Abstract: A Sheet Metal Structural Member has flanged openings formed therein to permit the passage of services therethrough. A grommet is provided that has a shape that corresponds generally to the plan form shape of the openings. The grommet has a peripheal wall and seating elements arranged about the peripheral wall to mate with the flanges that are located about the flanged opening. The grommet snaps into place and resists movement once installed. The grommet has radiused edges to discourgae damage to service conduits or wiring carried therethrough.

Abstract: A construction panel for use in the erection of buildings comprising a panel of castable construction material of predetermined thickness, and having first and second sides; a plurality of structural members, reinforcing the panel on one side, at least some of the structural members comprising a generally linear edge, and a generally zig-zag edge, and a web extending between the linear edge and the zig-zag edge, the zig-zag edges defining apexes, and root portions; the apexes, being embedded in one side of the panel thereby securing at least some of the structural members to the panel; recesses formed in the web extending substantially from the apexes to the root portions; and, generally triangular indentations formed in the web throat portions adjacent to but spaced from the recesses. Also disclosed is a method of constructing a level portion of a building.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a one piece integral metallic beam (22) having flanges (24), and a web (26) joining said flanges, the beam having been hot rolled from a heated metal workpiece (20) to produce an integral one piece beam having flanges and a web extending therebetween, the flanges having a predetermined first thickness, and the web having a predetermined second thickness less than the first thickness, and in which the web is heated to a hot forming temperature, without substantially heating the flanges and, the web is than passed through at least one metal forming die set (16), which is repeatedly closed on the web to form the web without forming the flanges. The method may also include the piercing of openings (28) through the web, and the forming of lips (30) around the openings, and also, the forming of a secondary product (52) from the portion of the web discarded from the opening, and also hot forging the lips (30) around the openings.

Abstract: A method of forming a pair of sheet metal structural members simultaneously from a single elongated strip of sheet metal defining parallel side edges and comprising the steps of severing the strip sheet metal along a predetermined zig-zag separation path, thereby dividing the strip into two strip portions on opposite sides of the zig-zag separation path, each having generally zig-zag edges the zig-zag edges being in generally inter-fitting relation; forming edge flange formations along the zig-zag edges of each of the strip portions at an angle thereto, and, forming linear edge formations along the parallel side edges of the strip portions.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus (10) for forming materials such as sheet metal has upper and lower rotary members (12,14) rotating in unison on opposite sides of a moving strip of material, at least one die support (30,32) movably supported on each rotary member for carrying forming die means (34,36), each die support being movable in a semi-rotary manner relative to its rotary member, a first pair of guide pins (40,44) located at opposite ends of each die support and offset from one another towards the leading and trailing edges respectively, first guides (50,52,54,56) for the first pairs of guide pins located at respective ends of each rotary member, second pairs of guide pins (42,46) on each die support, located at opposite ends, and offset from one another towards the trailing edge and leading edge respectively, second guides (60,62,64,66) located at each end of each rotary member, the second guides engaging the second pairs of pins at a point just before the die supports close, and during closure of the die supports,

Abstract: A metal member having at least one edge formation, and a web extending from the edge formation, a plurality of generally triangular openings formed in the web at spaced intervals, the triangular formations being alternately reversed relative to one another, a plurality of generally diagonal struts extending between adjacent triangular openings, edge portions along either edge of the web portion, with the struts extending from one said edge portion to the other and merging integrally therewith, flange formations formed from the web around the generally triangular openings, and lying at an angle thereto, whereby to form the diagonal struts with a generally channel shaped cross section, and forming intermittent flanges along the web edges at the base of each triangular opening, the triangular openings defining generally curved corners, and, generally three-sided indentations formed in the web edge at the roots of each of the diagonal struts.

Abstract: A sheet metal structural member for use in the formation of a cast construction panel which member, in turn, comprises a sheet metal web defining a linear edge along one side, and a zig-zag edge along the other side, the zig-zag edge defining wider regions, and narrower regions between the wider regions, and the web extending in a generally triangular fashion from one narrower region through a wider region to the next narrower region, edge formations formed around the zig-zag edge portions of the web and, attachment devices at the apex of each of the wider portions of the web, which may be secured to a construction material. Also disclosed is a construction panel incorporating such structural members, and a method of fabricating such structural members in pairing, and a method of building construction utilizing such structural members.

Abstract: A rotary forming apparatus for forming or cutting strip material, having rotatable upper and lower roll units, the units being connected for synchronous rotation, each of the units having a carrier member with at least one recess extending parallel to its central axis, and at least one die support block, the block being rotatably received within the recess, and having two ends, and a surface to which a die may be affixed, leading and trailing control pins on the block, extending on parallel spaced apart axes, and leading and trailing cam surfaces engaging respective leading and trailing control pins, to control the position of the blocks during at least part of their rotation, and a method of forming sheet metal moving at a continuous high speed on a sheet metal forming line typically a roll forming line.

Abstract: A precast panel having a slab of cast material having a first surface, and a plurality of steel studs on one side, the steel studs having two angle members parallel to one another, a plurality of struts extending from one angle member to the other, openings between the struts, junction flanges extending from one of the angle members, and a locking strip formed on the junction flange, the locking strip defining an acute angle with the first surface of the slab and junction flange being embedded in the cast material, and the junction flange being discontinuous and defining openings through which the cast material extends to integrally bond the cast material on opposite sides of the the junction flange.

Abstract: A wall having metal wall studs in parallel spaced-apart relation, and each, in turn, having two parallel angles each defining a panel supporting flange, to which wall panels may be attached, and each further defining a bracing strip, integral with the panel supporting flange, at right angles thereto, a plurality of straps integral with the angles each strap defining an axis extending diagonally between the bracing strips and defining generally triangular openings with their apeces directed alternately in opposite directions, generally triangular widened roots on each end of the strap, a plurality of transverse ribs in the panel supporting flanges normal to the right angle junctions between the bracing strips and the panel supporting flanges, and further transverse ribs in the bracing strips and extending into the triangular enlarged roots, the first and second transverse ribs being formed in aligned pairs and meeting and joining one another at the right angle junction, wall panelling on the panel supporting f

Abstract: A rotary cutting and forming apparatus for strip material, having rotatable upper and lower roll units, the units being connected for synchronous rotation, each of the units having a carrier member with at least one recess extending parallel to its central axis, and at least one die support block, the block being rotatably received within the recess, and having two ends, and a surface to which a die may be affixed, leading and trailing control pins on the block, extending on parallel spaced apart axes, and leading and trailing cam surfaces engaging respective leading and trailing control pins, to control the position of the blocks during at least part of their rotation.

Abstract: A rotary .[.cutting and.]. forming apparatus for strip material, .[.having.]. .Iadd.has .Iaddend.rotatable upper and lower roll units, the units being connected for synchronous rotation, each of the units having a carrier member with at least one recess extending parallel to its central axis, and at least one die support block, the block being rotatably received within the recess, and having two ends, and a surface to which a die may be affixed, leading and trailing control pins on the block, extending on parallel spaced apart axes, and leading and trailing cam surfaces engaging respective leading and trailing control pins, to control the position of the blocks during at least .Iadd.that .Iaddend.part of their rotation .Iadd.when the dies engage the workpiece so that the forming planes of such dies are parallel to the workpiece during such engagement and immediately prior to and subsequent to such engagement.Iaddend..