Abstract: A multi-level parking lot made from prefabricated reinforced concrete modular elements is disclosed. The modular elements include plural parking compartments with defined parts for passage between the compartments and approach routes for entering the parking lot. The parking compartments include connecting plates and integral units with four columns, each integral unit including a slab integreal with and resting on the four columns. A steel pipe protrudes from an upper surface of the column for interfitting engagement with a corresponding hole in the connecting plate. The individual units bear against themselves in a stable manner by virtue of their weight without the need for any linking connections therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strut structure of a folding umbrella having a seamless umbrella cover, which structure makes use of an integrally molded fastener with an open groove provided on the hollow cylindrical body thereof to fix the umbrella cover on the strut. The outside diameter of the strut is slightly smaller than the hole diameter of the fastener and slightly larger than the width of the open groove and so the fastener can be directly pushed inwards from the outside to clamp the strut as well as the umbrella cover, forming a firm engagement. As a result, when the folding umbrella is closed, the umbrella cover made of a single cloth folds inwardly as well for storage.

Abstract: A method for erecting absorber towers using trestle means (26) with jack means (32) to assemble a course and then lift it while constructing the next course below it. The first course is lowered on the just assembled course and welded thereto. These steps are repeated to form the outer wall (34) of the absorber tower (10). A clearance (48) is provided between the elevated course and the course to be assembled for installing the internal components of the tower. Advantageously, the method of the present invention allows for the construction of an absorber tower on site in retrofit applications where space may be restricted and access limited.

Abstract: A composite, prestressed structural member, such as a bridge unit and methods of forming such a member. The apparatus includes a plurality of longitudinally extending girders which are transversely spaced and a plurality of adjacent composite units disposed on the girders. Each composite unit has a plurality of beams with a molded deck portion formed thereabove. The beams are positioned transversely with respect to the girders and attached thereto. Additional, longitudinal beams are disposed between the transversely extending beams over the girders. The longitudinal beams are attached to the girders and by connectors to the molded deck. The structure is formed by positioning the girders on a construction support adjacent to a center portion of the girders such that the free ends of the girders cantilever and deflect downwardly. The beams of the composite units are attached to the girders in this construction position. Any gaps between adjacent composite units are filled with a non-shrink, high strength grout.

Abstract: There is disclosed a building structure partially covered with siding panels, the outer surface of which are transparent to solar energy, the panels being slightly spaced from an insulating wall of the building to allow a fluid flow, preferably air, therebetween with effective heat exchange from a solar radiation absorbing surface with the fluid being selectively utilizable for space heating purposes or other purposes. The air can be moved by fans or convection or both. A preferred embodiment employs small horizontal lenticular lenses in the transparent material on the surface of the siding together with a mask, which may be three dimensional, on the back of the siding with the result that when the siding is viewed from the horizontal it displays a decorative color while it is highly reflective for solar rays at high angles of elevation and is transparent for solar rays at low angles of elevation, as during winter months.

Abstract: This invention is a rod with a hook. Multiples rods are placed into an awning rail slot. This hooks on a cover with poles to provide shade. Hooks are positioned by sliding in the awning rail slot. Hooks align with grommets in the cover. Hooks are secured inside the awning rail slot by screwing the threaded shank of the hook through the rod and against the inner back side of the rail slot. The number of grommets are determined by the width of the cover. Grommets in the cover are attached onto the individual hooks along the awning rail. Poles are placed in grommets on the opposite side of cover. Poles are pulled away from the structure. They are held in place by ropes. The ropes overlap the cover at the top of the pole and are secured to stakes in the ground, and held taut by a rope slip. The poles used to support the cover may be adjusted to a desired height for providing shade.

Abstract: A cane has a tip at its bottom end, which tip is in the shape of a hemispherical shell. The cane is for the use of a visually handicapped person. When slid along the ground as the person walks, it provides auditory and kinesthetic clues about the environment and any impediments in the path of the user, yet cannot get caught, stuck or hung up on any obstacles.

Abstract: A walking cane has an enlarged foot piece, formed with a convex arcuate lower surface, that functions as a small rocker. One, or two, rows of spikes extend downwardly from the arcuate surface, for penetration and gripping of icy surfaces. An elastomeric, resilient pad may be attached to the arcuate lower surface of the foot piece, to adapt the cane for use on normal walking surfaces, such as carpets, hard floors, and outdoor sidewalks. The pad has a series of sockets that fit onto the spikes for retention of the pad on the foot piece. The arcuate surface contour on the foot piece is advantageous in that it enables the spikes or resilient pad to maintain a non-slip, rocking engagement with the walking surface during the entire walking stride, i.e., while the person is using the cane to partially support his or her own weight during forward motion of the person's body.

Abstract: Described is an orthopedic crutch with an adjustable hand grip that can slide along the vertical supports and be fixed to the supports at different vertical elevations to accommodate the user.

Abstract: A folding umbrella frame is provided which includes an improved frame linkage having a second stick with a recess formed within it and an inclined outer end pivotally secured to a fourth rib member. A first stick member is coupled to a first rib member and includes a second end which is inclined and is pivotally secured to a third rib member. The first rib member has an end which is inclined for pivotal coupling to a central section of a second rib member. The inclined ends of the first rib member, the first stick member and the second stick member reduces the force required to open and close the folding umbrella while the recess receives an end of the first rib member to reduce the volume of the umbrella when in a closed state.

Abstract: A golf bag umbrella is mounted within a golf bag and includes a central spring connection mounted to an extension shaft to permit pivotal displacement of the umbrella structure for access to golf clubs and the associated golf bag.

Abstract: A device to aid persons rising from a seated position. The device comprises a structural support having a base positionable under a chair and a brace secured to the base. A sleeve is secured to the structural support for securing one end of an arm thereto. The other end of the arm has a griping section enabling a person seated in the chair to grasp the arm and pull himself up to an upright position.

Abstract: An adjustable hand grip that can slide along the vertical supports of an orthopedic crutch is provided. The hand grip can be easily fixed to the supports at different vertical elevations to accommodate the user by providing a sleeve that surrounds and slides over each vertical support. Each sleeve has an aperture that can be aligned with the apertures in the vertical support. A bracket that extends between the vertical supports rigidly connects the sleeves. A locking member for locking the sleeve to a vertical support is provided and comprises a generally U-shaped clamp that surrounds a portion of the sleeve and a pin that can be inserted through aligned apertures in the sleeve and vertical support so that the hand grip is firmly fixed to the vertical support.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modular construction joint made up of a high-strength, composite plastic material, possibly embedding a glass fiber or similar filling material, said joist being suitable for realizing grid-like and closure members which can stand the traffic of pedestrians and vehicles.

Abstract: A leg support device for an invalid walker of the type having an upright frame structure with handle portions positioned so as to be gripped by the user when standing or walking and having a plurality of downwardly projecting legs, such leg support device being selectively mountable in a variety of vertically related positions to accommodate the physical requirements of the user and capable of achieving a variety of structural configurations so that the leg support device may be mounted to a variety of invalid walkers having different angular orientations between the legs and having different distances between the legs.

Abstract: A vehicle sun shade comprises a mounting bracket 10 for fitting to the top edge of an opened window of the vehicle, and a shade for mounting to the bracket 10. The shade 20 comprises a stem 22 and a foldable canopy 23, the bracket 10 having a clamp to mount the shade 20 securely in place.

Abstract: A walking aid (10) which comprises an elongate shaft (12) having a handle (14) at or near its upper end, characterised in that the handle is inclined at an angle (.alpha.) to the axis of the shaft and comprises a central column (24) adapted to be held by the hand, the column having toward the lower portion thereof a laterally extending platform (26) capable of supporting the ulnar border of the hand. The handle is gripped downwardly, in a similar manner to a pistol grip, and the inclination of the handle to the shaft ensures that the wrist can be maintained in its neutral position which involves least strain to the user. The angle (.alpha.) can be adjusted according to patient needs by providing a pivot mounting (22) and a relevant lock between shaft and handle.

Abstract: An improved center post of a collapsible umbrella comprises a retainer body on which two guiding holes are formed to respectively receive therein a first retaining pin biased by a spring and a second retaining pin biased by a spring. The retainer body is inserted into an inner tubular section of the center post to have the retaining pins which are spring-biased to respectively partially project out of two through holes formed on the inner tubular section.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a hollow tubular handle extending in an axial direction, the handle having an upper edge and a lower portion; an elongated rod having an upper end and a lower end, the elongated rod movable in the axial direction within the hollow tubular handle; a plurality of struts pivotally mounted to the upper end of the elongated rod for movement in a range between a storage position substantially parallel to the axial direction and adjacent to the elongated rod, and an open position substantially perpendicular to the axial direction; a web of flexible, water-resistant material connected to the struts; and a locking mechanism connected to a lower end of the elongated rod for engaging with a lower portion of the tubular handle to releasably lock the struts in either the open position in which the struts rest on the upper edge of the tubular handle, and the closed position in which the struts are positioned within the tubular handle, the locking mechanism including two diametrically opposite spring fi