Abstract: The invention resides in a thermally insulated building panel comprising a laminate of exterior building material 8 with insulation 10 between them in which there are grooves 18 formed which extend lengthwise of an edge of the panel proximate the insulation engaging surfaces of the exterior and interior materials. The dimension of the open end O of a groove is greater than the dimension of its closed end 26 to facilitate entry into the groove of a spline 12 for joining two adjacent panels together.

Abstract: A leveling and locating or positioning device is disclosed which includes a force-bearing structure which is guided for vertical leveling movement by a vertical reference device which also provides a horizontal position reference. Horizontal movement of a tapered wedge device, which operatively interfaces with a sloped floor member of the force-bearing structure, causes vertical movement of the force-bearing structure and the resulting leveling function. A horizontal extender device, slidably mounted to and supported by the force-bearing structure, provides the horizontal locating or positioning function. A support device is operatively included or mounted to one end of the horizontal extender device and is configured to operatively interface with the member or device which is to be leveled and located or positioned.

Abstract: A single foil is biaxially stretched on a frame for movement relative thereto by being secured intermittently to a single rubbing strip over a guide ledge. The rubbing strip is stretchable and movable lengthwise of the associated frame side. Torsional forces arising because of the one-sided loading of the frame by the stretched foil are taken up by the frame which is made with a torsionally rigid cross-section.The single foil can be clamped without creasing and in a manner which ensures freedom from creasing notwithstanding differences in the heat expansion of the foil and frame.

Abstract: The ceiling tile suspension system is composed of a runner structure and a clip structure. The runner structure is generally trapezoidal in cross section with two flanges spaced away from a ceiling structure. The clip structure includes a flat base portion with flanges that grasp the flanges of the runner. The clip structure has a serrated edge connected to the flat base portion and the serrated edge either digs into the edge of the ceiling tile or slips into a kerf in the edge of the ceiling tile to hold the ceiling tile in position against the clip flat base portion.

Abstract: A stake is provided in the form of a smooth cylindrical metal rod which has a point at its lower end and to which is welded a screw thread formed by a helical spring having a polygonal cross-section, preferably a square section, which is welded to the rod at a limited number of spaced-apart points, at least a part of the spring being thus free to move with respect to the rod. Preferably, only the lower end of the spring is welded to the rod. The stake is more especially, but not exclusively, usable for measuring the electrical resistances of ground connections.

Abstract: A freestanding stair assembly which is simple and chemical to produce and assemble is disclosed. The assembly utilizes a plurality of interengagable tubular links each of which is provided with pair of axially directed parallel slots in the annular wall. The slots extend from one end of the link and are oriented and dimensioned so as to receive therein the other end of a superjacent link. The links may be rotated relative to each other to achieve a linear or a non-linear stairway. Each link is adapted to have a stair tread member secured thereto. Also each main slot may be provided with a locking slot in the annular wall which is perpendicular to the main slot. Each riser may than have a lower flange at the other end, which flange can engage with the locking slots as relative rotation of the risers is performed. The circumferential extent of the lower flange is such that adjacent risers are locked together thereby at any reasonable relative angular orientation.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling or wall system is disclosed providing a plurality of spaced, rectangular pans or projections positioned in spaced relationship in a pattern to provide a ceiling or wall surface with the appearance of a plurality of such pans suspended in space. The pans are formed from sheet metal into elongated members having a plurality of pans supported by integral, longitudinally extending rails. The rails are provided with a dark color contrasting with a relatively light color on the exposed portion of the pans so as to obscure the presence of the connecting rails.

Abstract: The mast has a housing arranged to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle such as an emergency vehicle at the usual location of a vehicle light bar, whether or not a light bar is associated with the mast housing. A seal unit is located at the lower end of each telescoping mast section engaging the next outer mast section. The seal unit leaves the lower end of all mast sections unobstructed so that a tubular passage is formed from end to end of the mast. A retractable power supply cable is located in the passage of supply power to the electrical appliance mounted on the top of the mast. There are electrical plug connectors at each end of the mast for releasable connection with the electrical fixture at the top and with the vehicle power supply at the bottom of the mast. The mast is mounted on an offset pivot which simplifies the pneumatic-actuating system which tilts and telescopes the mast, and also enables the mast to tilt by gravity from telescoped retracted vertical to stored horizontal position.

Abstract: A transportable grandstand or bleachers designed for seating of persons has a trailer frame mounted on wheels and a tongue or other towing arrangement. A first "top" group of tiers is permanently mounted on the frame and a second "bottom" group of tiers is hingedly jointed on the first group on a hinge axis parallel to the length of the tiers. The second group can be swung about this axis to a travelling position where the second group is folded atop the first group, and can be unfolded into a position for use. The first and second groups of tiers each have a generally hollow prismatic or tubular structure, with similarly shaped inside groups of tiers disposed therewithin. The first and second groups of tiers serve as outside groups and house the associated inside groups of tiers therewithin. The inside groups can be slid laterally out from within said outside groups, in a telescoping fashion, to increase the seating capacity of the arrangement.

Abstract: An arch-shaped building structure is constructed from a multiplicity of relatively small but uniform pieces without the use of metal hardware or fasteners and without the use of conventional tools. Overlapping or offset cross members are disposed between substantially parallel stringer members wherein a given cross member supports a given stringer member and in turn is supported between a pair of stringer members parallel to the given stringer member. Ends of cross members offset from the given cross member are supported by said given stringer member, said offset cross members in turn supporting stringer members parallel to said given stringer member. Stringer members are received in upper slots in cross members, while end tabs of the last mentioned cross members are received in upper slots in stringer members parallel to the first stringer members. The weight of the structure places the cross members in interlocked compression such that no fasteners are required for holding the structure together.

Abstract: An elongated channel-shaped structure, preferably of anodized extruded aluminium, is suitable to form the load bearing beam of a false ceiling assembly, in particular comprising absolute filters for the so-called "clean rooms". Such a structure is U-shaped and comprises an elongated and uninterrupted central slot or groove for the fixing to the ceiling, with the concavity of the U-shape directed downward, having outer lateral finnings for the cooling, outer grooves and projections for the coupling with transverse spacers and for supporting absolute filters, as well as inner grooves and projections for supporting electric lines, pipes and other devices and systems. There are also provided extension members directed downward, to be fastened to said structure and having further support and guide fit grooves.

Abstract: Panels resting in a suspended grid are rendered abuseresistant by mounting two-piece retaining clips atop the runners in the grid. The clip assemblies comprise a torsional/flexural spring mated with a clinch fastener. The spring is a piece of bent music wire having a central U-shaped segment, two opposing legs angling outwardly and downwardly from the upright arms of the U to a level below the cross member of the U. The clinch fastener is a piece of flat spring steel bent into the shape of a U, the bight of the U being a channel connecting two straps, each of which has a keeper at its distal end which turns inward and upward into the space between the two straps. The cross member of the spring fits into the channel of the clinch fastener and the unit is snapped onto the bead atop a grid runner so that the cross member is interposed between the bead and the channel.

Abstract: A swimming pool wall 10 is made with a vertical resin wall 15 and an outer resin form 16 spaced from and parallel with each other, and concrete is poured in the space between and formed over the bottom of the pool. Both resin wall 15 and form 16 are formed as continuous strips of resin material. Vertical C-shaped channels 26 are adhered periodically to the outside surface of resin wall 15, and T-head stakes 25 interlocking with channels 26 are driven into the ground to support wall 15. Each stake 25 has a horizontal arm 30 that extends outward, and vertical braces 31 extend upward from the outer ends of arms 30. Form 16 is upheld by arms 30 and vertically supported against braces 31, making form 16 parallel with wall 15 and uniformly spaced outward from wall 15. Latches 35 extend from stakes 25 to braces 31 to support the braces and hold form 16 in place. Bars 32 are driven vertically into the ground between braces 31 and adjacent the inside surface of form 16 to prevent bulges.

Abstract: This apparatus relates to anchoring self-supporting tall structures such as asts, towers or the like in a foundation. The structure (2) is supported in the foundation (5) at its lower end on a pivot bearing (10). The weight of the tower is borne on this bearing. The structure is furthermore elastically clamped to the wall of the foundation at a location above the pivot bearing by elastic clamping device (11) operatively interposed between the wall of the foundation (5) and the sides of the tower. The clamping device generally comprises spring damper elements for damping and suppressing vibrations. The spacing between the pivot bearing and the elastic clamping device, and the characteristics of the elastic damping material are selected to lower and suppress resonance frequencies in the structure.

Abstract: A system for restraining a building having I-beams secured to the bottom of the building from moving laterally from supporting positioned beneath the I-beams. The system includes a plurality of tongues secured to and extending vertically from the tops of a corresponding plurality of the piers; and a corresponding plurality of socket members defining horizontally enclosed vertical sockets secured to the I-beams for receiving the vertically extending tongues for restraining lateral movement of the building from the piers.

Abstract: Hanging components of the enclosed or open shelf type for an interior space dividing system utilize a disappearing pivoting hook at the upper rear corners and a pivoting mounting bracket or foot at the lower rear corners, the latter being pivoted to two alternative positions depending on the supporting horizontal frame element of the system or elevation at which the component is supported. Such hooks and mounting brackets are for the most part enclosed within the back-to-back face plates of the vertical panels of the components, such panel forming face plates having rounded edges forming a peripheral slot, such slot being enlarged to accommodate the pivoting movement of the disappearing hook and mounting foot. The face plates are readily assembled and disassembled by an internal tongue and slot connection at the front and by fasteners at the rear which extend through collars forming the pivots for the hook and bracket.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing a benchmark in an arctic region to provide an accurate, reliable reference point even after prolonged periods of exposure. To install the benchmark, a hole is formed through the active layer and into the underlying layer. An alignment jig mounts a marker element in a casing and both are positioned into the hole. A leveling clamp on the casing is used to plump and adjust the marker element to a known elevation. The marker element extends to the bottom of the hole while the casing terminates at a depth which is above the bottom of the hole but below the bottom of the active layer. A settable material, e.g. sand-water slurry which will freeze at ambient conditions, is poured into the hole to a point just above the lower end of the casing and is allowed to set after which the remainder of the hole around the casing is filled. The annulus within the casing around the marker element is filled with fluidic material which will not freeze under ambient conditions, e.g. grease.

Abstract: A panel mounting clip assembly is adapted to connect the intermediate longitudinal ribs of panel members and the rib-like joints between adjacent ones of the panel members to panel support members. The clip assembly comprises a base member that is fastened to the panel support member and a top clip that is frictionally engaged with interior surfaces of the ribs or joints to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the panels. The top clip-to-base member connection provides for movement of the top clip transversely of the length of the panel member thereby to accommodate rib-to-clip and joint-to-clip misalignments. The top clip-to-base member connection also provides for limited universal movement of the top clip relative to the base member to accommodate any inherent minor distortions in the profile of the intermediate ribs or the panel elements of the rib-like joint. A roof or wall structure utilizing the panel mounting clip assembly is described.