Abstract: A system for guiding of the visually handicapped includes a continuous electrical conductor, in the nature of a wire or strip, having a substantially uniform conductivity embedded within a walkway to be traversed by the handicapped person. The system also including a proximity for detecting the conductor in which the detector may be in a shoe of the user or a tip of a walking cane. The system further includes a signalling element, in the nature of a vibrator, in electrical communication with the detector such that, through the presence of such vibration, the visually handicapped person is able to determine his proximity to the electrical conductor to determine that he is proceeding in a proper direction within or along the walkway. The signalling element is preferably provided with a switch, for example, a mercury switch, so that the shoe or cane circuit will become energized only upon the occurrence of movement or motion of the shoe or cane within which the proximity detector is located.

Abstract: A metallic stud for use in a framing structure, the stud definable in terms a x, y, z coordinate system. The stud includes the z-axis elongate substantially rectangular integral web within a yz plane and further includes a series of xz plane tabs projecting in an x-axis direction, the tabs alternating in x-axis extent between interdigitating greater and lesser dimensions, in which a z-axis line of dependency exists between a common xz plane of all of the tabs in a first major rectangular base of the yz plane of the web of the stud. The stud further includes a z-axis elongate L-shaped element integrally dependent from a second major rectangular base of the web, the elongate element parallel to the first base.

Abstract: A constructional brick, for use in the forming of a wall structure capable of resisting high gravity and lateral loads of both a uniform and cyclical character, exhibits a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration defining an xyz Cartesian coordinate system, an x-axis capable of defining a width axis of the wall structure, a y-axis defining the directionality of the wall structure, and a z-axis defining a vertical axis of the wall structure.

Abstract: A constructional component for a wall structure capable of resisting high gravity and lateral loads, both uniform and cyclical, is defined by a partially hollow building block having a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration in which one entire end surface of the building block exhibits a positive deep key geometry and the opposing end surface exhibits a negative deep key geometry, complemental to the positive geometry of the opposite end. Deep key interlocks also exist between opposing horizontal block surface. As partition between vertical cavities of the block may define a Z-shape in horizontal cross-section. There is resultingly created a substantially rigid and load-resilient interlock between vertical and horizontal complemental surfaces when joined as components of a wall structure.

Abstract: A constructional component for a wall structure capable of resisting high gravity and lateral loads, both uniform and cyclical, is defined by a partially hollow building block having a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration in which one entire end surface of the building block exhibits a positive deep key geometry and the opposing end surface exhibits a negative deep key geometry, complemental to the positive geometry of the opposite end. Deep key interlocks also exist between opposing horizontal block surface. As partition between vertical cavities of the block may define a Z-shape in horizontal cross-section. There is resultingly created a substantially rigid and load-resilient interlock between vertical and horizontal complemental surfaces when joined as components of a wall structure.

Abstract: A light-gauge truss framing element constitutes a longitudinal constructional beam having a uniform generally T-shaped cross-section, in which a vertical portion of the cross-section defines a web of the beam and a transverse horizontal portion defines a symmetric flange. The beam comprises a material having a thickness in a range of about ten to about twenty-two gauge and having a yield strength in a range of about thirty-six to about fifty-five kips per square inch. The web, in transverse cross-section, resembles a compressed V-shaped element which may be selectably reinforced through the use of rods or stiffening elements internal or external to the apex of the V-shaped web.

Abstract: A constructional component for a wall structure capable of resisting high gravity and lateral loads, both uniform and cyclical, is defined by a partially hollow building block having a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration in which one entire end surface of the building block exhibits a positive deep key geometry and the opposing end surface exhibits a negative deep key geometry, complemental to the positive geometry of the opposite end. Deep key interlocks also exist between opposing horizontal block surface. As partition between vertical cavities of the block narrows in the negative vertical direction. There is resultingly created a substantially rigid and load-resilient interlock between vertical and horizontal complemental surfaces when joined as components of a wall structure.

Abstract: A precast concrete portal frame system includes two column sections and a rafter section, each of which are pre-cast off-site, each column section extending integrally toward a plane of symmetry of the portal frame to an uppermost articulated surface of each of the column sections which meet lowermost articulated surfaces of the rafter section, defining respectively opposing planes in complemental keyed relationship, the opposing planes also defining, in longitudinal cross-section, mating L-shaped surfaces, the inclined planes of the column and rafter sections provided with transverse bolting holes to provide a bolted connection between the rafter and column sections of the system. The upper part of each column section is enlarged to provide resistance to high bending moments.

Abstract: An earth retaining wall system is defined by a rectilinear three-dimensional matrix of tie elements, each substantially uniplanar in a horizontal plane and longitudinally elongated in a direction transverse to the retaining wall. Such tie elements are each rigidly coupled along one horizontal axis edge of an earth supporting side of the retaining wall. The tie element thusly defines a matrix or grid in a vertical plane. The system also includes passive pressure resistive members that are substantially uniplanar in a vertical plane which is also co-planar with the retaining wall. Such pressure resistive members are longitudinally elongated along a horizontal axis which is co-parallel with the retaining wall. Each of the pressure resistive members are rigidly secured to a surface of each tie element to define, in cross-section, a matrix in a vertical plane which is also normal to the retaining wall.

Abstract: An earth retaining wall system is defined by a rectilinear three-dimensional matrix of tie elements, each substantially uniplanar in a horizontal plane and longitudinally elongated in a direction transverse to the retaining wall. Such tie elements are each complementally rigidly coupled along one horizontal axis edge of an earth supporting side of the retaining wall. The tie element thusly defines a matrix or grid in a vertical plane. The system also includes a plurality of pressure resistive members that are substantially uniplanar in a vertical plane which is also co-planar with the retaining wall. Such pressure resistive members are longitudinally elongated along a horizontal axis which is co-parallel with the retaining wall. Each of the pressure resistive members are rigidly secured along a bottom edge thereof to an upper surface of each tie element to define, in cross-section, a matrix in a vertical plane which is also normal to the retaining wall.