Abstract: There is disclosed a light-transmitting panel of thermoplastic sheet material which has a relief pattern defined by a plurality of generally co-planar segments which are separated by deep surface relieved areas that are characterized by greater material thickness than the planar segments and smoothly arched surfaces of greater optical quality than the planar segments. The invention also comprises a method for forming the decorative light-transmitting panel by thermoforming a plastic sheet on a mold having a plurality of generally co-planer lands which are separated by deep recesses that receive sagged regions of the thermoplastic sheet material. The sheet material which has been heated to its softening temperature is compressed against the lands to extrude the plastic material into the recess areas, following by cooling and removing the sheet from the mold to obtain the light-transmitting panel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a simulated thatched roofing which closely approximates the appearance and durability of thatched roofs. The roof structure includes a supporting roof structure formed of a roof frame and a base underlayment and a natural or synthetic fiber outer covering laid thereover which is formed of a base sheet, which can be woven or unwoven fabric, with or without a laminated layer of a synthetic resin, or can be a layer of a natural or synthetic resin in which a plurality of discontinuous loops of a synthetic or natural, raw bast or leaf fiber are embedded. The loops are cut to the ends of the fibers as tufts which are closely spaced across the entire surface of the roof covering, and which simulate the cut ends of reeds used in traditional roof thatching.