Abstract: A flexible gasket for use in the fitting of a carpet is located between the floor and wall of a room and is of L-shape in section comprising a base limb to be connected to floor and a vertical limb extending at least to the height of the carpet.

Abstract: The present dock shelter assembly provides, at a given warehouse or building dock, a protective unit that presents a weather-tight seal when extended from the dock against the open sliding door or side of an adjacent rail car. It is desirable that such a dock shelter not only permit complete and unobstructed rail car access, but also provide outstanding weather protection. The shelter herein is mounted along the outer perimeter of the dock opening of the terminal building and permits free access to the rail car whereupon its gap closure may be protected upon its sides and bottom during loading and unloading. The car is also sealed by a head curtain above the shelter components. The unit is sufficiently versatile to accommodate a rail car which may be somewhat out of position, relative to a dock center as defined by the building construction. Likewise, the shelter protection should continue its effectiveness despite rocking motions of the car when loaded and unloaded.

Abstract: A stabilizer frame enables a single worker to attach a strip of corner polymer siding to a building. The stabilizer frame includes a right-angled inward-facing surface which receives the corner siding exterior faces and also includes wall-engaging surfaces. The worker raises the strip of corner siding against the building and holds it with the stabilizer frame by one hand. The other hand may insert a tack into a slotted post provided on the frame and drive the tack through the corner siding into a building wall. The process is repeated to secure both edges of the corner siding throughout the length of the corner siding.

Abstract: A house may be assembled from a plurality of vertically-cast wall sections and produce an aesthetically pleasing, highly desirable home at reduced cost.

Abstract: An automobile window molding including a molding body to be installed in a clearance between a peripheral edge of a windshield and a peripheral wall of a window frame, and a seal lip which protrudes from the outside of the molding body and which elastically transforms to a curved shape in such a manner that a tip portion thereof contacts the peripheral wall of the window frame, the seal lip decreasing in thickness from a base portion to a middle portion thereof and having an elastically transformable portion of thin thickness formed between the base portion and the middle portion and increasing in thickness from the elastically transformable portion to the tip portion, the tip portion being formed in thick section.

Abstract: A panel configuration and manufacturing technique are disclosed. The panel simulates a number of shingles each having a hollow end portion. Several of these panels may be utilized to provide an exterior building covering. When installed, hollow end portions of adjacent panels overlap to provide a leak resistant, realistic appearing covering. A number of panels may be formed by positioning each of a number of regions of a web of polymeric resin between a mold and a plug. Each of the regions is molded while in a ductile state to form a corresponding one of the multi-shingle panels. An undercut portion is formed in each of the regions during molding to define an end portion of the panel. This formation includes moving the plug relative to the mold. The sheet is cut after molding to separate the panels from the web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for fastening a first structure to a second structure comprising a fastener having a head disposed at a proximal end of a shaft and a pointed tip disposed at a distal end of that shaft, and a plastic sleeve surrounding a portion of the shaft in coaxial-relation thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the first structure is a metal floor panel having means for receiving the fastener and the sleeve. The receiving means keeps the sleeve in substantially perpendicular-relation to a support portion of the second structure, with the pointed tip of the shaft disposed adjacent to the support portion. In this arrangement, when a driving force is applied to the head of the fastener, the fastener moves axially relative to the sleeve through the first structure into engagement with the second structure.

Abstract: A collapsible frame device and method of packing vehicles in a transport container is disclosed. The frame device comprises a base and upper and lower vehicle support members associated with the base for supporting at least two vehicles. In the erected configuration of the device, the vehicle support members are horizontally and vertically spaced from one another. The support members are collapsible onto the base in a substantially flat position.

Abstract: The damped structural member includes a structural member and granular material in intimate contact with the member. In one embodiment the granular material is lightweight and has a bulk specific gravity of less than 1.5. When low weight is important, the granular material has a bulk specific gravity of less than or equal to one. The particles of the granular material are also in intimate contact with one another. The granular material may be substantially non-viscoelastic. Preferred granular material is low density polyethylene and glass microspheres. The granular material fills hollow structural members or is placed into intimate contact with open structural members. The lightweight fill effectively damps vibrational modes without excessively increasing the weight of the structural member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved poured concrete foundation for residential houses having foundation walls and built in expansive soil areas. The foundation consists of a perimeter trench footing which is monolithically constructed with a plurality of internal trench footings and column footings located within the perimeter footing; and the perimeter trench footing is integrated with a subsequently-constructed, overlying concrete foundation wall, throughout the perimeter of the foundation, using vertical reinforcing steel dowels of predetermined height at predetermined spacings. This ensures that the foundation wall behaves as a beam in addition to its primary functions of resisting lateral soil backfill load and transferring vertical building loads to the underlying perimeter footing. A plurality of grade beams monolithically constructed with a basement slab are placed at beam pockets provided at the footings.

Abstract: A cladding support system includes rounded tubular members having an arcuate face. The tubular members are connected to extend outwardly from hubs. A cladding support member is mounted on the arcuate face of the tubular members and extends transversely across the tubular members. The support member is substantially "U" shaped including a raised closed end and a pair of sides terminating at an open end. A flange extends outwardly from each side. Each flange is attached to the arcuate face of the tubular member. Cladding is attached to the raised closed end of the support member.

Abstract: In mounting an external wallboard formed from a material containing cement, a plurality of spacers are adhered to a plurality of wall backings each formed of steel or wood, respectively. Each spacer has through holes or concavities. The external wallboard is applied to be fixed by screws or nails to the wall backings. Each screw or nail extends through the corresponding through hole or concavity such that each screw or nail is allowed to be inclined in a space defined by the corresponding through hole or concavity. This construction permits displacement of the external wallboard relative to the wall backings, preventing occurrence of cracks in the external wallboard.

Abstract: A shutter assembly which includes separate top and bottom portions and intermediate slatted portions. The top and bottom portions both include right and left side flanges which include inner and outer channels. Likewise the slatted portion includes a right and left sides which include right and left channels which align with the inner channels on the top and bottom members. Right and left side rails snap fit into the three sections holding them together. The inner wall of the rails snap into the inner channels and the channel in the slatted portion. The inner walls of the side rails include upper arcuate lips that extend over the top edges of the side walls of the top, bottom and slatted sections. The outer wall of each rail includes an L-shaped projection which fits within the outer channels in the flanges. The shutter can be adjusted by removing sections of the slatted portions along pre-formed score lines and then cutting rails to the desired size.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for closing off the areas to be filled with a casting compound of a tension member composed of a bundle of individual elements arranged within a tubular sheathing, for example, a stay cable of a cable-stayed bridge, includes a sealing plug composed of a first sealing layer of a deformable, non-flowable sealing material introduced between the individual elements, a second sealing layer of a setting or hardenable material introduced in a flowable state and arranged adjacent the first sealing layer in the direction toward the area to be filled out with casting compound.

Abstract: A sheet is provided which can be applied to a planar base and onto which floor boards or tiles can laid, wherein the sheet comprises adhesive strips on its lower and upper sides. The adhesive strips are suitably applied in the longitudinal direction of the sheet. In an preferred aspect, two layers are fixedly connected to one another, a top layer comprising a foamed plastic having a high coefficient of sound insulation and a bottom layer comprising a vapor-tight material and an edge formed by a protruding bottom layer which may be provided on one longitudinal side.

Abstract: A door fit mountable in an open end of a modified hollow-core door for providing reinforcement to opposing door facings and preventing warping thereof while providing clearance between the door and a floor. The fit includes a member having a securing device means connected thereto. When positioned in the open end of a modified door, the securing device means, such as tabs or hooks, engage inner surfaces of the modified door.

Abstract: A fenestration apparatus such as a door or window includes a unitary frame having first and second walls defining a cavity that opens toward the inboard wall of the frame. The first wall includes ridges defining a trough for receiving a bead of sealant. The second wall includes a shelf and a ramp between the shelf and the cavity opening. During assembly, the edge of the pane engages the ramp and follows the contour thereof toward a seated position on the shelf and toward a seated position against the ridges and sealant bead. This avoids the squeezing out of any sealant onto exposed portions of the pane.

Abstract: A building constructed of a molded fiberglass inner shell having a molded fiberglass outer shell positioned thereover to create a space therebetween which is filled with a foam core material. Each of the inner and outer shells include upstanding walls and a roof extending thereover. The inner and outer shells are provided with registering door openings formed therein into which a door is mounted. A pair of differently designed floors may be utilized in the building. Further, the floor may be omitted if desired. The outer surface of the outer shell has a smooth finish as does the inner surface of the inner shell.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like.) for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. The invention connects J-shaped or triangular shaped metal forms to wood sections. The metal flange ends can have various J, C, L, right triangular, triangular, T and straight line cross-sectional shapes. The wood is fastened to the metal by machine pressing of the metal to wood. Alternatively the fastening includes nails, staples, screws, and the like, and also by adhesive glue.

Abstract: A convertible sports and exhibition facility includes stadium and arena configurations. Playing fields or surfaces are provided for both the stadium and arena configurations, with at least a portion of the stadium playing field being removable to provide a lower playing surface in the arena configuration. A seating system includes opposite pairs of end and side seating sections. The stadium configuration end seating sections become the arena configuration side seating sections and portions of the stadium side seating sections become the arena end seating sections when the facility is converted from a stadium configuration to an arena configuration. The facility includes a roof with an adjustable-height ceiling portion with a raised stadium position and a lowered arena position. The facility also includes circulation, structure and support systems.