Abstract: A curtain wall structure assembled from modular frame assemblies and having an improved four corner joint construction of more than adequate weathertightness. Alignment means is provided for structurally connecting lower head rails in axially aligned relation. Filler strip means and lap strip means cooperate with the alignment means to cap a vertical conduit formed by interlocked mullion sections; and to seal a gap and a space presented between adjacent interlocked head and sill rails thereby providing a wearthertight four corner joint.

Abstract: A curtain wall structure of the type incorporating laterally displaceable, vertical spline means for releasibly securing horizontally adjacent panels to supporting structure. A vertical gap is presented between adjacent panels through the spline means is accessible. The support structure includes improved vertical frame means arranged to accommodate misalignments between spline means and the frame means such that the spline means remains accessible through the gap.

Abstract: A module gauge is described for moduling the next-to-be-erected roof panel to conform its actual width with the design modular width by compressing or expanding the roof panel as needed. Conformation of the panel widths results in a weathertight roof structure.

Abstract: A curtain wall system incorporating a dry seal system to preclude ingress of water and the infiltration of exterior air. The curtain wall system includes displaceable vertical splines, which when displaced release the opposite vertical side edges of any selected panel. The released panels may then be removed and replaced. The arrangement allows the removal and installation of panels in a non-sequential manner.

Abstract: An improved cold formed, sheet metal profiled building unit and method of making the same are disclosed. The building unit incorporates at least one longitudinal stiffening rib in a longitudinal flat region of the type having a tendency to buckle when subjected to compressive forces. The longitudinal stiffening rib is formed not by drawing-in sheet metal as in current roll forming practices, but, instead, by stretching a segment of the sheet metal. Each longitudinal rib has a profile width, as measured along the centerline of the rib, which is greater than the linear of the sheet metal segment from which it was stretched-in. Roll forming machines incorporating the principles of this invention utilize fewer roll stands than do roll forming machines incorporating the principles of current roll forming practices.

Abstract: A method manages cable in a building structure that includes the capabilities of automatically routing the cable between two locations in the structure, displaying the cable route, providing alternate cable routes, reporting on the cable and components of the structure, and alerting the user when percent fill capacity of the cable run is exceeded. The method also maintains the service and status of any location in the cable run.

Abstract: A light-weight acoustical door is comprised of a wood frame separating and joining first and second panels and providing a space between the panels which filled with fibrous sound-absorbing material. Each panel is comprised of at least three layers, two of which are significantly more dense than the other layer. One of the dense layers may be made from a a weighted plastic sheet. One of the panels may have grooves formed in the inner face thereof.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench for adjustment of scaffolding screw jacks. The wrench includes a head member having an asymmetrical passage of fixed dimension adapted to receive the scaffolding leg. Dog members or flippers are positioned adjacent the passage in the head and are retained for perpendicular pivotal rotation with respect to the head. Each flipper includes an engaging surface and a sloped relief surface. Gravity induces the downward rotation of the flippers permitting the driving engagement of the jack in a first direction while contact between the screw jack and sloped flipper relief surface urges the flipper upwardly facilitating the non-driving wrench return stroke. The flippers are symmetrically designed thereby facilitating the selective raising or lowering of the screw jack simply by positioning the wrench with the appropriate head surface facing upwardly.

Abstract: The seaming machine has two pairs of dies which are longitudinally spaced. The dies are mounted from a frame for pivoting movement about parallel axes equally spaced on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the machine. A motor supported by the frame drives an eccentric and associated linkage which cause the dies to swing or oscillate laterally about said axes. The machine includes rollers adapting the machine for movement along metal roof panels of the type having their longitudinal edges configured for defining a stand rib seam. A sealing cap fits over the adjoining edges of the roof panels which form the standing rib. As the machine moves astride the cap, the dies engage and deform the sealing cap and also interlock the roof panels.

Abstract: A torque reversing motor control structure and method for a reversible split phase or capacitive start motor including a centrifugally operated start switch and a transformer controlled motor contactor wherein the primary circuit of the transformer is completed through the start switch to prevent reversing the motor contactor without the motor start switch being closed to insure positive reverse of the motor.

Abstract: The seam joins metal roofing panels of the standing rib type with a water-tight seal. The seam utilizes an integral sealing cap having distal flanges, reentrant flanges and a web which is planar prior to bending. The sealing cap encloses a standing rib joint defined by upstanding flanges each having a plurality of tabs extending therefrom. The web of the cap and the tabs are bent into inverted U-shaped configurations. The tabs are captivated between the reentrant flanges and the bent over web thereby locking the panels together. Sealant carried by the distal flanges is compressed between the same and the upstanding flanges to form a water-tight seal. A method for forming the seam is also provided.

Abstract: A plurality of identical metal roof panels are secured to the roof purlins by spaced metal clips. Each roof panel, which may be installed without regard to end-to-end orientation in its own plane, includes deformable tabs extending outwardly of its side edges. Adjacent roof panels are interlocked with each other by interengagement of the tabs in response to positioning of the panels in place. The clips which secure the roof panels to the purlins are also provided with deformable tabs arranged to interengage with the tabs of the roof panels thereby to hold the roof panels in place even prior to bending of the tabs. The tabs are bent downwardly and a sealing strip is fitted over the bent tabs to weatherproof the seam. The roof is constructed using these panels by proceeding from one end of the building to the other in a single pass.