Abstract: A fastening device for double-skin foam-core composite roof panels which present interfitted outer connectors spaced upwardly from the exterior surface of the panels, and interfitted inner connectors at the interior surface of the panels. The fastening device includes an upper end confined within the outer connectors, a base extending laterally of the upper end and overlying an exposed core surface, and a flange extending through the insulating core to the inner skin. A fastener extends through the base, the insulating core and the inner skin to secure the adjacent roof panels to a structural member.

Abstract: A closure device comprising an insert and capping means. The insert includes first, second and third generally U-shaped members. The first and second members cooperate with a lengthwise trough of the sheet metal element to provide laterally spaced-apart vertically presented chambers and a horizontal passageway therebetween. The capping means enclose those portions of the lengthwise trough on opposite sides of the first and second members to provide a substantially unobstructed additional raceway including the passageway. The third element which may be provided during installation of the closure device or during activation of the closure device caps the passageway and supports an electrical plug receptacle proximate to the finished surface of the floor for ready access. At least one additional electrical plug receptacle may be supported by either of the first and second members for access from the interior of one of the vertically presented chambers.

Abstract: A controlled release wall structure is provided which relies on controlled strength distribution and which disengages from a building framework at a selected applied load -- failure load -- and collapses in the direction of the applied load, that is, inwardly or outwardly of the building. Under normal wind load conditions, the present wall structure will safely sustain the expected elastic deflection and working stresses. However, under abnormally high loadings such as applied by explosion forces or by tornado and hurricane wind forces, the present wall structure collapses to create a substantial open area whereby a minimal loading is transmitted to the structural framework. The present wall structure protects the building framework from being overstressed during tornadoes or hurricanes; and also is capable of quickly relieving excessive pressures generated by an explosion within or without the building.

Abstract: Light-colored unsaturated polyester resins containing at least 2% by weight bromine can be prepared by using at least a portion of the glycol ingredient dibromo neopentyl glycol and by using from 5 to 85 mol percent of tetrahydrophthalic acid or anhydride or endomethylene tetrahydrophthalic acid or anhydride.

Abstract: Coating apparatus wherein a pretreated sheet metal ribbon passes from a supply coil successively through entry rolls, coating rolls, a curing oven, cooling apparatus, and tension rolls to a recoiler. The ribbon extends through the coating rolls and the curing oven as a long-span catenary. No looping facility is required. The apparatus incorporates novel leading end gripper means and trailing end gripper means for establishing and terminating the catenary in a manner which minimizes the unusable length of ribbon, that is, the uncoated leading end and uncoated trailing end of the processed ribbon. A method of initiating, maintaining, and terminating the catenary is disclosed.

Abstract: Lightweight glass fiber reinforced plastic articles are produced in matched dies by combining fibrous reinforcing materials, such as glass fibers, with a foamable unsaturated polyester resin composition. The matched dies are closed and compressed so that the resin composition fills the mold cavity and wets the fibrous reinforcing material. Thereafter the matched dies are separated to increase the volume of the mold cavity by at least 50 percent greater than the closed volume. The matched dies are retained in this relationship until the unsaturated polyester resin composition has cured and expanded to fill the mold cavity. The resulting product has a density less than 67 percent of the density of a corresponding reinforced plastic article fabricated from the same composition (unsaturated polyester resin, fillers and reinforcement), which is not foamed. The unsaturated polyester resin composition preferably includes 0.

Abstract: A light valve system wherein particulate material is introduced into a normally light-transmitting cavity to restrict light transmission through the cavity from one side to the other. The cavity may be partially or totally filled with a particulate material depending on the degree of light restriction desired. The particulate material may comprise a thermal insulating material which restricts heat transmission as well as light transmission through the cavity. The use of the present light valve system in a greenhouse structure is described.

Abstract: A non-composite impact-resistant structure of lightweight construction is particularly useful in offshore power stations where weight is a prime consideration, and also is useful as the roof of inland power stations. The structure is fabricated from two types of sheet metal units and reinforcing elements which are enclosed thereby. An inner cellular panel is secured to outboard members of a building framework. The cells of the inner cellular panel extend vertically or horizontally when used as a wall structure or may reside in a generally horizontal plane when used as a roof structure. Outer corrugated panels (or outer cellular panels) are secured outboard to the inner cellular panel with the corrugations (or cells) of the outer panel perpendicular to the cells of the inner panel. The inner cellular panel cooperates with the outer corrugated panels to define passageways providing peripheral metal enclosure for reinforcing elements.

Abstract: A composite slab useful as a floor or roof structure of a building. The composite slab comprises plural cellular sections which span across horizontal structural support beams, and which provide a substantially flat upper surface and plural longitudinal cells disposed below the flat upper surface. Certain and preferably all of the longitudinal cells are substantially entirely filled with concrete. Plural spaced portions disposed along each of the cells interrupts the interior surface of the cells, whereby the concrete is extended out of its normal plane in the region of the spaced portions and achieves a positive mechanical combination with the cellular section. The resulting composite slab develops predictable and reliable composite coaction between the concrete and the metal cellular sections throughout the lifetime of the building.

Abstract: A combination electronic device provides a digital sweep circuit adapted to generate a sweep signal which increases in frequency at constant intervals over a selected range of frequencies and over a selected period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling the cells of an expanded cellular core member with granular insulation. The core member may be secured to a base sheet thereby capping lower ends of the cells and may have a film of adhesive material on upper ends of the cells. The apparatus includes hopper means having a lower discharge opening therein, and conveyor means arranged to transport the core member along a rectilinear path of travel, past the discharge opening. Adjustable barrier means is provided for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the discharge opening. Valve means controls the flow of granular insulation through the discharge opening into the core cells. Brush means positioned downstream of the discharge opening removes excess granular insulation from the cells and renders the film of adhesive material substantially entirely free of the granular insulation. Pan means is positioned to receive excess granular insulation from the core member.

Abstract: A light transmitting building panel comprising a flat central sheet and upper and lower corrugated sheets secured to the opposite faces of the flat central sheet, thereby to provide a set of upper cells and a set of lower cells. The upper corrugated sheet is laterally offset relative to the lower corrugated sheet whereby each upper cell is positioned intermediate of adjacent ones of the lower cells and whereby heat conduction between the internal and external surfaces of the panel is minimized. The flat central sheet and the upper and lower corrugated sheets are formed from a light transmitting glass fiber reinforced plastic. The present building panel is particularly useful in greenhouses as roof panels and wall panels. The long span capability, the light transmitting characteristic and the unique cell arrangement of the present building panel are advantageously employed in greenhouses.

Abstract: Laminates of reinforced plastics and copper foil are prepared with a small quantity of benzotriazole in the plastic ingredient. The resulting laminate has excellent bond between the plastic and the copper foil and hence can be employed as an electrical circuit board.

Abstract: A metal cellular decking section comprising a fluted upper element and a lower element secured to the upper element along contiguous portions thereof. At least one longitudinally extended expanded metal zone is provided in the lower element. The upper element may include a formation defining a channel which extends parallel with the expanded metal zone and which presents an opening adjacent to the expanded metal zone. In the present metal cellular decking section, the expanded metal zone promotes mechanical bonding of subsequently applied fireproofing material to the underside of the lower element; increases the coverage width for a given steel girth; and provides access to the channel for attachment of hanger means. A method of fabricating the present metal cellular decking section is disclosed.

Abstract: A piezo electric transducer employs a stack of piezo electric crystals interposed between electrodes and maintained under compression to develop an electrical charge which instantaneously corresponds to the acceleration of the device. One or two electrical resistors in series with the piezo electric crystal stack output develops a charge which instantaneously corresponds to the velocity of the device. The velocity responsive charge is delivered to a charge converter which may be located remotely from the piezo electric transducer. The charge converter generates an electrical signal having a voltage which is proportional to the instantaneous velocity of the device. The assembly permits use of high-sensitivity piezo electric crystals.

Abstract: An impact-resistant wall structure is fabricated from two types of sheet metal cellular panel units and concrete columns which are enclosed thereby. Inner sheet metal cellular panel units are secured to outboard members of a building framework. Outer sheet metal cellular panel units are secured outboard to the inner sheet metal cellular units with the cells of the inner units perpendicular to the cells of the outer units. The inner sheet metal cellular units cooperate with the outer sheet metal cellular units to provide total peripheral metal enclosure for concrete columns. The outer sheet metal cellular units are fastened to the inner sheet metal cellular units at contiguous points preferably by means of threaded fasteners which extend into the concrete columns. Reinforcing rods positioned within the cells of certain or all of the panel units provide increased tension reinforcement, increased shear resistance, and produce local damage to impacting missiles.

Abstract: Useful copolymerizable compositions include 10 to 50 parts by weight of (I) a polymerizable diurethane monomer having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is --H; or --CH.sub.3 ;R.sub.2 is --H; --CH.sub.3 ; or --C.sub.2 H.sub.5 ;R.sub.3 is an organic radical constituting the residue of a mono-hydroxy compound R.sub.3 OH having from one to twelve carbon atoms; andR.sub.4 is a divalent organic radical constituting the residue of an organic diisocyanate R.sub.4 -(NCO).sub.2 from which the two isocyanate radicals have been removed;And 90 to 50 parts by weight of (II) a polymerizable polyurethane monomer which is the reaction product of (a) an organic diisocyanate; (b) a beta-hydroxy alkyl ester of an acrylic acid; and (c) a polyol.

Abstract: Semisolid polymerizable compositions are obtained by combining unsaturated polyester resin syrup, aqueous sodium silicate and finely divided particulate calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The composition rapidly thickens to a semisolid state when the ingredients are mixed and retains its semisolid condition for extended periods of time. The unsaturated polyester resin syrup component of the mixture remains polymerizable until its polymerization is initiated, normally by means of heating in the presence of a high temperature polymerization initiator. Sufficient calcium sulfate hemihydrate is included to react with substantially all of the uncombined water in the other ingredients so that the resulting polymerizable composition is substantially free of uncombined water. The compositions may also contain inert fillers and/or reinforcing fibers. The compositions can be employed to produce coatings, laminates, cast articles, molded articles and other shaped articles.

Abstract: Polyurethane foam products having relatively noncombustible properties, low flame spread ratings and low smoke generating tendencies when exposed to fire can be produced by combining aqueous sodium silicate into the foam forming composition which also includes a viscous, hydroxyl-terminated polyester and a polyisocyanate prepolymer or quasi-prepolymer along with a suitable catalyst, surfactant and halogenated alkane blowing agent. The aqueous sodium silicate ingredient constitutes from about 30 to 60 percent by weight. The aqueous sodium silicate has a weight ratio of SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O of 2.4 to 3.0 and contains 25 to 75 percent by weight water. The resulting foam, with a density of 1.5 to 4.5 pounds per cubic foot, has a K-factor less than 0.26 and is useful as a thermal insulating substance, especially in building panels.

Abstract: Polyisocyanate prepolymers for use in preparing polyurethane products elastomers, adhesives and foams, are prepared by combining (1) organic polyisocyanate with (2) polyols which are the hydroxyl-terminated digestion products of (a) waste or scrap polyalkylene terephthalate polymers and (b) organic polyols. Polyurethane products resulting from the polyisocyanate prepolymers exhibit useful and unexpected properties.