Abstract: A device for cleaning a milking system, with an air separator, a rinse reservoir, a suction line that leads from the rinse reservoir to the air separator through a milking station, and a pressure line that leads from the air separator to the rinse reservoir. The top of the air separator communicates with a vacuum line and the bottom communicates with the pressure line through a conveyor pump and with a shut-off valve in the section of the suction line between the rinse reservoir and the milking station. To improve the cleaning effectiveness of the known device and prevent the air separator from getting overloaded, the shut-off valve is remote-controlled and is connected through a control line to controls that are also connected to the conveyor pump and to a level sensor in the air separator through other control lines. The controls close the valve when the pump is on and open it when the pump is off.

Abstract: There is disclosed a reinforced, insulated concrete laminated wall. The central portion is a rigid insulation core through which vertical ladder structures extend transversely. Matched pairs of horizontal braces extend parallel to and abut the insulation core to hold it firmly in place. The horizontal braces rest on the rungs of the transverse vertical ladders and may be locked down to the rungs to prevent movement during concrete pouring. The wall is manufactured by positioning the core, ladders and braces medially between suitable forms. A single stage pour of concrete is then made to form the complete wall without resetting the forms. The wall may be constructed directly on a building foundation or prefabricated and subsequently positioned on the foundation.

Abstract: An adjustable arch support used for the laying of brickwork, lamination of timber beams, or other similar uses which incorporates a flexible band supported by a number of telescopic struts from a central hub. The shape of the arch is determined by adjustment of the struts, bending the band to the desired configuration.The band incorporates at least one lockable hinge allowing the band to be set either to an even curve or to a discontinuous curve having a peak at the hinge for the formation of Gothic arches, etc.

Abstract: A system for mounting a relatively thick multiple glazed sealed unit to a wooden sash assembly of a standard thickness. The system comprises a peripheral base member inserted between the glazed unit and the sash of the window and a retaining moulding engaged to the peripheral base member and pressing the glazed unit in the sash to hold it in place. A suitable weather strip is applied between the glazed unit and the retaining moulding to prevent air infiltration.

Abstract: A grill structure for use in connection with a combination screen and storm door, the grill being formed of vertical and horizontal channel members, the horizontal members comprising segments spacing the vertical members, rods extending through the channels of the horizontal members, the channels each having a rib therein and the rods each having a slot therein to receive a rod whereby the rods are non-rotatably disposed through the channels of said horizontal members to secure the framework of the grill, U-channel members from the perimeter of the grill and screws applied through said U-channel members into the ends of said rods secure the structure. The rods are held free from rotation and torsion therealong in securing the screws and the rods need not be held by hand against rotation as the screws are applied.

Abstract: A multi-purpose concrete working tool can be used to strike off, consolidate, finish, and check a concrete surface to produce a very flat or super flat surface. The tool consists of a rectangular, hollow extruded magnesium blade between 8 and 12 feet long with sharp edges at each side of the bottom working surface. An elongated handle is attached to the blade by means of a pitch adjusting mechanism and lateral braces. Rotation of the handle continuously varies the pitch of the working surface of the blade between 0 and 30 degrees in either direction with respect to the concrete surface without changing the elevation of the handle. The tool weighs in excess of 20 pounds, exerts more than 0.075 psi on the concrete, and has sufficient blade rigidity to be used to strike off and consolidate a concrete surface.

Abstract: A support for a spanner bar in an open web bar joist system which is supported by a lower chord of the bar joist. The support includes a base member for securing the support to the lower chord, a first elongated vertical member which is affixed to the base member, and a second elongated member which is axially aligned with respect to the first member. Structure is provided for moving the second member axially with respect to the first member.

Abstract: A flexible, one-piece membrane is provided for inside or outside corners at building foundations, shelf angles, and roofs. The membrane includes a central vertical section that wraps around the corner, a top planar section that extends rearwardly into the corner, and a bottom planar section that extends forwardly upon the building foundation, shelf angle, or roof. The membrane is preferably made of plastic film, for example polyvinylchloride, and is particularly suited for use in masonry construction.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly for the clutch plate of a friction clutch has an input component with two discs one of which carries the friction linings and which are rotatable within limits relative to a hub which transmits torque to a transmission and has external teeth in loose mesh with the internal teeth of the flange of a main torsion damping stage. The flange is disposed between the two discs and has windows for strong coil springs which further extend into registering windows of the discs. A further damping stage has two spaced-apart plates which are affixed to the flange in the space between such flange and one of the discs and are disposed at the opposite sides of a second flange which is non-rotatably secured to the hub. The second flange has windows for relatively weak coil springs which further extend into registering windows of the two plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite wall panel structure consisting of two metal facing skins sandwiched with a structural core. The sealing and structural performances of the panel sidejoint are significantly improved. This invention is particularly useful for panels erected in the horizontal mode.

Abstract: A monocoque building shell is made up of multiple sections of a compound curved shape. Along the axial length of the building the walls and roof are madeup of a repeated smooth wave form, the amplitude of the wave being in proportion to the stresses generated in the shell as a function of its weight and shape and assumed loads such as snow. In the transverse direction the roof is an hyperbolic shape from the roof center to the corner where the shape curves downward into vertical walls. The wall construction is of insulative foam in a sandwich between inner and outer skins of fiberglass.

Abstract: Disclosed herein an improved ground anchor with recoverable steel rods which is characterized by the design of a socket having a plurality of tapered holes for fixing of steel rods from the top and two semi-conical wedges at the bottom of each hole to fix the steel rods by frictional force. The fixing holes are designed with external wall having tensile strength smaller than that of the steel rods so that application of any normal extractor to pull out the steel rods will distort and break the external wall of the holes first, the friction among the semi-conical wedges and steel rods will be overcome consequently, and thus the steel rods can be extracted and recovered easily. It is further characterized by the design of swingable arms, each with a left cutting edge in a form of slightly turning outward for cutting earth in order to ease its extension, and a recession at the external curved surface to reduce friction between the swingable arm and the earth.

Abstract: A device for marking out land includes a stake of flexible plastics material including a stem which has a point at its lower end and which is extended in its upper part by a marker head. The stem has an upper region which is less rigid than the lower region which is adapted to be driven into the ground.

Abstract: A connector guide system for the constructing of block walls (12) is disclosed. The blocks (14) are uniformly notched (20,22,24,26) to allow for the placement of connector guides (16). The guides include platforms (18) upon which the blocks (14) rest. Based on constant placement of notches (20,22,24,26) and connector guides (16), the wall (12) is constructed to allow for uniform mortaring.

Abstract: A self drying pet litter box includes a foraminous panel supported above the bottom of a box like container to facilitate circulation of air through particulate litter material supported on the panel.

Abstract: In the construction of tall concrete towers, a two part derrick is suspended by cables from the tower to the lower part of the derrick. The derrick is extended on hydraulic rams, raising its upper part and outside casting forms. A pulley system maintains a deck scaffold and inside forms at their original level during extension. Extension of the derrick slakens cables from the tower to the upper part of the derrick. These cables are disconnected from the tower and reconnected at a higher level. Outside forms are fixed, reinforcing steel set in place, and the derrick retracted, raising the deck scaffold and inside forms by the pulley system, and slacking the lower cables. The lower cables are disconnected from the tower and reconnected at a higher level. Inside forms are set and concrete is poured. The concrete sets and the procedure is repeated.The deck scaffold comprises radiating wooden beams with endpieces.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system for a room comprises a plurality of inverted T-shaped members suspended from the structural ceiling of the room and extending across the room, each T-shaped member having a horizontal base portion, and a plurality of open metal ceiling panels having opposed sides and ends and a bottom are supported by the inverted T-shaped members by means of a flange on one side wall of a panel resting on one side of the horizontal base portion while the other side of the horizontal base portion is received in slots in the end walls of the next adjacent panel.

Abstract: A resiliently-cushioned adhesively-applied floor system is comprised of a plurality of floor panels secured to a support base by an adhesive which is spread on at least one of the support base or the floor panels with a generally uniform thickness. A plurality of elongated support members fabricated from pre-cured elastomeric material are positioned between the floor panels and the support base. The floor panels are forced toward the support base so that the adhesive forms a bond between the floor panels and the support base or between the support members and the support base.

Abstract: A system for constructing buildings utilizing a conical connector to fasten rods connecting structural members of a building. The conical connector is a rigid, solid device, circular in section, with an axial bore. The connector has a flat top surface and bottom surface perpendicular to the bore, a ring-shaped flange midway between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a sloping surface between the top surface and the flange and between the bottom surface and the flange wherein the circumference of the connector as defined by the sloping surface increases as the flange is approached, forming a cone. The sloped surface of the connector engages a recess in a structural member of the building. A tensioning mechanism passing through the bore in the connector applies a coupling force to hold the connector against the structural member. A multiple cone connector for joining adjacent modules of a building may be formed by joining the flanges of at least two connectors to form a single continuous flange.

Abstract: A reversible mortise lock including a housing having a front plate and side walls, and a latch movable between an extended position in which it projects through the front plate, and a retracted position. Two spindle hubs, for cooperation with the spindles of inner and outer door knobs, are independently pivotable about a fixed axis, the latch moving from its extended to retracted position in response to pivotal movement of either spindle hub. An abutment member is pivotable between two extreme positions; in one extreme position it interferes with pivotal movement of one spindle hub, but not the other, so as to prevent that one hub from causing retracting movement of the latch; in the other extreme position, the abutment member does not interfere with movement of either spindle hub. The abutment member is exposed through an opening in the front plate so that it can be swung between its extreme positions by finger pressure.