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 focuses 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 as the ground where it is most needed. As a result of the light being efficiently focused, 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 patch device for repairing holes in drywall or the like having at least one pair of straight-sided edges, comprising, a body portion made of a flexible material having at least one pair of generally parallel spaced-straight sides and a series of teeth-like projections extending from opposing sides of the body portion engagable in the pair of edges of the opening in the drywall. The body portion is hinged to permit flexing the body portion to facilitate installation of the patch device in the opening in the drywall.

Abstract: A portable banister, for use by a person in climbing or descending a staircase having a plurality of steps which are separated by risers, comprising a foot portion, a handgrip portion, and mast members extending between the foot portion and handgrip portion. The foot portion is stepped to match the contours of the staircase. In particular, the foot portion includes a pair of horizontal slabs which rest against sequential steps, and a vertical member which extends between the horizontal slabs and rests against the riser therebetween. The horizontal slabs extend parallel to each other. The distance between the horizontal slabs is adjustable to match the staircase. The mast members each extend between one of the horizontal slabs and the handgrip portion, and are each adjustable in length to vary the height and angle of the handgrip portion for the comfort and safety of the user.

Abstract: An elongate modular post cladding element for being assembled with a plurality of like elements to cover a post. The cladding element includes a panel for being applied to one side of the post, and having first and second opposed end edges and first and second opposed, longitudinally-extending side edges. A female fastener extending along the first side edge of the panel. A complementary male fastener extends along the opposed second side edge of the panel, and is adapted for cooperating with a female fastener of a like, adjacent cladding element for locking the two cladding elements together on the post.

Abstract: A loading dock shelter having a resilient and flexible seal assembly is provided for forming a substantially air-tight seal between the dock opening and the truck. The seal assembly comprises a support or panel member which is adapted to attach to the loading dock frame and to support a seal member. The seal member has a substantially hook-shaped cross-section adapted to hookably engage the incoming truck and is capable of resiliently flexing between a hook-shaped cross-section in the disengaged position and a substantially straight cross-section in the sealing position in response to the truck. The hook-shaped cross section permits the seal member to sealably engage the interior wall of the truck, and, in the alternative, will seal against the peripheral edge of the truck, or the exterior wall of the truck depending on the size and position of the truck.

Abstract: A raised floor system is provided which includes a plurality of support pedestals; a plurality of floor panels; and a cable support apparatus which includes: a first elongated stringer element defining a horizontally disposed surface which is configured and dimensioned to support a portion of at least one of the plurality of floor panels, the first elongated stringer element being supported a predetermined distance away from a base by a first pair of the plurality of support pedestals; a second elongated stringer element defining a horizontally disposed surface which is configured and dimensioned to support a portion of at least one of the plurality of floor panels, the second elongated stringer element being supported a predetermined distance away from a base by a second pair of the plurality of support pedestals; and a channel section suspended from the first and second stringer elements, the channel section being configured and dimensioned to support lengths of cable thereon.

Abstract: A subterranean building structure has a footing surface and end to end matching concrete wall shell segments arranged in longitudinally abutting relation on the footings. One of the wall sections has an embedded, horizontally extending lock part, and the other has an embedded camming assembly receiving the locked part and creating relative movement of the wall segments into sealed, wedged abutting relation with the operation of manipulatable camming assembly which are accessible through the interior walls of the studded concrete wall sections. Within the concrete shell sections, wire mesh reinforcement extends substantially throughout the wall panels and rebar reinforcement is fixed to this reinforcement as well as to each lock part and camming assembly so that a continuous integrated skeleton framework extends through all walls of the basement enclosure and ties all walls together in one integrated steel skeleton or framework.

Abstract: A tent structure for truck beds including a collapsible pole structure constructed from a plurality of interlockable tent poles; and a tent cover member positionable in connection with and supported by the collapsible pole structure, the cover member having a pair of wheel well receiving cavities for receiving the wheel well structures of a pickup truck when the tent structure is erected on a bed of a pickup truck and at least two pickup truck sidewall cover flaps, each sidewall cover flap having at least two flexible securing straps securable between side a side edge of the sidewall cover flap and the pickup truck. In a preferred embodiment, the tent structure further includes a lighting system including a light bulb assembly, an electrical distribution wiring harness, and an electrical system connector. The electrical distribution wiring harness is connected between the system connector and the light bulb assembly. The system connector is preferably connectable to the cigarette lighter socket of the truck.

Abstract: A rectangular steel frame has a wide peripheral flange integrally connected to a narrow peripheral flange by a web, and a set of spacer bars of predetermined thickness are welded to the narrow flange around the frame. A multiple layer glass unit is positioned within the frame, and a set of trim base strips are secured by peripherally spaced screws to the wide flange and to the spacer bars around the frame for capturing a peripheral portion of the glass unit. Steel reinforcing strips are secured to either or both sets of trim base strips by the screws, and corresponding sets of aluminum trim channels snap-fit onto the base strips around the frame for enclosing the steel reinforcing strips and to provide a neat decorative appearance. The above structure is also used to form a mullion within the window unit or a window frame assembly for a stepped opening in a building wall. Glazing materials extend between each set of trim base strips and the peripheral portion of the window unit.

Abstract: An improved access lid assembly is provided for a subsurface chamber used to service aircraft. A lift assembly is provided for elevating the lid upwardly from an opening in a surrounding mounting frame disposed atop the subsurface chamber while maintaining the lid in a horizontal disposition. A hinge assembly connects the lift assembly to the lid at a peripheral location thereon on the underside of the lid, without any connection to the peripheral edge of the lid. The hinge assembly allows the lid to rotate about a horizontal axis to an open position through an arc of at least ninety degrees. By avoiding any connection to the peripheral edges of the lid, an elastomeric, annular seal can be mounted to completely encircle the lid and provide a water-tight barrier about the access opening. The seal is mounted between the upper and lower surfaces of the lid within a groove, preferably with a dovetail connection, to securely grip and hold the seal upon the edge of the lid.

Abstract: A fascia and soffit member is roll-formed from sheet metal, such as sheet aluminum, so as to have two unitary panels meeting at a juncture. One such panel, a fascia panel, extends vertically and upwardly from the juncture when the member is installed. The other panel, a soffit panel, extends horizontally from the juncture when the member is installed. The soffit panel has a distal portion spaced from the juncture and defining plural, elongate, preferential bending regions, along a selected one of which the distal portion is so as to form a wall flange that extends vertically, either upwardly or downwardly, when said member is installed. Preferably, the distal portion has a series of spaced ridges defining a series of spaced grooves, each ridge defining one of the preferential bending regions and each groove defining another of the preferential bending regions, and the ridges and the grooves collectively have a corrugated profile. In a simplified embodiment, the fascia panel is omitted.

Abstract: A golf bag umbrella is provided having an umbrella shaft with a first and second end. An umbrella canopy is carried on the umbrella shaft. A tripod assembly, having a plurality of length-adjustable legs, is attached to the second end of the umbrella shaft. Each tripod leg includes a mounting element configured to engage the rim or divider of a golf bag to hold the umbrella on the golf bag.

Abstract: A prefabricated flashing for a weatherhead or other pipe which protrudes through roofs of structures such as a house to prevent rain or water seepage and which is adaptable to conform when assembled to any customary degrees of roof inclinations. The flashing includes an upper half of flashing and a lower half of flashing, each of which has a lip that can be easily secured together to surround a portion of the weatherhead or other pipe which protrudes through the roof. A clamping mechanism is provided for securing the upper half of flashing and lower half of flashing to the weatherhead.

Abstract: A portable hunting blind for attachment to an aiming device, such as an archery bow, a firearm, or other hunting device. The portable blind is a camouflage screen supported by a frame of stay rods extending from a central block. The central block has a first set of sockets for receiving the stay rods in an orientation in which the screen is extended and a second set of sockets for receiving the stay rods in an orientation in which the screen is collapsed. The blind is mounted to the bow or other aiming device by a mounting frame that allows the support frame and camouflage screen to be folded out of the way when carrying the aiming device. Alternative mounting frames are shown for a bow, for a firearm, and for a camera.

Abstract: Embodiments of a carpet layer's aid for protecting floor baseboards or walls during carpet installation, along with methods for using the aid, are shown and described. The carpet layer's aid may be an elongated strip with one of more fold lines. The strip is folded at the fold line(s) to create an anchor portion that acts as a stand for the aid and/or that further protects a baseboard by conforming to the outer shape of the baseboard. The anchor portion is inserted into the corner space, created between the floor and a baseboard and between the wall and the tack strip. Preferably, the shield portion of the aid, which extends up to cover the baseboard, includes an adhesive on its back surface for adhering to the baseboard or wall.

Abstract: A metallic component has 1) a head intended to form a visible part of a surface of the exterior of a building and 2) at least one flange which has an aperture and which is intended to be covered with at least one coat of a render containing a mineral filler. The head is coated with a coat of a resin containing a mineral filler. The metal component is particularly useful as an angle section of a building.

Abstract: A new step assisting device for assisting a person in ascending or descending stairs or steps. The inventive device includes an adjustable size support base including first and second base portions adjustably secured to each other. First and second support feet are connected to the first base portion and the second base portion and are adjustable relative thereto in order to adjust the height of the support base. An adjustable handle is pivotally attached to the support base in order to make it easier to use the device, and the handle is biased by a spring to a generally vertical position.

Abstract: A vinyl window finish trim assembly is provided which attaches to an extruded window frame mounted in a window opening. The window finish trim assembly is cut to fit on site or in the factory, and snaps into attachment with the window frame mounted in the window opening. The window finish trim assembly is adjustable for variations in the thicknesses of walls and window frames, and when finished has the appearance of painted wood window trim. It offers a design by which all of the pieces of the window trim are cut from either one, two or three types of extruded stock. Corner pieces are also utilized for ornamentation and structural strength.

Abstract: A play structure building panel comprising of integrally connected spaced-apart curved parallel inner and outer panel walls joined by two side edges and end two end edges. One of the side edges and at one of the end edges have an integral connection means extending therefrom to mate with complementary connection receiving means on an identical panel. Accordingly, one of the side edges and one of the end edges of the panel also have the complementary connections means to receive the connection means extending from another identical panel. Therefore, any number of the panels may be connected to other identical panels along any of the side or end edges.

Abstract: A conical tension membrane structure capable of resisting high winds in which the fabric is tensioned both radially and tangentially by radial support arms operable to provide tension peripherally by radial support arms, operable to provide tension peripherally of the fabric and being foldable to a closed position, with cover supported by radial cables, and arms held down by hold-down cables.