Abstract: The present invention provides a novel collapsible pen that is used in combination with a widely available modular unit used in the shipping industry. The present invention is economical to use by virtue of the fact that the pen may be stored inexpensively in a minimum of space in a disassembled state, may be assembled quickly, and may be easily and readily disassembled to permit alternate uses of the modular freight unit. The present invention consists of a collapsible pen erected on a standardized rectangular platform which has at least one side open to the air. The pen is made up of modular panels. The panels are attached to the rectangular platform, and can be used alone or in combination with any side or end walls present on the rectangular platform to create an enclosure.

Abstract: A method of separately storing, mixing, combining and dispensing reactive two component materials by employing the use of a rotary stop cock that is formed so that in a first selected position it can separate a plurality of compartments, in a second selected position can allow for the flow of material from one or more upstream compartments into a downstream compartment, while also allowing air to vent from the downstream compartment through the stop cock and out to the atmosphere, and in another selected position can allow for the flow of material from what was the downstream compartment to what was the one or more upstream components without venting any of the compartments.

Abstract: A unitary connector made from thin sheet metal is provided that forms a substantially concealed connection between a held member (especially a joist) at the end face thereof to a holding member (especially a header). The connector has a first flange to be applied against the end face of the held member to be connected and a second flange extending away therefrom and which is applied against the holding member, wherein these flanges or fastening flanges cam each be provided with fastener openings (generally round), through which fasteners, such as nails, dowel pins, screws or bolts, can be driven into the members to be joined to one another. The second flange is folded over itself to give it strength. A third flange can extend from the second flange over the held member to strengthen the connection.

Abstract: A connector that is to be partially embedded in a cementitious member is adapted to make a more positive connection to a form board for the cementitious member. The embedded portion of the connector is formed with a opening that can receive and hold the shank of a nail that is partially driven into a form board. Preferably, a double-headed nail is held by a keyhole-shaped opening. The double-headed nail is held by the narrow portion of the keyhole slot at the upper portion of the shank between the end most head and the intermediate flanges or head of the nail. The nail is moved into position by inserting the nail through the wide portion of the keyhole opening so that the intermediate head and the upper portion of the shank is received thereby. Then, the upper portion of the shank of the fastener is slid out of the wide portion and into the narrow portion of the keyhole opening to finish the connection.

Abstract: A connector for attaching walls to beams or trusses that are offset from the wall and act as collectors in the lateral force resisting system. The main purpose of a drag strut connector is to connect a beam or truss to the top plate of a colinear bearing wall, thereby completing the load path and allowing loads to be transferred out of the roof or floor sheathing into the wall system where the shearwalls are. Such a beam or truss is referred to as a load “collector” or “drag strut”. The key to this connection is that it uses self-drilling screws to create a superior connection to that achieved with a similar connector and bolts.

Abstract: An improvement in a bundle breaker having first and second adjacent but longitudinally spaced upper and lower clamping surfaces for breaking progressively a bundle of sheets along a weakened plane from a log. The improvement includes first and second compliance structures positioned between the first and second upper and lower clamping surfaces. The first and second compliance structures include a device for detecting the height of the log and a variation setting device for reducing the distance between the upper and lower clamping surface a selected increment after detecting the height of the log. The compliance structures preferably include fluid pressurized structures which not only detect the height of the highest log when a plurality of logs in side by side relation are broken simultaneously but also apply even pressures to all of the logs and bundles during clamping and breaking even though one or more may have different heights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to horizontal, vertical or angularly disposed diaphragms which resist structural forces. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved mechanical connection between a structural panel and the framing members that support the structural panel forming a diaphragm. The connection includes: a structural panel having a distal side, a proximal side, and a plurality of edge faces; a frame consisting of a plurality of framing members disposed in registration with the proximal side of the structural panel near the edge faces; a plurality of perimeter fasteners connecting the structural panel to the framing members; and clips or perimeter edging members for reducing bending of the perimeter fasteners attached to a substantial number of the perimeter fasteners. The clips or perimeter edging members for reducing bending of the perimeter fasteners act when lateral forces are imposed on the building structure of which the diaphragm is a part.

Abstract: A connection is provided that consists of a cementitious or masonry member, a structural member supported by the cementitious member and a connector attaching the structural member to the cementitious member. The connector is partially embedded in the cementitious member. The connector consists of a substantially planar main body and first and second anchoring legs. The planar main body is divided into an upper attachment portion which protrudes from the cementitious member and a lower embedment portion which is embedded in the cementitious member. The first anchoring leg is attached to the body and is substantially embedded in the cementitious member. The second anchoring leg is spaced apart from the first anchoring leg and is substantially embedded in the cementitious member.

Abstract: A safety lock for locking an upstacker conveyor in an elevated position by means of a safety lock having a retractable member which is inserted between elevating members and the frame of the upstacker. Specifically, the safety lock is inserted between elevating members such as link members which rotate with respect to the frame as the frame is lowered and form an ever decreasing angle with the frame as the frame is lowered. By inserting a retractable member so that the angle between the structural member and frame can no longer decrease, the upstacker is effectively prevented from lowering accidentally.

Abstract: A joist hanger used to attach a joist to a support member or header designed to minimize the noise caused by the rubbing of the members of the connection, during loading. The joist hanger includes a seat and a pair of side walls extending upwardly in spaced relationship therefrom to receive the end portion of an joist. The bottom of the joist rests on the seat, and the side faces of the joist extend upwardly therefrom in spaced relationship from the side walls of the hanger. Inwardly projecting guides formed in the side walls of the hanger, hold the joist at selected points, maintaining the spaced relationship between the sides walls of the hanger and the side faces of the joist. The inwardly projecting guides can be formed with embossed portions connected to the side walls of the joist. The joist hanger is also formed with back flanges and top flanges that are relatively narrow compared to the back flanges.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysmic forces is made with a strap and a standoff base. The standoff base receives the anchor member, and bears upon the strap. The strap is connected to the first building structural member by means of the fasteners. The first building structural member bears upon the standoff base while being lifted above the anchor member by the standoff base.

Abstract: A moment resisting strap connection in a shear-resisting assembly for use in light frame building construction, particularly in shear walls, attached to a foundation. The improvement includes providing an elongated thin metal strap attached to a wood structural member such that the strap and wood structural member conjointly act compositely and transmit substantial shear and moment forces from the elongated structural member to the foundation. Further enhanced transfer of shear and moment forces from the wood structural member to the foundation is effected by providing sufficient fasteners such as screws between the strap, a holdown, and the wood structural member to stitch the elements together so as to stiffen them and thereby prevent bending of the end of the holdown.

Abstract: A layboy machine for conveying and selectively varying the lateral spacing between sheets such as sheets of corrugated board. The machine is provided with controlled tugs which automatically, precisely and quickly reposition the conveyors in the machine for different sizes of outputs from a cutter in a corrugator line and different numbers of sheets in each output.

Abstract: A coil spring assembly for positive control of the bending of the coil spring having a curved bend control member, which is either a tapered insert member positioned in the coil spring or alternatively a curved exterior surface positioned outside the coil spring and so positioned, such that the spring on bending will contact the curved bend control member and will progressively distribute the bending force over a plurality of individual coils of the spring and thereby mitigate breakage of the spring.

Abstract: A connection is created between a first member and a second member. The connector used to join the first and second members includes the following members: an attachment member, a plurality of fasteners that are received by the attachment member, and an anchor member that is also received by the attachment member. These members can be arranged in the following manner with respect to the first and second members. The fasteners are received by the attachment member and anchored in the second member. The fasteners are driven into the second member through the attachment member, thus the heads of the fasteners are closer to the attachment member than the leading tips of the fasteners. At least one of the fasteners lies at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the second member.

Abstract: A new and distinct plant variety of the Cactaceae family produced in a controlled hybridization named Rhipsalidopsis ‘Lauren’. Rhipsalidopsis ‘Lauren’ has a strong growth habit, a “pinkish” colored bloom, a strong propensity to branch with minimal pruning, erect stems, and flowers stay open for two weeks.

Abstract: A plant variety of the Cactaceae family resulting from a controlled crossing of Schlumbergera truncata ‘Camillia’ and Schlumbergera truncata ‘Rudolph II’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,487) called ‘Prancer’. ‘Prancer’ has a bi-colored bloom, due to the tube forming tepals having red-purple coloring at their margins and white central and basal surfaces. ‘Prancer’ has a strong resistance to bud abscission, a strong propensity for buds to mature and flower, considerable resistance to fungal diseases, an erect growth habit, and an ability to grow well in relatively cold temperatures. ‘Prancer’ also possesses a fast growth rate, and a strong propensity to branch with minimal pruning.