Abstract: This invention is a method for sealing pitched shingled roofs. The object is to minimize the cost associated with sealing a roof against standing water such as the case with an ice dam. The method involves placing a continuous waterproof membrane over existing roofing shingles and placing the new shingles on the membrane. The membrane is self adhesive on one side, which is used to adhere to the existing shingles. It is further durable enough to withstand the forces between layers of shingles and thin enough so not to present torque problems with the fasteners used to affix the new shingles to the roof substrate.

Abstract: A finger jointed floorboard or laminatable floorboard section of two connected shorter pieces includes a relatively thick upper wear region which may be sanded without exposing the fingers forming the connection, regardless of whether or not the pieces are connected in the same longitudinal and transverse horizontal planes. The structure and orientation of this finger joint allows flooring manufacturers to maximize the yield of typically solid, good quality floorboard material and to reduce installation costs, without adversely affecting the aesthetic quality of the installed floor. In one embodiment, a finger jointed board with a central finger joint is sawed in a horizontal plane through the joint to produce two identical, laminatable floorboard sections. With a thicker starting board having two separate, spaced finger joint connections, sawing along a horizontal midplane produces two identical intermediate boards, each with a centrally located finger joint.

Abstract: Non-corrosive concrete reinforcing members are formed by pultruding reinforcing fibers through resin to produce an elongated core and a plurality of elongated flanges extending radially outward from the core. A slot is formed through a portion of the elongated core such that each flange has a free inner edge adjacent the slot. The reinforcing member is thereby bendable along the slot in a direction transverse to the elongated core.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sectional steel-frame structure and a method of construction using the same in which vertical members, horizontal members and brackets may be assembled to form a lattice, thus keeping the frame structure and performing arrangement construction more rapidly and conveniently. By using the sectional steel-frame structure, it becomes possible to simultaneously perform the construction of insulation boards and interior/exterior materials as well as concrete pouring work so that the construction period and construction expenses such as labor cost, subsidiary materials cost and the like may be considerably reduced.

Abstract: An improved opening structure of an unfolded umbrella includes a shaft with an upper mounting ring, a runner around the shaft, a frame having many ribs connected with the upper mounting ring and the runner, a button mounted on the shaft to engage with the runner for closing the umbrella. A rod is provided in the shaft at a lower position, an aperture is formed on the shaft with a wheel, and an elastic rope having one end connected with the rod and the other end extending upward to pass by the wheel, and to connect with the runner. When the umbrella is closed, the elastic rope is stretched that obtains a recovering force to open the umbrella quickly and automatically when the runner is unlocked.

Abstract: A movable partition wall for simplifying interior wiring work. The movable partition wall includes a structural frame body having front and rear sides and at least one panel mounting surface including recessed portions. A panel is removably attached to the panel mounting surface and forms wiring spaces and wiring holes within the wall. The wiring holes communicate with the wiring spaces so that electrical cords can be passed from one wiring space to another wiring space. A plurality of the wiring holes also communicate with an area outside of the structural frame body so that cords can be easily introduced into the wall.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of localizing leaks in roof structures and novel penetrating devices utilized for that purpose. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing roof structures and methods of repairing roofs. The penetrating devices also have the capability of leak detection when used in conjunction with a barrier layer in a roof structure.

Abstract: A wall spine assembly for a modular office system comprises a plurality of individual panel assemblies. Each of the panel assemblies includes a vertical support structure and mechanically affixed lower panels in a rigid box-beam structure. Facing panels are removably attached to support brackets mounted on the vertical supports. A cavity exists between the facing panels and vertical supports to permit the lay-in of cabling through the office system. A crown member is provided on the top of the vertical support and is adapted to receive brackets for the mounting of accessories above a desk or other work surface attached to the panel. The panels, and especially the crown, permit the mounting of office components such as shelves, storage cabinets, lighting fixtures and the like anywhere along the horizontal length of the wall. A horizontally telescoping vertical end post is also provided.

Abstract: An improved transverse truss is disclosed for cooperating with a first and a second longitudinally extending beam of a building structure. The transverse trust comprises a lower transverse member. A first and a second truss portion is secured to a first and a second end of the lower transverse member. A first and a second upstanding member are secured to the lower transverse member adjacent to the first and second truss portions for defining a first and a second slot therebetween. The first and the second slots receive the first and the second longitudinally extending beam. An upper transverse member is secured to the first and second truss portions for entrapping the first and second longitudinally extending beams within the first and second slots.

Abstract: A wall panel assembly includes a track upon which a wall panel can travel for guiding movement of the wall panel, at least one moveable panel entrained on the track for movement thereon between a privacy position wherein information is hidden by or hidden on the moveable panel and a non-privacy position wherein the information is exposed and a locking mechanism for locking the moveable wall panel in either of the positions.

Abstract: A flexible tubular manhole liner soaked with a curable liquid resin is inserted into a manhole; this liner is already equipped with a number of bolts or sleeve nuts protruding or exposed from the liner surface, so that it is possible later to attach to the inner wall of the tubular liner a number of ladder steps and a hose for injecting liquid filler to the gap created between the manhole wall and the liner; there is provided a method to line the manhole with such an inventive liner.

Abstract: A home greenhouse kit including a semi-circular housing member that has an upper portion. The upper portion is formed by two layers of flexible sheeting and a plurality of elongated parallel rib channels formed between the two layers. A pair of ground panels of the semi-circular housing member is interconnected to the upper portion. A plurality inflatable tubes are sized for positioning within the plurality of elongated rib channels for giving the upper portion of the semi-circular housing member vertical integrity. A plurality of interior grommets are positioned about an arc of the upper portion. A pair of support poles forming a front support pole and a rear support pole are provided. Each support pole has a top end with an eyelet. Lastly, an elongated support rope is extended through the plurality of interior grommets. The support rope has a front portion extended through the eyelet of the front support pole and a rear portion extended through the eyelet of the rear support pole.

Abstract: The invention is a wall finishing system which is a sheet material designed to cover an entire wall, requiring minimal seams. The wall material has the characteristic of shrinking after application causing surface irregularities to pull out to a smooth plane. The sheet material can be applied to various substrates including finished or unfinished drywall, paneling, cement block, etc.

Abstract: After a deck is constructed on a ship, and before the next deck above it is constructed, prefabricated cabin modules are lifted by a crane from a pier, carried over the ship's hull, and deposited directly by the crane substantially at their final locations in a row spaced from the hull. Before the cabins are completed by the erection of wall elements that extend from the prefabricated cabin modules toward the hull, workers can attend to the construction of the overlying deck, and easily carry out the welding and outfitting operations needed to secure the overlying deck to the hull. Furnishings and fixtures for each cabin are concentrated and fixed within the prefabricated cabin modules, so that at least approximately 80% of the cabin construction labor is carried out ashore in the prefabrication process.

Abstract: A weight supporting device combined to a concrete footing form for assembling and filling concrete blocks and the footing form simultaneously is provided. Two symmetrical sidewalls combined with interlock fasteners provide strength to suspend on the form an entire wall of concrete blocks before and during the filling of the cells of the blocks and the form.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method of installing wall-to-wall carpet. The method comprises installing a wall-to-wall carpet on a substrate bounded at least partially by opposed walls by applying to the substrate an intermediate member having a top surface, applying to the top surface of the intermediate member the bottom surface of the carpet, the top surface of the intermediate member and the bottom surface of the carpet being constructed such that the surfaces resist relative movement between the intermediate member and the carpet; and cutting the carpet to conform to a desired shape at least partially bounded on two sides by the opposed walls.

Abstract: A water collector for directing water from roofing configurations that form an inside valley to the rain gutters is disclosed. The device collects the water without the device collecting debris or becoming clogged with leaves or twigs that may interfere with its function.

Abstract: A virtual block for pre-fabricated slabs for replacing cement, ceramic or expanded foam blocks during the erection and finishing work of slabs having a flume with longitudinal and angled moldings. The flume is fabricated with corrugated sheets. Rib-butts are positioned at the side of the flume and are grooved so as to promote the embedding of lattice ends. The rib-butts are angled structures with shapes and external measures that are exactly equal to the internal shapes and measures of the flume in such a way that when the lattices are encased in the interior of the flume, the flume becomes structured and gains strength opposing any orthogonal forces. The lattices incorporate side expansions to indicate their orthogonality in relation to an axis of the flume. Holes are distributed in a surface of the lattices.

Abstract: An umbrella screen enclosure system for use with an outdoor umbrella providing a tether system that is attachable to the umbrella and is configured to form an exoskeleton over the umbrella. The exoskeleton is formed by affixing a plurality of individual tethers to the umbrella and over the spines of the umbrella. Also provided is a screening system that is attached to the exoskeleton by the use of coacting fasteners.

Abstract: An improved umbrella rod structure of multiple tubes, in which the locating assembly includes a spring, a main body, and a plunger. The locating assembly is plugged into an inner tube, with a stop flange of the main body abutting against the lower end of the inner tube. Then, the conical front end of the plunger will retractably project out of a through hole of the inner tube. Using the recessed groove of the outer tube sliding over the elongated guide groove of the inner tube, the projecting end of the plunger will first engage with the lower aperature of the outer tube and then as the inner tube is drawn upwards to have a short rib of the main body abut against the upper segment of the recessed groove, which has a smaller curvature, the plunger will engage with the upper aperature to lock the inner tube and the outer tube in position. With such an arrangement, the inner tube and the outer tube can cooperate with each other to open or close an umbrella, without relative rotation motion therebetween.