Abstract: A structural design is proposed, comprising rear-ventilated cladding elements (1), in particular plates or boards, which can be hung in front of a supporting framework (2), in particular consisting of vertical support elements and horizontal bearing elements, wherein the cladding elements are each assigned a frame (3) which spans a rear-ventilation cross-section (4) and the upper and lower frame leg profiles (5, 6) of which have ventilation openings (8) leading to the front (7) of the cladding. In order to provide advantageous rear-ventilation conditions it is proposed that at least the upper frame leg profile interior (12) is assigned a splash guard (13) which is arranged in the manner of a labyrinth seal, adjoins the frame leg profile below the ventilation openings (8), covers the ventilation openings (8) and preferably faces with the free end thereof towards the front (7) of the cladding.

Abstract: A structural design is proposed, comprising rear-ventilated cladding elements (1), in particular plates or boards, which can be hung in front of a supporting framework (2), in particular consisting of vertical support elements and horizontal bearing elements, wherein the cladding elements are each assigned a frame (3) which spans a rear-ventilation cross-section (4) and the upper and lower frame leg profiles (5, 6) of which have ventilation openings (8) leading to the front (7) of the cladding. In order to provide advantageous rear-ventilation conditions it is proposed that at least the upper frame leg profile interior (12) is assigned a splash guard (13) which is arranged in the manner of a labyrinth seal, adjoins the frame leg profile below the ventilation openings (8), covers the ventilation openings (8) and preferably faces with the free end thereof towards the front (7) of the cladding.

Abstract: A combined thermal-insulation/thermal-collector assembly for the outside walls or roofs of buildings has a heat-insulating layer which is transparent to solar radiation and is designed with a transparent structure. The heat-insulating material including a multiplicity of adjacent channels is disposed in essentially the same direction as the flow of heat. The heat-insulating layer is made up of elements which are thin relative to the thickness of the layer. The channels running across the heat-insulating layer are open, have an essentially uniform diameter, and thus form a transparent structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding and rotating a sheet metal element comprises a frame and a carriage displaceably mounted on the frame for feeding the sheet metal element. The sheet metal element is selectively gripped in a predetermined plane by a non-rotatable gripping jaw mounted on the carriage, a rotary backing jaw rotatable about an axis extending perpendicularly to the plane, and a rotary gripping jaw carried by the frame independently of the carriage and rotatable about the axis, the non-rotatable gripping jaw and the rotary gripping jaw being adapted selectively to cooperate with the rotary backing jaw to grip the sheet metal element therebetween. The backing jaw is alternately and selectively forced against the non-rotatable or the rotary gripping jaw to grip the sheet metal element therebetween, and a rotary drive is mounted on the frame independently of the carriage and is operable to rotate the rotary gripping jaw when the sheet metal element is gripped between the rotary gripping and backing jaws.