Abstract: A layer of padding is centered on a sheet of upholstery material. A rail is centered top down on the layer, and this feed assembly is moved continuously along a feed path by driven rotating rollers contacting the rail. The rail is forced by the roller toward a smooth slide face, which presses the sheet and layer against the rail top. The sheet slides along the smooth slide face. Smooth faced fences have inclined edges that progressively fold, pull taut, and then press the sheet toward the rail, compressing the layer. Guides with smooth faces and inclined edges fold the remaining sheet against the rail. The edges of the sheet are stapled or glued to the rail, producing a cap or padded rail with a taut, uniform upholstery covering. The staples or glue is inserted when the feed assembly has moved a desired distance along the feed path.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a tube from a flat tape, more particularly for forming a shielding tape around a cable core, is disclosed. The tape is moved longitudinally along a straight path and simultaneously deflected laterally from a flat to a circular configuration around a mandrel, and the center of the tape is stressed over an eccentric ring attached to the outside surface of the mandrel in substantially inverse proportion to the stretch imparted to the tape during forming of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assembling a front fender apron, a radiator support and a dash panel into a front under portion of a vehicle body with the use of transfer machines and automatic welding equipments.

Abstract: A helix of great length wherein the structure is filled with a filler and wherein the structure is produced by a practice in which the helix structure and filler material are caused to rotate about each other upstream of the point of convergence, while the helix retains its orientation, and the speed of advance of the helix and the speed at which the filler material and helix are rotated are so adjusted that the helix is advanced by one winding during each rotation.

Abstract: A method is provided for adding strength to a T-bar grid fabricated with a double web and capped system. The addition of strength is achieved by coating the inside portions of the T-bar with a hot melt adhesive. Cooling sets the adhesive and results in the parts of the grid member becoming a unitized structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake support (2) holding a hub (3) in a substantially horizontal position, a positioning head (12) and spoke feed and guide members (40,42,44,46). The position of the holes of the hub is detected by a positioning needle (9), lowered under the action of a jack (14) and being inserted into one of the holes to bring it into a predetermined position. The needle is then withdrawn for threading the spokes.The invention applies to methods for automatically threading spokes of spoke wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus and means for assembling strips in grilles, comprising a carriage (24) displaceable vertically on a sub-frame, and a device (26) displaceable horizontally on the sub-frame parallel to the slots in the strips, and comprising a table equipped for receiving and centering a strip, and for enabling a frame forming an assembly jig to be retained in successive predetermined positions in which the slots in the strips carried by the frame face the path of the strip carried by the movable device.

Abstract: Multi-sections vertically acting doors of the prior art comprise a plurality of horizontally longitudinally extending sections that are pivotably connected and including rollable engagement with longitudinally separated trackways. Such prior art doors are herein shown to be installed into vertical trackway lengths by a novel hoisting method that permits the installer to remain standing at ground level as all door sections are being sequentially pivotably connected and rollably engaged into the trackways; this novel hoisting method differs from the prior art ladder-method in that the installer is spared having to tediously and repetitively position, climb, descend, and re-position a ladder.

Abstract: The method for assembling a complete module of a multideck ship in the assembly location an upper deck section, then lifting it to a height exceeding the height of a first 'tween deck, whereupon the 'tween deck is introduced under the upper deck section and they are joined together.This done, the assembled portion is again lifted to a height exceeding the height of a second 'tween deck, the second 'tween deck is introduced under the assembled portion of the module and joined thereto. Following the indicated procedure the remaining 'tween deck sections are installed and joined in succession to the already assembled portion.

Abstract: A structural vessel includes helically curved inner and outer spaced strips of material each having a plurality of helical turns, with contiguous edges of each two successive turns of the inner and outer strips being seamed together, and a helically curved structural beam disposed between the strips and secured thereto along their turns. A floatable work housing is provided for vessel fabrication, the housing having a sealed opening through which the completed portion of the vessel progressively extends and is floated on a body of water to avoid a need for external supports and bearings.

Abstract: A typical embodiment of the invention produces helically wound tubes from strips of thin plate in which adjacent edges are provided with interlocking ribs that are folded over to form a compressed bead. A further rib is formed at the bead, the bead providing one of the sides of the new-formed rib.

Abstract: A mechanism automatically mounts end-flanged bags upon a display card disposed in an upright position, with the bags suspended, prior to insertion, in such a manner as to promote movement of the contents away from the flange that is to be engaged by the locking tabs. It includes means for forcing a locking tab of the card out of its plane, for inserting the flange of the bag into the slot formed behind the tab, and for returning the tab through the plane of the card to effect the interlock.

Abstract: A carrier for supplying to an automatic assembling machine at least one chassis and several parts to be assembled on each chassis includes a first portion for receiving each chassis and a second portion associated with the first portion for storing the parts to be assembled on the chassis. According to the method, the chassis are loaded on the first portions of the carrier and sets of corresponding parts are loaded on the second portions in a predetermined relationship, whereupon, corresponding parts of the sets are simultaneously transferred to the respective chassis.

Abstract: A process for inserting points (38) on a mandrel (36) and a machine for performing this process. A working head (40) simultaneously ensures the insertion of a point and the making of a perforation (112) in the mandrel by means of a punch (94). The perforation is made in the same longitudinal row as the inserted point and towards the front with respect to the latter, in such a way that it is subsequently possible to guide a point following a rotation of one or more turns of the mandrel. The invention is applicable to the production of members or bodies of revolution made from three-dimensional material.

Abstract: A method and system for installing a layered vessel wherein the method includes the steps of constructing the bottom vessel head section in an inverted position mounting the bottom head section on the vessel foundation, erecting a generally cylindrical construction frame having a plurality of annular work stations; substantially simultaneously with the erection of the cylindrical construction frame, constructing onto the bottom head a cylindrical inside shell liner and a hemispherical upper head inside liner and adding layers to the inside shell from the bottom upwardly with the addition of such layers occurring substantially simultaneously at various of the annular work stations. A system for accomplishing these steps is provided, including particular method for constructing the bottom head, and further, an annularly movable crane assembly is provided for the work stations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of forming a step to stile joint in a ladder which does not utilize mechanical fastenings such as rivets and the like. According to this invention, the step is provided with integral hollow sections extending therealong which protrude from each end and which pass through apertures in the stiles and are adapted to be swage connected thereto.

Abstract: A pallet is automatically assembled and nailed together on a horizontally reciprocating carrier. The carrier moves in a forward direction beneath a slat dispenser. A first series of one-way trip dogs mounted on the carrier successively removes the bottom slat from a stack of slats held by a dispenser to deposit a series of slats onto the carrier to form the bottom deck of a pallet. The carrier has stringer engagement levers which engage the ends of a series of stringers held in dispensers. The carrier reverses direction after deposit of the bottom series of slats and each stringer engagement lever pulls a stringer from the dispenser with each stringer positioned transversely to the previously dispensed slats. As the carriage moves in the reverse direction, another series of one-way trip dogs mounted on the carrier successively dispenses a second series of slats to form the top deck of the pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and shifting the upper sweep (6) in relation to the lower sweep (2) in the construction of a large cylindrical cistern, comprising a support member (1) hung on the upper edge (3) of the lower sweep (2) and provided with an upstanding carrier body (16). The upper edge of the latter extends parallel to the upper edge (3) of the lower sweep (2) to form a track (19). The carrier body (16) carries a lift member (32) which in turn carries the upper sweep (6). The lift member (32) is formed as a yoke, the cross portion of which rests on a wedge-shaped shifting member (24) in turn resting on the carrier body (16). The wedge (24) is reciprocably displaceable parallel to the lower sweep edge (2) with the aid of a hydraulic cylinder (22). During a first phase of the forward travel, the lift member (32) and the upper sweep (6) are solely given a lifting movement, and during a subsequent forward movement the lift member and the upper sweep are also given a shifting movement.

Abstract: A board nailing machine, herein disclosed in the form of a pallet maker, in which the stringer or inner boards are automatically fed in spaced apart relation into a nailing station and the deck boards or outer boards are automatically fed into nailing position at said nailing station on opposite sides of the stringers and thereafter the deck boards are nailed to the stringers at said nailing station. In the specific embodiment disclosed the stringers are automatically fed from supply magazines into a nailing station wherein they are disposed in horizontal parallel spaced apart relation and the deck boards are automatically fed from supply magazine into said nailing station on opposite sides of the stringers and are disposed in upstanding substantially vertical nailing position at said nailing station, and the nailing mechanism is specifically designed to drive the nails horizontally through the deck boards into the stringers at said nailing station.

Abstract: A flying stitcher and method of forming a panel unit wherein the panel unit is formed and stitched in a continuous process. The stitches are placed in panels by a stitching head which moves with the panel so that the panel need not be stopped/started during a stitching operation.

Abstract: A method for installing an elevator system on a wall of an elevated structure having a plurality of rail mast sections and an elevator car. The method includes the steps of raising a first rail mast section upwardly off of the ground by a distance substantially equal to the length of the rail mast section, affixing the upper end of the next rail mast section to the bottom end of the first rail mast section, then repeating the above two steps until a desired number of rail mast sections are affixed. The assemblage of rail mast sections are then raised substantially equal to the height of the elevator car and the elevator car is placed under the raised assemblage of sections, the assemblage of raised mast sections are then lowered into the elevator car. Finally the assemblage of rail mast sections interconnected with the elevator are raised and the final three rail mast sections are attached to the wall and to the raised assemblage.

Abstract: In a method of shrinking screw caps (2) on to the mouths (1) of containers (13), the screw caps are acted upon by a hot gas jet (7, 8) from nozzles (3, 4), along a feed path (6), from both sides. The flow axes (7, 8) are displaced relative to each other so that there are no pressure build-up and stagnation effects. The resulting advantageous temperature pattern at the nozzles means that savings in heating output can be attained. In addition, there is no longer any need for the bottles to be rotated about their own axis (10).

Abstract: A guide rail section is pushed up a hoistway through a guide funnel by a hydraulic lift pad. The guide funnel is detachably mounted to a wall bracket. The guide rail section is retained in the hoistway while the lift pad is lowered. Another guide rail section is positioned on the lift pad and aligned with the guide rail section retained in the hoistway. The aligned guide rail sections are connected by a fishplate. The guide rail section retained in the hoistway is released and the lift pad is raised pushing the connected guide rail sections up the hoistway through guide funnels. The procedure is repeated until a stack of guide rail sections of the appropriate length is assembled.

Abstract: A fuse element for an electrical cartridge fuse comprises a fusible wire secured to opposite end zones of an insulating strip by metallic layers sprayed onto the end zones. The insulating strip has a slot therein between the end zones to prevent the fusible, central section of the wire from contacting the strip. The fuse element is disposed in an insulating barrel and the layers are soldered to end caps of the barrel to connect the fusible wire thereto. Fuse elements of this construction are produced by disposing a fusible wire along a continuous strip of insulating material formed at equally spaced intervals with slots and spraying the metallic layers onto the strip between the slots so as to adhere the fusible wire to the strip. Thereafter, the strip is severed at the zones between the slots so as to produce individual fuse elements. This method of manufacture facilitates the production of cartridge fuses utilizing small diameter fusible wires.

Abstract: Studs, joists, trusses and similar construction members having a pair of generally parallel chords and blocks disposed between the chords are manufactured by placing a plurality of blocks on a moving surface, with the blocks being spaced apart generally in a line along the direction of movement. A pair of chords are placed on each side of the line of blocks and are moved along with the blocks. The chords and blocks are moved past apparatus which drives fastening elements through the chords and into the blocks to secure the chords and blocks together in a rigid construction. Spacer lock plates may also be used to separate and lock the two chords in position, each spacer lock plate including opposed cuts on opposite edges thereof for receiving the chords, a stem portion between the cuts, and toothed flanges at each side of the stem portion.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for attaching a connecting piece to objects to connect these objects to each other. The connecting pieces each having a filament portion, a head portion attached to one end of the filament portion and a cross-bar portion attached to the other end, are successively severed one by one by the attaching device from a continuous belt of connecting pieces formed integrally from a plastic and having a connecting rod to which the connecting pieces arranged in side-by-side relation are connected through respective connecting portions, and are then attached to the objects to connect them to each other. The improvement resides in a technic which ensures to correctly position the connecting piece to be severed to the severing position even when the connecting pieces in the connecting piece belt are disposed at an irregular pitch.

Abstract: A roll of tack-strip is supported on a cradle of rollers carried by a wheeled frame. The tack-strip having its tack-point side down, extends over a bristle guide roller and through a nip formed by and between a pair of bristle rollers to a nailing station located at a lower rear corner portion of the machine. As the frame is pushed by an operator around the perimeter of a room the tack-strip is unwound from the roll, guided into a position on the floor next to a wall or the like, and nailed into place. A cutter located between the roll and a nailer is operable by the push of a button to cut the tack-strip at the end of a run. The machine is operable to feed out a measured length of tack-strip while the machine is not moving, so that the operator can cut off short lengths of tack-strip. The nailer is removably mounted within the machine so that the operator can lift it out of the machine and use it for installing the short lengths at locations where the machine cannot be used for installing the tack-strip.

Abstract: A method of assembling a metal-clad rigid airship hull and apparatus for use in the assembly is disclosed. The apparatus is a rotating cradle consisting of an endless belt extending around and suspended between motor-driven cylinders. The cradle is rotated to provide angular positioning of hull surfaces of the airship at specific work locations. The bow and stern of the airship are assembled in a vertical position and, upon completion, are hoisted by a crane or sling to the horizontal position and attached to the main section of the airship hull structure utilizing the rotating cradle.

Abstract: An assembly for mooring a submarine conduit to a pipeline or a fixed structure such as a storage tank. The assembly comprises a mooring head, a fixed mooring frame and a movable mooring arm. The mooring head is fixed to the end of the conduit to be connected. The mooring arm is mounted on the fixed mooring frame and is effective to receive the mooring head. The mooring arm is displaceable in a horizontal plane on the mooring frame. An end of the pipeline to which the conduit is to be connected is located on the rotational axis of the mooring arm. A junction pipe connects the end of the conduit to the end of the fixed pipeline. A cable attached to the mooring head passes through the mooring arm and is attached to a winch on the surface for drawing the mooring head into engagement with the mooring arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding edge bars (4, 5) to the ends of the support bars and filling bars of bar grates (6, 7) is disclosed. The apparatus includes two rollerway sections (1, 2) on either side of a work station. A lift device (3) supports two edge bars (4, 5) and is moveable into and out of the region of the work station. A welding device (8) is also moveable into and out of the region of the work station. Stop bars (12, 14) are provided for aligning the grates (6, 7) in a longitudinal direction. The bar grates (6, 7) are aligned in the other direction against the edge bars (4, 5). Rollers (17, 18) are pivotable into and out of the work station area to transfer a first bar grate (6) to the second roller section (2) after a welding operation.

Abstract: One or more pairs of vertically-spaced-apart sidewardly-aimable plasma arc cutting torches, the upper one angled upward and the bottom one downward, on the end of a horizontal boom movable longitudinally fore and aft and angularly sideward, are used to double-cut the tube bundle of a steam generator progressively in a manner clearing a path that accommodates torch assembly advancement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling articles such as clips, comprising first and second components formed from metallic sheet stock, said apparatus including an outer annular member and second and third dial members mounted within the annular member, the annular and dial members being rotatably mounted in a synchronized manner associated with the cycling of a die press. A pair of article components are punched from a sheet of metallic stock during each press cycle and are pushed through an opening in a die block to be received and held at a receiving station in a horizontal orientation in respective ones of a plurality of clamping assemblies formed in each of the outer annular member and second inner dial member, respectively. A pair of article components are punched on a continuous basis with each press cycle with the successively formed pairs of components being received in successive pairs of clamping assemblies which rotatably index under the die block opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method for producing a composite container having a neck label or tubular sleeve mounted temporarily thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering relation. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-stiff material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is fully opened and conveyed into vertical alignment with a container therebeneath. The sleeve preform comprised of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container while the latter is transported in spaced upright arrangement. The preform is moved downwardly by a pair of gripping vacuum cups moving downwardly and divergently to open the preform and place the same telescopically on the container upper portion. Alternately, the opened preform is placed on a cylindrical mandrel to more fully open the preform prior to its being mounted telescopically on the container neck portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an encapsulated electrically conducting component is provided. A wire is placed across a mold cavity for forming substantially one-half of the component body. A substantially flat-surfaced second mold having a groove is placed against a first mold to hold the wire in the groove and in alignment with respect to the cavity of the first mold while fluid plastic material is injected therein to encapsulate a substantially semi-cylindrical surface portion of the wire and form one-half of the conducting component body. Next, a third mold is placed against the first mold. The third mold has a cavity defining substantially the remaining half of the component body. The fluid plastic is injected through the first mold and into the cavity in the third mold to form a completed, composite molded body.

Abstract: End caps are pressed into the opposite ends of cores of wound rolls of paper, such as toilet tissue, paper towels and the like, by transferring end caps in succession from a rotating drum feeder located at each side of the path of movement along which the rolls are moved to end cap holders mounted to move in an endless course at each side of the roll path wherein each holder picks up an end cap from its adjacent feeder and moves it in synchronism with movement of the rolls along the roll path. The endless course of the end cap holders at each side of the roll path has a portion thereof which travels along a line that approaches the center line of the roll path so that the end cap holders each press an end cap into an end of the roll core and release the cap to the roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for assembling the slats of a blind to the supporting ladders which ladders have pairs of closely spaced cross bars or rung pairs between which pairs of rungs slats are to be inserted. The assembly is accomplished by inserting only a portion of the end of the slat first whereby that portion serves to guide the smooth insertion of the remainder of the width of the end of the slat.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein so-called pull-lock type blind fasteners are automatically and efficiently fitted and fixed to a plurality of apertures provided in a panel, or a plurality of aligned apertures provided in superimposed two or more panels to fix them together, with the use of a fastener assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of fasteners connected with one another in a head-to-head connected fashion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of preplating ties including traversely aligning ties on a path, conveying along the path ties relative to a pair of plate guides, positioning a pair of plates on each tie adjacent the guides, attaching the plates to the tie by partially driving fasteners, continue aligning the plates relative to each other by conveying the tie relative to the guides and securing the plates to the tie during alignment by completing the driving of the fasteners. A tie guide is provided having a fixed guide parallel to the path and a biased pivotal guide extending at an angle to the fixed tie guide.

Abstract: A paint roller cage assembly apparatus in which a group of four cage wires are held and affirmatively positioned generally as if at the corners of a square; a cage wire cap with sockets for the cage wires is then applied to one end of the cage wires, and a similar cage wire cap is next applied to the other end of the cage wires, thereby automatically assembling a paint roller cage; the apparatus includes cage wire feeders, and a plurality of cage wire holders in the form of pivotably associated links which may be pivoted to position the wires for the application of the caps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of reinforced, spirally wound pipe having a generally smooth inner wall produced from an elongated flat sheet of ductile material, such as galvanized steel, and one or more narrow strips of ductile material. The sheet and strips are situated in rolls located at the entry end of a rolling apparatus which is constructed to form one longitudinal, generally trapezoidal reinforced impression in the sheet corresponding to each of the narrow strips. In the process of forming the impressions, rolling stands in the rolling apparatus first fashion a longitudinal, generally rectangular channel in the sheet corresponding to each strip as the sheet progresses through the rolling apparatus. At the same time, the strips are shaped into reinforcement elements having an extended, continuous portion and splayed legs extending outwardly from the edges of the continuous portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously forming multi-layer metal pipe from at least two elongated sheets of metal. One sheet is impressed with longitudinal corrugations in a rolling device and the second sheet, being uncorrugated, is then positioned contiguously upon the first, forming a multi-layer sheet. One or more removable modules is mounted in the rolling device to accurately align and guide the second sheet into position upon the first. Complementary portions of a single corrugation are then formed in the marginal edges of the multi-layer sheet and the sheet is spiralled into adjacent, helical convolutions in a pipe forming device, with the uncorrugated sheet forming the pipe interior. The adjacent convolutions are joined in a helical seam in the single corrugation by a seaming device located in the pipe forming device. In the primary embodiment of the invention, the seam is formed as a double lock seam along a neutral axis of the single corrugation.

Abstract: In a method for erecting the jacket of a cable net cooling tower which has a center mast, which method includes hoisting the jacket by lifting forces produced by hoisting means located at the top of the center mast, the jacket is suspended from pulling members composed of groups of threaded steel rod units, each unit being composed of a succession of individual steel rods joined together at their ends by threaded sleeves, the lifting forces are transmitted to the steel rod units by setting elements detachably connected to the steel rods, and the uppermost individual steel rod of each unit is removed when it is no longer in force transmitting relation with the hoisting means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for constructing a plurality of large diameter storage tanks of strip material. A continuous strip is fed to a support assembly at a single building site which supports the strip for production of a large diameter storage tank structure. The storage tank structure includes a plurality of helical convolutions extending upwardly, with the edge portions of adjacent convolutions secured together. The storage tank structure is severed along a horizontal plane above the support assembly. The portion of the severed tank structure above the severing plane is transported from the building site to a use site remote therefrom through use of a lifting collar removably positioned below the top of the transported tank structure. The above steps are continued to complete the production of one or more additional storage tanks.

Abstract: A support and a process for preparing the support are disclosed. The support includes a metal pipe having two ends, a pair of plugs and a covering tube. The plugs are positioned in each end of the metal pipe and are formed from a thermoplastic resin. The plugs each include an outer portion having an outside diameter that is equal to the outside diameter of the metal pipe. The covering tube is formed from a thermoplastic resin that is compatible with the thermoplastic resin forming the plugs. The covering tube covers and closely contacts the entire outer surface of both the metal pipe and the outer portions of the plugs.

Abstract: Large diameter storage tanks are constructed from strip metal wound in a helical path in which the tank is built upwardly. The strip is fed to a support assembly arranged circularly on a base, and the upper edge of the strip that is fed to the support assembly is aligned with the lower edge of the helical turn immediately thereabove so that the edges are spaced apart in a vertical plane from each other and then butt welded together. The strip is vertically adjusted to maintain a predetermined spacing of adjacent helical turns of the strip in the area of the welding thereof. The support structure in the area of the welding includes parts positioned on opposite sides of the strips, the inside one of which may be collapsed to permit removal of the assembly following completion of the tank. Top structures accommodating the helically wound strip are utilized.

Abstract: An improved method and machine are described for automatically loading a scroll of interwound photographic film and backing paper into a film cartridge. The cartridges are opened for scroll insertion by an initial relative movement of the cartridge halves in one direction and by a further separating movement in a differing direction. The machine has a rotatably mounted turret supporting a number of separate loading heads each of which supports a film cartridge and performs a two direction cartridge opening and closing action. The turret carries the heads through a series of stations where successive head loading, cartridge opening, scroll insertion, scroll to spool attaching, cartridge sealing, torque testing and winding, marking, and head unloading operations are performed. The heads and stations are controlled in their operation by a combination of direct cam control and multi-channel programable logic system control.

Abstract: A subsea connection unit for remotely connecting a first flowline to a complementary second flowline at a submerged location. The unit is comprised of a connector assembly which is attached to the end of the first flowline and a base structure adapted to be positioned on the marine bottom and to hold the end of the second flowline. A pulldown line is attached to the connector assembly and extends downward through the base structure and back to the surface. As the first flowline is pulled downward to the marine bottom, a guide cone on the connector assembly is pulled into a cone receiver on the base structure to properly align the two flowlines. A special guide assembly on the base structure insures that the guide cone will enter the cone receiver.

Abstract: A multi-purpose pipe end seal/alignment device is provided for sealing pipe ends against internal or external pressure while protecting the pipe end preparation from damage to facilitate a permanent pipe joining process at a remote location in an adverse environment.

Abstract: A method for constructing tanks from plates which combines lifting and rolling movements along a helical line which permits stepwise displacement of the plates.

Abstract: A method of and an arrangement for building a cylindrical hollow structure such as a fluid storage tank, wherein lower and upper structural units to form lowermost and uppermost side wall portions of the hollow structure have helical upper and lower edges, respectively, and the upper structural unit is stepwise rotated about its axis and moved upwardly over the lower structural unit by the use of an open-end chain of link units supporting the upper structural unit in weight transmitting relationship to the lower structural unit through carriers rollably mounted on the helical upper edge of the lower structural unit while applying additional structural members to the upper structural unit for forming part of an intermediate side wall portion of the hollow structure and thereafter applying additional structural members to the helical lower edge of the intermediate side wall portion being constructed.