Abstract: A masonry coupling system for use in commercial and residential construction is described. In one aspect, the invention includes an anchor channel mounted on a structure. The masonry coupling system further includes a key that interfaces the masonry veneer and interlocks with an anchor channel mounted on a structure.

Abstract: The present invention refers to stirrups and ties for structural members. Such stirrups and ties are used in all the structural members like columns, beams, slabs, footings, piles, chainages, lintels etc. The invention refers also to a method of reinforcement of structural members and to the structural members themselves. According to the invention the stirrup or tie consists of a load-bearing element for the fixing of the longitudinal rebars and for the undertaking of the tensile forces which develop during the loading of the structural members. The load bearing element consists of at least one cell of closed shape so that the flow of the tensile stresses developed in the cross section is closed and the stresses are not diffused to the concrete. The load bearing element of the stirrup or tie in accordance to the invention has a continuous cross section and thus there are no free ends as in the known stirrups. In this way anchoring of the stirrups or ties is completely avoided.

Abstract: A flow meter includes a body located in thermal contact with a fluid, the flow rate of which is to be measured, a heater in thermal contact with the body, a first temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the body, and a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fluid. The flow meter also includes mechanisms for calculating the differential temperature between the fluid and the body, for supplying power to the heater, for measuring the rate at which power is supplied to the heater, for setting a predetermined target differential temperature, and predetermined maximum and minimum differential temperatures, and for comparing the calculated differential temperature with the predetermined target, maximum and minimum differential temperatures.

Abstract: An interlocking system of blocks comprises a basic block having side walls and transverse webs all of constant thickness with the webs being rectangular in shape and offset upwardly from the bottom of the edges of the side walls to form recesses at the bottom and projecting portions at the top which interlock with the next adjacent upper row. The webs are spaced equidistantly along the block with the end most webs spaced from the ends of the blocks by one half of the spacing. Corner blocks are formed so that the web at the end of the block has an outer face coincident with the end face of the block and a recess in the lower edge of each of the side walls. The blocks are simple to manufacture, resistant to damage and easily assembled.

Abstract: A sanitary receptacle for animal waste matter is created from three concentric hoops and a sheet of thin flexible material. The material, which may be newspaper, is spread over the inner hoop. The newspaper is captured in the annular space between the inner and center hoops by placing the center hoop on top of the newspaper and pushing the center hoop over the inner hoop. After inverting the inner and center hoops and the captured newspaper, the outer hoop is pushed over the newspaper and the center hoop from the side opposite the center hoop, thereby capturing the material between the center and outer hoops. Removing the inner and outer hoops from the assembled sanitary receptacle allows the edges of the newspaper to be brought together to create a sack for disposing of the animal waste matter deposited on the newspaper.

Abstract: A device and a plant for breeding fish, shellfish, etc. includes one or several tanks of a non-rigid material which are lowered into the water. Each tank has at least one inlet and at least one outlet for water. The inlet and the outlet are so arranged that the water level in the tank is somewhat above the surrounding level to maintain the walls of the tank in a tightened out position by the higher static pressure in the tank.

Abstract: A panel support column for supporting sheet rock panels in an overhead position during the fixed mounting of the sheet rock panels to a ceiling. The panel support column is comprised of a broad flat bearing plate, rotatably attached to a circular cross section support rod, a support barrel having a cavity which closely accepts the support rod for reciprocative movement, an upper and a lower retaining clamp, a compression spring mounted around the juncture of the support rod and support barrel, and an non-slip end cup on the lower end of the support barrel. The support rod has a plurality of height adjusting holes to which the upper clamp can be attached so as to allow adjustment of the height of the panel support column to accommodate ceilings of different heights.

Abstract: Apparatus for covering relatively wider building structure expansion voids which includes a cover panel, base member extrusions for opposite side support and a lazy tong centering assembly for both supportive attachment to the cover panel and maintaining proper alignment and relative positioning to said void in tolerance of orthogonal relative displacements between adjacent structures.

Abstract: This invention relates to an interior drainage formed in a channel extrusion for a door frame insert having a combination of glass and screen members wherein the interior of the upper frame structure drains downwardly and the bottom horizontal member of the frame has an interior tiered construction which receives the moisture from above and has mitred corners whereby the respective tiers drain downwardly and underlying the ends of the bottom tier hidden from view are drain passages to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A structural assemblage formed of a plurality of elongated structural elements wherein abutting elements are connected together through an interlocking arrangement. Each structural element is composed of an elongated member which in transverse cross-section is constructed of a hub from which extends a plurality of sheet material panels. Each panel includes interlocking structure to matingly engage with an adjoining panel. A sufficient number of the elongated structural elements are to be connected together to form an enclosed space defining a duct. A sufficient number of the structural elements can be utilized to form a bank of ducts.

Abstract: The reinforcing rod holder includes a hollow body (1) having a depression in which the downwardly bent reinforcing rods (2) are inserted in such a manner that their U-shaped anchoring portions protrude. The free end (3 and 4) of the reinforcing rods are disposed entirely in the hollow body, together with the bend portion. To permit insertion of the anchoring portions, the hollow body is provided with apertures (5), and holes (6) having a diameter which is approximately identical to the diameter of the reinforcing rods are provided at the two ends of such apertures (5), while the central portion of the apertures is sealed by two overlapping flaps (7). The hollow body is further provided with mounting or support ribs (8) at the apertures (5) and two spacer ribs (9 and 10) between the last three apertures (5) in order to serve as support faces for the ends of the reinforcing rods. The hollow body, containing the reinforcing rods, is filled with expanded plastic material.