Abstract: A panel-securing system for securing a panel in a desired position includes a mullion portion having a channel formed therein and a holding element received within the channel of the mullion portion and coupled with a panel fastener attached to the panel to secure the panel to the mullion portion, the holding element including a snap-locking element. The mullion preferably extends in a longitudinal direction toward the panel, and the channel preferably is angled with respect to the longitudinal direction. The holding element preferably is inserted into the channel to urge the panel fastener toward the mullion portion to secure the panel to the mullion portion. Further, a plurality of mullion extensions of different lengths can be used to create a curtainwall of irregular three-dimensional geometry.

Abstract: An auditorium has a domed roof formed by a first part spherical portion covering, without intermediate support, most of an amphitheatre accommodating an audience, and a second part spherical portion covering a stage adjacent the amphitheatre, the first portion being supported only at its periphery, and the second portion consisting of segmental leaves which can open about a common pivot supported by the first portion to uncover the stage, the common pivot being at a vertical axis of the second portion of the roof and above the amphitheatre and the vertical axis of the first portion being above the stage. Wall panels behind the stage can be moved apart to open the rear of the stage to the exterior.

Abstract: A siding attachment system includes a bracket and a clip for use in securing conventional siding panels to a wall. The bracket comprises a vertical extending web having legs extending rearwardly from a rear surface of the web at upper and lower ends of the web. A shoulder extends forwardly and downwardly from the front surface of the web at the lower end of the web. The shoulder is insertable in a channel formed in a rear surface of conventional siding. The shoulder supports the siding panel but permits the panel to slide longitudinally with respect to the bracket. A plurality of nail holes are uniformly spaced in linear alignment across a top portion of the web along its entire length. Nails or related fasteners may be selectively driven through the nail holes for securing the bracket to a wall. The siding clip generally comprises a rectangular sheet having a height corresponding to the height of the web and having at least one nail hole extending through an upper portion thereof.

Abstract: A pneumatically telescoping mast adapted for mounting an electrical fixture is disclosed. The telescoping mast includes a pneumatic control system to extend the mast from a retracted position to an extended position. The mast is made up of adjacent telescopic sections, each section slidable relative to an adjacent section, each section slidable between the retracted position and the extended position. Mechanical arrangements are disclosed for pivoting the mast between a generally horizontal and a generally vertical position, including drive mechanisms operable independently of the pneumatic control system and adapted to securely maintain the mast at any desired angle between the horizontal and vertical positions.

Abstract: A panel assembly that may be used in doors, particularly hollow metal doors, and other types of panels such as interior and exterior walls, room partitions, and the like. The panel assembly exemplified by a hollow or filled metal door is constructed from a deep pan and a shallow pan made from unitary pieces of sheet metal sheet and each pan includes top, bottom, and two opposing side flanges extending from rectangular face members. The flanges of the deep pan are substantially perpendicular to its rectangular face member and higher than those of the shallow pan. Side flanges of one of the pans have first latch members formed along free side edges of their side flanges remote from their respective face member and side flanges of the other pan have second mating latch members formed along free side edges of their side flanges remote from their respective face members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ribbed plate for a composite slab, the profile of which consists of protruding ribs formed in an essentially planar plate, the upper flanges of the ribs being surface profiled in order to achieve better adhesion between the ribbed plate and the concrete of the composite slab. According to the invention, the surface profiling of the upper flange of each rib consists of spaced apart corrugations extending essentially across the upper flange. Additionally, in the junction of the web between the sides of the rib and the upper flange there is formed a protruding longitudinal corrugation extending at least partly along a length of the rib.

Abstract: A foundation structure comprises a plurality of light metal parts which assemble and secure in place prior to placement of foundation in situ concrete. Assemblage is supported by coarsely threaded rods which screw directly into earth and attach to parts by various methods. Some parts remain in place as permanent supporting members for superimposed structure. Others, which generally form surfaces of foundation concrete, subsequently relocate to become either similar permanent structural members, or inventory for subsequent projects. Use of a computer aided design program assists in optimal configuration of parts, and creates a list of parts with necessary cut and piecemark information for automated fabrication of any particular length parts. This information, along with a computer produced schematic plan, allows use of parts as collocation elements which define a distinct foundation design by simple field assembly.

Abstract: An earthquake resisting support construction which supports a structure at a required position on the surface of ground having a bearing capacity of soil large enough to withstand the weight of the structure, comprising, at each support position: a number of base-stones buried and arranged in the ground to provide a horizontal finished top surface; a cornerstone having parallel top and bottom surfaces and disposed on the number of base-stones to produce friction between the finished top surface of the base-stones and the bottom of the cornerstone; and a pedestal having a centrally-disposed void in its bottom and mounted on the cornerstone, with the marginal portion of its bottom held in frictional contact with the top of the cornerstone.

Abstract: A lightweight impact resistant window comprising a glass ply, an energy absorbing plastics interlayer and a ply of thermoset polyurethane having a Shore hardness of at least 75D, wherein the combined thickness of energy absorbing interlayer and thermoset polyurethane ply is at least 1.0 mm.

Abstract: An assembly for simulating structural beams within a room. The inventive device includes a beam positionable into an abutting relationship with a ceiling of room so as to extend between opposed walls thereof. Mounting assemblies secure ends of the beam to the walls of the room and include at least one adjustment assembly for sizing the beam to the exact width of the room. The assembly may further include a post positionable between the beam and a floor of the room.

Abstract: A hollow core door has a perimeter frame with stiles and top and bottom rails, and a pair of skins secured to the perimeter frame. One skin has an aperture therein with its side margins spaced inwardly of the perimeter frame, and inner frame elements are disposed between the margins of the aperture and the stiles, secured to at least one skin. A mirror with dimensions smaller than those of the aperture is secured in a molding which extends about its periphery of the mirror, and the molding has a peripheral portion overlying the skin about the side margins of the aperture and a body portion which extends inwardly of the door. The molding is secured against the skin.

Abstract: A guard screen for a rain gutter for placement over the open end of a rain gutter for preventing the accumulation of debris in the gutter. The guard screen of the present invention includes a longitudinal screen body bordered by a pair of longitudinal edges. The guard screen includes a first edge and a second edge. The first edge has a U-shaped channel defined therein for connection with the front lip of a conventional gutter. At the terminal ends of the arms of the "U" are provided opposing flanges that reduce the open end of the channel to a narrow slot. The lip of the gutter is gripped between the opposing flanges when the guard screen is in place and, when in position, the lip of the gutter is firmly held therein. The second edge includes a flange for placement between the shingles of a roof and the roof boards. The screen body is preferably composed of a polymerized material.

Abstract: A drywall repair kit which includes a hollow tubular guide and a solid plug for fitting into the guide. The solid plug includes adhesive on its insertion end to secure the plug in place. After the plug is secured the guide is removed. The length of the plug is only slightly less than the stud space between drywall sheets plus the thickness of the drywall.

Abstract: A vehicular loading dock shelter with opposed hinge gap and head bag closures. For the hinge gap closures, reinforced side curtains seal corner hinge areas, as a truck/trailer is backed into the loading dock, to thereby form a protective weather seal for the sides of the dock. Excessive pull on opposed side curtains is compensated by a pair of single leaf spring-loaded hinge assemblies, connecting the respective curtains to corresponding shelter side frames of the front walls. These hinge gap closures having side curtains for are each adapted to set the side curtains parallel to the door of the dock in the normal closed position, when the dock is not in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for erecting building structures is presented. A plurality of wall panels are interconnected with each other in an array by column connectors interposed therebetween. Wall caps are then placed upon top surface portions of the wall panels and column connectors. Floor panels are then joined to the wall caps, with the floor panel forms having cavities to form headers over supporting wall panels and purlins between supporting wall panels. Rebar is placed into selected wall panels, purlins, and headers. Concrete is then deposited into selected ones of the wall panels and over the floor forms, filling the purlin and header cavities. Subsequently, a new array of wall panels and column connectors is erected on top of the poured concrete and the process is repeated to erect subsequent stories of the building.

Abstract: An insert for casting in a body of concrete to provide for attachment to a building structure. The insert is formed of a slotted face plate welded to a channel with enclosed ends and an access opening for insertion of an attachment device for attachment to the building structure. The insert is also provided with anchors for anchoring the insert in the concrete body.

Abstract: A fluid-tight tank is composed of a plurality of separate components. Each component is preferably formed from cement and provided with an interior region having a circular cross-section. Each component has a plurality of chase ways extending throughout its length. Post-tension cables are routed through these chase ways and are tightened so as to compress the components together so they act as one integral unit. Each component is has an annular flange-like protrusion and/or recess so that adjacent components can be aligned with one another while maintaining the circular cross-section quality throughout the entire length of the interior region. One or more of the components can be provided with a wall to separate one interior region with another.

Abstract: A building fascia is disclosed, which comprises an elongate gutter and a soffit. Being made from sheet aluminum, steel, or copper, the gutter has back, bottom, and front walls and a channel extending along and into the gutter from the back or bottom wall, preferably from the back wall. Being made therefrom or from vinyl or other polymeric material, the soffit has an edge portion inserted into the channel. Lips formed on the edge portion and on one of two side walls of the channel have sufficient flexibility and are shaped to permit the edge portion to be readily inserted with a snap action but to restrain the edge portion against being withdrawn from the panel. Preferably, one of the side walls of the channel is spaced narrowly from the bottom wall of the gutter, the narrowly spaced walls flaring into the gutter so that ice forming between the narrowly spaced walls is extruded into the gutter.

Abstract: A pipe-shaped ventilating device having a collar for mounting in a plastic foil or a similar flexible material, e.g. a water-tight foil placed on the rafters of a roof construction in order to provide for circulation from the air space under the foil, is formed to be mounted by a spiral movement around the edge of an opening shaped in the foil. The collar is provided with an upper wall and a lower wall, of which the latter is provided with a slit obliquely directed towards the pipe.

Abstract: Treatment booth provides patient isolation for sputum induction and aerosolized treatment. The booth is provided with a seat assembly to enable a patient to comfortably recline in a number of positions. Hazardous microbial airborne particles within the booth are filtered using a removable HEPA filter and U.V. germicidal radiation lamps supported by a rigid floor assembly constructed from a grid of interconnected longitudinal and transverse members.