Abstract: A method for overhauling a steam turbine to increase its power without increasing its overall length. Existing seal assemblies containing seals other than brush seals are replaced with longitudinally-shorter replacement seal assemblies having only brush seals. An existing turbine section, such as a high-pressure turbine section, is replaced with a longitudinally-longer replacement turbine section having additional stages (i.e., additional rows of rotating buckets or blades).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for short-term relining or construction of a blast furnace uses a grounding apparatus for grounding of ring-shaped blast furnace segments having shells and a casting floor present as a blast furnace floor for transferring the ring-shaped blocks or shells onto a foundation of the blast furnace, and capable of safely and precisely mounting the ring-like blocks on the casting floor, wherein the grounding apparatus is integrated with a jack system utilizing rod type lift jacks and a sliding apparatus installed with intermittently movable hydraulic cylinders for safe and precision mounting of the ring-shaped blocks or shells on the casting floor.

Abstract: A tubular body having integral branch tubes for use in a distribution tank of a car air conditioner and a method for producing such tubular body. The tubular body is produced almost solely by a deformation process. The process for forming the tubular body includes a swelling step for swelling the sheet metal at predetermined positions to create cylindrically swelled portions by several stages, a boring step for boring the top end of the swelled portion to create branch tubes, a channel creating step for creating mating channel throughout the whole length of the sheet metal, a rounding step for rounding the sheet metal to form a tube having a desired sectional shape, and a mating step for mating the end of the rounded sheet metal with the mating channel. The production process further includes a divider creating step for dividing the space in the tubular body into a plurality of compartments by squeezing the tubular body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nozzle plate and having a nozzle passage therethrough is provided as follows. First, a member having an ink ejection surface and an nozzle passage is formed. The member includes a straight conduit portion which is formed at one end portion of the nozzle passage located near the ink ejection surface and extending straight to an opening of the nozzle passage located on the ink ejection surface in order to eject an ink straight. A recess is formed on the ink ejection surface of the member such that an area of an opening of the recess is greater than an area of the opening of the nozzle passage and such that a depth of the recess is greater than a predetermined thickness. Subsequently, the ink ejection surface is ground by the predetermined thickness on the basis of a depth of the recess remaining on the ink ejection surface after grinding.

Abstract: A method of providing venturi based vacuum valve (10) includes the step of providing a plug (12) formed with first (14), second (16) and third (18) openings. The first opening (14) formed in the plug (12) acts as an inlet and is smaller than the second opening (16). The first (14) and second (16) openings are connected within the plug (12) so that a small diameter space (20) is connected with a large diameter space (22) within the plug (12). A third opening (18), open to the atmosphere and forming a suction hole, intersects the small (20) and large (22) diameter space after the small diameter space (20) and before the second opening (16). The second opening (16) forms an outlet in the plug (12). The plug (12) in a preferred embodiment, is form fitted within a shower pipe (26) so that water is received first at the first opening (14). Thereafter, small diameter space (20) opens into large diameter space (22) and air through third opening (18) is mixed therein.

Abstract: A hand-held circular saw which is characterized by a gasoline-powered, trigger-operated blade drive unit connected to a conventional circular saw by means of a specially-designed adaptor. In a preferred embodiment the circular saw is characterized by a circular saw blade rotatably mounted in a saw housing which is connected to a drive shaft housing and adjacent gear housing. The adaptor is secured inside the drive shaft housing, and the blade drive shaft extends from connection to a blade-driving gear train inside the gear housing, and through the adaptor and projects from the drive shaft housing. The blade drive unit receives the protruding blade drive shaft, and is fitted with an attachment collar which removably receives the adaptor to connect the blade drive unit to the circular saw. The gasoline-powered circular saw is lightweight, efficient and suitable for outdoor home, farm or commercial use.

Abstract: The invention is an adjustable aerosol can holder attachment kit for a conventional tree pruner. The addition of the device to a conventional tree pruner gives the user the ability to hold and operate an aerosol can of spray paint at the end of the tree pruner. After the user saws off a tree branch using the saw on the end of the pole, a rope attached to the branch cutting lever arm is pulled. This in turn depresses the nozzle on the spray can, which is attached to the conventional tree pruner. When the rope is pulled and the nozzle depressed, the spray can sprays its contents in the area designated by the user. The attachment kit consists of a receiving sleeve for holding the aerosol spray can and a wedge-shaped plate which attaches to the conventional tree pruner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hair clipping machine with a device for adjusting the length of a cut, with the adjusting device acting upon the clipping assembly. The clipping assembly includes at least a fixed clipping comb and a clipping blade which can be driven in an oscillatory motion essentially parallel to the front edge of the clipping comb. The adjusting device includes of at least an actuating element which is connected to the clipping blade via coupling elements for displacing the clipping blade lengthwise. The adjusting device is an integral part of the clipping assembly and may therefore be configured independently of the housing. As a result, construction is simplified and it is also possible to retrofit clipping machines which do not have such adjustment devices.

Abstract: One of two handles of a gardening shears is fastened pivotally at one end thereof with a shaft rod in conjunction with a confining bolt. The shaft rod is provided with a retaining groove in which one end of the confining bolt is retained. The handle is provided in a fastening end thereof with a receiving cell and a rotary spring disposed in the receiving cell to enable the handle to swivel automatically. The handle is provided with an arcuate portion which is separated from the handle by a space dimensioned to accommodate fingers of a user of the gardening shears. The arcuate portion serves as a shield to provided the fingers with a protection against the injury of the fingers by a twig being pruned.

Abstract: A portable lawn and brush trimmer including an elongated tubular boom arm, motor assembly mounted at one end of the boom, a trimmer head mounted on the opposite ends of the boom arm, and two adjustment mechanisms, which allow the attitude of the trimmer head to be adjusted about two different axis in relation to the boom arm is disclosed. The adjustment mechanisms allow an operator to manually change the attitude and orientation of the trimmer's cutting plane to conform to the slope and contour of the terrain without the operator altering the natural balanced operating position of the trimmer or his body posture while maintaining the natural balanced orientation of the boom arm with respect to the operator and not the terrain being worked. One adjustment mechanism (pivot adjustment) allows the trimmer head to pivot in relationship to the boom arm between a number of manually selectable angular positions.

Abstract: A device for cutting workpieces is in the form of pliers. One plier arm carries on an operating-end section an interchangeable blade. The blade can be moved toward and engages against an anvil of the operating-end section of the other plier arm by moving the plier arms toward one another. In order to improve the handling of such a cutting device, each plier arm includes a handle section. One of the two handle sections forms a selectively closeable storage chamber for storing spare blades. The chamber is in a core part of one of the plier arms and is covered and closed by a handle shell.

Abstract: A knife with ceramic blade including a body portion having a lower end. The lower end has a generally triangular lower portion extending downwardly therefrom. The lower portion has a lower end forming an apex. The apex has a channel formed therein extending a length of the body portion. A plurality of ceramic blades are provided that each have an elongated vertical upper segment and a lower cutting edge. The elongated vertical upper segment of each ceramic blade is received within the channel formed in the apex of the lower portion of the elongated body portion.

Abstract: A device for mounting a blade on a reciprocally movable blade carrier of a cutting tool includes a blade pressing member and a blade pressing surface formed on the blade carrier, so that the blade can be pressed against the blade pressing surface by the blade pressing member. A retainer member serves as a guide for the pressing member, so that the pressing member can move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing surface between a first position for pressing the blade against the pressing surface and a second position for releasing the pressing force of the pressing member. An operation member is shiftable relative to the blade carrier and is operable by an operator for moving the pressing member between the first position and the second position. A ball is interposed between the pressing member and the operation member. A contacting surface is formed on the operation member, so that the ball can roll along the contacting surface.

Abstract: A positioning system used, by way of example, for lithography, uses the position of the wafer stage as the trajectory command for the reticle fine stage control circuit. The reticle fine stage position is combined with the position of the wafer stage to generate a synchronous error. The reticle fine stage control circuit uses a Jacobian differential transformation to convert the synchronous error into an positional error for the center of gravity of the reticle fine stage. Thus, any inaccuracies due to measurement errors caused by rotation of reticle fine stage are avoided. A controller filter circuit uses the positional error for the center of gravity to calculate the force on the center of gravity that will minimize the synchronous error. The controller filter circuit includes saturation limited integration behavior that minimizes the settling time. A feedforward loop also generates a feedforward force, which reduces settling time, and is combined with the force signal from the controller filter.

Abstract: A multi-functional carpentry tool includes a base plate having opposed front and back major surfaces, and at least one side edge bearing surface perpendicular to the front and back surfaces. A pivot ruler is secured to the base plate and extends across and parallel to the front major surface and outwardly from the base plate. The pivot ruler includes an elongated marking member having opposing straight side edges. A longitudinal slot is formed in the marking member parallel to and between the opposed side edges of the marking member. A pivot attachment device is received through the slot of the marking member and into the base plate for pivotably attaching the marking member to the base plate. The marking member is slidable across the front major surface of the base plate a distance equal to the length of the slot.

Abstract: An aligning apparatus includes a carrier moving along a guided straight path for carrying a paperboard stack between a stack aligning position and a stack feeding position. When the carrier is in the stack aligning position, a first electrically driven positioning member is disposed to move a first aligning member to an extended position where a lateral outreach of the stack is set in accordance with the width of the stack. A second aligning member has a second upright flat wall with an abutment surface in a direction transverse to the guided straight path to define a front outreach of the paperboard stack when the carrier is in the stack aligning position. As such, the paperboard stack on the carrier can be aligned and moved directly toward the paperboard processing device thereafter.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning device includes a frame; an elevator assembly mounted on the frame for motion along a z-axis; an inclined plane assembly attached to the elevator assembly; and a drive assembly mounted on the frame and configured to cause the elevator assembly to move along the z-axis, the drive assembly including a slide member and a bearing positioned in a first end portion of the slide member (which is formed in the shape of a wedge) to contact the inclined plane assembly. The drive assembly further includes a leadscrew for driving the slide member toward and away from the inclined plane assembly. The bearing is positioned in the first end portion of the slide member such that a portion of a circumference of the bearing protrudes from a surface of the first end portion of the slide member such that the bearing contacts the inclined plane assembly at a single point to cause the elevator assembly to move along a z-axis as the slide member is driven toward and away from the inclined plane assembly.

Abstract: A micrometer includes: a main body having an anvil at one end thereof, a spindle having a screwed portion engaging an opposite end of the main body and being displaceable in an axial direction and with respect to the anvil in conjunction with rotation of the spindle, and an encoder detecting an axial displacement amount of the spindle from a rotation amount of the spindle, so that a measurement value based on an output signal of the encoder is digitally displayed. The micrometer includes a thimble provided on the opposite end of the main body and the thimble is rotatable about the axis of the spindle at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the spindle. The thimble is formed with a guide groove parallel with the axial direction of the spindle in an inner peripheral surface thereof. The spindle includes an engagement pin located in the spindle and slidably engaging with the guide groove of the thimble.

Abstract: A sheet stabilizer is provided for a dryer section of a paper-making machine which conveys a wet sheet of paper by way of a felt or fabric, the dryer roller including a leading upper dryer roller, a lower dryer roller, and a trailing upper dryer roller. The sheet stabilizer comprises upper and lower Venturi boxes, which are disposed between the leading upper dryer roller and the lower drying roller. Each Venturi box provides a respective space defined by fixed parallel outer and inner plates. In use, the wet sheet of paper is in sliding contact with the upper outer plate. The upper and lower Venturi boxes cooperate to draw air from the nip between the wet sheet of paper and the lower dryer roller and into both the upper fixed space and the lower fixed space. The sliding contact between the supported wet sheet of paper and the upper outer plate assures that the air flow does not result in fluttering of the wet sheet of paper.

Abstract: A boot that includes an external upper and an internal lining, wherein the inner lining includes a multilayered fabric having two parallel textile surfaces connected together via a layer of threads, extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane constituted by each of the two surfaces, and defining a compressible space between the two parallel surfaces, wherein it extends from the base to the upper end of the external upper, and wherein it is only connected to the external upper via a top peripheral stitch.

Abstract: A sole capable of smoothly performing aori motion while absorbing a shock on a foot when the foot touches the ground with the outer side thereof is obtained. This sole comprises a central surface, a front bottom surface and a rear bottom surface. The central surface is formed substantially parallel to the bottom of the foot, and the front bottom surface has a first angle of inclination with respect to the central surface. The rear bottom surface has a second angle of inclination with respect to the central surface. A first elastic layer made of a material having higher flexibility as compared with the remaining portions is provided on the outer side of the boundary between the central surface and the front bottom surface to extend over the boundary. Thus, the first elastic layer smoothly deforms with a load when the central surface touches the ground, whereby aori motion can be smoothly performed while absorbing a shock on the foot when the foot touches the ground with the outer side thereof.

Abstract: A one-piece quarter for a lasted skate boot. The quarter comprises a quarter medial portion and a quarter lateral portion. The quarter medial and quarter lateral portions each comprise, respectively, foxing medial and lateral portions. A tendon guard is disposed in the upper portion of the quarter. This tendon guard is preferably sewn to the quarter. Therefore, the guard is attached to the quarter along the junction line. According to the invention, with a quarter consisting of only one piece, there is no sewing line along the symmetry line. The skate boot provided with such a quarter features a stronger heel portion, without any risk of a broken sewing line. The skate boot is less expensive to manufacture, with at least one sewing step eliminated.

Abstract: Sports footwear for cycling use, in which a latching member is provided to cooperate with a bicycle pedal and is detachably attached to the sole with a rigid insert. The footwear of the invention includes a sole and an upper extending upwardly from the sole. A reinforcement plate is fixed on an upper surface of the sole and is positioned beneath the peripheral edge of the upper. Further, an insole is positioned above the peripheral edge of the upper, the peripheral edge thereby being situated between the insole and the reinforcement plate, with the thickness of the peripheral edge of said upper defining a housing. The rigid insert has an upper portion that is adjustably positioned on an upper surface of the reinforcement plate, the upper portion of the rigid insert having a thickness no greater than the height of the housing defined by the thickness of the peripheral edge of the upper. The latching member is detachably connected to the insert.

Abstract: A replaceable spike system consisting of the sole and the heel for convenient insertion and replacement of a spike thereof. The spike assembly includes a “ball and spring” mechanism for the purpose of said spike assembly from falling out of the receiver member. The receiver member can be a mounted part of the sole of the sole or heel of the shoe consists of 2 spherical radii on the internal wall wherein the ball seats in a extended position. The release tool is manually inserted for disengaging the spike assembly from the receiver member.

Abstract: A snow removal device that picks up snow from the ground and flicks the snow into impeller units that transport the snow into a discharge tube whence the snow is expelled from the system. The system primarily includes a pick-up assembly, an impeller assembly, and a discharge tube. The pick-up assembly has a drum array that includes rows of triple-stepped blade-like fingers distributed evenly around each drum of the array of drums. These fingers are stiffly flexible and can cleanly and efficiently pick up snow from uneven ground surfaces and flick the snow into the impeller assembly that is mounted parallel to the axis of the drum array. The impeller assembly includes a plurality of impeller units that transport the snow into the discharge tube. The impeller units are reversible in direction, allowing the snow to be discharged to the right or the left of the system, or to the right and left simultaneously.

Abstract: An attachment 10 for a backhoe or excavator having a moveable boom 1 to which a bucket 2 is pivoted including mounting brackets 11, 12 with which a closure member 10 is pivoted to the bucket 2, the closure member 10 including a straight portion 15 and an angular portion 17 extending therefrom at an angle of about 120°, a rigid link pivoted to a bracket on the boom 1 of the backhoe and extending to the closure member to cause pivotal movement of the closure member with respect to the bucket 2 as the bucket 2 is pivoted with respect to the boom 1, the closure 10 and the bucket performing a grapple function while enabling the bucket to perform its usual digging function when the closure member is in its fully open position.

Abstract: An electric flatiron which substantially eliminates the scorching or burning of fabric material to be ironed. The electric flatiron comprises a housing having a handle attached thereto, a metallic sole plate in electrical contact with electric leads, and spring urged glide assemblies secured to the housing and up to 2.5 centimeters or one inch adapted to extend below the lower surface of the sole plate when there is no or little pressure upon the handle of the housing but moves upwardly in alignment with the lower surface of the sole plate when pressure is placed upon the handle of the housing during the ironing process.

Abstract: A photograph display and organizer comprises a central post that can freely rotate on a base. The post is square or hexagonal or octagonal in cross-section to provide either four, six, or eight sides to which panel pivots are mounted. Each side has a top and bottom pivot plate that can receive as many as five sets of pivot axles each attached to a frame. Foam-board display panels are inserted into each frame which is constructed of metal U-channel material. A U-channel closure is attached between the open-ends of each frame piece to retain the corresponding display panel. Such arrangement allows a user to flip through panels like pages in a book and look at all the photographs mounted on the two opposite surfaces of the display pages. The whole assembly can be rotated like a turnstile by a user who wishes to look at the photographs mounted on the display panels on the side and back parts of the central post.

Abstract: A weapon includes a barrel having a barrel axis and a breech-side end having an end face; a breech ring affixed to the breech-side end; and a catching and ejecting device movable parallel to the barrel axis for immobilizing a rimless cartridge case in and extracting the cartridge case from the barrel. The catching and ejecting device has a pivotally supported ejector; an extractor claw mounted at an end of the ejector and arranged for engaging into an ejector groove of the cartridge case; a spring biasing the ejector for urging the extractor claw generally radially inwardly; and a guide member mounted on an end of the ejector for contacting the cartridge case during cartridge feed into the barrel whereby the ejector and the extractor claw are pivoted against a force of the spring for maintaining the extractor claw out of contact with the cartridge case.

Abstract: A pistol, comprising a housing which contains a trigger device and a slide which slides on this housing and contains a barrel and a breech, in which case the breech is provided with a firing bolt which can be driven by a mainspring. In order to provide entirely safe protection against access, the breech has a hole which runs transversely with respect to the firing direction, in which hole a locking bolt can be moved and can be rotated, which locking bolt has a head which is accessible from the outside and, in the locked position, projects into the movement path of the firing bolt. To this end, the head of the locking bolt has at least one tab on its external circumference, and the breech has at least one recess on the internal circumference of the hole, which recess holds the tab when the locking bolt is in the open position.

Abstract: A device for retaining a firearm in a secure and tamper-proof condition comprises a first member adapted to be attached to a substrate (e.g. a surface of a building or of a motor-vehicle), a second member adapted to engage the first member so that said first and second members define between them a cavity to receive a firearm and locking means adapted to lock together said first and second members so that the firearm is retained in the cavity. Preferably, the second member is adapted to be lockably secured to the firearm so as to prevent unauthorised use of the firearm during transit. The invention further provides a firearms security system comprising at least one of said devices.

Abstract: A system for locking, storing, enabling and disabling a device such as a conventional firearm, or an electronic firearm through the use of a control system that is responsive to biometric data input utilizes biometric data input devices to enable both unlocking of a locking box or a trigger lock apparatus, as well as operation and firing of an electronically-controlled firearm that has such features as an electronic locking system onboard or an electronic firing system, in a single authorization entry of biometric data.

Abstract: The pistol comprises a housing composed of plastic and a barrel slide (which contains a barrel and a breech and is guided in the longitudinal direction with respect to the housing) as well as a trigger mechanism. In order to allow plastics technology to be used to a large extent, with high precision and easy assembly, a single multifunction part, which is composed of metal, is inserted removably into the housing, on which multifunction part the guides for the barrel slide are formed and in which the elements of the trigger mechanism are mounted and guided. The multifunction part has a hole which holds the disassembly lever shaft and thus produces the connection between the housing and the multifunction part. Furthermore, a recess for a projection of the multifunction part is provided in the rear wall of the housing.

Abstract: A fishing device to assist is landing a fish which device comprises a net frame have a multiplicity of hinged members. A net engages the net frame, which frame is retractable into a hollow handle. A drive shaft is used to drive the hinged members of the net frame into and out of the handle, which drive shaft is comprised of a linear member dimensioned to fit within the hollow handle.

Abstract: A new and useful device for the watering, in a continuous basis, with great physical ease, of a Christmas tree.

Abstract: A door structure comprises: a first plate serving as fixed frame with an opening enclosed by a peripheral edge; and a door connected pivotally to this first plate by at least one hinge construction such that with its peripheral zone the door can co-act sealingly with said peripheral edge; which first plate carries a number of peripherally arranged clamps, which clamps are simultaneously rotatable by a collective operating mechanism with an operating handle and through rotation can co-act with the peripheral zones of corresponding non-round continuous holes in the door, which peripheral zones have for each clamp a contact surface inclining relative to the main plane of the door structure in the closed situation, which continuous holes have a form such that a clamp can pas therethrough.

Abstract: Horizontal hinged door assemblies such as sidewalk doors comprising a door, a frame surrounding the door and a hinge connecting the door to the frame are improved by utilizing a bendable gasket having a leg portion which is preferably inserted into an opening in at least one of the frame walls to secure the gasket to the frame and an outwardly and preferably downwardly extending body portion which extends across a gap between the frame and the edge of the door when closed and which is contacted by the door and bent further downward when the door is closed. The bendable gasket may be inserted into and secured to the frame during fabrication of the door assembly or on-site during installation of the door assembly. A variety of elongated shaped bendable gaskets may be used depending on the type door assembly installation.

Abstract: An inflatable shelter includes a flexible membrane, a first elongate inflatable tube supported by the flexible membrane and a second elongated inflatable tube supported by the flexible membrane. The first tube has first and second axial ends and a first intermediate portion between the first and second axial ends. The second tube has third and fourth axial ends and a second intermediate portion between the third and fourth axial ends. The first, second, third and fourth axial ends terminate in a plane. The first and second intermediate portions converge towards one another such that the first and second tubes form four legs supporting the membrane. The flexible membrane preferably includes first and second sleeves defining first and second lumens receiving the first and second inflatable tubes, respectively, and a plurality of wall panels coupled to and extending between the first and second sleeves.

Abstract: A conservatory roof comprises an eaves beam, glazing bars mounted at one end on the eaves beam and supporting glazing panels therebetween, and an insulator strip between the eaves beam head and the glazing bars to provide a thermal break.

Abstract: Mechanism for covering a greenhouse has rotating shaft upon which a flexible cover is wound. The shaft travels along an arch or bow truss with the cover being wound upon or released from the shaft to uncover or cover the greenhouse. Two rotating shafts are provided on opposite sides of the roof ridge and each are attached to two sets of cables. One set of cables serving to pull the covers and a second set serving to apply tension to the covers during the covering and uncovering process. A counter weight or spring anchored to the floor is used with the second set of cables to assure adequate tension is applied to the covers.

Abstract: A split-sphere observatory enclosure includes an antrum and a rotor including an oculus. The oculus is covered by an oculus window, which is rotatably mounted to the rotor. As an instrument housed by the enclosure moves to track an object or point across the sky, the oculus window is rotated to maintain a fixed orientation with respect to the instrument.

Abstract: A mast mounting system for vehicles and shelters which utilizes at least two clamp bracket assemblies mounted to the vehicle or shelter such that during transit and storage the mast is positioned at an incline with its front end located just behind the front end of the vehicle or shelter. Each clamp bracket assembly includes a clamp having upper and lower members which wrap around the mast. The upper clamp member has an inside surface lined with a high friction material while the lower clamp member has an inside surface lined with a very low friction material which receives the mast and allows it to be easily slid backwards or forwards when the clamps are in open position. When the clamps are in closed position, the upper clamp member prevents relative movement of the mast and the clamp assembly. One of the clamp bracket assemblies is mounted for adjustable movement about horizontal and vertical axes.

Abstract: A concrete form suspension system has a form support projecting laterally from an upper portion of a vertically displaceable support structure and a hydraulic jack operable to raise the support structure along a vertically extending concrete structure. A support device can be secured to the concrete structure for supporting the jack and support brackets can be secured to the concrete structure for supporting the raised support structure from the concrete structure. By operation of the jack, the support structure can climb the concrete structure to allow concrete forms suspended from the form support to be located in position for use in upwardly extending the concrete structure.

Abstract: An emergency shelter to be used under the floor of a residential or commercial structure. In the preferred embodiment, a prefabricated acrylic shelter is sized to accommodate at least one individual in a crouching or sitting position. The shelter is placed prior to the pouring of a slab foundation or the building of the floor in a pier and beam foundation. The unit is sealed to prevent moisture infiltration and provides the benefits of a relatively pleasant surface without the accumulation of moisture. Additional advantages are the relative lower expense, light weight, and ease of installation of the prefabricated shelter. Other uses of the shelter include security and storage.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and product providing a cantilevered coping about prefabricated stairs of an in-ground liner type swimming pool. Disclosed is a polystyrene form board of desired profile face to effect a complementary fit onto a top of the stairs, fastener means including a saddle bracket for securing the form board onto the stairs and a release structure to enable removing the form board after the poured aggregate coping has cured.

Abstract: A pole is mounted in a tubular filament wound support mounted in the ground and supporting the pole standing upwardly therefrom so as to provide an extension for the pole to increase its height or to replace a rotten lower end or to provide an environmentally friendly mounting which avoids toxic preservatives reaching the ground. The tubular body has a hollow interior with one end substantially closed by a dome shaped insert formed during the filament winding process and an opposed open end for receiving a bottom end portion of the pole as a loose fit. A first engagement arrangement on the tubular body is arranged adjacent the open mouth and includes three clamping screws mounted in a reinforcing ring formed by an annular rib of wound filament.

Abstract: A roof ridge vent for covering an opening at a peak of a roof. The roof ridge vent includes a top panel portion having first and second opposed lateral edges and having first and second opposed ends. The roof ridge vent includes a plurality of support members depending downwardly from the underside of the top panel portion, and the roof ridge vent also includes first and second lateral ventilation louvers respectively disposed adjacent the first and second opposed lateral edges. The vent also has first and second undulating sidewalls respectively downwardly depending from, and adjacent to, the first and second opposed lateral edges, with each of the sidewalls being non-planar and undulating along its said respective lateral edge such that the roof ridge vent may be flexingly rolled lengthwise into a spiral roll prior to installation and further may be unrolled lengthwise during installation over the peak of a roof.

Abstract: A combination of versatile and inexpensive elements are combined on site to create an impermeable assembly which collects water falling through a grating or cracks between adjacent boards of a deck and completely drains it to one or more points at a selected edge. The impermeable assembly is comprised of a plurality of peaks and valleys configured to simplify installation, conserve headroom and provide an aesthetically pleasing finished surface. In a first embodiment, a collector collects the water falling through cracks between boards spanning the space between adjacent joists from which it drains transversely to a gutter positioned beneath the joists. The gutter drains the water longitudinally to the perimeter of the deck.

Abstract: A construction block has improved thermal insulation qualities and reduces or outright eliminates the effects of a seam failure. The construction block is comprised of a pair of generally parallel faces joined by a plurality of sides. A desiccant or insulation gas, or both are disposed within the interior chamber of the block. At least one baffle is disposed within the interior chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wall construction, and more particularly to a new and improved means for bracing parallel studs, draft dampening between parallel studs within interior wall structures, and anchoring hand rails and grab bars to walls using a single unitary device. A one piece elongated metal plate is inserted transversely between parallel metal studs to provide the largest percentage of closure between metal studs thereby forming a fire stop (also known as a draft dampener) within the completed wall assembly and simultaneously providing a metal backing for the installation of handrails and grab bars in conformity with requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniform Building Code requirements. The insertion of this one piece elongated plate further serves to reinforce the strength of metal studs permitting the use of lighter gauge metal studs resulting in construction cost savings.