Abstract: Improvements in a flywheel engine are described which includes a flywheel with non radial propulsion units for generating thrust by combustion to rotate the flywheel in a first direction about a flywheel axis. A drive shaft mounts the flywheel for rotation about the flywheel axis within a housing that completely encloses the flywheel. A turbine is also mounted within the housing. It includes turbine blades positioned to react against thrust from the propulsion units and rotate in a second direction opposite to rotation of the flywheel. A transmission is connected to the turbine for producing torque responsive to rotation of the turbine.

Abstract: A flywheel engine includes a flywheel body made up of laminated disks, pressed one into another on a central drive shaft. Individual ones of the disks are stamped with recesses which accommodate jet or rocket propulsion housings, electrical wiring, and fuel delivery passages. The propulsion housings are removably mounted in the flywheel body to permit interchange with other propulsion devices according to thrust requirements. The propulsion housings are oriented to produce thrust on thrust axes that are substantially tangential to the rotational path of the flywheel body edge surface. Fuel and combustion supporting oxygen are delivered to the individual propulsion housings through the central shaft.

Abstract: A glazing fastener for mounting either rigid or flexible storm windows employs two elongated plastic strips: a channel strip having a narrow lengthwise channel, and a glazing strip having a narrow lengthwise insert flange for insertion into the channel. Walls of the channel and sides of the insert flanges have pairs of spaced apart longitudinal complementary ribs sized and positioned for interengagement. In a flexible glazing strip such ribs also enable the flexible plastic to be progressively stretched for a wrinkle-free fit. The glazing strip also has a laterally extending external flange positioned to remain outside the channel for engaging the glazing sheet, either to hold a rigid glazing sheet in place or to apply tension to a flexible glazing sheet. Various embodiments of the external flange are described including an embodiment adapted for use as an independent frame in a sliding window sash.

Abstract: A glazing fastener for mounting either rigid or flexible storm windows employs two elongated plastic strips: a channel strip having a narrow lengthwise channel, and a glazing strip having a narrow lengthwise insert flange for insertion into the channel. Walls of the channel and sides of the insert flange have pairs of spaced apart longitudinal complementary ribs sized and positioned for interengagement. In a flexible glazing strip such ribs also enable the flexible plastic to be progressively stretched for a wrinkle-free fit. The glazing strip also has a laterally extending external flange positioned to remain outside the channel for engaging the glazing sheet, either to hold a rigid glazing sheet in place or to apply tension to a flexible glazing sheet. Various embodiments of the external flange are described including an embodiment adapted for use as an independent frame in a sliding window sash.

Abstract: A double-wall greenhouse with flexible plastic walls is disclosed. The side walls and roof of the greenhouse form an integral tunnel-like shell about an unobstructed internal space. Opposite ends of the shell are closed by end panels. The inner and outer surfaces of the shell are formed by parallel inner and outer flexible plastic glazings which enclose the supporting framework of the shell. Similarly, each end panel has inner and outer flexible plastic glazings enclosing its supporting framework.The greenhouse can be built in any desired length simply by increasing the number of segments forming the shell. One segment includes two spaced-apart, parallel, upright archlike structural members whose lower ends are secured to opposite parallel sills. A sheet of plastic glazing extends along uninterrupted inner surfaces of the structural members from one sill member to the other. It is secured to the outer surfaces along its edges and ends and uniformly stretched between the members.

Abstract: A window construction includes longitudinally channeled framing strips of right angular cross section attached to the four faces of a window casing or to a storm door window opening. Boundary edge portions of a pane closing the window opening are attached to the framing strips by resilient angular bead strips. The pane may comprise either a flexible plastic membrane, a rigid or semi-rigid self-supporting sheet or screening. The bead strips include two long bead flange portions extending at generally right angles from a body portion and a short rib portion extending from the outside corner at the intersection between the two bead flange portions. The rib portion and one bead flange portion are squeezed into opposed grooves in the channel portion of a framing strip to compress the pane in position against at least one inside surface of the framing strip.

Abstract: A storm window construction includes longitudinally grooved framing strips attached to the four faces of a window casing either inside or outside the window glass. Edge portions of a clear flexible plastic membrane stretched across the window opening and spaced from the glass are held within the grooves of the framing strips by bead strips to maintain the membrane under tension and provide an insulating air space between the membrane and the glass. The bead strips are oblong and can be inserted in the framing strip grooves only along the short diameter of the bead. Once in the groove the bead strip tends to rotate into wedging engagement with cylindrical inner wall portions of the groove under membrane tension to secure the bead and membrane in place. Surface portions of each bead strip intersected by its short diameter and portions of each framing strip at the entrance to the groove may be scored or toothed longitudinally to resist removal of the bead strip from the groove of the framing strip.