Abstract: A Bahama awning-type shutter with functional louvers that is strong enough to withstand all tropical weather and test standards relating to and including hurricane force winds, while incorporating the user-friendly, easy opening mechanism of a jalousie. The opening mechanism is an L-angle structure which is capable of moving all of the louvers in unison, opening them by pulling out on the L-angle and closing them by pushing inward on the L-angle. When the shutter is locked against the structure to which it is attached a portion of the L-angle is positioned between the inner face of the shutter and the structure and cannot move outward, thus locking the louvers in a closed position. In this closed position the louvers have the strength to resist hurricane force winds.

Abstract: A ballast system for roof membranes includes connected modules filled with loose-fill ballast and adapted to hold a predetermined volume of water for at least a predetermined period of time on the roof to control runoff.

Abstract: A display unit includes multiple vertical panels that are adapted to carry and display relatively flat articles such as roofing and flooring samples. The panels are pivotally mounted for swinging generally left and right between upper and lower retaining plates which are mounted for manual rotation about a vertical axis such that each panel passes a position at the front of the unit as the retaining plates rotate through one revolution. A ratchet-type mechanism permits relatively free rotation of the unit in one direction, such as to the right, but includes equally spaced detents to interrupt free rotation of the unit each time a panel reaches said front position. The panels are biased to swing toward, in the present instance, the right, such that the front of each panel is presented in a forwardly direction when that panel is positioned at the front of the unit.