Abstract: Motor control centers have units or buckets with an extendable/retractable power connection (stab) assembly and one or more operating lever interlocks that include a unit latch to latch to a cabinet and a power connection position interlock that blocks the handle of the units or buckets based on position of the power connection assembly, optionally also including a shutter cam that slides a shutter right and left.

Abstract: A splice sleeve having an elliptical or compound curve cross section for connecting overlapping end portions of reinforcing bars utilized in various types of structures in which steel reinforcing bars are utilized and it is desired to connect the overlapping end portions of the reinforcing bars. The splice sleeve is configured to receive the overlapped end portions of the reinforcing bars and then be filled with hardenable material to resist axial tension and compression exerted on the reinforcing bars. In one embodiment, both ends of the sleeve are provided with an inwardly directed lip to increase the splicing capacity of the sleeve and also to serve as a guide to position the rebars to a minimum of about 3 mm from the inside wall surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A splice sleeve having an elliptical or compound curve cross section for connecting overlapping end portions of reinforcing bars utilized in various types of structures in which steel reinforcing bars are utilized and it is desired to connect the overlapping end portions of the reinforcing bars. The splice sleeve is configured to receive the overlapped end portions of the reinforcing bars and then be filled with hardenable material to resist axial tension and compression exerted on the reinforcing bars. In one embodiment, both ends of the sleeve are provided with an inwardly directed lip to increase the splicing capacity of the sleeve and also to serve as a guide to position the rebars to a minimum of about 3 mm from the inside wall surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A splice sleeve having an elliptical or compound curve cross section for connecting overlapping end portions of reinforcing bars utilized in various types of structures in which steel reinforcing bars are utilized and it is desired to connect the overlapping end portions of the reinforcing bars. The splice sleeve is configured to receive the overlapped end portions of the reinforcing bars and then be filled with hardenable material to resist axial tension and compression exerted on the reinforcing bars. In one embodiment, both ends of the sleeve are provided with an inwardly directed lip to increase the splicing capacity of the sleeve and also to serve as a guide to position the rebars to a minimum of about 3 mm from the inside wall surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A splice sleeve having an elliptical or compound curve cross section for connecting overlapping end portions of reinforcing bars utilized in various types of structures in which steel reinforcing bars are utilized and it is desired to connect the overlapping end portions of the reinforcing bars. The elliptical or compound curve cross section splice sleeve is configured to receive the overlapped end portions of the reinforcing bars and then be filled with hardenable material to resist axial tension and compression exerted on the reinforcing bars. In one embodiment, both ends of the sleeve are provided with an inwardly directed lip to increase the splicing capacity of the elliptical or compound curve cross section sleeve by increasing the resistance against radial outward forces imparted to the hardenable material when axial tension is exerted on the reinforcing bars, and also to serve as a guide to position the rebars to a minimum of about 3 mm from the inside wall surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated concrete slab system and method have matching rectangular slabs with cooperatively fitting male and female type connectors which fit adjacent to each other in a checkerboard fashion. The slabs include spaced reinforcing rods extending longitudinally and transversely therethrough. In at least some of the slabs, the rods' distal ends protrude outwardly away from one or more side edges of the slabs to form a plurality of male connectors. Correspondingly, at least some of the slabs include a plurality of corresponding female sockets on one or more sides thereof, each female socket receiving a corresponding male connector when dropped therein. Through interconnection of corresponding female sockets and male connectors by steel reinforcing bars extending in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, a continuous tension reinforcement is established between adjacent slabs in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: A splice sleeve for receiving and connecting adjoining ends of a pair of reinforcing bars with one end having an enlarged end and the other end without an enlargement. The splice sleeve has an internal surface which is generally cylindrical with ridges over a major portion of its length starting at one open end and steeply tapered inwardly toward a smaller opening on the other end. The sleeve's inwardly tapered end is complementarily configured to captively receive and lock in place the enlarged head of the first rebar end. The second rebar end is inserted into the sleeve's cylindrical portion up to the enlarged end of the first rebar, and the sleeve is filled with high strength grout through side ports to hold the bar ends in a coupled arrangement.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated concrete slab system and method have matching rectangular slabs with cooperatively fitting male and female type connectors which fit adjacent to each other in a checkerboard fashion. The slabs include spaced reinforcing rods extending longitudinally and transversely therethrough. In at least some of the slabs, the rods' distal ends protrude outwardly away from one or more side edges of the slabs to form a plurality of male connectors. Correspondingly, at least some of the slabs include a plurality of corresponding female sockets on one or more sides thereof, each female socket receiving a corresponding male connector when dropped therein. Through interconnection of corresponding female sockets and male connectors by steel reinforcing bars extending in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, a continuous tension reinforcement is established between adjacent slabs in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated concrete slab system and method have matching rectangular male and female type slabs which fit adjacent to each other in a checkerboard fashion. The male slabs include spaced reinforcing rods extending longitudinally and transversely through the male slabs with the rods' distal ends protruding outwardly away from one or more side edges of the male slabs to form a plurality of male connectors. The female slabs include a plurality of corresponding female sockets on one or more sides of the female slab, each female socket receiving a corresponding male connector when dropped therein. Corresponding female sockets positioned on opposite side edges of the female slabs are interconnected by steel reinforcing bars in both the longitudinal and transverse directions in a configuration similar to the male slabs so that, when connected, a continuous tension reinforcement is established between male and female slabs in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated concrete slab system and method have matching rectangular male and female type slabs which fit adjacent to each other in a checkerboard fashion. The male slabs include spaced reinforcing rods extending longitudinally and transversely through the male slabs with the rods' distal ends protruding outwardly away from one or more side edges of the male slabs to form a plurality of male connectors. The female slabs include a plurality of corresponding female sockets on one or more sides of the female slab, each female socket receiving a corresponding male connector when dropped therein. Corresponding female sockets positioned on opposite side edges of the female slabs are interconnected by steel reinforcing bars in both the longitudinal and transverse directions in a configuration similar to the male slabs so that, when connected, a continuous tension reinforcement is established between male and female slabs in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: A long span truss of substantially conventional steel construction provided with concrete encasement of the top and bottom chords with the concrete encasement being reinforced and the concrete encasement on the bottom chord and optionally on the top cord including post-tensioned steel tendons. The invention further relates to a method of making the truss as described above in which the light structural steel truss is first erected and provided with temporary steel scaffolding and bracing to support formwork. Reinforcing steel and steel tendons are placed in the formwork and concrete is poured to encase the top and bottom chords of the truss. The steel tendons are post-tensioned to provide maximum load support capability.

Abstract: A method of post-tensioning a truss of substantially conventional steel construction provided with concrete encasement or cladding of certain chords while the truss is in a fabrication yard or at ground level before erection and installation in which the structural steel truss is first assembled in a fabrication yard with certain of the chords being provided with formwork. Reinforcing steel and steel tendons are placed in the formwork and concrete is poured to encase the chords of the truss while the truss is positioned horizontally or vertically in the fabrication yard or at ground level. The steel tendons are then partially or fully post-tensioned to provide maximum load support capability. The cladded and partially or fully post-tensioned truss is then lifted to an installation point and a load deck placed on the truss with final post tensioning of the truss then being completed.

Abstract: A splice sleeve for connecting reinforcing bars in a concrete structure or the like to another entity with the sleeve being rigidly affixed to the reinforcing bar and provided with an anchor structure for anchoring the sleeve to another entity. In one embodiment, the sleeve is frustro-conical and provided with internal rings of equal height having an inner diameter which decreases toward the outer end. In another embodiment, the sleeve is cylindrical with internal rings of unequal height which have an inner diameter that decrease toward the end of the sleeve receiving the reinforcing bar. Hardenable grouting is used between the sleeve and reinforcing bar to positively lock the reinforcing bar, grouting and sleeve together thereby providing a rigid connection between the concrete structure in which the reinforcing bar is incorporated as well as the sleeve and associated anchor structure to another entity.

Abstract: A splice sleeve for connecting overlapping reinforcing bars utilized in various types of structures in which steel reinforcing bars are utilized and it is desired to connect the overlapping end portions of the reinforcing bars. The splice sleeve includes a rigid tubular sleeve receiving the overlaped ends of the reinforcing bars with the tubular sleeve being filled with hardable material to resist axial tension exerted on the reinforcing bars. In one embodiment, one end of the sleeve is closed by a rubber grommet having an opening receiving one of the reinforcing bars and the other end of the sleeve may be outwardly flared or trumpeted and provided with a ring welded thereto for receiving an end of one of the reinforcing bars with the sleeve confining the hardenable material and resisting radial outward forces imparted to the hardenable material when axial tension is exerted on the reinforcing bars.

Abstract: A splice sleeve for receiving and connecting adjoining ends of a pair of reinforcing bars or rods in which the sleeve includes a rigid shell having a cylindrical external surface and an internal surface with ridges constructed to provide a wedging action and compression of grouting introduced into the shell. In one embodiment, the shell includes an internal surface which tapers inwardly toward the ends of the shell. In another embodiment, the shell has a cylindrical internal surface with ridges which increase in height from the centermost ridges to the outer ridges.

Abstract: A marine vessel for storage or transport of cargo employing a honeycomb sandwich panel system of concrete construction applied to open or closed deck vessels comprising a plurality of vertically extending annular walls formed monolithically with the hull of the vessel in which the vertical annular walls may extend from the bottom deck or slab to the top deck or slab or between either the top or bottom and an intermediate deck or slab with the annular walls defining a plurality of compartments and serving as vertical shear walls which strengthen the structure to withstand stresses caused by wave action and the like in both longitudinal and transverse directions.