Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer's memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user identify the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user identified standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system. The design layout as well as the building parameters can be edited. The edited layout is checked for compliance with the identified standard as well as avoidance of building parameters.

Abstract: A schematic patch panel includes an enlargement of a customer's floor plan that is dry mounted to a piece of foam-core board or located on a stainless steel panel. The board is mounted in a frame that can be configured with a clear, locking cover for security purposes. The entire assembly is mounted on the customer's wall by brackets. At each of the computer wall outlet locations depicted on the floor plan, a double-sided RJ-45 panel jack is inserted through the floor plan. These panel jacks snap into the floor plan, requiring no other means of fastening. Any wall outlet depicted on the schematic patch panel is activated by connecting a telephone-type extension cable between the network central controller and that wall outlet icon. By this transfer, a different unshielded twisted pair cable connection line is activated and the individualized identifiers and other information particular to a certain terminal are also transferred.

Abstract: An interior building sign for assisting sighted and visually impaired or blind persons to locate an escape route from point A to point B includes a first planar sheet printed in a first color with a floor plan corresponding to a building floor on which the sign is to be posted. The floor plan is also printed with two dimensional marks in a contrasting color indicating a route from point A to point B. A second planar sheet of substantially transparent material overlies the first planar sheet, the second planar sheet having three dimensional marks machined or routed thereon in substantially overlying relationship with the two dimensional marks to thereby provide a tactile representation of the route. Signs of similar construction have application in non-emergency situations and in other environments including, for example, convention centers, parks and the like.

Abstract: A system for merchandising and selecting pre-fabricated cabinets for installation in a living space. Comprising the system are informational display and selection charts on which a unique code indicia, particularly color coded, is assigned to each cabinet unit. Following a scaled plan layout of the cabinet area in an intended living space for which installation is contemplated, the selected units can be readily retrieved from a merchandising display on which the various units are clearly identified by their codes.

Abstract: A multi-layered educational and entertaining device including a plurality of independent layers, comprising a top planar layer comprising a plurality of irregularly-shaped pieces assembled together to form a top educational and entertaining picture, at least one intermediate planar layer comprising a plurality of irregularly-shaped pieces assembled together to form at least one intermediate educational and entertaining picture, and a bottom planar layer including a bottom puzzle portion and a raised decorative border extending inward from the bottom layer's outer edges and abutting the bottom puzzle portion, the bottom puzzle portion comprising at least one piece which forms a bottom educational and entertaining picture.

Abstract: A custom drapery design system is a miniature two-dimensional graphic demonstration device and teaching aid. The system includes a wall display board made of heavy board stock and laminated on front and rear surfaces with a thin plastic coating. This wall display board has graphic indicia imprinted on front surface indicating variable ceiling heights and a static floor level. To achieve the purpose of this invention, window images made of white static cling vinyl of varying shapes and sizes indicative of windows most commonly used in homes, offices and other locations, are to be selectively arranged at the appropriate height on the wall display board. The window image or images are to be addressed with drapery components of varying shapes and all manner of design which are also made of white static cling vinyl. Such application allows designer/teacher to selectively arrange an many components desire to represent a window treatment.

Abstract: A garden planning kit including a book having a bottom panel, first spiral binder attached to a marginal edge of the bottom panel, second spiral binder attached to an opposite marginal edge of the bottom panel, and a plurality of transparent overlays. A first overlay is attached to the first spiral binder, and a second overlay and a third overlay are attached to the second spiral binder. All of the overlays may be moved on their respective spiral binders between a first position generally overlying the bottom panel and a second position away from the bottom panel. The first overlay depicts the plan view of the lower portion of preselected plants. The second overlay has blooms of said preselected plants at a first time of year depicted on it, and the third overlay depicts blooms of the plants at a second time of year different from the first time of year.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer's memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user selects the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user selected standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system.

Abstract: A system for merchandising and selecting pre-fabricated cabinets for installation in a living space. Comprising the system are informational display and selection charts on which a unique code indicia, particularly color coded, is assigned to each cabinet unit. Following a scaled plan layout of the cabinet area in an intended living space for which installation is contemplated, the selected units can be readily retrieved from a merchandising display on which the various units are clearly identified by their codes.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for planning the design of a region and the positioning of objects in the region. A first layout having a first layout area is disposed in the region to represent placement of an object such as an article of furniture within the region in a pre-determined relationship with the region. A second layout having a second layout area is disposed in combination with the first layout to form a layout combination having a combined layout area. The combined layout area is adjusted in accordance with the dimensions of the object being represented. In order to adjust the combined layout area one layout may be disposed over a portion of the other layout. The combined area of the two layouts can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of area of one layout disposed over the other. Additionally, the combined area can be adjusted by folding or cutting at least one of the two layouts.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting optimum lighting fixtures for a given application first determines a room cavity ratio from entered values of the dimensions of the room. The room cavity ratio is used to select from tabulated values a coefficient of utilization. The light output in lumens from a particular lamp, modified as necessary by depreciation factors, is applied to determine the number of fixtures and the spacing of those fixtures that are necessary to achieve a desired level of illumination. The design process then normally requires changing the number of fixtures to an integral number that lends itself to the space to be illuminated. Reentry of such values as well as different values of illumination levels that are associated with different fixtures allows repeated determinations to optimize the selection of a lighting fixture.

Abstract: A method for planning the design of a region and the positioning of objects in the region. A first layout having a first layout area is disposed in the region to represent placement of an object such as an article of furniture within the region in a pre-determined relationship with the region. A second layout having a second layout area is disposed in combination with the first layout to form a layout combination having a combined layout area. The combined layout are is adjusted in accordance with the dimensions of the object being represented. In order to adjust the combined layout area one layout may be disposed over a portion of the other layout. The combined area of the two layers can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of area of one layout disposed over the other. Additionally, the combined area can be adjusted by folding or cutting at least one of the two layouts.

Abstract: This invention is a method making a non-repetitive modular design. The design is created by assembling a plurality of substantially identical modules to cover a surface. Each module has the shape of a polygon, especially a regular polygon, such as a square. The design of each module is created in the following manner. First, one selects a set of points, disposed symmetrically around the midpoint of a side of the polygon, and duplicates the same pattern of points for the remaining sides. Then, one connects every pair of points with a line, such that the lines so drawn form a pattern which is not symmetrical around any imaginary straight line joining any pair of vertices of the polygon. The spaces between lines, or between one or more lines and one or more sides of the polygon, can be filled in with a color, or with any other design element. To make the final design, one provides a plurality of such modules, and arranges them, with random orientations, to cover a surface.

Abstract: Colored yarn poms are color coded according to a six digit coding and are arranged in a particular manner to enable color selection for carpets to be performed by designers, architects and the like without actually examining a sample carpet or a portion of carpet. The color poms are arranged in groups of which one pom defines the base color, and the remaining poms in that group are shaded poms, tint poms and tone poms. The triangular layout provides that the base color bunch is at the apex of a right angled triangle with the shades extending down one of the smaller sides of the triangle and the tints extending down the other side with the tones lying between the shades and the tints. The triangle is an isosceles triangle.

Abstract: A goods layout planning method for making a layout for a quantity of goods arranged on gondolas in a store by using a terminal device including a display and a processor. Rules regarding goods layouts are stored in a knowledge base. The effort to make layout plans for goods can be simplified and the efficiency thereof improved by using sales data for each of the goods, attributes of goods, attributes of gondolas, and the rules with respect to the goods layouts.

Abstract: A sunshine simulator and a method for using same for simulating sunshine on a small scale model attached to the simulator. The model is positioned on a support plateau which is pivotally attached to a support post for adjustable displacement of the plateau on a transverse pivot axis relative to the rays emitted from a remote beam emitting source, such as a light source, whereby to position the support plateau at a position relative to the light rays and corresponding to a desired earth latitude. The support post is pivotally secured to a base for axial rotation thereof on an inclined axis corresponding to the earth's inclination and its axis intersects the transverse pivot axis at an intersecting point whereby to position the support plateau at a position corresponding to a desired hour of the day.

Abstract: A device for viewing architectural scale models from the same eye level perspective of a normal sized person viewing the full scale buildings. The device comprises a horizontal base component having a mirror thereon and a vertical component adjustably mounted to the base component with a second mirror mounted on the vertical component. An image of a model placed in front of the device is reflected from the second mirror on to the horizontal mirror. A viewfinder is formed on the vertical component so that a person looking through the viewfinder can observe the reflected image of the model. The device includes adjustable joints to adjust the device to a range of scale settings.

Abstract: A display device for upholstery material and the like including a central section and an arched surface of an upwardly inclined inner surface and downwardly inclined outer surface joined by a curved section on each side of the central section. A channel is formed at the intersection of the arched surface and the central section and channels are formed across the length and width of the central section. The material is draped over the central section and the arched surface and depressed into one or more of the channels to hold the material and to correspond to the various parts of an article on which the material is to be used.

Abstract: A construction set of modular pieces for constructing a scale model of an arrangement of contemporary buildings, such as a complex or cluster of high and low rise buildings located on common plaza areas, is made of several kinds of modular plaza blocks, building blocks, joint pieces for connecting the plaza blocks together, inside rail pieces for providing ridges on the top of the plaza blocks for connecting the building blocks thereto and outside or inside rail pieces for providing railings where desired on a plaza; all of the plaza blocks, building blocks, connecting pieces and rail pieces having dimensions of width and length that are whole number (integer) multiples of the same dimension D, whereby a variety of arrangements of plaza blocks, buildings blocks, and plaza railings may be constructed from a set of such blocks and pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method useful in fields such as architecture, space planning, interior design and corporate facility management, for efficiently designing and allocating space to the various subdivisions of an organization. Manipulation of colors is used in addition to numerical values to allow the user to determine at a glance the relative priorities of various departments and the affinities between pairs of departments at various stages of the space allocation process, and thereby speed the process and reduce the chance for errors.

Abstract: In the process of designing a log structure, a kit is provided having a plurality of model logs of different diameters and lengths, having saddle notches and/or end notches, panels for windows, doors, etc., ceiling panels, trusses, and so on. A construction board or surface is provided having a rectangular grid of squares laid out to the same scale as the logs and other elements. In designing the structure, the various model building elements are laid out on the construction surface in precisely the same manner that they would be assembled on a floor slab with the full-sized finished logs. Model elements of the precise lengths, etc. are used, so that wall openings, such as windows and doors would be positioned precisely at the desired location. Sufficient numbers of elements would be provided to build a complete structure. Each construction element would be identified by a coded alpha-numeric symbol or designation which would completely specify the construction of that element.

Abstract: Provided by this invention is an instruction and training kit of modular components readily interconnectible in a variety of ways without tools or fasteners for use in conducting feasibility studies of different modes of erecting power line supports while a damaged permanent tower is being serviced. The kit consists of a multiplicity of miniature components made roughly to scale to simulate full scale components designed for assembly and temporary installation to support high potential conductors. All components, including the baseboard, are compactly storable when not in use.

Abstract: A sunshine simulator includes a support plate (10) for mounting thereon a model (M) of an urban district or building. The support plate (10) is angularly movable about a first axis (Y) which is perpendicular to the general plane of the support plate (10) and, also, about a second axis (X) which is parallel to the general plane of the support plate (10). The model structure (M) mounted on the support plate (10) can be put under any desired sunshine condition relative to a stationary artificial sun.

Abstract: A ball-and-stick model system representing alpha carbon positions and the peptide link between adjacent alpha carbons as modeling elements of two-piece sets. Each two-piece set comprises complementary ring rods and ball rods, the latter having a generally cylindrical body enlarged at one end to a sphere form with a slot through a portion of the enlargement. The ring rod also includes a generally cylindrical body with an enlarged end portion to fit snugly within the slot of the ball rod so that when they are fitted together they appear as a sphere with the cylindrical body portions extending outwardly therefrom. The cylindrical portions of adjacent model sets are united by a pintle and hole structure configured so that when fitted together a continuous cylindrical body extends between adjacent spheres.

Abstract: A three dimensional toy for use in teaching the construction of a housing development which includes terrain of varying elevations, a roadway extending over the terrain, a plurality of building lots disposed adjacent the roadway, a first plurality of indicia disposed on the building lots for identifying their location and altitude, a second plurality of indicia disposed adjacent the roadway for identifying the parameters of the several curves defined by the roadway, and a third plurality of indicia disposed on the roadway for identifying vertical parameters and directional coordinates of the roadway.

Abstract: A method of designing an outdoor playground complex is disclosed. Complex components are represented by reduced scale, two-dimensional projections of interchangeable playground devices. The projections are formed into pliable, transparent templates consisting of an electro-static vinyl material. The significant features viewable in each projection are lined on the templates. The components are stored on pliable sheets which releaseably adhere to the templates. The complex itself is designed by selecting possible components, removing the same from the storage sheet and placing the selected templates adjacent to each other on a transparent work surface which is adapted to releaseably adhere to the template.The combination of transparent, lined templates and transparent work surface allows easy photocopying of the selected design with all significant features clearly set forth. The transparent work surface allows the design to be laid over scale drawings of play areas if desired.

Abstract: A visualizer presentation device comprising a portfolio having a display cover hingably joined to a storage cover and the storage cover has detachably secured thereto at least one file of hinged transparent sleeves for receiving file cards. The display cover has corner pockets configured so as to receive and index transparent, information carrying graphics in overlaying relationships one with the other. The storage cover has a transparency storage pouch having a transparency receiving opening directed towards the hinge of the portfolio. The transparencies have indicia bearing tabs secured thereto in such a way as to project from the storage pouch and provide ready identification of the graphics contained on the transparencies. Files of hinged transparent sleeves are detachably secured to the storage cover. The visualizer is constructed and configured so as to be equally utilitarian when in an easel configuration and when laying flat.

Abstract: A collection of modelling elements having distinct forms and changeably interengageable for assembly to one another. Each element includes information stores and signalling paths via which said stores are connected in an information transfer network to engaged elements. The information store contents are machine readable via an entry to the network and the way in which the elements have been assembled is detectable from the machine readable contents. The elements can represent constructional features, such as parts of a building, and the physical characteristics of a building of desired appearance represented by a particular assembly can be worked out and displayed from the way in which the representational elements have been assembled.

Abstract: A housing which takes the form of a model or replica of a larger structure such as the stable which was the birthplace of Jesus. The housing can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly and without the use of permanent fasteners such as nails or glue. The housing includes a generally rectangular base having slots provided near the peripheral edges on the upper surface thereof. Front and rear panel members are respectively inserted into a parallel pair of slots along the longer dimension of the base. A pair of side members are respectively inserted into a second pair of parallel slots disposed along the shorter dimension of the base. The vertical edges of the panel and side members are respectively received within corresponding slots of four corner members wherein each corner member includes a pair of tranversely oriented slots and an inclined upper surface.