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 composite wall system that uses fiber bales or other quasi-structural building blocks in conjunction with a bracing system that stabilizes vertical rods to create columns capable of transferring the gravity compressive loads on the wall to the foundation. Rod columns are installed vertically along a line between the inside and outside faces of the wall. The rods extend from a foundation at the bottom end to a header at the top end. The rods are operatively connected to trusses or beams integrated into the layers of bales. The trusses or beams braces and thereby immobilizes the rods in all horizontal directions at every bale interface.

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 present invention provides a fabric, consisting of multiple cables and multiple panels, for roofing applications. The cables are arranged in sets of three over the area to be covered, and the panels are suspended between the cable sets to complete the fabric. Specifically, each panel has four attachment points and is suspended between two adjacent cable sets such that it attaches to two of the three cables in each set on either side of it. More specifically, each panel attaches to the middle cable of the two sets on either side, and to the top cable in one set and the bottom cable in the other set. This particular arrangement creates overlapping rows of overlapping panels that viewed from one perspective resembles overlapping shingles on a conventional roof, however, when viewed from another perspective reveals that the individual panels are held apart by the cable sets to allow air and light to diffuse through.

Abstract: A free-standing ceiling structure including an elongate column member having a bottom end and a top end. A plurality of primary arms are attached to the column member and extend radially therefrom. Each primary arm includes first and second sub-arms extending outwardly therefrom. A pair of peripheral panel members are respectively attached to and supported by a primary arm and by the sub-arms attached to the primary arm. A plurality of central canopy members are attached to and supported by the primary arms. A plurality of secondary arms extend radially from the column member and are located below the primary arms. The outer end of each secondary arm includes a light fixture. The column member includes one or more utility devices for providing environmental control and communication services.

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: A roof tent for automobiles comprises a rectangular frame including first and second half sub-frames being hinged together, a canopy enclosing tent, a collapsible pole assembly for supporting tent including inverse U-shaped poles each having two equal parts consisting of a vertical and a horizontal poles hinged together, vertical poles further hinged together with first and second sub-frames, a rope assembly having two first ropes connecting second sub-frame and horizontal poles, and two second ropes connecting the vertical poles, an attachment mechanism being slidable on grooved rail of the vehicle, two cushion members for enhancing stability, and four stops releasably secured on grooved rails. This provides a roomy space for allowing at least four persons to sleep therein.

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: A decorative window assembly includes a peripheral frame, and a plurality of foam-filled decorative muntin bars interconnected in a grid which is connected to the peripheral frame. Each muntin bar includes an elongated outer shell with open ends and defining a hollow interior, and a foamed filler substantially filling the interior of the shell between the ends thereof.

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 modular roll-out floor for use as a temporary, removable cover over an ice surface, the floor includes a plurality of interconnected and disconnectable treads. Each tread is made of three layers: a top portion is made of high impact plastic with an anti-slip surface on a honeycomb structural design for strength and rigidity, an intermediate portion designed as an insulating thermal barrier layer and a lower portion, which is also made of high impact plastic with a honeycomb structural design for strength and rigidity. The three portions are connected to each other. The treads may be connected to other treads to form a floor of any size. Living hinges on each tread allow the floor to be easily rolled up and stored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable privacy screen that utilizes one or more decorative or plain panels which may be quickly and easily clamped or otherwise installed on a typical residential deck structure so as to provide the homeowner with the added element of privacy from neighboring dwellings. The case of the embodiment illustrated herein, the privacy screen includes a pair of panels that are hinged together such that they may be easily secured to the corner area of a deck structure. Also, in the embodiment illustrated herein, the privacy screen is provided with a deck mounting structure that enables the entire privacy screen to be detachably mounted to the railing structure of a conventional residential deck.

Abstract: A composite interlocking vinyl or other veneer siding having an elongated insulating member bonded to a vinyl panel with a permanently flexible adhesive that is compatible with both vinyl and insulation material and does not harden. The insulating member is configured such that a front face of the insulating material exactly coincides with the profile of the front face of the vinyl member. The insulating member forms a shallow shelf at an upper edge of the insulating member and an adjacent insulating member forms another shelf to overlap the adjacent shallow shelf to form a shiplap seal when assembled. Horizontal and vertical edges of the vinyl siding and insulating member are configured to overlap when mounted.

Abstract: For mounting a structural panel to a wall, a wire clip is provided having a bail portion formed in an annular shape for insertion of a fastener element and fastening into an anchor member of the wall, and an arm portion extending from the bail portion having a linear shape for insertion into the inner core of the panel at an exposed lateral edge. The bail portion is offset from the arm portion both in a lateral direction and in a thickness direction of the panel so as to position the bail portion toward the wall anchor member when the arm portion is inserted into the inner core of the panel. The invention also includes the related method for mounting a structural panel to a wall using the wire clip device. In the preferred method, the panel is of the type having outer metal face sheets adhesively bonded to an inner plastic corrugated core formed with undulating corrugation spaces into which the arm portions of the wire clips are inserted.

Abstract: An anchor rod for an attachment anchor including a trailing region (1) provided with a load application element (2), and an anchoring region (4) submergeable in a hardenable inorganic and/or organic mortar mass and having a mixing section formed of a head portion (5) provided at its free end (6) with a cutter (7) extending substantially transverse to the axis (A) of the anchor rod, a transporting section (10) adjoining the mixing section, and a compression section (13) adjoining the transporting section (10), with the head portion (5) having a region (53), the outer diameter (c) of which is larger than the largest diameter (d) of the transporting and compression sections (10,13) of the anchoring region (4), and provided with a mortar mass transporting arrangement (9).

Abstract: A muntin for attachment to a construction block structure is constructed of a tubular member having a top and a bottom. A channel extends along the length of the bottom. At least one prong, having a generally triangular head extends outwardly from the channel. The muntin is placed into a grout groove of the construction block structure such that the prong and head are received within the grout and the grout seeps into the channel. Once the grout dries, the muntin is securely held to the construction block structure.

Abstract: An eaves beam for use in constructing a conservatory roof has a channel therein for receiving a bolt for securing a glazing bar to the eaves beam, and a bolt received in the channel, the bolt having a head pivotable in the channel in order to vary the angle of a glazing bar secured by the bolt relative to the eaves beam.

Abstract: A carpet stay-nail tool for positively holding an area of carpet to a desired location during carpet stretching and laying operations. A basic necessity during carpet laying is keeping a first section of carpet temporarily secured while the balance of the carpet is stretched and fastened to its permanent position. The invention provides a plurality of nails configured together in a row which can be pounded through the carpet into the underlayment. Subsequently, the invention can be easily pried up and reused with no discemable damage to the carpet. For safety and convenience, the tool is configured in nesting pairs of nail rows so the nail points are covered and a second nail row is readily available.

Abstract: A lean-to conservatory construction has a sloping roof (10) mounted on a side wall, with a plastics furring piece (29) therebetween. The furring piece is formed by diagonal cutting of a rectangular section extrusion having an outer wall (30) and intersecting intermediate walls (33 and 34) forming ducts.