Abstract: A safety for hammer-equipped pistols, which includes a lock pin slidably mounted in the handle of a pistol, a companion lock pin spring biasing the lock pin inwardly of the handle toward the hammer, a locking rod slidably mounted in the handle in angular relationship with respect to the lock pin, the upper end of which locking rod is adapted to normally engage a seat provided in the lock pin and a release pin normally located in a release pin seat provided in the base of the handle, for engaging the opposite, or lower end of the locking rod and preventing relative movement between the locking rod and the lock pin.

Abstract: A semi-resilient pistol grip is made as a one-piece unit with side panels attached to each other at both forward and rear edges by relatively thin resilient portions. Yieldable reinforcement plates are embedded by molding within the side panels. The hollow interior of the grip is specially shaped so as to interlock with the frame of the pistol to retain the grip in place after it has been applied.

Abstract: An inflatable hunting blind is constructed of a series of internally interconnected, vertically stacked horizontal annular air chambers, each constructed of lightweight vinyl chloride, polyethylene or any vinyl plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride, or the like interconnected vertically by use of plastic welding but containing large internal air passages for the mutual inflation of all the air chambers simultaneously. The structure is provided with an external camouflaged pattern to obscure the appearance of the device. A mouth inflatable chuck valve is provided in an upper torus and a series of ground stake loops are provided in a lower torus, permitting the structure to be fastened to the ground and also to be inflated by blowing, without the use of external pumps and the like.

Abstract: A Finger Guarded Fish Hook Sheath has adjacent the hook insertion aperture a finger guard which isolates the aperture region from the region grasped by the user's fingers. The guard has one or more holes suitable for stringing sheaths together. Multiple sheaths are injection molded, joined by injection sprues which continue to link the sheaths when delivered to the user. The user may, at his option, retain the linked structure or separate sheaths for individual usage.

Abstract: A shellfish lure (10) is formed of a bait hook (12), nests (18) of entangled loops (20), and a weight (22) attached to a main line (24). The loops (20) are formed of individual strands (30) of resilient, flexible monofilament line bound together at a common point by a crimp (32) to ensnare crabs (38) or other shellfish attracted to the bait.

Abstract: A monolithic molded plastic fishing hook connectable to a monofilament fishing line. The hook by its unique parts is arranged to provide a shock absorber action during catching fish, to release from a hooked snag before the line breaks, and to maintain the axis of penetration of the barbed point substantially parallel to the line of action under near maximum line pull.

Abstract: A device for extracting a fish hook from a fish caught thereby comprises a tubular housing with a sliding plunger housed therein fastened to a clamping hook extending beyond the front end of the housing so that when a retractor handle and fixed handle are squeezed together the clamping hook is retracted into the housing whereby it engages any article extending laterally across the two receiving slots and clamps the article therein. The device grips the fish hook and locks it in the receiving slots so that rotation relative to longitudinal axis of the device is prevented while still allowing the hook to rotate within the receiving slots if it is desired. With the fish hook firmly grasped, the device allows the fish hook to be easily and safely manipulated in order to free it from the hooked fish. When a large fish hook or the like is held by the device, said device has the additional ability of serving as a gaff for safely handling dead or live fish.

Abstract: A suffocant in the form of a heavier-than-air gas is directed into the subterranean tunnel network of a burrowing air-breathing animal so as to replace the air from such tunnels and suffocate the animals therein. The heavier-than-air gas is preferably odorless, tasteless, colorless and substantially chemically inert, and injected at conditions approximately standard temperature and pressure, so as not to provide a warning to the burrowing animals. The heavier-than-air gas is preferably CO.sub.2, and is injected at a rate of from about 2 to about 10 L/minute. The heavier-than-air gas is injected into a cover member which overlies at least one tunnel outlet in the case of mammals (e.g. gophers) or a plurality of tunnel outlets in the case of insects (e.g. fire ants).

Abstract: This invention relates to the safe containment of a rodenticide prior to their placement in tamper-resistant bait stations and more specifically to their containment in a device that will afford maximum protection of the baits from unauthorized contact with humans, non target species and the environment. A tray carries a rodenticide bait block and is packaged and dispensed in an outer case, or covered with a cover member, which is removed before the tray and bait is placed in a bait station feeder.

Abstract: The invention is to provide an improved method of growing mushrooms and a device for use therein. According to conventional methods, harvest of mushrooms sharply declines in quality and quantity on and after about the fourth time of harvest after starting the first harvest, hence it is necessary to scrap a growing bed once used and to prepare a new growing bed entirely repeating the same arrangement from the initial stage. According to the invention, a fruit body bud gathering layer once formed around the boundary between a compost layer and a casing soil layer is removed immediately before the decline in harvest, thereby improving the mushroom harvest both in quality and quantity. Cost reduction according to one embodiment amounts to 20-28%.

Abstract: A method of cultivating wood-decaying edible fungi, which comprises hydrating and sterilizing comminuted wood, inoculating the thus-treated spawn of the fungi, and exposing the inoculated wood to conditions under which the spawn will grow and fruit.

Abstract: A mulch strip consists of an elongated base sheet formed from a flexible plastic material having a pair of parallel fluid reservoir tubes extending along the length of the base strip, down opposite side edges of the strip. Each of the fluid reservoir tubes is provided with a hose fitting for connection with a conventional garden hose for filling the reservoir tubes with water. In use, the water filled tubes serve to hold the mulch strip in place, and form a channel for retaining rain water on the surface of the strip. The fluid reservoir tubes also collect heat and serve to keep the ground beneath the strip warm after sunset. A plurality of concentric perforations are spaced along the length of the base sheet for the insertion of plants into the ground through the base sheet. Spaced peg holes are provided around the periphery of the base sheet which allow pegs to be inserted through the holes to retain the mulch strip in place.

Abstract: A potted plant support has a circular nominally laminar portion having a top potted plant supporting generally flat surface, a bottom and plural of areally spaced apart projections extending from the bottom of the laminar portion. The projections have staggered rounded conical co-terminus ends. The nominally laminar portions is vacuum formed of unitary construction. In another example, the laminar material is formed of continuous sheets which may be cut to desired configuration. The ends evenly impact on areally spaced apart and areally limited portions of flooring distributing the weight of the potted plant among the plural projections to provide air ventilation to reduce likelihood of mold, mildew, rust and discoloration.

Abstract: A metal cartridge is driven into a downwardly-inclined bore in the trunk of a tree, and a hyopdermic needle is inserted through a mass of sealable material carried by the rearward end portion of the cartridge and accessible externally thereof. Preferably, the sealable material comprises silicone which is room temperature vulcanizable ("RTV") and may be color coded to readily indicate to the operator the successive stages in the innoculation or other treatment of the tree.The needle is closely guided through the RTV by means of a restricted diameter bore and counterbore in the cartridge, and the liquid is injected into the cartridge and flows out the forward open end thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge comprises a rifle cartridge from which the primer has been removed. The cartridge is rugged and reliable, inexpensive, and may be driven into the tree trunk by a hammering action.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful support system for growing plants comprising a supporting framework; at least one elongated support tray on the framework, the support tray having feeding and catchment ends and comprising a channel shape of substantially horizontal transverse profile and with upstanding elongate sides; and having at least one longitudinal depression extending the length of the bottom of the tray; a catchment tray supported to extend below the catchment end of at least one support tray, the catchment tray including an outlet; and wherein at least one support tray is sloped downwardly from the feed end to the catchment end.

Abstract: The closure device is suitable for use as a lateral door or a back door of a passenger vehicle. It comprises a closure member movable between a closure position on a frame and a fully open position. The linkage connecting the closure member to a body provided with the frame has first arms and second arms. The first arms are pivotally mounted on the body for rotation about a horizontal axis and are pivotally mounted at their other end on a closure member about another axis parallel to the first axis. The second arms each have an end mounted on the body for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis parallel to the other axis and another end pivotally mounted on the closure member for rotation about an axis parallel to the other axis. The second arms are telescopic and have a retracted condition in which they have a first length and an expanded condition in which they have a second length greater than the first length.

Abstract: A rotating drive mechanism for operating the wing of a swinging door, especially of a vehicle. The wing is articulated by pivoting arms to a rotating post, which it rotates along with. When the door is closed, the wing can be raised by axial displacement of the post into a locked position, where locking components on the stationary door frame and on the wing of the door engage each other. The post is driven by a strictly linear mechanism that is controlled by pressure medium and its linear motion is converted into a rotation by a helical transmission.

Abstract: A kennel door which pivots about a vertical axis that bisects the door. The door is mounted within an opening in a frame. Disposed along the periphery of the frame are door seals which provide both a stop against which the door comes to rest and a seal against weather coming in through the opening when the door is in a closed position. When the door is in a closed position, the door seals are situated on diametrically opposite sides of the door such that they permit the door to rotate in one direction through the opening but not in the other direction. A spring biases the door in a closed position resting against the door seals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sliding doors for closure of entranceways and to companionway entrance closure for watercraft in particular. A sliding plastic door panel is provided and the door panel, being translucent, admits light into the interior of a cabin area. The entire door assembly is mounted on the outside of a boat cabin and does not take up space in the cabin interior, but allows more usable cabin space within.Upper and lower plastic tracks are provided for movement of plastic roller trucks therein. The door panel, the two open tracks and the roller assembly are non metallic and non-corroding and the rollers do not require lubrication. The door panel and other parts do not require painting and provide a track and roller arrangement in which the weight of the sliding door panel is directed downward against the bottom of the track, and provides a sliding door that is smooth and easy to use in operation, and very attractive in appearance.

Abstract: A hatch closure assembly having high security includes a hatch locking spring and lever which is actuated by an adjustable screw. The actuating screw can be turned only by a special wrench.

Abstract: A system and a method for sizing and finishing the opposed interior side walls and the interior bottom wall between the fixed jaws of an open-ended wrench. The system includes a creep feed grinding machine, a fixture to which the wrenches are secured, a jig that maintains the fixture under the creep feed grinding wheel, and a hydraulic table holding the jig and which slowly raises the jig, fixture, and handles to be ground to the grinding wheel. The method includes securing the fixture to a mounting support, activating a fluid pressure mechanism to release a clamping bar holding the wrenches to a plate member, mounting the wrenches to the fixture, and releasing the clamping bar which is then biased back to its original position so as to clamp the wrenches to the fixture. The fixture is than moved to the jig for the grinding operation.

Abstract: A method of polishing a glass sheet which includes the steps of supporting the glass sheet in a substantially horizontal position with one of its major faces uppermost, providing a substantially horizontal gantry (11) supported so that it can be traversed across the exposed upper surface of the glass sheet, providing a plurality of diamond edged grinding wheels (13, 14, 15) supported on the gantry (11) each arranged for rotation about an axis which is substantially parallel to that of the or each other grinding wheel and with the locus of its grinding face arranged to lie substantially in a common plane with the corresponding locus of the or each other grinding wheel, setting the heights of said grinding wheels such that said common plane coincides substantially with or lies marginally below the exposed upper surface of the glass sheet, and moving the gantry (11) relative to the glass sheet so as to cause the grinding wheels to traverse the glass sheet and remove a layer of glass therefrom.

Abstract: A sander for finish working the peripheral edge of a workpiece includes a power driven workpiece carrying member which is moved in a horizontal plane and supports the workpiece so that the workpiece moves with the workpiece carrying member. The workpiece carrying member moves with rotational and translation motion in a horizontal plane. An endless sanding belt is located adjacent to the workpiece carrying member with one belt flight located adjacent the workpiece carrying member and, thus, the peripheral edge of the workpiece. A workpiece edge contouring head is located to the back side of the sanding belt at a location along the belt flight which is adjacent the peripheral edge of the workpiece and is biased to force the sanding belt against the peripheral edge of the workpiece. The sanding belt and contouring head are mounted for conjoint pivotal movement about a common pivot.

Abstract: Various embodiments of multiple belt camshaft grinding machines each have grinding belt drive, contouring and support members carried on a feed table for separate control of cam contouring and grinding feed rate while the camshaft workpiece is carried on a fixed axis by a table providing axial motion for belt wear balancing oscillation and, optionally, camshaft indexing. Curved shoe or wheel contouring members allow reverse curve cam grinding. Special shoe materials and belt-shoe lubrication may be provided to reduce shoe wear. Other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable valve seat grinder and method of its use is disclosed. The portable valve seat grinder comprises a body element with a longitudinal hole there through, with bushings mounted in the longitudinal hole. The body element has screw threads on one end thereof which are of a proper pitch and diameter to mate with those on fluid flow control valves or an adaptor. The portable valve seat grinder also comprises a shaft, to one end of which is securely attached a grinding element. The shaft with attached grinding element is mounted in the body element by sliding the shaft into the bushings such that the grinding element is positioned near the screw threads on the body element. The outer surface of the body element can be knurled to aid with handling during use.

Abstract: A process for grinding a gear tooth blank to form an involute gear tooth includes the steps: setting a predetermined cutting rate which fails to result in burning between a grinding wheel and the gear tooth blank; determining the area of the tooth face of the gear tooth blank to be removed for respective grinding strokes in accordance with the predetermined cutting rate so that the metal removal amount of respective grinding strokes approaches to a constant except that the metal removal amount of the last grinding stroke may be smaller than the constant; and effecting the relative involute generating movement between the gear tooth blank and the grinding wheel in accordance with the respective areas of the tooth face to be removed for removing the metal within the respective areas from the gear tooth blank in a step-by-step manner to form an involute gear tooth.

Abstract: Radome for protection from atmospheric influences, with a folding, rigid reinforcing structure and a flexible roofing comprising one or more parts; a radome wherein, in order to prevent any formation of pockets, this roofing is made with a double wall and is sectioned into lens-shaped panels which are independent of one another and are inflatable.

Abstract: A skylight structure that is sealed at the room ceiling rather than at the roof membrane is provided. The structure includes a sealed light-diffusing panel attached to the ceiling, a light tube to channel light from the roof membrane to the light-diffusing panel, and a curbless roof membrane structure. The light tube is constructed on-site using lengths of light-reflective material and special fastening means that provide great versatility in negotiating obstructions encountered in the space between the roof and ceiling.

Abstract: A panel assembly wherein plurality of upper panels are connected by a plurality of elongated couplers. Each upper panel is made of an elastic material and curved convexly outward at both the side edges thereof and extend in the transverse direction of the panel assembly. Each coupler extends in the transverse direction of the panel assembly and has inner curved surfaces which have curves coincident with those of the upper panels and extend in the face of each other on the upper portion thereof so that a gap, into which two of the upper panels can be inserted, is defined between the inner curved surfaces. A support member having nearly semicircular curve coincident with the curve of the panel and a plurality of couplers is inserted into the gap, so that the support member is fixed to the panels.

Abstract: Presented is a two-shell telescopic element of a movable partition containing (holding) two external cover panels on the supporting frame of a wall section, between which, at the upper and/or lower edge, are guided packing strips, and that are extendable out toward the ceiling and/or the floor. An edge-side telescoping part has a vertical edge strut to which are also attached cover panels that overlap the cover panels of the wall section, or that continue in surface-flush fashion. The packing strips have an edge section projecting inwardly between the cover panels of the telescoping part, said edge section being horizontally displaceable together with the telescoping part. In order to achieve an improved noise damping, provided are intermediate panels that engage behind the cover panels of the wall section and of the telescoping part.

Abstract: A prefabricated transportable building module comprising a metal floor frame having a reinforced concrete floor provided within the perimeter thereof, four upstanding vertical posts secured at each corner of the floor structure and a roof structure including a transverse beam extending between and secured to the pair of vertical columns at each end of the building module and further including a plurality of spaced-apart and parallel open web trusses extending between and secured at each end thereof to the pair of transverse beams.

Abstract: A segmented deck is provided that is built to and extending from exterior side of a building consisting of vertical support members extending upwardly from footings horizontal deck segment members and horizontal brace members secured together and all fabricated out of durable plastic material which will not rot and splinter. A hollow railing is also provided with built-in electrical sockets and lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A dome is provided by first establishing a basic dome curvature over a space having a defined perimeter. The basic curvature is crossed by substantially geodesic lines which intersect at desired foundation points on the perimeter and inwardly of the perimeter to subdivide the basic curvature into diamond-shaped areas which cover the majority of the basic curvature. A structural module is provided for each area. Each module has its perimeter defined by an open structural frame and has a surface bounded by the frame which has curvature greater than the basic curvature in the area to which the module is related. The module curvature is defined by a subsidiary structural network carried by the module frame. The modules are connected to the foundation points and to each other in a selected sequence to define the overall dome. The process of connecting the modules to define the dome can be performed without substantial use of falsework under the dome.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roof construction, preferably intended to be arranged on a roof of a slight fall and comprising a plurality of supporting plate profiles (1:1') which are put on crossbars (6) or the like, said plate profiles (1:1') being placed in a certain spaced relationship.At roofs having a slight fall, so-called plane roofs, it has so far been impossible in principle to use outer roof covering, as inleakage of water has been a great problem.The invention is characterized in that channeled plates (8) are laid on the supporting plate profiles (1:1') and that a condensate bar in the form of a disc (15) is arranged under each plate (8) at some distance from this, the disc (15) connecting with the plate profiles (1:1').

Abstract: A shallow pan, preferably of tin-coated sheet steel, serves for the production of a self-supporting composite plate, wherein the pan forms the outside wrapper for a filler with high compression resistance, e.g., anhydrite. The pan contains a plurality of punches which provide anchoring with the filler material. To increase the bearing strength of the composite plate, the pan bottom is made up of four intersecting, shallow, bulged-out zones. These zones engage in the middle on a smooth, plate-like elevation and extend each in turn from deep areas along the intersecting symmetry axes of the pan toward the highest areas at each pan corner. The density of the punches in the pan bottom preferably increases from the inside toward the outside.

Abstract: A device for supporting a building structure or the like includes an elongate shaft which is of square cross section and has a short length of screw flight at a lower end and the male screw threaded portion at an upper end extending coaxially with the shaft. A stabilizer in the form of a sleeve arranged to closely surround the square shaft together with three wings to be hammered downwardly into the ground surrounding the shaft after the shaft is screwed into the ground. Various heads can be provided including particularly a building support head in the form of a sleeve with a female screw thread at one end for attachment to the threaded portion of the shaft and a plate separate from the sleeve which can swivel relative to the sleeve to allow adjustment of the height.

Abstract: A flush mounting molding of the present invention has a strip-shaped head covering a channel formed between a window frame and a windshield glass of an automobile, and a leg, to be inserted and installed into the channel, having a window frame contacting lip and a windshield glass receiving lip and formed integrally and vertically on the bottom surface of the strip-shaped head. The window frame contacting lip is divided into a plurality of window frame contacting lip members by slits in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the length of the window frame contacting lip members is varied in the direction toward the window frame. Thus, some of the window frame contacting lip members contact with the window frame in approximately perpendicular manner. Accordingly, the flush mounting molding does not come out of the channel. Thus, no defective automobile assembly due to the come-out occurs, and the productivity of the automobile assembly is improved.

Abstract: A panel assembly has a pair of substantially congruent and polygonal flat panels each having a plurality of straight edges meeting at corners and respective W-section rails extending along the edges and having ends at the corners. Each rail is formed with a pair of parallel, spaced, and inwardly open rail grooves receiving the respective edges and holding the panels parallel to and spaced from each other, and with a central outwardly open hardware groove flanked by the rail grooves and opening oppositely thereto. Respective corner pieces at the corners each have a pair of projections fitting longitudinally into the ends of the central grooves of the respective rails and each such piece is formed with at least one outwardly open threaded bore adapted to receive a threaded stem. Normally according to this invention the panels are rectangular and vertical with lower corners and upper corners. The bores of the pieces of the upper corners open upward and the bores of the pieces of the lower corners open downward.

Abstract: There are disclosed building enclosure assemblies consisting of gypsum-based panel members, a support means and a fire-resistant spline, for the construction of fixed or demountable, full or partial, interior or exterior walls, ceilings and floorings, which can meet code-mandated fire-rating and wind-loading requirements, and in which differently sized and shaped panel members can be articulated to one another through the cooperative assembly of the panel members with the support means and spline.

Abstract: An end protector for a reinforcing bar has a one piece support and a cushion. The support has a cylindrically-shaped receptacle with two arms extending outwardly therefrom and two longitudinal slots that are generally opposed to one another along either side of the receptacle. The arms hold the cushion in position on a side of said receptacle opposite to the reinforcing bar. When an external force is exerted on the cushion, at least part of the force is transferred through said arms to said receptacle, thereby causing the slots to narrow and the receptacle to further tighten onto said rebar. When the external force is removed, the support returns to its initial position. Thus, when no external force is exerted onto the protector, it can be easily installed or removed from an end of the reinforcing bar.

Abstract: An expansion joint comprises a pair of support bases having a rail type shape lack of which is continuous in the longitudinal direction and is fixed to each edge of both members of a building defining an expansion joint gap, a plurality of connecting members for connecting both support bases together so that the gap between the bases is expansible or contractible, and a cover plate of a proper length connected to the connecting members so as to span the expansion joint gap while being disposed atop the upper ends of both support bases which are slideable with respect to the cover plate under expansion and contraction conditions and which are formed with concave portions for accommodating a finish material on the internal surface side, whereby a surface material substantially identical with a surface material of the members of the building adjacent the expansion joint may be disposed within the concave portion for accommodating the finish material of the cover plate so as to integrate its appearance with respe

Abstract: An integrally formed insulating insert unit made from insulating material for insertion into a building block cavity and having a main body having a length and depth substantially equal to the respective length and depth dimensions of the block cavity and provided with an upwardly-extending capping flange integrally formed with the top of the main body, a top capping flange integrally formed with the top of the main body and extending thereabove and extending longitudinally outwardly beyond at least one of the upstanding side edges of the body to overlie in sealing engagement the adjacent top web surface of the block and being of sufficient length and thickness and being sufficiently yieldable to produce a vertically and horizontally continuous insulating barrier within a multiple layer masonry block wall section.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a flexible waterproof sheet to a supporting roof structure. The fastener includes an elongated mounting bracket having a base and a body including an upstanding central portion and a pair of wing members extending laterally from opposite sides of the central portion of the body. Each of the wing members include an outer tip spaced above the base which defines a sheet-receiving recess therebetween. The fastener also includes an elongated cap member for attaching a flexible waterproof sheet to the bracket.

Abstract: A ceiling tile section support. A flat rectangular main body portion has a plurality of wedge-shaped prongs extending laterally thereform and at least two rectangular support members extending laterally from substantialy the central portion of the main body portion in a direction opposed to that of the prongs. The prongs are inserted into the cut edge of a ceiling tile. The rectangular support members rest on a wall runner to support the cut edge of the ceiling tile.

Abstract: A unique prefabricated panel having joints on at least the vertical edges of the panel is provided which can be easily and effectively assembled into a wall by gluing the panels together at the edges without the need for splines or stud posts thereby creating a joint, preferably a captured scarf joint, which is strong and which joint provides for a large bonding surface ans is effective to capture, align and rigidly secure the panels together and inmportantly maintain the skin strength through the joint. When a joint, preferably a captured scarf joint, is provided on the horizontal edges and the vertical edges, larger panels can be assembled from smaller panels while maintaining the skin strength of the larger panel. The panels can be also be effectively assembled as a floor or a roof. There is no buckling of the shingles of the roof when the panels of the instant invention are used.

Abstract: A constructive assembly is provided comprising separate assembly parts with side-projections and corresponding side-recesses. Moreover the assembly parts comprise cooperating recesses at their top for accommodating coupling elements for holding together assembled assembly parts.

Abstract: A spacer member for positioning and retaining steel reinforcing bars in a concrete structural member such as a round-column. The spacer member is defined by a circular, ring-like main body section having a plurality of outer extensions and a plurality of interior projections. Each of the outer extensions has a remote edge adapted to abut the inner surface of a form for the structural member. Each of the interior projections is separated from next adjacent interior projections by a space, into which a reinforcing bar is intended to be inserted. The spaces are provided at least at every 45 degree and 60 degree intervals along the circle formed by the body member. The reinforcing bars are adapted to be securely tied in their respective spaces by means of securing means that is adapted to be wrapped around the bar and around a hook-like formation formed on the interior projection.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining panel members into walls or divider is provided which does not require the use of a wet sealant to close the gap between adjacent panels and which allows thermal expansion and/or contraction of the panel members to be absorbed by the joints. The apparatus includes a channel for receiving turned down edges of adjacent panel members. The channel has interlocking portions for engaging mating portions on the panel edges and locking them into position. An insert is positioned within the channel between the edges to hold the interlocking and mating portions in engagement. The insert has protruding surfaces for wedging the portions together and a neck shaped portion for joining the insert to a cap or gasket for sealing the gap between the panel members. The cap or gasket includes a hollow interior portion for receiving the shaped portion of the insert and a pair of shoulders for retaining the shaped portion within the hollow portion.

Abstract: A composite beam has round timber sections joined by nail plates, each timber section being edged in accordance with the conical contour of the tree trunk from which it is formed. The timber sections are joined by the nail plates with their tapered ends pointed in the same or in opposite directions, depending on the load requirements. Each nail plate has a front edge, a rear edge and a pair of longitudinal edges, and rows of nails are formed of tongue-shaped punch-outs in the nail plate, with each punch-out being parallel to the longitudinal edges. A step pattern is provided on the front edge and/or the rear edge.

Abstract: A grid finger is disclosed which is attachable to a grid structure for guiding articles delivered to the grid structure from an article supply source into containers. The grid finger includes a compressible resilient member projecting from the upper end thereof. A grid finger receiving member defining a receiving recess receiving the upper end of the grid finger and the compressible resilient member is provided. The grid finger receiving member has portions defining an aperture for receiving the compressible resilient member such that the grid finger may be inserted into the receiving member in a correct orientation only. Also disclosed are grid structure guide members having oppositely angled upper portions which contact the lower surfaces of articles delivered to the grid structure for both separating articles and for guiding the articles into passages provided in the grid structure.