Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assembling together at least one series of wooden planks, each having two opposite ends and two opposite longitudinal edges, with the planks being superposed edge-to-edge to form a wall panel. The device comprises a vertical upright fitted with fastener means for fastening the upright to one of the two ends of each plank, the fastener means comprising, for each series of superposed planks, a series of tenons extending perpendicularly to the vertical upright in a common vertical plane to co-operate with mortises formed in the corresponding ends of the planks. The vertical upright is made up of a plurality of segments connected end to end and each fitted with at least one of the tenons in each series of tenons.

Abstract: A self-aligning block that includes a body that has at least one mortise therein, and at least one tenon that extends from the body. A respective tenon of one self-aligning block is received in a respective mortise in the bottom surface of the body of a next higher staggered the self-aligning block of one wall to a height that provides an automatic mortar space between the one self-aligning block and the next higher staggered self-aligning block from course to course of the one wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a self-adjusting tie down includes a bolt extending into a foundation and a nut on that bolt which is supported by two shims, one of which can move relative to the other. A spring exerts substantially constant force on the movable shim, preventing gaps from forming between the nut and the shims underneath.

Abstract: A building product has an exposed surface provided by a multiplicity of linearly extending parallel asymmetric depressions of saw tooth configuration. Thus, a coloured exposed surface appearance apparently changes colour as relative positions of the building product and viewer change.

Abstract: A floor apparatus (1) comprises a support base (8) and a passage base (10), each being rotatable about axes (11, 12) of rotation respectively, the support base (8) having a seat surface (13) mounted with seats (7) and a first selective surface (14), the passage base (10) having a passage surface (16) and a second selective surface (15), and a rotating device (5) for rotating the support base (8) and the passage base (10) about the axes (11, 12) of rotation respectively. The first selective surface (14) or the second selective surface (15) is selected and used depending upon events, thereby improving versatility of a floor surface in accordance with the events.

Abstract: The system for protecting a building (10,100) includes a rigid flat structure (11,101) on which the building (10,100) rests; a sunken garage (12,110) below ground level (15); vertical telescopic hydraulic jacks (30-33,102,103) extending from the bottom of the sunken garage (12,110) for supporting the flat structure (11,101) at any of a number of positions relative to ground level (15); a device for connecting electrical and telephone lines including at least one flexible cable (70) suspended in the sunken garage (12,110) so as to have a U-shaped bend, at least one pulley (71) arranged at the U-shaped bend and by which the at least one flexible cable (70) passes and at least one traction spring (73) connected to the at least one pulley (71) to act on the at least one flexible cable (70); a device for connecting water supply pipes including at least one flexible tube (80) suspended in the sunken garage (12,110) so as to have a U-shaped bend; and a device for providing drainage including a vertical pipe (91) arr

Abstract: A system for subdividing a building space into work areas includes interconnectable partition panels, each having an internal frame with a plurality of horizontal frame members located at predetermined heights. The horizontal frame members each have at least one horizontal row of slots, and at least one of the horizontal frame members is located slightly above an optimal worksurface height for supporting an interactively used datum shelf. Furniture components are attachable to the horizontal frame members at selected horizontal positions, including the datum shelf, an undershelf storage unit, and an upper storage unit. A mobile furniture unit is provided having a worksurface located at an optimal worksurface height, the worksurface having a cantilevered edge section that can be extended partially under the datum shelf at a selected optimal depth for coordinated and efficient use of the datum shelf concurrent with using the worksurface.

Abstract: A base plate for foundation which is a board having a prescribed external size and possesses a bolt pore having an approximately cross shape at approximately the middle portion thereof and in which the top surface of the board except for the portion of the bolt pore has a prescribed area and a foundation of structure having the base plates for foundation arranged so that the area of projection chart thereof is minimized are provided.

Abstract: A hollow building element of plastics material comprises one or more longitudinal ducts and having, at opposite sides thereof, coupling members, whereby elements may be connected to each other, a coupling member at one side comprising a duct for receiving a reinforcing beam and having a ducted bottom wall.

Abstract: A rapidly deployable protective and structural cover system comprising a frame structure and at least one multilayered flexible cover which is comprised of a flexible cover sheeting and a structural netting. The flexible cover sheeting has a plurality of eyelets arranged over the surface area of the flexible cover sheeting. The cover sheeting is attached at a selected plurality of eyelets to the structural netting at the intersections of horizontal and vertical members or strands of the structural netting. The frame structure is preferably comprised of steel cables attachable at the ends thereof to a rigid support structure; turnbuckles to tension the cables. The multilayered flexible cover is removably attachable along edges of the structural netting to the frame and to the cables.

Abstract: A method for repairing industrial facilities at high temperatures using at least one prefabricated element (1) made of mullite-crystallized refractory product with an alumina content of 30-80%, preferably 50-80%, made of refractory materials securely attached to the structure (11) of the facility by using an oxygen-containing carrier gas stream to spray a mixture of particles capable of exothermically reacting with the oxygen and particles of a refractory material, whereby a coherent refractory mass (14) is formed in situ for attaching said element to said structure.

Abstract: A modular truss system that is formed by connecting a plurality of linear and non-linear truss modules together. The truss system further including a tensional member that is adapted to create and maintain a biasing force that urges the individual truss modules against one another, which forms a more rigid system that has increased structural strength.

Abstract: A framework construction, e.g. for buildings, is made with intercrossing beams (2, 4, 4') of profiled plate material, the beams being prepared with side incisions (14) enabling them to be joined crosswise in a common plane.

Abstract: An earthquake-proof foundation includes post trunk portions supported on separate post root portions. In an embodiment, fracturable struts and a cushioning member also are present to support the trunk portions on the post root portions. The struts will fracture under the force of seismic activity of a certain intensity whereafter the post trunk portion will be supported on the post root portions by the cushioning members. In another embodiment, the post root portions are arranged to store a liquid that is discharged during seismic activity to cushion between the post trunk portions and the post root portions. A building incorporating such an earthquake-proof foundation also is contemplated.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for equipment situated out of doors. The enclosure is formed as hollow panels by a blow molding process and allows the introduction at the installation site of protective material into any desired ones of the internal cavities of the panels, thereby reducing manufacturing and transportation costs.

Abstract: A rain gutter pipe comprising a tubular member (12), a plurality of ridges (14) disposed circumferentially thereon, a plurality of valleys (16) defined between the ridges (14) and a plurality of apertures (18) disposed circumferentially around the valleys (16). The gutter pipe is inserted into the entire length of a rain gutter system (24), and an opening (34) is provided adjacent the downspout (36). The gutter pipe is flexible, associated straight couplers (44) allow for connecting multiple runs for greater overall lengths, and associated angle couplers (48) of various configurations are used to connect runs of gutter pipe together at varying angles. Rain water flows through gutter pipe and into the downspout even when accumulated debris covers the surface of gutter pipe. The gutter pipe can also be used on flat roofs to achieve the same objectives. Resistive heating wire (60) can also be wrapped around the gutter pipe to melt snow or ice accumulated thereon.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a swimming-pool lining structure which is intended to be placed against the walls and bottom of a swimming-pool. The lining structure has metal wall panels and base sheets coated with plastic material on the surface facing the interior of the swimming-pool. The metal wall panels and the base sheets are jointed together with a profiled connection element at the vertical edge of each of the wall panels to form a junction region. The junction regions between said profiled connection elements and the ends of said wall panels and of said base sheets have an associated fluid plastic paste compatible with the wall panels.

Abstract: Extruded hollow thermoplastic structural components of rectilinear cross section formed for interlocking assembly with mating components for use in erecting a modular building characterized in that said components are extruded from PVC material which includes a smoke retarding agent which is covered by a skin (3) on surfaces exposed to the environment.

Abstract: A multi-layer shingle is made by cutting an anterior layer of shingle material to have a headlap area and a tab area, and with a plurality of tabs being present in the tab area, separated by slotted openings. The tab area of the anterior layer has a predetermined design that has a repeatability in the longitudinal direction, or from one edge of a shingle to another in the right-to-left direction, which repeatability is a function of the length of the shingle between said left and right edges, as well as being a function of the number of tabs in the shingle's anterior layer, with the repeatability being smaller or greater than the length of the shingle in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, an ornamental appearance is provided that has a random, natural-looking effect when the shingles are laid up on a roof.

Abstract: A plate for flooring which easily may be laid out and taken up, e.g. for temporary covering of artificial grass indoors in gymnasiums, has rectangular form and comprises longitudinal; edges having upper lips and lower lips. The upper and lower lips are arranged sectionwise so that the longitudinal edges generally exhibit one upper lip on a section where their is no lower lip and vice versa, and that on the or those sections where one of the longitudinal edges has an upper lip the other longitudinal edge has a lower lip and vice versa.