Abstract: An apparatus for removing a sheet of material anchored to the floor, such as a carpet, includes an anchor member capable of being releasably anchored to the sheet of material at one location. The anchor member has a foot strap. A handle is pivotally coupled to the anchor member. A rigid connecting member pivotably coupled to the handle by a connecting joint couples a gripper to the handle. The gripper grips the sheet of material at another location. The handle is capable of pivoting about the anchor member in order to pull the sheet of material gripped by the gripper upwardly from the floor.

Abstract: A portion of a suspended ceiling in a room is in the form of an open grid of reflective louvers, those facing a window being curved. A flexible bag containing a mixture including Glaubers salt is supported by the grid and suitable reflecting devices are associated with the window to reflect solar heat to and through the grid where it is absorbed by the mixture in the bag.