Abstract: A variable solar control window assembly includes a pair of spaced parallel planar transparent sheets mounted in a frame. An induced transmission filter sheet is selectively movable between the transparent sheets for varying the solar transmission through the window assembly. The filter sheet includes a carrier layer and one or more coating layers, each coating layer formed as a layer of reflective metal material between two layers of dielectric material. The filter sheet can have bearing/protective layers or strips adhered thereto to seal against the frame and to assist in the sliding movement of the filter sheet with respect to the frame. One or both of the transparent sheets can include an anti-lacerative material layer.

Abstract: A camouflage device for use with a hunter's seat of the type secured to a tree and comparing an extension member for being secured adjacent one of its ends to the seat with the other of its ends extending outwardly therefrom. A cross member is secured to the outwardly extending end of the extension member and a plurality of brush holders is positioned at intervals along the length of the cross member for holding brush in a substantially upright position in front of the hunter's seat for camouflaging an occupant of the seat.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch has a clutch drum and a strip therein elastically secured to a clutch center and transfers a driving torque by servo action. During normal torque transfer the strip drives in a pushing manner with servo action. Upon overload its driving point changes onto a shoulder provided with a pressure spring and the torque transfer becomes a pulling action with no servo action.

Abstract: This application relates to a foldable and collapsible protective structure in the form of a canopy supported on a shaft mounted on a supporting base in which a plurality of radially positioned arms are actuated into open or closed position by means of a plurality of braces hinged at one end to said arms and at the other end to a sleeve slidably mounted over said shaft and in which the movement of said sleeve is actuated by an arm attached to said sleeve at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A wall or ceiling hole repair method using plastic foam in which the foam, while expanding, is confined to the hole requiring repair so that it expands into gripping contact with the edges bounding the hole, and thus in effect wedges itself in place.

Abstract: A building wall frame structure which is formed from metal and which is intended for assembly by relatively unskilled labor at a construction site. The structure comprises upper and lower horizontally disposed wall plates and a plurality of vertically extending studs interconnecting the wall plates. The upper and lower wall plates are identical and each is in the form of a generally U-shaped channel having side walls, a base wall which interconnects the side walls and a plurality of paired inwardly directed tabs arrayed along each of the side walls. The studs have a C-shaped section which has a width equal to the spacing between the side walls of the plates and the terminal ends of the studs are fitted within the channels defined by the plates. Each stud has a thickness which is approximately equal to the center spacing between adjacent tabs on the wall plates and each stud is formed with notches in each of its corners adjacent the terminal ends of the stud.

Abstract: A foldable polyhedral structure is provided having a plurality of identical diamond-shaped polygons. A first set of diamond-shaped polygons radiates outwardly and downwardly from the top center of the structure and a second set of diamond-shaped polygons extends upwardly from ground level. The design of the polygonal faces is such that the structure folds into a flat compressed structure. A plurality of poles which extend along the edges of each diamond-shaped face will fold together with the structure. The structure may be used as a tent, a hat or as a supporting structure for solar collectors.

Abstract: According to the invention a garden or sun umbrella is provided with spring means for automatically opening the umbrella. In a preferred embodiment the spring is a gas spring mounted inside the central post of the umbrella and is operatively connected to a collar slidably mounted on the post and which in turn is connected via struts to the arm of the umbrella, by means of a flexible cord connected at its opposite ends to the collar and reeved around pulley blocks at opposite ends of the gas spring. After manually initiating the opening of the umbrella by pivoting the arms, in the collapsed position, away from the post, the opening action is completed automatically by the action of the spring. Closing of the umbrella is effected by downward pressure on the arms of the umbrella against the action of the spring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roof panel locking system which allows for roof panel expansion and contraction due to temperature variations while providing protection against panel wear due to such expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A method of making a domed building structure includes locating a ring beam having a radially inwardly extending circumferential locating formation on top of an upwardly extending building structure. The method also includes locating a plurality of prefabricated dome units adjacent one another on the locating formation of the ring beam, in a first annular course. Further annular courses are then located in position, thereby to form a domed top.

Abstract: A hanging compartment support system has a hanger frame including a pair of parallel hanger support rails connected at their ends to a pair of parallel support beams having pin means extending outwardly at opposite ends to be removably positioned in keyhole openings on vertical columns of a main support frame; a second hanger frame is identical to the first hanger frame except for the provision of cantilever support flanges extending from each end of its support beams for resting support on one end of one of the lower flanges of shelf support beams mounted on the main support 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 for teaching treatment of a skeletal injury including an artificial body part having two spaced-apart portions made of shape permanent material and a portion of non-rigid deformable material disposed in the space between said shape permanent portions; a hollow, elongated bone-simulating member in each shape permanent portion, the members projecting from their respective shape permanent portions into the deformable portion so as to face each other and form therein a place of simulated skeletal injury; connected to the projecting ends of the members for applying thereto a force which resiliently resists separation of the projecting ends of the members in the longitudinal direction; a locking pin longitudinally movable within the members between a position wholly within one member and a position partially within both members for releasably locking the members against angular displacement relative to each other; and a manually operable device connected to the locking pin for applying a longitudinal movi

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.

Abstract: A clip for joining sheet metal beams to one another is formed of a single strip of sheet steel. An arcuate spring plate fits between the flanges of one beam, with a free edge engaging beneath a lip, and a transverse bend at the other edge of the arcuate section joined to a member that extends downward outside the other flange and beneath the web of the one beam. At a second bend there is a flange that rises to engage one of the flanges of the second beam beneath a bent-in lip thereof. The clips can be constructed for joining parallel beams, beams that cross at right angles, or beams that cross at any arbitrary angle.

Abstract: A clutch and brake friction assembly for a heavy duty vehicle is provided which includes a metal shoe having an exterior backing surface. The surface is provided with a multitude of burr-like protuberances arranged in a predetermined pattern throughout the surface. Molded to the backing surface and mechanically interlocking with the burr-like protuberances thereof is a lamina of friction material.

Abstract: An architectural glass unit comprises a glass light having an inner surface and a flexible structural gasket extending along edges of the glass light and located adjacent the inner surface. A thin adhesive layer bonds the glass light firmly to the structural gasket. A supporting frame extends along the same edges of the glass light and is located on the side of the gasket opposite the glass light. This frame includes means for mechanically fastening the structural gasket to the frame. In one embodiment, a bonding material such as structural silicone directly bonds the glass light to the supporting frame and is arranged along one side of the gasket. L-shaped flanges integrally formed on the frame and rolled into sealing engagement with the gasket are used for the mechanical fastening.

Abstract: A footing or foundation system for a wall or like structure is provided comprising a plurality of concrete masonry ("CM") footing blocks disposed in abutting relationship along a foundation axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wall to be supported on such footing blocks. The footing stretcher blocks have a lateral dimension which extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the foundation and is substantially longer than the longitudinal dimension of such blocks which extends substantially parallel to the foundation axis. The lateral dimensions of the CM footing blocks are nominal multiples of the longitudinal dimension of such blocks; and the lateral dimension of such blocks is preferably at least four times the longitudinal dimension of such blocks.

Abstract: A portable shelter for use by ice fisherman is formed from two curved hollow shell halves joined together by cooperating VELCRO flange portions. One shell half is provided with a semicircular integrally formed floor. One shell half may be provided with a hinged or slidable door, while the other shell half is provided with a hooded vent. The portable ice fishing shelter may be transported to the site of use by nesting one shell half within the other shell half and towing the shelter over the surface of a frozen body of water in this condition. Upon arrival at the site of use, the shell halves are assembled to form an igloo-like shelter.

Abstract: An improved structure assembled with the parts made of light aluminum alloy, roof sheathing such as plastic corrugated boards or polyvinyl fiber glass boards set with assembly nails and drain chains made of resin for draining rain falling on the roof. The parts include a number of posts, a front beam, a rear beam, a number of rafters, a number of auxiliary poles, two fascias and a number of struts. This simple structure is easy to assemble and dismantle and has a long life span and high economic gain.