Abstract: The self-supporting element (1) is of great length and of the type formed by a framework of metal section members (7-9-10-11-14-15) and an insulating cladding supported by the framework. The element is characterized in that its cladding is in a single unit and formed by a composite comprising an outer skin (17), an inner skin (18) and an insulating blanket (19) formed by mineral wool fibres which extend in a direction perpendicular to the parallel planes of the skins. The cladding (16) is supported exclusively by the two lateral beams (9,10) of the framework.

Abstract: A clamping device of a static umbrella (e.g. the frame of a garden or beach mbrella) has a segment which is flexibly connected to a bush which surrounds an umbrella stick. A handle rotatably mounted in a boss attached to the bush is able to overcome the natural springiness of the segment to move it towards the umbrella stick so that a clamping cheek of the segment holds the umbrella stick in position relative to a base tube. With this construction, the device need have no longitudinal split, which would expose the mechanism to the effects of the weather, and the mechanism is enclosed, thereby preventing the umbrella stick or users from being hurt on the sharp corners and edges of the mechanism.

Abstract: A method of controlling a building against an earthquake according to the present invention comprises the steps of analyzing instantly the earthquake on the basis of data observed by earthquake sensors disposed in the building and narrow and wide regions, varying the connecting conditions in the building on the basis of obtained earthquake response forecast to vary the rigidity of the building or giving counter force to a building with an exciter to control oscillation according to individual earthquake characteristics.

Abstract: A fire stop collar assembly comprises a plastics sleeve (2) which fits over a plastics pipe. An annular collar (4) of intumescent material is supported by the external surface of the sleeve (2). A tension spring (8) is held under tension on an end of the sleeve (2), with a sheath of refractory fabric (6) being interposed between the spring (8) and the sleeve (2). Upon softening of the pipe and sleeve (2) in the event of a fire, the spring (8) will act to constrict the sleeve and the pipe within the refractory sheath.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling grid member which comprises a web portion, an upper bulb extending along the top of the web portion, a pair of flanges extending outwardly from the bottom of the web portion, the flanges being adapted to support ceiling tiles, and a lower bulb extending downwardly from the flanges, whereby the lower bulb provides greater strength to the suspended ceiling grid member and also enhances the appearance thereof.

Abstract: An umbrella in which at least a portion of the cover's peripheral edge is shirred. This shirred edge portion is stretched to a greater length when the umbrella is open and contracted to a lesser length when the umbrella is collapsed, thereby providing a taut appearance to the cover when the umbrella is open in the dome-shaped configuration. This invention is particularly useful when the cover is fabricated from a single piece of material, i.e., when the cover is not comprised of separate gores stitched together.

Abstract: A portable tent-like shelter comprises an open frame made of tubular elements which slip fit together to form a roof portion. The frame has four elongated legs extending downwardly from the corners to cause the frame to be free-standing. A fabric cover is placed over the roof portion of the frame and the cover has boxed ends and sides which extend downwardly from the roof portion of the open frame. Elongated, narrow, fabric leg panels are attached to the fabric cover at each of its corners and extend downwardly along the legs of the frame. The leg panels are releasably attached to the legs at the lower ends to place tension through the leg panels to the cover to hold it in place on the frame.

Abstract: A door and window apparatus includes a pair of longitudinal frames, a pair of transverse frames, two glass sheets respectively disposed among the longitudinal and transverse frames defining a vacuum chamber for minimizing sound-wave transmission and preventing noise pollution, and a reinforcing grating intermediately fixed in between the two glass sheets serving as an internal barrier to exclude any intruder through the door or window for security purpose.

Abstract: This invention is a multi-purpose stick which can be used as a walking stick, a leg support, an arm lifter, a leg and arm support, and the like. This is all accomplished through the provision of a stick which has a plurality of bends formed therein to make it suitable for multiple uses.

Abstract: This is concerned with an umbrella assembly and specifically with one that has a flashlight assembly in the handle thereof socketed so that operation of the flashlight is assured. The flashlight is a self-contained unit so that it may be replaced from time to time when the battery or batteries are worn out. The flashlight projects through the end of the handle and is useful in finding keyholes in the dark, aiding a woman in rummaging through her purse and the like. The flashlight can also be operated when the umbrella canopy is fully extended to project a light downwardly so a person walking in the dark can see steps, obstacles, etc.

Abstract: A foldable umbrella-like cover for covering the open top of a golf club bag and golf clubs extending out of the bag, includes a vertically elongated tube that is centrally positioned within the bag, along with the golf clubs, and is releasably clamped to the wall of the bag. A vertically slidable, elongated rod extends into the tube. A ring-like collar is attached to the lower end of the rod, and the upper end of the rod is provided with a manual grip for sliding the rod into and out of the tube. A number of umbrella ribs are connected, at their inner ends, to the collar so that such inner ends may be moved, with the collar, for retracting the ribs into the tube, for closing the umbrella, or alternatively, extending the ribs outwardly of the tube for opening the umbrella. A flexible cloth-like umbrella cover is secured to the ribs and moves into and out of the tube with the ribs.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new concrete forming system and components therefor, particularly adapted for forming of vaulted ceilings and for use in buildings wherein the floors at the edges thereof have upwardly extending sills and/or wherein the ceilings have been dropped by a similar ledge or sill thereby significantly reducing the clear area through which a truss can be removed. The truss comprises a top chord and a bottom chord interconnected by upright members and diagonal bracing members. A number of adjustable extension legs are associated with the upright members and are telescopically received within an upright member such that a leg extending to the upper side of the truss can overlap with a leg extending to the lower side of the truss, whereby the legs extending above the truss can be adjusted and maintained independent of the legs extending below the truss.

Abstract: A roof tile with longitudinal flat and curved or barrel-shape sections and a wedge member mounted to the underside of the flat section, along its entire length with the exception of a portion at the front of the tile. The space defined is sufficient to cooperatively and snuggly house a part of the rear of a tile installed in front. This provides a longitudinal resting area on the flat section of the tile. A longitudinal flange member extends upwardly and outwardly from the edge of the side wall of the flat section of the tile so that it interlockingly engages with horizontally abutting tiles.

Abstract: A dome-shaped shelter of a plurality of water-proof foldable light-weight panels. Each panel is of three sections, trapezoidal base and middle sections and a truncated triangular top section with a transverse seam joining the sections. Each foldable panel has lateral flanges on each side. The flange along one side is flat and vertical while the flange on the other side is of an inverted U-shape, so that it can loop over the flat vertical flange on the adjacent panel and a sping clip holding the flanges together. Apertures in the panels form doors or windows therein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for joining or repairing wall or ceiling panels such as sheet rock, gypsum boards, plywood, or other generally planar wall panels. Means are provided for permanently joining the edges of wallboard panels, ceiling panels, or the like at any desired position along the length of the wall frame or ceiling framework independent of framing backup studs or joists. Each embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of a plurality of metallic clips adapted to provide a working union or edgewise mechanical bond between adjacent panel edges, by creating an artificial backing in wall regions having no studs or support columns. A preferred clip comprises a generally planar, elongated body having a pair of parallel of reinforcement grooves, and the whole body is preferably stamped from perforated metal stock. A pair of integral, spaced apart, prong-like spring tab structures are formed on opposite sides of the clip body to grasp the edges of a panel.

Abstract: A structural assembly includes a square trough-shaped stone having inclined external corner regions and a dovetailed groove formed in each wall side. The dovetail tongue of a connecting plate fits into the dovetailed groove. At the lower end of the internal surface of each wall of the stone, a shoulder portion may be provided for accommodating base elements. The height of the connecting plate is advantageously greater than the height of the trough-shaped stone, so that the plate projects beyond the stone in a vertical direction for connection to further stones.With such an assembly, it is possible to erect dry-stone type walls of various types. The individual elements of the assembly can be produced rationally and economically, and it is also possible to produce end elements and corner elements from the trough-shaped stones by cleaving the stones along grooves provided for such purpose.

Abstract: This invention relates to a double-locking adjustable brace especially one which comprises an inner rod, an outer tube, a locking device consisting of two cams, two brake shoes. A spring and a driven plate, and a torsion reducer consisting of a plastic cover, a pivot screw and a concave support. The inner rod is telescopically fitted in the outer tube so that the brace is adjustable in length. The inner rod disengages and engages one of the cams by means of internal and external toothings so that the cams of the locking device can be turned to expand and make the brake shoes to grip the outer tube. The torsion reducer consists of a special washer, a screw pivot, a metal support and a plastic cover and is constructed in such way that the plastic cover can turn freely on the screw pivot to reduce the torsion incidentally applied on the brace.

Abstract: An expansion joint seal assembly comprising elastomeric face and back seals joined by a tear strip and mounted between abutting adjacent building surfaces by press-fitting holding arrows integrally formed with the face and back seals into corresponding receptacles in a retaining frame mounted to each of the building surfaces. The elastomeric face and back seals are provided with accordion-like surface contours that allow the space between the abutting building surfaces to expand and contract due to thermal expansion, wind drift, settling and seismic motions upon the building structure while maintaining an impervious seal. The elastomeric face and back seals and tear strip are produced from a single extrusion of a flexible material, and may be of a type susceptible of coloration.

Abstract: A canopy structure is provided and includes a framework unit and a flexible covering. The framework unit is formed by a plurality of upright corner members and a plurality of roof support members that are pivotally connected at the top ends of the corner members and, in an erected position, extend upwardly and inwardly to a central apex where they are pivotally connected to one another. The roof support members are formed of extendable sections which preferably telescope with respect to one another so that the framework unit may move into a collapsed state with the corner support and roof support members oriented in closely spaced, parallel relation. Latches are provided to prevent the framework unit from collapsing from the erected position. Constraining and support structure, preferably in the form of scissor assemblies, interconnect adjacent corner support members to prevent them from moving apart past the erect state.

Abstract: A roof membrane anchoring system in accordance with the present invention includes an anchoring plate with a roof engaging surface and a top surface that can be attached to an existing structure. The anchoring plate has an axial opening therein into which a lop extends. An insert is inserted into the axial opening in the anchoring plate once a roofing membrane is inserted into the axial opening in the plate. The insert has a greatest diametrical dimension. The anchoring system is designed to assume a first state wherein the greatest diametrical dimension of the insert is slightly less than the inside diameter of the axial opening and slightly greater than the inside diameter of the lip extending into the axial opening and a second state wherein the greatest diametrical dimension of the insert is slightly less than the inside diameter of the lip which extends into the axial opening.