Abstract: A partially transparent storm shutter for protecting glass windows, doors, and similar building openings from damage due to wind forces and wind driven flying objects is formed of a plurality of adjacent corrugated sheet metal and transparent protective, impact resistant sheet panels rigidly connected together along their respective adjacent edges. Special connector members are utilized to connect the transparent panel or panels to the corrugated sheet metal panel(s) and special connector members may be utilized to connect together adjacent transparent panels used in the storm shutter. The transparent panels may be formed of tough, impact resistant, polycarbonate plastic sheet material.

Abstract: A durable collapsible frame structure is provided for umbrella with self-opening mechanism, which can make the pivotal coupling between the supporting ribs and the linkage beams highly firm and secure while nonetheless retaining the light-weighted quality of the supporting ribs. The collapsible frame structure is more durable than the prior art by using enforced light-weighted materials such as FRP to form the umbrella frame and steel bars to form the linkage beams. Therefore, the collapsible frame structure is longer in the life of use than the prior art.

Abstract: The plate web and profile element include a web frame with a plate welded at a side edge to a flange. The flange is in the form of a bulb body. The bulb body can project symmetrically or asymmetrically relative to a mid-plane of the plate. The bulb body, in cross section, includes a plane welding face welded to the side edge of the plate and a common face that is spaced and parallel to the plane welding face. The bulb body in cross section also includes inclined faces extending from the plane welding face at an obtuse angle (.alpha.) of approximately 100.degree. to 120.degree. with the side surfaces of the plate. The bulb body further includes opposite side edges that are parallel to the opposite side surfaces of the plate and intersect the common face and the inclined faces of the bulb body. Rounded corners are provided at the intersection of the side edges of the bulb body with the common face and the inclined faces.

Abstract: A corner bead assembly for mounting across a corner of a wall includes a substantially rigid elongate body. The body has front and rear faces and defines a reference bead and flanges positioned on each side of the reference bead. The flanges extend outwardly away from the reference bead to terminal edges defining sides ot the body. At least one of the flanges is offset. A rear layer of a flexible material is mounted over the rear face of he body. The rear layer extends beyond the terminal edge of the offset flange. A front layer of a flexible material is mounted over the offset flange and extends outwardly beyond the terminal edge of the offset flange. The offset flange is sandwiched between the front and rear layers of flexible material and the front and rear layers of flexible material are adhered to each other past the terminal edge of the offset flange. The corner bead assembly includes an adhesive for adhering the front and rear layers of flexible material to each other and to the offset flange.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a door skin includes the steps of providing a wood composite flat blank. The blank is placed between the platens of a heated press, the platens being heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the resins in the blank and to thereby soften the blank. Sufficient pressure is applied to close the platens and thereafter the pressure is cyclically applied to increased pressure levels for thereby causing the blank to be deformed into a molded shape determined by the configuration of the platens. The molded blank is then removed from between the platens.

Abstract: A resilient flooring construction having a capacity for downward deflexure which comprises, as part of its sub-floor assembly, a plurality of elongated parallel supporting channel means having deflexure slots each of which are engaged by the top step member of a three member step-shaped anchoring clip which has a bottom step member fastened to a foundation outside the structural confines of the supporting channel, and a vertical riser member in the middle of the anchoring clip which limits the upward movement of the floor construction and permits its downward deflexure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a building unit 12, wherein floor beams 22 which are structural framing members are connected to the lower end portions of columns 21 which are structural framing members, and ceiling panel 23 which is not a structural framing member is connected to the upper end portions of the columns 21.

Abstract: An explosion vent (10) for covering an opening (12) in an enclosure (14) subject to the build-up of pressure is disclosed. The explosion vent includes a peripheral flange (16) configured for attachment to the enclosure around the opening, a pressure relief panel (18) positioned within and hingedly connected to the flange, and a plurality of connectors or rupture tab assemblies (19) connecting the unhinged portion of the pressure relief panel to the flange. The connectors break when the enclosure is subjected to pressure build-up for permitting the panel to shift outwardly from the enclosure for uncovering the opening in the enclosure.

Abstract: A load bearing deck of a modular structural section for use in support structures such as a load bearing deck or highway bridge. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam and a load bearing deck preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The deck includes a core having elongate core members having a polygonal shape, preferably a trapezoidal shape. Alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications. Methods of constructing a support structure utilizing the modular structural section including the polygonal, preferably trapezoidal core deck, and support members are also provided.

Abstract: A landscape edging or border block has an essentially trapezoidal shape, and is capable of being used to form a linear, serpentine or combination border or edge. The blocks can also be used to enclose an area. By orienting each block such that its inner edge faces inwardly, a substantially circular shape is attained to enclose a circular area. To expand the area to be enclosed, at least two expansion blocks are added for each quadrant of the shape. The two expansion blocks are oriented so as to provide a linear segment in each quadrant between adjacent ends of each arcuate segment. Additional pairs of expansion blocks can be added for each quadrant to further expand the area to be enclosed. In all cases, the enclosed area is formed by placing adjacent blocks such that their edges engage each other to form a shape without the presence of gaps between adjacent blocks.

Abstract: Self supporting panels with sterilization, impermeabilization and thermal characteristics, quickly assembled and fixed, with higher structural resistance; useful to form different areas that need to be heat and sanitary isolated, including stores and laboratories, hospitals and other sterilized places. Their external surfaces are perfectly smooth, sterilized and wash resistant. They have a dovetail assembly system and superior-inferior concave round edges which can be easily cleaned, forming perfectly hermetic walls, removing edging borders and filtrations between ceiling, panels and floor. They have a simple and safe system to fix ceiling panels and floor. Additionally, they are fixed to different intersection parts, forming concave round edging corner, avoiding edging borders between walls and obtaining different wall distribution combinations.

Abstract: An edge strip for being mounted along a base structure includes a first axially extending flange, a second axially extending flange obliquely extending from the first flange. The second flange includes a first support and a second support. The first support is configured for being mounted adjacent to the base structure and includes a first head portion, a first neck portion between the first head portion and the first flange, a second neck portion spaced from the first neck portion between the head portion and the first flange, and a first strut between the first and second neck portions. The first strut has a width greater than the widths of the first and second neck portions. The second support is adjacent the first support and is configured for being mounted adjacent to the base structure.

Abstract: A snow-retaining bracket with an elongated body with a snow retention end and a roof attachment end. The snow retention end has a snow barrier means constructed and configured to inhibit sliding of snow from a roof to which the snow bracket is attached. The roof attachment end has mounting holes for attachment with a fastener to the upper surface of a roof. A cover extends over the mounting holes to cover heads of fasteners passing through the mounting holes. The cover includes structure for securing the cover without tools to the bracket.

Abstract: A straight-sawn shake (10) for roof and wall cladding is described. The shake (10) is comprised of a flat wooden board piece (11) of substantially predetermined thickness throughout. The wooden board piece (11) has opposed flat, substantially parallel, sawn surfaces (12,12') and parallel straight side sawn edges (13,13') and at least a straight sawn transverse rear end edge (14). The front end edge (14') may be a straight end edge or may have a decorative design. The board piece (11) is cut from a raw log piece (32) of predetermined length in block form (31). The method of fabricating the straight-sawn shake (10) and the apparatus (25) is also described.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an insulated layer of concrete including a plurality of closed cell plastic foam insulating blocks and a layer of concrete covering the blocks. Each block includes a plurality of sides, with each side having a length of between approximately six inches and two feet.

Abstract: The luminous umbrella of the present invention uses a high proportion of the light generated by mounting the light bulb high on the shaft such that most of the light from the light bulb is projected at the highly reflective undersurface. The curvature of the undersurface focusses the light from the light bulb down to illuminate a space immediately around the user. This illuminated space widens towards the bottom, thereby providing the widest illumination at the ground where it is most needed. As a result of the light being efficiently focussed, the required luminosity of the light bulb is reduced, enabling the umbrella to be used using an incandescent light bulb and a few 1.5 volt batteries. Alternatively, if it is desired to provide increased illumination, the conventional incandescent bulb may be replaced with a halogen bulb. The batteries will still suffice to provide bright illumination by the halogen bulb.

Abstract: A connector forces exposed ends of connecting rods buried in divided concrete blocks toward each other. After the divided blocks are combined so as to align respective cavities within the blocks, a tool tightens an external threaded portion of a first tightening member into an internal threaded hole of a second tightening member. The tool thus forces the connecting rods toward each other and brings the divided blocks into contact with each other under pressure.

Abstract: An improved umbrella frame comprises a stick having an upper sleeve which has an upper nest set on the topside thereof being installed on the stick. And below the upper sleeve, the stick is further installed a mid runner and a lower runner between which a spring is set. A pluralities of long ribs are radiated around the nest and each of which have a first end pivotally connected thereto. A plurality of short ribs are radiated around the mid runner and each of which have a firs end pivotally connected thereto, and a second end pivotally connected to the long ribs. Wherein, the short ribs are made of fiber material and are formed in a solid rectangular shape with the lateral edge being longer than the top and bottom edge.

Abstract: A flooring system is disclosed which utilizes prefabricated base modules installed in side by side relationship. The modules have base panels with elongate corrugations which stiffen the panels in one direction. Pedestal strips with elongated corrugations are secured to the base panels with the corrugations of the strips and panels orthoganal to one another. The strips include a series of upstanding pedestals. The pedestal and end half pedestals are positioned such that when the modules are installed they provide a geometric pedestal array. The pedestals are notched to receive snap in panels which collectively define fluid conduit, power cable and communications chases. Working floor panels are mounted atop the pedestals. The power cable, communications and work floor panels have knock outs which are readily removable to provide access to the chases. A heat pump is connected to supply, return and condensate conduits installed in the conduit chase to supply cooling water from a cooling tower.

Abstract: A floating shelter has a semicircular frame defining an open-ended tunnel with an unobstructed ingress and egress. The frame has straight frame members forming the base of the open-ended tunnel. The roof of the open-ended tunnel is formed by curved frame members working together with a canopy top. A tensioning assembly mounted to each bottom corner of the canopy top engages the curved frame members forming the entrance and exit of the tunnel. Floats are fitted about the straight frame members forming the base of the open-ended tunnel for flotation of the frame.