Abstract: What is disclosed is a structural element comprising a surface element of an extruded rigid plastic, said surface element having at least one continuous hollow space and being secured to a support by a rod extending through said hollow space.

Abstract: A prefabricated panel for a post and sill panelized log wall system comprises vertical mullions having generally parallel first and second side faces and inside and outside faces. Each mullion has a first and second grooves extending lengthwise thereof in the first side face and a third groove extending lengthwise thereof in the second side face. Each mullion further has a recess at its lower end extending up from its lower end and extending toward the outside from its inside face providing a vertical face facing toward the inside and an upper shoulder extending from its inside face. A rigid insulation panel extends between the mullions having its ends sealed and adhered in the first grooves, the insulation panel extending from the top of the prefabricated panel down to and terminating at the level of the shoulders.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced concrete comprising two kinds of short fibers, one being a short fiber having a Young's modulus higher than that of concrete, the other being a short fiber which has a Young's modulus lower than that of concrete and showing good adhesiveness to concrete. The both fibers are mixed in a predetermined ratio and dispersed in a concrete matrix. A reinforcing material for concrete is also disclosed which material consisting of such fibers as mentioned above.

Abstract: A semi-submergible spherical residential structure adapted to be floated in a body of water. The structure features a substantially spherical shell having a hollow annular sponson affixed around its maximum girth such that the sponson is parallel to the water surface when the structure is floating in a body of water. The outer diameter of the sponson is sufficiently large so as to stabilize the shell when floating and the sponson has a width which is sufficiently great so as to provide adequate reserve buoyancy to the structure when the latter is weighted.

Abstract: A modular tile for an access floor panel system wherein the tile includes a mechanism for positively locating the tile on an access floor panel so as to be replaceable and removable without the use of indexing tools or fixtures through the tile's bottom surface or the panel's top surface and having a configuration which orients the tile to the access floor panel, the size of the tile being consistent and modular with each and every access floor panel in the access floor panel system.

Abstract: A device for shutting-off a plastics pipe in the event of a fire comprises a sheath of a flexible refractory fabric around a portion of the pipe within or adjacent a fire-resisting partition such as a wall or floor. A spring is placed under tension around the fabric and acts to radially constrict the pipe and sheath, when the pipe softens in the event of a fire. Upon subsequent burning, the burnt plastics forms a foam-like carbon mass which plugs the constricted sheath.

Abstract: A unitary fastener insert (50) for structural sandwich panels (52) is comprised of a shaft (58) of a generally uniform circular cross section having a base (64) and a tip (62), a generally circular flange (68) extending radially outward from the base circumferentially peripheral the shaft, and a central stepped bore therethrough (72) including an enlarged fastener seat recess (78) disposed interiorly of the tip for receiving the head (90) of a fastener (54) merging to a reduced bore (82) for receiving the shank (94) of the fastener. The insert of the present invention is specifically configured for production by a forging technique, also described herein.

Abstract: A plastic glazing profile for mounting a glass pane in an existing wooden frame comprises a supporting face having at one end thereof an element for fixing a glass pane by means of projections. At its other end the profile comprises a glass pane abutment and opposite thereto a profile abutment edge. The profile abutment edge being the bottom of an abutment edge chamber, is provided with apertures forming outlets for water flowing from a gutter space through bores into said chamber. The profile abutment edge is able to engage a sealing strip through a projecting portion.

Abstract: A first tubular member having an axially extending central cavity with opposed substantially flat walls receives through its open end a connector which is adapted to be clamped against the opposed flat walls and to secure the end of the first tubular member against an exterior wall of a second tubular member which has a laterally directed undercut recess in a side wall thereof for engagement by corresponding portions of the connector. The connector has first and second substantially rigid legs with respective head portions with inclined surfaces which engage in the undercut recess in the side wall of the second tubular member so as to pull the tubular members together and hold them in the desired position; the rigid legs have respective tail portions at the opposite ends thereof from the head portions, and a connecting element has means for biasing apart the rigid legs and interconnects said tail portions and by virtue of recesses for receiving in push fit interengagement said tail portions.

Abstract: A base isolation system for a structure for protecting against earthquakes. The superstructure is supported on a first and second discs, one above the other. Between the discs, and between the lower disc and the foundation there are elastomeric or similar support means which provide restoring forces if the structure is displaced by oscillations of the ground. Means are provided so that one set of elastomeric or similar support means is subjected only to horizontal oscillations. The other support means is subjected to vertical oscillations and, if desired, rotations, but not horizontal oscillations. Connecting means also may be provided to allow slow vertical displacements of the second support means but to prevent rapid vertical displacements until a predetermined vertical force is supplied. These means disconnect if rapid oscillations occur with strong forces; when these means disconnect, the structure can oscillate through greater vertical displacements, by means of the elastomeric support means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fixation devices, on a wall structure, and at a distance of said structure, of a facing made of the assembly of a number of modular plates.The plates are provided with two series of metallic hooking means rigidly connected with the plate along lines parallel to the top and bottom edges, the hooks of said means opening downwardly and supporting elements fixed to the wall and having two parallel horizontal hooking edges turned upwardly, the hooks of the metallic hooking means being conformed so as to cooperate with said hooking edges.

Abstract: A prior art type of restaurant seating includes a longitudinal row of laterally extending consecutive seating stations delineated by and individually accessible from parallel longitudinal aisles. The invention herein discloses means for additionally employing such prior art restaurant seating in a condition where an individual seating station might be temporarily converted into a pair of laterally shorter seating zones to accommodate two small dining groups in a private and aesthetic setting. The convertible restaurant seating includes an upright partition extending medially longitudinally through the row of seating stations, the partition having a view-way in lateral registry with each consecutive dining table and which view-way can be temporarily closed-off with apt closure means.

Abstract: In the Fibrestone Building Construction the outer or exterior shell or panel is formed of a plastic material such as concrete reinforced by a high concentration of fibers, such as glass or other fibrous material randomly disbursed in the mass of the moldable material such as concrete. If desired the fibers can be chopped up to accelerate their bonding in the mass of the moldable material. This moldable material and the fibrous reinforcement may be sprayed under pressure into a mold having a surface which it is desired to reproduce. The surface of the mold is reproduced faithfully, and a relatively thin but strong outer shell embodying the desired contour is thus formed. This outer shell or wall is assembled in a horizontal position, with its outer face down, with a frame of substantially uniform thickness throughout. All necessary insulation, wall reinforcements, appliance fittings, door and window cutouts and spaces for wall connectors and utility outlets are installed within the thickness of the framework.

Abstract: A structural system and method which utilizes a plurality of three dimensional nodal connectors and one or more struts extending between and secured to the nodal connectors. Each connector is comprised of at least three relatively flat planar plates and preferably, three pairs of relatively flat planar plates which are assembled in three mutually perpendicular planes in space. Each of these plates in each of the three pairs are substantially similar in both size and shape and are uniquely designed so that they are capable of being interfitted in the mutually perpendicular planes. Also each of the struts are substantially similar in both size and shape and may be connected to the nodal connectors at connection regions which are slightly resilient so that the struts are capable of being snap fitted between such plates of each connector and releaseably retained therein.

Abstract: A guttering system including shallow channel portion which receives run off from a roof from which it is attached. The shallow channel is part of a length of formed metal sheet which wraps around in an approximate "C"-shape to provide fascia and if required eaves. Supported within the formed metal sheet and situated below the shallow channel is a plastics conduit, such as PVC channel, which leads to down pipe. Spaced along the shallow channel are through holes, with strainers, which allow water collected to pass through into the conduit and then to the down pipe. The formed metal sheet and conduit are both supported by plurality of spaced apart brackets which can be attached on top of, or alongside, roofing structures such as rafters. The brackets need not to be attached in a specific location relative to the rafter ends, and the rafter ends need not to be cut plumb.

Abstract: A space frame construction with mutually dependent surfaces includes plural polyhedra having rigid panel members that need not be interconnected along abutting edges. The panel members of each of said polyhedra are further related to each other through duality. Interconnection between the polyhedra is achieved through bevel angle panel members, sloped web panel members, and wedge brace panel members. An optional chock may be further utilized for supplemental reinforcement.

Abstract: A novel prefabricated tile panel consisting of a rectangular or square substrate board having side-long rectangular convex and concave portions arranged regularly by turns around the sides of the rectangular or square shape and a multiplicity of tiles arranged regularly and bonded onto the substrate board is provided. The concave portion and convex portion are of specified dimensions, respectively. The convex portions are protruded and the concave portions are set back from the tiles arranged and bonded in a rectangular or square shape. Thus, the prefabricated tile panels can be assembled without trouble by inserting the convex portions of one panel in the concave portions of other panel or panels for installation of the tile panels.

Abstract: Moldings which serve as grounds either for fluent settable or dry finish material, or both, are suited to be fastened against sub-structure of a building, and the molding includes a channel which interiorly is revealed forwardly as trim, the channel being disposed forwardly in the molding so as to be accompanied by coves formed in the molding at the rear of the channel, and so as to have fluent settable finish material enter and cleat in the related cove, where fluent settable finish material is selected for application outside the cove, to the molding.

Abstract: This invention relates to a curtainwall system having panels mounted on a grid formed of vertical and horizontal mullions having a planar or flat exterior surface. Each of the panels is provided with a frame formed of hanger sections having a groove facing the interior of the frame. A panel engaging clip has one end inserted in the groove of the hanger frame and the other portion of the clip secured to the grid. The clip urges the hanger against the weatherstripping of the grid to provide an air and dust tight seal. A polyurethane block is mounted in the space between adjacent panels and thereafter a silicone is extruded into the space.

Abstract: A hollow structural member constituted of a plurality of wall sections cooperatively laterally enclosing an interior space, wherein adjacent wall sections have straight longitudinal edges aligned and facing each other to define a joint between the sections, with longitudinal recesses respectively formed on the inner surfaces of the wall sections adjacent the joint and opening toward each other across the joint, and wherein the sections are interlocked at the joint by means of an elongated spline inserted in the recesses for bridging the joint and having an outwardly projecting central longitudinal rib for engaging the joint-defining edges of the wall sections to limit the extent of lateral insertion of the spline into either of the recesses.