Abstract: A three-dimensional construction element comprising a body of generally polyhedral form with an aperture therethrough. Said element comprises at least one peripheral rib forming a statically indeterminate frame the neutral axis of which is located in a plane parallel to the planes defining the ends of the element having the aperture therethrough, and in that the grooves located beside the rib form, separately or together, a geometric figure which is complementary to the figure formed by the rib. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing and stabilizing a lightweight collapsible structure that is moving along a moving work site. Anchor tracks are securely anchored along each side of a moving work site. Stability lines connected to the platform of the lightweight structure connect with the anchor tracks. In this manner the structure is more stable and less susceptable to damage due to adverse weather conditions or lift forces caused by the superatmospheric condition resulting from the pressure differential needed to maintain the lightweight structure in an erect position.

Abstract: A prefabricated building utilizing customary wood frame or other light construction is fabricated without a continuous steel chassis and after installation of a "Removable Low Level Building Carrier" now U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,892 and "Towing `A` Frame Structure For Prefabricated Building", now U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,158, may be safely transported to final erection site. Accomplishment of the latter requires special care in floor plan selection, care in location of doors and windows, imposes a limit upon permissible overall building length for a given low level building carrier and requires special structural development of usual elements found in conventional prefabricated buildings e.g. exterior walls, ridge beam, rim joist and marriage wall.

Abstract: A mobile home is comprised of two telescopingly interconnected box-like parts, the main home part running on wheels while the extension part may be glidably moved between a transport position and an extended position. A pair of superposed pulleys is mounted on each side wall of the extension part at the inner end thereof and the lower pulleys cooperate with guide rails in the main part so that they may run as rollers along the rails for glidably moving the extension part with respect to the main part. A cable is trained over each pair of pulleys in zigzag arrangement and the end portions of the cables are anchored respectively at the open end and the opposite end wall of the main part, the cables being tensioned between the anchors in the zigzag arrangement. A force-transmitting connection is provided between the end portions anchored at the end wall and, if desired, both end portions of the cables may be interconnected to form an integral cable.

Abstract: A portable wall system utilizing portable wall panels defining a wall or partition extending between a floor surface or other lower surface and a ceiling surface or other overhead surface. The portable wall panels each include lower support means for movably supporting the panels on a floor surface to facilitate movement of the panels to a desired location. The upper edge of each panel is provided with a spring biased ceiling or overhead surface engaging member and the lower edge of each panel includes a vertically extendible and retractable floor surface engaging member so that the wall panels will form a complete partition between the floor surface and ceiling surface and be easily installed, removed or released and relocated. The side edges of the wall panels are constructed for inter-engagement with similar panel modules or wall mounted receptors.

Abstract: A house includes a split-slab foundation having an upper portion constructed within an enclosed on-tract factory and a lower portion constructed on the lot. The superstructure of the house is erected upon the upper portion, and the super-structure and upper portion are transported off-highway by air-cushion transport to the lot where the slab upper portion is mated with the lower portion. The upper portion is uniquely constructed with areas of increased thickness to withstand the shear forces of parts of the house having substantial weight, with pipe passageways to accommodate pipes built into the lower portion, and with means for releaseably attaching an air impermeable skirt used for air cushion transport. The lower portion is uniquely constructed with recessed areas to accommodate the areas of the upper portion having increased thickness and the pipes therein are positioned to be in register with the passageways in the upper portion.

Abstract: Temporary accommodation on a vessel is provided by a watertight accommodation module adapted for transportation on a container truck and for handling by container handling equipment, thereby rendering the module readily transferable from vessel to vessel. Mounting shoes, a framework support and locking pins are provided to facilitate secure mounting of the module on a vessel above the deck surface.

Abstract: A roof truss featuring an upper chord segment at its apex which segment is not installed until final erection of prefabricated building allows "over the road" load height reduction in transport of building. Making steeper pitch roofs feasible allows use of relatively smaller truss members. A longitudinal flat member lying at right angles to trusses and attaching to tops of lower chords at midspan between panel points stiffens lower chords against ceiling deflection and also serves as an attic catwalk. Final erection installation of upper chord segment and the small portion of roofing overlying same, permits concealment of structural attachment method utilized to join two half-buildings and a finished appearance results.

Abstract: A housing system designed to be transported as one package has first and second sections each including a floor and a side wall disposed perpendicularly to one another. By proper arrangement, the sections, which are of substantially equal size, can be fitted into one another such that the floor and wall of each of the sections covers a surface of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. In a similar manner, third and fourth sections, which are equal to one another in size and similar in construction to the first and second sections, but smaller in size than the latter sections, are arranged so as to form a second substantially rectangular parallelepiped which is received within the parallelepiped formed by the first and second sections. One of the first and second sections cooperates with one of the third and fourth sections to form a housing unit, with each module including a pair of such units.

Abstract: A collapsible room module assembly having a foldable ceiling construction is provided for transforming a large open space into a plurality of smaller rooms. Two ceiling panels are hinged to accommodate folding of one of the ceiling panels with respect to the other when it is desired to collapse the room and store the foldable ceiling. Wheels are attached to one of the ceiling panels and are adapted to engage a tubular insulation strip which is situated at the top of the wall panels of the collapsible room and which serves as a track for guiding the wheels of the foldable ceiling as it is folded or unfolded. Apparatus is provided for disengaging the wheels of the foldable ceiling from the tubular strip once the ceiling has been completely unfolded, thereby allowing the weight of the ceiling unit to compress the insulation strip so as to form an acoustic and hermetic seal between the wall panels and unfolded ceiling unit.

Abstract: A moving work station for use in placing roof panels on a building roof. The station includes a platform which has collapsible fences mounted thereon to insure the safety of workmen using the work station and has motive power means for moving the work station from location to location on a roof. Material handling means are mounted on the work station platform for moving roof panels and insulation onto the platform from locations on the roof, as well as for placing the insulation onto the roof. The material handling means also includes means for maintaining the insulation in position on the purlins until that insulation is secured thereto. A method of laying roof panels onto a building is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal "A" frame structure capable, upon attachment, of towing a prefabricated building of, primarily, conventional frame construction. Metal "A" frame utilizes two identical leg members which attach to load distributing members that transmit the relatively heavy concentrated loads into the sides and front of the prefabricated building without introducing over stress. Interconnection of the various metal parts of the "A" frame is selectively accomplished by welding and bolting so that the "A" frame may be easily installed, removed and stored when not in use. The load distributing members which deliver the concentrated loads into the prefabricated building "box" may be adjusted in height, in the case of the front wall of the side walls in order to apply the loads at at the most structurally advantageous locations on the "box".

Abstract: A light weight steel dolly connection plate on either side of two, three or more running gear dollies connect these individual dollies together and the dolly connection plate connects to the wood frame prefabricated building at the floor level thus forming the low level building carrier. Each dolly contains a single axle running gear. The flat steel dolly connection plate distributes the concentrated load to the all wood prefabricated building "box" without over stress. The individual dollies utilize conventional mobile home type running gear and are constructed of relatively light weight compact structural steel sections. The low level building carrier, over the distance of its contact and connection to the building floor, forms a very stiff "carrying bed" section adequately strong to support sections of the building which have reduced strength such as side walls containing door openings, etc.

Abstract: A portable building structure, wherein a floor section supports corner posts which receive wall panels, the corner posts supporting a ceiling structure. Within the building structure is a portable toilet and a vent pipe extends upwardly through the ceiling structure. The floor structure, corner posts and ceiling structure are readily separable to render the building structure portable.

Abstract: An easily erected roof structure designed to be transported in a conventional trailer truck, which is particularly adapted for use in relatively low cost modular buildings. The roof structure has a centrally located roof section with two side roof sections hinged to opposite sides of the central section. During transportation the central roof section is disposed horizontally proximate the top of the trailer, and the side roof sections are parallel to the trailer side walls, extending substantially vertically downward from the central section to which they are hinged with the lower edges of the side sections resting on the bed of the trailer. Mounted underneath the central section are permanent support legs which are disposed, during transportation, in a folded or parked position spaced above and clear of the bed of the truck. The roof structure is unloaded from the truck by rolling or sliding the lowermost edges of the side sections along the trailer floor.

Abstract: A structure which can be easily and readily converted between a solid vertical structure, functioning as a fence, and a structure enclosing a space and fuctioning as a shed, vehicle garage or the like whereby a rear wall engages a pair of parallel rails for effecting movement of the wall along the rails to any desired position. A roof is pivotably connected to the rear wall along the upper edge and a side wall and front wall are pivotably connected to the roof. The other side wall is slidably connected for permitting the enclosure to receive a vehicle or the like.

Abstract: A movable wall partition is provided on the bottom edge thereof with a caster for rolling the movable wall partition into position. The wall partition is provided at its lower edge with a bracing step which is urged by a jack mechanism into engagement with the floor to lift the caster from the floor and to raise the top edge of the wall partition into engagement with the ceiling.

Abstract: A modular housing system in which a plurality of housing units are mounted on and between two parallel load bearing longitudinal members. The load bearing longitudinal members can form a part of two partition walls and the housing units are supported on the load bearing longitudinal members at roof level. Each housing unit comprises a load bearing roof and a floor which is suspended from the roof by collapsible load bearing members which are preferably flexible cables. The roof can include two side beams which form a pressurized fluid system for conveying the units along the load bearing longitudinal members.

Abstract: A portable stage has supporting structure extending lengthwise of a trailer dimensioned for highway travel and provided with a central turntable and tracks leading therefrom to both ends of the trailer. Each of a series of joists has a carriage and the turntable is dimensioned to enable all the carriage to be stored thereon side by side. In a first position of the turntable, the joists extend lengthwise of the trailer and in a second position, the joists extend transversely thereof and the carriage is thus positioned to travel along the tracks and be spaced therealong to enable floor members to be detachably attached thereto.

Abstract: A seismic exploration system for use on ice-covered waters is disclosed. The system comprises a housing which contains equipment such as an engine, a compressor, means for boring holes in the ice, and acoustic signal generating means that can be lowered into the water through holes in the ice. The housing is sufficiently lightweight that it easily can be transported from one location to another by helicopter or other aircraft. The heat generated by the engine is sufficient to provide a comfortable working environment for personnel within said housing and helps prevent freezing of equipment located within said housing.

Abstract: A mobile home having a membrane-type roof is stabilized by placement of a plurality of tensioned straps extending transversely across the membrane roof and in contact with the roof over a substantial portion of the length of said straps. The straps are anchored to a structural member at the edge of the roof, so that the straps constitute a permanent part of the mobile home. Hence, during transportation of the home along a highway, as well as during wind storms, etc., any upward flexing of the membrane roof is prevented by the tensioned straps which lie adjacent said roof. A suitable strap may be a 1200 pound test braided nylon rope having a diameter of about 1/4 inch. Springs for achieving tension in the rope may be helical springs about 16 inches long and having a diameter of about 1/2 inch, with said springs being made from steel wire having a diameter of about 1/32 inch.

Abstract: An improved floor frame assembly incorporated into a mobile building. A pair of identical frame assemblies form the floor of the building each including a plurality of middle beams mounted to and atop lower beams and further including a pair of adjacent interior sidewalls attached to the middle beams and extending therebeneath being adjacent the lower beams. The exterior sidewalls are mounted to the frame assemblies. Wheeled carriages are removably mountable to the assemblies facilitating transportation of the assemblies to a building site. A skirt is permanently mounted externally to the sidewalls and extends adjacent the floor assembly. A bracket is connected to the middle beam and the bottom beam of each frame assembly and in addition is connected to a pole which supports the adjacent middle portions of the frame assemblies. The interior sidewalls are slidably received in the bracket. In an alternate embodiment, the floor frame assembly is incorporated into a floor joist.

Abstract: A knock-down building shipping package in which modules of a building are packed on skids and the skids stacked one upon the other with the weight of an upper module being transferred directly from its skid to a lower module skid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a collapsible prefabricated house comprising relatively short poles erected at each corner of a rectangular floor, supports for supporting a roof connected to each pole through means of a hinge or a pin attached to the top of the pole in a freely turnable manner, support brackets of a predetermined width fixed to the inner side of the top of each support so that, when the supports are turned, the supports are laid above the floor maintaining a predetermined space between them, front and rear panels fixed between the roof and the floor, and right and left side panels fixed between each support.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a controlled movable environment in accordance with the present invention, for protection of a work area in the environment from adverse external conditions, may take the form of a collapsible and movable building structure that may be moved about in its fully erected condition. The building may include at least one and preferably a plurality of platform devices which may take the form of trailers, self-powered vehicles, sleds or any other suitable motive device having means for engagement with the site on which the building structure is to rest. A lightweight building structure, which may take the form of a flexible inflatable or air supported building structure may be secured to the platform means and may cooperate with the platform means to provide a chamber for protection of the work area and any occupants or equipment for which protection might be desired.

Abstract: A transport assembly for a modular environmental space module has a shipping shell having two shell halves which define a shipping package volume therebetween. One of the shipping shell halves serves as a roof component for an erected space module and the other shell half may serve as a portion of a shipping container or as a floor component for an erected space module. Within the package volume wall components are positioned in stacked relationship. The wall components extend between the roof component and an underlying surface or the floor component in an erected space module. A floor component may be included within the package volume together with opening frame components for interspersing with the wall components in the erected space module for providing access and light openings in the walls. Support jacks may also be included within the package volume for supporting the erected space module.

Abstract: A method for loading on a vehicle provided with a pivotable handling arm or for unloading from the vehicle, a storage apparatus, such as a silo or tank, which may be inclined between an operative position in which a reference plane of the apparatus is roughly vertical and in which the apparatus may have its own stability on the ground, and a transport position in which the apparatus rests on the vehicle. The apparatus includes front support means which bear on the ground in said operative position and which are withdrawn for loading the apparatus, so that the apparatus is then, under the effect of the force of gravity, able to bear on the end of the handling arm and is free to be inclined toward the vehicle under the action of the handling arm, while retaining, for an angle of inclination to the vertical of said reference plane less than a limit value .alpha., a supporting contact with the ground fixed support means. The apparatus is, for an angle of inclination exceeding .alpha.

Abstract: A building construction and method for transforming a large open space into a plurality of smaller rooms. A portable room module is folded into an essentially planar configuration for storage. The module is supported upon retractable wheels and accommodates movement from a storage location to a predetermined utility location within a larger room. In the utility location, the portable room module is expanded to room size and an elevated ceiling unit is lowered so as to rest upon the room module and form a ceiling unit therefor. Partially collapsible insulating material is situated at joints of the wall portions of the room module and also at the top and bottom of the wall portions so as to form an acoustic and hermetic seal when the module is unfolded and when the elevated ceiling unit comes to rest upon the wall panels.

Abstract: A building constructed of "C" channel frame components having an overlapping, interlocking sheet metal exterior secured to and enclosing the frame. Rigidity is imparted to the building by the mono-coque construction receiving and distributing wind and other lateral stresses to the skin frame combination. The procedural steps for constructing are exceedingly economical of personnel and man hour requirements. The completed building is portable to site of use.

Abstract: A new supporting structure for a mobile home comprising pre-stressed concrete and a method for making same. The supporting structure comprises a rectangular floor, supported by beams on the lower surface of the floor. A pair of large longitudinal beams are formed on the lower surface of the floor adjacent the longitudinal edge of the floor. A plurality of smaller transverse beams are formed on the lower surface of the floor connecting the longitudinal beams. Both the longitudinal and transverse beams are pre-stressed. Means for attaching wheels and a towing hitch are provided. The supporting structure is cast in a single piece in a bed provided with channels for the longitudinal and transverse beams. The beams are pre-stressed in a conventional manner either by pre-tensioning or post-tensioning tendons. After the concrete has set and the tendons anchored, the supporting structure is lifted out, and wheels and a towing hitch attached.