Abstract: An auxiliary door latch for children's safety which comprises a flexible tape-like member having openings in opposite end portions for detachably engaging projecting heads provided on the free end portion of a door and the adjacent jamb. The flexibility of the tape-like member permits reliable and facile accommodation for the particular locations of said heads, which latter may, if desired, be readily removed in periods of disuse.

Abstract: The modular construction system includes a plurality of lightweight, load-bearing composite panels to be used in the walls, ceilings and/or roofs of buildings, as well as for partitions within a given building. Each panel includes sheet-like skins with a foamed plastic core therebetween. At each end of the panel is a structural unit that is fabricated from sheet stock, the structural unit including a transverse section having a longitudinal groove formed therein. When two panels are abutted in an end-to-end relationship, the grooves form a conduit for electrical wiring, communication lines and plumbing. Each structural unit also has a thermal barrier so that the structural unit is resistant to the transmission of heat therethrough. The panels are connected in their end-to-end relationship by means of interfitting lugs and slots on the structural units. Additional structural units extend across the top and bottom of each panel.

Abstract: A solar-energy-collector and solar roof. The collector comprises a panel of solar-energy-absorbing material adapted to lie flat on a roof or other supporting surface. The panel has on its undersurface a plurality of projections serving as feet which support the panel. The projections are spaced from each other by an amount predetermined to provide channels dimensioned to receive a flexible conduit adapted to transport a fluid heat exchange medium in heat exchange relation to the panel. The panels may be cut to conform to roof configuration, chimneys, etc. and the conduit arranged accordingly in the channels. The solar roof comprises a plurality of the panels interconnected to each other.

Abstract: A device and a plant for breeding fish, shellfish, etc. includes one or several tanks of a non-rigid material which are lowered into the water. Each tank has at least one inlet and at least one outlet for water. The inlet and the outlet are so arranged that the water level in the tank is somewhat above the surrounding level to maintain the walls of the tank in a tightened out position by the higher static pressure in the tank.

Abstract: An improvement in a dock seal of the type in which a movable panel in its disengaged position extends generally from the side of the dock opening toward the center of the dock opening and when engaged by the exterior of a truck is moved backwardly by the truck. The improvement is a lip panel which is attached to and runs along the inner edge of the movable panel and when not engaged by the truck extends generally away from the dock opening. The lip panel seats against a truck when the dock seal is engaged by a backing truck and moved toward the dock opening with the truck into sealing engagement of the gap between an open truck door and the truck body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a forced entry and ballistic resistant barrier comprising a plurality of adjacent segments securely and rigidly affixed to each other. Each segment includes a first pair of longitudinally elongated C-shaped channels whose concave sides are diametrically opposed about a flat bar positioned therebetween. In addition to the first pair of C-shaped channels, each segment preferably comprises a second pair of longitudinally elongated C-shaped channels, larger than the first pair, positioned concentrically about the first pair such that one channel of the second pair overlaps a convex portion of one channel of the first pair; the other channel of the second pair overlaps a complementary convex portion of the other channel of the first pair. The first and second pair of C-shaped channels are positioned so as to preferably obtain a relatively high Free Area percentage while still maintaining strict ballistic resistance and forced entry standards.

Abstract: A cascade wall structure is provided which is made up of two elements, namely, a generally rectangular member with end ribs and a curved panel having curved ends which interlock with curved surfaces on the ribs of the members for creating a variety of wall structures for different purposes and different uses. In one wall structure the ribbed members are spaced in spaced parallel relationship with the curved panels interconnecting them. In another embodiment, the ribbed panel members are spaced in spaced parallel relationship and curved members interconnect them from a forward end to a rear end, respectively. Because of the angular and curved surfaces of the wall structure, it can serve as an effective sound barrier by deflecting the sound upwardly and against the multiple surfaces of the wall to dissipate the same. In addition, the wall can be backfilled with dirt to provide additional sound deadening and strength.

Abstract: A lightweight, free-standing, expandable shelter (10) providing protection against chemical and biological agents and against nuclear fallout. The shelter (10) has a frame comprising a series of U-shaped ribs (12) spaced and held parallel by a series of reinforcing members (16) connecting each adjacent pair of ribs (12) on each side of the shelter (10). A cover (11) made of flexible material which is resistant to chemical and biological agents is attached to the frame. An airtight floor (18) is attached to the cover material (11) so that the shelter (10) can be pressurized to a pressure of about one inch water gauge above ambient pressure, to prevent reverse air flow of contaminated air into the shelter (10). A blower (20) for pressurizing the shelter (10) and a filter (22) capable of filtering out chemical and biological agents are connected to the shelter (10).

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch employing a clutch outer, a clutch inner and an arrangement of alternating clutch outer and clutch inner plates. The clutch is actuated by means of an annular piston residing within a cylinder which accumulates oil. Centrifugal forces are generated within the oil to create a pressure which forces the annular piston to compress the clutch plate arrangement. An outlet is provided controlled by a valve about the periphery of the cavity defined by the piston. A clutch actuation means controls the outlet valve to provide for disengagement of the clutch even under rapid rotation.

Abstract: A gable rake strip is employed in tile roofs. The rake strip is disposed along the gable edges and comprises a base portion and an upstanding portion. The base portion includes a plurality of upstanding ridges disposed parallel to the gable edge. The gable edge tiles are supported upon the ridges. The inner terminal edge of the strip is coplanar with the main plane of the base portion to admit a lateral flow of water. The upper end of the upstanding portion is reversed-back to either hook over a rake trim board or to assume the appearance of such a board.

Abstract: A space divider of generally rectangular shape having perforated walls (1-8) with two opposite edges inturned to mate to form cavities (6) to hold acoustic bats (7) therebetween and including intersecting stiffeners (4-5) and means (16) to hold a pull-over fabric cover and including apertures (15-24) in end closures (11-22) to engage forming and locating means for the panels and for attaching shelving.

Abstract: The structure comprises a main wall (1) having bins (2) projecting therefrom. The bins are separated by gaps (b 5, 8) and projects outwardly from an installed storage facility, such that each bins is completely surrounded by earth on five of its six faces. The wall (1) is made as a generally flat tray-like structure for storage and transport purposes, which structure is curved prior to being installed in a suitable hole.

Abstract: A livestock feeder device comprises an inner frame defined by an upper circular rail and a lower circular rail resting against the ground together with a number of uprights for receiving and confining a cylindrical bale. An outer frame around the inner frame is defined by a lower panel and an upper area having inclined spaced bars arranged so that the animal can present its head through the bars but is halted at the shoulder. The spacing between the inner and outer frames is such that the animal can reach the bale and is encouraged by the frame to eat with its head remaining between the inner and outer frames so as to deposit any waste in that area for subsequent eating. This avoids the trampling of any waste and thus reduces losses.

Abstract: A sealing system for sealing the junction between a horizontal surface such as the top surface of a bathtub, counter top or sink and two adjacent walls is disclosed. The sealing system seals the junction of the walls and a horizontal surface which are substantially mutually perpendicular and define two longitudinal joints, one vertical joint and a corner at the intersection of the joints. The system comprises two generally L-shaped sealing strips each with a pair of legs extending lengthwise parallel to one of the joints and each stopping a predetermined distance short of the corner. A corner piece has faces adjacent the horizontal surface and each of the walls, the faces being shorter than the predetermined distance. Two generally L-shaped flanges extend lengthwise beyond the ends of the faces, each of the flanges overlapping with the one of the L-shaped sealing strips. The overlap accommodates some variation from ideal in the length of the sealing strips.

Abstract: A generally L-shaped coupling plate having an arcuate mandrel at the junction of two generally rectangular tongues is united with a notched out channel by inserting the first tongue into slots defined by the web of the channel and opposed ribs spaced apart from and parallel to the web, bending the notched out portion of the channel around the mandrel, and inserting the second tongue of the plate into the slots of the bent portion of the channel as it approaches the plate. Barbs on the edges of the plate dig into the channel to secure the union of the two pieces. The channel may be painted before being bent around the plate so that a predecorated rounded corner runner may be installed at the intersection of two partitions.

Abstract: A clamp device to hold building trusses in place after the trusses have been deposited upon a building foundation by a crane and while they are being nailed to stabilize their position prior to application of building panels thereto include a pair of substantially identical first U-shaped strip members positioned spaced apart parallel to one another with lateral portions at each end being aligned with each other. Spaced apart cross-ties fix the first members in such position and a second U-shaped strip member similar in configuration to the first members is captured between the first members by the cross-ties to move parallel thereto with lateral portions of the second member projecting from the same side of the device as the lateral portions of the first members. A levered cam unit effects relative, parallel movement between the first and second members to clamp and unclamp the device to building trusses.

Abstract: An improved thermal barrier extrusion in which a longitudinal metallic channel body has a left side and a right side which are connected together by thermally insulating material. A plurality of projections extending from the channel body sides into the thermally insulating material are provided which have cross-sectional configurations whose width increases away from the base or point of attachment to create bidirectional locking of the thermally insulating material to the channel body sides to reduce longitudinal shrinkage of the insulation material and increase resistance of the thermal barrier to fracture damage.

Abstract: A draw pull latch for securing two members together comprises a keeper affixed to one of the members and a second one-piece part which is composed of three segments; i.e., a base segment, an intermediate segment, and a locking segment. The base segment is adapted for being affixed to the second one of the members and the intermediate segment is flexibly connected to the base segment and the locking segment for pivotal movement of the segments about transverse axes. When in the locked condition, the intermediate segment is disposed in substantially coplanar relation to the base segment, and the locking segment is disposed in overlying relation to the base segment and the intermediate segment and to the keeper. The locking segment is detachably connected to the keeper, and the flexible connection between the intermediate and locking segments is closer to the second member than the flexible connection between the intermediate and base segments.

Abstract: A coupler for hanging a prefabricated concrete body on a hoist. The connecting hook member has an arcuate slot and is provided on one end with an entrance opening for the slot, in which the connecting bolt head of an anchor bolt can be inserted. The connecting hook member is constructed as a hemispherically shaped component, on whose top side a hook pivot eye is attached, which is engaged pivotally with the suspension shackle in the shackle pivot eye. On the one side of the hook pivot eye the entrance opening formed as a mouth of the slot is positioned on the top side of the hemispherically shaped component. On the other side of the hook pivot eye the operating lever is positioned extending substantially radially. The hook pivot eye may be positioned in the plane of the slot. In this case the operating lever reaches a limit of its motion by contact with the bridging member of the suspension shackle. The hook pivot eye may however also be oriented perpendicularly to the slot.

Abstract: The latching bolt of a window lock is pivotally mounted on a slide to pivot between locked and unlocked positions. A reversible motor with a rotary drive shaft is adapted to reciprocate the slide outwardly and inwardly by means of a scotch yoke connection between the drive shaft and the slide, the scotch yoke being of the lost-motion type so as to permit the slide to shift independently of the drive. When the slide is shifted outwardly, the bolt is permitted to pivot to its unlocked position and, when the slide is shifted inwardly, the bolt is cammed to its locked position. A lever may be operated manually to unlock the bolt in the event there is a loss of power to the motor.