Abstract: A floor system is provided to bridge between spaced apart frame members while providing ready access to the area covered by the floor system. An interlocking arrangement of removable components is used with major transverse floor elements having a modified channel section that interlocks with receiving extensions of anchored floor plates.

Abstract: A roof, or a portion of a roof, resiliently securable to a sub-structure (4) of a building, the roof or roof portion comprising:a panel (1);a strip (2) which is overlapped by and supports the panel (1) on at least a portion of the edge regions (3) thereof; andan intermediate layer (10) of a resilient sealing material which spaces the panel (1) from the strip (2) such that the panel (1) is capable of relative movement with respect to the strip (2) while sealing the panel (1) with respect to the strip (2).A method of providing a building with such a roof is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lattice bridge construction system is characterised by the provision of lattice panels (A,B,C) which are of substantially identical length but of different depths relative to one another such that when variously combined one with another, with or without additional reinforcement, trusses having considerably more economic increments of bending strength may be achieved.

Abstract: A concrete reinforcing unit adapted to be embedded in the concrete for concrete construction. The concrete reinforcing unit includes: first parallel textile elements; second parallel textile elements crossing the first parallel textile elements at first crossing portions, each of the first textile elements and the second textile elements including at least one row of first textiles and a first resin matrix, made of a first resin, for bonding the first textiles; and an attaching mechanism for attaching the first reinforcing elements and the second reinforcing elements at corresponding first crossing portions to form a grid member having opposite ends.

Abstract: A hollow tubular roofing cant has a plurality of perforations for permitting ingress of moisture or gases from the roofing system and a plurality of one-way vents for permitting egress of moisture or gases into the atmosphere. The tubular roofing cant may be of triangular or trapezoidal cross-section.

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: The invention is an improved anchor for machine bolts and other similar fastening devices in masonry or other materials. The improved anchor consists primarily of a two-piece body structure. When in use the two-piece body structure is arranged for receiving a fastening device, such as a machine bolt or other similar fastener. The two-piece body structure is cylindrical on the exterior thereof with the offset between the first and second of the two pieces of the body structure being a cut or separation through the body structure at an angle to the longitudinal centerline of the two-piece body structure. Each of the two pieces of the two-piece body structure has a plurality of saw tooth-like cuts or serrations on a portion of the exterior surface. The saw tooth-like cuts on the first piece of the two-piece body structure being located 180.degree. from the saw tooth-like cuts on the second piece.

Abstract: To eliminate the need for forcibly closing the door to achieve a full closure of an automotive door, the striker which cooperates with the latch assembly of the door is not only allowed to move outwardly from its normal position but also adapted to be positively driven back to the normal position by a drive means. When the door is to be closed from its open position, since the striker has been displaced outwardly from its normal position, latching of the latch assembly with the striker is easily achieved by hand even when the reaction force of a weather strip is substantial. Then, the striker is positively driven inwardly to its normal position by the drive means against the reaction force of the weather strip. By appropriately controlling the drive means, very little force will be required to achieve the latching of the latch assembly with the striker and the complete closure of the door will be achieved by the drive means which may be an electric motor.

Abstract: A prefabricated roofing panel has two opposite parallel edges bevelled at an angle to the top and bottom flat surfaces, and a portion of each bevelled edge is blunt cut adjacent one of the flat surfaces to enable interlocking of the panels. Each panel has a sidelap on one side extending across a bevelled edge, and a headlap at one end. The panels are installed with adjacent bevelled edges in interlocking engagement.

Abstract: A raised panel-style door and method of making same are described. The structure includes a solid core having a planar veneer support surface regularly interrupted by channels extending in a rectangular course. The channels are inlaid with picture frames formed of decorative wood strips having marginal edges in the plane of the veneer support surface and being recessed therebetween. When overlaid with veneer, surface regions outside the picture frames are made to look like stiles and rails, while those inside are made to look like panels. The door may also have an internal fire-retardant layer.

Abstract: Removable partition systems of the type embodying top and bottom tracks enclosing a plurality of channel shaped vertical studs and vertical wall panels secured to the studs by means of hooks extending from the inner surface of the panel to engage notches defined in the studs. The improvement consists in a hook strip secured to the inner face of the wall panel and including a hardened planar surface and a downwardly extending hook. The hook includes inclined top and bottom edges, a horizontal bight and an inwardly protruding camming surface. The horizontal bight rests upon the bottom of the notch, while the camming surface tension fits the inner surface of the stud so as to securely mount the wall panel with respect to the stud.

Abstract: A window well structure comprising at least two superposed u-shaped sections made of sheet metal. Engagement means are provided on adjacent edges of the superposed sections which securely interengage each other to unite the adjacent, superposed, u-shaped sections as a unitary, self supporting, integral structure.

Abstract: A flooring system comprising a foundation, a plurality of adjacent floorboards, each of the floorboards including a generally vertical side including a generally horizontal slot, and a base adjacent the foundation and including therein an opening spaced from the side, and clips for fastening the floorboards to the foundation, each including a generally horizontal upper portion received in the slot in the floorboard, a generally vertical portion, a lower generally horizontal base portion extending between the foundation and the base of the floorboard, and a projection extending upwardly in the base portion and spaced from the vertical portion and received in the opening in the base of the floorboard.

Abstract: A pressure vessel and a method for distributing the stresses in a thick-walled high-pressure vessel, so that they lie within allowable limits, by constructing the wall in a series of generally concentric layers, at least one intermediate layer of which is to be constructed before the other layers. The intermediate layer is constructed above a base, resting on it through a sliding joint. Then it is placed under an external prestressing pressure. Thereafter, that layer is secured to the base by a rigid concrete connection. The remaining layers of the wall are then constructed and are subjected to an external prestressing pressure. Preferably, stress-relieving slots are applied to the innermost layer, during its construction.

Abstract: A ground anchor is provided comprising a first part engageable within an anchoring medium such as, for example, the ground, along an insertion axis; a second part to which loads are, in use, attached; and linking means interconnecting the first and second parts yet permitting displacement of the second part with respect to the insertion axis; so that when load is applied to the second part after the first part has been inserted within the anchoring medium the second part can alter position without moving the first part and thus reduce the effective loading on the first part. The second part preferably includes supplementary anchoring which penetrates the surface of the anchoring medium upon application of load to the anchor.

Abstract: A raised panel door having a core panel extending within it and panel inserts lodged within the voids of a lattice structure presented on opposite sides of the door. Molding strips overlay and conceal regions where the inserts abut against expanses in the lattice structure defining the voids. A veneer overlay covers margins of the molding strips.

Abstract: A composite floor system includes a plurality of joists, each having a top and bottom chord and a web in the space between the chords. The top chord is formed with a pair of horizontally extending legs and at least one vertical leg. The top of the web is attached to the bottom surface of the top chord. Metal decking is supported by the horizontal legs of the top chord of adjacent joists and a concrete slab is poured on the decking and encloses the vertical leg of the top chord.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the construction of wood frame panels in which a mobile truck body having tool receiving bays along one side thereof has an enclosure formed on the top thereof for housing a component assembling machine. A normally retracted bridge crane is adapted to move panels from stowed positions on top of the body to operative positions at which they form an upper working area adjacent to the component assembling machine and a lower working area adjacent to the bays. One of the upper panels has an extension and hinged portion adapted to form a material support rack.

Abstract: A composite, pre-stressed structural member comprised of concrete and a lower metal support member, and method for forming and pre-stressing the same. The metal support member and a concrete mold are connected for parallel deflection with the support member uppermost and shear-connectors extending into the mold. The connected mold and support member are supported for deflection and concrete is poured into the mold and allowed to harden. During hardening of the concrete the mold and support member are deflected by the weight of the concrete, mold and support member, pre-stressing the support member. Upon hardening of the concrete and inverting to a concrete-uppermost position, a composite, pre-stressed structural member is provided.

Abstract: An insulated wall is made of spaced-apart, parallel, foamed plastic sheets between which concrete is poured to form a concrete wall faced with such sheets. Before the concrete is poured, these sheets, which comprise numerous, small panels that are interconnected edge-to-edge are secured together by numerous ties. Each of the ties is formed of a pair of parallel, vertically-elongated, thin, rigid, sheet metal plates that are connected together by thin, horizontally-elongated sheet metal strips whose opposite ends are connected to their respective plates. Each plate is snugly inserted within aligned edge pockets formed in the abutting edges of adjacent panels so that the plates assist in aligning and interconnecting the adjacent panels.