Abstract: A ceiling or wall for a partition structure that contains framing members has the usual sheets of wallboard applied side-by-side to the framing members so that seams exist between the edges of adjacent sheets. Improved fire resistance is derived from runners which extend between the framing members directly behind the seams so as to serve as fire stops and as additional support for the wallboard sheets. Each runner is at its ends attached to the framing members between which it extends and further consists of several components which slip relative to each other, so that the length of the runner remains constant even though its components experience thermal expansion. This prevents the runners from bowing and pushing the wallboard sheets away from the framing members in the event of a fire. The runners further receive and anchor edge fasteners.

Abstract: An interlock grate structure is provided which includes longitudinal load bearing span bars having lateral locating holes spaced therealong for receiving transverse tie bars, the transverse tie bars having axial locking means which engage the longitudinal span bars at the point of juncture to prevent axial displacement of the tie bar relative to the span bar. A longitudinal lock rod serves to interlock the position of the transverse tie bar locking means with respect to the longitudinal span bar.

Abstract: A roofing membrane securement system having an upper member and a lower member each of which is formed of a relatively hard, unyielding material. The lower member includes a bottom surface from which extends a preferably cylindrical wall. In one embodiment a plurality of ledges extend downwardly and inwardly from the upper edge of the inner surface of the circumferential wall. The upper member is preferably of circular shape, having a diameter less than that of the interior cross-sectional dimension of the cylindrical wall but greater than the distance between the innermost edges of circumferentially opposed ledges. In a second embodiment, ledges extend downwardly from the upper edge of the outer surface of the lower member circumferential wall, and the upper member has a downwardly extending wall adjacent the circumferential wall outer surface with ledges extending radially inwardly therefrom to engage beneath the lower member ledges.

Abstract: A rain gutter which is formed of a one-piece sheet of material and includes terminal flanges. A clip member secured to the building side wall includes a channel into which the gutter terminal flanges are restrictively fitted to suspend the gutter below the building roof. The gutter top wall includes openings to allow moisture to be drained, while preventing entry of debris which could clog the gutter and downspout.

Abstract: The apparatus for anchoring a traction member comprises an anchoring body which is a molded piece with a transverse cross section small compared to its longitudinal cross section and an insertable guiding rod couplable detachably with the anchoring body and alignable longitudinally with the anchoring body. An attaching piece for the traction member is mounted laterally on the anchoring body with spacing from both ends of it. To provide an easier removal of an anchoring apparatus erroneously inserted in the ground the anchoring body is provided with a cutter like tapered front end and simultaneously on a rear end a sectioning for nonrotatable engagement with the insertable guiding rod. The attaching piece for the traction member is mounted between the center of gravity of the anchoring body and the cutter like tapered front end and comprises a shackle, a ring loop or a chain link engaged pivotally in a passage through the anchoring body.

Abstract: Apparatus to isolate an object or equipment from earthquake motion comprises:(a) rollable bearing means supporting such structure for lateral motion generally parallel to a support;(b) and other means including interengaged bowl and roller elements to yieldably resist such lateral movement of the structure.Typically, the bowl element defines a bowl-shaped surface having an upright axis, and the roller element comprises a ball urged into engagement with that surface to exert lateral load on the object or equipment when the ball engages the bowl surface in laterally spaced relation to the bowl axis, one of the elements carried by the object or equipment to move laterally therewith and the other element carried by the support.

Abstract: A composite metal/concrete floor system and method of installation. The system includes a novel decking profile; snap-in cover plates to provide longitudinal cells for three services; a lateral trench with sheet metal rails and bottom plates; and cooperating preset inserts.

Abstract: A channel-shaped bracket of polyvinyl chloride having leg portions possessing a durometer value on the order of Shore D90 and hook portions integral with the free edges of the leg portions that have a durometer value on the order of Shore A70 is disclosed. The relatively soft and more flexible hook portions releasably engage ridge hooks extending in a recessed relation along the marginal edges of a jamb liner, the jamb liner also being of polyvinyl chloride with a durometer value on the order of Shore D90. The hook portions, being softer and more flexible than the ridge hooks as indicated above, readily release the jamb liner when a sufficient pull is applied so that the liner can be easily removed from the wooden jamb to which it is attached. The web of the bracket is sufficiently thin such that the bracket can be stapled to the wooden jamb.

Abstract: A masonry fence is disclosed comprising a plurality of courses of masonry blocks mounted on a footer. The horizontal joint between adjacent courses is provided with a mortared joint while the vertical joint between adjacent blocks are interlocking without mortar. Post-tensioning rods are positioned at predetermined intervals along the fence and are imbedded at one end in a footer and extend upwardly through the vertical voids in the respective blocks to terminate in the next to highest course of blocks. The rods are post-tensioned and the highest course of block is mounted on top of the fence to enclose the top of the post-tensioning rods.

Abstract: A diagonal ceiling brace for ceiling suspension systems. The ceiling suspension system contains a plurality of parallel longitudinal beams and a plurality of parallel cross beams. The longitudinal beams and the cross beams are connected to each other at intersecting junctions. The diagonal ceiling brace comprises an elongated main bar having a horizontal plate formed at each end thereof. Each horizontal plate has a front edge containing a pair of surfaces defining a generally 90.degree. angle for enabling the plate to abut a junction of one of the longitudinal beams and one of the parallel cross beams. A releasable hook locks the brace to the beams at the junction.

Abstract: A body member comprising either a concrete block or molded or stamped product, includes upwardly opening recesses forming an anchor seat for building elements. The recesses may extend fully from side to side and also open out the sides so that building elements can be laid horizontally therein or fully across the body member. The recesses also include a central socket for receiving an upright pillar. Embodiments of the invention may include depending foot members. Embodiments of the inventions also include structure for fastening building elements to the body member. A further embodiment employs depending projections at outer portions thereof which frictionally fit on top of a base block and stabilize the body member against lateral movement.

Abstract: A vibration-isolating wall tie for use between the leaves of a cavity brick wall or between a load-bearing frame and a masonry veneer wall. The tie is formed in two parts (10, 11) engaging the respective walls, and these parts are joined by the engagement of a flange (13) on one part (10) with elastomeric material (15) in a U-shaped channel (14) in the other part (11). Apertures (18) are provided in each part to allow parallelogram distortion of the tie in response to loads parallel to the walls.

Abstract: A screen ceiling assembly including a plurality of spaced carrier members which are connectable to a supporting structure such as a roof. There is also provided a multiplicity of ceiling panels which are each positioned at an angle to a common frame through a plurality of the carrier members. There is also provided clip means interconnecting a respective ceiling panel and carrier member. The invention is characterized in that each of the ceiling panels is pivotably connected with each of its carrier members about a longitudinal axis parallel to the panel length axis by way of a pivot construction comprising one of the clip means or part thereof. This allows each panel to adopt a desired angled position in respect of each of the carrier members. Preferably each panel is retained in the desired angled position by retaining means.

Abstract: A self-adhering waterproofing membrane (1) having disposed over the adhesive face (3) thereof a vent means (2) adapted upon installation of the membrane over a substrate (4A) to release any vapor pressure which would otherwise cause blistering and said vent means being further arranged so that a sufficient portion of said adhesive face engages the substrate to enable the membrane to adhere thereto.

Abstract: A method of constructing a roof or floor by connecting girders to a flexible sheet at spaced locations. Storage spaces are formed between adjacent pairs of girders by bringing the connected girders together into side-by-side relationship. Each portion of the flexible sheet between adjacent pairs of girders is stored in the storage space formed between the respective pair of adjacent girders. Heat insulating material is placed on the portions of the flexible sheet between adjacent, moved apart pairs of girders.

Abstract: A truck loading dock door seal which moves between a "summer" position which permits ventilation to enter a truck and a "winter" position which establishes sealing engagement between the building and a truck position at a loading dock. Such movement may be provided by a double-acting hinge.

Abstract: A fixed sash window assembly has a generally rectangular frame holding a pane or panel of glass or other material and installed in an opening in an enclosing wall of a building. The frame includes a sill of extruded metal or rigid plastic material interally comprising a substantially horizontal web having legs depending therefrom to be mounted directly on a window base on the foundation of the building, and exterior and interior flanges extending upwardly from the exterior and interior ends of the web. The exterior flange has its top end portion held against the panel via an exterior sealing strip. A series of drain holes are formed in the web, just interiorly of the exterior flange, for draining the water that may flow through the exterior sealing strip. One of the depending legs of the web, disposed most exteriorly, has a horizontal ledge extending exteriorly therefrom beyond the window base into underlying relation to the drain holes in the web.

Abstract: A lockable cassette 10 for valuable papers can be inserted into a housing 20. The cassette is closed and locked when removed from the housing, and when inserted therein can be unlocked by electrical activation and opened to access the papers provided that the electrical activation is effected in accordance with a pre-set program. For this purpose there is provided a locking arrangement which includes a programmable memory (171), a comparison circuit (172), and a logic circuit (173). The memory is accessible for programming and is arranged to feed a series of pulses to the comparison circuit, which in turn compares them with a series of pulses fed-in from without to the locking arrangement. The logic circuit blocks the opening of the locking arrangement in the absence of agreement between any two pulses. This blocking of the opening function is not noticeable externally until the whope series of pulses has been compared.

Abstract: A modular wall system for use in partitioning office, retail and other space is disclosed. The wall system includes a base which supports a wall panel. In one embodiment, the base comprises a unitary extruded beam having a web extending between a top and bottom flange and a mid-flange located between the top and bottom flanges. A plurality of cover plates cover the sides of the beam and provide a plurality of ducts for power and communications wiring. In another embodiment, the base comprises a top plate and a bottom plate, which plates are supported in parallel spaced relation by a plurality of columns. Two covers extend the length of the base and, form a rigid box structure with the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A method of making an inverted T shaped ceiling grid member comprises the steps of folding a sheet of metal to form a vertical central web with a bulb at the top and having two web sidewalls with a pair of oppositely disposed horizontal flanges extending outwardly from the bottom of the web for supporting ceiling tiles, and laser welding the two web sidewalls together by applying a laser beam thereto to form a laser weld to increase the strength and rigidity of the ceiling grid member. A cap may be attached to the flanges to cover the bottom of the flanges. A metal inverted T shaped ceiling grid member comprises a vertical web having a bulb at the top and having two web sidewalls, a pair of oppositely disposed horizontal flanges extending outwardly from the bottom of the web, and a laser weld joining the two web sidewalls together. A cap may be attached to the flanges to cover the bottom of the flanges.