Abstract: A helically coiled wire-type screw thread insert, of the type used for tapped holes in workpieces in which a fastener component is threaded into, is provided. The two free end coils (12) each have a hook means recess (14) on the inner screw thread of each, and the terminal end (16) of each free end coil (12) has a reduced transverse cross-section or a diminishing cross-sectional area construction. Further the outer thread pitch diameter (P1) of the free end coils (12A, 12B) is preferably less than that of the remaining coils (13'). The invention provides improved insertion capability and provides a removal capability unknown in the screw thread inserts of the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention is a fastener system and method of using a fastener for removably securing bar grilles in window and door frames. A fastener having a tip or point at one end is inserted between a glass and a frame. The fastener has a pair of fins extending substantially perpendicularly from one surface and away from the glass. When appropriate mechanical forces are applied, the fins are bendable toward each other and have a tendency to return to their approximate original position after the forces are released. A slot is provided in the surface of a bar grille which comes into contact with the glass. The bar grille is snapped on the fastener so that the fins are forced toward each other as they enter the slot and are hooked into position as the fins return to their approximate original position. The bar grille may be removed by pulling on the grille so that fins disengage from the slot.

Abstract: A prefabricated modular building element comprising a floor formed by the assembly together of two identical metal half frames each formed by an assembly of longitudinal members and cross pieces, a ceiling comprising longitudinal members and spacers, or longitudinal members and purlins connected by corner posts to said ceiling so as to form a self supporting structure whose constituent parts are assembled together by means of bolts or similar devices, and lifting members removably-attached by bolt-type devices at predetermined zones of said structure.

Abstract: A post anchor to rapidly mount a post within the ground has a post end engagement bracket from which extends an anchor stake. The anchor stake is driven into the ground and the post is then inserted into the upstanding end of the post engagement bracket.

Abstract: An improved prefabricated building panel for mounting on the exterior of a building including a plurality of spaced, parallel support members or studs preferably formed by metal channels. A five strand layer wire mesh formed by a plurality of interwoven wires arranged at right angles to each other is attached to the support members and spaced therefrom by a plurality of spacers. The wire mesh is encapsulated with cement to form a ferrocement panel and decorative facing tile are secured to an outer face of the ferrocement panel by a layer of grouting. The ferrocement panel provides the structural load bearing component for the prefabricated panel for supporting the facing tile and eliminates the need for a separate substrate which heretofore spanned the support members and provided the structural support. The invention also includes the method steps for forming such a prefabricated panel.

Abstract: An entertainment structure principally intended to comprise a cinematic auditorium. The structure has a horizontally disposed floor or decking support plate on which seating for members of an audience is arrangable and support means on which the support plate is rotatably mounted. Orientation varying means are operable to tilt the support plate, from the horizontal, in a required direction; while drive means are operable to rotate said support plate on said support means about an upwardly extending axis. The structure also includes a drive system operable to actuate said orientation varying means, and control means operable to control actuation of said drive means and said drive system for varying the angular disposition and tilt of said support plate with respect to said axis. In presentation of a cinematic programme, viewers perception of the action is enhanced by such rotation and tilting being synchronized and in concert with visual and aural action of the programme.

Abstract: A building panel is provided having a channel in its back surface which matingly receives a rigidifying element. A fastener plate secures the panel to a substrate by slidable engagement with the rigidifying element.

Abstract: A floor plate which is adapted to accommodate a filler material includes a base plate and a frame; a plurality of ribs extending parallel to one another and projecting from the plane of the base plate. The frame extends integrally from the base plate along a perimeter thereof and in the same direction as the ribs. A plurality of reinforcing rails extends parallel to one another and perpendicularly to the ribs; each rail is fastened to several ribs. A channel is formed along a free circumferential edge of the frame; the channel is open in a direction toward the plane of the base plate.

Abstract: Framework truss with changeable cantilever length, comprising an articulated grid structure which is hingedly secured at two fixed points against a wall or any other carrier element. Said framework truss is characterized in that at least two articulated grid panels are joined together having the shape of a parallelogram and projecting in the cantilever direction (L) from two fixed articulation points (A, B) situated at a certain interval (h) from each other. The articulated grid panels are comprised of parallel articulated bars (21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26), as well as coupling rods (31, 32, 33) connecting them by pairs from their ends between the articulation points (C1, D1; C2, D2; C3, D3) and of which the length remains always equal to the interval (h) separating the fixed articulation points (A, B).

Abstract: The invention relates to an open type box-unit with multipurpose application for the complex industrial construction of prefabricated houses, of buildings with different numbers of stories, and to molding apparatus for its production. The box-unit has a floor and roof structure with a spatially reinforced concrete framework consisting of two longitudinal frames and transverse frames; the cross bars of the longitudinal frames have a reinforced cross section asymmetrical to the cross section of the columns and a uninterrupted reinforcement in a closed shape. At modular distances in the cross bars of the longitudinal frames there are provided critical zones with cross sections doubled with regard to the cross bars and the columns of the end transverse frames. These critical zones are designed for the connection of the reinforcement of the cross bars and the columns of the middle frames having variable cross sections.

Abstract: A ceiling panel adapted to be supported by its edges from a ceiling-suspended framework provides improved thermal barrier characteristics and resists upward displacement by strong air currents such as generated by fires. The panel is comprised of a rigid gypsum board center portion of rectangular perimeter, a lower layer of inorganic material having a downwardly disposed contoured surface, and an upper stratum of thermally insulative material. A shoulder is formed between the perimeters of the center portion and lower layer. A resilient sealing strip attached to the shoulder causes the panel to seat firmly upon the ceiling-suspended framework.

Abstract: The splicing means includes a push-on sheet metal splicing member for mounting on an upper flange portion of an I-beam and presenting a vertically oriented backing portion for a pair of clamping strips securable respectively to opposite sides of the backing portion by self-tapping screws.

Abstract: A structural member for bracing adjacent wooden studs of a wall frame comprised of an elongated body portion having mounting portions at the ends thereof, which mounting portions include outwardly facing end surfaces generally parallel to each other and oblique to the body portion, side surfaces perpendicular to and laterally offset from the end surfaces, and means for forming a third surface facing and parallel to the first surface wherein three surface engagement between the structural member and the stud is provided.

Abstract: A cavity floor is formed by placing on a structural floor bottom a flexible floor mold which has leg forming portions arranged in an array with generally planar portions extending between and surrounding the leg forming portions. A flowable substance is applied over the mold, which subsequently hardens to form an upper floor having a plurality of legs defined by the leg forming portions, with a cavity region therebetween. The planar portions of the flexible floor mold permit adjacent leg forming portions each separately to contact the floor bottom under the weight of the applied flowable substance, even if the floor bottom is uneven.

Abstract: A screen assembly includes at least one panel with slots in its side edges, a plurality of upright poles to which the panel is fastened and a plurality of fastening elements. The fastening elements and the panel are arranged such that a foot portion of a fastening element can be inserted into one of the slots and can then be rotated in the slot about an axis transverse to the slot, whereupon the foot portion becomes progressively more securely clamped in the slot and in a final position is locked to the panel. The fastening element is thus easily fixed to the panel and provides a very secure fixing when so fixed.

Abstract: An interior ceiling or wall covering system comprising longitudinal parallel flexible panels formed by vapor barrier material applied to flange surfaces of ceiling joists or purlins or wall girts wherein the panels extend parallel to the longitudinal extent of the joists, purlins or girts and are secured to the flanges thereof by a pressure sensitive adhesive. Self drilling fasteners are driven into the structural member flanges at spaced apart intervals to provide backup support for securing the panels to the structural members. The enclosed space formed by the panels may be filled with loose, sprayed on or preformed batts of insulation material. The panels may be extended in directions normal to the purlins or girts by utilizing light gauge support strips to which the panels are applied with pressure sensitive adhesive and with spaced apart fasteners driven into the flanges of the structural members at points contiguous with the panels.

Abstract: A panel comprising a perimeter frame, a pair of skins spaced apart by the perimeter frame, and load distributing connecting members at the corners of the frame. The perimeter frame is formed from members having two oppositely directed channels so that when a pair of panels are positioned in a side by side relationship one channel of the perimeter frame of one panel will enter the other channel of the perimeter frame of the adjacent panel. The load distributing connecting members have a tongue to engage the inwardly facing channel of the perimeter frame. The invention also comprises a building having a floor, walls, ceiling, and roof wherein at least the walls are formed of panels according to the invention.

Abstract: A system of structural blocks comprised of longitudinally extending members having vertical inner and outer faces. The basic structural blocks have webs centered on and projecting away from the inner faces of the blocks and extending from top to bottom of the blocks along one-half their longitudinal extent. Tongue and groove projections and recesses on the inner faces and on the webs mate with corresponding projections and recesses on identical blocks, whereby a plurality of such blocks may be longitudinally, transversely and vertically interlocked together. Corner, jamb, pilaster, beam, junction and web blocks are provided, together with a corresponding series of half height blocks, to interlock with the basic blocks and with each other so as to enable construction of a wide variety of buildings or structures.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a plurality of linear supports each of which is formed of at least three longitudinal members juxtaposed in a predetermined substantially parallel relationship to one another networked together with brace means. At least two linear supports are connected by way of a set of curved connecting bars to give a shaped overall structure. In other aspects of the invention mounting brackets for use in connection with, for example, the inventive assembly are disclosed. One bracket is for mounting atop a triangular section while another bracket is substantially triangular at one end and extends laterally to a common support point distal to a substantially vertical supporting member.

Abstract: A modular construction block comprising a configuration built up from five indentical rectangular sub-blocks dimensioned in the ratio of 1:2:4 and assembled into an "H"-shaped symmetric block about either of two vertical perpendicular planes through the center of the block.The assemblage provides an "H"-shaped block wherein all external dimensions, slots and recesses are integer multiples of the minimum sub-block dimension. The blocks can be assembled together in a very wide variety of combinations to create utilitarian or decorative structures. The blocks may be sized for toy construction sets or for full sized building projects. The blocks may be formed of wood, plastic, metal, concrete or ceramic depending upon size and use.