Abstract: The present invention is a plant cultivation system comprising a container having a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom surface and terminating at an upper edge, thereby defining an enclosed volume. A first partition in the enclosed volume defines a liquid reservoir and a second partition disposed vertically above the first partition and within the enclosed volume defines a plant growing area. The second partition has a first opening which is in substantial vertical alignment with a hole in a lid of the container and a second opening which is spaced a selective distance from the first partition. The lid engages the upper edge of the container and the container has evaporation vents which are spaced from the opening in the lid.

Abstract: A method of making wood shingle sidewall panels by assembling a layup including a face layer of high-grade tapered wood shingles with their longitudinal edges in abutment, each such shingle having a rabbeted longitudinal edge, an intermediate layer of veneer and a backing layer of wood shingles tapered opposite to the taper of the face wood shingles, and bonding the shingle layers to the opposite sides of the veneer, respectively. The face layer of sidewall panel shingles having rabbeted edges simulates the appearance of shingles individually applied to a wall.

Abstract: In a method of angularly adjusting the position of a building element on a support element, such as a beam (2) on a pillar (1), there is inserted between the mutually facing surfaces of said elements an insert (3) which is operative to transfer pressure from the building element to the support element via an upper surface (3b) in engagement with a lower support surface (2a) on the building element and a lower surface (3a) in engagement with an upper support surface (1a) on the support element. The two support surfaces and the two engagement surfaces are formed in a manner such that, in use, two of the surfaces are planar and mutually parallel, the third surface is planar but not parallel with the two first mentioned surfaces, while the fourth surface is a curved surface generated by a straight line. The curved surface is caused to lie against the non-parallel surface.

Abstract: An automated assembly, maintenance, and repair system for the construction of a large space structure. The space structure comprises a plurality of trusses and truss junctions that in turn are made up of a plurality of individual struts and nodes. The truss assemblies are progressively built by an assembler trolley as the trolley crawls along the constructed truss. The trolley comprises a forward crawler and a rear crawler joined by an articulated coupler. The crawlers are carried along the structure by belt transports incorporating grippers that engage the truss structure at the nodes. Manipulator arms for strut and node assembly are located on the forward crawler, and the majority of control, power, and communication systems are located in the rear crawler. Cargo canisters filled with component parts for constructing the space structure are carried by the forward crawler. The space structure configuration is determined by the arrangement of the individual struts and nodes during the assembly process.

Abstract: A panel assembly comprising a panel with at least one double wall construction corner having a cut-away corner formed by the removal of a portion of the panel at the intersection of the corner forming walls, and a molded plastic snap-in corner plug which is inserted in the cut-away corner to substantially fill the corner, providing a smooth transition surface across the corner, the transition surface being shaped to provide the desired corner contour; and a method of fabricating such a panel assembly.

Abstract: A plug adapted to be inserted into the open end of a channel of a concrete slab which is provided with a plug portion having a perimeter conforming to the cross section of the channel and of smaller diameter than the cross section of the channel, the plug being provided with outwardly extending fingers from the perimeter of the plug portion which are adapted to engage the surfaces of the channel, the fingers having arms extending therefrom which support a ring adapted to abut the exterior surface of the slab about the channel to accurately position the plug within the channel. The plug permits water to drain from the channels through slots between adjacent fingers and facilitates the use of mortar for joining the ends of adjacent slabs or the like.

Abstract: The efficient drainage of flat roofs is facilitated by the inclusion in the construction of a flat roof of a drainage board, preferably of a bead material. The drainage board is provided above a water barrier layer and below a thermal insulation layer. Water falling on a flat roof passes readily through a protective layer of gravel or like material, through the abutting joints of the thermal insulation layer and through the drainage board. The water then flows on the water barrier layer to conventional water gulleys and downpipes.

Abstract: Several embodiments of window frame assemblies comprising novel window framing members for supporting a glazing product are described. In one embodiment, a window frame assembly is described comprising a conventional framing member including a novel rotatable rod means for preventing the cutting through of the framing member as by a saw. In another embodiment, a window frame assembly is described comprising a frame member for installing pre-glazed windows with or without a rotatable rod means in the framing member, said member including a separately attachable leg member for attaching the pre-glazed window to a pre-installed sub-framing member. In still other embodiments, window frame assemblies are described comprising novel mullions for joining pairs of pre-glazed windows. The mullions, as described, may optionally include means for the attachment of a partition and the aforementioned rotatable rod means.

Abstract: The invention relates to modular elements assembled either by juxtaposition in a single plane or in offset planes, or by superposition with angular displacement. Each modular element is constructed as a hollow right prism driven in or not at one of its ends and whose perpendicular cross-section is star-shaped with several arms inscribed in a circle or in a regular polygon. The arms form tenons alternating with hollow portions forming mortises thus enabling assembly of the modular elements to one another. Each mortise includes at its base two notches enabling assembly by superposition with angular displacement of two modular elements, a graft formed in the lower position of each lateral end of the tenons avoiding any interference in the course of this assembly. The invention can be used for the construction of flower boxes, bins, clisters or any other cellular units.

Abstract: A method and means for anchoring a dismountable building by means of earth penetrating members. The building includes frame members which bear upon perimeter plates having ground piercing parts. Elongated ground anchors project through openings in the perimeter plates and are secured to the plates. A flexible sheet spans the ground on which the building is erected and is pierced by the elongated anchors and the ground piercing members of the perimeter plates.The method of anchoring the building entails the steps of spreading a sheet at a desired location, advancing auger type anchors into the ground through the sheet at points indicated on the sheet, placing on the sheet at positions indicated thereon perimeter plates with openings fitting over projecting portions of the anchors and with spike portions thereof piercing the sheet and penetrating the ground, and securing the perimeter plates to the anchors.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting floor plates above substrate comprising a supporting rod threadedly engaged with an upper female screw threaded sleeve fitted in a hole provided at a corner of the floor plate and threadedly engaged with a lower female screw threaded sleeve fitted in a center hole of a cylindrical rubber-like elastic body disposed on the substrate, said supporting rod being provided at its upper end with a slot adapted to be engaged with a driving tool and the upper threads of said supporting rod being oppositely handed to the lower threads thereof.

Abstract: Mounting hardware for curtains, drapery or the like including hidden support pockets mounted in recesses formed in the rear corners of conventional window molding and conventional curtain rods having specially formed mounting brackets inserted into the pockets. Alternatively, curtain rods having depending leg segments inserted into the pockets may be used.

Abstract: Thin sheet suitable for use as a mold and as a reinforcement in a compound structure with a poured component such as concrete or plastic has a set of punched-out adhesion projections or tongues for providing improved adhesion between said thin sheet and said poured component. Said sheet can serve as mold for said poured component and as reinforcement for said compound structure. Compound structures comprising such thin sheet with projecting tongues are disclosed.

Abstract: An earth anchor for securing objects in soft earth and including a plurality of anchor arms which are extendable after the anchor is moved into position. A flexible, pleated, metal skirt member is attached to the anchor arms whereby after being augered into position, the anchor arms and skirt member may be extended into substantially undisturbed earth thereby providing an anchoring surface at least as great as the surface area of the skirt member.

Abstract: A permanent dwelling adapted to receive and functionally couple with a mobile home having at least kitchen and bathroom facilities. The permanent dwelling is characterized in being devoid of plumbing facilities, thereby resulting in a substantial decrease in the costs of building and upkeep. Configured as such, the dwelling may be left in severe weather conditions without drainage of pipes and the like and may be "reopened" without the commensurate problems of restarting the water supply thereto.

Abstract: A joint for use with a geodesic dome for connecting a plurality of struts together. The joint permits dome fabrication and erection with a minimum of field bolting. A central hub is included in the joint for resisting forces transmitted to the joint by dome struts.

Abstract: A tubular plastic shell, with an overlapped longitudinal seam and longitudinally extending interior pockets that form exterior ribs, encircles a wooden pole or piling in an area to be protected. A foamed adhesive between the shell and pole fills and seals the surface of the pole beneath the shell, adheres the shell, and provides a supporting cushion for the shell that inhibits cracking or puncturing from impact. Longitudinally spaced ends of the shell beyond the pockets tightly encircle the pole to prevent escape of the adhesive as it forms during application. Ribs at the overlapped seam nest into pockets to retain the shell tightly about the pole during expansion of the adhesive. Where impact or abrasion are not anticipated, the shell can be used as a carrier and mold for forming an adherent foamed sealant layer or covering about a pole and then be removed.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a device for eliminating seams at the butt joints caused by the installation of contiguous wall boards in building construction.A bracket, having means for fastening to the studs, has a slightly recessed surface. The butting edges of the wall boards that are fastened to the studs are screwed down tightly on the recessed surface of the bracket. The wall boards, being somewhat flexible, form a concave outer surface slightly below the plane of the wallboard surface that is mounted on the stud. The concave area is taped and then filled with a selected filling material or a joint compound, bringing the new surface formed thereby back to the original plane of the wallboard. The bracket is permanently secured by the wallboard so there will be no movements, and the filling and taping procedure completely conceal the joint lines, so that the wallboard can be painted or wallpapered and will appear as one continuous surface.

Abstract: A wall system comprised of panels made of material dimensionally reactive to moisture content changes such as may be used for the sports of racquetball or squash in which panels are joined to vertical support members and to horizontal steel stress straps so as to control shrinkage and expansion forces within the panels due to changes in moisture content of the panels.

Abstract: A glass retaining clip includes a plastic anchor adapted for push-in insertion into a pierced hole, one leg of the clip having a threaded aperture therethrough to receive a screw fastener which is adapted to engage the adjacent leg whereby the legs can be forced apart forcing the adjacent leg to move into abutment against a glass window panel mounted into one side of a body window opening.