Abstract: Flooring structure having a rigid horizontal base and a tile or terrazzo top flooring layer. This flooring structure also has a crack isolation layer between the base and the top flooring layer. The crack isolation layer comprises a hard, essentially rigid material which is in load bearing relationship with the base and the top flooring layer and which extends over about 50 percent to about 80 percent of the surface area of the crack isolation layer as measured in the horizontal direction. The crack isolation layer may be in the form of a fracturable sheet or in the form of pilings. The remaining portion of the crack isolation layer may be occupied by a deformable material.

Abstract: A curtain wall structure assembled from modular frame assemblies and having an improved four corner joint construction of more than adequate weathertightness. Alignment means is provided for structurally connecting lower head rails in axially aligned relation. Filler strip means and lap strip means cooperate with the alignment means to cap a vertical conduit formed by interlocked mullion sections; and to seal a gap and a space presented between adjacent interlocked head and sill rails thereby providing a wearthertight four corner joint.

Abstract: A reinforcing structure useful in the formation of an energy absorbing composite suitable for use as a motor vehicle body panel which resists deformation upon absorbing impact loads by distribution of a deforming load to areas of the composite surrounding the area of impact. The composite has a plurality of particulate, reinforcing members in a polymer matrix and at least one undulating, reinforcing, sheet member as a reinforcing structure between the external walls of the composite. The load distributing, particulate, reinforcing members and the undulating, reinforcing, sheet member components are retained in a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin matrix. Preferably, the load distributing components include at least one undulating, reinforcing sheet which is formed on a molding means having a first and second series of intersecting parallel axes so as to form an undulating sheet having alternating troughs and crests.

Abstract: A cesspool for handling waste water passed through the cesspool to an associated drainage system has two separate odor locks for preventing the escape of odoress gas from the drainage system through the cesspool. A downwardly extending inlet member is surrounded by and protrudes downwardly into a vertically movable cup. Water held by the cup normally provides a first odor lock between the cup and the inlet member. The cup is biased upwardly and has an upper edge which is engagable with an elastic seal to provide a second odor lock. The second odor lock assures an odor seal between the inlet member and the cup even when the water in the cup falls below the level required to maintain the first odor lock.

Abstract: A cover housing arranged to receive a barbecue grill assembly therewithin providing for a work surface at a top portion of the housing. The housing is arranged to optionally include doors as well as wind deflector wings mounted to the upper perimeter edge of the housing structure.

Abstract: An installation duct for utility lines, particularly for pipes, cables, etc., which forms with a retaining strip on the wall, as well as with a capping that can be fastened to the retaining strip, a cable or pipe duct which is closed at the periphery, upper and lower connectors being provided for connecting the retaining strip and the capping, of which the one connector is constructed as a catch and the other as a lock, which comprises an abutment at the retaining strip and a latch clasp, which can be secured behind this abutment at the capping.

Abstract: A refractory tile adapted for protective fixation to the heat exchanger in an incinerator or furnace regardless of orientation. The tile includes a transverse groove which carries a shouldered slot to be guided by and mate securely with an anchor attached to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The interior of a building having a framework composed of vertical structural elements and horizontal floor levels is constructed by installing prefabricated room units, each having walls and a ceiling, in the framework. The room units are sized and positioned so that a sound insulating air gap is formed between the ceiling of each room unit and the building framework.

Abstract: A building (1) where steel plates (2, 8, 9) are used partly as heat transporting elements to and from the constant heat area of the earth which is at a constant temperature and partly as load-bearing elements. The steel plates (2, 8, 9) maintain a significantly higher surface temperature than the outer walls of a conventional building in the winter, and they are insulated (5) on the inner side to below ground level with a high insulation value, thereby making it possible to maintain stay temperature in the interior of the building because of the free heat from the interior of the building and activities of a few individuals as well as from incident sunlight and heat from domestic appliances, light, radio, etc. In the summer, the steel plates serve as air condition by conducting excess heat down into the ground. They may be insulated (10) on the outer side to restrict heating owing to incident sunlight. This insulation (10) also reduces the need for thermal energy from the earth magazine in the winter.

Abstract: A decking or sheathing material for roofing includes a sheet of plywood or OSB with a reflective layer of foil material adhered thereto, the foil material including a layer of metallic foil such as aluminum and a kraft paper backing. The roof decking is fastened to rafters in a typical roof structure with the foil facing downwardly and exposed to air. A machine for applying the foil material to sheets of plywood includes a conveyer belt table for conveying the plywood sheets in succession, an adhesive roller for uniformly applying a layer of adhesive to the upwardly facing surfaces of the plywood sheets and a roller for pressing the foil material onto the adhesive-coated surfaces of the plywood from a supply roll.

Abstract: An extendable pole or mast is constructed from a plurality of nested pole sections with each pole section is made from an initially flat sheet which is roll formed into a rectangular, preferably square, cross section element. A seam is formed by over lapping the edges of the sheet, with the bulk of the seam being placed inwardly of the element. Each of the inner sections includes its own seam and an offset of sufficient size and depth to receive the seam and offset of an outer sections. The sheet material permits tabs to be cut or stamped into outer walls of the outer sections in order to support an adjacent inner pole section. Tabs are formed in each of the outer pole sections. These tabs are biased to extend inwardly, against the adjacent inner pole section. Tabs may be formed below the first tab to provide a choice in the amount of extension of the pole.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of structural acoustical cinder blocks including locking blocks which are intended to be assembled together through the use of mortar to provide a diffusor of desired shape and configuration. Each diffusor includes a plurality of wells, the depths of which are determined through the use of number theory sequences, such as, for example, the quadratic-residue sequence developed by Karl Frederick Gauss. The surface irregularities formed in the blocks are unique in that they provide a flat power spectrum and constant scattered energy in the diffraction directions. Each of the blocks including wells also includes a low frequency sound absorbing chamber. The blocks are installed such that there is a stacked bond on the diffusing face and a running bond on the structural rear face. If desired, a single block may be made which includes an entire sequence of wells and dividers.

Abstract: A roof truss (11) to be installed in a metal building frame (10). The truss (11) includes a bottom chord (12) and a top chord (13) which are to be supported by a stud member (15). The truss (11) is further provided with an eaves and fascia support (18) which has a horizontally extending portion (25) to support eaves sheeting, and a vertical portion (20) to support a fascia member (21).

Abstract: Insulation of flat roofs and simultaneous construction of a gradient for positive drainage of the roofing placed on the insulation, said gradient being perpendicular to the outer edges of the roof and running in two directions perpendicularly to one another, and where between the differently angled falls border lines are running from the corners of the roof towards the center line of the roof, said insulation comprising rectangular elements having an oblique surface corresponding to the gradient of the roof.

Abstract: A laminated wall construction for building exteriors in which a facing outer layer provides the exterior surface and is attached to a corrugated layer such that the corrugations form vertical channels extending along the laminated wall construction. A trough is located at the lower end of the corrugated layer with weep holes formed in the trough whereby moisture which seeps through the facing outer layer flows down the corrugation layer of vertical channels into the trough and out of the weep holes.

Abstract: Fogging and discoloration of multi-pane windows is prevented by sealing the windows with a polymeric seal and by sorbing off-gases evolved by the seal through the use of diatomaceous earth. The diatomaceous earth can be disposed within the volume defined by the panes and the seal, preferably by being disposed within a hollow spacer, or the diatomaceous earth can be mixed with the seal itself. If the diatomaceous earth is mixed with the seal, it can constitute about 1-15 percent by volume of the seal, preferably 1-2 percent by volume. Diatomaceous earth has been found to be especially effective in preventing fogging and discoloration of low emissivity glass.

Abstract: An interior insulating window having a rigid frame extending about the perimeter of the window, the outer edge of said frame having foam strips mounted which provide a sealing edge. The aformentioned frame which may be composed of a variety of materials with little or no consideration to respected weights. The window to be inserted in said frame may be of a variety of transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque material with little or no consideration to respected weights. A system held in a vertical position within an existing window casing by the force exerted by the compressed foam strips on the top and side of the frame. Whereas thinner passive foam strips are mounted to the bottom and remaining side of the frame to complete a sealing edge about the perimeter of the frame. Whereas the aforementioned foam strips are composed of a material having sufficient indentation loan deflection and density to provide an adequate sealing edge.

Abstract: A pivotal frame connector or pivotal coupler for pivotally attaching two adjacent display structures wherein each of the display structures includes a skeletal frame formed of a network of elongate support rods joined by hub assemblies which provide for articulation of the support rods. The pivotal frame connector includes ends identical in structure to the ends of the support rods to engage those hub assemblies disposed on the periphery of the display frames. These peripheral hub assemblies have empty unused sockets to which the pivotal frame connector is readily attached. The pivotal frame connector is U-shaped and substantially shorter in length than each of the support rods to remain out of sight and out of the way when the display frame is covered by a skin-like aesthetic covering.

Abstract: A transfer pad cover includes a frame structure covered by a water-proof sheet material. The frame structure is supported by bar joists that are mounted for movement along tracks. The entire structure is moved by hand or motor or by a truck from which a liquid transfer will be made to a position adjacent the transfer pad during the transfer operation. When the material and frame structure are sufficiently weighted down so that it is unsafe to move the cover, the joists will rest on a ground surface, preventing movement of the cover. In an alternate embodiment, the rails are sloped and the truck pushes the cover off of the pad. When the truck leaves the pad, the slope of the rails causes the cover to automatically return to protect the pad under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A loading dock shelter with hinge gap closure wherein reinforced side curtains seal corner/hinge areas, as a truck/trailer is backed into a loading dock, to thereby form a protective weather seal. Hinge gap closures having side curtains for right and left portions of the shelter are each adapted to set the curtains parallel to the door of the dock in the normal position, when the dock is not in use, thereby protecting the door from inclement weather, etc. When a trailer is moved into the dock, reverse mobility of the vehicle is such as to cause the side curtains to be deflected from normal inoperative position, to extend them along the side of the respective trailer swing doors, whereby a collapsible wedge on the extreme extension of each curtain encompasses the gas created by the truck and its swing door, in sealing contact, preparatory to and during loading and off-loading.