Abstract: A framework for supporting the glass panels of a skylight is formed of spacedrafters inter-connected by cross bars. The rafters have upstanding side flanges provided with pairs of transverse slots. The ends of the cross bars have pairs of outwardly extending headed members adapted to be engaged in the slots to locate the cross bars. The rafters have a ledge below each side flange upon which the bottom of a cross bar can rest. The cross bars are locked in place on the rafters by extending a pin from the cross bar to engage in a recess on the underside of the side flange. The recesses and ledges in the rafters form parts of gutters. A channel-like gutter is also provided on the sides of the cross bars so that condensation from the cross bars will flow into the channel gutters and then to the gutters in the rafters where it can flow to a collection point.

Abstract: An improved insulating spacer assembly for reducing heat transfer between panes of an insulated glazing unit comprises an extruded or roll-formed hollow metal spacer together with thermal breaks and primary sealant. The spacer and thermal breaks are preferably coextruded together, with the thermal breaks being extruded along the upper third portion of the spacer sidewalls, lengthwise along the spacer sidewall. The primary sealant is extruded along the middle third of the spacer sidewalls, parallel to and in cohering relationship to the thermal breaks. The invention also provides insulated glazing units wherein the spacer assembly is sandwiched between two glass panes to provide an exterior channel which is filled with a secondary sealant composition which also covers the exposed edges of the glass panes.

Abstract: A wall edging system for strengthening the wall intersections of buildings replaces the conventional metal corner bead used on drywall joints. The principal element of the system is an extruded plastic strip having a thickened, arcuate central area and two outwardly extending flanges which are othogonally oriented to one another, so that the thickened central portion runs along the seam between the orthogonally intersecting walls, and the flanges extend outwardly along the thickened central portion to be nailed into the drywall to secure the strip to the edge. Means is provided for providing a purchase for the mud that is applied over the flanges, and in addition to the strip there are other pieces defining two-leg and three-leg inside and outside corners, these pieces having tongues extending from each of the legs which slip beneath the central, thickened portions of the adjacent linear strips to provide a secure meeting at the corner.

Abstract: A space frame structure has parallel spaced lower and upper sub-frames joined by interconnecting members, each sub-frame comprising a multiplicity of members connected in a grid, and a concrete layer secured to the upper sub-frame, wherein the concrete layer embeds the grid members of the upper sub-frame in the layer to form a composite upper sub-structure. Preferably the structure comprises permanent shuttering supported on the grid members of the upper sub-frame within the depth of the upper sub-frame, the concrete layer being laid on the shuttering to a depth sufficient to embed all of the grid members above the shuttering in the layer.

Abstract: A structure for limiting access, such as a storm door, having first and second polymer shells with at least one thereof having side shell portions extending at an angle from a major shell portion with these side shell portions adjoining the other shell, there being a first distribution of magnetic particles positioned between a polymer backing and both the first and second shells. The backing can be fused to the shells to provide a single unit outer structure with the magnetic particle distribution being substantially in the fused portion. These magnetic particles extend in the fused portion around substantially the entirety of a major shell portion. The space between the two shells in that situation can have elongated members enclosed therein which are not fastened to one another by anything extending into such members, and the remainder of this space may be filled with an expanded polymer foam.

Abstract: A play panel for use by children in building construction such as playhouses or mazes within which the child can play comprises a surrounding frame structure defined by four frame elements each of which includes one side portion and one corner portion of the total frame structure. A fabric cover for spanning the frame has sleeves defined along four sides each for receiving one side portion of a frame element. The frame elements are connected together by coupling members which are in the form of sleeves surrounding the frame elements as a press fit. Each coupling member has on its outer cylindrical surface a plurality of fins with each fin having a wider rib along the outermost edge. The coupling members of one panel can be connected to the coupling members of the next panel by forcing the fins of one into the spaces of the fins of the other.

Abstract: An electrically-operated folding stage system which embodies the invention in one preferred form comprises (a) a stage body with (i) a platform, (ii) plural rows of upright legs pivotally connected to a bottom of the platform, and (iii) plural connecting members each located along a line connecting lower portions of the legs of one row for connecting the legs to one another, (b) wheels connected to bottoms of foremost ones of the legs to facilitate movements of the stage body on a floor, (c) plural geared motors fixed to the bottom of the platform and each capable of being rotated in either of opposed directions to move the stage body between a horizontal position on the floor and a vertical position immediately adjacent to a wall, each of the geared motors having an output shaft, (d) swing arms each having one end fixed to the output shaft of one of the geared motors, and (e) support means each provided in conjunction with one of the swing arms and located on a given position predetermined in relation to a l

Abstract: Domed and cylindrical shell structures of interwoven lightweight strips of metal or other lightweight materials, and method of constructing such shell structures. Several weaving patterns are disclosed which provide requisite flexibility of woven strips to enable the weave to be formed into a desired configuration such as a domed roof or a cylindrical silo. These shells have high strength-to-weight ratios and inherently attenuate seismic vibrations to provide protection against earthquakes. The strips are interwoven on a flat surface at ground level and then hoisted into place. Modules of portions of the shell can be prefabricated and joined to other like modules at the job site to form the complete shell.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a wall assembly for displaying visual messages, has a front portion, a display area in the front portion, the display area providing an opening through the wall assembly, a projection screen for covering the opening, and a display panel movable from behind part of the front portion into the display area. The wall assembly can be placed before an audience and used to display visual messages which may be shown for example by projection onto a screen, or by writing on a display panel, with a facility for covering the display area when that area is not in use.

Abstract: A partition assembly has a hollow post with an upper open end. The assembly includes a panel having an edge recess and a post clip mounted in the recess for releasably attaching to the hollow post. The assembly also has a top spanner having a central prong sized to fit into the upper open end of the hollow post. This spanner has a pair of panel clips oppositely positioned about the central prong. Each of the panel clips are operable to releasably attach to the top of the panel.

Abstract: A prefabricated manufactured housing foundation system is provided for the easy installation of manufactured housing units without the necessity of a crane. The foundation of wooden modules is constructed of treated below-grade lumber that can be quickly and easily installed on special footings having wooden stub wall structures for receiving the wall units around the periphery of the unit. Suitable wooden pier structures are provided to support the manufactured housing units as required. The entire assembly is manufactured in modular form for easy installation after the units have been set on the foundation and for backfilling to normal grade to product an insulated frost-free basement area for manufactured housing without the cost and time involved in a conventional concrete basement foundation.

Abstract: A method to construct a plaza deck/parking structure in which a waterproof membrane is applied to the base deck. Panels of foam insulation material are provided on top of the membrane and on the upper side of these panels there is a channeled/ribbed structure. Affixed to the top of the ribs in each panel is a porous fabric which permits moisture and water vapor to penetrate the fabric and collect in the channels. The existence of the fabric layer permits the addition of concrete to the structure by simply pouring wet concrete directly onto the fabric-covered foam panels, instead of having to transport solid, heavy concrete slabs to the top of parking structures. The channeled/ribbed structure of the foam plastic insulation provides for ventilation and moisture removal which leads to better wearability of the insulation material in the plaza deck parking structure.

Abstract: A process for preparing a building block is described. In the first step of the process, an integral, substantially serpentine insert with a density of from about 1 to about 2 pounds per cubic foot is disposed within a mold. Thereafter, a cementitious material is placed in the mold around the insert and then press until the material within the mold has a density of from 80 to 150 pounds per cubic foot. The block thus formed is then removed from the mold and heated at a temperature of from about 75 to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: An elasto-plastic damper is adapted to be used in a structure, such as a building and other facilities, for absorbing vibration energy created by earthquake tremors and other ground vibrations. The damper is a centrally bulged and generally cone-shaped hollow body of revolution so that its section modulus changes substantially porportional to a bending moment created in the damper body due to horizontal stresses, thus permitting a maximum degree of deformability. This elasto-plastic damper is compact in size and demonstrates a high degree of vibrational energy absorbability.

Abstract: A self-supporting pressurized or unpressurized membrane structure for lunar habitation and operation. The pressurized membrane is made up of continuous and leak-proof fabric membrane that encapsulates the entire structure and is capable of withstanding temperatures of about -190.degree. C. to about +140.degree. C. this structure has a skin preferably made up of two-spaced apart fibrous skins with a latticed web between them and foam material filling the space between the skins. Lunar soil supports the lower portions of the spherical, spheroidal, by means of a compression ring beam, or arched structure, and a lunar soil cover of up to ten feet covers the structure. The unpressurized membrane structure has a double-skin membrane arch or dome that derives its structural strength from structural foam injected into the double-skin wall of the roof.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard suspension system in which the wallboard has a tear-resistant material partially adhered to the back face, with small slots in the material located at unadhered areas, through which small suspension clips are inserted. The clips include a hanger leg for hanging the clip on horizontal channels, which are part of the wall framing system.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard suspension system in which the wallboard has a tear-resistant material partially adhered to the back face, with small slots in the material located at unadhered areas, through which small suspension clips are inserted. The clips include a hanger leg for hanging the clip on horizontal channels, which are part of the wall framing system.

Abstract: A smooth, flat plastic film sheet forms a ceiling covering. The dimensions of the room are measured. The dimensions are proportionately reduced. A plastic sheet film is prepared to the reduced dimensions. A plastic edge connector is ultrasonically welded to the entire periphery. A connector strip is fastened to the upper wall entirely around the room. Hot air is blown to the top of the room. The edge connector at the edge of the film is snapped into the connector strip, starting at the corners. The film and edge connector are of a plastic that stretches when hot. The edge connector, when completely fitted into the connector strip pulls the film taut as the film shrinks when cooled to room temperature to provide a perfectly fitted, wrinkle free covering. The same invention may be used to cover a wall. The special edge connector is provided with a snap latching feature to provide audible indication of correct locking in place and the edge connector has a provision for easy unlatching for removing the covering.

Abstract: An energy dissipating device, particularly for use in structures impervious to seismic occurrences, includes a metal element having the shape of at least a symmetrical double portal, which is asymmetrically deformable in the elastic field or beyond the elastic limit. The center pier of this portal is fastened to one portion of the structure, whereas the two side piers are fastened to another portion of the structure so as to compel this metal element, upon a relative movement of the two portions of the structure, to be deformed in the elasto-plastic field, thereby dissipating the deformation work by hysteresis of the material principally in the form of heat.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a modular system for making structural frameworks in which crystal-like hubs are used to connect lightweight struts in a variety of configurations. The hubs are comprised of uniform nodes and cylindrical trunnions, several embodiments of which be used in a structural configuration to create irregular shapes. The struts are equipped with end grips which snap into engagement with the trunnions and nodes of the crystal-like hubs. The end grips have C-shaped gripping sections and stems which fit into a hollow tube which forms the body of the strut. The end grips are free to rotate about the axis of the strut, and the end grips can rotate about the axis of the trunnions to which it is attached. Such freedom of rotation allows complete flexibility of design.