Abstract: A structure which can be easily and readily converted between a solid vertical structure, functioning as a fence, and a structure enclosing a space and fuctioning as a shed, vehicle garage or the like whereby a rear wall engages a pair of parallel rails for effecting movement of the wall along the rails to any desired position. A roof is pivotably connected to the rear wall along the upper edge and a side wall and front wall are pivotably connected to the roof. The other side wall is slidably connected for permitting the enclosure to receive a vehicle or the like.

Abstract: A clip assembly for securing abutting edges of roof deck panels together and to an underlying support structure in such a manner as to conceal the clip assembly and permit relative longitudinal movement of the panels to the support structure responsive to forces from thermal expansion or contraction. The clip assembly comprises a clip member and a foot member slidably interconnected by a hook on the foot member which is received in an elongate slot formed in the clip member. The clip and the foot interconnection includes means to center the two members relative to one another.

Abstract: Mobile home ceiling boards are normally made in 4-foot-wide sheets which are fastened to the ceiling roof trusses at 16-inch intervals. Herein are shown at least three separate ways of fastening the ceiling board to the roof trusses by the use of a fastening means which engages the back of the ceiling board and is fastened to a roof truss member. This permits the utilization of a concealed fastening structure for fastening the large ceiling boards to the roof trusses of a mobile home ceiling or any other conventional ceiling structure. Each of the three fastening techniques involves the use of cuts in the ceiling board which receive the flanges of a fastening structure. This structure can be previously attached to the roof truss or installed in the board cuts before attaching to the roof truss. A combination system could also be used wherein a part inserted in the board cuts would mate with a part previously attached to the roof truss.

Abstract: A panel for construction purposes and having opposite edges to be interlocked with adjacent panels. The panel has a C-shaped interlocked member at one edge and C-shaped slot at the other edge. In assembly the C-shaped member of one panel is slid into the C-shaped slot of the other panel for interlocked purposes.

Abstract: An inflatable tent is in the shape of a non-planar tetrahedron. The tent is formed from a single rectangular, planar sheet joined with itself along three linear seams.

Abstract: Cover wall construction particularly suited for shipboard modernization and including a supporting wall structure installed in front of a wall to be covered, vinyl clad flat surfaced aluminum wall panels, and wall panel retaining members formed for like use at baseboard levels, ceiling height and between next adjacent wall panels to retain the wall panels in fastenerless engagement with the supporting structure provided therebehind.

Abstract: A joint for use in a partition wall building assembly and method in which abutting edge surfaces forming the joint are provided with rigid self supporting fibres projecting substantially normally from the surfaces and intermeshed to resist shear movement between the surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces of a partition wall panel are provided with the projecting fibres which intermesh with fibres on the ceiling and floor surfaces to hold the panel in position. The ceiling and floor surfaces are relatively movable vertically to clamp the panel and ensure complete intermeshing of the fibres. The length and density of the fibres is such that shear movement is substantially prevented.

Abstract: A system for constructing spatial structures includes a nucleus into which a series of tubes lead, the tubes connecting adjacent nuclei. The nucleus is substantially spherical and hollow and is formed to two helmet-shaped pieces of different heights, having in their corresponding mouthpieces, flat annular fins which, when confronting each other, form flanges for coupling, by means of screws, the two pieces. The surface of the hollow sphere forming the nucleus has flat, round, annular, surfaced openings suitable for receiving the ends of the tubes to form the structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to building structures and, more particularly, to the transverse frame of an industrial building carcass wherein columns carry a crossbar and a supporting member of the building roof arranged above said crossbar. The column portions located above the crossbar are rigidly connected with the latter, forming a U-shaped frame which rests through hinges on the column portions located below the crossbar and the roof supporting member is thrust tightly between the free ends of said U-shaped frame. This layout of the transverse frame reduces the height of the crossbar section to the dimensions which allow it to be carried by rail without separating it longitudinally thus reducing the amount of erection work during the construction of industrial building carcasses and diminishing their height. Such a transverse frame is lighter than the known frames of the same type.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel inflatable building that is particularly adapted for use as a greenhouse and the like.

Abstract: Self-supporting structures and panels of diverse shapes are disclosed in which basic assemblies of crossed rod elements are employed to achieve the desired shape. Further, the crossing points of crossed rod elements in the structure involved may include limited sliding connections which effect transfer of collapsing force to other crossing points which are pivotally joined. An improved hub structure for pivotally joining ends of the rod elements at the outer and inner apical points is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-supporting radome construction is formed from a random distribution of four basic structural elements assembled in a standard reoccurring pattern. The elements define four basic triangular openings. Each triangular opening is covered with a panel, and only four panel sizes are required whether or not the interior surface is the same or different than the exterior surface.

Abstract: A self-supporting structure comprised of a corrugated, convoluted, rigid surface which is elliptical in plan and elevation taken along its length and slightly in excess of semicircular when viewed from its end, the corrugations being parallel to each other and perpendicular to its length and decreasing in diameter progressively by a fixed percent taken in the direction from the middle of the structure towards its ends.

Abstract: A method of anchoring ridge-capping or hip-capping to the structure of a building. A rail fitted with a series of clips moveable therealong is secured to a hip- or ridge-board. Flanges on the clips engage the upper surfaces of a series of end-to-end cap sections forming a continuous roof capping above the rail. The clips are adjustable to suit individual applications.

Abstract: An air supported structure including a wall portion having a membrane configuration comprising a structural substrate to which a plurality of coatings or films have been applied in a manner to provide a membrane configuration having improved heat flow properties, sound and light radiation and/or absorbing qualities, structural integrity, weather resistance, and design characteristics as desired or required according to the intended use of the air supported structure.

Abstract: A series of upright, longitudinally extending baffles are supported in parallel array, with the transverse or secondary baffles being formed by twisting out of the webs of the primary baffles an area initially separated by slots which leave a stem connecting the secondary baffle with the web at two opposed positions, normally the top and bottom. When the secondary baffle is twisted, each of the webs is twisted, as to 90.degree., to support the secondary baffle transversely to the primary baffles. Normally, the secondary baffles extend the same distance to each side of the corresponding primary baffle. The secondary baffles of one primary baffle are normally interspaced with the secondary baffles of the adjacent primary baffles.

Abstract: A sectional edge strip for casting integrally with a concrete shape having a groove adapted to hold the edge of elastic jointing strip and grooves extending along the entire length of the sectional edge strip whereby fixing screws can be fitted at freely selected points fastening the strip to the mold for the concrete.

Abstract: A tie beam or girder assembly for exterior building face construction includes a core formed by resiliently joined aluminum sections 1, 2, an intermediate layer of fire-resistant material 13, 23, 29, and a surrounding outer facing 14, 16, 20, 28 of steel plate. Resilient mounting strips 10, 11 are provided for securing windows 7 or facing panels 27 to the assembly between flanges 8, 9 extending from the sections and gripping strips 12.

Abstract: A modular framework for a drop ceiling constructed from sheet steel strips in which individual frame members are rolled from a single strip into a cross-sectional shape including a hollow rectangular bulb portion, a flat web portion formed from two thicknesses of the sheet metal strip extending from the center of one wall of the rectangular portion, and a pair of L-shaped portions having one leg of each L-shaped portion lying in a common plane transverse to the web portion and joined respectively to the two thicknesses of the web portion, with the other leg of each L-shaped portion extending parallel to the web and projecting away from the bulb portion. Ends of the web portion have tabs which stab into openings of the web portion of another frame member to form a T connection between cross-members.

Abstract: The sealing device disclosed herein is designed for providing an air tight seal between a door casing and the sides of a vehicle positioned adjacent the casing. It comprises an elongated rigid angular profile having flanges which define a channel-shaped space therebetween and a resilient and collapsible pad structure fastened in the channel-shaped space between the flanges of the angular profile. The pad structure includes a collapsible spongy material enclosed in an air tight envelope, and the interior of the pad communicates with a vacuum source. In its distended position, the material inside the pad structure will cause the pad to expand a considerable distance beyond the flanges of the angular profile so as to abut the sides of the vehicle thereby providing an air tight seal. When a vacuum is applied to the collapsible material, the pad structure will collapse and be retracted almost completely into the channel-shaped space between the flanges of the profile.