Abstract: A slat wall structure including a substantially vertical support portion and at least one substantially horizontal web extending from the support portion. An end of the web includes a downwardly depending portion extending longitudinally along the end of the web, with the downwardly depending portion defining an upwardly extending recess. The recess is located below each of the webs, whereby both hook-like engagement brackets and upwardly extending mounting flange brackets can be supported by the slat wall. The web can also include a downwardly extending portion that defines at least one screw boss, wherein screws are receivable to mount the slat wall from its end. A pair of oppositely disposed and mutually spaced vertical end walls having a slat wall located between and attached to the end walls by screws placed through the vertical end walls and into the screw boss to thereby secure a side of the web to the vertical end walls and form an integral upright assembly which may be self-supporting.

Abstract: A cross-arm for a utility pole, the cross-arm includes an elongated, hollow bar member molded from synthetic material, such as a sheet-molding compound of polyester glass-reinforced plastic. The elongated bar member has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a plurality of through-holes for mounting the cross-arm to a utility pole with fasteners and for mounting electrical line support insulators. A groove extends from the first end to the second end of the elongated bar member, for receiving a wire or cable. A recess is provided in a wall of the elongated, hollow bar member which substantially conforms a section of the wall to the utility pole.

Abstract: A universal block made of concrete designed to be used with different size posts and beams. The pier block is a conical, six-sided structure and includes two concentrically aligned, post-receiving voids designed to receive the ends of a (4×4) or (6×6) inch post. The (6×6) inch void is positioned above the (4×4) inch void. Formed horizontally on the top surface of the pier block are two transversely aligned beam-receiving slots. Each beam-receiving slot includes a narrow and a wide slot longitudinally aligned. The wide slot is positioned above the narrow slot. A vertically aligned drain hole is formed through the pier block from the bottom surface of the (4×4) inch void to the bottom of the pier block, which allows water to drain from the post-receiving voids.

Abstract: Pivotably mounted barriers extending across a portion of and staggered in an alternating manner from opposite sides and spaced apart as to permit directed travel up or down stairs or staircase. Barriers extend across staircase to the extent that in addition to acting as an aid in ascending or descending, should a person stumble or lose their footing, their fall would be interupted within a few feet instead of tumbling all the way to the bottom suffering certain injury and possible death.

Abstract: The invention addresses an electric connector for the assembly of at least one branch neutral cable (24) into a main neutral cable (26) of the type including a lower body (10) and an upper body (12) both having contact blades, members (20, 22) for accommodating these cables between the two bodies, as well as clamping feature (28), characterized in that it comprises grounding feature (112) in contact with at least one of the blades.

Abstract: A class of undulated building structures constructed from sheets of suitable material and composed of sinuous curved faces meeting at constant angle at sinuous curved edges. The curved faces ensure a deformation-free (and hence a strain-free) surface, a critical feature for large-scale architectural constructions from sheet materials. The structures can be constructed by scoring a single sheet and folding the entire structure or from parts which are scored and folded. A variety of 2-dimensional scoring designs and a morphological technique for their derivation is disclosed. The technique enables the generation of symmetric and asymmetric 3-dimensional developable structures with combinations of convex and concave angle folds. The technique also provides the enabling feature for forming by various manufacturing methods. The structures can also be constructed from cast materials.

Abstract: A prefabricated building has been invented having a plurality of exterior walls joined together, a roof structure overlaying an interior space defined by the plurality of walls, an attic under the roof structure, the attic having an attic floor, at least one rail system on the attic floor, an opening in the prefabricated building located for accessing the at least one rail system, and at least one module insertable through the opening, disposable on the rail system, and movable thereon to a desired location in the attic.

Abstract: A lumbar support device includes a flexible grid that can be bowed to provide additional curvature and axially moved on a track. The flexible grid is bowed and moved by brackets on the track in combination with cables and actuators. For bowing the flexible grid, a cable segment pulls a pair of brackets together which bow the flexible grid. The segment is wrapped around one of the brackets and is attached at its ends to the other bracket and an actuator, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to the bowing resistance of the flexible grid. For axially moving the flexible grid, a cable in a fixed bracket directly pulls on the pair of brackets and the flexible grid moves with the pair of brackets; a compression spring is used to provide resistance to the cable and movement in an opposite direction. In another embodiment, a lumbar support device includes a flexible grid that is bowed without any change in axial position.

Abstract: A device is provided for protecting a window or door during severe storms. A panel, cut to fit in a window frame, is held in place by the action of the locking assemblies described herein. A rubber gasket can be used along on e side of the panel in place of some of the locking assemblies. Different embodiments of the assembly are described for mounting along the sides of the panel. A “clip-on” assembly is also described.

Abstract: A swivellable receptacle includes a swivel device, a conducting device and a fixture. The receptacle has conducting strips. The swivel device has a trough and is mounted on the receptacle. The conducting device has a conductor to be inserting into a trough of the swivel device. A fin extends from the conductor. The fixture comprises studs to press the conductor of the conducting device, whereas the fins of the conducting device will always in touch with the conductor of the receptacle and the stud of the fixture will always in touch with the conductor while the receptacle is swiveling.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently removing grain from a grain storage device, which uses a plurality of augers. An unloading auger is used to begin removal of grain from a grain storage device. As the amount of grain decreases, a proximity sensor sends an activation signal to a cross auger that rests horizontally on the bottom of the grain storage device. The cross auger will pull the remaining grain to the entry point of an unloading auger. The unloading auger then removes the grain from the grain storage device.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulated ceiling includes attaching an insulated panel to the lower flange of the purlins to form an insulatable space between the panel, the purlins, and the exterior skin of a building. The space is then filled with insulation material. An insulation delivery system can be utilized for the filling process, especially when loose-fill insulation is used. The delivery system includes a blower connected to a source of blowable insulating material, and a special manifold connected to the blower and adapted to deliver the material into the space. The manifold has a manifold plate that is slidingly insertable in the space. The manifold plate includes a peripheral seal and at least one air hole therethrough so that air can escape the space while the insulation is being blown in. The manifold allows the space to be filled with insulating material to a desired density or R-value.

Abstract: The clarifier cover has a shape defined by a low profile circular segment of revolution around the central column of the clarifier, for maintaining the volume of gas thereunder minimum. In another aspect, the support structure of the cover is made of a plurality of ring trusses disposed in a circular array and defining a circle, concentric with the circular wall of the clarifier, and a radial array of outer trusses each having an outside end mounted to the wall of the clarifier and an inside end mounted to the plurality of ring trusses. A series of inner trusses are individually affixed in an overhung mode to one of the outer trusses, such that the loading applied to the central column of a clarifier by the cover structure is minimal or negligible. The trusses define an array of triangular frame sectors.

Abstract: A connector mounting construction includes a male housing (50) with a receptacle (52) into which a mating female housing is fittable. The male housing (50) has a shaft (53) that extends along an axis of connection (Z-axis direction) with the female housing, and a planar base (57). A holder (70) is provided with an accommodating portion (73) for accommodating the base (57), and holds the male housing (50) for sliding movement in directions normal to the axis of connection and for rotation about the axis of connection. Four elastic ribs (82F, 82R) are provided to be located around the shaft (53), so that the male housing (50) is biased to a specified proper position. Rotation of the male housing (50) about the axis of connection is restricted by contact of the base (57) with side walls (75) or a rear wall (76) of the accommodating portion (73).

Abstract: A cornice or crown molding finishing accessory (10) allows creation of a smooth, continuous and aesthetic finish to the joint between first and second molding segments. These molding segments may be oriented to form inside or outside corners. Preferred examples of the finishing accessory are adapted for use with outside and inside 90-degree corners. The molding finishing accessory provides first and second facade-creating flanges (20), (40) which have a cross-sectional shape including a molding-conforming curve designed to match the cross-sectional decorative surface of the molding segments. The flanges meet at a vertex (60), from which an anchor element extends. In use, the anchor element (80) is inserted into a gap defined between the first and second molding segments, thereby holding the finishing accessory in place.

Abstract: A roof beam for constructing a conservatory roof comprises a glazing bar (10) and upper and lower capping (12, 14/50) thereon. The glazing bar has a cross bar (16) having trough formations (26) at each end, whereby there is a recess under the cross bar. The cross bar can, therefore, accommodate both a lower capping (14) for a transom roof beam and a lower capping (50) for a hipped conservatory roof end.

Abstract: A shelter may be readily assembled or disassembled from a plurality of identical shelter supports. Each shelter support is formed from an outer beam placed in a divergent relationship to an inner beam. The converging ends of each beam are capped by a first end member. The diverging ends of each beam are capped by a second end member. The second end member forms an acute angle with the horizontal when the first end member is placed on the ground. Thus, with the first shelter support placed as a column support the second end member is presented for engaging a second end member of a second shelter as a roof support. The truss thus formed from the two shelter supports is joined at an apex portion with other similar trusses in various arrangements conveniently to form shelters of different shapes which can be readily assembled and disassembled.

Abstract: An isolating plate (10) and insulated bolt assembly (51) for electrically insulating a cabinet (22) for holding telecommunications switching equipment. The isolating plate (10) functions as an installation template to assist an installer with locating and installing cabinets (22) in a telecommunications center. The precut cable ways (12) and mounting holes (14) allow the installer to quickly locate and cut the floor as needed for cables (15) and bolts (26) required to install the cabinet (22).

Abstract: The present invention is a roofing fastener assembly. The assembly includes a fastener, a barbed washer, and a screw. The screw projects through the fastener and exits the free end of the fastener. Upon installation of the screw and fastener, the barbs of the washer penetrate into the roof membrane and insulation layer. An extending rim on the washer receives the head of the fastener to resist the relative lateral movement of the washer and fastener. Stabilizing fingers project from a free end of the fastener and hold the screw in place during assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a panel comprising a plurality of panel members (1) applied parallel to each other to a backing (2), spacers (4) which are applied to the backing between adjacent panel members in order to position the same (11) spaced from each other by a gap, as well as cover members (5) which are applied over the gap between two adjacent panel members and which have a width which is greater than the width of a spacer. The spacers (4) have a thickness which is different from that of the panel members (1) and on their rear face the cover members (5) exhibit a groove (6) or a ridge which is essentially as wide as the spacer and exhibits opposite limiting edges (8) which in coaction with edge portions of the spacer and of adjacent panel members respectively, achieve centering of the cover member over the spacer and the gap. The invention also relates to a method for mounting such a panel.