Abstract: A grid system for suspending a ceiling formed of drywall includes main runners which are interconnected by splice connections having an arrangement for controlling bending to relieve thermal expansion and has cross members formed of channels which are connected to the main runner by a connection having an arrangement for relieving thermal expansion. The splice connection includes a portion of the bead of the main runner being removed to provide bending lines spaced inward from the edge of the web so that bending will occur at two spaced positions at the splice connection to relieve thermal expansion caused by a fire.

Abstract: Structure comprising an assembly of interfitting members including a plate member having a border section on at least one part of its periphery, fitted over a complementary resiliently deformable relief section borne by a second member by temporary elastic warping of at least one of the members. The relief section projects from a ridge engaged by the edge of the border section and has a height, in unstressed condition, which is greater than the distance separating the second member and the plate member in the assembled structure, so that the relief section bears against the plate member in the assembled structure.

Abstract: ahe support extends longitudinally beneath the worktop portion of the desk, structurally connects tubular legs, box legs, load-bearing drawer units and worktop portions and is formed by modular elements of predetermined length having at the ends thereof connecting elements for connecting modular elements end to end. Mountings are provided at intervals for laterally connecting other modular elements by means of connecting elements giving rise to various configurations. The modular elements and the connecting elements internally house power outlets and cables and are of channel section with large openings of intervals along their bottom and side walls, to permit easy access to the cables and to power outlets for supplying the items of electrical equipment which are supported by the worktop portions.

Abstract: A GRP ladder rack of which the longitudinal rails have a cross-sectional shape which is S-formed, the cross rungs of the ladder being glued and dowelled in the lower channel fo the S-form. A short length of rail can be used to splice ladders to each other end to end using pop rivets and epoxy glue.

Abstract: A sectional overhead door which, in its longitudinal rims pointing in the direction of movement, is inwardly angled in a C-shape and stabilized at marginal zones, by reinforcing struts extending in the direction of movement of the door, with the reinforcing struts contacting the sheet-metal panel of the door leaf member extending in the plane of the door leaf member, and being in shape-mating connection in their two end zones at the front face C-shaped angled portions extending in parallel to the plane of the door leaf member.

Abstract: An adaptor is mounted on one end of a narrow-sized elongated electronic element stick which contains therein a number of electronic elements in a row. The stick is used with an electronic element dispenser which includes an inlet aperture and a guide frame having a pair of side walls for receiving and guiding the one end of the stick therebetween to lead the one end of the stick into a position adjacent to the inlet aperture of the dispenser. The adaptor comprises a base plate for supporting the bottom of the stick and a pair of elastic side walls extending upwardly and inwardly from opposed side edges of the base plate. The base plate of the adaptor has a width larger than the width of the bottom of the stick and slightly smaller than the spacing between the side walls of the guide frame. The elastic side walls of the adaptor is capable of elastically engaging the side surfaces of the stick so that the adaptor is held in position at the one end of the stick.

Abstract: A fishplate comprises two portions 18 and 19 which are set at 120.degree. to each other. The fishplate has two edge portions 21,22 which are bulbous shaped and are joined by flat portion 23 in which there are rectangular apertures 24 for bolts to pass through. At the inner edge of the fishpate is a curved indentation 25 which is adapted to accommodate the junction of the RSJs forming the colliery support. Without this indentation, if the inner edge followed the line 26 the portion marked 27 would foul the RSJ beams.The curved portion is formed in the bulbous inner edge 22. The symmetry of the fishplate enables it to be used in either the right hand or left hand position and it is so shaped that is will fit snugly into the flanges of the RSJs.

Abstract: A clamping device for connecting a number of shaped, elongated, flanged through sections of a support structure to each other includes an upper stirrup, the flanges of which are supported on the flanges of the upper through section, a lower stirrup positioned to support the flanges of the lower through section, and clamping bolts extended through the openings in the flanges of the stirrups and the through sections and tightened with nuts. The head of each bolt has supporting projections provided with convexly curved portions which are engaged in the flanges of the upper stirrup in a form-locking fashion.

Abstract: A channel connector for channel members, used in mechanical fastening systems for mechanically securing a flexible sheet relative thereto, each channel member being of generally rectangular form, in transverse cross section, and each channel connector being comprised of a flexible resilient material of a shape generally corresponding to that of the channel members and having bottom, side and top wall portions; transverse spacer means, having opposed sides, on the bottom wall, at about the midpoint of the channel connector axial extent; a channel connector bottom wall having a first aperture of a first predetermined size and shape centered a first predetermined axial distance from one of the spacer means sides and a second aperture of a second predetermined size and shape centered a second predetermined axial distance from the other of the spacer means sides.

Abstract: An improved channel connector for channel members, used in mechanical fastening systems for mechanically securing a flexible sheet relative thereto, each channel member being of generally rectangular form, transverse cross section, and each channel connector being comprised of a flexible resilient material of a shape generally corresponding to that of the channel members and having bottom, side and top walls enveloping the corresponding adjacent walls of the channel members; transverse abutment means, having opposed sides, emanating from the top walls at about the midpoint of the channel connector axial extent; and a channel connector bottom wall having one or more apertures of a predetermined size whose axially outermost extents, relative to the abutment means, are equally axially spaced from the opposed sides of the abutment means and of a dimension so as to cooperate with protrusions in the bottom wall of the channel members so as to physically bias their end surfaces against the opposed sides of the abutm

Abstract: An arcuate or circular profile element of generally V-shaped cross-section has a curved bottom wall, arcuate sidewalls having free edges, and laterally projecting flanges projecting from the free edges. By choosing specific relationships between the thickness of the different parts of the element, lighter-weight elements can be used to withstand the same loads as before, or elements having the same weight as before can be used to support heavier loads.

Abstract: A portable air duct extension unit especially for use in a building heated or cooled by air and having a hot or cold air outlet. The unit comprises telescoping mounting and extension sections with magnets for mounting the unit. The sections may be formed by extrusion and are designed to maximize the flow of air without turbulence.

Abstract: A carburetor having a throttle valve and throttle shaft is shown provided with a throttle shaft lever which has a U-shaped portion carrying a linkage connecting member effective for connection to associated throttle actuating linkage; a sleeve-like spacer is situated about the connecting member and between the legs of the U-shaped portion as to add rigidity thereto.

Abstract: A readily assembled and detachable clamp for securing an electrical connector to a base. The clamp has a lower leg which extends horizontally and terminates in a reverse bend extending into an upper leg which from the reverse bend tapers upwardly over the lower leg to a flat portion lying over the lower leg. This portion terminates at the outer end in an upright leg which acts as a stop for the head of a screw which is threaded through a threaded hole in the flat portion of the upper leg and into engagement with the lower leg to clamp the latter to the base as well as to the electrical connector and also the upright leg provides a handle to insert and remove the clamp and align it properly in place.

Abstract: A joint for a sheet and a structural element, which may itself be a sheet. The sheet is along its portion to be joined to said element shaped to have an elongate, substantially trough-shaped part and the element has a complementarily shaped profiled part engageable with the trough-shaped part. The joint includes removable clamping means for taking up forces which, in use, act in a direction tending to disengage said parts. The parts are so shaped that one of the parts is snugly interengageable with the other part such that, where the parts are in contact with each other, loads transmitted, in use, between the sheet and the element are transmitted substantially by compression, that the parts are interengageable by simple insertion of one of the parts into the other, and that the clamping means are, in use, stressed substantially only in tension.

Abstract: Bed frame members are provided for quick, snap-together, interlocking assembly for preventing relative rectilinear motion between members without loose or screwthread parts. One member has a first slot with an enlarged retaining portion and a mating member has a projection thereon for entrance into the slot. The projection carries a Belleville washer having its conical convex face disposed for engagement with the slot for compression as the projection moves thereinto and for retaining engagement with the periphery of the enlarged retaining portion of the slot when the projection has been fully inserted in the slot. A second slot in one member has a portion disposed at a substantial angle to the first slot and receives a second projection disposed on the other member.

Abstract: A luggage rack which is mounted on the roof of an automotive vehicle and has two longitudinally extending parallel rod-shaped carriers and several traverses separably connected to and extending at right angles to the carriers. Each traverse has an elongated outer section and an elongated inner section which is telescoped into and is movable lengthwise and/or at right angles to the outer section. The sections of each traverse have intersecting sockets in the form of elongated open-ended slots receiving parts of the carriers so that the surface bounding the slots contact the respective carrier parts. Screws which extend through the outer sections and mate with nuts on or in the inner sections bias the sections of each traverse against each other and against the respective parts of the carriers to thereby fixedly hold the traverses in selected positions.

Abstract: A device for releasably coupling together various objects includes a first profiled tube mounted on a first object, a second profiled tube mounted on a second object to be coupled together with the first object, and a locking rod. The tubes are essentially identical at least in their cross section and have a longitudinal open slot with smaller width than the cross section of the tubes. For coupling, a first circumferential portion of the first tube is inserted through the slot in the second tube, while a circumferential portion of the second tube is inserted through the slot in the first tube. Inside each tube the circumferential portion of the coacting tube is brought into contact with a portion of the interior boundary surface of the respective tube, so that the two tubes will form a sleeve-like unit. The locking rod is inserted into a cavity in this unit to lock the two tubes to each other.

Abstract: For use in a suspended ceiling system a pair of beams joinable end to end in aligned relation, each of the beams having a vertical web and lower flange at right angles thereto. The beams have identically formed end portions each terminating in a horizontal tongue integral with the web. Each web has formed therein a window having an inwardly spaced "locking" edge and having a vertical dimension just slightly greater than the height of the tongue. Each of the tongues is notched and bent along its upper and lower edges to form a pair of integral hooks. The tongues are sufficiently straight with respect to the plane of the web so that when a tongue is received in the window of the companion beam it bears with resilient lateral force against the far edge of the window, insuring that the hooks "catch" behind the locking edge to a desired depth.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper blade harness comprising a plurality of metal yokes of channel cross section having at least one secondary yoke nested within and pivotally secured to primary yoke adjacent its end includes a plastic spacer of channel cross section disposed between the primary and secondary yokes for preventing metal to metal contact and providing the pivotal connection, the spacer being formed with a pair of internally extending aligned trunnions, one on each cheek which pivotally engage corresponding holes in the flanges of the secondary yoke, externally extending projections aligned with the internal trunnions which engage in corresponding holes in the flanges of the primary yoke and a radially extending flange which abuts the end of the primary yoke.

Abstract: A connector for a channel, the latter having a web and side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The connector comprises an elongate connecting member generally U-shaped in cross-section having a pair of side walls. The member is axially inserted inside the channel with the open side of the member toward the channel slot and the side walls of the member adjacent and parallel to the side flanges of the channel. A cam is mounted in a side wall of the member for movement from a retracted to a locking position in which the cam engages a lip of the channel when the member is inside the channel to force the member toward the web of the channel for engagement therewith thereby rigidly securing the channel to the member.

Abstract: A device for providing a waterproof connection between two separate sections of a water canal in a toy kit. In that connection a connecting element with transversal sealing strips is used said element principally having a U-shaped section.

Abstract: A fire rated dry wall ceiling support system having fixed, aligned main beam members spliced together in a manner so as to absorb longitudinal compression, as for example resulting from thermal expansion during a fire. Each main beam includes a web surmounted by a bead with flange portions extending laterally outwardly from the web. Each web end includes a tongue extending axially outwardly for locking engagement with the adjacent beam member web and is so configured that the tongues fold in a longitudinal manner and become laterally displaced out of the normal plane of the tongues when the beam members are longitudinally compressed towards one another. Accordingly, the bead means become laterally displaced while moving towards one another in a longitudinal direction and may in fact overlap one another in a longitudinal sense. The system further includes support channels disposed transversely to the main beam members and engaged therewith.

Abstract: A joint between first and second adjacent panel members, including first and second cooperatively bent members on the adjoining edges of the first and second panel members, respectively. The bent members are coupled to define an open ended, vertically extending cavity, having a substantially rectangular configuration in horizontal section. An expandable locking device is inserted into the cavity, which device applies pressure to opposite corners of the cavity substantially along the entire length thereof, to provide and maintain a tight joint between the panel members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device acting between to adjacent tubs of a scraping conveyor for mines in which each tub comprises two side members.The recesses for the abutment flanges, like the access openings, are laterally accessible. The retaining partition of the male connecting member is positioned behind the projecting portion of this member. The cross-section of the connecting spindle has dimensions which differ in at least two directions, which are preferably perpendicular to one another. As regards the partition, the width of the access opening of each connecting member is smaller than the maximum dimension, but greater than the minimum dimension of the spindle cross-section. The spindle locking means are arranged so as to prevent the spindle appearing in front of the opening in a position in which the small dimension of its cross-section coincides with the width of the said opening.

Abstract: A system for temporary or permanent fence construction and repair is disclosed having a plurality of modular building components for constructing rail fences, for repairing existing fences, for placing signs and protective guards on existing fences, for constructing cattle guards and for other similar uses. The disclosed fencing stay system is an improvement in the art in that a universal modular system is proposed that is adoptable to a plurality of uses. The disclosed fencing stay system comprises a variety of anchors each commonly being capable of engaging a variety of longitudinal stays. The anchors are designed to affix to a plurality of barrier surfaces and the stays are designed to provide support for the system. The mating surfaces between any of the stays and any of the anchors is identical.

Abstract: A lightweight bar comprising a hollow, elongated member having channels within and extending along its faces, said member being composed of sheet material formed into the required configuration of the member and having a pair of edges joined together to close the cross section of the member.

Abstract: A stabilizer strut extending transversely between grid members in a supporting grid system and the like. The strut includes a pair of leg portions disposed at right angles to one another with each end of the strut including a pair of aligned slot portions for engagement with an underlying grid member. Each grid member includes an upstanding web means surmounted by a bead means wherein the latter receives the pair of aligned slot portions which are open at the non-adjacent, lateral edges of the strut leg portions. One slot on each end of the strut corresponding to one another include a locking projection extending inwardly from the side of the slot at a point adjacent to the open end thereof at the lateral edge of the strut.

Abstract: A set of components for producing load-bearing scaffolds comprising profile bars and connecting bars each having an approximately .SIGMA.-shaped cross-section with a flat center web section. The connecting bars fit slidably in the profile bars to which they are attached by connecting means through perforations in each of the center web sections. The profile bars also have an inwardly angled free arm extending parallel to the center web section and having perforations to provide for connection of further components to the profile bars. Further components adapted for use with the above profile bars comprise fixing angles, packing pieces, cross-member brackets, reducing elements, bearing hole plates, angle elements and belt guide plates.

Abstract: The specification discloses a prefabricated wall system providing a wall frame to which plastering or a covering of dry wall sheeting may be applied. The system includes a series of wall frame sections, preferably formed from steel channel members, which sections are spaced apart and supported therebetween by channel spacers having stop means which abut the sections. Each wall frame section has vertical studs secured at top and bottom by horizontal stringers. The stringers may include an elongated slot extending for their complete length to admit utility connections within the wall and to allow cutting and telescoping of the stringers for shortening the wall section. Concealed, slotted channels may be secured to the studs intermediate the edges of the sheet covering material to provide support for shelving along the finished walls.

Abstract: A structural connection or clip-in joist especially adapted for a framing system for a building, house, storage cabinet, or the like. The connection comprises a special channel extrusion joist having a slot or cut in each leg thereof opposite each other and near the end of the joist or structural member. The slotted end section of the joist is adapted to be inserted or snapped-in a second structural member, such as an I-beam or channel member or other structural member having a similar configuration. The members are preferably made of structural aluminum, but can also be made from metals such as iron, steel and the like or plastics such as PVC, ABS, styrene and the like. A wide variety of types of structural materials may be used, depending upon the particular requirements of the end or resulting construction.

Abstract: A connector fixture for joining a first structural member to a second structural member. The second structural member includes a central bore and a pair of lug receiving apertures disposed at a predetermined distance on opposite sides of the central bore. The first structural member includes a central bore adapted to register with the central bore of the second structural member and in addition has a pair of outwardly extending lugs which register with and are received in the lug receiving apertures in the second structural member, thereby properly positioning the first and second structural members relative to each other. A connector, such as a bolt and nut, is then inserted through the central bore of the first and second structural members to clamp the members together.

Abstract: A ladder having an adjustable extension enabling it to be positioned stably on uneven ground. The extension is telescopingly mounted on the outside of one leg of the ladder, and is slidable relative to the ladder leg in the longitudinal direction. Its range of movement is not limited by the ladder rungs. Locking means are selectively engageable in a series of holes to hold the extension in desired position.