Abstract: A retractable roof system (30) for a large building structure (32) for selectively closing off an opening (39) of a fixed roof (34) of the building structure (32), the system includes at least one roof section (40) movably mountable on at least one pier (42) of substantially C-section when viewed in profile. The or each pier (42) comprises a ground-engaging foot (43) with an upstanding substantially columnar portion (48) leading to a substantially horizontal top section (50) provided with a movable bracket (44) reciprocable in guide channels (54) formed in the top section (50) and actuable by a deployment mechanism (46).

Abstract: A retractable roof system (30) for a large building structure (32) for selectively closing off an opening (39) of a fixed roof (34) of the building structure (32), the system includes at least one roof section (40) movably mountable on at least one pier (42). A deployment mechanism (46) is provided and includes a weight assembly in the form of a piston (76) of cylindrical form and comprising a generally cylindrical body (76) provided with top and bottom ring-type cylinder bumpers (78) and seal rings (84) let into ring grooves formed in the surface of the piston.

Abstract: A retractable roof system (30) for a large building structure (32) for selectively closing off an opening (39) of a fixed roof (34) of the building structure (32), the system includes at least one roof section (40) movably mountable on at least one pier (42). A deployment mechanism (46) is provided and includes ropes (66) and pulleys (68) appropriately mounted on the top section (50) of the pier (42). The ropes (66) extend from an actuating piston (60) to the movable part (44) of the top section (50).

Abstract: A load displacement apparatus to displace a mobile platform along a structure includes a worm screw mounted on the platform for rotation about its axis that meshes with a plurality of support blocks mounted on the structure. The support blocks are spaced apart from one another along the structure to be successively engaged by the worm screw. Each support block includes a plurality of bearing balls freely movably supported and retained therein to selectively and movably engage the worm screw over at least an arc segment thereof such that the worm screw is always in meshing engagement with at least one of the support blocks. A scaffolding system incorporating the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A retractable roof system (30) for a large building structure (32) for selectively closing off an opening (39) of a fixed roof (34) of the building structure (32), the system includes at least one roof section (40) movably mountable on at least one pier (42). A deployment mechanism (46) is provided and includes a weight assembly in the form of a piston (76) of cylindrical form and comprising a generally cylindrical body (76) provided with top and bottom ring-type cylinder bumpers (78) and seal rings (84) let into ring grooves formed in the surface of the piston.

Abstract: A retractable roof system (30) for a large building structure (32) for selectively closing off an opening (39) of a fixed roof (34) of the building structure (32), the system includes at least one roof section (40) movably mountable on at least one pier (42) of substantially C-section when viewed in profile. The or each pier (42) comprises a ground-engaging foot (43) with an upstanding substantially columnar portion (48) leading to a substantially horizontal top section (50) provided with a movable bracket (44) reciprocable in guide channels (54) formed in the top section (50) and actuable by a deployment mechanism (46).

Abstract: A retractable roof system (30) for a large building structure (32) for selectively closing off an opening (39) of a fixed roof (34) of the building structure (32), the system includes at least one roof section (40) movably mountable on at least one pier (42). A deployment mechanism (46) is provided and includes ropes (66) and pulleys (68) appropriately mounted on the top section (50) of the pier (42). The ropes (66) extend from an actuating piston (60) to the movable part (44) of the top section (50).

Abstract: A load displacement apparatus to displace a mobile platform along a structure includes a worm screw mounted on the platform for rotation about its axis that meshes with a plurality of support blocs mounted on the structure. The support blocs are spaced apart from one another along the structure to be successively engaged by the worm screw. Each support bloc includes a plurality of bearing balls freely movably supported and retained therein to selectively and movably engage the worm screw over at least an arc segment thereof such that the worm screw is always in meshing engagement with at least one of the support blocs. The invention also refers to a scaffolding system incorporating the apparatus.

Abstract: A pressure controller device includes a housing accommodating a precision pressure regulator incorporating a first diaphragm operable upon a main valve provided between an inlet and an outlet in the housing. The regulator further includes a second diaphragm operable upon a flapper-nozzle arrangement to set the pressure of the working fluid discharged through the device. The housing further includes a resiliently loaded shuttle actuable by an operating handle connected thereto and externally protruding from the housing to operate the second diaphragm and the flapper-nozzle arrangement. Manual operation of the handle, and resulting linear movement of the shuttle, effects movement of the second diaphragm and the flapper-nozzle arrangement and thus by pressure fluid to operate the first diaphragm and thus the main valve. Consequential variation in the pressure of the fluid delivered by the device is thus achieved by the shuttle overriding the operation of the diaphragms and thus the valve.

Abstract: A pressure controller device includes a housing accommodating a precision pressure regulator incorporating a first diaphragm operable upon a main valve provided between an inlet and an outlet in the housing. The regulator further includes a second diaphragm operable upon a flapper-nozzle arrangement to set the pressure of the working fluid discharged through the device. The housing further includes a resiliently loaded shuttle actuable by an operating handle connected thereto and externally protruding from the housing to operate the second diaphragm and the flapper-nozzle arrangement. Manual operation of the handle, and resulting linear movement of the shuttle, effects movement of the second diaphragm and the flapper-nozzle arrangement and thus by pressure fluid to operate the first diaphragm and thus the main valve. Consequential variation in the pressure of the fluid delivered by the device is thus achieved by the shuttle overriding the operation of the diaphragms and thus the valve.

Abstract: A load displacement apparatus to displace a mobile platform along a structure includes a worm screw mounted on the platform for rotation about its axis that meshes with a plurality of support blocs mounted on the structure. The support blocs are spaced apart from one another along the structure to be successively engaged by the worm screw. Each support bloc includes at least one bearing ball freely movably supported therein to selectively and movably engage the worm screw over at least an arc segment thereof such that the worm screw is always in meshing engagement with at least one of the support blocs. The invention also refers to a scaffolding system incorporating the apparatus.

Abstract: A multistage proportional valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid inside a container includes a fluid outflow passageway having an exhaust opening, an actuatable fluid inflow passageway having an intake opening and an actuatable exhaust cover for selectively closing said exhaust opening. The fluid outflow passageway, actuatable fluid inflow passageway and actuatable exhaust cover are interconnected and configured such that in response to an actuating force reaching a first pre-determined threshold the valve displaces the exhaust cover to allow the fluid inside the container to exhaust there from through the fluid outflow passageway. In response to the actuating force reaching a second pre-determined threshold the valve displaces the fluid inflow passageway to allow pressurized fluid to flow there through inside the container.

Abstract: A multistage proportional valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid inside a container includes a fluid outflow passageway having an exhaust opening, an actuatable fluid inflow passageway having an intake opening and an actuatable exhaust cover for selectively closing said exhaust opening. The fluid outflow passageway, actuatable fluid inflow passageway and actuatable exhaust cover are interconnected and configured such that in response to an actuating force reaching a first pre-determined threshold the valve displaces the exhaust cover to allow the fluid inside the container to exhaust there from through the fluid outflow passageway. In response to the actuating force reaching a second pre-determined threshold the valve displaces the fluid inflow passageway to allow pressurized fluid to flow there through inside the container.

Abstract: A system for lifting and moving an object includes a vertical post (2), having a transversal lifting arm (38) rotatably connected thereto for rotation about a vertical axis thereof. The vertical post includes a weight (5) acting as a piston connected to a carriage (50) slidably mounted on the lifting arm, such that down and up displacements of the weight by gravity or pressurized fluid respectively lower and raise the object accordingly.

Abstract: A system for lifting and moving an object comprising a vertical post, having a lifting arm pivotably mounted thereon. Said vertical post comprising a piston connected to a carriage slidably mounted on said lifting arm, such that operation of said piston can lower and raise said carriage.

Abstract: An automatic pinsetter employing magnetically responsive bowling pins, an elevator mechanism for retrieving bowling pins from a pit area adjacent an end portion of a bowling alley and for transporting the same to a pin discharge station above a transfer mechanism. The pins are arranged in bowling array on a transfer mechanism which is thereafter moved horizontally beneath a pinsetting mechanism. The pinsetting mechanism employs magnetic means for elevating the pins, the transfer mechanism is retracted from beneath the pinsetting mechanism, and the latter thereupon deposits the pins on the bowling alley in bowling array. The pinsetting mechanism is also adapted to pick-up and replace remaining upright pins after a first ball has been thrown whether the pins reside in "on spot" or "off spot" positions.

Abstract: An automatic pinsetter employing magnetically responsive bowling pins, an elevator mechanism for retrieving bowling pins from a pit area adjacent an end portion of a bowling alley and for transporting the same to a pin discharge station above a transfer mechanism. The pins are arranged in bowling array on a transfer mechanism which is thereafter moved horizontally beneath a pinsetting mechanism. The pinsetting mechanism employs magnetic means for elevating the pins, the transfer mechanism is retracted from beneath the pinsetting mechanism, and the latter thereupon deposits the pins on the bowling alley in bowling array. The pinsetting mechanism is also adapted to pick-up and replace remaining upright pins after a first ball has been thrown whether the pins reside in "on spot" or "off spot" positions.