Abstract: Composite beam of polygonal cross-section comprises wooden external walls and a core of a material, such as concrete, providing the beam with its mechanical strength. The walls comprise flat elements assembled by means of bonded groove and tongue corner joints. Screws are embedded partially in the walls and partially in the core to bond the walls to the core.

Abstract: A composite metal/concrete floor system and method of installation. The system includes a novel decking profile; snap-in cover plates to provide longitudinal cells for three services; a lateral trench with sheet metal rails and bottom plates; and cooperating preset inserts. The deck and cover plate may be used as distribution cells suspended between the bar joists of a formed deck.

Abstract: A slim seam roofing panel comprises a generally planar roofing panel section, a first, upstanding male section integrally connected to the panel section, and a second, upstanding female section integrally connected to the panel section at a location remote from and parallel with the male section for mounting over the male section of an identical adjoining roofing panel so as to form a slim seam. The male section includes a vertical portion that is received within the female section, a lower arcuate mounting portion and parallel upper and lower horizontal extension portions. The female section includes two parallel vertical spaced-apart portions that receive the male section vertical portion, and a horizontal extension portion that is received within the male section horizontal extension portions. The roofing panel also comprises an anchoring member that captures the male section arcuate mounting portion.

Abstract: A roof panel (1), which includes a support course (12) for supporting a water-impervious layer (11) or for supporting a windproof layer. The roof panel additionally includes a lower diffusionproof layer (15) and normally one insulating course (14) located in the region between the lower diffusionproof layer and the support course. The roof panel is disposed with a frame (16) which forms the outer edges (20-23) of the roof panel, in addition to which the frame along opposite edges is disposed with devices in order to affix adjacent roof panels in relation to one another and in order to affix the roof panels to a substrate (4) such as a roof truss, a support wall etc.

Abstract: A bird feeder is shown in FIG. 1 comprising a bottle-like container adapted to be hung from a tree with a reversible cap engageable with the container. In one position the cap closes the container against egress of contents, for example in transport and storage, and in the reversed position allows controlled discharge of contents for bird feeding purposes.

Abstract: An expansion, or seismic joint, is provided of polyurethane/polyester sponge rubber having a series of parallel grooves in its front face and a single vee shaped groove in its rear face. The grooves in the front face include an elastomeric membrane of cured one-component polyurethane liquid rubber and a cured capping layer of aliphatic two-component urethane liquid rubber. The capping layer may be colored or if the capping layer is not used the elastomeric membrane may include an aggregate or sand coating. The capping layer may be colored.

Abstract: A roof system and method of roof fabrication for a building having in place a plurality of parallel and spaced apart elongated structural support units defining a longitudinal surface exposed from above. Fabrication is effected by first applying a double faced adhesive tape longitudinally along the top surface of the support units after which flexible moisture impervious sheeting suitable to function as a vapor barrier is sequentially applied in lengths from rolls in a laterally spaced apart relation directly onto the adhesive tape of adjacent support units. This is followed by applying another length of sheeting intermediate and in contact with double faced adhesive tape applied over the borders of the adjacent previously applied sheeting into an overlapping seamed relation to render the sheeting continuous and uninterrupted.

Abstract: A rivet having a head portion and a body portion, with a bore through the head portion and body portion, said bore being capable of receiving a mandrel having a head portion with a self-piercing end portion and a cutting portion. The self-piercing end portion is capable of piercing partially or entirely through a roofing substrate. After the mandrel has pierced the substrate, the cutting portion of the mandrel peels back the rivet body into separate portions which curl back on the rivet body.

Abstract: A roofing installation having a plurality of substrates including a deck; a flexible membrane in overlying relation to the substrates and forming an upper roof surface, and a plurality of battens for securing the membrane to the underlying substrates, the battens being arranged in a radial pattern directed radially outward from a central region of the roofing installation, the radial pattern allowing for communication between regions of the flexible membrane partitioned by adjacent batten placements and roof edges, thereby providing for controlled ballooning and for dispersion of wind uplift forces throughout the roofing installation.

Abstract: Several embodiments of one-way clutches employing an improved, light weight and easily formed construction. In each embodiment, the one-way clutch is comprised of an outer member that defines recesses that receive wedging members and an inner member. The outer and inner members are adapted to be rotatably coupled together by the wedging members and for this purpose spring means are provided for urging the wedging members into engagement with the inner and outer member surfaces. In each embodiment, the recesses open through one side of the outer member so as to facilitate insertion of the wedging members and the biasing means and then are closed by a retainer plate. Several embodiments of light weight formed springs are employed for acting as the biasing means and, in some embodiments, the outer member is formed of a composite construction.

Abstract: An improved dowel or tying bar and joint construction for transferring stresses across a joint between concrete slabs or structures and accommodating for shrinkage and expansion of concrete. The bar has a resilient facing attached to at least one side of the bar so that the concrete slab or structure can move in relationship to the bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the resilient facing. The bar is arranged across the joint in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis defined by the joint.

Abstract: An exercise machine wherein the muscles which move a part of the body such as the foot or head are exercised by restricting movement of the body part to rotation about each of at least two mutually perpendicular axes and providing independently adjustable resistance means to selectively resist rotational movement of the body part about each axis with a desired degree of resistance which does not vary with the position or speed of movement of the body part.

Abstract: A window for buildings, particularly dwelling houses and office buildings, comprising a frame and two or more glass window-panes, of which the window-pane located nearest a room has an electrically conductive layer applied to the side thereof remote from the room. In accordance with the invention there is provided a control circuit (8) for connection to a voltage source located in the frame (2) of the window (1). Also provided is a thermistor (14) which is in contact with the side of the window-pane (3) remote from the room and which is connected to the aforementioned control circuit (8) and arranged to produce or to influence an electric signal corresponding to the temperature of the window pane (3). The control circuit (8) is arranged to control the supply of current to the electrically conductive layer so that the window-pane (3) can be brought to a given temperature set by a potentiometer (16) connected to the control circuit (8).

Abstract: Roof structure for transparent roofs with girders (11), each with a solar panel (15, 36). The girders preferably have a height equal to have the distance between each girder. Two trapdoors (13, 14), consisting of thermal insulating material (28), are located between each pair of girders, one on the underside of each girder, which can swing on its pivot axis on the girder between horizontal and vertical positions. In the horizontal position the trapdoors shield against heat loss, in the vertical position they allow all light to enter, and in the intermediate position incoming light is reflected towards the sides of the girders (15) for heat absorbtion.

Abstract: A compression-tension unit for use in a tensile-integrity structure wherein end portions of an elastic cord are passed through slots in the opposite ends of a strut with a stretched intermediate cord portion therebetween, and opposite tips of the cord are held in lateral holes in the strut end portions adjacent the slots, there being a choice of such lateral holes spaced longitudinally apart at each strut end portion so that the degree of stretch in the intermediate cord portion can be varied.

Abstract: Components for providing temporary walls to environmentally isolate a selected area of a room from the remainder of the room include telescopically adjustable stanchions that support upright sidewalls formed of flexible sheet material. The stanchions include hinged flange members that are mounted to provide planar surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stanchions for sealing attachment to the flexible sheet material.

Abstract: A sun protection assembly (10) for shielding an air conditioner/heat pump from the direct rays of the sun. The assembly comprises a frame (12) to which a screen (14) is attached. Front and rear legs (16) are attached to the frame to support the assembly a predetermined distance above the ground.

Abstract: A window construction is disclosed wherein a unitary vinyl seal 36, corresponding in shape to the window sash 20 and frame 18, is employed to seal the translucent panes 28, 30, 31, etc., in position. Double-backed adhesive foam tape strips 38, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, etc., serve to sealingly bond vinyl seal 36, 36a, and 66 to the translucent panes, the associated sash 20 and frame 18 structure. Replacement of broken panes involves cutting around the periphery of the broken pane (FIGS. 6 and 7), removing the cut segment, installing a replacement pane and sealing it in position. The same segment of vinyl seal 36 removed, or a new seal 66 cut or formed to the same dimensions as the segment cut away, is employed to seal the replacement pane 28a in position. Sealing of the new seal (FIG. 7) is accomplished by an essentially triangular strip of adhesive foam tape 68 having adhesive on all surfaces thereof. Similar replacement seals can also be formed from the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.

Abstract: A returned tread for use on an open portion of a stairway having a stair tread constructed of wood and a return nosing joined on at least one side edge of the stair tread so as to form an exposed shaped or mitered joint on a forward side edge portion of the assembly. The surface of the nosing which opposes the stair tread and the side edge of the stair tread are joined along at least a part of their adjoining surfaces by tongue and groove construction. A single finishing nail, wood screw or other suitable fastener secures the nosing to the stair tread at a position just rearward of the exposed joint. As a result, the stair tread and nosing will not slide relative to one another at the position of the fastener or in a region next to the fastener that includes the exposed joint as the rest of the stair tread expands and contracts in width over a range due to ambient temperature and humidity changes.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the removal of accumulated snow loads from roofs. The apparatus comprises a plurality of upper and lower brackets affixable to a planar roof surface in spaced configuration thereon. Each bracket has one or more slots capable of receiving and retaining a wire. Actuation of the system by pulling a wire causes the wire to be released from the upper brackets, and to slice through an accumulated snow load, breaking the seal between the snow and the roof and resulting in the snow sliding off the roof.