Abstract: A one piece extrusion for use in the manufacturing of structures including structures such as frames, wall partitions, display boards, signs, covers, filters, screens, mesh, window sash and window-like structures, such window frames, window sash and other structures and methods of making such structures and especially of making window sash. The extrusion comprises a locking element of which the main portion is formed of a substantially rigid plastic material, which is provided with spaced integral, flexible projections extending angularly outwardly from the stem of the element, and which is adapted to be inserted in a channel formed in the entire periphery of a rectangular frame so as to hold a flexible translucent, transparent, or opaque sheet locked in the channel. The flexible sheet is forced into the channel. In so doing the flexible sheet is stretched to give a smooth appearance and is locked in the channel and sealed by the extrusion.

Abstract: A multi-glazed window unit of the type wherein parallel panes of a light transmitting material are sealed in a spaced apart relationship and the atmosphere between the sealed panels is treated to remove moisture therefrom. A housing containing a desiccant is positioned between the sealed panes along one outer edge of the unit. The housing is divided into two zones, the first zone being open to the atmosphere so that any moisture present in the atmosphere at the time the unit is sealed is immediately removed therefrom by the desiccant in this zone, and a second zone that is shielded from direct exposure to the atmosphere whereby the desiccant in this zone remains in a condition to remove moisture from the atmosphere which may penetrate the seal at a later time.

Abstract: A wall assembly comprising a plurality of building blocks, each of the building blocks have first and second coextensive and parallel wall portions interconnected by a third wall portion, each of the wall portions being provided with grooves therein, and a lattice member comprising parallel and coextensive runner members interconnected by spreader members, the grooves being adapted to receive the lattice member, the lattice member being operative to interconnect and lock together the building blocks to form a wall structure.

Abstract: A joint for sealing juxtaposed parallel logs separated by spacers, which are narrower than the width of the log, is disclosed. The joint comprises a flat strip of resilient material having profiled flanges bent at about right angles with respect to the flat portion of the strip and adapted to be snapped in confronting longitudinal grooves made in the juxtaposed logs, and an insulating sealing material interposed between the strip and the spacer.

Abstract: A controlled release wall structure is provided which relies on controlled strength distribution and which disengages from a building framework at a selected applied load -- failure load -- and collapses in the direction of the applied load, that is, inwardly or outwardly of the building. Under normal wind load conditions, the present wall structure will safely sustain the expected elastic deflection and working stresses. However, under abnormally high loadings such as applied by explosion forces or by tornado and hurricane wind forces, the present wall structure collapses to create a substantial open area whereby a minimal loading is transmitted to the structural framework. The present wall structure protects the building framework from being overstressed during tornadoes or hurricanes; and also is capable of quickly relieving excessive pressures generated by an explosion within or without the building.

Abstract: The prefabricated building frame structure or gazebo is of octagonal configuration and has a centrally located vertical axis. It includes a structural support system, a floor system carried by the support system above ground level, and a roof system carried solely by the support system. The floor and roof systems are provided with collars, each with at least three sides, which are spaced apart and are located on the vertical axis. The structural support system includes at least three vertical support columns with each column being spaced an equal distance from the axis and being spaced equal distances from adjacent columns to form the octagonal configuration. The floor system includes joists of equal length, one for each collar side and corresponding column. The joists extend from the floor collar to the support columns. The sides of the roof collar and the upper end portions of the support columns are provided with fastening brackets.

Abstract: Prefabricated room structure for facilities in general, such as toilets, bathrooms, kitchens and the like, suitable for installation in a finished form into a building, in which there are prepared separately and in finished form: lateral walls floor and ceiling of the room structure. The so prefabricated finished wall, floor-and-ceiling component parts of the room structure are assembled together on the site by screw fastening and/or welding together the jointed formations to obtain the room structure in the form of a box-like member ready to be installed into the building as a unit.

Abstract: A roof, or the like, composed of a plurality of blocks of relatively rigid insulating material which may be formed of Styrofoam. The relatively rigid blocks of insulating material being so configured that adjacent blocks will mate together forming a sealing means for the roof, or the like, which constitutes, in effect, a hermetic seal to thereby eliminate the possibility of temperature, moisture, etc. from entering between the blocks. The concept also involves the method of laying the plurality of blocks, whereby the sealing between adjacent blocks is aided by what I shall term an "UP" and "DOWN" arrangement of alternate blocks. The medium, which is rigid insulation, is intended to be used to form the insulating blocks will not accept adhesive so that a rubber or plastic sheet may not be caused to adhere to these relatively rigid insulating blocks when laid thereover.

Abstract: A number of identical, regular, hexagonal and semi-hexagonal structural units are formed and some are interconnected in side by side abutting relation in the course of forming a dome structure of generally part spherical configuration. As the first units are interconnected, recesses are formed that are of generally distorted partial hexagonal form. Others of the structural units are then distorted as required to fit into the distorted recesses and assembly is continued to completion of the structure. The hexagonal units are readily distorted by constructing them of a number of elongated structural elements that are connected to each other in end to end relation for limited pivotal motion. The structural elements have broad outer faces that make an angle of 71/2 with respect to a normal to the plane of the hexagon to facilitate abutment and interconnection of part circular rows of structural units in a generally circular configuration.

Abstract: A bearer panel has a panel body and supporting devices normally supported by the body. The body has horizontal transverse grooves which in a sectional profile thereof expand inwards. The supporting devices have lugs fitting the grooves.

Abstract: A roof flashing and counter-flashing assembly for providing a fluid-sealing passageway for pipes, tubes and conduits through the roof of a building including a sleeve anchorable at one open end to the roof about the roof opening through which the pipe, tube or conduit passes, a roof flashing member having a sleeve portion slideably mateable about the other sleeve and a radially-extending flange portion about the one end of the sleeve portion positioned immediately over the anchorable portion of the sleeve, a cap to sealingly cover the unanchored open end of the sleeve and having an opening therethrough through which the pipe, tube or conduit will pass and a pair of receptacles therein, an annular seal disposed between the cap and the sleeve and the cap and the roof flashing member, a double sealing washer slideably mateable about the pipe, tube or conduit and adapted to seat about the opening in the cap, a retainer clamp having an aperture therein to fit freely over the pipe, tube or conduit and a pair of add

Abstract: An elongated, hollow stud, or wall support member, is formed of sheet material, and has at least one longitudinally extending planar wall. The wall is formed with a longitudinally extending series of rectangularly formed holes, the holes being so aligned as to each receive a wall panel retainer so disposed therein as to effect an abutting relationship between the edges of two adjacent wall panels. The retainer has a spring tensioned clip portion removably insertable through the holes to project interiorly of the wall stud, and further has terminally formed, sharply pointed teeth, disposed exteriorly of the hole to engage an edge portion of a wall panel. Such imbed themselves in the material of the wall panel.

Abstract: A topographic bench mark unit comprises a case which defines internally a space accessible through a movable lid. The case is mounted on a support. A bench mark member is integral with the case within the space. Provision is made for mounting a topographic member in a predetermined position in relation to the bench mark point, with a view to producing measurements referring to this point, and means for identifying the bench mark point. The unit has application both to immovable altimetric and geodetic bench marks.

Abstract: A structure of generally dome shape including a supporting framework formed of circumferentially spaced vertical members and laterally extending members on each side thereof and means for clamping said laterally extending members to a vertical member. The laterally extending members being spaced apart substantially the same distance as the diameter of the vertical member to which they are clamped. An inside shell formed in any suitable manner of concrete, mesh and reinforcing members and an outside shell spaced from said inside shell and formed generally similarly to the inside shell, the inside and outside shells being connected to and supported by the spaced laterally extending members and fixed thereto providing an airspace between the inside and outside shells. A modification of the structure provides a solar heating arrangement on a part of the dome shaped structure which has a generally southern exposure.

Abstract: The device for protecting a structure against the effects of dynamic stresses and especially stresses produced by earthquakes comprises a system of friction supports constituted by seating blocks associated respectively with the structure and with the foundation floor. The blocks are applied against each other and capable of relative displacement in frictional contact. The coefficients of static and dynamic friction of the contact surfaces range from a minimum value of approximately 0.08 to a maximum value of approximately 0.5.

Abstract: A cooling tower with a non-self-supporting envelope which is supported by a net of cables and by pulling elements extending from a portion of a supporting post which portion protrudes upwardly beyond the outlet opening of the cooling tower mantle, in which annular means surround the outlet opening of the mantle and are connected to the supporting post by elements extending in a spoke-like manner from the supporting post and at least partially subjected to pull only.

Abstract: A roof panel joint construction and clip device for use therein to secure abutting edges of panels so that the clip and associated fastener is concealed and so that the panels are capable of expanding or contracting longitudinally due to thermal changes. Abutting edges of roof panels are crimped together with a lip portion of the clip positioned therebetween while the clip is secured to a purlin with a flange portion of the clip including an elongated slot and a spring clamping member positioned between the head of a fastener and the flange.

Abstract: A simulated exterior surface assembly for creating the appearance of brick, stone, or the like. A sheet of plastic material, preferably vinyl, is provided with a series of simulated brick face sections or the like, defined by lines of weakening, where such sections are separable one from another by ordinary flexing. The sheet is provided with a peel-away self-adhesive allowing the simulated sections to be readily adhered onto a suitable undersurface. An optical arrangement includes the use of a mortar colored vinyl self-adhering backing material which is first placed on the undersurface and thereafter the individual simulated sections are suitably disposed thereon.

Abstract: A ground or earth anchor adapted to be driven lengthwise into the ground or placed lengthwise in a pre-dug hole in the ground and then is tilted or rotated into transverse or horizontal anchoring position by tension on a cable, rope, guy wire, rod or the like attached to the anchor. The anchor has an elongated rigid T-shaped body providing a web and two lateral flanges with a pointed leading end and down-turned sloping fins at the rear ends of the flanges causing the rear portion of the body to bite into the ground and tilt as the body is retracted. The outer or top edge of the web portion is provided with a hole to receive the cable or the like and this hole is positioned back of the longitudinal midpoint of the body so that the major area portions of the web and flanges will be ahead of the hole on the pointed end section of the body.

Abstract: A composite slab assembly having an elongated metal deck provided with a number of longitudinally oriented upwardly directed integrally formed ribs and a concrete layer disposed on the metal deck with longitudinally oriented portions in complementary surface to surface engagement with the underlying metal deck. A transversely oriented integral reinforcing beam formed by a thickened portion of the concrete layer and having a lower extremity disposed below the level of the uppermost surfaces of the metal deck. The metal deck having at least one transversely directed discontinuity within which a portion of the transverse beam is received. Reinforcing rods may be provided in the integral reinforcing beam.The metal deck rib discontinuity may be partial and take the form of a number of longitudinally spaced notches generally aligned with similar notches in other ribs. The discontinuity may also be total with a complete transverse deck gap in the region of the beam.