Abstract: An articulated structure for defining, when rendered rigid, a desired multi-curved surface, the structure being adjustable to permit the shape of the curved surface defined thereby to be varied at will. Such structures are particularly useful in the field of medical and other kinds of specialized seating, medical braces, and children's constructional toys.The structure comprises an array of inter-connected, cooperating rings or links (12,28) and spiders (10). The radiating limbs of the spiders (10) have at or near their respective free ends jaw or other clamping means (22,24) in which cooperating parts (26) of the rings (12) are clamped by screw or other clamping means (18). The shape of the array is adjustable by relaxing the clamping means (18) of selected spiders (10) and then retightening them after the desired shape has been achieved by displacing the relevant members (10,12) of the array.

Abstract: A wall system includes a grid constructed of horizontal main support channels mounted on a fixed wall and a plurality of spaced vertical standards secured to the channels at the front thereof. Each channel has a U-shaped cross-section with rearwardly extending arms diverging slightly so that overlapping channels may nest, one in the other. Ears projecting outward from the ends of the arms and lie in a common plane are used for securing the channel in place. The web of each channel is provided with a longitudinally extending row of equally spaced apertures. Each standard is provided with two longitudinally extending rows of holes with the rows being spaced by the distance between apertures and the holes in opposite rows being connected by lines that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the standard. Fasteners extending through holes in each row are received by adjacent apertures in the channel web to automatically secure the standard in a position at right angles to the support channel.

Abstract: A linear panel ceiling system is disclosed in which generally U-shaped elongated panels can be mounted in abutting relationship or in a spaced relationship. When the panels are installed in a spaced relationship, an insert is snapped into a groove extending lengthwise the adjacent panels to close the space between adjacent panels. The insert is supported throughout its length and does not tend to lift when pressure differential exists across the insert. The side legs of the panels are inclined inwardly a small amount so that when the panels are installed in an abutting relationship with the panel faces abutting, the legs diverge to allow installation and/or removal of panels from the mounting brackets.

Abstract: A device for sealed attachment of substantially flat-surfaced cover strips, especially of sheet metal, for single- or double-curve roof surfaces of buildings, with top and bottom clamping members, which can be braced for the side attachment of adjacent cover strips by opposing bolts and which can be attached to a supporting frame. The clamping members have flat clamping surfaces to contact the substantially flat-surfaced cover strips and have clamping bolts that extend through openings on the lengthwise edge of at least one of any two adjacent cover strips. Cover rails are attached to the top clamping members and pass therethrough and are clamped by means of crosspieces which feather out to the side, which on their lengthwise edge carry sealing strips pressed against the outsides of adjacent cover strips.

Abstract: A room addition type of construction for attachment to the outside wall of a building. The wall has an opening for access to the interior of the building. A foundation is provided adjacent the wall and an upright frame assembly is mounted on the foundation. The frame includes side wall frames, an outer wall frame, and a roof frame. A plurality of structurally independent panel members are securely mounted in each of the frame portions with a substantial portion of the panels comprising window units having glazing panels therein. The panel members cooperate with the frame assembly for providing load bearing support for the structure. The frame assembly is secured to the building and a weather seal is provided between the room structure assembly and the building. The panels are secured to each other and to the frame assembly and weather seals are provided between the panels and between the panels and the frame assembly.

Abstract: For mounting plates (4) to a framework structure, the channel members (1) which constitute the structural members of the framework are adapted to receive fastener members (2), so that plates (4) which are fastened to the framework structure are firmly secured to the frame by the fastener members (2) as a result of friction or a latch connection between the fastener and the channel members (1) which form the framework structure.

Abstract: Roofing strip and clip elements are provided with flange elements which are interengageable by tipping the strip elements first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.A sealing joint is provided by a first set of interengaged surfaces carried by batten and strip members and a second set of interengaged surfaces carried by strip and clip members.

Abstract: A clip for attaching a filler strip to a channel for suspending ceiling panels, including prongs for holding the filler strip.

Abstract: A floor system for a trailer or the like comprising a plurality of elongate sheet metal floor panels extending side-by-side lengthwise of the trailer on beams extending transversely of the trailer. Each of the metal floor panels comprises upper and lower panel members, the upper member being in the form of a shallow inverted channel, comprising a relatively wide web member, a pair of relatively narrow flanges extending down from the web member at opposite sides of the web member, and a pair of fastening lips extending laterally outwardly from the flanges at the lower edges of the flanges and bearing on the beams of the trailer. The elongate metal floor panels are mounted on the beams one alongside another with the fastening lips at adjacent sides of adjacent floor panels defining, in conjunction with the opposing flanges extending up from the fastening lips, upwardly opening generally rectangular recesses extending longitudinally of the trailer between adjacent floor panels.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process of cladding a roof on a support structure which includes the step of applying an insulation layer on said support structure, applying edge abutting webs of cladding material over the insulation layer, simultaneously mechanically anchoring by fasteners the insulation and cladding webs to the support structure and sealing over the edges of the webs and fasteners by welding on welding strips covering said edges and fasteners.

Abstract: Described herein is a frothable thermosetting polyurethane-forming composition, a process for producing a curable froth from said composition, a process for applying the curable froth to a substrate and a cured cellular polyurethane produced from the curable froth.

Abstract: Panel and batten systems are disclosed wherein a plurality of battens are provided in the system, each batten having brackets supporting a gutter in the batten, and the system is further characterized by having the brackets relatively movably guidedly connected in the batten with substructure, and by having a batten cover connected with the brackets in the batten for bodily expanding and contracting longitudinally while supported by the brackets in the batten and covering the gutter and ends of panels in the system which form sides of the batten.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting roof having metal roof units capable of heat insulation and joint members joining the metal roof units includes cover glass frames successively inserted between each adjacent pair of joint members from the eaves side to the ridge side to fit in the adjacent joint members, each cover glass frame being formed of frame members having specific sectional shapes and at least one sheet of glass framed thereby.

Abstract: A vertical siding system for an exterior building wall, including vertically oriented panels mounted in flush side-by-side array on supporting structure of the wall and vertically oriented cover members covering the joints between adjacent panels and interlocked with the panels. The cover members have locking flanges along their side edges for insertion in locking grooves formed in side portions of the panels, and are resiliently deformable so that they can be snap-fitted onto the panels after the panels are mounted on the wall. The panels and cover members may be designed to cooperatively simulate the appearance of conventional board-and-batten wooden siding.

Abstract: A pair of panels which may comprise a solar collector having an absorber and a transparent panel are supported on and integrated with a building, such as on a roof. The means of support includes a base mounting member, an intermediate mounting member, a top cover member and a plurality of bearing members. The base mounting member is secured to the building and supports the region of the edges of two absorbers of adjacent solar collectors in substantially contiguous relation. The intermediate mounting member is supported on each absorber and, in turn, supports two plates of the adjacent solar collectors. The top cover member is supported on each plate and each of the top cover members and intermediate mounting member are secured to the base mounting member. Contact between each member and the solar collector is through the bearing members which provide a tight sealing engagement upon securement.

Abstract: A vertically elongated module of sheet metal has a center panel with side flanges turned inwardly along each edge, and with narrow return flanges on the free edges of the side flanges. The upper and lower ends of the return flanges have tabs turned outwardly to the center panel, and the upper and lower ends of the side flanges are turned laterally as end flanges in lapped relation to the tabs. Turning of the end flanges leaves transverse flat nailing strips along the upper and lower ends of the module. The side flanges are of less width than the width of a standard 2.times.4. When erected into a wall, successive modules are secured in side-by-side relation on the wide side of a 2.times.4 plate by nailing their lower nailing strips along the narrow side of the lower plate, and an upper 2.times.4 plate is similarly secured to the upper nailing strips.

Abstract: Roofing means including a roof panel. Means are provided for securing the roof panel onto a roof frame including elastic clamping means joining the panel in tensioned relation to the frame and a deformable elastic sealing member secured between the clamping means and the panel and covering the clamping member. The roof panel may be a thin translucent plastic sheet.

Abstract: A modular skylight system comprises a continuous sill for supporting a lower edge of a plurality of panel frames, each pre-assembled and having a lower edge member interlocked on the sill. Each frame includes a pair of upwardly sloping side frame members adapted to be secured and interlocked to those of adjacent members and attached at their lower ends to the lower edge member. All of the frame members include an elongated glazing pocket for receiving an edge portion of a glazing panel and they also provide gutter structure for collecting liquid from the glazing panel and for carrying the liquid down to the sill for discharge therefrom.

Abstract: A direct air heating solar energy collection apparatus and glazing system therefor are described. Unique framing members are utilized to create modular collector assembly panels, to provide a glazing system for the collectors, and to contain reflective trapping members in a precision spaced array. The framing members are formed in cross sectional shapes that admit of multiple uses in the overall frame structure of the apparatus, some of the members being utilized for a plurality of different mechanical functions within the framing system.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a wall frame construction in which metal studs or frame support members are formed with a panel supporting face. In this face is formed a longitudinal slot or slots terminating at a substantially right angle undercut which provides an internal lip which is substantially parallel with the panel supporting face surface. In combination with the stud is provided a J-clip having a front strip portion and at substantially right angles to its rear face is a stem portion. This stem portion at its free or distal edge is bent into a ninety degree curve and terminates with a very short straight lip extending portion. This curved stem portion of the J-clip is inserted into the slot in the face of the stud and the J-clip is then rotated to bring the lip extending portion behind the internal lip of the undercut in which position the front strip portion of the J-clip provides opposed grooves or channels for retaining the edge of a panel inserted thereunder.

Abstract: An interior wall and ceiling panel for use in the cabin of a passenger aircraft which includes attachment brackets, a support bracket assembly having three degees of adjustability for mounting the panels to the airframe and a gap cover extending between adjoining panels and to provide a finished appearance when viewed from the interior of the cabin.

Abstract: A joint system for wall panel construction, particularly adapted for use with metal studs. The system provides a batten cover element which is positioned to overlie the junctions between panels of a wall panel structure having butt joints, inside corners, and/or outside corners. The system of the invention utilizes a receiver element which is adapted to be fastened to the framework studs which underlie the junction, the receiver element having a portion which projects outwardly between the panels and terminates in a locking flange. The receiver element is identical for all junctions and separate batten cover elements cooperate with the locking flange to cover the junctions, the batten element having one form for a butt joint, a second form for an inside corner, and a third form for an outside corner, each form providing one wing having a locking channel to receive the locking flange of the receiver and adapted to overlie one panel and a second wing to overlie the other panel.

Abstract: A roofing and siding system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of elongate, generally planar sheets each having upwardly projecting flanges disposed along the lateral edges of the sheet. The flanges each have an outwardly directed C-shaped cross section. The sheets are placed side-by-side so that the lateral edges thereof are juxtaposed to corresponding lateral edges of adjacent sheets to provide a surface comprising the exposed surface of a building. Clips are provided for attaching the planar sheets to the building. A plurality of elongate battens are provided which are constructed of resilient material. Each batten has a generally rectangular cross section including two longer, substantially parallel sides and two relatively shorter sides. One of the shorter sides of each batten is slit so that the batten can be snapped over adjacent flanges on juxtaposed lateral edges of two of the planar sheets to provide weatherproofing at the edges.

Abstract: A heat insulation structure for a liquefied gas storage tank is disclosed which comprises a plurality of heat insulation sandwich structure units attached to the outer tank shell. Each sandwich structure unit comprises a plurality of core members or ribs arrayed in spaced apart relation and sandwiched by a top and bottom plate members, and insulating materials filled into the spaces defined by the core members and the top and bottom plate members, and each core member or rib comprises a pair of plywood sheet members spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance by spacers, and insulating materials filled into the space or spaces defined by the sheet members and spacers. The above construction not only gives much strength to the heat insulation structure in addition to the improved ability to interrupt heat conduction, but also reduces the fabrication cost.

Abstract: A parking platform for automobiles in which the flooring is supported by cross members secured at each end to struts having vertical walls, the ends of the struts of which the flooring is comprised are turned down into slits in the transverse members. The flooring is held down by a plate which bridges the ends of adjacent flooring strips the plate being secured to a stirrup within the transverse members.