Abstract: A thermal efficient building generally comprising first and second parallel vertical walls opposingly disposed defining a cavity therebetween and constructed upon a rigid base foundation wherein the foundation is constructed so that the depth of the wall cavity into which an insulation material is inserted is selected according to geographical location, meteorological and climatical conditions and which provides increased thermal protections against ambient thermal conditions. The building may also comprise a horizontal ceiling and roof defining a cavity therebetween which connects with the cavity defined between the first and second vertical walls, and a horizontal roof and subfloor defining a cavity therebetween which connects with the cavity defined between the first and second vertical walls. All three cavities are filled with insulating material to create a thermally-insulating envelope.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coupling device comprises a shaft member made of a non-magnetic material having a low frictional resistance, a yoke mounted on the shaft member so as to be capable of relatively rotating to the shaft member, an exciting coil held in the yoke, a first coupling body mounted on the shaft member so as to be incapable of relatively rotating, and a second coupling body mounted on the shaft member so as to be capable of relatively rotating to the shaft member and controlled to be connected to the first coupling body by actuating the exciting coil.

Abstract: A curtain wall assembly composed of horizontal rows of prefabricated spandrel units mounted to respective floor systems of a building, and horizontal rows of prefabricated window units arranged alternately with and connected to the rows of spandrel units so as to enclose the open spaces between the floor systems. Each of the spandrel units and window units comprises a panel or panels and a generally rectangular frame supporting the panel or panels. Each spandrel unit further has an interior reinforcing frame through which it is coupled to the floor system. For firmly holding the window units against forces normal to the plane of the curtain wall assembly, a reinforcing stud is arranged vertically between any two adjoining window units and rigidly coupled to their opposed side frame members.

Abstract: A curtain wall assembly composed of horizontal rows of standardized spandrel units mounted to respective floor systems of a building, and horizontal rows of standardized window units arranged alternately with and connected to the rows of spandrel units so as to enclose the spaces between the floor systems. No direct connection of the window units to the floor systems is required. Preferably, for firmly holding the window units against forces normal to the plane of the curtain wall assembly, a reinforcing stud is arranged vertically between any two adjoining window units and rigidly coupled to their opposed side frame members. Each reinforcing stud has its opposite ends anchored respectively to the reinforcing frames of the spandrel units underlying, and to those of the spandrel units overlying, the two window units between which the reinforcing stud lies.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for use in mounting an array of standardized curtain wall units to the floor structure of a building. A clevis to be affixed to each curtain wall unit rigidly carries a crosspiece of circular cross section extending parallel to the plane of the curtain wall unit. The crosspiece is to be slidably engaged in an upwardly open notch in a bracket secured to the floor structure, for both longitudinal and angular displacement relative to the bracket. Preferably, each curtain wall unit is to be coupled to the floor structure by two vertically spaced pairs of such mounting devices, with each pair of devices horizontally spaced from each other. The mounting devices allow the horizontal displacement of the curtain wall units relative to the floor structure and can absorb forces acting on the curtain wall units in a direction normal to their plane.

Abstract: There is disclosed a highway lane divider and road marker, having a relatively low profile, characterized by the inventive feature of a unidirectionally curved retroreflective element, as opposed to planar retroreflective elements used heretofore.

Abstract: A multicomponent extendible structure that includes a plurality of elongated flexible members having interlocking members on their edges for enabling the elongated members to have their edges become interlocked as the multicomponent extendible structure is extended or deployed. The interlocking members provide compressive strength to the multicomponent extendible structure when it is deployed. A series of thin cable members are associated with each of the elongated flexible members to provide tension strength to the multicomponent deployed extendible structure. The multicomponent extended structure also has provisions for resisting twisting and it can be used to deploy or extend a variety of types of loads and yet be retracted into a compact package when it is not in use.

Abstract: Bed linens comprising bed sheets with releasable corner fasteners adapted to releasably secure sheet to an underlying mattress by means of pressure actuated, releasably adherent strips disposed so as to be brought into facing and contacting alignment when secured around the mattress, and pillow cases with releasable end fasteners adapted to secure a pillow within the pillow case by means of pressure actuated, releasably adherent strips disposed so as to be brought into facing and contacting alignment after the pillow is inserted into the pillow case.

Abstract: A one-piece fitted bed sheet and mattress pad has a batt quilted to a backing fabric and a cover of unquilted sheeting material. The cover is joined to the batt and backing fabric along a seam around their respective perimeters. Elastic tape is provided at preferably opposite ends of the fitted bed sheet and mattress pad to enable it to substantially conform to the shape of the mattress and hold it in place on the mattress.

Abstract: A concrete structure including a rigid three-dimensional lattice of concrete bars which are interconnected at nodes. The lattice is constituted by an assembly of prefabricated cast blocks, in which each block comprises a node and a plurality of arms (14) radiating from the node. Each arm has at least one longitudinal socket with an opening in the free end of the arm, and the arms of two blocks are assembled in aligned end-to-end pairs to constitute the bars of the lattice. The sockets of assembled arms are in alignment and contain a common metal reinforcing member, and the junction zone of the arms is surrounded by a clamping sleeve, with said sockets being filled with hardened mortar. The said lattice is prestressed by prestress cables passing outside the bars of the lattice and fixed to some nodes of the lattice.

Abstract: A combined structural wall and concrete form system, and form bracket apparatus are provided in which a wall frame acts as the side walls of a poured concrete form, while supporting the form in place. A plurality of brackets are transversely attached to the wall frame adjacent the position of the column form to support form ties for locking the remaining form walls in place to complete a concrete column form and structural wall combination. The header of the wall frame portion acts as the bottom wall of a concrete beam form, while the same brackets as used for the column form can be attached along the top portion of the wall frame for locking beam forms and form ties in place to support the side walls of the concrete beam form. A top bracket formed with angle iron and straps supports the top portion of the side walls of the beam form.

Abstract: A portable motorized bed lift apparatus is provided for enabling a prone patient who is disabled, handicapped, an invalid, or the like to raise himself to a sitting position with the weight of his upper body portion substantially over his hips without the benefit of outside human assistance. The lifting apparatus of the present invention includes a derrick-like assembly and a motor driven cable and pulley arrangement for operating the derrick-like structure. The derrick-like structure includes a pair of elongated runner-like leg members adapted to be positioned at least partially under a patient's bed from the foot toward the head. A base support interconnects the rear end of the leg members and vertically mounts a substantially elongated mast. A pair of angle supports further connects the leg members to the mast for support purposes.

Abstract: A portable panel of partitioning a building space, which panel is aesthetic, practical in use and not very expensive to manufacture. This panel comprises two wall units both having the same surface area. The units are mounted end to end and externally covered with a single piece of cloth fixed to their internal periphery. The wall units are closed once against the other with the piece of cloth acting as a hinge, such closing advantageously dissimulating the fixation of the piece of cloth onto the wall units and thus avoiding the use of a decorative mask. The panel also comprises at least one passage provided in at least one of the wall units for operatively installing the panel in the building space in a removable manner. In addition, the portable panel may further comprise a sound insulating sheet provided on its both sides with a covering layer of not compressed material for improving the acoustic efficiency of the whole panel.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device is disclosed of the type including a coupling assembly (13) including a housing member (15) and a cover member (17), the members (15) and (17) including flange portions (61) and (63). The flange portion (63) defines an annular fluid cooling recess (65). Fluid is directed from the operating chamber (33) by means of a fluid-directing member (69) through an inlet opening (67) into the recess (65). Fluid flows circumferentially around the coupling device through the recess (65), with heat being transmitted from the fluid to the flange portion (63) and then dissipated. At the end of the recess (65), the fluid engages an end wall (75) which directs the fluid into an outlet passage (77) and back into the operating chamber. The fluid cooling recess has no direct communication with the fluid reservoir chamber (37).