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 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 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: 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 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: The inflatable greenhouse is an approximately hemispherical dome-shaped inflatable structure which is entirely self-supporting when inflated. The greenhouse has a double-walled structure of plastic sheet material which gives the greenhouse structural rigidity when inflated and which increases the thermal protection provided by the greenhouse. The walls of the greenhouse are made of a transparent or translucent plastic material to allow optimal light transmission for photosynthetic plants or of a light filtering or opaque plastic material for light-sensitive plants and animals. The greenhouse has an access door through the wall to allow easy access to the interior of the structure. The door is placed such that it does not interrupt the structural integrity of the inflated dome-shaped structure, therefore no rigid structural members are needed to support the walls.

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.

Abstract: The composite steel/concrete column comprises a longitudinally extending H-shaped steel assembly having a pair parallel flange plates and a web plate interconnecting the flange plates and defining two opposite channel-shaped spaces. A plurality of spaced-apart transversal tie bars are disposed along the steel assembly on each side of the web plate for interconnecting the flange plates. A mass of concrete is filling the channel-shaped spaces. The column steel concrete column is characterized in that the ratio of the cross-sectional surface area of the steel assembly with respect to the total surface area of the composite steel/concrete column is less than 9%, preferably 2% to 5%. The column is principally to be utilized in structural steel high-rise buildings which have the advantage of shop prefabrication resulting in rapid on site construction.

Abstract: A two-person tree stand system for deer hunting comprising a housing frame having a horizontal floor formed of peripheral rods in a rectangular configuration with cross support rods forming a rectangular access space. The housing also has a roof formed of peripheral rods in a generally rectangular configuration. A central rod with diagonal support rods forms an A-frame. The housing also has sides formed of vertical rods coupling the floor and roof with diagonal support rods. A wooden floor is positioned on the floor of the frame with an opening over the access space. The wooden floor further has a cross-strengthening brace with protruding ends receivable within recesses in the frame. A fabric roof is positionable over the roof of the frame. Four side walls are positionable over the sides of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ventilation system for an attic or rafter space that mimics the appearance of the roofing material and thus has little effect on the appearance of the building. The vent has two pieces, a primary vent and a secondary vent and they may be made of aluminum, galvanized steel or copper. The primary vent is installed on a roof deck over a ventilation opening cut through the deck. The secondary vent is constructed to look like the surrounding field tiles and is installed over the primary vent. One or more vent openings in the secondary vent and an opening in the primary vent conduct air between the attic or rafter space and the outside. The secondary vent has a skeleton with one or more vent openings and a cap covering each opening shielding the ventilating space. Skeletons are formed in one piece and are made to fit each different size and type of roofing tile. The caps and the skeleton are ribbed for rigidity.

Abstract: A selectively heat treated side intrusion beam includes a beam body having a center portion heat treated and end portions not heat treated. The beam body is affixed to end brackets that couple the beam body to the automotive vehicle door. The method for forming a side intrusion beam includes the steps of moving beam stock through a heater; controlling the heater to cycle between an on-state and an off-state with respect to predetermined portions of the length of the beam; quenching the beam stock; and, cutting the beam stock at untreated portions to form the beam body.

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 support structure for a telescoping seating system includes a wheel and wheel extension coupled to the underside of a foot extension. The next lowest foot extension provides continuous support for the wheel throughout the opening and closing of the seating system. Methods for enhancing structural support for and providing a foot-level aisle in a telescoping seating system are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides pre-fabricated self-contained building panels, including a panel incorporating a truss structure as a part thereof, and combinations thereof. The panels include a skeletal assembly comprising generally an array of plural structural steel channels, rigid sheeting proximate to said channels, support members adjacent the rigid sheeting, the channels supported between suitable base plates, angles for defining portions of said skeletal assembly and a forming structure as a part of said skeletal assembly, said skeletal assembly and forming structure being oriented horizontally on a planar surface. A self-hardening material, such as concrete, clay, etc. is introduced to the forming structure for embedding at least a portion of said skeletal assembly. The forming structure becomes an integral part of the completed building panel and is not disassembled therefrom.

Abstract: The antenna mast or tower structure includes a base adapted for attachment to a van, preferably a van equipped with suitable mounting jacks designed to support the base. Both the base and the plurality of telescopically nested tubular subassemblies are adapted to be extended by cables, each cable being secured at one end to a lower end of the subassembly to be raised, and at its other end to a motorized cable and pulley system that includes a driven drum, plurality of fixed pulley blocks mounted to each subassembly near the upper end thereof, and a movable pulley block arranged to achieve a mechanical advantage in the cable and pulley system itself.

Abstract: A portable, modular, vehicle washing and servicing structure 10 includes a prefabricated first unit 12, a prefabricated second unit 28 and a roof 46. First unit 12 includes two sidewalls 14 and 16 and two endwalls 18 and 20. Second unit 28 includes one sidewall 30 and two endwalls 32 and 34. Structure 10 also includes means 42 for attaching first unit 12 to second unit 28 so that sidewall 16 of first unit 12 also forms a sidewall for second unit 28.

Abstract: Flashing for rendering a seam in a structure water-tight, wherein the flashing comprises a composite comprising a sheet layer and a foam layer, with the sheet layer comprising a closed surface, waterproof material which is lightweight and flexible, and the foam layer comprising a thermally-insulating material which is lightweight and flexible, and resilient and water-resistant.

Abstract: There is disclosed a soft and compliant spacer body wherein the body is provided with modified substrate engaging surfaces to accommodate transverse dimensional changes when the spacer is bent about a corner or otherwise flexed in an insulated assembly. In one embodiment, the corners are cut to reduce the thickness of the strip as the same is bent or flexed about a corner. Other embodiments are disclosed. The advantage is that when the transverse dimension is maintained relatively constant about the bent corner, the result is a more effective seal between the substrate engaging surfaces and the substrates. This is augmented by the use of cellular materials and selected sealants to provide multiple sealing surfaces in a high efficiency spacer body.

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.