Abstract: My invention relates to a tetrahedral-octahedral truss construction system for shell framework of icosahedral-spherical, and/or part-spherical structures, which are based on the regular icosahedron. The system is represented by a central nucleus and by a sequentially ordered infinite set of ever-increasing, space-filling truss layer shells, which are constructed from triangular units of equal size, equal angular values and identical proportions. Icosahedral-spherical truss shells can be constructed of single, double and multiple layers.

Abstract: A store display apparatus is provided for a retail store having a transparent window or wall adjacent a public walk. The display apparatus includes a conveyor extending near the window or wall for providing a moving display of articles on sale to passers-by on the public walk. The conveyor preferably extends into the store and comprises a flexible element.

Abstract: An access floor panel includes a metal pan having a bottom and sidewalls. Lanced tabs extend from the bottom. A plurality of corner inserts include pad portions and core portions extending through the bottom. A concrete mixture encapsulates the tabs and insert core portions. The inserts cooperate with pedestal heads or plates to lock the panel to support pedestals. The panels also include silencer buttons. The buttons and inserts limit metal-to-metal contact. The inserts eliminate the need for stringers.

Abstract: A traction-type clutch bearing device includes an engaging piece (1) maintained in permanent contact with the clutch diaphragm (13) by an elastic member (14), a thrust bearing (2) which can move axially relative to a guide tube (10) under the action of a control member (11), and an axial connecting device interacting with a retaining groove made either in the engaging piece or in a member of the thrust bearing to connect and/or disconnect the thrust bearing and the engaging piece. The connecting device includes a ball cage (3) and a plurality of balls (23) mounted between the engaging piece (1) and the thrust bearing (2) and which are capable, in the connection position, of interacting with a wedging zone (25) and the a retaining groove (24), to ensure axial locking, and, during removal, with a release zone (30). The wedging zone (25) and the release zone (30) are located either on an inner raceway (6) of the thrust bearing (2) or on the engaging piece (1).

Abstract: A housing construction comprising a first unit enclosing at least a kitchen, living/dining/bath and sleeping zones, a second unit enclosing at least a kitchen, storage, and laundry facilities with high heat, noise and or pollutant producing characteristics connected by or separated by a confluence of passageways lying between the first the first and second units to connect these units or alternatively to separate these units by forming sealed passageways between other parts of the housing construction to thus permit exchange of or exclusion of warm or cold air, restrict noise, direct or control traffic, and/or provide increased security as required to produce more security comfort and convenience for the occupants and house guests in the most economical and efficient manner.

Abstract: A loading dock shelter of the pad type having L-shaped configuration, which, in normal operation provides a wrap-around type of engagement with the rear end of trucks backed into operative engagement with the loading dock shelter.

Abstract: A structure having a movable panel (5) has a support frame (8) having side portions (8b) slidably mounted on supports to allow sliding movement of the frame (8) between a retracted and an extended position. The movable panel (5) is mounted on the frame (8) via interengaging track means preferably comprising a track of part-circular cross-section (1) and arcuate means (2). The arcuate means (2) allow a first tilting of the movable panel (5) from a flush-fitting plane to an inclined plane on sliding movement of the frame (8) from the retracted to the extended position, and also allow a subsequent second tilting of the movable panel (5) from the inclined plane to a non-flush plane substantially parallel to the flush-fitting plane. The interengaging means (1,2) allow lateral sliding of the movable panel (5) in the non-flush plane. Thus one end of the movable panel (5) may be transferred between planes before the opposite end, enabling one person to handle large panels with ease.

Abstract: A vehicle of the type having a manual transmission is disclosed herein. The manual transmission includes a clutch, a clutch pedal and a linkage assembly interconnecting the clutch with the pedal and requires that the driver of the vehicle depress the clutch pedal in order to disengage the clutch. There is also disclosed herein an arrangement for assisting the driver in disengaging the clutch when the clutch pedal is depressed. This arrangement includes a power assist device, a source of power for driving the device, and a valve assembly including a valve and mounting components interconnecting the valve with the transmission's linkage assembly such that the manual depression of the pedal by the driver automatically acts on the valve to cause the latter to connect the power assist device to its source of power in order to drive the device and therefore aid the driver in disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: An improved milking parlor construction is provided for barns of limited floor space, comprising the combination of a modular unit which comprises a module which may be utilized in fabricating milking parlors of the type wherein a central pit area has juxtapositioned on either side a cattle stand wherein each of the modules is composed of at least two space-apart, hollow vertical upright members that may be supported in concrete or the like and from each of which a feed bowl and shroud may be hung. The feed bowl is provided with feed from a feed conveyor superpositioned over the hollow vertical upright member and in communication therewith. In order to accommodate limited floor space considerations, the module also includes at least a pair of vertically raisable gates attached to the vertical upright members. A mechanism is provided for raising and lowering at least pairs of gates.

Abstract: A method and means for keeping cattle in a stall barn is provided. The barn has feeding and resting places where each animal is kept during feeding and rest in a separate stall defined by vertical parallel side stall partitions, the animals being free from restraining connections to the feeding table and said partitions and being confined at the rear of the stall by a closing means controlled by power transmissions means which lifts it to a level above the standing height of the animals to allow them to back out from their individual stalls and move to a common collecting place along a predetermined route of a way system, the animals being subsequently returned to their stalls by the same or a different route, and the closing means being returned to confining position behind the animals, said routes being established by a plurality of adjustable gates within said way system, the gates being set in different positions by individual power transmission means.

Abstract: Rod elements with variable section, straight and discontinuous allow erection of flat and spatial structures. There are also provided flat panels with turned back edges and surface lining panels which can be associated with said flat panels as well as roofing panels which can be partially overlapped. Angle elements with L-section allow joining of several structures in miter, T and cross joints.

Abstract: A roof structure and a roof board therefor are disclosed which are capable of effectively preventing rainwater, sand, dust and the like from entering into the roof structure and exhibiting satisfied snow break. The roof structure is constructed to have a butt region between an eaves side connection of a ridge side roof board and a ridge side connection of an eaves side roof board formed at a position upwardly apart from a flat surface section of the eaves side roof board. The roof structure is constructed by connecting a plurality of the roof boards to one another through the eaves side and ridge side connections in turn with an upward incline from an eaves side to a ridge side.

Abstract: Structural members extending between purlins in the roof support for metal buildings include different types of end support elements secured to flanges of the purlins and have a modified "V" cross sectional configuration for structural integrity. Different end configurations are utilized for different types of purlins.

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 building frame structure for a building opening and wedge shim structure for accurately plumbing and locating the frame, such as a door frame or window frame in a doorway opening or window opening, respectively, of a building. The wedge shim structure includes a plurality of shims placed about the frame in plumbed hung frame relationship. Each shim has a first wedge shim part fastened on the frame and a second wedge shim part slidably mountable on the first part for adjustably closing the space between the frame and the studding around the opening for placing a door or window structure in the doorway or window opening. This requires placing a level on the second wedge part of each shim to provide a plumb vertical frame wall on which to hang to door or slidably mount a window. This novel arrangement also provides for a shimming and plumbing method for attaching a door or window in plumb relation with the building opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to an esthetically pleasing, practical and functional storage rack particularly suited for storage of soft cover items. In its preferred embodiment, the storage rack comprises top, bottom and side panels that include tracks positioned so that dividers are detachably engaged in said tracks. Apertures are located in the panels to increase the visability of the items contained within the rack, and ridges are positioned adjacent the apertures to support the items and give strength to the housing.

Abstract: A construction method is disclosed which utilizes entirely squared-end framing members to build a pitched roof building.

Abstract: A centering arrangement for runners of a ceiling system for holding the panels supported by the runners in a desired position on the flanges of the runners, said centering arrangement comprising a bump extending from each side of the web with the bump being formed in a web of the runner immediately adjacent a cut in the runner so that the drawing of the material into the bump will not draw material from the flange or adjacent thereto. The bump is preferably a half moon or semi-circular shape so that it provides a smooth camming surface for both lateral movement of the panel along the flange as well as vertical movement towards the flange.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a vector connection between openings in an enclosed walkway and an adjacent structure. The apparatus is mountable at the walkway opening to vector seal between the walkway and the apparatus. A tubular sealing part of flexible material provides a passageway with open ends for surrounding the walkway opening and structure opening, and a plurality of expandable chambers extend peripherally about the passageway. Expansion of the chambers flexes the sealing part causing it to project from the walkway and abut with a surface of an adjacent structure and surround the structure opening, whilst contraction of the chambers retract the sealing part from the structure back to adjacent the walkway opening. At least one of the chambers is adjacent the open end of the passageway near the structure and deforms as necessary upon abutment of the sealing part with the structures so that the sealing part conforms to the structure surface and vector seals completely about the structure opening.

Abstract: Method and device for permanently locking a movable member in a framework, such as locking a door of a safe in case of an attack, in which an explosive member sensitive to an outer action is detonated and deforms the movable member such as a door of the safe to create an artifical bolt extending outside of the movable member and penetrating in the framework, e.g. of the safe. The movable member is thus automatically locked when the artificial bolt is created under the effect of the explosion. Alternatively, the explosive member may be provided in the framework itself, in which case the framework is deformed due to the effect of the explosion, creating an artificial bolt which extends into the movable member itself, e.g. the door of a safe.