Abstract: A multi-part connector for use in constructing a wooden deck or the like. The connector comprises identical, stamped metal elements which cooperatively embrace the upper end of a vertical post and project above the post to cooperatively receive a lateral beam therebetween. The elements each have an inwardly directed flange which is either (1) partially embedded in the upper end of wooden post or (2) engages and centers a metallic pipe post between the elements. An additional apertured plate is provided for cooperation with the two elements for securing the elements together in spaced relation to the element flanges and in embracing relation to the pipe post without bolting or otherwise securing the elements to the post. In use with either a wooden post or a pipe post, the beam overlies and bears upon the flange to aid in retaining the connector elements in place. The method involves the steps of assembling the connector elements on the post and utilizing the beam to retain the elements in place.

Abstract: Both a tub surround kit and a method for installing a tub surround are disclosed. The kit comprises four wall panels for covering the back and two side walls surrounding a tub, and two corner panels for covering the joints between the back wall and the two side walls surrounding the tub. The two corner panels each include a pair of orthogonally disposed flanges which terminate in flared, flexible lips for overlapping adjunct edges of the four panels, thereby joining the four wall panels together. The back faces of the flanges of each of the corner panels are adhered or otherwise affixed to the wall corners so that the flared, flexible lip or each of the flanges is yieldably deformed around the edge of the adjacent panel in overlapping relationship.

Abstract: This invention provides a bracket for use in constructing wooden structures, typically a wooden deck for homes. The bracket is intended to interconnect two mutually perpendicular structural elements, such as beams and joists or post and railings. The bracket includes a central web portion, a pair of parallel flanges normal to the web and two support extensions lying in the plane of the web and, in effect, extending the width of the web to provide increased lateral stability. The extensions preferably are cut from the flanges but lie in the plane of the web. The flanges and the extensions have fastener openings in pre-determined patterns to facilitate interconnection of the structural elements by different types of fastners.

Abstract: A shower cabinet comprises a base, side and back panels upon the base and a door. The base construction which may be used in combination with the cabinet and door may be adapted for use in conjunction with other available shower cabinets and enclosures. The base includes an upper floor and a lower base plate, the base plate having a pair of selectively usable knockout drain discs formed therein providing normally closed openings adapted to selectively receive a drain assembly. The base plate has an upstanding side will therearound and an outer upstanding peripheral side flange defining therebetween an intermediate support shoulder adapted to receive and support the upstandng shower cabinet walls.

Abstract: A composition for accelerating the setting of an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry, the composition comprising finely ground calcium sulfate dihydrate and a lignosulfonate. The composition, when added to an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry, accelerates the setting process and shortens the set time period as determined by the temperature rise set test procedure. The composition is useful for making gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: A signaling device to be launched underwater having a fuze body and a protile containing pyrotechnic compositions. The pyrotechnic compositions are ignited by an electrical squib which is detonated by voltage from a sea water battery which is sealed from sea water until a valve opens to permit entry of water into the fuze. An open circuit is provided between the battery and leads of the squib and, in addition, the squib leads are shorted. The opening of a valve to permit entry of sea water into the fuze causes the short to be removed and closes the circuit between the battery and the squib.

Abstract: A composition for accelerating the setting of an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry, the composition comprising finely ground calcium sulfate dihydrate and a lignosulfonate. The composition, when added to an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry, accelerates the setting process and shortens the set time period as determined by the temperature rise set test procedure. The composition is useful for making gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a novel AlH.sub.3 crystallizing liquid comprising crystalline aluminum hydride, an aliphatic ether and an inert organic liquid. The invention also concerns a novel process for providing the crystallizing liquid.

Abstract: A multiple dumping integrator having several periodic dumping integrators, ll sharing the same analog-to-digital converter. A selector dumps each periodic dumping integrator in a regular sequence, choosing the longest running such integrator for the next dump.

Abstract: A louvered shutter of molded plastic adapted for mounting on a building wall and including a body and a peripheral flange, the improvement which comprises a corner reinforcing and mounting block, nested and secured within the internal corners of the shutter and secured thereto. Each corner block includes a honeycomb base and a pheripheral flange. The base defines a series of apertures to selectively receive a fastener which extends through the shutter corner, through an aperture in the corner block and into said wall.

Abstract: A stall shower with back, end and front walls has its walls covered with three panels and a corner panel. Each panel overlies and is secured to the back wall and end walls. Each panel is uniform and has a right angular end flange terminating in an outturned sealing lip. The flanges of the end wall panels bear against, overly and are secured to the front walls. The flange of the back wall panel overlies and is secured to the free edge of one end wall panel. The corner panel includes a pair of right angular side plates terminating in outturned sealing lips. Said plates and lips bear against, overlap and are secured to the end of the other end wall panel and the back wall panel. Securing of the panels and flanges includes an adhesive.

Abstract: Wall paneling includes a pair of corner panels, a center panel, and pair of end panels, each of a molded unit construction. The corner panels have a pair of right-angular walls and the other panels are flat. Each of the end and center panels have upright marginal enlargements terminating in edge flanges. The inner enlargement of the end panels and both enlargements of the center panel adjustably overlap and receive therein a corresponding portion of a wall of a corner panel and are coplanar therewith respectively. The end panels extend at right angles to the center panels. Adhesive is interposed between the overlapped portions of the end and center panels and corresponding corner panel. Said paneling may be used for covering the end and back walls of tub enclosures.

Abstract: Crankshafts for motorcycles and certain other engines or assemblies of one or more gears, bearings to mount in the crankcase, bearings for rods, fly wheel cheeks, bearing seals and the like which interfit by means of stub shafts in one element fitting into holes in another element and some of the stub shafts are eccentric relative to the others. For repair, it is necessary to separate the elements and for such purpose a stand is provided having a base to fit on a press bed, a column of appropriate height for the length of the shaft handled and a shelf at the top of the column formed with a slot. The uppermost element is placed above the shelf and the others hang below. The press ram forces the projecting staff stub down while the uppermost element is held stationary, causing separation thereof from the remaining elements and this procedure is repeated until all elements are disassembled. For reassembly, a second stand is provided having an apertured base and three radially adjustable column elements.

Abstract: A plurality of parallelepiped blocks having varying heights, planar sides and a curved upper surface are connected together by special pin and hole interlocks randomly spaced in predetermined locations to form a three dimensional puzzle with at least a curved upper surface. Two or more puzzles can be made by initially assembling the blocks into a polyhedron with six rectangular faces and sawing along a predetermined path to separate the polyhedron into individual puzzles.

Abstract: Wall paneling includes a pair of corner panels, a center panel, and a pair of end panels, each of a molded unit construction. The corner panels have a pair of right-angular walls and the other panels are flat. Each of the end and center panels have upright marginal enlargements terminating in edge flanges. The inner enlargement of the end panels and both enlargements of the center panel adjustably overlap and receive therein a corresponding portion of a wall of a corner panel and are coplaner therewith respectively. The end panels extend at right angles to the center panels. Adhesive is interposed between the overlapped portions of the end and center panels and corresponding corner panel. Said paneling may be used for covering the end and back walls of tub enclosures.

Abstract: A screen assembly comprises a hollow or semi-hollow frame with interconnected side and end sections. Each section has a hollow channel portion terminating in a continuous screen ledge intermediate its opposite sides providing a peripheral support. A series of longitudinally spaced projections extend from said ledge adapted to retainingly engage and extend through peripheral portions of a screen spanning said frame and bearing upon said screen ledge. A removable apertured strip overlies said screen and said screen ledge retainingly engaging said projections and screen. A continuous glass support ledge is laterally displaced and extends from the screen ledge, and is adapted to alternately support a glass defining a storm window; said strip overlying and retainingly engaging said glass.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic signal providing smoke and flame and which is launchable from nderwater. Launching of the signal from underwater arms the signal, however, the signal is not initiated until the ambient sea pressure reaches a predetermined pressure valve. When this predetermined pressure valve is reached, sea water enters a cavity and energizes a battery which detonates an electric squib. The squib, in turn, ignites a smoke composition in the signal housing.

Abstract: A refracting structure with passages of different shapes with some separation of adjacent passages provides a minimum of sound reflections. It can be designed in the form of spherically divergent lenses with passages with cross sections in the form of squares or of concentric circular slits, a cylindrically divergent lens with slit shaped passages, and in other forms. Stagger of ends of the passages is discussed.