Abstract: A rigid foamed plastic pallet comprises a deck and a series of runners which are integral with and depend from the lower surface of the deck. The pallet is strengthened by reinforcing members which are located in the deck and in the runners of the pallet. The pallet is formed by constructing a frame of reinforcing members, placing the assembled frame in a mold, depositing foamed plastic in the mold and allowing the foamed plastic to harden.

Abstract: A vessel for transporting a plurality of barges is disclosed. A hull having a well deck adapted to support a plurality of barges has a plurality of ballast tanks adapted to be filled with sea water. When the ballast tanks are flooded, the hull is in a loading configuration, wherein the well deck is submerged so that barges can be floated over the well deck and positioned thereon. The ballast tanks, when empty, place the hull in a transporting configuration, wherein, the well deck is above water to transport the barges thereon. A wing wall is located on the edge of the well deck and is adapted to enclose the starboard side, the port side, and the bow thereof. The wing wall is adapted to be submerged when the hull is in the loading configuration and above water when the hull is in the transporting configuration.

Abstract: A dismantleable porch installation including an elevated deck assembly and a step assembly leading from the ground to the deck assembly. The deck assembly includes a deck border frame made up of rigid frame elements set end-to-end in a course which extends about the perimeter of the deck assembly, and deck paneling seated on said border frame. Stake pockets secured to the border frame at points distributed about the perimeter of the deck assembly seat bottom ends of stake elements forming part of upstanding railing sections which bound the deck assembly in the porch installation. Legs support the deck paneling in an elevated position, which extend downwardly from the border frame and have upper ends seated in sockets presented on the under side of the border frame. The step assembly includes vertically disposed foot board frame sections interspersed with and joined to horizontally disposed tread frame sections. Sockets on forward margins of the tread frame sections receive upper extremities of legs supporting the step assembly. Stake pockets secured to the foot board frame sections receive the bottom ends of stake elements forming part of side railing sections which bound the sides of the porch assembly.

Abstract: Plastic boat hulls are connected to their decks through nested inter-fitting tongue and groove joint configurations which are bonded together by fusing, adhesives, or the like. The hull and deck are hollow molded plastic units filled with plastic foam. The units have thin fiberglass plastic type spaced parallel walls connected around the peripheries thereof by configurations which form the inter-fitting joint or seam so that the insert layer between the walls is never exposed and water-tight units are provided.

Abstract: The first large containership to be built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge was the DART EUROPE having a capacity of 1550 units of 25 ft and a service speed of 21 knots. In 1968, at the design stage, it was decided to study the eventual performance of this ship and its behaviour in waves. As this study was to be completed by a sea-model basin correlation, both in smooth water and in waves, it developed into a Belgian--Dutch co-operative venture, the Netherlands Ship Research Centre T.N.O. sponsoring the model tests to be carried out in the Netherlands Ship Model Basin at Wageningen, the Centre Belge de Recherches Navales being responsible for the sea trials. The ship was completed in 1970 and was instrumented: (1) for weather: a shipborne wave recorder and anemometer--windvane; (2) for propulsion: a torsionmeter and a Pitot log; and (3) for motions and stresses: gyro units for pitch and roll, accelerometers for vertical and lateral acceleration, strain gauges along the deck for stresses. As a complete set of data was collected on this ship during the full winter season 1970-71 on fourteen North-Atlantic crossings, in the light (26 ft) as well as in the full-loaded (30 ft) condition, it was possible with the available instrumentation, to carry out a straight forward analysis of the effect of weather on speed, power and ship motions. Wave stresses and impact phenomena have been analyzed and an attempt made to predict the highest load in an extreme sea state. Great attention was paid during this first year's service of the ship to the increase of resistance due to hull roughness. A special run, with and against current, carried out after nine months' service established the power-speed relation of the fouled ship. Due to the unusually large freeboard of this ship, accentuated by the three layers of containers on deck, wind tunnel tests undoubtedly would be useful, and, as for other ships investigated by Ceberena, these tests were carried out by the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (Rhode-St-Genese.).

Abstract: A submersible aircraft carrier including twin hulls has a heated perforated deck and drainage means for clearing the deck of surface water, and includes storage means in the hull of the ship with water-tight compartments whereby aircraft can be elevated from below deck to deck level while maintaining the water-tight integrity of the hull of the ship as the aircraft are singly moved from storage to deck level.

Abstract: A combination hydrofoil and displacement hull ship having a Tshaped cross section defining a flat, substantially unobstructed deck for containerized cargo. Hydrofoils are disposed along the lower portion of the hull in normally submerged positions to raise the hull in the water and thereby reduce its wetted surface area during cruising. The hydrofoils are arranged in groups with adjacent foils in each group being closely spaced and having the forward of two adjacent foils disposed at a higher elevation than the rearward foil, such that the foils of each group are alignable to form a continuous high-lift wing surface for raising the hull rapidly when the ship gets underway. Opposed pairs of foils serve as trim and roll controls, and bank the ship for cruising maneuvers. A notched pier receives the bow in a straight-in docking procedure and a floating platform having legs extensible into engagement with the harbor floor receives the stern to securely dock the ship. Containerized cargo is loaded and unloaded by wheeled cargo handling devices which drive onto and off of the deck over the bow.

Abstract: A composite slab assembly having an elongated metal deck provided with a number of longitudinally oriented upwardly directed integrally formed ribs and a concrete layer disposed on the metal deck with longitudinally oriented portions in complementary surface to surface engagement with the underlying metal deck. A transversely oriented integral reinforcing beam formed by a thickened portion of the concrete layer and having a lower extremity disposed below the level of the uppermost surfaces of the metal deck. The metal deck having at least one transversely directed discontinuity within which a portion of the transverse beam is received. Reinforcing rods may be provided in the integral reinforcing beam. The metal deck rib discontinuity may be partial and take the form of a number of longitudinally spaced notches generally aligned with similar notches in other ribs. The discontinuity may also be total with a complete transverse deck gap in the region of the beam.

Abstract: SHEAR-BOND MAY BE CLASSED AS A BRITTLE TYPE OF FAILURE AND IS CHARACTERIZED BY THE FORMATION OF AN APPROXIMATE DIAGONAL CRACK, RESULTING IN END-SLIP AND LOSS OF BOND BETWEEN THE STEEL DECK AND CONCRETE. THE ULTIMATE SHEAR-BOND CAPACITY OF STEEL-DECK-REINFORCED SYSTEMS IS A FUNCTION OF THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE, THE DEPTH AND WIDTH OF SLAB, THE THICKNESS OF STEEL DECK, THE SHEAR SPAN AND 2 CONSTANTS TO BE EVALUATED FROM EXPERIMENTAL TEST DATA. A PLUS OR MINUS 18% CORRELATION BETWEEN EXPERIMENTAL AND CALCULATED SHEAR-BOND STRESSES EXISTED. /AUTHOR/

Abstract: A shoring fixture for pouring an overhead concrete structure having a vertically adjustable post, a crosshead affixed to the upper end of the post, a pair of deck sections which have their inner ends supported on the crosshead in end-to-end abutting relation, and a brace assembly extending between the post and the outer end of each deck section for supporting the deck sections in a pouring position. Each deck section is pivotally connected to the shoring post by its respective brace assembly in a manner which permits the deck section to be folded to a collapsed position so that the deck sections lie along the shoring post to facilitate storing and transporting of the shoring fixture. Shoring fixtures of this invention may be arranged in parallel rows with the outer ends of the deck sections of the shoring fixtures in each row being joined together by extensible members carried by the deck sections to constitute a shoring system.

Abstract: Elongate rigid flotation modules are coupled together along deck and submerged portions to provide a stable floating platform. The submerged portion on one of the floating modules is spherically shaped and a cylindrical extension from the submerged portion of an adjacent flotation module is configured to mechanically cooperate with the spherically-shaped portion in a sealed relationship. Evacuating the water from the now-sealed cylindrical extension creates a pressure differential which holds the submerged portions of the flotation modules together. This manner of seating between the cylindrical extension on the spherically-shaped surface allows precise positioning of the deck portions prior to their interconnection.

Abstract: In making a composite edited tape from at least one master tape, back-spacing of both the master and edit tapes is accomplished by positive fixed speed drives on each tape deck, each in combination with a timer precisely measuring back-spacing distance so that the tape back-spacing will be the same from one time to another, the time in each case being that time which is necessary for its associated tape deck to reach proper speed for recording at the point of edit. The back-spacing times of decks requiring less back-spacing are increased to correspond to that of the slowest to respond. A timing mechanism is started at the same time both tape decks are started causing the edit tape deck to start to record when the decks are up to speed and ready for recording at the point of edit.

Abstract: A ship is provided with a through-hull well extending from the upper deck 3 through the main deck 2 to the ship's bottom. A derrick 4 is positioned on the upper deck above the well. To assemble a multi-unit load for lowering to the sea bottom, a sliding platform 10 at the main deck level is moved over the well opening. A sliding crane just below the upper deck then transports a first load unit from a storage area adjacent the well to the platform. The crane is then withdrawn, the load unit is restrained against lateral movement in vertical guides, and is raised up into the derrick. Additional load units are delivered in this manner to the platform and coupled to the unit(s) above it to produce the final load. The platform is then slid back from the well opening and the load is lowered by the derrick to the sea bottom.

Abstract: A horizontal base bar is pivotally connected at one end with a vertical lever arm having a point engageable with a wooden structure. A plurality of different attachments may be connected with the other end of the base bar. A decking attachment may be connected in one position for pushing deck boards together on their supporting joists. When the decking attachment is turned over, it may be used for pulling loose deck boards against deck boards which have already been nailed. A T-shaped wall moving attachment is adapted for squaring a wall framing on a floor before erection. A spike attachment is adapted for both pushing and pulling movements to align erected wall frames on a floor.

Abstract: In a floating cover for inside a tank a plurality of spaced parallel support bars extend across the tops of laterally spaced horizontal pontoons that support them. Metal sheets covering the spaces between the bars have edge portions resting on the bars and clamped against them by clamping bars to form a deck. The deck may be provided with vertical sleeves, in which posts of different lengths can be mounted for spacing the deck different distances from the bottom of a tank.

Abstract: A portable porch for use with a mobile home having a flat deck surrounded by removable railing members, the flat deck being slidably attached to the frame of the trailer in a lateral direction to assist in positioning the deck in abutting relation with the mobile home, the porch having a secondary function as a conventional flat bed trailer.

Abstract: Experimental investigations reported on the fatigue behavior of orthotropic steel bridge decks have been rather limited. Results of fatigue tests on steel orthotropic decks with both conventional and biserrated trapezoidal ribs are presented. In the first phase, tests on two types of deck to rib plate welded connections unflanged and flanged ribs, and on two types of rib splices butt joint and diaphragm splices reveal that the unflanged rib to deck plate connection and the butt joint rib splice exhibit satisfactory fatigue strength. Results of the second phase, involving decks with biserrated ribs subject to AASHO wheel loads, indicate that an optimum serration radius can be determined, and that fatigue cracks developed at lower serration corners do not result in the total collapse of the deck.

Abstract: A low bed trailer for hauling heavy equipment having a horizontally disposed bed positioned at a substantially lower level than that of the rear loading platform and the gooseneck between which the bed is mounted; the bed having equipment supporting deck means pivoted at one end to the forward end portion of the deck and power operated lift means for raising the other end of the deck to the level of the rear loading platform whereby equipment may be rolled from the rear loading platform onto the equipment supporting deck; then the latter is pivoted downwardly to its horizontal and lowermost position to provide the equipment with a minimum overhead clearance and the combined trailer and equipment with the center of gravity thereof at absolute minimum of height above the ground for safe hauling.

Abstract: A roof deck construction involves trays and decking units fabricated from glass-fiber-reinforced gypsum. The decking units preferably are coated with a foamed plastic covering which is in turn factory-coated with at least one ply of roofing felt.

Abstract: A RELATIVELY NEW TYPE OF BEAM AND SLAB BRIDGE WHICH MAKES USE OF PRECAST, PRESTRESSED PANELS AS PART OF THE SLAB WAS INVESTIGATED. IN THIS TYPE OF BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, THE PANELS ARE PLACED BETWEEN THE BEAMS TO SERVE AS FORMS FOR THE CAST-IN-PLACE PORTION OF THE DECK. THEY REMAIN IN PLACE TO BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CONTINUOUS STRUCTURAL SLAB. COMPOSITE ACTION IS OBTAINED IN THE STRUCTURE BY BONDING THE PRESTRESSED ELEMENTS TOGETHER WITH THE CAST-IN-PLACE PORTION OF THE DECK. THIS TYPE OF STRUCTURE INCORPORATES UNPROVEN STRUCTURAL DETAILS--THE BONDING OF CONCRETE AT THE INTERFACES AND THE INCLUSION OF PANEL BUTT JOINTS. A FULL-SCALE, SIMPLE SPAN, PRESTRESSED PANEL TYPE BRIDGE WAS STRUCTURALLY TESTED IN THE LABORATORY. THE BRIDGE WAS SUBJECTED TO CYCLIC APPLICATIONS OF DESIGN LOADS AND FINALLY TO STATIC FAILURE LOADS. IT PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY UNDER ALL LOAD CONDITIONS. /AUTHOR/

Abstract: THE EFFECTS OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS HAVE LARGELY BEEN IGNORED, OR DEALT WITH BY OVERSIMPLIFIED THEORIES, IN THE DESIGN OF BRIDGE STRUCTURES. THE NONUNIFORM TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION INDUCED IN BRIDGES BY SOLAR RADIATION HAS TWO MAIN LONGITUDINAL EFFECTS. FIRST, INTERNAL STRESSES ARE INDUCED DUE TO THE NONLINEAR VERTICAL TEMPERATURE GRADIENT. SECOND, THE INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE OF THE BRIDGE DECK WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFFIT TEMPERATURE RESULTS IN AN UPWARDS HOGGING OF THE BRIDGE. IF THE BRIDGE IS CONTINUOUS, RESTRAINT OF THE UPWARD DEFLECTION IS PROVI- DED AT THE INTERNAL SUPPORTS, AND THE RESULTING REACTIONS INDUCE CONTINUITY STRESSES OF APPRECIABLE MAGNITUDE. AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM IS REPORTED IN WHICH THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS WERE EXAMINED THROUGH THERMAL LOADING OF A MODEL FOR WHICH A TYPICAL, SINGLE-CELL, TRAPEZOIDAL, BOX- GIRDER SECTION WAS CHOSEN. THE TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE EQUATIONS DEVELOPED FROM CONSIDERATION OF SIMPLE STATICS ACCURATELY PREDICT LONGITUDINAL STRESSES AND CURVATURES IN BOX-GIRDER BRIDGES. TO DATE THE MODEL HAS BEEN TESTED ONLY WITH A BARE CONCRETE DECK SLAB. FURTHER SERIES OF TESTS WITH A SCALED BITUMINOUS WEARING COURSE AND WITH A WHITE PAINTED SURFACE ARE PLANNED.

Abstract: A watercraft employing movable pontoons to provide a buoyancy support for a deck structure thereabove. The pontoons are movable between inboard depending and laterally outward extending positions. Deck sides, hinged to the deck structure, are rotatable upward to reduce the overall deck width of the watercraft to be within legal highway use limits. The hinged sides are rotated downward into a horizontal attitude with the deck structure, to provide deck extensions when the watercraft is used in water.

Abstract: A pontoon house boat supported on a pair of spaced parallel hollow pontoons provided with a plurality of water tight compartments The pontoons are formed of aluminum and have a plurality of spaced parallel transverse aluminum cross members welded thereto to support the floor of the house boat, the bow section, and the steering section Side and end walls are supported by upright hollow posts extending upwardly from the deck and a roof panel is supported on posts which telescope into the aforementioned posts to move the roof up and down as required Hinged panels are connected to the roof section to drop into place to close the side and end walls with the roof in its uppermost position Doors give access to the enclosed space from the bow section and from the stern steering section with bow section and steering section being covered by a telescopic roof which slides horizontally to extended positions The boat is operated by outboard motors and the roof section is elevated and lowered by hand or motor drive utilizing a cable system mounted in the deck mounted post A drainage system for water from the roof of the boat utilizes one portion of the upright post to conduct the water to a point below the floor of the boat

Abstract: A semi-submersible work platform comprising a deck with oppositely disposed projections extending outwardly. Twin hull members, adapted to float said deck, are transversely spaced and braced apart, and mount upright columns that are spaced and secured around the perimeter of the working deck. The hulls are rectangular in cross-section for damping motion and pointed at both ends for double-ended use in moving. Motion damping fins are mounted on said hulls and extend outwardly and parallel to the deck projections and are vertically aligned therewith. Hydrodynamically shaped stability columns are turnably mounted between each of said deck projections and associated damping fins for the triple use of reducing drag on the work platform, steering the rig while underway, and partially in controlling draft and trim thereof. Propulsion may be added to each of the stability columns at their respective lower ends.

Abstract: A roof deck construction in which a plurality of spaced beams having wooden nailers on their upper surfaces receive elongated metal sheets parallel to the beams with the edges of the sheets being joined together along the nailers. The adjacent edges are joined by connectors and the connectors are in turn secured to the nailers by driving nails or equivalent fasteners through the connectors, between adjacent edges, to the nailer.

Abstract: A tie-down system for carrying loads, such as lumber, on the deck of a railroad car is disclosed having resiliently anchored banding providing tie-downs to secure the loads onto the deck so that a minimum travel or shifting of the loads longitudinally along the deck is obtained when the loads settle and impact forces are exerted against the car. The banding is arranged in an endless double loop over the load with the free ends of the bands positioned over the upper surface of the load for tensioning and securement. The double loop permits the banding to slip longitudinally about its anchor points thereby to provide a mechanical advantage and permitting a relatively high initial tensioning to be obtained with conventional tensioning equipment without the use of power tools. Various means are employed to reduce any pretensioning in the banding upon removal of the banding and unloading the flat car. The tie-down assembly is further designed to reduce or substantially eliminate lateral movement of the lading.

Abstract: A system of temperature determination and control for molten bituminous material during construction of built-up roofs is provided wherein a heating temperature is preselected based upon a number of factors and is adjusted insofar as may be called for upon checking the temperature upon application to the roof deck. Factors considered in the predetermination include type of bituminous material, type of roofing material, and deck type and temperature; ambient temperature, cloud cover, and wind speed; and also opportunities for cooling of the bituminous material between temperature-controlled and deck locations, during application to the deck, and thereafter until application of an overlying layer of roofing material.

Abstract: A base plate for detachably mounting a pallet tiering frame to a conventional wooden pallet of the type formed with spaced stringers and transversely disposed deck boards. The base plate is adapted to be mounted on a pallet deck board over the end of a stringer and effectively shield the interface of the stringer and deck board to prevent the forks of a lift truck from prying the deck board and stringer apart or otherwise damaging them during handling of the pallet. One form of base plate is disclosed for mounting on the corner of a pallet, and a second form is shown for mounting at the center of an end pallet deck board. For positively securing each of these base plates in mounted position on the pallet, selectively engageable and releasable lock means is provided on the base plate.

Abstract: A tape recording deck employs a capstan, transducer, and precision tape guide all mounted in fixed aligned position and immovable during use. The cassette has a minimum of parts, none of which need high precision manufacture, and can be inserted into and removed from the deck with a unidirectional motion.