Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that widen adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.

Abstract: A tent to be quickly and easily attached to or removed from the rear of a motor vehicle (e.g. a pick-up truck) having a substantially flat and open bed. The tent includes a frame comprising a pair of pole assemblies that extend diagonally and cross one another above the bed of the truck. The tent also includes front, back and side panels and belts which extend laterally through channels in the front and back panels and down the sides of the truck to be removably connected to the undercarriage thereof. A pair of cup-like receptacles are slidably attached to each of the belts. The cups are adjustably positioned along the belts to receive respective ends of the pole assemblies which form the tent frame. Accordingly, the weight of the frame and the tent carried thereon is supported by the cups and the belts retained by the front and back tent panels so that the tent may be suspended above the bed without requiring any permanent connections to or modifications of the truck.

Abstract: A hand grip for canes, crutches, walkers, outrigger skis, tools, etc., includes an elongated body possessing an axially inner end provided with a recess configured for partially receiving an elongated cylindrical support member of the ambulation aid, and an axially outer end including an enlarged circular ridge for preventing axial displacement of a user's hand. A mounting post extends axially through the body, transversely securing the hand grip to the support member. An obliquely forwardly and downwardly inclined platform on an upper side of the body adjacent the inner end applies a major portion of the user's weight to the hypothenar muscles of the user's hand. A depression formed axially outwardly of the platform provides a downwardly and axially outwardly curving concave load bearing surface for engagement with thenar muscles of a hand of a user such that the thumb of the user's hand is maintained in a palmar abducted orientation.

Abstract: A new and improved beach umbrella with increased stability and wind resistance comprising an umbrella fabric having a top surface and a bottom surface, a fabric loop integral with the bottom of each of the four corners of the fabric umbrella; an umbrella support having a lower vertical extent, the lower vertical extent having an upper portion and a lower portion, the umbrella support further having an upper horizontal extent, the upper horizontal extent having a forward portion and a rearward portion, a first arm pivotally connected to the horizontal extent intermediate the forward and rearward portions, a second arm pivotally connected to the horizontal extent opposite the first arm with the forward portion of the horizontal extent, the rearward portion of the horizontal extent, the end of the first arm and the end of the second arm all adapted to be received within one of the fabric loops of the umbrella; a hollow spike having an upper opened portion and a lower closed pointed portion, the pointed portion a

Abstract: The handles of a pair of crutches have male and female coupling elements which enable them to be removably and totally fixed to one another. Crutches fixed in this manner can then be placed in a stable manner against any support at an elevation above their center of gravity.

Abstract: A sunshade for providing protection from the sun has an upright support member and a sunshield pivotally mounted to the support member for movement between two angular positions. The sunshield is incrementally moved by a motor between the two angular positions to dispose the sunshield in desired position relative to the position of the sun.

Abstract: An umbrella is described which has a handle (1) which is secured to an upper end part (3) of the umbrella stock (2) via a joint (4) in such a way that it can be pivoted between a position at least approximately aligned with the direction of the stock axis and a position at an angle of approximately 50.degree. to 90.degree. to the stock axis. The end part preferably has the same diameter as the adjacent grip region of the handle and serves as an extension of the grip region. In the grip region of the end part can be secured a snap-on shell which enables the umbrella to be grasped comfortably and securely.

Abstract: A shelter has a framework of resilient wire in two separate closed loops. Both loops have a memory urging them to lie circularly in a flat plane. Each loop is elongated with one longitudinal end portion partially curled back toward an opposite end portion with the curled end portion being an arch for providing vertical support and the opposite end portion being a generally U-shaped footing member. One loop extends through the other, preferably symmetrically, such that the footing members are opposingly disposed in relation to each other to provide generally planar footing support for the shelter, e.g. the footing members are substantially coplanar with the closed ends of their U-shapes facing outward in opposite directions, and such that the support arches are opposingly aligned and spaced apart, the spacing defining the width of the shelter's ceiling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collapsible umbrella having a canopy frame which s collapsible in an at least four-fold manner and a stick (1) which is telescopic in an at least four-stage manner as well as a slide (2) displaceable on this said stick for canopy opening and closing, the canopy linkage comprising a combination of link parallelograms (I, II, III) or lever formations, which is formed from a combination of hollow, U-shaped, flat and round-profiled rod material. In order to make the folded-together umbrella as compact as possible in its cross-section, the invention provides that all the link parallelograms insert into one another so completely, with optimum utilization of the available cavities of the U-profiled canopy rods, that there are no unused empty spaces in the folding bends (K1, K2, K3, K4) of the folded-together formation (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tongue and groove product which comprises a first and second major surface and a first and second longitudinal edge. The first longitudinally edge includes a longitudinally-extending groove. The second longitudinal edge includes a longitudinally-extending protruding tongue for interlockingly engaging a complimentary grooved longitudinal edge of an adjacent tongue and groove board. The protruding tongue has an upper and a lower longitudinally-extending surface. The major design feature of this invention is that the protruding tongue has at least one substantially vertically-extending opening formed therein. Each of the openings extends through the protruding tongue from said longitudinally-extending upper surface to said longitudinally-extending lower surface for providing at least one drain path for water to drain by gravity from said first major surface downwardly through each said vertically-extending opening.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete building (10) has vertical walls (16) formed of prefabricated modules (24) which may be assembled offsite and then transported to the construction site for installation and application of concrete. The prefabricated modules (24) are supported between lower and upper channel-shaped support members (30, 40) and are spaced from each other a sufficient distance for a concrete column (54) therebetween. A backing member (50) is secured between adjacent modules (24) and vertical reinforcing rods (42) are provided adjacent backing member (50) in the space between the modules (24) for the concrete columns (54). Concrete is applied pneumatically against the backing member (50) to fill the space between the modules (24) to form the concrete column (54).

Abstract: A generally rectangular shelter with a readily assembled frame mounted on a base and covered with a flexible sheet material secured to the frame and base is provided. The base is normally of wood and is placed on the ground or other planar surface Spaced at a desirable distance along each side of the base are pivotal and adjustable supports fixed to the base. To the supports are connected a series of assembled frame ribs transverse to the length of shelter. The frame ribs are normally assembled in an arcuate shape from several pieces of tubing coupled together by a special coupler. The tubes are adapted to receive other tubes by having pin receiving tabs welded to them in appropriate places. Purlins or other spacers are connected between the frame ribs so that all the frame ribs may be drawn up from an assembled horizontal position to an upright position as a unit.

Abstract: A non-slip support shoe for attachment to the end of any crutch or other walking aid comprises an attachment cylinder for attaching the shoe to the bottom of the crutch or walking aid; a pair of strip leaf springs, at least one of which is connected to the attachment cylinder; and a rubber sole provided on the bottom surface of a lower one of the strip leaf springs. In operation, when the maximum weight of a body is exerted on the crutch or walking aid, the strip leaf springs change configuration (i.e., flatten) so that the entire sole located on the lower strip leaf spring contacts the ground, thereby preventing slippage during use of the crutch or walking aid. Once the maximum weight of the body is removed, the strip leaf springs return to their original configuration so as not to interfere with the angled forward and backward positions of the crutch during use.

Abstract: A readily assemblable and disassemblable tent, awning or canopy structure including tubular beams, rafters and uprights interconnected by slip fit junction fittings in telescope relation with respect to the beams, rafters and uprights, the improvement comprising a hold down channel assembly mounted on the upright member of the slip fit junction fitting, the channel member assembly including a rod pivotally mounted on the lower end of the channel member, a bail ring mounted on said rod, a strip of webbing attached to the tent, awning or canopy top and wrapped around the rod of the bail ring, and a tie down cable connected to the lower end of the bail for anchoring the tent structure to the ground.

Abstract: A safety cane incorporates an ambient light sensitive illumination device for conserving battery power. A tipping detector is also incorporated which sounds an audible alarm after a first time delay. If the cane is not retrieved by the end of the second time delay, the cane broadcasts an initiating instruction to a telephone dialing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sub-ceiling with a supporting framework in the form of a grid of insecting bearing rails (1), which is able to be suspended at points of intersection of the bearing rails (1), formed by the nodal elements (2), and the open regions (34) of which are able to be secured in an air-tight and dust-tight manner on the peripheral edges by insert members which may take the form of coffers, lighting elements, air-supply devices or air-outlet devices. The insert members rest in a sealing manner on a sealing means on the bearing rails (1), whereby in order to simplify manufacture, construction and assembly and to fulfill the requirements of clean-room conditions, the bearing rails (1) are attachable in an air-tight and dust-tight manner to the nodal elements (2), with the bearing rails (1) having angular supporting flanges (3) on their end walls (15) and the respective nodal element (2) has bearing surfaces (18) cooperating with the supporting flanges (3) to support the bearing rails (1).

Abstract: A basement enclosure is provided with an outer shell which is constructed of a material impermeable to moisture and gas. The basement enclosure may be free standing or hung from beams which are supported by columns set on a conventional footer.

Abstract: A fastening device for assisting and securing a cover to a boat frame when the boat frame is generally square in cross-section. The fastening device is comprised of a base wall member and a pair of resilient arms that extend outwardly from one side of the base wall member at an angle substantially perpendicular to the base wall member. The resilient arms are adapted to extend substantially along the top and bottom sides of the boat railing toward the back side of the boat railing. The resilient arms have a gripping hook on the distal end thereof depending inwardly toward one another with each hook being adapted to curve around the radial edges of the boat rail. A snap stud is affixed or molded to the fastening device.

Abstract: Time invention describes a canopy structure comprising a plurality of columns, a cover framework of structural members, and a cover. Each structural member is preferably supported on an upper end of a column using a novel joint assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a frame constructing method and an erection workbench for constructing frames for reducing the cost for assembling frames, for making it possible to execute the construction works under any weather conditions, further for shortening the term of works, and for enabling to improve safety in the executions, to automate the executions and to save labor.