Abstract: A multipurpose arena with a suspended roof and an interior which can be adjusted to accommodate events requiring different space arrangements. The roof is made of sections suspended between opposed supporting pylons and assumes a catenary shape. Rail-mounted, motor-driven, stands can be shifted from place to place depending on the event or events being catered. Partitions divide the arena into separate private compartments wherein separate events can be held simultaneously in each compartment.

Abstract: A device for measuring woven fabric stress. The device includes a vacuum chamber having high rigidity; a vacuum pump for reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber; a pressure gauge; a fabric displacement measuring device; and a fabric stress calculator. The vacuum chamber has an opening for sealing engagement with a surface of a fabric under atmospheric pressure. Upon evacuating the air from the vacuum chamber, the atmospheric pressure against the opposite surface of the fabric distends a portion of the fabric into the vacuum chamber. The measure of fabric distension and the reduced pressure reading in the vacuum chamber are transmitted to the fabric stress calculator, which compares the readings to compute a fabric stress reading.

Abstract: A mechanism for securing and releasing accessories, such as bobbers and sinkers, from fishing lines. The mechanism includes a snap eyelet hook to slidably fasten an accessory to a fishing line at any position on the line without threading the line through the eyelet or breaking the line. The mechanism also includes a releasable clamp to secure the accessory to the fishing line at any position on the line without threading the line through the eyelet or breaking the line. When a fish strikes the baited hook, the increased tension applied to the line by the strike releases the line from the clamp and permits the accessory to freely slide along the line. The fisherman can then reel in and net the fish without interference from an accessory otherwise permanently secured to the line a considerable distance from the fishing pole.

Abstract: A method of making a combination concrete panel wall, concrete window frame, and concrete sash glazing frame. The sill, lintel, and jambs of the window frame are fiber-reinforced concrete extrusions. The hardened frame is placed in a concrete panel molding frame to locate and define a window opening. The concrete panel wall grout is then poured and dovetail-type mortise and tenon joints are precast in the exterior faces of the window frame which abut the poured concrete wall panel plastic grout, to permanently mold and interlock the window frame to the panel wall. The sash members are fitted about a window pane which is located in interior grooves in the sash members and then glazed. Sealing means interconnects the sash to the window frame to provide a condensation-resistant, water-tight, air-tight, heat and fire-resistant concrete wall closure.

Abstract: Interconnecting short plastic pipe segments, with at least one stub shaft molded onto each pipe segment. A polymer selected from one of the polyolefins, such as polypropylene, is the preferred plastic because of its resistance to chemical erosion and because polypropylene, unlike some other plastics, such as polyvinylchlorides, can be recycled. The pipe segments can be economically molded in segments of about one foot in length, and are rigidly held together by novel load-bearing clamps.

Abstract: A method of making a combination concrete panel wall, concrete window frame, and concrete sash glazing frame. The sill, lintel, and jambs of the window frame are fiber-reinforced concrete extrusions which are cut to length and cemented together. The hardened frame is placed in a concrete panel molding frame to locate and define a window opening. The concrete panel wall grout is then poured and dovetail-type mortise and tenon joints are precast in the exterior faces of the window frame which abut the poured concrete wall panel plastic grout, to permanently mold and interlock the window frame to the panel wall. The sash members are fitted about a window pane which is located in interior grooves in the sash members and then glazed. Sealing means interconnect the sash to the window frame to provide a condensation-resistant, water-tight, air-tight, heat and fire-resistant concrete wall closure.

Abstract: A revetment comprised of nesting, interlocking, building blocks and means to adjust each block between backfilling operations. Identical T-shaped building blocks nest vertically and horizontally, and locking pins which interlock the opposite sides of the T-caps of the blocks hold the blocks in place. Channel-shaped brackets are secured to the back faces of the blocks and adjustable anchor members are secured to the channel-shaped brackets. Adjusting the length of each anchor member alters inclination to the vertical of each block as required. After proper alignment of the blocks by anchor member adjustment, the anchor members are embedded and secured in place by backfill, which is then compacted, such as by rolling or by other state-of-the-art means.

Abstract: A revetment formed from orthogonally arrayed reinforcing rods secured together. A membrane is secured to the back side of the reinforcing rods to retain backfill compacted behind the revetment, or a vegetation ground cover may be planted on the exposed surface of the revetment to prevent erosion. Horizontal anchor rods secured to the revetment rods extend rearwardly therefrom and are embedded in the backfill to stabilize the revetment. Adjustable anchor rods allow tension to be selectively applied to the revetment for the purpose of alignment.

Abstract: A foot-operated motorcycle lift stand. The cyclist drives the motorcycle over the lift stand in its lowermost compact position. While manually steadying the motorcyle, the cyclist actuates a foot lever to shift the stand platform into lifting engagement with the undercarriage of the motorcycle by means of legs which pivotally secure the platform to a base and which, in motion, describe a parallelogram. The foot lever pivots from its position adjacent one of the legs of the stand to an upstanding position, where additional foot pressure creates a turning moment to shift the legs and platform to a stable raised position. The cyclist's hands are then free to secure the lift stand with positive locking means which lock the stand in place. When not in use, the lift stand can be conveniently stored in an upright position whereby edges of the platform and base provide stable resting means.

Abstract: A high damping device combined with the frame of a building to protect the building from seismic shock. For seismic vibration up to a predetermined level corresponding to the permissible strength of the high damping device, a damping coefficient c of the high damping device is set so as to be c.sub.3 =c=c.sub.1 with respect to a damping coefficient c.sub.3 for giving the maximum value of a damping factor h.sub.3 corresponding to a tertiary mode of vibration of the structure and a damping coefficient c.sub.1 for giving the maximum value of a damping factor h.sub.1 corresponding to a primary mode of vibration. The maximum load on the high damping device is predetermined and means are provided to prevent the high damping device from being damaged in the event that the predetermined maximum load is exceeded. The inventive combination permits the stiffness factor of the building to be reduced from a factor of 1.0 down to a factor as low as 0.3, with a proportionate reduction in steel frame mass.

Abstract: A laminated hollow rubber damper with increased buckling strength and lengthened period of vibration. The buckling strength of a hollow laminated rubber damper is increased by making at least the inside or the outside wall of the damper of non-uniform section, such as obtained with an arcuately concave wall. By taking advantage of the improved buckling strength of hollow laminated rubber dampers, both the deformability in a horizontal direction and the period of the damper are increased. The hollow laminated rubber damper may be used as a spring element in an active or passive type vibration control device, or as a supporting device suitable for the protection of structures having long natural periods, such as multi-storied buildings.

Abstract: A substantially self-contained vibration control system for building structures. A building has mounted on its roof, or an upper level floor, a hollow concrete-steel first mass carried on high damping rubber supports. Within the hollow of the first mass a second mass is mounted on anti-friction rollers which roll on a low coefficient of friction interior floor of the first mass. The first and second masses are interconnected with a single means to vibrate these masses with a period of vibration which can be synchronized with the vibration period of the building to attenuate building vibration.

Abstract: A device to protect tall buildings from structural damage due to seismic vibration and/or high winds. The device comprises a first mass equal to about 1/500 to 1/1000 of the weight of the building to be protected. The first mass, provided with an upper arcuately concave surface with matching curved tracks, is horizontally secured on rubber dampers to an appropriate portion of the building, such as the roof or an upper floor. A second mass, equal to about 1/20 to 1/100 of the weight of the first mass, is positioned to oscillate on the curved tracks in synchronization with the natural frequency of the building, whereby the response of the building due to seismic vibration or high winds is attenuated. The curved tracks can function as the stator of a linear motor and the second mass can function as the motor driver.

Abstract: A device to control vertical vibration of a building caused by seismic disturbance. Air springs are positioned and secured between the building foundation and the building superstructure to attenuate vertical vibration of the building. Vertical support rails are secured to the foundation and/or to the building superstructure on opposite sides of, and adjacent to, the air springs. Horizontal connecting brackets are rigidly secured to the air springs and slidably secured to the adjacent rails. The brackets restrain horizontal deflection of the air springs without interfering with vertical reciprocation of the air springs.

Abstract: A seismic vibration control device for structures which employs a combination of primary and secondary vibratable masses to attenuate the vibration of a structure. The primary vibratable mass is passive and is supported on the structure. One or more active secondary vibratable masses are supported on the primary mass. Control forces are selectively applied to the secondary masses to control the period of the primary mass in a manner which is most effective to attenuate the seismic vibration of the structure.

Abstract: A vibration control device of an active type for a structure comprising a first additional mass body movable relative to the structure; spring means for giving a period to the additional mass body which synchronizes with the natural period of the structure; a second additional mass body supported by and movable relative to the first additional mass body; and drive means for applying a control force between the first and second additional mass bodies in response to a sensed vibrations of an earthquake or the like. Laminated rubber support provides main spring means for synchronizing with the assumed natural period of the structure. Auxiliary spring means, such as laminated rubber or coil springs, is separately provided for fine tuning the period of the device. The responses from the structure are reduced by adjusting the difference between the assumed and actual natural periods of the structure by use of the auxiliary spring means and by providing the control force from the drive means.

Abstract: An exterior wall panel as the basic component of a curtain wall for a multi-storied building. The wall panel includes a steel frame and fastening means for securing the frame to steel girders of a building. Mounting means to secure the wall panel to the exterior side of the steel frame include fastening means which removably interconnect the wall panel and the steel frame. The wall panel may comprise a plurality of panel segments to which steel furring strips attach. An interior wall panel may be secured to the interior side of the steel frame.

Abstract: A combination concrete panel wall, concrete window frame, and concrete sash glazing frame. The sill, lintel, and jambs of the window frame are fiber-reinforced concrete extrusions which are cut to length and cemented together. The hardened frame is placed in a concrete panel molding frame to locate and define a window opening. The concrete panel wall grout is then poured and dovetail-type mortise and tenon joints are precast in the exterior faces of the window frame which abut the poured concrete wall panel plastic grout, to permanently mold and interlock the window frame to the panel wall. The sash members are also reinforced concrete extrusions which are cut to length, cemented together, and fitted about a window pane which is located in interior grooves in the sash members and then glazed. An elastoplastic seal interconnects the sash to the window frame to provide a condensation-resistant, water-tight, air-tight, heat and fire-resistant concrete wall closure.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder type high damping device in which a cylinder member or a piston rod member is connected to the frame of a structure and the other member is connected to an earthquake-resisting element integrally secured to the frame. A plurality of passages through the piston connect hydraulic chambers on opposite sides of the piston. The passages are provided with pressure-governing valves which control the flow of oil between the hydraulic chambers. In addition, an accumulator system provides a bypass for oil to flow between the hydraulic cylinders in order to modulate the oil pressure in the damping device. Relief valves are provided in parallel with the pressure governing valves to provide a variable damping coefficient which protects the damping device from overloads caused by excessive seismic shock.

Abstract: A plurality of laminated rubber or rubber-like elastoplastic ring-configured pads vertically stacked and secured together to provide seismic damping for a building structure. The laminated pads include ring-like steel plates or solid disk-like steel plates to form one laminated stage of a multi-stage seismic damping device. A plurality of damping devices are used to support a vibratable mass on a building structure. The combination of stacked ring-configured elastoplastic pads and steel plates provides a damping device having a high lateral deformation capacity with a long period and high resistance to buckling. The damping device is suitable for protecting building structures having long natural periods, such as multi-storied buildings.