Abstract: A mounting device provides a dynamically stiff joint between two structural members, such as a machine foundation and a building structure. One of the structural members is subject to dynamic forces acting in a predetermined direction and the other is substantially static. The mounting device comprises a spanning element compressed between the structural elements to transmit dynamic forces between the structural elements in the predetermined direction and thereby restrict relative movement of the structural members. Movement-transmitting means, such as a ball joint, permits movement between the structural elements in all other directions. The spanning element is prestressed to provide a static force between the structural elements along the direction of the dynamic forces.

Abstract: A round or spiral staircase is formed from post pieces and treads with the treads each having a collar portion which cooperates with the post pieces to form a complete post. The collars are rotatable relative to the post portions to allow the treads to be aligned for transportation. The post portions and collars are clamped together by a longitudinal screw with end caps closing the end post portions. The upper end cap has an opening therein so that a pourable settable liquid reinforced with glass-fiber can be poured down the hole post with the treads arranged spirally to integrate the collars and post portions into a complete rigid post.

Abstract: Structure for screwing on sheet metal an object having a fitting hole comprises sheet metal having a prepared hole formed therein in the shape of a saucer and also having a saucer-shaped lip which has a thickness equal to the thickness of the sheet metal and defines the prepared hole, and a screw composed of a screwhead, a shank depending from the screwhead, external threads formed around the shank and a substantially conical tip. The screw is passed through the fitting hole in the object and driven into the prepared hole in the sheet metal while catching the leading end of the saucer-shaped lip between the adjacent external threads.

Abstract: Heat escape pipes for cinder block structures. A cinder block cavity cap is modified to have a central aperture formed therein. The aperture is specifically configured and dimensioned to receive the base of an upstanding vent pipe. The modified cavity caps are installed in the conventional manner, i.e., they are positioned to cap the cinder blocks in the penultimate row of blocks. The vent pipes are of sufficient length to extend above the concrete which is thereafter poured into the void of the top row of blocks, which concrete is prevented from entering the voids in the blocks below the top row by the cavity caps. Hot air escapes through the vent pipes since the respective lowermost ends of the pipes extend through the respective apertures formed in the cavity caps to thereby provide communication between the interior of the wall and the exterior of the wall.

Abstract: Joints between predecorated gypsum wallboard concealed by relatively thin battens made of predecorated wallboard paper narrow strips with pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back, applied by mechanics using rolls of predecorated paper with adhesive and release paper on the back side of the predecorated paper.

Abstract: In order to enable accurate regulation of the automatic opening of explosion cover plates at predetermined differences in pressure the cover plate is not only retained in a rubber-elastic sealing clamping section but additionally is supported by at least one counter-support, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2, constituted by a lever arm which will be swung from its supporting position when the limit load is exceeded.

Abstract: A captive panel fastener includes a head, a shank and a threaded outer end, with slots extending longitudinally down through the threads towad the outer end of the fastener. A relatively rigid and inflexible retention washer is provided and this washer has inwardly extending prongs which fit into the longitudinally extending slots on the fastener. The outer end of the fastener has a hole in it, and, after the washer is in place, a forming tool is employed to deform the outer end wall of the opening, so that the wall is pushed outwardly to block the outer ends of the longitudinally extending slots, thereby holding the washer onto the fastener, and retaining it extending through a hole in a panel or the like through which it may have been inserted. A small washer may be employed at the end of the fastener between the ends of the slots and the deformed extreme outer end of the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener for use in securing wallboard such as drywall to a supporting structure includes a shank having a bugle head at one end and a tapered point at an opposite end, an annular ring flange and anti-clockwise threads disposed on the shank adjacent the head portion to auger and recompact particulate material which exhausts from the tapping threads during insertion of the fastener, and to tuck the outer sheeting layer evenly beneath the bugle head of the fastener.

Abstract: A geodesic mold house is provided and consists in its final fabrication one hardened outer shell which is superimposed upon another shell with a space inbetween for insulation and utilizes reinforcement members for added strength.

Abstract: An interlocking building block system comprises a plurality of rectangular building blocks, each with longitudinal side surfaces, upper and lower longitudinal faces, and vertical end walls normal to the side surfaces and longitudinal faces. The upper longitudinal face of the blocks has a central longitudinal arcuate rib and a pair of transverse spaced arcuate ribs thereon. The transverse ribs extend laterally from the longitudinal rib to one of the side surfaces. Corresponding longitudinal and lateral transverse concave arcuate recesses in the lower longitudinal face mate with the ribs of an adjacent block when assembled. A pair of spaced vertical slots extend through the block inwardly of each end wall opposite to the transverse ribs and terminate tangentially to the longitudinal rib.

Abstract: A quonset type arched roof shelter construction is disclosed. In one embodiment, the shelter is constructed of corrugated laminated fiberglass panels, each of which has a corrugated construction throughout the main central portion of the length thereof and a molded end portion at each end. The corrugations of each panel have a maximum amplitude midway between the respective end portions and with the amplitude being reduced as the corrugations taper into a generally flat configuration adjacent the end portions. The panels may have a length such as about two feet, with a structure of any desired length being obtained by joining overlapping end portions of successive panels. The number of plies in the laminated panels may be varied throughout the height of the structure and various reinforcing materials may be employed between laminations of fiberglass.

Abstract: A thermally insulative covering device is provided which can be removably associated with the interior side of windows or sliding doors of a building. The device is fabricated as a frame which tautly holds four sheets of a transparent film in a manner to form three successive stagnant air spaces. A continuous border strip of a resilient material causes the device to make a snug friction fit with a window or door and causes the space between the device and the window or door to be a fourth stagnant air space.

Abstract: A boundary marking system comprising cylindrical receptacles having relatively large plates flush with one end and adapted to be installed in the ground with the plate at ground level. A marker stake which is color coded to the top of the plate is placed in the receptacle through a hole in the plate so that the stake extends a foot or so above ground to mark a boundary. Because of the color coding, installation and replacement of the stakes is facilitated. Moreover the particular character of the marked boundary may be perceived not only by the color of the stake, but also by the color of the flush plate even if the stake is missing. A hole maker to facilitate installation of the receptacle is also disclosed.

Abstract: Panel systems and installations thereof are provided wherein laterally opposite flanges of panel and flange means in the system form a gap with one another, and those flanges are adapted to be anchored to sub-structure, such as of a building, with the anchor means used for that purpose leading within the gap between the flanges and into grooves in the flanges which widen the gap locally between the flanges. Outer lateral ends of the anchored flanges are covered by cover means which engages engagable means of the panel and flange means.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an antenna on a flat roof without penetrating the waterproof membrane of the roof is disclosed herein. The apparatus is comprised of a rigid base having a planar lower surface adapted to overlie the flat roof, ballast means carried by the base to stabilize the base, and antenna support means connected to and extending upwardly from the base.

Abstract: A retainer for releasable attachment of an insertable bar, strip, or the like to a support comprises a supporting channel mountable on the support, engageable in the supporting channel a retaining rail, in which the insertable bar, strip, or the like is detachably secured, and a first means for releasable attachment of the retaining rail to the supporting channel provided in the supporting channel. The retaining rail has two longitudinal flanges whose free edges have directed inwardly a plurality of protruding members with which the insertable bar, strip, or the like is held in the retaining rail.

Abstract: A high temperature resistant refractory mortarless joint wall and method made from pre-formed, unburned plastic refractory blocks having siliceous clay, and from ten percent to seventy-five percent pyrophyllite, by weight, and workability from twenty percent to forty percent when erected before drying and firing.

Abstract: A mount structure of a windowpane for automobile use of the type that the windowpane is directly mounted with the aid of an adhesive material, to a window frame portion of a vehicle body which is formed by folding back a flange portion of an inner panel from the indoor side to the outdoor side so as to wrap an edge of a flange portion of an outer panel to be bonded together, is improved in that the flange portion on the outdoor side of the inner panel that is contiguous to the edge of the flange portion of the outer panel is bent outwardly to integrally form a dam portion, whereby outflow of the adhesive material can be prevented by the dam portion.

Abstract: An improved composite, pre-stressed structural member and method of forming such a member of the type provided by upside down forming which includes connecting the steel beams of the composite member to the upper side of a mold so that a parallel deflection of the mold and beams occurs as the mold is filled with concrete. The improvement comprises utilizing a steel beam having a flange at or near the neutral axis with respect to a vertical deflection of the support member. After the composite structure is formed, the flange is away from the neutral axis with respect to a vertical deflection of the composite structure. This flange, therefore, significantly increases the section modulus of the composite structure while not adding significantly to the resistance to bending of the beam during pre-stressing. Stacked and welded I-beams are an example of a support in accordance wth this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rain disperser system of the type in which an assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally extending plate-like members and a plurality of transversely mounted spacer members for maintaining the plate-like members a predetermined distance apart. The assembly is mounted proximate to the edge of a roof by a suitable bracket. The spaced apart, plate-like member assembly disperses rain water flowing down a roof into fine droplets, thus avoiding the need to install roof gutters and, at the same time, preventing corrosive damage to the ground below by otherwise unimpeded run-off water. In accordance with the present invention, a new spacer element is provided for the disperser system which includes tab-like members integrally extending from the body of the spacer element for mounting the spacer elements to the plate-like members. The tabs may be inserted through openings in the plate-like members and orbitally riveted thereto.