Abstract: A building construction in which a unit of the building is composed of wall and roof sections, at least some of which are sandwich panels having surface sheets disposed in spaced relation with an insulating material therebetween. Each panel is provided with a framing element extending about the periphery, the element being of U-shaped cross-section to telescopically engage over the edges of the panel with opposite legs disposed flush against the surface sheets of the panel and a transverse leg defining the edge of the panel. The three legs of the U-shaped framing element are identical in exterior configuration to permit connection of adjacent panels to any one of the three legs interchangeably.

Abstract: A portable, easily assembled outdoor shelter particularly suitable for infants is provided with connected side, roof and floor fabric surfaces which are supported in a raised position by aluminum poles passing through sleeves affixed to the exterior of the connected fabric surfaces between adjoining sides and by wires attached one each to a pair of poles diametrically opposed about the center axis of the shelter, the wires passing through a ring affixed to the center of the roof. The shelter is hexagonally shaped with three of its six sides having a larger upper portion of its surface area made of a fiberglass net material and a smaller lower portion made of a solid lightweight nylon fabric; the remaining three sides also being made of a solid lightweight nylon fabric. The roof is partially of fiberglass net material which can be covered by a removable sun shade.

Abstract: A kit for a home craftsman or do-it-yourself person to erect a spiral staircase between different floors of a house; the kit including a center column, a set of step-holder brackets for attachment to the column and to one end of step treads, another set of brackets for attachment under the opposite ends of the step treads, templates for cutting out and drilling a set of treads made of lumber for forming steps, a set of posts for forming a spiral bannister, a set of braces and shims for adjusting the distances between the step treads.

Abstract: A structural framework composed of at least five intersected ring members providing a dome-shaped configuration over which a covering may be applied. A particular manner of ring member intersection is employed to make the structure self-supporting and to enable the ring members to be positioned with respect to one another to provide other geometric configurations.

Abstract: A joist hanger has a shroud with a rear wall and side walls with aligned openings for receiving the legs of a U-shaped pin. A jack screw, straddled by the legs, or a simple support plate rests on the pin to support a joist end. An L angle piece is welded or hinged to the rear wall. The level of the joist can be changed by the jack screw, and/or by turning a threaded hinge bolt, permitting the shroud to ride up or down on the bolt.

Abstract: A spherical junction element for composable display structures, comprising a body having at least one partially spherical outside surface, at least one flat outside surface intersecting the partially spherical surface, at least one slot in said partially spherical surface, which is perpendicular to at least one of the flat surfaces for fittingly receiving therein a plate like component member and for defining a base plane with at least one of the flat surfaces, a pin in the slot having a diameter less than the gap of the slot, and a reinforcing sleeve element pulled over the pin, the sleeve element being provided with two or more surface portions to engage the mating surface portions of the slot.

Abstract: An equilateral derrick structure such as for use in erecting chimneys and the like, wherein a plurality of horizontal members, upright diagonal brace members, and vertical column members are interconnected by a plurality of connectors to provide a desired three-dimensional framework derrick. The horizontal members may define a first kind of structural element, the brace members may define a second kind of structural element differing from the first kind, and the column members may define a third kind of structural element differing from each of the first and second kinds. The connectors may be formed as unitary members having a center portion defining a right circularly cylindrical hole for receiving corresponding right circularly cylindrical column members. The connectors may further define outwardly projecting flanges for connection of the horizontal members and diagonal brace members thereto.

Abstract: Folding structures useful for a variety of different utilitarian and play purposes can be constructed so as to utilize a Sarrus linkage modified so as to include an overcenter toggle mechanism to reinforce the linkage against inadvertent or undesired folding from an expanded position. As used in accordance with the invention such a Sarrus linkage includes two non-folding members or walls which are connected by two separate folding wall structures. Each of such wall structures includes two non-folding parts, an intermediate hinge connecting such parts, and edge hinges connecting such parts to the non-folding members or walls.

Abstract: A continuous transportation and placement frame for masonry modules, such as bricks or concrete blocks is suspended by cables from the ends of circumferentially spaced booms which radiate from a central hub. In one embodiment the hub is rigidly secured to the upper end portion of an upright rotatable standard, the lower end portion of which projects a short distance into the upper end of an upright mast. Adjacent screws tilt the standard in a self-aligning bearing fixed to the upper end of the mast. A winch on the mast extends and retracts the cables. The lower end of the mast is removably carried by a sleeve embedded in concrete in the floor of the building. Removable rods in the frame releasably support the modules.In another embodiment, the winch is on the standard and the lower end of the standard is tiltably received in the sleeve.

Abstract: A lining block for lining the wall of a kiln furnace or the like according to one aspect of the present invention consists of a body of a refractory material having a passage extending from its inner face to its outer face and an anchor plate secured with respect to the refractory body and being accessible by way of said passage so that it may be secured with respect to the wall of the kiln or furnace to secure the lining block in position. A refractory lined chamber according to the present invention has a metallic wall and a plurality of lining blocks each having anchor plates welded to the metallic wall. The method of forming a refractory lining in the chamber having a metallic wall comprises the steps of; forming a plurality of lining blocks as described above and securing the anchor plates of the lining blocks with respect to the metallic wall by way of the through passage and filling the through passage with refractory material to form a continuous refractory lining chamber.

Abstract: A manhole or a catch basin is built up by stacking a number of pre-cast concrete units. The joints between the units are provided, prior to stacking, with a bead of a non-hardening, semi-liquid, mastic waterproof layer to enable subsequent removal of the units without damaging same. The pre-cast concrete unit of this invention is typical by having cutouts in the side wall and corresponding protrusions extending from one face thereof. Hand or tool receiving depressions are provided in one surface of the unit to facilitate the handling of the unit when increasing or reducing the overall height of a manhole. The shape of the unit not only facilitates the production of same but also assists in convenient handling. Due to generally smooth faces, the steaming-off of the waterproof layer prior to the storage of a removed unit is also facilitated.

Abstract: A space framework for building up dismountable ceilings and walls which comprises pyramid-shaped elements each including reinforced concrete slabs with corners connected to steel profiles which are adapted to be subjected to tensile and pressure forces and come together at a joint. The pyramid-shaped elements are at the corners of the pertaining reinforced concrete slabs put together by means of connecting elements to form a space confining surface adapted in its plane to take up pressure forces. The joints at the tips of the respective pyramids are connected to tension members extending substantially parallel to the reinforced concrete slabs.

Abstract: A building having a roof constructed of a plurality of plates connected by hinges at the common edges, said plates initially arranged folded together, with lower edges of the outer plates hingeably connected to upper edge of side walls, and said side walls hingeably connected at each end of each side wall to a pair of end walls constructed of a plurality of wall panels, said wall panels hingeably interconnected along common vertical edges, and initially arranged folded together. Total projected width of end panels is substantially less than total width of roof plates. Unfolding the roof plates causes the side walls of the structure to move apart and the end walls to simultaneously unfold until the end walls are fully distended, at which position said end walls stop the roof plates from unfolding further, and retain the roof plates in a folded plate configuration.

Abstract: Apertures in the cast concrete walls of a swimming pool are lined with tubular inserts entirely received in the apertures in sealing, conforming engagement with the concrete. The length of each insert in the direction of wall thickness is equal to or shorter than the corresponding length of the receiving aperture. The insert essentially consists of a solid mixture of a particulate, rigid, inorganic material, such as quartz sand, and a smaller amount of a more resilient, synthetic organic resin binder. A fastening flange is provided in the bore of the insert for fastening the insert in a form while the wall is being built by pouring fluid concrete mixture into the form. The flange provides a fastening base for later installed fittings, pumps, etc. During construction of the swimming pool, a form bounding a cavity is erected.

Abstract: A thermal barrier system for panel installations comprises at least one gutter member attachable to a structure. The system further comprises a face member and a thermally insulative coupler member. The coupler member has an intermediate body portion to which are attached a pair of resilient legs which are rotatable into lockable engagement with a pair of slots defined in the gutter member. A second pair of resilient legs are attached to the intermediate body portion of the coupler member and are configured to snap into locking engagement with a pair of slots defined in the face member. The coupler is disengageable from the gutter and face members by a reverse rotation. Gaskets for engaging a panel between the face member and the gutter member are attached to the face member and the gutter member.

Abstract: A building module is formed of a first plurality of isosceles triangular members forming a roof and a second plurality of isosceles triangular members forming walls which support the roof. In one embodiment, some of the triangular members are right triangles and each of the remaining triangular members have two sides which are three-fourths the length of their third side. In another embodiment, all the triangular members each have two of their sides equal in length to three-fourths the length of their third side. Also, each of these embodiments can be combined to produce larger units and can be combined with a partial cubical form to provide vertical walls.

Abstract: Several embodiments of window frame assemblies comprising novel window framing members for supporting a glazing product are described. In one embodiment, a window frame assembly is described comprising a conventional framing member including a novel rotatable rod means for preventing the cutting through of the framing member as by a saw. In another embodiment, a window frame assembly is described comprising a framing member for installing pre-glazed windows with or without a rotatable rod means in the framing member, said member including a separately attachable leg member for attaching the pre-glazed window to a pre-installed sub-framing member. In still other embodiments, window frame assemblies are described comprising novel mullions for joining pairs of pre-glazed windows. The mullions, as described, may optionally include means for the attachment of a partition and the aforementioned rotatable rod means.

Abstract: Structure for combining a to-be-attached member with an attaching member and sheeting through a clip comprising an annular elastic head and one or a pair of elastic arms projectingly elongated from the center base portion of the elastic head and an engaging body having a supporting plate on the base portion, which projectingly elongated from both right and left sides of the back side of an engaging hole, wherein a to-be-attached hole is arranged on the to-be-attached member, the elastic head being fitted into the to-be-attached hole unmovably to the front and rear, with the supporting plate fitted unmovably to ups and downs and the elastic arm fitted into said engaging hole unmovably to the front and rear, and in case of combining the attaching member the same is made to be integral with the engaging body and in case of combining with sheeting a combining hole is punched on sheeting and the elastic head and supporting plate being inserted into the combining hole and sheeting being held between the to-be-attac

Abstract: A reinforcing plate for use underneath two or more lapped thin gauge sheets to stiffen the lapped joint for prevention of damage to the seal from loading and to provide uniform compressant of sealant between the lapped sheets. The plate comprises an elongated planar member having pairs of parallel cuts evenly spaced along its length extending transversely from one edge thereof for substantially one half its width, the material between each of the pairs of cuts being bent into a down turned mounting flange of L-shaped cross section.

Abstract: A modular skylight system comprises a continuous sill for supporting a lower edge of a plurality of panel frames, each pre-assembled and having a lower edge member interlocked on the sill. Each frame includes a pair of upwardly sloping side frame members adapted to be secured and interlocked to those of adjacent members and attached at their lower ends to the lower edge member. All of the frame members include an elongated glazing pocket for receiving an edge portion of a glazing panel and they also provide gutter structure for collecting liquid from the glazing panel and for carrying the liquid down to the sill for discharge therefrom.