Abstract: System of housing and building construction by means of prefabricated components, which include vertical panels for forming partitions and exterior partition walls, as well as roof members, all based on reinforced concrete. The roof members consist of angle beams that follow the pitch of the roof. These members structurally join partition wall panels belonging to two parallel fronts, which panels are, in turn, braced by panels belonging to partitions. The partition wall panels are further joined to the foundation by means of reinforced wet joints. The roof members and panels also have metal elements opposite each other for connection.

Abstract: A precast panel having a slab of cast material having a first surface, and a plurality of steel studs on one side, the steel studs having two angle members parallel to one another, a plurality of struts extending from one angle member to the other, openings between the struts, junction flanges extending from one of the angle members, and a locking strip formed on the junction flange, the locking strip defining an acute angle with the first surface of the slab and junction flange being embedded in the cast material, and the junction flange being discontinuous and defining openings through which the cast material extends to integrally bond the cast material on opposite sides of the the junction flange.

Abstract: In order to permit a flexible carrying handle to be more easily fitted into nd removed from a known securing eyelet in an umbrella handle, a permanently open threading slot running the length of the eyelet is provided. The slot is narrower than the eyelet. The carrying handle can be squeezed along the slot into the eyelet, where the carrying handle regains its normal shape and thus will not unintentionally slip back out of the eyelet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for filling up a recess left in a concrete wall after removal of a separator terminal, the device comprising a main body including a circumferential step formed around its outer periphery at a longitudinal intermediate location so that the circumferential step defines a diameter-reduced portion and a diameter-enlarged portion of the main body, a threaded hole centrally formed and axially extending in an end surface of the diameter-reduced portion to be engaged with a threaded end of the separator, tool receiving apertures formed in an end surface of the diameter-enlarged portion and in elastic water-swollen rubber cylinder put around the diameter-reduced portion so that an outer periphery of said cylinder is tapered towards the end surface of the diameter-reduced portion and an end surface of the cylinder looking towards the end surface of the diameter-enlarged portion bears against the step of the main body while the end surface of the cylinder looking towards the en

Abstract: A lightweight structural member made of prestressed plastic foam is provided, the prestress provided by a plurality of tendons disposed within the foam to which tensile forces are applied during mold casting of the structural member, the tendons being retained in tension by bonding between the tendons and the foam, or by way of anchors which are spaced along the tendons to retain the tendons in immobile condition, one or more skin layers also being optionally provided. A method for producing a lightweight structural member of prestressed plastic foam is also provided.

Abstract: An elasto-plastic damper is adapted to be used in a structure, such as a building and other facilities, for absorbing vibration energy created by earthquake tremors and other ground vibrations. The damper is a centrally bulged and generally cone-shaped hollow body of revolution so that its section modulus changes substantially proportional to a bending moment created in the damper body due to horizontal stresses, thus permitting a maximum degree of deformability. This elasto-plastic damper is compact in size and demonstrates a high degree of vibrational energy absorbability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary, injection-molded raised flooring panel adapted for use in a raised flooring assembly. The raised flooring assembly includes a grid of flooring panel support stringers onto which the flooring panel is supported. The unitary, injection-molded raised flooring panel includes a continuous flooring wall the upper surface of which is the flooring surface of a panel and a plurality of depending, mutually intersecting reinforcing ribs formed integrally with the flooring wall of the panel. In the preferred embodiment, the flooring panel is made of a thermoplastic material, a thermosetting plastic material or a synthetic polymeric resin material. Thus, the disclosed flooring panel may be completely fabricated in a single manufacturing operation.

Abstract: Simulated marble panels are mounted in place by an anchor which includes an elongated pin having a pointed remote end with an anchor plate secured to its opposite base end. The anchor plate has a plurality of perforations extending completely through it so that it may be positioned in a recess in the panel and permanently mounted to the panel by means of a bonding agent applied to the recess which flows through the perforations in the anchor plate and covers the anchor plate when it forms an integral bond with the panel. The pin may then be secured to a substrate in any suitable manner.

Abstract: A thermally-tempered, cold curved panel having a sheet of glass, including a resiliently-flexed curvature, and a frame which is adapted to maintain the curvature of the sheet of glass under constraint, as well as a method and a device for producing the curved panel, is disclosed. The frame of the panel includes straight frame sections and curved frame sections which are secured to the sheet of glass, retaining the curvature of the sheet of glass under constraint. The sheet of glass is thermally-tempered being cold-curved at a temperature being between 80.degree. C. and 140.degree. C., such that a resiliently-flexed curvature is formed therein. The curvature is maintained under constraint by a special device while the frame is assembled about the edges of the glass. Once assembled, the frame maintains the curvature of the thermally-tempered sheet of glass under constraint.

Abstract: A canopy apparatus (10) for conventional A-frame swing constructions (100) wherein the canopy apparatus (10) comprises a pair of support units (11) operatively connected to the horizontal support bar (103) of the swing set (100) and a cover unit (12) operatively attached to and suspended from the pair of support units (11).

Abstract: A raised panel door wherein a support panel in the door has panel-simulating zones distributed over opposite faces. The support panel is made of a compacted, mineral-based, fire-retardant material, and special molding strips secure panel inserts in the panel-simulating zones to face overlays in the support panel.

Abstract: A building structure comprises first and second truss members having cross-members extending therebetween. Each truss member has a generally I-shaped cross-section, of generally constant cross-sectional dimensions, defining elongate longitudinal channels. The longitudinal channels are sized to appropriately receive and retain ends of cross-members extending between the truss members. Supports mounted in the longitudinal channels form receiving pockets which are engaged by the cross-members. A plurality of truss members, formed as parallel arches, may be utilized to form a load-bearing framing structure of a completed building, which may be enclosed by wall coverings such as panelling, siding, plywood or the like. The absence of load-bearing sidewalls permit doors, windows, deck units or the like to be easily introduced into sidewalls.

Abstract: A framework forming support for a tent canvas of a light shelter which is stretched in substantially pyramidal form, abutting, at its center, on the top of a vertical central pole, comprises a rigid frame in the form of a regular polygon, defining the base of the pyramid and to the sides of which the canvas is hooked. The lower end of the central pole being is located at a level higher than the horizontal plane of the polygonal frame. The pole is maintained vertically by inclined rigid arms whose upper ends are rigidly coupled, in common, to the lower end of the pole. The lower ends of the arms are coupled to the sides of the polygonal frame, the points of connection of two adjacent inclined arms with two adjacent sides of the frame being symmetrical with respect to the bisectrix of the angle formed by these two sides. Crosspieces extend respectively across the angles of the frame, between points of hooking on the sides of the frame which are symmetrical with respect to the bisectrix of each angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating subhuman primate animal test subjects about one or more axes to minimize trauma during simulated zero or micro-gravity studies. The timed roto-positioning apparatus has a frame, a subframe rotatably attached to the frame, and a carrier for a primate restraint system rotatably attached to the subframe. Two motors, controlled by a programmable controller, individually rotate the subframe and the carrier according to a preselected sequence. The preferred embodiment is a modified A-frame structure made from welded channel aluminum beams and equipped with casters and lifters to move and securely position the apparatus. A tube with rotatable fittings is used to supply drinking water to test animals and electrical slip rings are used for transmitting physiological sensor signals from the test animal through the rotating connections of the carrier, subframe and frame. Radio telemetry may be used in place of the electrical slip rings.

Abstract: An improved portable and foldable shelter comprising a structure of tubular members and cross-members forming an assembly having side walls preferably tapered inwardly, a roof or top, and a covering complementary in shape to the assembled structure. Elongated containers are secured to the walls of the shelter and are capable of receiving a heavy substance such as water, sand or elongated segments of heavy material. The containers may be elongated pockets, secured to or incorporated to the shelter, preferably to the covering or incorporated in the side walls of the covering, and located substantially at the lower end of the side wall adjacent to the supporting surface so that the lower portion of the containing means may be close to or touch the supporting surface thus preventing the passage of air or wind underneath the side walls or the floor of the shelter.

Abstract: The internally indexed building block of the invention includes a body having opposed side walls and opposed end walls which define an internal cavity therebetween and upper and lower block faces. A web is located within the block internal cavity and divides the internal cavity into a pair of vertical cells. The web terminates at one extent in a pair of vertically extending keys which extend above the block upper face and which span a dish region. The dish region is located within the block internal cavity and is depressed below the block upper face. The dish region forms a mortar cup for receiving mortar whereby an internal bond can be formed between vertical courses of the blocks.

Abstract: A device for securing the edge of a stretched sheet, applicable more particularly to securing the lower edge of a tent canvas of a light shelter of a general pyramidal shape, has a horizontal extruded section with a groove opening, in one of its vertical faces, through an inlet slit of a width less than that of the bottom of the groove. A locking rod is able to be engaged transversally in the groove, through its inlet slit, and to be immobilized therein so as to retain the edge of the sheet having a bead. The locking rod, in the locked position, is in a vertical position at right angles with respect to its position of insertion in the groove and it is jammed against the lower lip by a lower rounded part, joining together the internal and external faces of the rod, so that a tractive force exerted outwardly on the sheet does not allow the bead to escape from the groove.

Abstract: A panelized fabric-covered structure with removable and replaceable fabric panels including an expandable frame having a plurality of frame members for holding a fabric cover, a fabric cover including a plurality of discrete fabric panels each having at least one enlarged edge, and a connector for connecting the enlarged edges of the fabric panels to each other and to the frame and allowing the panels to slide and seat as the frame is expanded.

Abstract: Hang-on furniture modules from various manufacturers differ in the placement of the hanger hooks extending from their back wall. A support cleat is frontally inserted in the unobstructed opening of a bifurcated, longitudinal channel at the edge of a stud in a partition. A longitudinal standard having a column of slots located to receive the hooks of a particular module is supported by the cleat as the standard straddles the stud in which the cleat is anchored.

Abstract: The clutch release mechanism includes a fluid actuator having an actuator member movable by fluid pressure in a clutch release direction to release the clutch, a release bearing assembly for connection to part of the clutch, and a coupling for connecting the release bearing assembly to the actuator member. The coupling is fluid operable whereby in one condition it prevents axial separation of the actuator member and release bearing assembly by engagement of pins and a groove and, in another condition, it allows axial separation and coupling of the release bearing assembly and the actuator member by disengagement of the pins and groove.