Abstract: A splice rail assembly for joining two adjacent panels in a coplanar relationship having two parallel tongues extending perpendicularly therefrom, the first of which tongues is located substantially in the mid-portion of the splice rail, the second being offset therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the first tongue. When two such rails are appropriately positioned with their tongues facing each other, the mid-portion tongues of each can be inserted into the space between the two tongues of the opposite rail in an interlocking relationship. The sides or ends of two panels fit, respectively, into the spaces formed between two such interlocked splice rails outwardly of the tongues and the resulting assembly can be fastened together with suitable fastening members.

Abstract: A building block for prefabricated constructions comprises a wall portion and a covering portion made of expanded plastics material.A number of through-tubes run vertically along the wall thickness of the wall portions, the covering portion being united by joints and adhesives to the wall portion unless they are moulded as a single entity. The tubes and the open spaces serve to receive a concrete casting which unites all the component parts of the block together to form a single rigid entity.

Abstract: A frame member for a door or window wherein the member is for use within a wall formed of consumable building blocks. The frame member includes upright structural column jambs and a header member extending between the jambs and united thereto and tie means to unite the frame member with the blocks of said wall adjacent thereto.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved joint between building panels, e.g. molded roof panels for prefabricated bay windows, wherein the joint consists of a slot in the edge of one of the panels. The slot has side walls, each of which is at a different angle relative to the plane of the panel. The edge of the other panel is inserted into the slot and the respective side walls thereof are engaged by one side or the other of the edge of the other panel to locate the other panel in one angular position or another with respect to the plane of the first panel.

Abstract: A roof supporting structure and method of erecting such structure, the structure comprising a series of spaced apart rafters lying in parallel relation with a series of V-truss units extending between the rafters in parallel relation at spaced apart intervals to define rows of V-truss units supported at their opposite ends on the rafters, the V-truss units in a given row lying in alternating relation with respect to the V-truss units in the next adjacent row, the ends of the V-truss units in one row being interconnected with the adjoining ends of the V-truss units in the next adjacent row so that horizontal forces will be transmitted jointly by the V-truss units in adjacent rows. Modified V-truss units may be provided at the ends of alternate rows to further enhance the horizontal load supporting capability of the structure, the modified V-truss units additionally serving to mount the wall panels of a building utilizing the roof supporting structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for insulating a covered patio by supporting insulation upon ceiling panels depending from clamps engaged in the apices of a twin-vee roof. The roof engaging elements of the clamp include a diagonal face plate with a gripping extended edge and a set screw threadedly engaged through said diagonal face plate. These elements are disposed so that the gripping edge of the diagonal plate and the leading edge of the set screw engage opposite vertical faces of the receiving slot at an apex of a roofing panel. The head of the set screw is accessible when the clamp is in place and tightening the set screw secures the clamp to the roofing panels and lodges the clamp in place by establishing sufficient force to the opposing walls adjacent the closed top of the slot. The depending end of the clamp carries mean of connection with the ceiling panels and this connection establishes the cavity into which the insulation is placed.

Abstract: Mid-wall panel joints for joining first and second upstanding wall panel members tightly together with their front surfaces in a common plane. First and second elongated alignment plates are fixed to the rear surfaces of the first and second wall panel members, respectively, adjacent to the edges to be joined, with each having a plurality of fingers which extend outwardly to vertically interleave with the fingers of the other alignment plate, and to contact the rear surface of the other wall panel members. A plurality of spacer members are fixed to the first and second alignment plates, with two vertical columns on each alignment plate. A plurality of similarly constructed joining members, each having four elongated slots or openings, complete the joint. The spacer members on the first and second wall panel members extend through spacer head receiving portions of the elongated slots, and the joining members are then downwardly advanced to a frictional locking position.

Abstract: The invention is an improved awning for installation at portable or fixed buildings, including mobile type buildings. The awning is of the rigid type and is provided with a member for affixing to the building which it serves. The invention provides a unique channel-like member for affixing the inboard side of the awning to a building structure; the channel-like member serving as in the inboard side main structural member of the awning. A plurality of uniquely shaped main beams extend from the channel-like member to an outboard member of a flanged channel-like configuration. Pan-like members are fitted between each pair of adjacent main beams to form the roof proper of the awning. The fitting of the pan-like members into the unique shape of the main beams provides a beam-braced awning structure that is very rigid. The outboard ends of the main beams are affixed to the flanged channel-like outboard member, which is suitably supported by columns or posts.

Abstract: A buckstay stirrup for a steam generator is formed from a single plate, requiring only cutting and bending. The plate after cutting is bent to form two angled support portions (24) and a central portion (20). The outboard section (22) of the intermediate portion is cut (32) so that it extends inwardly to engage the inner edge of a buckstay, which is in the form of an I-beam. The central intermediate portion (20) is formed to be located inwardly of the outboard portion and contains an accordian fold (30) to permit the shortening which occurs during the bending. The two intermediate portions (20,22) are in parallel planes spaced to accept the buckstay flange therebetween.

Abstract: An engine starter drive adapted to engage an engine ring gear having a tooth driving clutch member which cooperates with a tooth driven clutch member. The driven clutch member further comprises a helical screw shaft with two circular grooves. A control nut threadably mounted on the screw shaft has a spring loaded detent which engages the circular grooves. The control nut is connected to the pinion gear by means of a retaining cup. Rotating the screw shaft causes the control nut to move along the screw shaft to traverse the pinion into mesh with the engine ring gears and crank the engine. When the engine fires, the acceleration of the pinion causes the control nut to move back on the screw shaft until the detent engages the first circular groove. After the engine starts and the pinion rotates to a predetermined speed, the detent withdraws from the first groove in the screw shaft and the control nut withdraws the pinion gear from engaging the engine ring gear.

Abstract: A coreless, fireproof, hung panel assembly which includes a metallic sheet panel member having first and second major sides, stiffened by a plurality of metallic rib members on the second side. A plurality of metallic support members on a wall cooperate with certain of the metallic rib members, such that that panel member is securely and tightly held against the wall. The first side includes a decorative film, or laminate, suitably fixed thereto.

Abstract: In combination with a telescoping well mast structure having a fixed lower structure and a traveling upper structure, a device to time and actuate the extension and retraction of a racking platform pivotally attached to the upper structure. The device comprises at least one pulley secured within the upper derrick structure adjacent the crown and at least one lower pulley secured within the upper structure adjacent the lower end thereof. At least one cable extends from the platform around the upper pulley, the lower pulley and to a wheeled trolley adapted to travel along a portion of the lower structure. When the upper structure is extended the wheeled trolley is propelled along the lower structure by a pushing member on the upper structure until received into a catch housing on the upper portion of the lower structure. Once the wheeled trolley is restrained by the housing continued extension of the upper structure allows for the racking platform to extend by means of gravity.