Abstract: Drying a coated substrate which includes magnetic particles includes a condensing surface spaced from the substrate. This creates a longitudinal gap between the substrate and the condensing surface. Liquid is evaporated from the substrate to create a vapor and the vapor is transported to the condensing surface without requiring applied convection. The vapor is condensed on the condensing surface to create a condensate which is removed from the condensing surface. Removal is performed, using more than gravity, without allowing non-uniformities of the condensate film to occur. The magnetic particles are oriented on the coated substrate by subjecting the coated substrate to a magnetic field created at a location outside of the dryer space.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) assisted flotation air bar dryer apparatus and method for drying and/or curing a traveling web includes RF generating means for delivering RF through field and RF stray field to the web to heat the web, air bars to direct air flow to the web for cooling to facilitate emission of moisture therefrom and to avoid blistering due to overheating, an RF field reflector to reflect RF energy to the web, and a control system to monitor and to control air temperature and/or flow, RF field strength, and/or web temperature to maintain a balance between heating and cooling to obtain efficient high speed drying while avoid damage to the web.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coaxial waveguide applicator for an electromagnetic wave-activated sorption system which comprises at least one sorber having a metallic tubular housing defining an outer conductor and first and second ends which are sealed to define an enclosure within the outer conductor; a sorbate/sorbent compound located within the enclosure; the sorber including a port through which a sorbate may be communicated into or out of the enclosure; a metallic inner conductor extending into the outer conductor and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sorber; an electromagnetic wave generator; and a waveguide for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator to the inner and outer conductors; wherein electromagnetic waves transmitted by the electromagnetic wave generator are propagated through the enclosure by the inner and outer conductors to desorb the sorbate from the sorbate/sorbent compound.

Abstract: A machine for producing a sheet of material, e.g., a paper or cardboard sheet, including a pressing part having at least one pressing device and a dryer part that includes a plurality of dryer cylinders. A first dryer cylinder of the plurality of dryer cylinders may be disposed immediately adjacent to the pressing part to form transfer region therebetween. The sheet of material being directly transferred from a press roll of the pressing part to the first dryer cylinder. The first dryer cylinder being heated independently of the other plurality of dryer cylinders at a temperature to form a vapor layer between the first dryer cylinder and the sheet of material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved separator, commonly referred to as a "lath", "stick", "sticker", or "crosser", that is used in the lumber industry to separate pieces of lumber in a stack or bundle. The separator features, in one embodiment, a plurality of grooves extending transverse to the length of the separator to permit air circulation within the grooves, and a plurality of ridges between the grooves to support the pieces of lumber. In another embodiment, a second plurality of grooves extending transverse to the length of the separator and the first grooves to form a cross-hatching of grooves to permit air circulation within the grooves, and a plurality of protrusions to support the pieces of lumber over the grooves.

Abstract: An aerated belt conveyor system for conveying hot expanded minerals including a longitudinal power driven belt conveyor surrounded by an envelope is described herein. An exhauster creates an air flow in the envelope to aerate expanded mineral material conveyed by the power driven belt conveyor and cool the mineral material to an adequate bagging temperature.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the drying of carpet More specifically, the present invention relates to using a coiled corkscrew-like device to lift and hold wet wall-to-wall carpeting and padding off of the floor so that air may be blown under the carpet to dry the carpet. The present invention includes a coiled rod, a handle, and a mounting washer. The handle and the rod are welded to opposing sides of the mounting washer. The rod is made from 3/16 of an inch diameter stainless steel and is sharpened to a needle point at the terminal end. The sharpened end of the device is used to puncture a small hole in the carpet. The handle is then rotated about the axis of the coiled rod which raises the carpet off of the floor. Once all of the carpet has been lifted from the floor, one side of the carpet is opened and an air blower is installed to blow air under the carpet. The device is capable of lifting approximately nine square yards of carpeting and padding.

Abstract: A ventilated shoe is provided including an entry conduit having a first open end in communication with an exterior of the shoe. A bladder is positioned within a sole of the shoe adjacent a heel portion thereof. A rear extent of the bladder resides in communication with a second end of the entry conduit. The bladder is adapted to be compressed upon the shoe engaging the ground and further return to an original shape thereof upon the shoe disengaging the ground. At least one exit conduit is provided having a first end in communication with a front extent of the bladder and a second end positioned within the sole and in communication with at least one bore formed in the sole. Also included is a pair of one-way valves with a first valve positioned within the entry conduit in communication with the bladder and a second valve positioned between the bladder and the exit conduits. Lastly, the exit passage includes a central conduit having an end extended through the upper toe portion of the upper body of the shoe.

Abstract: A cushioning sole for footwear, which includes an air bag containing air and sponge plates and disposed within an outer sole, and midsole for enclosing the outer sole of a shoe such as sport shoes, working shoes, boots, and the like, whereby when the footwear user walks, runs, or jumps, shock from the ground to the human body can be effectively eliminated and reduced, and the footwear user can stably straighten oneself in walking posture.

Abstract: A shoe having a adjustable cushion sole with fluid bladders disposed therein. Each fluid bladders has an associated pressure sensing device which measures the pressure exerted by the user's foot on the fluid bladder. As the pressure increases over a threshold, a control system partially opens a fluid valve to allow fluid to escape from the fluid bladder. The release of fluid from the fluid bladders reduces the impact of the user's foot with the traveling surface.

Abstract: An convertible, footwear attachment device and methods of configuring it and using it on a primary footwear to provide resistance to slippage on snow, ice or other slick surfaces. The attachment device is of the sling-type, full-sole unit and is formed of an elastic, flexible and severable material. The full-sole unit is made up of a sole, a toe attachment assembly, a heel attachment assembly, and visible indicia, e.g., grooves, for indicating the boundaries of a removable portion of the full-sole unit which may be severed therefrom to form the half-sole unit. The attachment assemblies enable the device to be releasably mounted on the primary footwear irrespective of whether the device is converted from the full-sole unit to the half-sole unit or not. The sole and heel portions of the full-sole unit each include plural hard, ice-gripping projections, e.g., spikes.

Abstract: A hinged entry footwear for athletic and strenuous physical activity, includes a sole and heel structure, a forward foot casing secured to and above the sole, hinged anterior and posterior support casings extending vertically above the heel and an inflatable brace secured on the footwear including a main bladder portion for supporting the foot directly above the sole and heel and vertical stays disposed between the anterior and posterior casings and the wearer's ankle and lower leg. The central bladder includes an inflatable chamber disposed generally under the foot and the stays each include elongated upwardly extending inflatable chambers. A lateral branch of one of the stays extends across the front of the lower leg between the upper edge of the anterior casing and the lower leg. A manual inflation pump is secured to the lateral branch portion of the one stay and is supported by the anterior casing for inflating the brace to a selected working pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a first perfect fitting shoe (110) comprising: a first upper (114) securely fastened to a sole (12) in all areas except a ball area. The first upper (114) has an inside ball area and outside ball area which are securely fastened to each other by an elastic (16). Thus, the first perfect fitting shoe (110) can be adjusted to the user's foot prior to final lasting of the at innersole (12A) to the outersole (12B) at the ball area.

Abstract: An adjustment system for a shoe which permits independent adjustment of the width, footform and cushioning either between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, or at different points along the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The present invention provides for the adjustment of the dimensions of a shoe in a plurality of discrete locations as between a nominal central point in the forefoot area of the sole and the medial and/or lateral aspects thereof. Adjustment would entail adjusting the width or girth in an associated area and the overall shape of the outline of the sole of a shoe. This is accomplished by providing a material variance in the midsole and various hardware configurations for adjusting the width of the midsole.

Abstract: A snow shoe (1) has a peripheral frame (2) which defines an interior zone. A central part (14) is disposed centrally in the open zone to receive a binding (5). A plurality of support walls (40) extend transversely between the central part and the peripheral frame. The support walls are downwardly concave, having a central portion (40c) disposed between front portions (40a) and rear portions (40b). Forward downward extending edges (42a) extend downward from the front wall portion and rearward downward extending edges (42b) extend downward from the rear wall portions.

Abstract: Footwear with optical fiber illuminating display areas provides emphasis on illuminating certain features of the footwear, such as trademarks, logos, team sports, cartoon characters, and other artistic designs primarily for advertising, decoration and enhancing the visibility of the wearer. Footwear with optical fiber illuminating display areas includes: an optical fiber panel(s) made visible through an opening, window, or transparent material on the sole, upper, or tongue portions of the footwear; a light emitting device(s) which transmits light into the optical fiber panel(s); components and circuits for making the light emitting device(s) and the illuminating optical fiber display areas intermittently flash, alternate flash, alternate colors, sequence in motion, activate by pressure or motion switching, activate by manual switching, or any combination thereof; and batteries for supplying power to the light emitting device and the components and circuits aforementioned.

Abstract: A boot having an expansion flap connected to the rear of a boot leg. The expansion flap is formed to extend generally rearwardly of the boot leg to allow easy ingress and egress of a user's foot into and out of the boot. A biasing device is connected between the expansion flap and the boot leg so as to cause the expansion flap to extend generally rearwardly of the boot leg when the boot is not being worn. A first fastener is carried on the expansion flap, a second fastener is carried on one side wall of the boot leg, and a third fastener is carried on another side wall of the boot leg, the second and third fasteners thereby allowing the expansion flap to be held in wrapped relation against either the one side wall or the other side wall, as selected by the boot's user, when the boot is being worn.

Abstract: A scraper apparatus is disposed beneath a truck for moving and scraping materials such as snow and ice. The scraper apparatus includes a moldboard scraper which is disposed beneath the truck for moving and scraping materials. A supporting table is disposed between the scraper and the truck for rotatably supporting the scraper. Also, slidable members extend from the table to the truck for permitting tilting of the table and the scraper secured thereto relative to the truck such that the moving and scraping of the materials is permitted regardless of an angle of the truck relative to a level and disposition of the materials.

Abstract: An excavator assembly 10 including an excavator body having a pair of tracks 12 an 13, a cab 14, an articulated boom 15 and a trenching or cutting attachment 16 mounted at the end of the boom 15. The trenching or cutting attachment comprises a blade 17 mounted to a box-like drive mounting 18 with the box-like mounting 18 having on an opposite side thereof an excavator mounting 19 element so that the attachment can be detached from the excavator. A swivel arrangement is provided for swivelling the blade 17. The excavator mounting is a standard hoe bucket fitting.

Abstract: A snowblower chisel attachment includes an oscillatable elongate blade member oscillatably disposed at a bottom front of a snowblower housing; a pair of support arms pivotally suspended from the sidewalls of the housing and being secured to the oscillatable elongate blade member; a pair of stub shafts journaled through the sidewalls of the housing; a pair of three lobed cams mounted to the stub shafts for contacting and urging the support arms and intervally urging the oscillatable elongate blade member forwardly relative to the housing; a plurality of sprockets for rotating the stub shafts and the cams; a pair of biased elements for urging the oscillatable elongate blade member rearwardly toward the housing; and skid members for vertically positioning the oscillatable elongate blade member relative to the surface.

Abstract: The method and device are for identifying and tracking garment and accessories in order to avoid repeating in wearing of the same garment and accessories to the same social function or occasion in its next occurrence. Distinctive identification devices are attachable to the garment and/or accessories after each function and the occasion is recorded either on such identification devices or in an associated recording device such that it can be ascertained that in the next occurrence of the same social function the same garment and accessories would not be worn again.

Abstract: A changeable magnetic sign kit including; interlocking pieces, upon which are imprinted alphanumeric characters, which can be reconstructed into different messages, and which vary in width to accomodate the variety of widths of characters within a font style, the width dimension of each character piece having a specific mathematical relationship with the width dimension of another; similar interlocking framepieces which connect with the alphanumeric imprinted pieces to connect them with a straight edged perimeter, and connector pieces which interlock with either the framepieces or the character pieces to join one parallelogram comprised of these two type pieces to another parallelogram comprised of these two type pieces.

Abstract: A combined display frame and lamp system is provided. This system includes a display frame; a mount fastened to the display frame; and, a lamp holder secured relative to the display frame through a connecting mechanism coupled to the mount. The system also includes a back support pivotally coupled to the mount for supporting the mount and the display frame on a support surface.

Abstract: A shotgun stock including a shell holding compartment. The shell holding compartment is completely contained within the confines of the shotgun stock so that it does not extend outwardly in either direction from the stock. The shell holder is several clips facing either the right side or the left side of the stock. Shells may be snapped in or removed from the clip and the shells are also completely contained within the confines of the stock. Preferably, the stock includes a pistol grip portion so that the shotgun may be held by one hand. Also, preferably, the opening in the stock is divided by a partition with the clips in the rear partition and the hand holding pistol grip at the front of the front opening.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved firearm, and in particular an improved rifle such as a bolt action rifle. Known rifles suffer from a number of problems, for example, accuracy, ease of disassembly, ease of assembly and realignment. Accordingly there is provided a rifle 5 comprising a stock 10 and an action 25 seated in the stock, the stock comprising a forestock 15 and a buttstock 20, wherein there are provided means for connecting a foremost end of the buttstock 20 to the action 25. The connection means allow the stock 10 and the action 25 to be releasably connecting one with the other.

Abstract: A gunsight comprises a unitary frame (2) for securing to a gun. The frame (2) has a ring (20) with a lens (22) at its front end. A light source (36) is secured to the frame rear end to project a light spot onto the lens (22). The lens (22) and the light source (36) may be independently adjustable in the vertical and horizontal planes, respectively. Alternatively, where the light source (36) is fixed the lens (22) may be adjusted in the vertical and horizontal planes. The light source (36) and the lens (22) are positioned relative to each other and to the gun barrel axis such that the light spot projected onto the lens (22) is reflected to a shooter's eye who then lines up the light spot onto a target to take aim.

Abstract: A portable hunting blind includes a collapsible frame structure having an upper frame assembly defined by generally U-shaped interconnecting sections and a lower frame assembly defined by generally U-shaped interconnecting sections, the frame assemblies being provided with a continuous track to accommodate movement of traveler assemblies therealong. The traveler assemblies each include oppositely disposed wheels which ride within the continuous track and a hook member extending from the frame assembly for removable attachment to a respective top or bottom peripheral edge of a curtain. The curtain can be provided with a camouflage pattern to suit any environment and is pulled closed, about the continuous track of the upper and lower frame assemblies, to define front, back and side walls. The front, back and side walls include window openings with closure flaps to facilitate viewing and firing of a weapon therethrough from within the blind.

Abstract: An automatic fish hook setting assembly includes a hook setting member that is interengaged with a fishing line following deployment of the fishing line. The hook setting member is held in a set position by a latching mechanism, against a biasing force tending to release the hook setting member. A weight transfer assembly is also engaged by the fishing line in a manner which causes the assembly to be shifted from a loaded position to an unloaded position when a force, exceeding a threshold amount, is exerted thereon through the fishing line by a fish tugging on the line. When unloaded, the weight transfer assembly abuts the latching mechanism which causes the hook setting member to be automatically released, thereby jerking the fishing line to snare the fish. The automatic fish hook setting assembly can be readily adjusted for use with various fishing styles and species of fish.

Abstract: A fishing rod supporting device allows a fisherperson to wear it at waist-level for hands-free support of a fishing rod. The fishing rod supporting device includes a cylindrical holder having an hollowed inside and a top open end and a bottom open end. A linked member is provided on the bottom of the cylindrical holder to selectively close and open the bottom open end of the cylindrical holder. A cushion pad having at least a pair of belts is provided for strapping the cushion pad to the body of the fisherperson. A coupler is used to connect the cylindrical holder to the cushion pad, which is capable of allowing the cylindrical holder to be rotatable within a specific angular range.

Abstract: A device that can be fixed to a sun deck, dock and pier by means of an inverted T fixed to the second end of said device wherein said inverted T bar is placed into the gap between the planks or boards that comprise the deck, dock or pier wherein said inverted T is rotated to wherein the inverted T extends below the underside of said planks or boards and wherein a threaded base member is turned on the second end of said device further fastening said device to the topside of said boards or planks thereby locking said device to said boards or planks for the placement of and support for fishing rods, tools, umbrellas or other devices wherein multiple fishing rods or tools may be placed at different horizontal and vertical angles relative to one another.

Abstract: A new fishing rod holder for transporting fishing rods in the load bed of a truck. The inventive device includes a support structure that is mountable to a vehicle such as a truck and a tubular rod holder member mounted to the support structure. The rod holder member is designed to hold the handle of a fishing rod.

Abstract: A biodegradable snake trap 10 suitable for deployment from an aircraft is disclosed, comprising a hook 12 with line 14 attached, embedded in an egg 16. The egg 16 is encased in a frozen fluid 20 and disposed within container 18, to protect the egg 16. The snake trap 10 is dropped from an aircraft flying over the area in which the trap is to be deployed. A grapple 24 hooks onto tree limbs to prevent the snake trap from falling to the ground, and descent restrictor 26 slows the rate of descent of the trap. When the frozen fluid 20 melts, the container 18 falls away and exposes the egg 16, attracting snakes. When a snake swallows and crushes the egg 16, the hook 12 lodges in the snake's vital organs and kills the snake.

Abstract: A trap system for preventing the entry of mosquitos into a defined area consists of a plurality of mosquito traps positioned at predetermined spacings around the perimeter of the defined area. The plurality of traps cooperate to form a barrier to entering the area.

Abstract: Grafting a scion on a stock is effected by opening a chuck and inserting bar-like members in a storage chamber successively into the chuck with the front end of such bar-like members protruding out of a front end hole 5D, 105D, closing the chuck 4, 104 to thereby hold the bar-like member 2, inserting the front end of the protruding bar-like member 2 into a graft joint end of the stock, separating the grafting device from the bar-like member, and inserting the other end of the bar-like member into a graft joint end of the scion so as to abut the graft joint ends of the stock and scion against each other. The bar-like member can be simply and rapidly inserted into the stock, so that abutment between the stock and scion can be effected with extreme ease.

Abstract: A greenhouse and a method for controlling the environment of the interior space of the greenhouse is disclosed. The greenhouse (10) includes an interior insulative panel (22,23) and an exterior reflective panel (26) capable of insulating the interior of the greenhouse and reflecting sunlight into the interior. The greenhouse also includes a closed-system heat exchanger (30,31) having a plurality of spaced water-impermeable water flow passageways (60) through which water flows by gravitational forces and having a means for blowing air (65) between the water flow passageways (60) such that the air does not contact the water and such that the air is either heated or cooled by the water. In addition, the heat exchanger (30,31) may include a water discharge (71) and/or a gas discharge for the control of humidity and gas levels within the greenhouse.

Abstract: A new portable greenhouse construction for providing seasonal or year round gardens. The inventive device includes a floor, side walls, end walls, and a roof defining an enclosure. Ballast containers are connected to the base of the end walls and side walls for stabilizing the greenhouse on the ground when filled with a ballast material, such as water. The roof is arch shaped and includes a pair of retractable, translucent covers which are rolled up onto a shaft to permit fresh air into the interior of the greenhouse through a mesh screen. Weighted rods are disposed at the edge of each cover to bias the covers to a position covering the mesh screen when the covers are unrolled from the shaft. The greenhouse includes an integral floor with a drain therein for draining moisture from the greenhouse.

Abstract: An improved direct seeding shelter is disclosed. The shelter comprises a base, a side wall, a top including a cylindrical portion and a displaceable cover that is operable, in a first position, to prevent a seed from passing from the interior of the shelter to the exterior of the shelter, through the shelter top. The shelter can be pre-seeded by inverting the shelter, positioning the displaceable cover in the first position, depositing at least one seed into the shelter and into the cylindrical portion, positioning a seed retainer in the cylindrical portion so that the retainer is frictionally engaged therein and is operable with the displaceable cover to define a seed pocket. Direct or spot seeding with the pre-seeded shelter is easily carried out by setting the shelter in the soil and depressing the at least one flap to dislodge the seed retainer. The dislodged seed and the seed retainer fall by gravity to the seeding spot.

Abstract: An assembly for opening and closing a window sash from and against a window frame including a motor mounted to a window sash and having an output drive shaft, an operator arm having one portion pivotally connected to the sash and a second portion operably connected to the frame, and a drive train operably connecting the motor drive shaft to the output arm for controlling pivotal movement thereof in relation to the sash. A clutch mechanism permits the operator arm to be selectively disconnected from the drive train to allow the sash to be manually opened. A housing, disposable in a cavity defined in a generally rectangular box shape on a sash side, encloses the motor, drive train, and clutch mechanism. The housing has finger-jointed ends which are adhesively bonded to matching finger-joints formed on opposite sides of the sash cavity.

Abstract: An inflatable structural wall panel is made out of vinyl, rubber or some other pliable material. On one side of each wall panel a border of hook material is mounted around the edges of the panel. On the opposite side of the wall panel a border of loop material is mounted around the edges of the panel.

Abstract: An improved gutter protector is disclosed of the type having an inner edge portion in contact with a row of shingles on a roof, a draining surface portion with a plurality of sequential, laterally extending sections, and an outer end portion extending from the draining surface portion for engagement with the outer edge of the gutter. At least one of the laterally extending sections is imperforate and at least one other of the laterally extending sections extends from the imperforate section at an outward inclination thereto and has a plurality of perforations for draining water therethrough. The perforations in the perforate section are lanced openings having inwardly offset surface portions obstructing entry and collection of debris in the openings.

Abstract: A strong, light-weight steel structure which consists of individual tubular and bent-plate channel modules which are packaged and shipped loose and which are assembled by the user or a contractor to form a vault or enclosure, preferably rectangular in shape, with a lockable access door. The tubular and channel modules are designed and shaped for assembly within an existing structure and can in fact, be assembled entirely from the inside without access to the outside of the structure so that the system can be installed in an existing enclosure of the same size and shape as the assembled vault.The modules can be screwed or bolted together from the inside so as to form a steel beam structure of substantial strength. The structure can provide protection for occupants against collapse or disintegration of a building structure because of wind storms, tornados, seismic events, and the like.

Abstract: Building walls are mounted to the frame of a building by using a plurality vibration absorbers, and therefore vibrations to the building are barely transmitted to the walls. The occurrence of cracks and breaks in external walls due to vibrations can be suppressed as much as possible, especially because the second vibration-absorbing material of the vibration absorber which is inserted into the mounting holes of the top and bottom mounting fixtures in the frame, and the first vibration-absorbing material which makes contact with the surface of external walls both have seismic isolation functions against vibrations from all directions such as horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. Secondary injury to persons and damage to objects due to breaks, and falling pieces, in external walls can be reduced. An independent seismic isolation function to each external wall mounted in each space of a frame is created.

Abstract: A ridge cap has an upper surface and a lower surface which is adapted to be placed in contact with a roof of a building. The ridge cap also includes a longitudinal axis having a front end and a back end, as well as two sides located axially distal of the longitudinal axis. A central channel along the longitudinal axis is located in the lower surface. A protuding member extends from a surface of the central channel. Another surface of the central channel includes a notch adapted to receive the protuding member. The protuding member and the notch are adapted to cooperate so as to at least substantially block the central channel when the ridge cap is bent and a distal end of the protruding member is made to enter into the notch.

Abstract: A built-up partition wall framework system for building up partition wall frameworks in a building, including a plurality of main wall panels, a plurality of main wall panel coupling hook plates for connecting the main wall panels in parallel, a plurality of top channel rails for fastening to joined main wall panels at a top side, a plurality of bottom channel rails for fastening joined main wall panels at a bottom side, a plurality of channel-like latch pins for securing the top channel rails to the main wall panels, a plurality of wedge blocks for mounting between the bottom channel rails and the floor, a plurality of first side covers and second side covers for fastening to lateral sides of constructed partition wall frameworks, a plurality of mounting supports for securing constructed partition wall frameworks to vertical walls of the building, a plurality of T-wall external coupling hook plates, wall end coupling hook plates, internal angle coupling hook plate external angle coupling hook plates and wall

Abstract: The invention relates to an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of the outward faces of said beams.

Abstract: In a drywall corner-trimming assembly, a splice is employed with two corner-trimming members, which approximate each other at one end of each member. Each member has a central portion and two flanged portions. With the splice straddling the members, a portion of one expansive surface of the splice faces the interior surface of the central portion of each member, which portion is located where the splice has at least one of the perforations. An adhesive layer is interposed between the same one of the expansive surfaces of the splice and the interior surfaces of the central portions of the members and is ventilated by the perforations.

Abstract: Enclosure 1 constructed of panels 20 which can be joined by tongue and groove or press fit spline 46 and groove 26 technique. Acoustic shielding is achieved by properly selected materials of construction, e.g. syntactic, cellular composites. The doorway 10 of the enclosure is closed by a door 210 penetrated only by a guide 175. The latch mechanism 170 and 340 seals the door against the door jamb 185 by means of cam rollers 316 which engage indentations 189 (which may have specialized cam surfaces or inclined surfaces) along the door frame. The latch mechanism can be actuated from either side of the door by mechanical means engaging the guide.

Abstract: A continuity tie for providing both tension and compression resistance to externally induced movement of building structural members. A central body member is provided with a plurality of bolt mounting apertures in a staggered pattern and a pair of end plates having a rod aperture. One embodiment employs a tubular central body member having a hollow interior; another embodiment employs a generally U-shaped central portion with flanking flanges. Both embodiments can be mounted to building structural members separated by an intervening building structural member, with the continuity ties being secured together by means of a single rod arranged in the rod apertures in each continuity tie and secured in place by means of nuts. The staggered bolt patterns reduce the probability of mounting all bolts in a defect region of a timber building element. The hollow tube embodiment is symmetric and cannot be installed backwards. The rod aperture may be centered or offset from the central axis of the continuity tie.

Abstract: A connector for securing a structural member to a concrete foundation. The connector is embedded in a concrete foundation and fasteners attach the connector to the structural member to be anchored. A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a foot section having a proximal portion, a distal portion, substantially planar lateral side portions and curled lateral side edges, the curled side edges being curled away from the planar lateral side portions along a substantial portion of the length of the foot section to aid the flow of uncured concrete around the foot section of the connector.

Abstract: A method of coating a component part (10) with a protective coating having a rough surface appearance in which the surface is covered with a first layer (L1) of powder coating, a particulate material (26) is spread over the first layer (L1) whilst the layer is tacky, and a second layer (L2) of powder coating is applied over the particulate material (26) and first layer and caused to coalesce. The method is particularly suitable for coating roofing materials to give the appearance of slate, stone, terra-cotta.