Abstract: The stabilizer comprises a generally tubular, metal body, the leading end of which has been hardened to rock-cutting strength in order that the stabilizer, according to the method of invention, can be impacted with a high frequency, low-blow actuator to cause the stabilizer to bore its own hole in the earth structure, this to eliminate a pre-boring, stabilizer installation step.

Abstract: An earth-sheltered structure having a foundation wall comprised substantially of wood. The remaining structural members that contribute towards supporting the structure are also comprised substantially of wood, including a ceiling-to-wall juncture that makes use of stud-supported notched ceiling joist members.

Abstract: The multi-paned window is provided with an insulating element made of plastic film. The film is bi-axially stretched within the window frame by a clamping means in a uniform manner. The clamping means employs elongated elements which cooperate with each side of the film along an arcuate line so that in a clamped state, the film is caused to stretch bi-axially. The elongated elements may fit together as a frame or may be separate from each other.

Abstract: In the support of a concrete form panel, an elongate beam, acting as a waler, is employed that is in the general cross-sectional shape of an I-beam having an outwardly opening pocket extending along one edge to retain a nailer for securing the beam to the form panel and a Y-shaped segment extending along the opposite beam edge. The Y-shaped segment is formed by legs which are parallel for one length thereof to define an outwardly opening cavity there between and then the legs diverge outwardly for a second length with oppositely directed flanges extending from the outer ends of the diverging second length of the legs. A bracket having a flat portion inserted into the beam cavity is secured in the cavity and has a tubular portion connected to the flat portion, the tubular portion accommodating a fastening element therewithin to fasten the bracket to a stiffener member, preferrably provided by spaced outwardly facing channels with the bracket tubular portion disposed between the channel webs.

Abstract: A system of tiles for constructing a decorative lattice is disclosed. A basic square section of tile is formed of crossed strips, framed by a border which is much thinner than the strips. The strips are arranged in such a way that when several of the square sections are placed together, the strips appear to run from one tile to the next. In addition, there are tiles comprising various portions of the square section which may be arranged to form arches and other curved shapes.

Abstract: A two piece extrusion for use in forming storm windows or the like is cut to frame an existing window opening. One extrusion comprises a locking element of which the main portion is formed of a substantially rigid plastic material, which is provided with spaced integral, flexible projections extending angularly outwardly from the stem of the element. The locking element is adapted to be inserted in a channel which comprises the second extrusion. The second extrusion is formed into a rectangular frame so as to hold a flexible translucent, transparent, or opaque sheet locked in the channel by the first extrusion. In assembly the flexible sheet is forced into the channel by the insertion of the locking element. In so doing the flexible sheet is stretched to give a smooth appearance. A second channel is formed by the second extrusion which also extends completely around the frame but is located inwardly of the first channel.

Abstract: Walls and partitions are constructed by securing of wallboard panels to a substructure, such as common wood or metal framing members, by a series of concealed clips of described construction, affixed to the framing members by nail or screw type fasteners. When the wall or partition is erected the fasteners are hidden from view so that joint treatment of the wallboard panels may be reduced or eliminated, depending on the type of wall structure constructed. The side or edge gripping clips are impaled along each side of abutting panels. When erected, a first series of clip fasteners are impaled on a side of a first wallboard and fastened to a framing member and a second series of such fasteners are impaled on an abutting or nearly abutting side of a second, wallboard panel, offset from the first series of clips so as to fit behind and be held by the first panel in a "tongue and groove" type cooperation.

Abstract: The bottom flutes of a fluted deck or diaphragm of a building are fixedly attached to a horizontal load bearing member supported by vertical load resisting members. A load translation member precludes relative movement between the top flutes en masse and the bottom flutes en masse. By precluding relative movement of the top and bottom flutes, the shear loads imposed upon the diaphragm by earthquakes and/or high winds are translated through the load translation member and the load bearing member to the vertical load resisting members.

Abstract: An automated assembly, maintenance, and repair system for the construction of a large space structure. The space structure comprises a plurality of trusses and truss junctions that in turn are made up of a plurality of individual struts and nodes. The truss assemblies are progressively built by an assembler trolley as the trolley crawls along the constructed truss. The trolley comprises a forward crawler and a rear crawler joined by an articulated coupler. The crawlers are carried along the structure by belt transports incorporating grippers that engage the truss structure at the nodes. Manipulator arms for strut and node assembly are located on the forward crawler, and the majority of control, power, and communication systems are located in the rear crawler. Cargo canisters filled with component parts for constructing the space structure are carried by the forward crawler. The space structure configuration is determined by the arrangement of the individual struts and nodes during the assembly process.

Abstract: In a method of angularly adjusting the position of a building element on a support element, such as a beam (2) on a pillar (1), there is inserted between the mutually facing surfaces of said elements an insert (3) which is operative to transfer pressure from the building element to the support element via an upper surface (3b) in engagement with a lower support surface (2a) on the building element and a lower surface (3a) in engagement with an upper support surface (1a) on the support element. The two support surfaces and the two engagement surfaces are formed in a manner such that, in use, two of the surfaces are planar and mutually parallel, the third surface is planar but not parallel with the two first mentioned surfaces, while the fourth surface is a curved surface generated by a straight line. The curved surface is caused to lie against the non-parallel surface.

Abstract: A multipurpose air-filled tent. The tent interior includes various equipment for household use, such as a mattress, a clothes closet, garmet hangers, a storage rack, storage bags. Three different models are designed for sleeping, bathing and dressing, respectively.

Abstract: A support spacer apparatus relating to a paneling system for providing improved insulating qualities to pre-engineered buildings and the like in which stresses imparted to a supported structure are transferred through compressible insulation without diminishing the thermal character of the insulation, the support spacer apparatus comprising a spacer member having a plurality of fastener assemblies connected thereto and extendable through the insulation; the fastener assemblies attachable to an underlaying substrate by the application of energy to the fastener assemblies for supporting the spacer member at a predetermined distance from the substrate such that the insulation is disposed substantially in its prepenetration state after attachment of the fastener assemblies to the substrate.

Abstract: A reinforcing bar support for joining concrete structures, having a hollow body of prismatic shape and formed by a front part and by a cover part. The front part features a front side scheduled to be installed in the concreted main wall, two longitudinal narrow sides and two cross sides. The sides are so designed that the cover part can be clamped to the front part and released therefrom. The front side is provided with a longitudinal center groove and equidistant cross grooves, with the cross grooves used for marking holes to be drilled later, which holes are scheduled to receive the leg ends of the reinforcing bars.

Abstract: A barrier for impeding the spread of oil spilt on water comprising two angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) each of which is moulded onto a respective angled stiffener (2 and 5) to form Z-shaped members (1 and 4) in cross-section. The two Z-shaped members (1 and 4) are positioned back to back so that each is a mirror image of the other. The ends of the angled stiffeners (2 and 5) remote from the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) are rotatably connected and the two angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) are releasably joined by a fastener 7. A flexible membrane (3) passes around the ends of the angled stiffeners (2 and 5) remote from the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10), each end of the membrane (3) being moulded into one of the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10).

Abstract: Device for mounting plastic sheets on roofs or walls of greenhouses or other heated buildings with large window areas. A mounting flange is pasted or screwed to the pane or sash. The mounting flange includes a projection having a head with an inclined face facing the base of the mounting flange. A clamping member including a wedge-shaped base having an aperture therein is placed over the projection. As the clamping member is moved parallel to the mounting flange, shoulders on the clamping member adjacent the aperture engage the inclined face of the projection head to press the plastic sheet firmly between the clamping member and the mounting flange. Resilient tongues are provided on the clamping member to prevent accidental removal of the clamping member. Provision is made for placing a wire through a plurality of these devices to further hold the plastic sheet in position.

Abstract: A footing box has notches for receiving an end of grooved grade beams. The end of each beam includes an aperture for receiving a reinforcing rod extending lengthwise from a grooved column supported on the ends of the beams in the footing box, to enable the grade beams and column to be unified when grout is poured into the footing box. Grooved roof beams are supported at their ends by the column and connected to the column by a reinforcing rod extending through an aperture in the end of each roof beam. Wall panels are positioned in the grooves of the column and the beams.

Abstract: A sound barrier is provided for use in front of a building opening, such as a sliding or inwardly hinged window. The sound barrier comprises a substantially planar panel and a frame formed with elongate members, each member having a channel opening. A barrier member mounted circumferentially of the building opening is received within the channel opening of each frame member but in spaced relation thereto. The barrier member cooperates with the frame and the combination defines a tortuous passageway that permits the passage of air but interferes with the transmission of sound.

Abstract: Each support plate is provided at its top surface with substantially cylindrical raised portions or protuberances, between which there is present in each case an intermediate space. The raised portions are arranged in rows extending parallel to one another. The raised portions of one row are offset with respect to the raised portions of both neighboring rows. Each of the raised portions have extending therethrough a recess oriented transversely with respect to the rows. Each of the recesses is in alignment with the intermediate space formed between two raised portions of the neighboring rows. The entire top surface of the support plate is covered with a metallic heat conducting layer. In the intermediate spaces and the recesses it is possible to lay, with a random course of extent or travel, the heating pipes or conduits.

Abstract: An in-ground swimming pool is thermally insulated from its surrounding excavation floor and walls by a layer or bed of granular fill material comprising preferably volcanic cinders providing thermally insulating pockets of entrapped air between excavation and pool walls. According to one method of construction, a bed of granular fill material is laid along the bottom of the oversized excavation. A wire mesh screen is erected along the sides of the excavation but spaced inwardly therefrom at the outer perimeter of the pool sidewalls to be formed to provide a space between the excavation sidewalls and the outer perimeter of the pool sidewalls, and such space is filled with the granular fill material. Finally, the pool walls are formed by spraying a gunnite or other cementious material against the wire mesh screen to build up the desired pool wall thickness.

Abstract: A rigid insulation assembly including a plurality of panels of rigid insulation fixed in edge-to-edge relationship on a top base sheet to form a continuous length of insulation material wound on a core member whereby the insulation may be readily handled and be quickly applied to a roof deck by unrolling the material. The core is of polygonal cross-section so as to define a plurality of faces about its periphery, and the panels in the innermost layer on the core are of substantially the same width as the faces with the panels in each successive layer outwardly from the innermost layer having progressively greater widths so that the joint lines between adjacent panels are located substantially on radial lines passing through the corner edges between the faces of the core.