Abstract: Disclosed is a panel assembly and components therefor. The panel assembly comprises a panel-like body with a groove in the peripheral edge for receiving therein a channel-shaped edge member. The edge member can be a U-shaped cross-section structural member and at least one wall surface of its side walls is provided with serrations.

Abstract: Self Commanded Hydrostation arrangement for a fluidic storing dam or gated engineered structure, includes a siphon layout conduit with a movable ascending branch having a hydromotive set and a fixed descending branch embodied with said damming structure inducing a fluidic flow therethrough said hydromotive set to produce actuation thereof. Said movable branch being relatively displaceable said fixed damming structure to stop or to start the hydromotive power generation set.Movable gated means are alternatively included helping in both starting and stopping procedures sequences.

Abstract: Complementary geometric construction modules, each derived from a rectangular prism, with end faces formed obliquely to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the prism, with the two oblique faces touching each other at a point on the longitudinal edge of the prism, each module forming a hexahedron, each being the reverse or mirror-shape of the other, and providing bilateral symmetry when the two corresponding faces on the modules, are in full contact with each other; the modules in multiple sets adapted to be formed into a wide variety of sculptured architectural shapes, unique in appearance.

Abstract: A method and appartus are disclosed for making a subsea flowline connection between two pipelines. A connector assembly having a base plate is positioned on the sea floor to receive the ends of two intersecting pipelines. Once one of the pipelines is attached to the base plate, the base plate is displaced horizontally along the sea floor toward the other pipeline. When the second pipeline is attached to the base plate, the ends of the pipelines are a predetermined distance apart and a prefabricated spool piece is then remotely installed. In this manner, the base plate permits the connection of spatial and axial misalignments which otherwise would require the on-site fabrication and installation of a spool piece.

Abstract: An elongated planar reversible shelf on which the opposite edges are curved so that one edge merges smoothly with one major face and intersects the other face at an angle of 90.degree., and the other edge merges smoothly into the other major face and forms a 90.degree. angle with the one. The faces and, if desired, the ends are covered with a wood or plastic veneer or laminate.

Abstract: In the pouring of concrete for building floors and walls having steel reinforcements over an area to be poured and a series of parallel spaced rows of longitudinally spaced upright dowel bars extending over the area, the method of protecting workers from impalement and injury due to a fall onto the bars consists of providing a series of downwardly facing dowel guard channels having depending support pipes and selectively positioning channels over a series of dowel bars in each row and assemblying the respective pipes over and upon the dowel bars of each row, the rows of channels being co-planer for forming a protective cover over the dowel bars. The safety dowel guard includes a downwardly facing channel and a series of longitudinally spaced support pipes within each channel, at one end secured thereto and with their other ends depending below the channels adapted to telescope over a corresponding series of dowel bars. A fastener secures each pipe to a dowel bar.

Abstract: A sheet metal web unit for interconnecting vertically spaced apart, horizontal wood chords, is formed as an elongated channel-shaped strut with integral, flat, connector plates on its upper and lower ends. The channel is curved and shallower at the lower end of the strut and gradually gets deeper and flatter towards the upper end. The width of the channel gradually decreases and the depth of the channel legs gradually increases from the lower end to the upper end of the strut. A W-shaped web unit is formed of four of such struts integrally connected together by common connector plates. The connector plates overlap vertical face portions of the wood chords and have struck-out teeth for embedding within those overlapped face portions. The ends of the channel leg portions which are closest to the connector plate teeth are extended to overlap and also embed into the adjacent chord face portion to thereby reduce the load on the tooth nearest to the respective strut end.

Abstract: An improved flat-like assembly of gutter cover parts is utilized to cover open storm gutters as are commonly used on buildings, and the assembly thereof includes improved means for attachment to the gutters, improved quick connection/disconnection of separable sections thereof, and is further provided with a heater element to be made electrically conductive to precipitate the melting of accumulating ice and snow.

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: The seam joins metal roofing panels of the standing rib type with a water-tight seal. The seam utilizes an integral sealing cap having distal flanges, reentrant flanges and a web which is planar prior to bending. The sealing cap encloses a standing rib joint defined by upstanding flanges each having a plurality of tabs extending therefrom. The web of the cap and the tabs are bent into inverted U-shaped configurations. The tabs are captivated between the reentrant flanges and the bent over web thereby locking the panels together. Sealant carried by the distal flanges is compressed between the same and the upstanding flanges to form a water-tight seal. A method for forming the seam is also provided.

Abstract: Partitioning for preventing the spread of fire or smoke through wall apertures created by the burning of plastic pipe. Pre-stressed metal squeezing elements are retained by plastic bolts which melt at about 120.degree. C., releasing the squeezing elements and permitting them to squeeze together the heat-softened plastic pipe. An insert of foamable material may additionally be used to supplement the aperture sealing effect.

Abstract: The disclosure is of apparatus, and the positioning and adjustment thereof within a form in which a pre-tensioned pre-stressed concrete structural member is to be cast, for holding a tensioned strand extending through the concrete against movement after release of the tensioning force, thereby to prevent the formation in the cast body of the weakened zone known as the "development length.

Abstract: A longwall mineral mining installation has a conveyor and a plurality of roof support units positioned side-by-side on the goaf side of the conveyor. Each roof support unit has a roof shield having an advanceable shield extension. Each unit has a first hydraulic ram for extending its shield extension, and a second hydraulic ram for advancing the conveyor. The extension of each first ram is controlled in dependence upon the retraction of one of the second rams (either the second ram of the same unit or that of an adjacent unit). This control is effected by controlling the supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first rams. In one embodiment this is carried out by a control valve which has a spring-loaded plunger which engages with a series of equispaced cams on the movable cylinder of the associated second ram. In another embodiment, the piston rods of the rams are provided with series of equispaced magnets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a suspended shelving storehouse construction comprising a foundation, spaced apart vertical columns rising from the foundation, a load-bearing ceiling supported by said vertical columns, a series of tension bars each secured to the load-bearing ceiling at spaced intervals between the vertical columns so that the tension bars are suspended substantially vertically from the ceiling between adjacent columns, and shelving girders mounted horizontally between adjacent tension bars.

Abstract: A skylight cover which can be used as a heat and smoke vent for a roof of a building includes a cover which deforms and disengages from a curb structure on the roof, and is coated with a thermally insulating coating which thermally protects the cover from the cooling effects of ambient precipitation.

Abstract: A gutter screen hinge with a lock is disclosed. The hinge includes a clip to engage the edge of a gutter, and the clip carries one or more hinge loops to receive a wire of the gutter screen for hinging the screen. A finger extends from the clip, the finger having a hook at its end to engage a wire of the screen. The hook engages the screen at a point spaced from the hinge axis, thereby preventing hinging of the screen. The hook and screen are movable relative to each other to release the screen.

Abstract: This laminated partition for building applications comprises spaced uprights and, in each space formed between two uprights, a sandwich structure comprising a plurality of layers of materials, namely a central layer or core consisting of at least one rectangular plate of a first material having a low density and a high degree of sound and thermal insulation, and on either side of the core an intermediate layer consisting of at least one rigid rectangular plate having its vertical edges fastened to the uprights, and made of a second material having a density which is low but higher than that of the first material, said second material having good sound and thermal insulation properties, and an outer lining layer bonded to the outer surface of the adjacent intermediate layer and made of a non-inflammable material having good sound and thermal insulation properties, and a density higher than that of the second material.

Abstract: A number of polygonal panels each provided with a peripheral edge flange integral therewith being secured together in edge-to-edge relationship to form a dome structure which may be generally pyramidal, triangular or square in plan configuration. The panels may be constructed of glass fiber, reinforced plastic material, or may be constructed with a suitable rigid frame and covering skin with the frame and skin being constructed of various materials. The panels may be secured together in any suitable conventional manner depending upon the material from which the panels are constructed.

Abstract: A rain gutter system including plastic rain gutters mounted in place either by a hanger fastened directly to a vertically extending fascia board or by a metal strap which snaps onto the hanger and is mounted to the roof when there is no fascia board or when the fascia board is not vertical.

Abstract: In a composite section for making up window frames and the like, and comprising interengaging sections of metal and of plastics, there are at least two spaced-apart pairs of interengaging hook formations on the two sections, forced into tight engagement by the insertion of a wedging strip between the sections, the spacing apart of the formations ensuring stability against tilting. There are furthermore abutment surfaces on at least one of the hook formations on the plastics section and on the metal section to define accurately the relative positions of the sections. The purpose is primarily to ensure the front and back faces of the composite section are truly parallel and correctly spaced apart.