Abstract: An accessible partition assembly is disclosed which comprises two opposed spaced-apart rows of panels, each panel having opposite vertical edges, and interior and exterior panel faces, adjacent panels meeting at joints in edge-to-edge relationship, a plurality of studs located intermediate said rows of panels, and positioned at joints between a pair of adjacent panels, panel and stud engageable means at each said joint, said engageable means comprising a first and second clip, each clip engaging a stud and one panel edge at a joint, whereby panels are demountably engaged to studs by means of a first clip engaged at one vertical edge and a second clip at the opposite vertical edge.

Abstract: A process for preparing calcined gypsum (stucco) which comprises treating a mass of calcined gypsum by adding, with thorough blending, small portions of an aqueous solution of ligno sulfonate; allowing the treated stucco to heal; and optionally drying the healed stucco and further optionally grinding the healed stucco. If the treated calcined gypsum is not to be used shortly after the healing procedure, it should be dried to provide storage stability. If further strength is desired the treated stucco should be ground to expose fresh crystal faces. The process is particularly useful in gypsum board manufacture and production of bagged building and industrial plasters.

Abstract: The coagulation of a styrene butadiene latex emulsion which normally occurs upon the introduction of gypsum as a filler in the preparation of an adhesive composition is prevented by the addition of ammonium sulfate or sodium sulfate or a mixture of the two to the emulsion prior to the addition of the gypsum.

Abstract: A mobile home ceiling unit and a method for manufacturing said unit are disclosed. The mobile home ceiling unit comprises an arranged plurality of panels fastened to a roof frame. The roof frame has an outer truss member at opposite ends and a multiplicity of intermediate truss members therebetween. Intermediate truss members being rigidly affixed to the panels by means of back fasteners and adhesive material. The roof frame additionally provides perimeter side edge rails. The side edge rails and outer truss members are fastened to the panels by means of front face fasteners along the perimeter of the front face surface of the panel arrangement. The front face surface perimeter of the ceiling unit is adapted to supportively coact along support wall means. The ceiling unit provides a concealed back fastened ceiling structure having unitized construction. A method for making said unitized, ready-to-install, mobile home ceiling structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A calcining apparatus comprising a kettle, a heating chamber for heating the outside of the kettle, a stack for exhausting gas from the heating chamber, a duct connected at one end to the stack and having the other end extending for a limited distance into the contents of the reaction chamber of the kettle for introducing a portion of the stack gas directly into the calcining reaction mixture, and means for propelling the stack gas through the duct and into the reaction chamber of the kettle, thereby directly adding heat to the reaction mixture and accomplishing fuel conservation by recapturing and utilizing a portion of the heat from the stack gas.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a healed stucco having lowered water demand without loss of normal strength development potential which comprises, while blending a small amount of water with the calcined gypsum, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously grinding the calcined gypsum so as to increase the surface area of the calcined gypsum particles while incorporating about 1-10% by weight of the calcined gypsum of free water.

Abstract: Sheet metal is processed by providing one or more corrugations longitudinally along the sheet in a position spaced from both lateral edges of the sheet while the lateral edges are maintained in fixed relationship to each other, thereby causing the sheet metal portion containing the corrugations to be stretched. The corrugated portion is subsequently rolled or otherwise pressed to flatten out the corrugations either partially or completely, resulting in a sheet which is wider than the original, but which still has certain areas having the original thickness. The sheet metal thus processed may be utilized to form structural members such as channels or studs which are less expensive for a given size than conventional structural members, but which still exhibit sufficient supportive strength by virtue of the portions thereof which retain their original thickness.

Abstract: A modular ceiling panel unit adapted for use with conventional air distribution mechanisms in suspended ceiling grid systems utilizing inverted-T runners suspended from upper support structures is disclosed. The panel unit has a body portion having a rectangular configuration with opposite parallel panel faces and four edges. At least two of the opposite panel edges have generally H-shaped integral air distribution strips, having an inner, an outer, and cross-web portion therebetween, fixedly engaged thereto for substantially the full length of the edge. The air distribution strips comprise means along the inner leg of the H-shape engaging the panel body portion edge and means at the outer leg of the H-shape supportively associated with an arm of an inverted-T runner. The cross-web of the H-shaped air distribution strip is adapted to supportively associate with a mounting portion of a conventional air distribution mechanism positioned in the plenum between the ceiling grid system and upper support structure.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced cementitious sheet is formed by first co-mixing in an air current reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers, and cementitious mineral materials in finely particulate form such as calcium sulfate hemihydrate, both in substantially dry form, depositing the mixture on a moving foraminous surface by means of the air current to form a sheet, applying water as by spraying in at least an amount which is stoichiometrically sufficient to hydrate the calcium sulfate hemihydrate to the dihydrate form and to provide the necessary degree of plasticity to the mixture, densifying the sheet by compression, and setting and drying the sheet. A pair of sheets may be utilized as face sheets and, prior to setting, combined with a core formed of for example a calcium sulfate hemihydrate slurry, and the sheets and core then set and dried to form a paper-free gypsum board having excellent strength, surface hardness, and fire-resistant properties.

Abstract: A steel edged gypsum wall panel engageable by flanged studs is disclosed. The panel having a body portion being from about 5/16 inches to about 3/4 inches thick with front and back faces and having opposite marginal edges. Said steel edging having a chan- nel shape and comprising a front flange, a back flange, and a web portion integrally connecting said flanges and adapted to contact the marginal edges wherein said back flange terminates in a return flange providing an engageable slot therebetween.

Abstract: A process for improving the strengths and resistance to water absorption of wood fiber hardboard, along with a lessening in the number of conventional steps, is disclosed. Hardboad is thereby produced by a process wherein drying oil is added to the wood chips prior to the pulp preparation stage; and optionally an oxidation accelerator is added during the pulp preparation stage. The hardboard is then formed in the usual manner without requiring the conventional addition of binder ingredients in the stock chest, without requiring conventional baking following pressing and, in the case of "tempered" hardboard without requiring the subsequent addition of tempering materials and baking following the conventional press operation.

Abstract: A resilient metal runner for attaching gypsum wallboard to a supporting structure including a base attaching flange with a curved over section merging into a flexible web which is integral with a first flange extending at an inclined angle from an edge of the flexible web and a support portion having one edge coextensive with the adjoining edge of such angled flange in laterally offset relation to the flexible web with an inclined stop flange coextensive with the opposite edge of the support portions and extending at an opposite angle to the first flange and of substantially similar width to the first flange. The flexible web is provided with cutout portions for the securement of fastenings through the base attaching flange.

Abstract: A hanger bracket is disclosed for supporting and connecting sound absorption panels wherein the panels have a top frame member with a depending lip portion. The hanger bracket is usable for both fixed and movable sound absorption walls. The hanger bracket is comprised of two substantially identical bracket members having upper and lower generally vertical plates residing in offset substantially parallel planes. The bracket members are connected to each other, and to the support member, by connector means at the upper vertical plates. The lower plates have at least one punched-out tab portion extending generally inwardly then upwardly which engage the depending lip of the panel frame to thereby support the panel.The hanger bracket is attachable to both a fixed support member and to a movable trolley support member. A fixed sound absorption wall having one or more sound absorbing panels is provided wherein the hanger bracket supports the panels and is secured to a fixed support member.

Abstract: A doorframe assembly for partition wall construction is disclosed and comprises metal backer jamb members adapted for attachment to opposite sides of a door opening, vinyl jamb members snap-engaged with the metal backer jamb members, hinge plate means for supporting a door attached along a longitudinal recess portion of a vinyl jamb member at one side of the door opening, strike plate means adapted for receiving door locking means attached along a longitudinal recess of a vinyl jamb member at the opposite side of the door opening, and, mortising vinyl trim adhered along remaining open portions of the vinyl jamb members at both sides of the door opening and having a thickness substantially the same as the hinge plate means and strike plate means providing a mortised generally planar finished surface along the vinyl jamb members.

Abstract: A door formed of a pair of spaced-apart metal skins and a core provided intermediate the skins composed of a foamed plastic material. A plastic housing is provided having a wall substantially perpendicular to and engaging the metal skins and cooperating therewith to define a lock cylinder chamber and a communicating lock bolt chamber and preventing the foam plastic material from entering the chambers.

Abstract: A remountable unitary extruded plastic base for wall construction providing a decorative finished appearance, said extrusion having a preinstalled generally L-shape comprising a first leg connected to a second longer leg by means of a flexible hinge connection wherein the first leg is rotated to snap engage with the second leg to thereby conceal an attachment surface having fasteners therethrough, wherein the attachment surface and fasteners are concealed within a pocket portion between the first leg and second leg.

Abstract: An attachment system, and attachment clip therefor, is disclosed for attaching panel engaging ceiling runners, positioned either parallel or perpendicular, to air distribution bar structures and inverted-T runner ceiling supporting structures.

Abstract: A process for preparing calcined gypsum (stucco) which comprises treating a mass of calcined gypsum by adding, with thorough blending, small portions of water (about 1-10% by weight) to the calcined gypsum, allowing it to heal, and grinding the healed stucco to recapture the rate of strength development and the ultimate strength which are adversely affected by the water addition. The principal advantage provided by the addition of small portions of water is a reduction in water demand which is retained despite the grinding and optional drying of the healed stucco. If the treated calcined gypsum is not used shortly after the healing procedure, it should be dried to provide storage stability. The reduced water demand is particularly useful in gypsum board manufacture.

Abstract: A reinforced gypsum board having glass fibers concentrated in the portions of the rehydrated stucco immediately below the surfaces of the board, these portions being further defined by a density that is substantially greater than that of the interior portion of the board.

Abstract: A composition comprising an aqueous suspension of a polymeric adhesive composition such as a latex or emulsion is coated on a paper cover sheet in a selective pattern such that the composition is disposed only at limited areas of the bond liner surface, and wherein substantial areas of the bond liner surface are free of coating; the coated paper, either in the wet stage or after drying being used in the form of paper cover sheets to form gypsum wallboard by applying an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum, which may be free of any additional adhesive material, to the coated surface and setting the gypsum, resulting in a gypsum wallboard having excellent adhesion between the paper cover sheets and the gypsum core.