Abstract: Triangulated shells can be free-formed but are uneconomical compared to translational shells that can only be flat. Scale-trans shells are limited in terms of number and arrangement of the openings. The present invention provides a free-formed, custom-tailored shell surface and a regularly shaped, mass-produced shell surface that can be assembled fairly evenly from advantageously quadrangular mesh elements having coplanar node points. The flexibility of a triangle net of shell pieces in a large scale is combined with the evenness of a quad net for meshes in a small scale, whereby triangular meshes at the shared side of adjoining square nets are combined in pairs to give irregular quadrangular meshes having coplanar vertices. The inventive shell is especially suitable for use as an energy-saving building such as a weekend home, emergency shelter, cupola of an observatory, roof of a building or an inner courtyard, as the shell of a large multi-story building or as a sports hall or factory building.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for detachably securing cans for use in plumbing, painting, construction, and home improvement. The devices are configured for mounting a structure such as a ladder, scaffold, bench, tool box, saw horse, table, railing, pipe, wood, lumber, metal, or plastic support or other object and further configured for detachably securing cans, such as cans containing PVC glue or primer for a plumber's use. In one device, the securing members have two arms configured to be arranged in an open state for receiving the can with substantially zero insertion force. In that device, the arms have end portions with latching members configured to join together in a first engagement position with the can. In a closed state, the latching members are in a partially overlapping configuration that pulls the arms tightly around the circumference of the can and thereby supplies a compression fit with high pull-apart strength.

Abstract: A construction prop includes an outer tube and an inner tube wherein the inner tube telescopically fitted in the outer tube. The top end of the outer tube has a threaded section axially formed with a pair of slots. The inner tube is axially formed with several pairs of pinholes. A locating nut is screwed on the threaded section of the outer tube. A controlling member formed with a pair of through holes is fitted on the outer tube. A bottom end of the controlling member is rotatably connected with the locating nut. A top face of the controlling member is formed with recessed/projecting structures. An insertion pin is fitted through the slots of the outer tube and inserted in one pair of pinholes of the inner tube, and is rested on the top face of the controlling member, whereby the prop can support a horizontal moldboard.

Abstract: A seismic wall molding for suspended ceiling systems that, although sufficiently wide across its horizontal ceiling supporting leg, is visually unobtrusive by virtue of a stepped, shadow style configuration. The stepped horizontal leg configuration allows the wall molding to resist buckling or bending deformation in the horizontal leg when a vertical leg of the molding is tightly secured against a non-flat wall surface. Factory ends on the wall molding are at parallel 45 degree planes to facilitate making inside and outside corners at the job site. A factory supplied template simplifies corner construction. A splice piece fits tightly on the upper sides of the horizontal legs at a straight-line joint between abutting lengths of the wall molding to maintain these elements in alignment.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for holding a storage device defining at least a mounting hole in a bottom thereof, the mounting apparatus comprises a bracket and a locking member. A support plate is arranged inward from a sidewall of the bracket. The storage device is disposed on the support plate. The locking member is movably connected to the bracket, and comprises at least one locking portion. The at least one locking portion is inserted in the at least one mounting hole to hold the storage device.

Abstract: A device suitable for supporting a component, such as a flat display screen, which device comprises a first arm, which can be connected to a wall with a first end thereof, being pivotable about a first pivot axis, and which is connected to a first end of a second arm with a second end thereof, being pivotable about a second pivot axis, which second arm can be connected to the component that is to be supported with a second end thereof, being pivotable about a third pivot axis. The device is furthermore provided with a third arm, which can be connected to the wall with a first end, being pivotable about a fourth pivot axis, and which is connected to a first end of a fourth arm with a second end, being pivotable about a fifth pivot axis, which fourth arm can be connected to the component to be supported with a second end, being pivotable about a sixth pivot axis.

Abstract: A display is disclosed to include a base, a post coupled to the base through a ball and socket joint for free adjustment at different angles, a holder assembly coupled and movable along the post, a locking device mounted in the holder assembly for locking the holder assembly to the post at the desired height, and a screen pivotally coupled to a pivot member at the holder assembly.

Abstract: A drilling unit containing a combined pilot bit and reamer. The drilling unit includes a housing containing a mud motor and a pilot bit extending from its distal end. A reamer is mounted to the housing. The mud motor turns the pilot bit while the reamer is turned either by the mud motor or as the drill string is rotated from the surface. The well bore is drilled and reamed in one pass. By positioning the reamer between the pilot bit and the mud motor, the mud motor must only pass through the larger reamer bore rather than the smaller pilot hole. This will allow larger mud motors to be used than would otherwise be possible. In one embodiment, the pilot bit is offset relative to the center of the end of the drill housing, providing increased tangential speed at the point of impact between the pilot bit and formation.

Abstract: A multilayer tray system especially for a hospital bed having side rails includes a first rectangular structure having hooks along each lateral edge for being supported on the top edge of the side rails, the first rectangular structure has cavities formed in the upper surface for disposition of such items as a tissue box, drinking glass or miscellaneous items. A second rectangular tray is selectively connected to the first rectangular support. The second tray has a planar upper surface for providing a writing surface thereon. The tray is aligned relative to the rectangular structure and slidably maintained on the rectangular structure by means of a pair of parallel brackets extending from the lower surface of the tray.

Abstract: A clamp-type retention element for an axisymmetrical component for vehicles, such as a cable or a tube for oil or fuel, has an axis of symmetry; the retention element has at least one through seat, which has an insertion opening and is designed to house a portion of the axisymmetrical component, a snap-action closing element of the insertion opening, hooking elements designed to co-operate with a support, elastic elements designed to co-operate with the portion of the axisymmetrical component within the seat, and a guide element of the portion of the axisyrumetrical component within the seat for identifying a housing position of the portion of the axisymmetrical component under the action of the elastic elements. The elastic elements are flexible in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry when the portion of the axisymmetrical component is in the housing position.

Abstract: A support mechanism for a computer peripheral device includes a housing accommodating a base within the housing, and a supporting post having a first end coupled to the base. The base has a pivoting sleeve and couples to the supporting post at a first position, and the pivoting sleeve engages with the supporting post such that the housing is rotatable to force the pivoting sleeve and the supporting post to rotate. The pivoting sleeve can move along an axial line of the housing, and the housing can be pivoted about the top of the pivoting sleeve together with the supporting post. Therefore, the housing can carry out multi-direction-movement, or so-called sphere-like movement relative to a leg coupled to the second end of the supporting post.

Abstract: An apparatus for securely displaying a pair of eyeglasses comprising a mounting member adapted to be securely attached to a display fixture, a base member coupled to the mounting member having a first end and a second end, and, a cap member having a first end and a second end. The base member and the cap member are pivotally coupled together near the first ends thereof such that the apparatus is moveable between an open configuration wherein the second ends of the cap member and the base member are spaced apart from each other and a closed configuration wherein the second ends of the cap member and the base member are in close proximity to each other. The second ends of the cap member and the base member have corresponding releasably locking features thereon configured to releasably lock the apparatus in the closed configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing when subsequently attaching a tubular is disclosed. A sleeve that defines a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside covers the mounting location on the casing. The cementing of the casing takes place through the sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve is drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A tubular is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing. At the end of expansion, the run in shoe on the tubular is retrieved.

Abstract: A pair of upright wall panels are each provided with a sidewardly spaced pair of generally parallel but inclined guide grooves extending vertically along the outer face of the upright frame edge rails. A connector assembly including a main activator rod having a pair of wedge members threaded thereon in spaced relationship therealong is positioned between the opposed upright edge rails. The wedge members have wedgelike edge flanges which protrude into the grooves of the opposed upright edge rails. Rotation of the activating rod causes the wedge members to simultaneously move relative to the rod in opposite directions to effect gripping engagement with the groove walls to simultaneously effect a drawing together of the edge rails and alignment thereof.

Abstract: Earth formations are characterized by using an array of electrodes which can measure streaming potentials in the formation, and by interpreting the data obtained by the electrodes. The electrodes are placed on a wireline tool, a LWD tool, or in a fixed manner about a completed wellbore. The measured streaming potentials are generated by drilling with an overbearing pressure, slitting the mudcake in a borehole, acid injection, or any of various other manners which causes fluid movement. The data obtained is interpreted to locate fractures, measure formation permeability, estimate formation pressure, monitor drilling fluid loss, detect abnormal pressure, etc. Particularly, a streaming potential voltage transient having a double peak profile signifies the presence of a formation fracture.

Abstract: Floorboards with a mechanical locking system that allows movement between the floorboards when they are joined to form a floating floor.

Abstract: A portable paint station that includes a work table and a pair of legs that are positionable in a retracted position and an extended position. In one form, the paint station provides a work surface that may be selectively positioned at two distinct heights. In another form, the paint station provides a work surface with a roller tray recess that may be selectively covered to resist the formation of a skin on paint that is located in the recess. In a further form, the paint station provides a work table with a pair of legs. At least one set of the legs has a handle aperture that may be employed to hand carry the paint station on its side. In yet another form, the paint station includes a roller tray assembly that facilitates the short-term storage of a paint roller that is loaded with paint.

Abstract: A knee brace for a ladder including a first flange and a second flange. The brace includes a web extending from the first flange and the second flange which together form a u-shaped cross-section. The brace includes a first portion that connects to a step. The brace includes a second portion which connects to the rail and terminates at a distance from a joint. The second portion's first and second flanges and web presenting three contact surfaces which connect to the rail and extend essentially in parallel with the rail and conforms with the rail to which the knee brace is attached so forces can be transferred therebetween. The first and second flanges contact a first rail flange and second rail flange, respectively, and the web contacts the web of the rail of u-shaped cross-section. The brace includes a first rivet extending through the first rail flange and first flange. The brace includes a second rivet extending through the second rail flange and the second flange adjacent the rail end.

Abstract: A fire in an enclosed space in an aircraft is, for example, visually detected early since smoke generated by a beginning fire is initially permitted to escape from the enclosed space. The enclosed space is, for example, an overhead luggage bin or a goods container holding food or freight. The smoke can pass through a flow passage either in the form of a gap or a leak between a lid and walls, or between a door and a door frame, or between walls and other walls joined together. Intumescent material is installed along the gaps or leaks and expands into the gaps or leaks when the fire has generated a temperature sufficient for causing the expansion of the intumescent material. Preferably a guide surface assures that the intumescent material expands into the gaps and leaks and cannot expand away from gaps and leaks.

Abstract: A column-and-beam join structure comprises connecting the column and beam with a pair of split tees. At least one split tee has a web with a portion of the web having a reduced cross-sectional area. The web with the reduced cross-sectional area is located between a flange of the beam and a buckling restraint. The buckling restraint is connected to the flange of the beam with bolts. The sides of the bolts are in the proximity to the side surface of the portion of the web of the split tee having the reduced cross-sectional area. Annular members may be arranged surrounding portions of the bolts that are in proximity to the side surface of the portion of the web having the reduced cross-sectional area.