Abstract: A window structure comprises a fame and an inwardly opening window leaf of a multi glazing type composed of a wooden casement as well as two glass panes. The outer glass pane consists of safety glass, e.g. tempered or laminated glass and the casement which carries the inner glass pane being in its entirety located on the inside of the outer glass pane and connected thereto, the outer glass pane having, in the closed state of the window leaf, its edge portions located between the casement and inwardly facing shoulder surfaces on the frame.

Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface.

Abstract: A web-reinforced wood joist defines a top edge surface, a bottom edge surface opposite to the top edge surface, a first lateral web surface, and a second lateral web surface opposite to the first lateral web surface. A longitudinal metal reinforcement is applied to at least one of the first and second lateral web surfaces. This metal reinforcement includes at least one sheet metal strip formed with integral teeth distributed at predetermined intervals along the entire length thereof and driven into the wood to fixedly secure the metal reinforcement to the joist's wood. This web-reinforcing method is suitable to reinforce any type of elongated structural wood members to improve their strength in bending, direct tension, direct compression, direct shearing and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A collapsible structure has first and second wall panels, each wall panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, a frame retaining sleeve for retaining the respective frame member, and a fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form the panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The fabric assumes the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. The foldable frame member for each wall panel further includes a top side and a bottom side, with the frame retaining sleeve of the first wall panel stitched along the length of its top side to the frame retaining sleeve along the length of the top side of the second wall panel to form a hinged connection.

Abstract: A spread position securing device for beach parasols includes a shank, a fixing base on an upper portion of the shank, and a runner fitted around slidably along the shank, plural ribs pivotally connected radially to the fixing base, and plural stretchers connected pivotally between the runner and intermediate portions of the ribs. Then the parasol can be spread from a collapsed position to a spread position. The feature of the invention is a cylindrical sleeve fixed in the runner and fitted around the shank to slide up and down so that the cylindrical sleeve may contact the fixing base to secure the contact points of the stretchers with the runners at a little higher position than the contact points of the stretchers with the ribs when the runner is pushed up to the spread position. Thus no other components are needed to secure the spread position of the parasol, convenient to handle.

Abstract: A corner lock for a mitered corner of a hollow door or window frame includes a pair of braces positioned in the interior of the door or window frame at each corner. The braces are interlocked with one another and extend from an outward part to an inward part of each corner. The first brace is directly attached to interior walls of outward horizontal and vertical parts of a door or window frame. The second brace has an outward end attached to the first brace and an inward end that abuttingly engages the inward corner of the door or window frame. A central screw extends through the first brace and bears against the second brace when advanced. The first brace bends into a convexity and the second brace bends into a concavity when the central screw is advanced. A rigid leg that forms a part of the second brace includes a base that bears against an inward corner when the central screw is advanced so that the mitered corner is strenghthened and locked against movement.

Abstract: A roof structural system for use in all building types (i.e. single family homes, apartment buildings, condominiums, churches, etc.) consisting of precast, prestressed and/or post-tensioned concrete elements assembled in the field and complemented with poured in place concrete. These elements may consist of slabs, beams, soffits and/or any other structural component susceptible of being pre-programmed and precast in other than the job site.

Abstract: A construction system includes an accessory and a construction panel. The accessory includes a first flange, a second flange and a third flange extending between the first flange and the second flange. The first flange, the second flange and the third flange form a channel. The construction panel is at least partially disposed within the channel. The third flange includes a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the plurality of perforations extend in an array. In another embodiment, the accessory additionally includes a fourth flange facing the third flange and spaced from the third flange to form a cavity between the third flange and the fourth flange adjacent to the plurality of perforations.

Abstract: A stairway 2 is fabricated using a plurality of load bearing modules 4 that are attached to form a box beam 60 that can be freestanding. Each module 4 included flat vertical front and rear panels 6, 20 that are joined by vertical inside and outside panels 30, 38. The modules are joined by affixing the front panel of a higher module to the rear panel of the next adjacent lower module to form a stepped configuration. For a curved stairway 2, the helical box beam 60 formed of a plurality of trapezoid shaped modules 4 provides the principle support for the weight of the stairway 2 and the weight of any body positioned on the stairway. Longitudinal members 64, 66, 68 extending between the lower edges of adjacent modules 4 are loaded in tension and resist separation of the individual modules 4. Because the box beam 60 is the primary weight carrying member, the longitudinal members can be relatively thin and flexible and easy to fabricate.

Abstract: A self erecting tent structure comprises a compact, easily erected, and easily packed portable structure. A body comprised of flexible sheetlike material is supported by a resilient, single closed loop frame. The tent is generally stable and requires no support from attachment to the ground to remain upright by virtue of a low center of gravity provided by a roof portion having a generally hourglass shape, and preferably includes side walls descending from the roof portion at near vertical angles.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system has a plurality of ceiling panels and a plurality of clips holding the ceiling panels to the ceiling runners. Each ceiling panel has two opposed surfaces and four sides with at least two sides having an extended edge each of which are substantially perpendicular to one of the opposed surfaces. Each extended edge has at least one protruding lip.The upper portion of each clip has a flange to attach the clip to a ceiling surface by suitable means which goes through the flange and penetrates the ceiling. The lower portion of each clip has two opposed, protruding members which are substantially perpendicular to the ceiling surface when the clip is attached to the ceiling. At least one of the protruding members has a groove shaped to receive the protruding lip of the ceiling panel.

Abstract: A pivotal-coupling device is provided for a collapsible umbrella frame structure, which allows the pivotal coupling between the main shaft and the framing rib to be achieved without having to use supersonic wave bonder, thus making the assembly work more easy to carry out and the manufacturing cost reduced. It also allows the assembly work to be carried out manually without having to use machine tools or welding means. The pivotal-coupling device includes a first linking member affixed to the main shaft; a second linking member affixed to the framing rib, and a pivotal pin for providing a pivotal coupling of the first linking member to the second linking member, allowing the main shaft to be pivotally coupled to the framing rib. Compared to the prior art, this pivotal-coupling device is considerably simpler in structure that allows it to be formed easily through machining and further allows the assembly work to be easily carry out by hand without having to use machine tools or welding means.

Abstract: A tubular structural member, such as a horizontal box beam or vertical column, includes a set of elongated flange members of reinforced pultruded plastics material, and each flange member has longitudinally extending U-shaped opposite edge portions defining slots. Generally flat composite web members have opposite edge portions projecting into the slots, and epoxy adhesive rigidly secures the interfitting edge portions to form a tubular box-beam or multi-sided column. The web members may have curved or tapered opposite edge portions to form a beam with camber or a tapered column having a polygonal cross-sectional configuration. Reinforcing plates or ribs may be adhesively bonded to the flange and/or web members according to the structural loading on the member.

Abstract: A protective cover for a backpack style baby carrier which fully encloses the occupant of the carrier, providing protection from sun exposure, insects, rain, snow and light impacts such as from overhanging branches. The cover may be used while the carrier is being carried and while it is set on the ground. An integral pocket encloses the carrier's collapsible stand, providing for normal use of the stand. Baffled openings are provided for the carriers straps, preventing ingress by insects through the strap openings. Mesh panels are used throughout to provide ventilation while excluding insects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a truss splice shoe hat can be used to assemble members of lumber roof trusses of residential buildings. The truss splice shoe is a U-shaped plate made of steel, with unitary prongs formed in the sidewalls used as fastening means to truss members. Each unitary prong has an elongated, curved portion tapering to a penetrating end. After arranging the truss members in the desired configuration, only a single truss splice shoe needs to be installed to form a strong joint with ease and with minimum of labor. The truss splice shoe can also be used to repair a distressed truss member or to provide a joint in a truss member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a kit for producing structural parts and complete structural members using structural elements, which are to be connected, as well as to an arrangement for connecting the structural elements to one another. It is an object of the invention to provide a method, a kit and an arrangement of the generic type, with which it is possible to assemble structural bodies of different form and development of the structural elements into self-supporting structural members, structural sections and areas. Pursuant to the invention, this objective is accomplished owing to the fact that the structural elements are assembled together into planar structural parts and structural members by means of edge-overlapping and surface over-lapping connecting elements, which are to be inserted, and are fixed and locked in the completely assembled state as compact structural bodies.

Abstract: A compacting, adjustable walking aid comprising a shaft (20) made up of three rigid tubular members (22, 23, 24) arranged in telescopic fashion adjustably connected to one another by spring-loaded push button release pins (25) in cooperation with apertures in the tubes. A readily removable underarm support (30) secured by a release pin (25A) caps the upper shaft tube (22). A readily removable crutch handle (32), secured by a hand operated release assembly (32C), extends perpendicularly from a designated portion of the upper tubular member (22). This invention may be readily compacted telescopically to approximately one third of its extended length. By removing the upper shaft tube (22), and capping the middle shaft tube (23) with the appropriate attachment, this invention may be readily converted from a full-sized crutch to a forearm crutch (46), or a cane (48). Shock absorbing end tip (34) may be replaced with a quad tip attachment (50) transforming the cane to a quad cane.

Abstract: The wall panel system of the present invention includes a flexible sheet interlock to flexibly seal a joint defined by adjacent perimeter framing members and a capillary break to inhibit the entry of water into drainage or weep holes in gutters in the perimeter framing members.

Abstract: An anchorage for a tendon that includes a sleeve having a smooth tapered interior bore and a compressible wedge disposed in the sleeve. The compressible wedge has a smooth exterior tapered surface tapering from a wider end to a narrower end and one or more interior channels for receiving a tendon. The taper angle of the compressible wedge is greater than the taper angle of the bore. Thus, upon insertion of the compressible wedge into the sleeve, the wider end of the compressible wedge forms a wedge contact with the sleeve before the narrower end forms a wedge contact with the sleeve. Preferably, the bore and wedge are conical, and the wedge is formed of several symmetrical pie shaped resilient sections. Corners of the sections abutting at the interior channel are rounded. An inner sleeve is disposed in the interior channel, with the outer diameter of the inner sleeve matching the diameter of the interior channel. The tendon is held by the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A ridge cover is formed of inorganic (glass) felt-like sheet material fill-coated with an asphaltic material modified to improve its flexibility. The sheet material is repeatedly back bent upon itself to provide a thickened portion for the ridge cover. The flexible asphaltic material surprisingly allows such back bending of the sheet material substantially without fracture of the glass fibers of the inorganic felt at the bends.