Abstract: A solar collector assembly wherein a frame surrounds a heat absorber and a flexible glazing spans the frame, wherein the frame includes a pivotable elongated member which secures and tensions the glazing such that the glazing remains under substantially constant tension notwithstanding shrinkage.

Abstract: A frameless enclosure assembly, supported by the structural assembly of a pre-engineered building having first and second support members, comprising a flexible membrane; a membrane attaching assembly attaching a first end of the facing membrane to the first support member, and attaching a second end of the facing membrane to the second support member and extending the facing membrane substantially taut therebetween; an insulation layer of compressible insulation material supported by the facing membrane; a panel member positioned substantially parallel to the insulation layer to dispose same between the panel member and underlaying structural assembly; and a panel securing assembly for securing the panel to the structural assembly and transferring load from the panel member to the structural assembly while the insulation layer substantially uniformly retains its resistance to heat transfer.

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

Abstract: The specification discloses a method of anchoring sheet material to a framework constituted by a pair of spaced apart frame members. A respective edge of the sheet is slidably engaged in a groove in each of the frame members in such a manner that the sheet cannot be removed laterally therefrom. The sheet material is stretched by pulling another edge portion of the sheet and anchoring said edge portion with the sheet in a stretched condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circular storage silo comprising wall members connected to vertical columns, the arrangement being such that loads at the base of the silo are transferred evenly to base members secured to footings.

Abstract: An easily-installed fabric wall covering system making it possible to support a fabric sheet against a wall. The system is constituted by a frame of extruded molding pieces or tracks that are attached to the wall along the perimeter of the wall surface to be covered. Each track includes a storage channel having a generally rectangular cross-section whose base is extended beyond the rear end of the channel to define a wall mounting flange. The face of the channel has an adhesive layer thereon to hold the margin of the fabric sheet while it is being mounted, the excess tail of the sheet which extends beyond the margin being stuffed by a tool into an inclined inlet at the front end of the channel. This inlet is defined by dilatable jaws that are pried open by the tool to admit the tail into the storage channel. When the tool is withdrawn, the tail is clamped by the jaws to securely anchor the sheet on the wall.

Abstract: A tacking rail for retaining the border-edge zone of a sheet material under tension. The longitudinal tacking rail has a flat bottom bearing surface and is wedge-shaped in cross-section at one side. A pair of parallel wall members extend oppositely from the wedge in cross-section and define a tensioning groove therebetween which extends substantially along the entire length of the tacking rail. The border-edge zone of the sheet material is adapted to be inserted and wedged into the tensioning groove by means of an auxiliary tool so that it can be retained under tension therein.

Abstract: A free-standing, prefabricated, knock down, readily assembled and disassembled, relocatable vertical wall or space divider. Such wall dividers are useful for partitioning buildings and/or office complexes. The wall is made up of a plurality of individualized and decorative flush panel units which are interchangeable and which are adapted to be readily inserted within quadrilateral openings delineated by a novel wall frame and locked into place by hidden spline members that are mounted in the wall frame for translatory movement. The wall frame is fabricated in a novel assemblage of unique components which can present either a metallic or wooden exterior finish surface. The configuration of the wall frame components provides for lateral walls to extend outwardly not only at modular locations but also from any other desired location by use of novel adapters. The panels may be removed, redecorated and replaced as needed. Shelving or other appurtenances are attachable to the hidden spline members.

Abstract: A false ceiling or wall comprising a frame which can be fixed to the edges of a ceiling or wall and is adapted to hold a sheet having a rigid edge. The frame includes a rail having an abutment thereon and shoulder forming a free space therebetween to receive a rigid edge of the sheet. The rigid edge of the sheet has a hook shape which engages the shoulder when in place, and the shoulder extends in a direction to that in which the sheet material exerts tension.

Abstract: A wallcovering comprises fabric which is grasped at its edges between a moulding bracket fixed to a wall at a corner of the room, and the adjacent wall, floor, ceiling or moulding with which the first-mentioned wall forms a right angle at the corner. Thus, an entire wall can be covered from side to side thereof, and from top to bottom thereof, or from top to a lower moulding thereon. A spatula is used to force the edges of the fabric between the emplaced moulding strips and the corresponding surface of the room, and the moulding strips have wings thereon inclined in the direction of insertion of the fabric, to prevent escape of the clasped edge of the fabric. Padding such as heat or sound insulation may be disposed between the fabric and the covered wall.

Abstract: An assembly of border pieces attachable to a wall to form a framework for mounting a fabric sheet which completely covers the wall without being adhered thereto. The assembly is constituted by linear border pieces whose ends abut right angle border pieces to define a framework that follows the perimeter of the wall and of any openings therein. Each piece includes a storage channel that runs along the outer edge of the piece and has a narrow inlet on the face of the piece, and a keyway extending along the piece in parallel relation to the channel, the keyway also having a narrow inlet on the face of the piece. In securing the selvage of the fabric sheet to a border piece, the selvage is placed over the face and a zone thereon is trapped within the keyway by means of a compressible spline which overlies the selvage zone and is forced into the keyway through its inlet, the remaining tail of the selvage being stuffed into the storage channel whereby the exposed selvage presents a smooth appearance.

Abstract: There is disclosed an extruded plastic molding intended for use as interior corner molding for wall paneling and the like. The molding is particularly suited for the interior corner between wall and ceiling paneling employed in mobile homes or motor vehicles such as vans and the like since the molding has channel and groove means to receive adjacent panels at included angles from 90 to about 130 degrees. The molding comprises a first flange and a second flange coextensive therewith at an included angle from 90 to about 130 degrees with a coextensive, bulbous, hollow-form section which has one side wall parallel to and spaced apart from the first flat flange to define a narrow channel therebetween. The opposite side of the bulbous hollow form section has a rabbet groove parallel to and spaced apart from the second flat flange. The channel and rabbet groove receive the adjoining edges of the wall paneling.

Abstract: An assembly of border pieces attachable to a wall to form a framework for mounting a fabric sheet which completely covers the wall without being adhered thereto. The assembly is constituted by linear border pieces whose ends abut right angle border pieces to define a framework that follows the perimeter of the wall and of any openings therein. Each piece includes a storage channel that runs along the outer edge of the piece and has a narrow inlet on the face of the piece, and a keyway extending along the piece in parallel relation to the channel, the keyway also having a narrow inlet on the face of the piece. In securing the selvage of the fabric sheet to a border piece, the selvage is placed over the face and a zone thereon is trapped within the keyway by means of a compressible spline which overlies the selvage zone and is forced into the keyway through its inlet, the remaining tail of the selvage being stuffed into the storage channel whereby the exposed selvage presents a smooth appearance.

Abstract: An expansion joint cover for sealing off a space between first and second structural bodies is provided, and includes, first and second side members, and bridging and elastomeric sealing means, the latter means comprising, bridging plate means resting slidably upon an inner ledge wall portion of the first side member and further resting against the second side member so as to form a bottom wall of a cavity bordered by the first and second side members. The bridging plate means is covered by bond-inhibitor means in the cavity and is provided with anchor means projecting into the cavity. An elastomeric sealing member embedding the anchor means and substantially filling the cavity is characterized by being formed and cured in the cavity and thereby being bonded to the first and second side members and inhibited against bonding to the bridging plate means by the bond-inhibitor means.

Abstract: A waterproof sheet for a cargo chamber of an aircraft comprising a base sheet adapted to lie on the floor of the cargo chamber and having notched portions at positions corresponding to the doors of the cargo chamber; door sill flaps provided to the base sheet around the notched portions and adapted to be folded up and down at the time of opening and closing of the cargo chamber door; door sill protectors provided to the base sheet at the notched portions for protecting the door sill flaps; side sheets provided at the longitudinal sides of the base sheet and having tape fasteners for securing the side sheets to the wall of the cargo chamber, and end sheets provided at both longitudinal ends of the base sheet and the side sheets, the end sheets having tape fasteners for tucking them when the base and side sheets are properly positioned in the cargo chamber.

Abstract: A roofing system comprising a fire resistant rigid class, a fire rated board as a substrate having bonded thereto a sheet of foamed, insulating resin and having a tough weather resistant membrane bonded to the upper surface. A ledge of substrate about 1/2 inch wide protrudes beyond the formed sheet to enable the composite to be fastened to a steel roof or the like by mechanical fasteners. The channel formed by the abutting roofing panels is filled with insulating foam and covered with a membrane strip which is attached at its edges to the membrane surface of the roofing panel.