer channels.

Abstract: An expansion joint filler strip and cover assembly for a joint formed by spaced structural sections includes elongate base members secured to respective structural sections and having a joint therebetween. The base members have spaced apart, upstanding first and second and third walls with the third wall being substantially contiguous with the joint forming wall surface of the respective structural section. The first and second wall portions define an elongate, channel therebetween and the second and third wall portions define an elongate, recess therebetween with the third wall portion terminating in an edge spaced below the terminating edges of the first and second wall portions. A replaceable, elastomeric strip extends across the joint and has side portions secured to the base members with at least one side portion having an elongate flange received within the elongate recess and an outer surface even with the terminating edges of the first and second wall portions.

Abstract: A stair nosing structure for stair steps comprises an elongated, substantially rigid base member having an interlocking portion and a channel portion positioned along opposing longitudinal edges thereof. An elongated tread member overlies and is supported by the base member, and includes a portion matingly engaging the base member interlocking portion, and a depending rib having opposed sides thereof positioned between the faces of the channel portion. A plurality of fastening clips are disposed in the channel portion of the base member and are regularly spaced therealong. Each of the clips has a rigidly resilient body with a first portion thereof connected with one of the channel faces, and a second portion thereof frictionally engaging one of the rib sides, and securely interconnects the base and tread members.