Abstract: An approved corner bead for drywall construction having a paper layer bonded to an exterior surface of a formed metal or plastic core. The paper is impregnated with a latex prior to affixing it to the core. The uniformly impregnated paper provides improved protection against adverse abrasion at all levels of thickness of the paper. An improved method for covering joints formed between abutting sheets of drywall involves spreading a bonding layer of joint compound, embedding the paper strip in that compound, applying an exterior layer of compound, and sanding the exterior layer so as to provide a smooth and continuous surface between the drywall sheets.

Abstract: A double pane window has a blind between the window panes. The interior window pane is in a housing that can be removed from the window frame. A cord guide is provided in the top edge of the housing. The cord guide has a lift cord slot and a tilt cord slot. The blind has at least one lift cord which passes through the lift cord slot and at least one tilt cord which passes through the tilt cord slot. The blind can be raised, lowered and tilted while maintaining a seal between the window frame and the window panes.

Abstract: A window shutter device for automatic regulation of solar illumination in response to variations in external sunlight. Gas pressure change in a sunlit cavity causes fluid displacement between two transparent window panes. A transparent fluid is displaced by another fluid which blocks part of the sunlight falling on the panes. Glare is prevented while preserving adequate interior illumination and a clear view outside the window.

Abstract: A shelterwall assembly for a storage dock, characterized by its protrusion from the docks, beneath its canopy and the optional use of additional guarding because of its "breakaway" column feature. It is particularly useful when the storage dock has side-by-side openings for the simultaneous loading and off-loading of open truck/trailers which have been backed into registry with the dock. The units herein are anchored above and below the dock opening to provide swingable curtains that fill the gap between vehicle and building. Provision is made for optional winter or summer positioning and a lockout assembly coacts with curtain supports to retain the curtains against displacement, once they have been set.

Abstract: An anti-bird perching device which can be installed by draping over railings, water pipes, wire cables or the like, either as a permanent or temporary barrier or deterrent for keeping both small and large birds from landing or perching on the understructure to be protected is described. The device comprises two identical panels made of a wire open rectangular grid fencing which said panels are hingedly attached to one another at spaced horizontal points, and wherein the wire material above the hinge points define two parallel rows of crisscrossing upwardly projecting wire prongs or spikes defining a surface which deters birds from landing or perching thereon. The hinged attachment permits the two-wire panel units to be pulled apart for installation or collapsed tightly together for compact shipping and storage applications. A method of installing multiple barrier units along a span of electric cable, telephone wire or water pipes and the like is also disclosed.

Abstract: Interior wall panels having a rigid frame backing member to which an outer pliable sheet material is secured. A filling or padding material is retained between the sheet material and the backing member and the sheet material is secured through the filling in a plurality of spaced locations to thereby create a three dimensional surface relief. In some embodiments, the wall panels may be specifically constructed to provide thermal and sound insulating properties.

Abstract: Earthquake-proof building, characterized in that it is composed of a circular horizontal base structure (1) obtained by joined-together elements juxtaposed along radii, a vertical storey structure (2) comprising pillars (9, 10) arranged bearing on this horizontal base structure, a circular roof structure (3) arranged bearing on the pillars, tensioned cables (6, 19) being arranged on the one hand in a horizontal plane in order to encircle the circular base structure, on the other hand in vertical planes pointing radially in order to surround the building from the periphery of the base structure, passing through the roof structure.

Abstract: A fire door system comprising first and second fire door assemblies each assembly including a fire door, a temperature sensing device and an operator. The operators of each of the assemblies are electrically interconnected such that when the fire doors simultaneously close when either (a) the temperature sensing device senses that the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined value or (b) the circuit between the operators of the assemblies is deactivated.

Abstract: A structure is provided with base platform connectors which may be mounted on concrete pilings and which may join multiple floor rafters. Corner columns are connected to the top of certain platform connectors. The corner columns include vertical beams having a modified C-shaped cross-section to allow the sheeting to be attached directly thereto. Each corner column includes two vertical beams affixed back-to-back with spacers therebetween. A knife plate projects from the top of each column and is received within a lower end of a rafter. Hip and valley rafters include support beams having a modified open C-shaped cross-section. Each support beam receives purlins which provide a flat surface on the top and bottom sides thereof for receiving sheeting. Main frame rafters and wall columns are provided between the hip and valley rafters and are formed from support beams having a straight C-shaped cross-section to receive the purlins and exterior studs.

Abstract: The invention is an adjustable building frame comprising a plurality of interfitting parts. The frame includes a base having a pair of opposing receiving surfaces and several parallel roof members received and connected by and between the receiving surfaces. The roof members are generally perpendicularly to the opposing receiving surfaces of the base. Each roof member comprises at least two telescoping sections which may be telescoped together or apart to adjust the length of the roof member. Increasing the length of each roof member of the frame increases the height and volumetric area defined by the frame, and decreasing the length of the roof members decreases the height and volumetric area defined by the frame. A flexible cover is attachable to the roof members by a plurality of clasps or a flexible but more rigid cover is attachable to the roof members by a series of bolts. The cover ideally overlaps itself, so that it will expand or retract as the height of the frame is adjusted.

Abstract: A panel member mounting structure for a curtain wall has a frame body comprising a plurality of quadrangular frame sections defined by mullions and transoms. For each quadrangular frame section, a quadrangular gasket consisting of integrally connected left and right vertical gaskets and upper and lower horizontal gaskets is applied. In panel member mounting operation, first the quadrangular gasket is fitted to the mullions and transoms defining a quadrangular frame section, and then the panel member is fitted in the quadrangular gasket by deforming the exterior side holding pieces of the vertical and horizontal gaskets toward the exterior side. Next, while the panel member is temporarily being held by the exterior side holding pieces of the vertical and horizontal gaskets, the zippers are fitted to the gaskets, thereby preventing the deformation of the exterior side holding pieces of the gaskets to fix the panel member firmly.

Abstract: A gutter protector for mounting in the open top of a gutter attached to the edge of a roof. The gutter protector includes an elongate sheet of flexible material for being flexed into a curved shape under tension and placed into the open top of the gutter while in the flexed condition. The shape and dimensions of the gutter retains the gutter protector in the flexed position in the gutter. The gutter protector has a curved outer surface extending upwardly above the opening of the gutter to define a debris-diverting surface. Two embodiments are disclosed. One embodiment uses a flange and the tension of the protector when bent into the gutter to hold it in place. In another embodiment, retainers clip onto the lips of the gutter to hold the protector in place. Holes in the sheet of flexible material permit water to pass through the protector into the gutter.

Abstract: A gutter guard for preventing the clogging of a gutter includes a spiral member with first and second ends. The spiral member includes a plurality of turns each of which is substantially equal in size and aligned with one another. The spiral member can be moved from a contracted condition to a significantly longer expanded condition. Attached to the top of the spiral member along the length thereof is a mesh screen. The screen has a generally flat appearance when the spiral member is in its expanded condition. A clip secures each of the ends of the spiral member to a corresponding end wall of the gutter.

Abstract: A plural orthogonal feed forward control system with an actuator system for installation on an upper floor or area of a building as an integral part of a building's structural supports to control seismic, wind, or wave disturbances to the structure or building. Control means include upstream and dual orthogonal downstream sensor arrays for determination of input and output error signals, plural orthogonal anti-feedback filters, and the plural adaptive weight updates to best determine the orthogonal components of the cancellation signal. The cancellation signal is acted on by the variable controlling force apparatus consisting of hydraulic or other actuators with stiff rods attached to the building structure and connected with a movable mass. The device works on orthogonal components of the disturbance, and is capable of attenuating simultaneously signals whose spectra contain multiple narrowband and/or combined narrowband and broadband character.

Abstract: A water flashing device is provided for use in conjunction with the installation of exterior building siding materials to create a moisture-impervious barrier that directs water to the exterior of the siding to prevent damage to building walls caused by water and moisture. The flashing device has a substantially rectangular planar structure and is preferably configured to be secured tightly adjacent to any corner of a window or door opening, most effectively at the bottom corners of a window opening in a building exterior wall to be covered by vinyl siding materials. The flashing device is formed of a flexible, waterproof material and has an engagement surface and a water-diverting surface. The engagement surface may be completely covered with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive or may include selectively placed strips of pressure sensitive adhesive that is protected by a release paper until the flashing device is to be installed.

Abstract: A separation wall for dividing a cabin space inside a passenger aircraft is constructed of two wall elements rigidly connected to each other in an overlap area. The transition between the overlap area and a respective wall portion of the corresponding wall element is formed by an off-set (27B, 28B; 31B, 32B). The off-sets may slant in the same direction or in opposite directions. The wall elements have lateral edges facing either an aisle in the aircraft cabin or an aircraft body wall. For this purpose the respective lateral edge tapers or curves upwardly to accommodate the aisle or the curvature of the body wall. The overlap area provides an improved strength and wall extensions (28D or 31D) form a space (19) for storage of items or mounting of equipment.

Abstract: A self-retaining glide for the lower end of each leg of a walker. Preferably installed onto each rear leg of the walker, the device decreases forward drag while substantially increasing resistance to sideways or lateral movement by providing a plurality of downwardly facing or extending parallel ground, floor and carpet engaging fins. These fins are a molded part of an elongated main member which also includes one and preferably two spaced apart tubular supports for retaining the device in proper position on the leg lower end. In the preferred embodiment, the combination of snugly fitting tubular supports on the leg and resilient flexing of a semi-rigid central portion of the main member from a flat to a U-shape securely maintains the fins in a fore/aft orientation with respect to the walker after proper installation.

Abstract: A modular wall panel assembly comprising a plurality of generally rectangular shaped elongated horizontal slabs. Each slab has a series of vertical through-going apertures, a sloping outwardly front surface and a vertical rear surface. A plurality of wallboards are provided with each wallboard secured to the rear surface of each slab. Each wallboard will overhang a bottom end and a rear end of each slab and will be set back from a top end and a front end of each slab. A plurality of siding sheets are also provided, with each siding sheet secured to the front surface of each slab. Each siding sheet will overhang the bottom end and the rear end of each slab and will be set back from the front end of each slab. The slabs can be interconnected one upon the other and side by side, with the through-going apertures in the slabs above in alignment with the through-going apertures in the slabs below. The wallboards abut each other and the siding sheets overlap each other.

Abstract: A system for lowering and raising telecommunications equipment along a mast pole. The system comprises a mast pole, a platform means, a frame means, a plurality of lift cables, a hoisting means and a transition means. The platform means surrounds the external surface of the mast pole and is moveable along the length thereof. The platform means is arranged for mounting of telecommunications equipment thereon. The frame means is attached at the open upper end of the mast pole shaft and comprises pulley means, means for guiding at least one lift cable and means for guiding at least one telecommunications cable, i.e., signal cable or power cable. Each lift cable has a first end connected to the platform means and extends through the guiding means and through the passageway of the mast pole. The hoisting means is secured to the lower end of the mast pole and is provided for selectively raising and lowering the platform means. The pulley means includes a winch cable having a free end.

Abstract: A generally box-shaped wall panel construction includes a first pair of spaced and generally parallel side frame members each of which is of a generally channel or open shaped cross section with the open end facing in the first direction. Another pair of spaced and generally parallel side frame members form part of the construction and each is preferably of a box shaped cross section. The four side frame members constitute what might be referred to as generally a box shape when they are connected by first and second plates at the end of each side frame member. Specifically, the plates have four corners with the material of each corner being formed in the first and second tabs which facilitate spot welding of the ends of the side frame members to the plate with which it is associated. Another feature of the invention is the modification of tile plates so as to enable the wall panel construction to form a 90.degree.