Abstract: A valve apparatus for the precise regulation of a stream of molten material such as molten rock or slag as it issues from a primary melter or holding device, comprising a frame retaining a valve, the valve comprising a pair of plate-form valve members, one fixed and one movable with respect to the other, each having an aperture or orifice provided therein. Maximum rate of discharge occurs when the apertures are in juxtaposition, and flow cut-off occurs when the apertures are not in juxtaposition. Power operated means is provided for the movable valve member to obtain proper stream regulation or complete cut-off. Each valve member is formed of a plate of metal having an internal channel through which water is circulated to reduce the temperature of the valve member and to prevent its destruction by overheating.

Abstract: A pair of legs depending from the ring of a lock nut carrier pass through oppositely disposed arcuate slits in a spring clip and cleave to the lock nut so that the spring clip will support the nut within a metal channel framing member. The carrier and nut are locked into position ready to receive a fastener by pushing down on the carrier and spring clip with a thumb or finger and rotating the carrier legs within the arcuate slits.

Abstract: A setting-type cementitious composition useful for a variety of applications, including, in a preferred embodiment, a joint compound for finishing joints between adjacent gypsum wallboards, comprising a first or cementitious component in pre-mixed form comprising an aqueous slurry of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and a retarder formed of two ingredients, one an organic retarder and the other a retarder which is a chelating agent, and a second or accelerator component comprising an accelerator material preferably in aqueous solution, the first component having an adequately long shelf life suitable for marketing, and, when the cementitious component is mixed with the second component for acceleration, the cementitious mixture acquires excellent application properties maintained throughout a suitable working period. The cementitious component hydrates after a suitable period to form a set material of excellent properties.

Abstract: Expanded perlite coated with an amino-functional siloxane and a silicone wetting agent, and a joint compound incorporating same, which, when applied to gypsum wallboard, has improved bonding properties and greater uniformity in paint gloss appearance between the surface of the joint compound and the surface of the wallboard.

Abstract: A lightweight cast acoustical material requiring less drying time and energy is obtained by lightly cooking an aqueous slurry of starch, cooling it to about less than 140.degree. F., whipping air into it, adding granulated mineral wool with thorough mixing to form a foam, casting the resultant wet foamed pulp into a form and drying the formed pulp to an acoustical product. The web pulp has an about 40 weight % reduction in water content, resulting in considerable savings in drying time and energy.

Abstract: Increased fire resistant gypsum board core formulations and plaster fireproofing formulations are provided by incorporating calcium sulfate anhydrite into the formulations. Particularly fire resistant effects are achieved with a fibrous form of calcium sulfate anhydrite, and with blends of calcium sulfate anhydrite II in particulate or fibrous form. Optionally, the formulations may contain either small amounts of textile glass fiber, wollastonite or vermiculite.

Abstract: The outside corners of hollow partitions comprising kerfed-edge wallboards supported by kerf-engaging studs having a bifurcated web open to the frontal insertion of a slotted standard from which furniture may be suspended are supported by a corner stud fastened to the bifurcated stud. The corner stud has an integral kerf-engaging finger or, alternatively, an attached kerf-engaging spline. Decorative trim for the outside corner is fastened to a longitudinal channel housing on the corner stud.

Abstract: High strength and high density wood fiberboard is formed by treating the wood fiber source material with a highly alkaline solution, such as sodium hydroxide solution, before interfelting the fibers into a loose mat. The wood source material may be treated after refining the material into fibers, but preferably, the wood source material is treated before fibrillation. Further, wood fiber source material may be partially neutralized before felting without substantial change in the resulting densities and strengths.

Abstract: A structure comprising movable doors for use in tub enclosures or shower stalls, each door having a frame and a panel mounted in the frame, and adjustment apparatus for raising or lowering one side of the door to compensate for out-of-plumb wall conditions, the adjustment apparatus comprising a pair of complementary adjustment members slidably inter-engaged along edges oblique with respect to the upper edge of the doorframe, a lower adjustment member being affixed to the doorframe and an upper adjustment member having a hanger assembly integral therewith provided with rollers or glides adapted to move on a track provided on a supporting doorframe or header.

Abstract: An apparatus for calcining a granular or powdered mineral, more specifically hydrated calcium sulphate, comprising a vessel the side wall or walls of which slope inwardly toward a bottom of small cross-sectional area, as compared with an upper region of the vessel, and provided with a downwardly extending heating tube connectable in an upper portion to a gas source and an opening in a lower portion into the interior of the vessel adjacent to the bottom thereof, the arrangement being such that, in use, hot gases issuing from the lower portion of the heating tube will mix and heat substantially all the contents of the vessel.

Abstract: A modular wall panel construction including at least two vertically oriented structural members in edge-to-edge engagement, and means affixing the structural members together and permitting ready disassembly thereof, comprising a vertically oriented standard affixed to the edge of one structural member and having slots provided therein, and a plurality of rotary bolt locks mounted in the edge of the other structural member, the rotary bolt lock having an arcuate bolt engaging the slots of the vertical standard member, thereby locking the structural members together, and permitting easy disassembly thereto. In one embodiment of the invention some of the structural members comprise pilasters also having rotary bolt locks or vertical standards for assembly with the other structural members.

Abstract: Gypsum is calcined by contacting it with the hot gases spewing out of a combustion tube submerged in the mass of gypsum. The formation of dead-burned anhydrite is reduced by surrounding the combustion tube with a second tube called a draft tube. Gypsum passing through the annulus between the tubes is heated by the hot gases and is ejected from the annulus to prevent repeated excursions into the hot gas zone at the muzzle of the combustion tube.

Abstract: An integral base molding adapted to be mounted at the base of a wall, and having a front wall member, a rear wall member and a panel-supporting web positioned above the bottom of the base molding, defining a channel adapted to receive the lower edges of panels and to support the panels at a position above ground level. Additionally, means are provided to facilitate mounting of the base molding at inner or outer room corners.

Abstract: A base trim system for partition corners comprises a base trim and a mounting bracket for the base trim. The base trim piece for the corner of intersecting walls has two upright wings angularly joined at a first edge of each, a recessed flange joined to the opposite edge of each wing, and a planar hook projecting upwardly from each such flange to lie in a plane between the vertical planes of the corresponding wings and flanges. The hook acts as a fastener for an abutting planar base trim piece. The mounting bracket has two planar upright wings, a recessed attachment flange connected to each wing, and an upwardly oriented planar hook extending above each attachment flange. The attachment flanges of this mounting bracket extend laterally beyond the lower flanges of the base trim.

Abstract: An integral generally channel-form runner for securing and supporting one or more wallboard panels in a demountable structure, the runner having an integral platform for supporting the lower edges of the wallboard panels in a position spaced above the bottom of the runner to prevent absorption of water and formation of mildew at the edges of the wallboard panels.

Abstract: An integral clip for attaching wall panels to metal studs having flanges in engagement with the occluded surfaces of the wall panels, the clip comprising impaling points adapted to be driven into the occluded surface of the panel for securing the clip to the panel, the clip also having flange attachment members struck from the clip and adapted to engage the flange of a stud, thereby affixing the panel to the stud.

Abstract: A wall panel such as gypsum board or cement board is attached to a stud disposed between the ends of a panel by a wire hook. The hook has an arcuate talon which is pushed into the core of the panel and a shank portion which is fastened to the web of the stud. A portion of the talon lies in a plane which is parallel to the faces of the panel.

Abstract: An integral display panel formed of wood composite material provided with a plurality of spaced parallel horizontally extending grooves having a modified T-shaped cross-section, and a substantially sheet-form insert mounted within each of said grooves, each of the inserts having a modified T-shaped cross-section defining a chamber adapted to receive and retain metal or plastic hangers having enlarged base portions which engage the internal wall surfaces of the inserts to hold the hangers on the panels with the hanger arms extending outwardly and normally transverse to the face or surface of a panel, each insert having a web and a pair of flanges arranged in converging relationship, with the outer surface of the converging wall of each flange being provided with a longitudinal bead engaging the surfaces of the groove, each flange terminating in a hook-form lip, the lips directed outwardly with respect to each other and engaging the edges of the grooves of the panel to provide more positive retention and an imp

Abstract: Light steel joists may be spaced 24 inches o.c. under ceramic tile floors when floor bracing members are spaced at 16 inch o.c. intervals between the joists under such floors. Also made of light gauge steel, the bracing member is slotted to receive a return flange of a channel-shaped joist so that the tops of the joists and bracing members are co-planar.

Abstract: A glazed partition system adaptable to various angles of intersection comprises an L-shaped mullion having a socket at its upper end in which two opposed glazing rails are pivotable and an arcuate flange at its lower end which releasably engages one glazing rail and slidably engages the opposed glazing rail. The sills 14 and 16 are placed at the desired angles and the glazing rail 38L and the mullion 18 are fastened at right angles to the sills 16 and 14, respectively. The glazing rail 38R is then snapped onto the mullion 18 and the window panes 50L and 50R are set in place. A plurality of similarly shaped pivot clips may be used in place of the elongate mullion.