Abstract: A pendulum-type putter has a grip provided with two flats that lie perpendicular to the plane of the face on the head of the putter. The golfer holds the grip with the fingers and thumb of one hand along the flats to establish a steady pivot about which the putter swings during a putt. The grip along the bore that receives the shaft of the club may have ribs to facilitate installation of the grip over the shaft.

Abstract: In a ceiling structure, wood structural components, such as wood joists or trusses, have wood shield pieces interposed between them and a sheet-like ceiling which is carried by the structural components. The shield pieces protect the structural components in the event of a fire below, in that they must be consumed by the fire before the structural components are jeopardized, and this requires additional time which extends the fire rating of the ceiling.

Abstract: A ceiling or wall for a partition structure that contains framing members has the usual sheets of wallboard applied side-by-side to the framing members so that seams exist between the edges of adjacent sheets. Improved fire resistance is derived from runners which extend between the framing members directly behind the seams so as to serve as fire stops and as additional support for the wallboard sheets. Each runner is at its ends attached to the framing members between which it extends and further consists of several components which slip relative to each other, so that the length of the runner remains constant even though its components experience thermal expansion. This prevents the runners from bowing and pushing the wallboard sheets away from the framing members in the event of a fire. The runners further receive and anchor edge fasteners.

Abstract: At each end of a top hung wood truss one or more end webs are attached to top chord by connector plates which not only embed in the end webs and the top chord in the region of the joint between them, but also extend outwardly beyond the joint in the form of legs that embed within the chord extension, that is the portion of the top chord which extends beyond the joint and rests on the bearing surface that supports the truss. Indeed, the outwardly projecting leg of each connector plate is located over the bearing surface, its lower margin being close to the underface of the chord extension to lessen the tendency of wood fibers in the top chord to crush in that region. The plate strengthens the top chord at its extension, enabling it to better withstand the shear forces and moments that are within the chord extension.

Abstract: Disclosed is a testing machine for testing specimens such as lumber which may have varying overall lengths. The testing machine includes the frame having an elongated longitudinal member which can be pivotally mounted with respect to stands. Two sets of transverse arms are connected to the longitudinal member at appropriate points. One set of transverse arms is pivotable. The transverse arms extend outwardly from the longitudinal member and have an extendible and contractible force member for increasing and decreasing the distance between the arms along one side of the frame. Jaw sets are pivotally mounted to the transverse arms opposite from the force member for engaging a specimen being tested. The jaw sets are preferably hydraulically closed, using the same hydraulic supply as used to extend the force member, thus automatically proportioning the gripping force of the jaws with relationship to the applied load to the specimen.

Abstract: A post frame building utilizes wood posts or columns composed of upper and lower sections that are initially detached. The lower sections are set into the ground in the usual manner, and as a consequence, the top of each lower section is at a slightly different elevation. Each lower section bears a reference mark, which for all sections is located the same distance below the upper ends of those sections, and in addition after it is set into the ground, is provided with another reference mark. As to all lower sections these other reference marks are at the same elevation. The upper sections are precisely the same length, and each has a pocket opening out of its upper end. The upper sections are installed on their respective lower sections to complete the columns, but only after leveling blocks are placed in the pockets of the upper sections. The leveling blocks are all initially the same length, that length being less than the depth of the pockets.

Abstract: A wood I-beam consists of a web and a pair of parallel flange pieces which are joined to opposite edges of the web. The web has a kerf cut into each of its opposite edges, thereby dividing each edge into a pair of legs. Each flange piece, on the other hand, has a tapered groove cut into it. After glue is applied to the tapered side walls of the grooves for the flange pieces, the opposite edges of the web are inserted into the grooves and then the two flange pieces are forced together. The taper and width of the grooves in the flange pieces is such that the side walls of the grooves bend the legs on the end edges of the web together against the natural resiliency of the wood. As a result, the web edges are urged against the side walls of the groove with sufficient force to enable the glue to set-up into an extremely strong bond.