Abstract: This application discloses a connection system for promoting the construction of suspended ceiling systems. A clip arrangement is used whereby rail-to-clip-to-rail connections are readily accomplished from below grid access using horizontal translation to trigger positive, secure engagement. The clip is slidable into axial grooves presented at the end of that rail which is to be connected to another rail in accordance with the invention. A detent finger carried by the clip engages that rail during this insertion and prevents unintentional withdrawal of the clip from reception within these grooves. Non destructive disassembly is effected by intentionally disengaging this detent finger. Two rails are connected in this manner when the other end of the clip is attached to another rail. Further, the connection system is adaptable to connect rails both end to end and end to side. In addition, it often desired to connect the ends of two aligned rails to opposite sides of a rail set between them.

Abstract: A wooden beam suspended ceiling assembly having a support structure including a wall hanger attachable around the perimeter of the area to receive the ceiling, at least one main beam which extends transversely across the area, and a plurality of cross beams extending between the main beam and wall hanger. The main beam and cross beams provide pockets to receive conventional ceiling panels. The wooden beams in the finished ceiling form an aesthetically attractive ceiling structure especially desirable in residential construction.

Abstract: A prefabricated steel frame building structural system which is assembled with nuts and bolts and required no shop welding or site fabrication. The columns and beams in the building are fabricated from lengths of very high strength, light gauge, stiffened C-channel steel stock. Uniquely designed haunch plates and haunch plate stiffener angles are used for column-beam connections and novel ridge plates and ridge plate stiffener angles are used for beam-beam connections to form the two hinged end wall and intermediate frames for the building. Also used are novel corner girt clips for securing the girts to the corner columns; rake purlin angles for securing purlins to the rake beams; and purlin girt clips for securing purlins to the intermediate beams and for securing girts to the intermediate columns. Each of the mentioned components are designed so that they may be used interchangeably at both the left and right sides of the building, there being no specially designed left and right said components.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system of fixtures for use with standard dimension lumber for constructing pitched roofs for residential or commercial wood frame structures including gabled roofs, hip roofs and more complex roof structures. One form of sheet metal fixture takes the uncut ends of a pair of two inch (nominal) thickness lengths of lumber and is so shaped that the two lengths of lumber are joined with the fixture and common nails at a selected angle corresponding to the desired angle between rafters at the peak of a gabled roof. Other disclosed fixtures are shaped to join a hip rafter with one or more common rafters or jack rafters. Similar fixtures are used to join valley rafters with jack rafters. Further plate fixtures secure the lower ends of rafters to the plate on top of the exterior wall frame without the necessity for an angle cut or bird's mouth cut in the rafter.

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

Abstract: The suspended woodbeam ceiling is formed of a plurality of beams which lie spaced from each other and at right angles from each other to receive drop-in ceiling panels therebetween. Each beam comprises a beam center to which is secured a beam side on each side thereof. Each beam side has a lip which is engaged by the drop-in ceiling panel for the support of the panel. Crossbeams have locking blocks formed thereon for engaging on and locking on the main beam. The beam contours and textures provide especially aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A supporting rib arrangement for a lower ceiling which is to be suspended beneath a structure-fixed ceiling and method of using such supporting rib arrangement comprising support or carrier profile members for supporting ceiling components of the lower ceiling, for instance precast slabs, said support profile members being arranged in a grid arrangement or field and abutting at their ends at node points. Suspension or hanging components are connected in such a manner with the supporting rib arrangement and the structure-fixed ceiling respectively, that they permit limited displacement of the supporting rib arrangement relative to the ceiling for tolerance compensation.

Abstract: A floor grid is provided for a trafficway for removing debris from traffic passing thereover. The grid comprises a support structure below the surface of the trafficway, a plurality of spaced tread rails defining an upper surface which is generally flush with the surface of the trafficway and being supported by the support structure, and a plurality of traverse spacer bars or channels positioned immediately beneath the tread rails. Each tread rail is secured to each spacer channel by a bolt where both cross. Each bolt has a head which is received in and is slidable, when the bolt is not tightened, along a pair of confronting slots in an associated tread rail. Each of the slots has a flat vertical surface which respectively butt against a pair of flat vertical surfaces of the bolt head preventing rotation of the bolt relative to the tread rail. Preferably the slots are just high enough to snugly receive the bolt heads. Feet extend outwardly from the lower end of each tread rail and engage the spacer channels.

Abstract: A panel construction, e.g. for wall or ceiling, in which a plurality of mutually parallel elongate support members, for example, of inverted T-shaped cross-section, have two parallel free longitudinal edges spaced apart from one another and elongate support elements which may, for example, be flat or channel section are carried by these support members. Clamps engage around the longitudinal edges of the support members and press the support elements against the support members and carry panel holding means which support a plurality of panels.

Abstract: A fire resistant ceiling furring system comprising support joists in generally parallel alignment, furring clips attaching furring channels to the joists, furring channels in generally parallel alignment at substantially right angles to said joists thereby forming a generally grid-like configuration, said furring channels connected at grid intersection points to said joists by means of said furring clips, fire resistant gypsum ceiling panels affixed at lower attachment surfaces of said furring channels, and, mineral fiber insulation provided for substantially the full expanse of the ceiling being disposed above, and supported by, said furring channels forming a continuous layer beneath said joists. Whereby upon exposure of the fire resistant ceiling furring system to heat from below the furring channels continue to support the mineral fiber insulation and remain engaged to said ceiling panels during heat distortion by means of said furring clips retaining the furring channels.

Abstract: A building element for the construction of self-supporting interlocking grids which may be used, for example, as floors or roofs, comprises a beam having a longitudinally protruding projection at each end, and having at least one recess of sufficient size to receive the longitudinally protruding projection from a second identical beam. The projection from a third such beam rests on the recess of the second, the projection of a fourth such beam rests in the recess of the third, and the projection of the first beam rests in the recess of the fourth. Thus, the four beams are rigidly connected in a statically determinate self-supporting manner. An entire grid of such joints may be made as well as light arched and domed roof structures.

Abstract: A luggage rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle. The luggage rack is mounted on the trunk lid of the vehicle and comprises a pair of spaced, multi-sided, load carrying cross rails and a pair of side rails and a plurality of center rails therebetween extending front to rear between the cross rails. Locking members located at the opposite ends of the side and center rails are cooperably connected to the cross rails and are engaged by a cover member slidably carried by the side rails so as to secure the side and center rails to the cross rails. The luggage rack includes a plurality of stanchion members for supporting each end of the cross rails. Each stanchion member has a lower end portion adapted to be fixedly secured to the vehicle.

Abstract: The system is preferably for use in building construction where concrete floors can be poured in place. The components of the system comprise parallel arranged joists preferably each constructed from three pieces to form an I-beam joist, bracing channels extending orthogonally between adjacent joists and mated at their respective ends with the joists, means for securing and bracing channels in place relative to the joists, and corrugated metal decking extending in separate sections between adjacent joists and over the bracing channels. Concrete is poured over the metal decking and interlocks with the top end of each joist to form a structurally securely supported, poured-in-place concrete floor.

Abstract: A fence is assembled from tubular posts and open-ended tubular cross-pieces the ends of which are slidably supported on the posts and selectively secured in one of several discrete positions, for example by engaging transverse slots in the lower face of the cross-pieces on tabs in apertures in the posts. In another arrangement, flaps in the posts are folded in to form apertures slidably receiving ends of the cross-pieces, which are secured by selectively engaging pins in aligned holes in the flaps and cross-pieces. The fence may include a rectangular gate frame formed by folding a suitably cut-out tubular piece.

Abstract: A preformed grid of perpendicularly intersecting wires equally or unequally spaced apart and welded together or part of such grid such as a pair of parallel wires and a binding cross wire, are tightly joined together as well as to the top turn or ring of a coil spring by an inverted U-shaped wire clip detached and fed preferably automatically from a cemented group of such clips much like conventional staples. An upper grid wire is arranged to span the ring diametrically while a pair of lower wires parallel to each other are arranged as respective opposed chords of the ring each spaced inwardly at its weld from the adjacent perimeter of the ring just enough to permit the insertion of a clip leg or legs at an inward and downward slant into the space between the perimeter of the ring and the chord portion of the other wire while straddling the spanning wire.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a protective frame for the interior wall of a warehouse of the type having interior beams for supporting the walls and includes a grid structure consisting of vertical posts extending from the floor of the structure and horizontal cross members releasably secured to adjacent beams of the building and intersecting the vertical posts to define the grid structure; the cross members are provided with reinforcing trusses which also function to connect the cross members to the vertical posts at the intersections thereof.

Abstract: A new building structural system is described that employs unique elements to interconnect standard structural members in a simple, economical and effective manner. These unique interconnecting elements interconnct a girder and a span member of a building structure, the span member being either a joist or a truss. They consists of two interlocking pieces or elements, one connected to the end of the span member and the other to the side face of the girder member. These unique elements incorporate shaped involutions, webs and reinforcing members that interlock as one element seats down upon the other to interconnect the members in a rugged, rigid fashion. The resulting building structure provides both a flexibility of design and a simplicity of assembly that is remarkable.

Abstract: The invention relates to reinforcement grids for steel concrete construct and consisting of longitudinal transverse rods crossing one another which, at some or all of their crossing points, are connected by pieces of binding wire looped around the rods and closed by twisting their free ends together. In order to give the grid rectangular stability, within each mesh of the grid, or within each rectangular mesh group comprising a number of adjacent meshes, the binding wire loops at the four crossing points of the rods defining the mesh or mesh group are looped around the rods defining the mesh or mesh group are looped around the rods so that the planes of half the loops are 90.degree. from the planes of the remaining loops, and the loops in each direction are uniformly present in the grid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying insulation material to the sidewalls and endwalls of a building structure. The apparatus is disposed parallel and adjacent to the top of the wall. A roll of insulating material is mounted on the apparatus and fed downward along the side of the building wall and parallel thereto. The end of the insulating material is attached to the bottom of the wall and the insulating material is tightened and held in place by a tension means which is part of the apparatus. The insulating material is then attached to the top of the wall and cut free from the remaining insulating material on the roll. The apparatus is then moved along the top of the wall to a position where the insulating material can be fed downward adjacent to the attached insulating material. The method is then repeated.

Abstract: A roofing system is provided for large-area wide-span building structures such as natatoria, comprising an interlocking gridwork of purlins supported on beams. A portion of the structure can be provided with a track, and another portion of the structure mounted on wheels movable along the track, so that one portion of the roof may be slid open or closed by movement along the track, so as to open the interior of the building structure to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An interlocking structural system comprising a plurality of tubular strut members defining a central opening in the ends thereof of a prescribed diameter and at least one connector for selectively interconnecting the tubular strut members, the connector including a plurality of removably interconnected plate members with one of the plate members lying generally in a second plane intersecting the first plane so that the plate members intersect along a common line, each of the plate members defining a plurality of connector tangs thereon generally radially oriented with respect to the plate member where one of the connector tangs on one of the plate members intersects one of the connector tangs on another of the plate members along said common line and with the connector tangs sized to be received in the central opening in the end of one of the strut members so that the strut member can be slipped over the intersecting connector tangs to connect the strut member to the connector and to hold the plate members to

Abstract: Intersecting hollow flat strips are adjoined by a concealed semi-rigid thin clip, having the configuration of a wide plus sign. The flat strips have half thickness cutouts to permit interlocking engagement of two intersecting strips, with the thin clip inserted within the cutouts. The thin clips have dimensions and configurations which permit assembly or disassembly with slight force but prevent unintentional disassembly.

Abstract: A one piece, sheet metal hanger clip for supporting a grid system member of a suspended ceiling frame from an overhead superstructure. The hanger clip can be utilized in various structural arrangements for suspending grid system members or runners having substantially horizontal flange means for supporting ceiling tile pieces and an upstanding web means with a surmounting bead thereon, the latter being employed to cooperatively engage with the hanger clip of the present invention. In one mode of use, a tongue means protruding from the upper end of the hanger clip is adapted to be engaged within the surface of a non-metallic superstructural framing member which would be formed of wood, for example. After engaging such tongue for initial placement of the hanger clip, both hands of a workman are then free to install a nail through an appropriate hole in the hanger clip to permanently secure the hanger clip to the wooden framing member.

Abstract: A screen ceiling is disclosed comprising a plurality of elongated panels arranged generally in vertical planes with adjacent ends of panels secured to supporting gusset joints in turn suspended from an overhead fixed support structure. Each gusset joint has an outwardly extending support for each panel connected thereto. The outwardly projecting supports in turn have projections extending through one or more openings in the panels which openings are adjacent the ends thereof. Joining and locking members cooperate with the projections extending through the panel openings to lock the panel ends to the gusset joints and prevent loosening.

Abstract: A knee brace to provide lateral resistance at the bottom of glued laminated beams and solid heavy timbers. The brace consists of an elongated strap connected at its mid point to the bottom of the glulam or heavy timber. Legs angled outwardly are connected at their ends to transverse members. Special cut sections in the strap provide tabs running perpendicular to the bottom of the braced glulam or timber. The tabs are held to the side faces of the braced member by nails. The bent tabs and nails in the bottom of the glulam provide the resistance to overturn loads.

Abstract: A grid system for supporting a plurality of individual panel members generally in the same plane. A grid is formed of a plurality of structural beams or grid members which are disposed in intersecting relationship to each other in a predetermined geometric relation. More specifically, the grid system is adapted to be suspended from the superstructure of a building and includes a plurality of spaced, parallel grid members. Each pair of such grid members are adapted on their opposite sides to support the marginal edge portions of ceiling panels while the adjacent sides of each pair of grid members are appropriately spaced and formed to receive an outlet portion of an air handling conduit for conveying conditioned air from a plenum-like structure disposed between the grid system and the overhead building superstructure into the room below the grid structure.

Abstract: Wall panels and connectors for holding the panels together at their opposite ends to provide walls and partitions for buildings, storage bins and other walled structures. Similar panels have parallel inner and outer side walls, upper and lower edge walls and opposite end elements, the upper and lower edge walls having abutting engagement with the lower and upper edge walls respectively of other panels in stacked engagement to form a wall. Connectors engage the end elements of different panels disposed at a common level to hold the panels in engagement with each other at their ends.

Abstract: A wall structure having a framework, for supporting a plurality of panels in horizontal and vertical alignment, the wall structure being installable in an opening of a building structure to close such opening with the panels being installable in the framework either from the exterior or the interior of the building structure. A wall structure may also be installed on the exterior of a building structure as a curtain wall. Frame members are made up of interior and exterior box-like sections, which are connected together by insulating clips, working in connecting flanges on the sections, thus providing thermal isolation of the parts. The panels are gripped by gasketed flanges on the sections. Specific proportioning of the connecting flanges and gasketed flanges provides a metal free zone facilitating deglazing and providing room for internal water diverters.

Abstract: A wall frame construction composed of sheet metal studs provided with a hole in at least one wall positioned at nogging level, nogging strips formable from offcuts of the studs slidable at right angles to the plane of the wall into pairs of nogging clips of U-shape provided with a swaged hole in each of their bases to form protruding collars for locating and retaining the nogging clips within said holes in the studs.

Abstract: A ceiling grid arrangement is disclosed herein and includes a plurality of ceiling panel support runners and one or more connectors for connecting together these runners. Each of these connectors includes a pair of prongs for each support runner connected therewith. Each prong in turn includes a guide and reinforcing element which cooperates with an associated support runner to facilitate assembly of the support runners to the connector and to compensate for a weight imbalance during assembly of the overall ceiling arrangement.

Abstract: Framing members of metal are produced from three tubular elements in parallel adjacent relationship held together by transverse fasteners. Sealing strips are located between the adjacent surfaces of the elements and subjected to pressure by the fasteners. In one form of the invention each of the fasteners comprises two pins, each of which passes through two elements so that the pin ends lie in opposed juxtaposition within a common element of the three and are secured together by collets. Alternatively, welded studs are employed. The members are joined together to form a frame by internal blocks shaped to suit the shape of the joint, e.g. angle or tee, and secured by clamping screws or riveting.

Abstract: A roof structure is fabricated by forming a lattice of support straps between the inclined rafters and the purlins, supporting one or more reels of insulation material on adjacent pairs of purlins with the width of the material spanning the space between the purlins, moving the reels along the lengths of the purlins and paying out the insulation material from the reels down into the spaces between the purlins and onto the lattice of support straps. Additional insulation material is applied to the upper surfaces of the purlins. The workmen follow the reels of insulation material and connect the hard roofing material over the insulation material to the purlins to complete the roof structure.

Abstract: An interior structure frame assembly which comprises at least two identical upright pillars disposed in opposite and spaced relationship to each other each having a plurality of vertical openings in its outer periphery extending the length of the associated pillar, at least one transverse beam member extending transversely between and detachably secured at the opposite ends to said pillars and at least two elastic beam holder units received within said beam member in the opposite end portions of the beam member for detachably securing the opposite ends of said beam member to said pillars.

Abstract: An array of concrete-reinforcement rods is transversely spanned by ladderlike mounting or fixing members. Each member has a pair of parallel long bars extending across the array and pairs of short bars transverse to the long bars and cradling the respective reinforcement rods. The ends of the short bars overhang the long bars and are bent over, across and partly around the reinforcement rod so that corresponding ends of each pair mutually overlap.

Abstract: An improved system for forming concrete walls and roofs, such as for one and two story dwellings. A prefabricated frame assembly is formed of a plurality of pheripheral frame sections. Each frame section includes peripheral frame members. The vertical members are J-shaped. The short legs of the J-shaped members support reinforcing rods and the long legs are adapted to support tie rods in the same horizontal plane as the reinforcing rods. Vertical reinforcing rods are secured to and across the first reinforcing rods, thereby to form an open reinforcing network. The frame members provide surfaces to which panel board may be secured. A plurality of the frame sections positioned, as on a slab, are connected to a frame assembly by short tie rods. An array of frame sections and frame assemblies, after paneling has been applied internally, provides a skeleton reinforcing network to which concrete may then be applied to form a reinforced concrete structure.

Abstract: This connector or joint fitting comprises a member having a corner or base section from which a plurality of branches, each branch extending at right angles to an adjoining branch or branches. Each of said branches has a rocking lock assembled with said member, and having means to permit a tube to be easily fitted onto said branch, but to lock or retard said tube against being easily pulled off said branch.

Abstract: A screen ceiling is disclosed comprising a plurality of elongated panels arranged generally in vertical planes with adjacent ends of panels secured to supporting gusset joints in turn suspended from an overhead fixed support structure. Each gusset joint has an outwardly extending support for each panel connected thereto. The outwardly projecting supports in turn have projections extending through one or more openings in the panels which openings are adjacent the ends thereof. Joining and locking members cooperate with the projections extending through the panel openings to lock the panel ends to the gusset joints and prevent loosening.