Abstract: A deck gutter is illustrated for mounting beneath the surface decking of a wooden deck between adjacent wooden joists. The deck gutter includes "J" shaped hangers that are mounted along an incline with respect to facing adjacent joist surfaces. A uniform cross-section gutter panel 56 is mounted between the hangers for receiving rain water through the cracks or spacing between adjacent decking boards for conveying the water away from and protecting the space below the deck surface. The gutter panel 56 has a central portion 58 with side wall portions 60, 62 extending upward to flanges. Each of the side wall portions has a "Z" shaped expansion band for accommodating during spacing between the joists and any bowing that may occur along the length of the joists.

Abstract: A self-erecting tent structure having a first substantially circular member of a certain dimension and providing at least a second circular member for attachment thereto. The second circular member is attached a points along the length of the first member by constraining the first circular member with a tie forming the circle into an ellipse of a desired dimension. A second circular member is constrained also into an ellipse with the ends portions of the circle formed into a "saddle shaped" by equally elevating the opposite ends of the longer axis of the ellipse of the second member; and aligning the "saddle shaped" member with the convexed side upward over the first elliptical member so that the bottom arcs of the saddle touch and are congruent with the opposite sides of the shorter axis of the first elliptical member. This saddle shaped member is then attached to the first elliptical member at the points where the two members meet, which are substantially equal on opposite sides of the member.

Abstract: Tilt-wall concrete panels adapted for constructing small buildings with "finished" interiors, especially single-family residences, etc. A peripheral frame of wooden members is laid on top of a barrier film of plastic (e.g., 4 mil polyethylene) on a horizontal surface. Wood-like studs are then placed within the frame and nailed thereto. Any desired utility cables and service pipes are positioned within the frame. An insulating foam cover, preferably high-density polyurethane, is then generated within and over the frame, to a depth that at least covers the wood-like studs and any utility or service lines. Foam about 1.5 inches thick will cover these elements and bond them securely together as a stable, easily movable "plate"--after the foam plastic has hardened.

Abstract: A wall assembly comprising a plurality of generally upright wall studs in assembled relationship to lower and upper generally horizontal support beams. The wall studs can be of the metal variety and have a generally C-shaped profile with a channel located opposite a major side member of the wall stud. The support beams are channel-shaped and have parallel spaced-apart flanges extended inwardly from side walls forming a channel. The flanges have pairs of opposing notches which form pockets having a profile corresponding partially to the profile of the upright wall stud whereby the wall stud is insertable in the channel of the support beam and can be twisted to an extent where the wall stud snaps into place with respect to the pocket formed by a pair of notches with the cross-sectional length of the wall stud in transverse alignment with the longitudinal axis of the support beam. Wallboard is installed on the framework to complete the wall structure.

Abstract: This invention describes foundations for buildings and like structures employing steel reinforcement. The invention describes a hook leg having an elongate member bifurcated at each end longitudinally of the member to form a pair of extensions with a slot therebetween, the distal portions of the extensions being bent into a curved form extending transversely of the member to form hooks adapted to resiliently engage a pair of reinforcing rods in the reinforcement, the slots in the unbent portions of the extensions being adapted to receive a second pair of reinforcing rods extending transversely of the first pair, whereby to fix the rods in spaced alignment. The invention minimizes movement or collapse of the reinforcement and makes it much easier to assemble the foundation cage thereby saving in labor and material.

Abstract: An expansion joint cover having a vapor barrier channel depending from the bellows membrane. Resilient insulation substantially fills the channel, making it possible to attach an insulated vapor-impermeable bellows cover to the expansion joint members in a single operation. A separate layer of foam insulation may be bonded to the underside of the bellows independent of the insulation filling the channel.

Abstract: An under-floor fire-stop coupling and method of construction involves a pipe coupling assembly (10) in which an elongated tubularly-shaped main body (14) has a rigidly coupled outwardly directed mainbody flange (36) to which a fire-stop metallic band (22) having intumescent material (24) therein is mounted. The metallic band includes tabs (34) at the end adjacent to the main-body flange. The main body defines an anchor indentation (46) in an outer surface above the main-body flange. The pipe coupling assembly is mounted to a floor (40) by preparing a hole (66) through the floor slightly larger than the main body, extending the main body through the hole from below the floor until the main-body flange contacts a bottom surface of the floor, and extending fasteners through the metallic band tab and the mainbody flange into the bottom of the floor.

Abstract: A skylight, having a wing actuated by pneumatic springs, can be moved to an emergency opening position thereby substantially exposing the opening area of the skylight case. The skylight also acts as a residential ceiling or attic skylight which has, in the normal open position, a considerably smaller opening than in the emergency open position. A locking device is provided to restrict the long extension stroke of the piston rod of the pneumatic springs to a partial stroke. This partial stroke allows an opening which essentially corresponds to the standard opening of the wing in a residential skylight. The locking device, located on the cylinder of the pneumatic spring, includes a specially designed latch which, in order to effect partial stroke restriction of the piston rod, lockingly engages a stop located on the side of the case by means of a catch pin.

Abstract: An elastomeric baseboard molding and method of installing same that is removably attached to a wall by means of a hook and loop fastener system. The molding is manufactured with the hook and loop fastner pre-applied to the molding, and then, at the job site, a peel-off release strip exposes an adhesive coating that allows the molding with the fastener system to be applied to the wall. The hook and loop fastener system allows the molding to be removed whenever maintenance is needed upon the wall or floor located adjacent to the molding. The molding can be removed multiple times without losing its wall adhering qualities.

Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a portable camper, particularly a pair of such frame structures which may be joined to form a bed supporting frame and a tent supporting frame extending in an arch over the bed frame. The frame structure includes a plurality of pairs of link tube units pivotably connected at their middles to each other in X-shaped configuration and a plurality of longitudinally extending tube units intermediate the pairs of link tubes. The frame structure is distinguished in its efficiency in set up and folding for storage without disassembly.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable shelter for a vehicle has a plurality of bows slidable along a pair of ground mounted tracks from an extended position to a retracted position. A flexible canvas or plastic covering is attached to the bows when extended and collapses in accordion fashion when retracted. A lazy tongs mechanism is attached to the interior faces of the bows and are loaded by tension springs. The bows are retracted by a cable and winch system, placing the springs under tension and locked by a ratchet lock. When the lock is released, the tension springs return the bows to the extended position.

Abstract: A window insert assembly is disclosed having a spring-biased frame construction used to secure the insert within existing window frames of varying size. The insert assembly is particularly useful for mounting interiorly of an existing window pane to form a "double pane" insulative window structure, i.e., by creating a thermal cavity between the interior side of the existing window pane and the window pane of the insert. The insert assembly comprises a solid pane, such as a glass pane, mounted in a first frame. The first frame is received within a second frame which has movable sides for changing the size of the second frame. Springs are provided between the second frame and the first frame, preferably on all four sides of the rectangular window insert assembly, which bias the second frame outwardly relative to the first frame. The size of the second frame is adjustable by pressing one or more sides against this bias to fit the insert within an existing window frame in which it is to be installed.

Abstract: A sheet metal connector for wood-to-wood, metal or concrete connections between holding and held members in a building structure in which all or substantially all of the nail openings in the connector are omitted and replaced by indicia inscribed, printed, or formed in the connector at or near the locations where the nail holes were formerly punched. Fasteners, such as nails may be driven through the indicia areas of the connector and into the held and holding members by automatic nailing guns or heavy hand held impact hammers.

Abstract: A sash plate used for inserting a cable into a room from out of doors. The plate comprises a single thin plate having an upper and lower part with both sides formed as part of a sash's construction and a cable inserting plate of the same width as that of the plate member and having on the upper and lower parts a groove for inserting and firmly fixing the plate member. The plate further has on the approximately central portion a hole for inserting a cable and having on the side portion a notch. The plate member is formed such that the plate member is shorter than the actual length of the sash by an integer of the actual length of the cable inserting plate. An optional desired portion of the plate member is being cut off, and inserted into and firmly fixed onto the groove in order to form a plate of a certain length.

Abstract: Presented is a two-shell telescopic element for a movable partition that has a wall section and a horizontally extendable telescoping part. The cover panels of the telescoping part are disposed on the telescoping part in transversally movable fashion to their principal plane. With extended telescoping part, the cover panels run out formt he overlapping area formed with the cover panels of the wall section and can be brought into an end position aligning with the cover panels of the wall section, transversally to the running planes, by an actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A teepee structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced poles of different lengths forming a conical frame covered by an insulated cover member or skin and mounted upon a cylindrical foundation wall submerged in the ground. The upper end portions of the longest poles are fastened to a top ring member which is covered by a cap member covering the ring member, upper end portions of the poles and the upper end portions of the cover member.

Abstract: A hydro channel for use in conjunction and in proximity with the juncture between a foundation wall, and the upper surface of a connecting footing, the channel incorporating an angled portion, formed of a horizontal and vertical integral wall, a lower flange extends from the bottom edge of the vertical wall, a break away upright flange extends integrally from the upper edge of the upper wall, and once a concrete floor or slab is poured, and hardened, a portion of the upright flange may be broken away so as to align its upper edge in proximity with the upper surface of the constructed floor.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible beach shade for providing protection from the sun, wind, or observation, to a user. The beach shade, when developed, has a plurality of ribs pivoted around a common point at one end. The ribs are covered with flexible sheeting. The fan-like structure is mounted at the top of a pole, adapted to be implanted in the sand or other ground. The user may adjust the position of the planar fan-like structure in several degrees of freedom. The device retains a high degree of stability even when subjected to high and shifting winds under recreational conditions.

Abstract: A container to be used notably as building element, comprising assembled wall elements, which are provided with first assembly arrangement which oppose disengaging of the wall elements inwardly of the container. The container further comprises second assembly arrangement for the wall elements which have a resilient force and are so arranged as to connect together the wall elements, the resilient force direction thereof being so designed as to prevent disengaging of the wall elements outwardly of the container.

Abstract: A panel assembly has a pair of substantially congruent and polygonal flat panels each having a plurality of straight edges meeting at corners and respective W-section rails extending along the edges and having ends at the corners. Each rail is formed with a pair of parallel, spaced, and inwardly open rail grooves receiving the respective edges and holding the panels parallel to and spaced from each other, and with a central outwardly open hardware groove flanked by the rail grooves and opening oppositely thereto. Respective corner pieces at the corners each have a pair of projections fitting longitudinally into the ends of the central grooves of the respective rails and each such piece is formed with at least one outwardly open threaded bore adapted to receive a threaded stem. Normally according to this invention the panels are rectangular and vertical with lower corners and upper corners. The bores of the pieces of the upper corners open upward and the bores of the pieces of the lower corners open downward.