Abstract: A shock absorbing fixture for attachment to a device for aiding a user in walking such as a crutch. The fixture comprises a frame with a spring disposed within the frame that compresses under the weight of the user. The fixture is attached to the lower end of the device. The fixture reduces the shock on the user during use of the device. The device also has the capacity to be operated so that the crutch performs as a rigid crutch.

Abstract: A weather hood is disclosed having a housing and a plurality of hood segments each formed from a pair of spaced apart pivot arms joined by a shell portion. The hood segments are pivotally mounted on the housing for rotation about an axis passing through the ends of the pivot arms. The hood segments pivot between a retracted position, wherein the hood segments are nested one within another within the housing, and an extended position, wherein the hood segments extend from the housing and are positioned adjacent to each other. Hooks extend from edges of the shell portions, each hook interengaging a hook on an adjacent hood segment or the housing to interlock the hood segments in the extended position and limit their rotation. A spring is connected between the housing to the lowermost hood segment to bias the hood segments into the retracted or extended position.

Abstract: A studrail for shear reinforcement for reinforced concrete slabs is composed of a spacing rail (5) and a plurality of studs (6) which are arranged in parallel at a certain distance and provided with enlarged dish-like anchor heads (8) at both ends. The spacing rail (5), produced as a shaped sheet metal rail, grips one anchor head (8) of each stud with its two opposing folded flange edges (10).

Abstract: A tile for superposition over a horizontal floor comprises a thin flat metal plate of uniform thickness with a plurality of apertures extending laterally therethrough in spaced relation to one another and to the edges of thereof and having a non-metallic insert in each of the apertures of a thickness less than the thickness of the metal portion of the tile and having an upper surface disposed below the upper surface of the metal portion of the tile.

Abstract: A light transmitting roofing structure for a building having spaced apart rafters, and a method of use thereof, has a plurality of concave pan tiles mounted on and attached to the rafters, with a plurality of convex roof tiles attached to the rafters and overlapping the pan tiles on either side. The pan tiles are made of a light transmitting material. The roof tiles are similar to traditional roof tiles, giving the roofing structure the external appearance of a traditional roof.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a carriage along a roof structure of the type having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement, and method of using same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a grappling member mounted for movement along the length of a first one of the plurality of purlins. The grappling member is adapted to be temporarily placed into a locked position so that the grappling member is fixed with respect to the first purlin. A tension member operatively connects the grappling member to the carriage. A pulling device is used to pull on the tension member so as to shorten the distance between the grappling member and the carriage, thereby advancing the carriage along the length of the purlins in a direction towards the grappling member when the grappling member is in the locked position.

Abstract: A gutter system employs a tube such as PVC pipe to fit over the edge of a roof so that part of the roof resides within the interior of the tube. One or more fasteners such as screws secure the position of the tube. In a preferred embodiment, a first drainage spout connected to the tube collects water and other debris which can be drained out of the spout by removing a cap which is preferably located at the bottom of the spout. A second drainage spout is connected to the first and acts as an overflow spout when the first drainage spout is full.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing device for fixing at least one facing panel (4) to a building. The fixing device comprises at least one frame section (2) which can form part of a framework (1) to be fitted around the facing panel (4). The fixing device also has at least one supporting part (10) for fixing to a floor, ceiling or partitioning wall of a building. The at least one frame section (2) and at least one supporting part (10) can be interconnected by connecting means (11), which permit pivoting of the supporting part (10) relative to the frame section (2) during fitting of the frame section (2) on the building, in such a way that the facing panel (4) can be fixed to the floor, the ceiling or the partitioning wall at an oblique angle relative to the plane of the floor, the ceiling or the partitioning wall respectively. The connecting means (11) can comprise a ball hinge or line hinge.

Abstract: A sill support for protecting the sill of a window or door in new or retrofit construction which minimizes the need for on-site fabrication and comprises left and right end dam sections that engage a center connecting member of variable length depending upon the width of the door or window opening being treated.

Abstract: A sill support for protecting the sill of a window or door in new or retrofit construction which minimizes the need for on-site fabrication and comprises left and right end dam sections that engage a center connecting member of variable length depending upon the width of the door or window opening being treated.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a multi-layer laminated shingle, wherein each shingle layer comprises granule and bituminous coated web, with the layers laminated together and with the butt zone of the base layer disposed against a bottom surface of the tab zone of the secondary layer and with the tab zone of the base layer disposed against the bottom surface of the butt zone of the secondary layer. The shingle lends itself to having tabs spaced by voids. Because the tabs in the base layer are inverted, the base layer's butt zone is visible through voids in the tabs of the secondary layer. The method of making the shingle lends itself to complementally cutting out the tabs of two side-by-side shingles from a given line. Enhanced nailing area is provided, and stacking of shingles for packaging is facilitated.

Abstract: A construction block is disclosed along with a method of producing and assembling a plurality of the construction blocks where the blocks have internal cages around a central passage, said central passage opening to top, bottom or side openings in the blocks, and from which cage support rods extend to hook chain lifts to the blocks and to guide bottom openings of top blocks into predetermined alignment with the top opening of the bottom blocks. The casting technique allows not only for the novel lifting and alignment construction of the blocks, but also allows for novel external and internal features to be incorporated into the blocks, such as mounting bolts for interior walls and bricks or brick facades for the exterior walls of the blocks.

Abstract: A curtain wall having a mullion structure comprises bilateral mullions, a sash unit to be mounted to the mullions, the sash unit comprising a sash unit frame and a sash mounted to the sash unit frame, supporting members fixed to the mullions for supporting the sash unit frame, and a fixing member disposed for fixing one of bilateral side portions of the sash unit frame to one of the mullions.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a half-timber frame, compartment elements for a like half-timber frame, and a method for producing a compartment element, wherein boards of small-dimension timber are utilized for producing the half-timber frame supports as well as the compartment elements, such that a product which is considerably more economical than conventional solutions while having comparable thermal and acoustic insulation is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a metal stud during wall construction comprises a frame including a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal members generally parallel to each other, a first cross member extending between the longitudinal members, a second cross member located at an intermediate position between the longitudinal members, and at least one stud magnet magnetically engageable with a metal stud. A base member adapted to engage a stud track is connected to the frame. The frame is disposable relative to the base member to position the metal stud substantially orthogonal to the stud track. The longitudinal members and the first cross member can comprise a unitary U-shaped member. The base member can be comprised of a pair of spaced-apart arms pivotably connected to the second cross member. The base member can further comprise a third arm pivotably connected to the pair of arms which pivots between a storage position and a working position. A method for erecting a metal wall partition is also provided.

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 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: The invention relates to a sound-damping partition, especially for the internal equipment of buildings. The partition consists essentially of a timer sub-frame (10) and two sets of planting (18, 20) on either wide side (12, 14) of the sub-frame (10) leaving a hollow space (16) filled with air and damping materials (36). To obtain improved airborne sound damping suing simple means, the invention proposes that one of the sets of planking (20) be secured to the sub-frame (10) by means of thick-walled, soft elastic beads of adhesive (32) while the other set of planting (18) is rigidly clamped to said sub-frame (10).

Abstract: A ridge assembly for a conservatory roof comprises a ridge body (10) having a base (36), side walls (20) extending upwardly from the base, flanges (40) extending downwardly from the base and means (42) for receiving ridge capping support elements (150).

Abstract: There is disclosed an assembly of board for floor boarding and means for fixing the same to adjacent boards, said board comprising a frame, of generally rectangular shape, suitable for accommodating therein a flooring surface, such frame comprising a first pair of opposite beams and a second pair of opposite beams connecting the first pair of beams. The beams of said first pair are provided, at least at their ends, with recesses suitable for housing clamps for coupling the board with adjacent boards. The recesses are associated to releasable snap engagement means that engage in respective seats provided for on the clamps to prevent the clamps from slipping out of said recesses.