Abstract: A collapsible panel particularly suitable for a partition or enclosure system. In the preferred embodiment each panel has a flexible membrane affixed to an extruded frame, the corners of the frame having hinges which alternately fold along the plane of the frame and perpendicular to the plane of the frame. The frame is thus collapsible in two directions so as to collapse to a very small cross-sectional area, and when the panel is opened the membrane is pulled taught, which imparts structural integrity to the panel and prevents billowing of the membrane in windy conditions. Connecting elements are also provided so that the panels can be connected together to form a self-standing enclosure, or affixed to scaffolding or any other suitable frame structure.

Abstract: A flooring product for application to a subfloor which includes a wooden flooring component for installation with like flooring components to form a floor. The flooring component has a top surface for being exposed after installation and a base surface, a pressure-sensitive adhesive carried on a foam tape applied and permanently adhered directly to the base surface of the flooring component for providing an attachment interface surface for adhering the flooring component to the subfloor, and a protective release cover applied and releasably adhered to the attachment interface surface of the adhesive to protect the adhesive until removal of the release cover when the flooring component is applied to the subfloor.

Abstract: A fiber glass-reinforced plastic mast in the form of several fiber glass-reinforced pipes, which are at a distance from one another and braced relative to one another, the pipes preferably three pipes fixing an equilateral prism, are connected to one another by horizontal laminated panels disposed at different heights.

Abstract: Adjustable steps (2) extend between two parallel stingboards (3). Each stringboard (3) includes two locking flanges (4) and each step (2) is supported by four pivotable blocks (7, 8) each securable to a flange (4) by means of a nut (17). Two threaded rods (13, 16) extending through the step and between the stringboards engage two respective nuts (17) combined with two opposite blocks. The height of each step of the staircase may be adjusted by changing the spacing between the blocks (7, 8) along each flange (4). The horizontal position of the steps may be adjusted by changing the vertical distance between the front blocks (7) and rear blocks (8) along the stringboards, regardless of the angle at which the stringboards were fitted. A universal staircase may thus be achieved.

Abstract: An insulated concrete form system including two longitudinally-extending side panels, each side panel having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface of one side panel faces the interior surface of the other side panel and wherein the interior surfaces are laterally spaced apart from each other so that a cavity is formed therebetween, a longitudinally-extending wire re-bar disposed in the cavity formed between the side panels, and at least two connector members. The wire re-bar acts both as a bridging element between the two side panels and as the horizontal structural reinforcement of the concrete (or similar material) placed into the cavity between the side panels. A portion of each connector member is integrally formed within a portion of one side panel so that one connector member is formed within a portion of each of the side panels.

Abstract: Foldable tent frame for coupling a tent cloth with the tent frame in an integral form is disclosed. Each of the foldable tent frame members for tension-supporting the tent cloth from all sides includes a plurality of rods each having protuberances on both ends thereof with an elliptical flat spring coupled with it, hinged straight joints each having a securing sleeve, and a hinged bent joint, so that the tent can be folded into a compact size so as to make it convenient to carry and store, and that the tent can be set up into a firm large tent in a simple manner by unfolding the frame. Further, the structure of the frame is simple, and the materials constituting the frame are strong. Further, the replacement of the components is easy, and the sleeve has holes for discharging foreign materials such as sands. Thus the tent is ensured of a convenience of use and structural safety.

Abstract: A lift pin insert assembly is releasably mounted upon a mold member for casting a manhole section. The mold is filled with concrete, which surrounds and embeds the insert assembly in the cast member. The insert is configured to receive a lift pin, which is automatically moved to a locked position when a lifting force is applied. The insert assembly includes a reinforcing support assembly having at least a face plate and a metal rod of suitable thickness engaging the insert, and anchored either to the face plate or an additional support plate. The support assembly distributes the forces applied by the lifting force to the cast member substantially uniformly over a large surface area, significantly increasing the weight load capable of being lifted by a given lift pin without increasing the size and/or diameter of the lift pin and blocks the lift pin from sliding out of the insert when the cast member is lifted by the lift pin.

Abstract: A protective cover for the ends of reinforcing bars has a cylindrical tube having upper and lower ends. A cap is mounted on the upper end of the tube and is comprised of a continuous circular wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the tube, with a bottom covering the top of the tube. A post extends upwardly from the center of the bottom, and a plurality of spaced rib elements are secured to and extend radially outwardly from the post for connection to the wall. A canopy is secured to the upper edge of the wall and extends slightly downwardly therefrom. The canopy has a circular perimeter which has a downwardly extending circular flange extending therearound. The ribs are tied together by secondary ribs. Friction bars are located within the tube to create friction between the tub and a bar upon which it is mounted.

Abstract: A compression weight (10) for use in laying flooring is disclosed. The compression weight (10) includes a body (12) and a handle (14). The body (12) has an upper surface and a lower surface where the lower surface is substantially planar. The body (12) is constructed from an epoxy resin material. The handle (14) is coupled to the upper surface of the body (12) to provide a gripping surface. The lower surface of the body (12) can thereby be applied to flooring to compress the flooring while being laid.

Abstract: A hand-tearable barrier laminate includes a reinforcing layer having a first tensile strength. The reinforcing layer is laminated to a flexible cellulosic web. The web has open porosity and a second tensile strength which is less than the first tensile strength. The web is treated with a water-resistant polymeric resin for providing liquid water resistance to the web while permitting water vapor to pass through the web. This hand-tearable barrier laminate can be substituted for polymer foam and microperforated plastic films currently employed by the housing industry, reducing costs.

Abstract: A block, in particular a shuttering block or standard block, has two longitudinal walls which form an outer wall and an inner wall. These are connected to one another by at least one transverse wall, which extends over at least part of the height of the block. The outer wall is produced from an insulating material and is connected to the inner wall via positively locking connecting devices. In this arrangement, the at least one transverse wall is integral with the outer wall.

Abstract: An improved stabilizing system for a poured concrete wall utilizing interlocking foam blocks disposed on a foundation. The improved stabilizing system comprises a plurality of reinforcement members. The first ends of the reinforcement members are secured within the foundation to extend in a vertical orientation through internal cavities within the plurality of courses of the interlocking foam blocks. A plurality of retainers are disposed on the upper surface of the interlocking foam blocks. A plurality of binders secure the plurality of retainers to the plurality of reinforcement members for stabilizing the wall during the process of pouring a concrete material within the internal cavities of the interlocking foam blocks.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved tubular skylight system having a clear acrylic outer dome, an aluminum flashing, an aluminum light tube, an aluminum ceiling plaster ring, and a prismatic diffuser. The outer dome includes an aluminum ring around the base of the dome which contains a circular channel and holes which provide for increased heat dissipation and condensation removal. The aluminum ring allows the outer acrylic dome to be attached directly to the flashing thereby substantially decreasing the risk of crack formation in the acrylic dome. Moreover, the surface of the acrylic dome is imprinted to refract, a substantially increased amount of the natural light down into the light tube.The lower end of the light tube extends to the inside surface of the ceiling thereby substantially increasing the dispersion of the light rays entering the building.

Abstract: A multiple-glazed window unit of the type which includes two or more sheets maintained in spaced relationship to each other by a spacing assembly to form an airspace wherein surfaces of the unit in contact with the airspace are subject to the accumulation thereon of moisture and/or organic contaminants present in the airspace is rendered self-desiccating of accumulated moisture and/or self-cleaning of accumulated organic surface contaminants by coating such surfaces with a photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating and/or a photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating. Upon exposing the coatings to actinic radiation, at least a portion of the accumulated moisture is removed by photoelectrolysis and/or at least a portion of the organic contaminants are removed by photocatalytic decomposition. A desiccant may or may not be associated with the airspace to assist in maintaining a moisture-free airspace.

Abstract: The foundation and support system for a manufactured structure comprises a plurality of vertically adjustable supports fixedly mounted on footings in an excavated area under the structure. The adjustable supports are fixedly attached to main support stringers to support the weight and anchor the structure in the ground. A plurality of thin elongated foundation wall panels are cambered outwardly with respect to the periphery of the home to serve as a flexible retaining wall for backfill with the ability to flex along the longitudinal access to accommodate small movements in the home and strong winds without breaking or pulling out the fasteners and adds stability in the nature of tie downs which resist lifting. Three variations of the panels provide lap joints for running lengths and corners which may be sealed with flexible adhesive to resist entry of water in the space under the structure.

Abstract: An improved trimmable truss apparatus and method are disclosed, the truss having upper and lower plates centrally interconnected by diagonal web members, and each respective end providing a trimmable section comprising extended upper and lower chords creating an opening into which a separate trimmable insert section is inserted, such inserts made either as a separate wooden I-beam section, or as a glued laminated beam section. The associated nailing plates placed adjacent the last vertical member extend outwardly, ie. overlap, a substantial minimum distance onto the trimmable end section, whereby the truss end sections cannot be trimmed too closely to the last vertical member. The final diagonal web member at each respective end is placed in an upwardly-aligned positioned so as to be in tension.An alternative embodiment is disclosed in which the separate trimmable insert sections are formed from a glued laminated beam.

Abstract: A vinyl gate structure includes a frame which has spaced-apart upright members and top and bottom cross-piece members extending there between. Each upright member includes a cross-piece receiver for the cross-piece members. Vinyl cross-piece covers, or cross-piece members, are provided, and vinyl web members generally extend between the cross-piece covers to provide a web for the fence. A typical fence is held together with four fasteners, located in the corners thereof, which fasteners secure the upright members, the cross-piece members and the vinyl cross-piece covers, thereby forming a solitary unit.

Abstract: A storage structure including a plurality of storage spaces disposed helically about a cylindrical shaft and including a lifting vehicle which is guided in the shaft so that it winds about the vertical axis of the shaft in a screw-like manner. Provided on the lifting vehicle is at least one consumer. A stowage unit is provided on the lifting vehicle or in the region of the floor of the shaft. A supply line for connecting the consumer to a supply unit is received within the stowage unit. The stowage unit is open at the top and defines a cavity which may include a winding spindle. The cavity and the winding spindle are disposed about the vertical axis of the shaft so that the supply line can be received as the lifting vehicle rotates. The outer periphery of the cavity corresponds substantially to the pitch of the helix defining the motion of the lifting vehicle.

Abstract: A junction member (1), has an external form (2) that is polygonal in cross section and has external faces (4) of a polygon; adjacent corners (3) of the polygon defining respective external adjacent corners of each external face, each of those corners constituting a respective tunnel (5) so that each corner is a respective corner box section; and an internal form (6) that is polygonal in cross section and constitutes an internal box section, each corner box section intersecting a respective corner (7) of the internal box section. The external face has one slot (8) between respective external adjacent corners, the base of the slot being comprised by a respective face (9) of the internal form, said slot being a subtantially T-shape so that a suitable tenon may be inserted into the said slot, optionally thereby permanently or releasably to interlock with the junction member.

Abstract: An improved drain board for use on a gutter particularly has a cover board pivotally secured to a mounting bracket. The cover board has an outwardly extended pivot pole at one corner thereof and an inwardly extended receiving tube at the opposite corner for accommodation of a bias spring and a movable pivot rod. At the corresponding corners of the mounting bracket is disposed an outwardly extended engaging tube respectively so as to permit the fixed pivot pole and the movable pivot rod of the cover borad to be pivotally mounted onto the mounting bracket and the cover board is well protected from being stolen with ease by burglars.