Abstract: A device for use in covering an automobile comprises a base frame upon which the front or rear tires of an automobile may be received. A spindle is supported above the base frame to which a flexible automobile cover is mounted. Two rollers are mounted adjacent the spindle through which the cover may be guided, pulled over an automobile with its front or rear tires positioned on the base frame and attached to the end of the automobile located beyond the device.

Abstract: An umbrella construction is provided which consists of a central rod and a canopy adapted to be supported thereupon. A plurality of ribs are pivotally connected to the support and a plurality of struts are pivotally connected between the central rod and the respective ribs. Nylon fixtures are employed for pivotally receiving the proximal ends of the struts and ribs with respect to the central rod. A further Nylon fixture is provided for pivotally connecting each strut to its associated rib. The ribs are provided with fixtures at the opposite extremities thereof for purposes of engaging the canopy and for purposes of pivotally engaging the Nylon fixture on the central rod. The ribs and struts are fabricated from fiber glass consisting of strands of fiber glass embedded in a polyester resin matrix.

Abstract: Presented is a two-shell telescopic element of a movable partition containing (holding) two external cover panels on the supporting frame of a wall section, between which, at the upper and/or lower edge, are guided packing strips, and that are extendable out toward the ceiling and/or the floor. An edge-side telescoping part has a vertical edge strut to which are also attached cover panels that overlap the cover panels of the wall section, or that continue in surface-flush fashion. The packing strips have an edge section projecting inwardly between the cover panels of the telescoping part, said edge section being horizontally displaceable together with the telescoping part. In order to achieve an improved noise damping, provided are intermediate panels that engage behind the cover panels of the wall section and of the telescoping part.

Abstract: A tent structure to cover free-standing equipment and adjacent work area. It has a base frame with a securing device to enable the base frame to be secured to the equipment. The base frame carries a tent shroud support frame which with the base frame secured to the equipment, is movable between a collapsed condition and a tent shroud support condition. Ideally, the base frame is planar and the whole tent structure is planar when collapsed and the collapsed support frame preferably lies within the boundary of the base frame.

Abstract: A truss structure for use in a gravity-free environment is disclosed together with methods and apparatus for constructing the same. The structure, characterized by high stiffness and a precise self-determined geometry and having a prism-form with square right cross section, is constructed from a plurality of substantially identical triangular frame elements. The truss structure may be manually constructed from a multi-row chain of interconnected elements or from a four row network of elements. The structure may also be constructed using an automatic method wherein individual frame elements are fed from four stack support and feed units to a holding fixture having a square cross section.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for squaring and decambering at the assembly plant, and shimming at the job site, a thin metal door frame wherein the frame becomes an integral part of its own setting jig until installation, after which the semi-permanent setting jig is removed. Temporary jigs are used in the method to set the minimum door width tolerance and to square the frame elements.

Abstract: A brick-laying apparatus comprises a work platform vertically movable within a vessel and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the vessel; and a robot for manipulating and laying bricks along the brick lining of the wall. The robot is mounted on a support capable of pivoting about a first vertical axis. To increase the effective radius of the robot, the support is mounted on an extension piece pivotable about a second vertical axis. The brick-laying apparatus is particularly well suited for repairing the refractory covering of a metallurgical converter.

Abstract: This invention discloses a shelter used to protect plants or crops from damage by animals and adverse environmental conditions, which comprises a framework; at least one ridge pole supported by the framework; at least one pulley block supported in the ridge pole; at least one network frame, one side of which is hinged in the framework, the opposite side of which is hoisted by the pulley block; and a water-proof sheet which is supported by and covers and network frame; whereby the water-proof sheet can be hoisted up to the elevated position for cultivating plants and lowered to cover the crops for preventing them from being blown away by wind.

Abstract: A modification for window or door assemblies having interlocks on the sash rails where insulating material is placed between the interlock of a lower rail to an upper sash and the interlock of an upper rail to a lower sash so as to act as a thermal barrier against heat conduction through the upper sash which is exposed to exterior climate of the building in which the window or door assembly is being used.

Abstract: A tent comprising a plurality of walls, a roof and a frame system for holding the tent erect. The frame system comprises at least two frame structures, each being of generally inverted U-shape when erect and comprising a pair of substantially rigid poles extending up from the ground adjacent respective walls of the tent and a flexible resilient ridge frame member bent into an arched configuration and having ends telescopically interfitted with the upper ends of the poles. The resilient ridge frame members support the roof of the tent in an arched configuration generally corresponding to the arched configuration of the ridge frame members.

Abstract: A retaining wall is made from a plurality of blocks arranged in rows superimposed on each other and pinned together. Each block has a body with an exterior face and rearwardly diverging side walls joined to a neck. A head having outwardly directed ears is joined to the neck. The body has holes and pockets for pins that interlock overlapped blocks together. A finishing block having a flat top surface is used to construct the top layer of the wall. A geogrid tie-back sheet having slots is located between layers of blocks and anchored to the pins stabilizes the wall.

Abstract: A canopy apparatus (10) for use with a conventional t-bar gym set construction (100); wherein, the canopy apparatus (10) includes a pair of vertical support leg members (14) operatively connected to a horizontal elongated crosspiece member (16) and a cover member (18) which extends over the crosspiece member (16) and is secured to the outer tubular members (102') of the conventional gym set construction (100).

Abstract: A ground anchor is described for anchoring one end of a cable. The anchor includes an elongated stake member, attachment means on the front edge of the stake for attachment of one end of a cable, a support arm connected at one end to the upper end of the stake, and retention means on the opposite end of the support arm. The retention means holds down the cable when tension is applied. The support arm is preferably pivotable between an outward position for use and an inward position for storage and transport.

Abstract: A method for forming building walls by starting with blocks of expanded polystyrene, for example in typical 4'.times.16' lengths. Spaced apart vertical voids are formed in the polystyrene and a depression along the top of the block of polystyrene is provided for interconnection with the vertical voids to form concrete can be poured into the vertical voids to form vertical posts and concrete can be poured into the horizontal depression to form horizontal beams, thereby forming wall sections which are well-insulated because of the high R value of the expanded polystyrene and which have great rigidity because of the concrete posts and beams. An insulated roof structure is formed having air passageways formed over the insulation and leading to a roof top ventilator.

Abstract: An umbrella is expanded by spring action and collapsed by spring action. Both spring actions are initiated by a single push button which is manually manipulated in the same manner for initiating both spring actions.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly in which a number of spaced, metallic plate-like elements are coupled together by end blocks and spacers clamped together so that the elements are generally parallel with each other and are cantilevered from the upper ends thereof. In one embodiment, the upper ends of the elements are rigidly coupled to a floor beam and the cantilevered ends are coupled by a plate-like strut to an adjacent column to which the floor beam is pivotally mounted. A number of rollers permit free movement of the lower ends of the plates relative to the upper ends thereof. In a second embodiment, the assembly has elements which are bow tie-shaped plates, and the upper ends of the elements are rigidly secured to a horizontal floor beam. Diagonal braces are secured at opposed lower ends of the elements, and the lower ends of the braces extend downwardly and away from each other and are secured to the next floor beam therebelow.

Abstract: An improved manner of log wall and corner joint construction in log building structures utilizes log units of a rectangular cross-sectional shape with end portions having square notches formed in opposed stacking surfaces of the log units permitting stacking of the log units in coplanar relation with their notched end portions matingly interdigitated to insure proper plumbness of the resultant corner joint and walls. Wooden spacer members are stacked in alternate relation with the log units and painted with a sand paint to simulate traditional mortar joints between adjacent log units without the disadvantages of such joint construction. The log units within each wall and at each corner joint are interconnected by a plurality of connecting rods extending transversely through the entirety of the log units at periodic longitudinal spacings.

Abstract: A generally quadrilateral-shaped building panel has a dihedral root portion extending along a major axis which bisects a pair of oppositely disposed corners. The panel has two similar triangular panel portions which extend from the root portion at a nominal dihedral angle to each other when viewed along the major axis. The panel has margin portions extending along each side edge thereof which can be secured to similar margin portions of adjacent panels. Each triangular panel portion has a crowned central portion which is displaced laterally from a nominal plane containing the margin portions of two side edges of the respective triangular panel and the dihedral root portion. The crowned central portion merges smoothly with adjacent margin portions and acts as an arch so that the panel is subjected mostly to compressive forces. This permits the use of fiber reinforced cement composite material as a substitute for common metal sheets, which can tolerate and are usual under tensile forces.

Abstract: A chimney by-pass is disclosed for use with a main chimney. In case of a chimney fire, a movable damper closes off the main chimney, substantially reducing the severity of the chimney fire. The movable damper also opens an auxiliary chimney, allowing smoke to exit, uninterrupted through the auxiliary chimney, and may include a fan to assist the exit of smoke into the atmosphere. The movable damper may be actuated manually or automatically in case of a chimney fire.

Abstract: A scaffolding comprises uprights (6), cross members (8) with connection members (12) by which the cross members may be connected to the upright members, and diagonal braces (10) with mounting formations (42) adapted to be interfitted with receiving formations (32, 34) of the connection members (12). The mounting formation (42) is generally cylindrical, and its longitudinal axis intersects the longitudinal axis of the brace substantially at right angles, generally centrally of the mounting formation. The mounting formation is carried by a cranked connection portion (44). The receiving formations (32, 34) are provided by transverse bores (36), with lateral recesses in which the connection portions (44) are located when the mounting formations (42) are positioned in the bores (36). This allows forces to be transmitted between the connection member (12) and the diagonal brace substantially on the longitudinal axis of the brace, over a range of angular articulation of the brace relative to the cross member.