Abstract: A ceiling system having panels suspended from a ceiling with a frame and suspension connections. The panels are a non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material.

Abstract: A method for replacing a defective column that supports a service station canopy involves the use of several cranes. A pair of cranes supports the canopy while the defective column is being removed and the new column is being installed. A second crane assists in lifting the defective column clear of its foundation and in controlling it as it is lowered from its supporting position. The portion of the roof of the canopy surrounding the upper end of the defective column is cut away and a portion of the base of the service station concrete floor surrounding the lower end is removed to allow the defective column to be disconnected from the canopy frame and foundation, respectively. The defective column can then be removed and replaced while the pair of cranes supports the canopy. Once the new column is in place and re-connected to the foundation and frame, the base can be filled with concrete and the roof repaired.

Abstract: A structural thermal framing and panel system for assembling finished or unfinished walls with multiple combinations for poured and nonpoured walls. The system includes a permanent structural framing stud which can be adjusted to different wall thickness, a plurality of permanent forms, wherein the pluralities of permanent forms are interchangeable with various other permanent panel forms with or without defined spaces for receiving filler. The framing stud substantially conforms to a portion of the pluralities of panel forms and resists bending in the panel forms. The framing stud is the main structural element in the wall. A structural framing system in combination with insulated panel forms with various defined spaces for receiving filler, and wherein panels may not be prefinished to form a rigid substrate.

Abstract: Waves are amplified by a gradual decrease in depth, and when the waves reach a vertical wall 10 of a reef 2, breaking waves are generated by sudden decrease of the water depth. As the breaking waves rush into the upper portion of the reef 2 and pass through the slant slits 14, wave energy is absorbed by the reef 2 and the seat water returns back to the ocean through an opening 11. The sand brought into a reef 2 with the waves are washed away by the return flow 11 so that the sand is not deposited within the reef 2 and the space in the reef 2 is always clear. The return flow promotes generation of the breaking waves. The breaking waves are introduced into the slits, beach erosion is prevented, and a calm sea area utilized for marine leisure is created. The seawater in the reef, with sufficient air, flows to the sea area behind the breakwater through the paths 19.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a retainer assembly for anchoring environmental containment and remediation materials in a desired location. The retainer assembly includes a buoyant retainer structure and an anchor assembly attached thereto. The anchor assembly defines the limits of motion of the retainer in three dimensions with respect to a selected anchor point and permits the anchor assembly to float within these limits. The anchor assembly also includes an attachment mechanism to secure the remediation materials to the retainer structure.

Abstract: A gasket structured such that a packing is firmly fixed to one surface of a plate with a predetermined plane arrangement. The structure is made such that the packing is firmly fixed to one surface of the plate with a predetermined plane arrangement. The plate is screwed to an opposing assembly member at a screw fixing portion at a time of assembling. The packing is bent to one side in a width direction by being compressed at a lip portion by the opposing assembly member. A packing extension portion for partly enlarging an adhesive bonding area of the packing to the plate is provided in a position close to the screw fixing portion, an inflection portion or a position close thereto in a plane shape of the packing.

Abstract: A decoration panel the length of which is adjustable so that it may be fitted to a various sizes of walls, windows, furniture and so on. The decoration panel includes a main panel having a plurality of holes aligned on the upper or lower part of it in the vertical direction. Sub panels having a front cover and a plurality of holes on the rear of the front cover corresponding in spacing to the holes are inserted on the upper or lower end of the main panel. A joiner is engaged through the holes of the sub panel into the holes of the main panel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fixing device for a movable wall or the like with a fixing element which can be brought into its working position by an actuating member that can be actuated manually. In order to provide a fixing device for a movable wall or the like which ensures a reliable and trouble-free operation in a simple manner, it is provided according to the invention that the actuating member is constructed as a turning knob whose rotating movement can be transformed into a longitudinal movement for the fixing element.

Abstract: A seal assembly seals first and second operational surfaces spaced apart by a gap. The first surface includes a seal groove having a base surface and first and second side surfaces. A sealing element in the seal groove has a foot portion extending parallel to the base surface which engages the second operational surface. A leg portion extending from the foot portion toward the base surface has first and second surfaces. A back-up ring adjacent to the sealing element prevents extrusion of the sealing element into the gap. A first side of the back-up ring mates with the second surface of the leg portion, and a second side mates with one of the first and second side surfaces of the seal groove. An energizer element located between the base surface and the foot portion applies uniform pressure to the leg and foot portions when the energizer element is compressed.

Abstract: A land use-efficient multiplex housing structure (10) is provided having a central housing unit (12) of generally cruciform plan configuration, with a plurality (preferably four) of peripheral dwelling units (14,16,18,20) interconnected with and spaced about the central unit (12). Each peripheral unit (14,16,18,20) preferably has a generally quadrate primary dwelling area (96,134,172,212) and an associated elongated extension section (84,124,162,202) which extends toward and is interconnected with a respective wall portion of central dwelling unit (12).

Abstract: A rubber gasket to be disposed in a compressed state between separators of a fuel cell includes a sealing portion having a sectional shape of a two-projection structure with a first projection having a curved slope of a first curvature radius (D), and a second projection provided on the first projection and having a second curvature radius (H). A pedestal portion extends in a horizontal direction with a predetermined thickness continuously from a foot portion of the curved slope of the first projection and has a flat bottom surface.

Abstract: A landscaping channel liner apparatus is provided having a longitudinally-extending trough and longitudinally-extending receptacles. The longitudinally-extending trough has a longitudinally-extending floor located between opposed longitudinally-extending side walls extending therefrom. The longitudinally-extending trough also has first and second opposed transverse open ends formed from the floor and side walls. Each of the side walls defines a longitudinally-extending edge located opposite the longitudinally-extending floor. A longitudinally-extending receptacle is located on each longitudinally-extending edge and includes first and second transverse open ends.

Abstract: An air inflatable mattress and mattress coverlet are provided for the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcers (i.e., pressure sores or bedsores). The mattress incorporates a user selectable static or alternating air powered support surface for more uniformly redistributing pressure exerted on a patient's skin. The mattress coverlet encompasses a low air loss feature independent of the mattress's user selectable air powered support surface. Such low air loss feature provides a patient contact surface exhibiting a high moisture vapor transfer ratio in conjunction with a forced air flow to aid in reducing the moisture and heat near the patient's body. Both the mattress and mattress coverlet are driven by an external control system which houses the user controls, as well as the necessary pumps, regulators, and valving.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing between two static portions of a turbomachine includes a brush gasket formed by a plurality of resilient bristles which are, at least in part, held in a housing. Each bristle has a main portion and a secondary portion interconnected by a bent portion. The secondary portion has a free end ensuring leaktight contact with a surface that is to be sealed of the other static portion. The sealing device further includes a flexible washer of bent section which has a free end bearing both against the free ends of the secondary portions of the bristles of the brush gasket, and against the surface that is to be sealed so that the free ends of the secondary portions of the bristles of the brush gasket are permanently in contact with the surface that is to be sealed.

Abstract: A barrier to fluid passage is embedded within, instead of atop, porous material to retain the durability of the surface of the porous material. In one embodiment, a thin set mortar is applied to a concrete slab. A pleated metal foil is pressed into the wet mortar and a bond is established. The mortar is allowed to set and a top, or finish, section of concrete is then poured over the foil and finished conventionally. Provisions are made for sealing expansion joints in concrete slab floors and at the juncture of floor and wall. The foil may be provided in multiple layers to provide a mechanical bond via mortar oozing through perforations or along pleats in each of the top and bottoms layers, while providing a solid layer through which a fluid will not pass, at least in one direction.

Abstract: A foundation pile or pile segment is described that provides support for a structure such as a building foundation. The pile includes a generally solid body having a top end wall, a bottom end wall adapted for providing end load bearing capacity, and all around sidewalls. The sidewalls extend between the top end wall and the bottom end wall and has at least a pair of oppositely disposed spiral ridges that extend generally about the surface of the sidewalls. Further, each spiral ridge extends in a generally spiral direction from the top end wall to the bottom end wall. The spiral ridges provide an offset surface that extends generally outward from the surface of the sidewalls. The offset surfaces provide additional load bearing capacity to the foundation pile.

Abstract: Frames are disclosed for mounting windows within the walls of enclosures for isolating or sealing substances such as radioactive or other hazardous substances from the surrounding environment. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a window assembly includes a two-piece frame that is welded into the wall of an enclosure. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a window assembly includes a three-piece frame that is clamped to the wall of an enclosure. The frame assemblies may also be used to mount structures other than windows to enclosure walls, such as ducts or pipes intended for passing power, gas, vacuum, or other utilities into the interior of an enclosure.

Abstract: A fixing bracket is described for joining wooden building components to each other and to a substrate, particularly of the kind used for joining boards used to cover balconies and decks outdoors. It is essential that the fixing bracket is a double angle consisting of two L-sections (2, 2?), having a double web (5) consisting of two section legs (3, 3?), whereby a fixing hole (9, 9?) is provided in the angle flanges (8, 8?). In an advantageous manner, the tongue-shaped spikes (6, 6?) are arranged near the upper edge of the web and are cut directly out of the web and bent out perpendicularly from the web.

Abstract: The patient positioning aid assists a caregiver in rotating and positioning immobile patients. Such patients require periodic movement to prevent the development of ulcers. Conventional methods use rolled blankets or pillows to support such patients. Such improvizations are often crushed by the patients, especially by bariatric patients. The present invention has a strong resilient foam core which resists compression by a patient, yet also has a yielding surface foam layer which avoids trauma to the patient's skin. The cover is removable for cleaning, waterproof, and utilizes an anti-slip, high friction coating on the bottom which resists sliding on the bed. In addition, handles on the caregiver side of the aid assist in the maneuvering of the aid to position it properly.

Abstract: The anchoring device, for anchoring at least two reinforcements for prestressing a civil engineering works structure, has a block through which there pass at least two pairs of anchoring orifices arranged symmetrically on each side of a mid-plane of the block. The two orifices of each pair have axes substantially parallel to the mid-plane and are directed toward two opposite sides of the block to take, respectively, two ends of a taut reinforcement surrounding the structure. The block has a bearing zone pressed against the structure in response to the tension in the reinforcements.