Abstract: Two U-shaped clamps which are adapted to be fastened to spaced-apart mounting channels on the rear of a shutter are joined together by a pliable spacer strip which extends between the clamps and spaces them a predetermined distance apart to match the distance between the spaced channels. The spacer strip enables the clamps to be attached to a building wall in position to support the shutter without the necessity of measuring the distance between the clamps. The pliability of the spacer strip enables the clamps and the attached spacer strip to be conveniently carried in a pocket prior to installation. The spacer strip preferably extends beyond the side edge of the clamps to serve as a gauge to locate the shutter a selected distance from the window frame side.

Abstract: A support structure for a space frame system of the type wherein an upper chord frame and a lower chord frame structure are formed of a plurality of strut members connected to each other and held together by a plurality of like connecting fixtures. A support column is included for connection to the connecting fixtures by one or more intermediate beams carried at the top of the support column. The structure is designed to support multiple deck space frames and space frames covering multiple modules in such manner as to distribute the load and stress characteristics of the space frames dependently one of the other through the column. Different embodiments include diagonal column arm supports and systems in which there are included either one-way or two-way support beams interconnected with the chord frames of two or more of the space frames.

Abstract: A clip and assembly of two structural channels front-to-back by use of the clip, the clip having a one-channel connecting portion and means for gripping portions of the side flanges of the other channel.

Abstract: A plurality of laterally spaced, generally parallel, cantilever arch frame assemblies formed by interlock T-shaped vertical column members have inwardly and outwardly directed integral, projecting arms at their upper ends. A horizontal beam member is cantilever mounted to one of the arms and a semi-arch member fixed at its base to the ground outwardly of the column has its upper end mounted to the other arm. Roof panels are fixed at opposed edges to respective horizontal beam members by slidably coupling the roof panel to the beam member by interengaging male and female connectors which are respectively integral therewith. Sidewall panels slidably engage integral connectors on the sides of the vertical column member in similar fashion. Corner beams pinned at their ends to the vertical columns are interconnected through female and male connectors with confronting edges of the roof panel and sidewall panel.

Abstract: An improved cellular floor, wall or the like structure is disclosed. The structure in a specific embodiment disclosed, includes a covered raceway for electrical conductors. The raceway has a plurality of knockouts in its cover, and is covered by and at least partially supports a poured concrete floor. The improvement is a plurality of cooperating piston-cylinder assemblies on the raceway cover. Each of the assemblies is a cylinder with a concrete piston therewithin. The cylinder is positioned so that its projection on the raceway cover is larger than and covers one of the knockouts. The piston is capable of limited axial movement within the cylinder, and has an end in substantial contact with one of the knockouts. The piston end is of such size and shape that, when driven toward the knockout, the piston will drive the knockout into the raceway and enter the knockout opening.

Abstract: An integrated building structure of A-frame form has a series of cored panels, each of which is provided at peripheral extremities with interlocking, dual connectors. The structural components of the building interlock with one another and are integrated through an elongated ridge pole with fastening means compatible with the connectors of the structural components.

Abstract: A sun reflector formed by a carrier of transparent sheet material and internal louvers for use in a window panel is disclosed. The louvers are inserted across the width of the carrier and on equally spaced centers along its length. The louvers are received by the carrier at an angle acute to the plane of the surface. The louvers are formed of individual segments, each of which is equidistantly spaced from adjacent louver segments with the outer segments being spaced from the sides of the sheet material. The louver segments are encased by the sheet material.

Abstract: A method of constructing buildings is disclosed wherein a multicellular monolithic structure is formed with walls and future floors all in a vertical plane. The walls may be formed from concrete or other laminate material. The structure is then tilted about tilt points along a tilt line which is retained in a V-groove attached to a base until the structure reaches a vertical location. After the tilting step the structure is levelled by means of jacks. Wedges are inserted to support the structure and the jacks are removed. Several structures may be assembled to form a building. Cantilever walls may be added which join together to form a corridor or hall between structures.

Abstract: A high strength frusto-conical or conical structure utilizing an integral flanged reinforcing grid is disclosed. The structure comprises a skin plate having a generally conical shape, with a plurality of upstanding integral ribs. At least some of the ribs are configured in evenly spaced right and left spirals. Other ribs may extend along conic generatrix intersecting the spiral ribs at points where right and left spiral ribs intersect. Each rib includes a narrow flange at the inner edge, lying substantially parallel to the skin.

Abstract: A foldable construction element for forming roof constructions or buildings is described. The foldable element may consist of a polygonal sheet of paper, cardboard, plastic, or other suitable material which is provided with fold-lines in selected areas thereof. The sheet of material is selectively folded along the fold-lines to form a roof construction or building structure of a desired shape. The folded structure may be reinforced by a coating or layer of any suitable material to provide added structural strength to the final construction. Many shapes of the fold-lines, relative, sizes, and orientations can be chosen to form buildings or roof constructions of selected shapes. Methods are described for the controlled folding of the construction elements for either on or off site assembly of the building or roof construction. Foundation systems are also described for use with the folded construction elements.

Abstract: A preformed manhole suitable for use underground is made of reinforced plastic. The manhole comprises a dome section integrally joined at one end of a tubular body by an endless band of reinforced plastic. The dome is arcuately shaped to provide resistance to buckling, and in one specific embodiment is generally hemispherical. The dome includes a manway and a load bearing shoulder for supporting the manhole cover and frame. An upwardly extending rib or collar is provided around the manway to provide additional stiffness and stability.The method for making the preformed manhole is also disclosed. The tubular body is made by applying resin, glass fiber reinforcement, and particulate filler on an endlessly advancing mandrel. The dome is made by applying resin and glass fibers on the surface of a rotating mold. The dome and body are joined by laying-up resin and glass over their mated ends.

Abstract: This device for improving the safety of automotive vehicles comprises a structure adapted to be fitted in the lateral doors of the vehicle between the main panels thereof, said structure consisting of a sleeve member secured parallel to said panels in the direction of travel of the vehicle and anchored to the vertical edges of the door, and comprising a core with a peripheral winding made of glass yarn impregnated with resin and tensioned, the proportion of the component elements being 50 to 80 percent and preferably 70 percent of glass yarn, the balance consisting of resin.

Abstract: Polygon shaped barrels of different size can be readily assembled from conventional end plates of appropriate diameter, and conventional support members connect the end plates to one another to define rectangular openings. Panels, which can be readily cut to size along predetermined lines are placed in these openings. The largest barrel size utilizes panels which need not be cut, whereas proportionately smaller barrels are made up from panels cut to predetermined, somewhat smaller, sizes. Each panel includes an outer portion having relatively wide generally longitudinally extending ribs, and intersecting cross ribs, to define relatively large rectangular openings. The inner portion of each panel has smaller openings defined by partitions molded integrally to this one-piece, "one-size" panel.

Abstract: A concrete block simulating a Norman brick is formed with two large cores separated by a central web. The cores are adapted to receive insulating foam during manufacturing of the block. Each block is grooved in its opposite ends and recessed in its central web for the reception of wedge elements or keys formed of plastic or the like. Adjacent blocks in each course are interlocked and the courses of walls constructed from the blocks in either a stacked bond or running bond are mechanically interlocked and properly aligned. Epoxy cement is utilized for bonding of courses in a customized wall or in prefabricated panel sections utilizing the interlocking block.

Abstract: An air inflated structure, the outer shell walls of which have a surface geometry consisting of one or more concave sections. Heat flow from or into the enclosed volume is drastically curtailed by thin plastic films, which are secured to the outer boundaries of the concave surface sections, and are joined to the shell wall at locations within the boundaries of its curved surface section by direct attachment or via flexible anchor tie strips.The surface area of each film is less than that of the surface geometry encompassed within the boundary to which it is secured, whereby in its inflated state, the outer shell wall extends the films in a taut fashion across its curved surface geometries to define a thin, uniform and dimensionally stable insulating air space between the shell wall and the plastic films. Additional sets of plastic films, spaced approximately parallel, may be utilized to further curtail the said heat flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchoring device which rigidly supports many kinds of standing objects in public works or in the construction industry and provides resistance to pulling loads exerted on the device, and also to a method for settling the device in the bottom of a deep shaft bored into the ground.

Abstract: An acoustically and thermally insulated window structure comprising two outer panes and at least one inner pane with an outer spacer interposed between the outer panes and at least one further spacer defining a gap between inner panes when a plurality of the latter are provided. One of the inner panes is spaced at a predetermined relatively small distance from a corresponding outer pane and a body of moisture-absorbent material is disposed in fluid communication with a space within the inner panes.