Abstract: A simple, environmentally benign building for on-site erection and fabrication is made of monolithic, architectural, structural walls, beams, girders, joists and panels of relatively high physical strength which exhibit great durability and resistance to fire, wind and seismic damage and which have highly desirable acoustic and thermal transfer characteristics. The wall is constructed by casting a core of flowable fibrous, foam-cement mix between two, thin panels of manufactured, exterior-grade fiberglass reinforced cement board. Particles and proteins from the core mix penetrate, migrate into and fill interstitial spaces in the cement board, forming a strong, continuous and homogenous bond between the fill material and the board itself. This imparts additional strength to the cement board by filling the interstitial voids, creating a solid, homogeneous wall. The wall, girder, etc.

Abstract: A molding assembly which includes a length of molding, a pair of retainers, and a plurality of optional L-shaped brackets is disclosed. The molding assembly is for use in dressing up a junction or intersection between a wall and a ceiling and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The molding is shaped in the form of conventional crown molding having yieldable or deflecting securing members disposed at opposite ends. The yieldable securing members are formed to include a throat having a reduced area and an enlarged area. The throat is in open communication with an enlarged area. The retainers each include an inwardly and rearwardly directed hook which is frictionally engageable with a respective yieldable fastener. Successively arranged slots are disposed along the entire length of each retainer for receiving fasteners therethrough to secure the same to a mounting surface. The L-shaped brackets have a plurality of through bores passing therethrough.

Abstract: A junction for connecting a steel member to a structural member, such as a beam in a steel framed construction to a column in a reinforced concrete construction, a steel framed concrete construction or a steel framed construction. Junction hardware connect to the steel member and a rod-like orthogonal metal connector is provided in concrete structural members. The elements are connected by tightening bolts or by screw joints through a coupler. Since the metal connector is in a form of rod, the concrete member has a high packing property. Field welding work is omitted by connecting the metal connector to the junction hardware by a bolt connection method or by a screw joint method to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for creating tiling networks with geometrical and ornamental patterns and designs without using tile. The networks consist of units which may be manufactured in whatever patterns or designs that are desired. The network units are pre-manufactured to form the required ornamental pattern or design and may be assembled on site on a level surface. When assembled, a series of cavities are created. The cavities are divided by the walls of the network units. The top surface of the walls of the network units are an integral component of the pattern or design created. The cavities and the patterns formed by the top surfaces of the network units comprise the ornamental pattern or design. The cavities are filled with a material in order to make the ornamental surface relatively level. The cavities may be filled with materials of different colors to enhance the pattern or design.

Abstract: A step system for swimming pools comprises a unitary stair module including a stair shell formed of plastic sheet material and a plurality of elongated rigidizing members which are encapsulated within the plastic sheet material of the stair shell, and support braces for supporting the unitary stair module. A method of manufacturing the unitary stair module of the step system is disclosed and comprises encapsulating each of the rigidizing members in the plastic sheet material of the stair shell by vacuum forming.

Abstract: A means and method for rigidly elevating a structure includes a base member securable in the ground and which has a portion extending above the ground. A pole section, having a bore inside a lower end, and an upper end, can be stacked upon the base means upwardly by slip fitting the pole section onto the base end and securing it in place. A flexible, easily transportable and durable system is thereby created for elevating structures.

Abstract: The control room of an airport control tower is octagonal and has windows at at least two ends of the room, and work stations for controllers adjacent these windows. Each of the two windows extends along three adjoining sides of the room, and the work station is disposed behind the window at the middle of the three sides. The controller at each work station has a lateral field of view of at least 180.degree. unobstructed by mullions or other structural supporting elements. The windows are composed of planar transparent panels, and sealing elements which pose no significant obstruction to vision are provided at the joints between the panels.

Abstract: A roof panel construction system adapted structurally for use on a new roof, or over a pre-existing roof, dead level flat or steep, said system comprising a series of panels each having first and second metallic cover sheets, a structural and thermally protective barrier layer encased by said cower sheets and a nose and pocket construction on two adjacent edges formed so that the nose of a first panel will conformably fit into the pocket of a second panel and be mated thereto, said nose and pocket structures further comprising a plurality of sealing strips so that the joints between said panels are automatically sealed and spaced and become resistant to thermal and fluid leakage, said sealing strips being enclosed within the joint to assure maximum effective life of the system.

Abstract: A generally rectangular wire grid of welded construction is utilized to define and maintain the positioning of rebar charged therethrough during the formation of structural column and girder cages. Pre-positioned ties guide the rebar through the grid. The pre-positioned ties are then tightened such that the rebar is held firmly in place at the close tolerance positions defined by the prefabricated grid. A plurality of such grids are assembled into expandable bundles such that they may be expanded in an accordion-like fashion about rebar charged therethrough, resulting in properly spaced grids for defining and maintaining the position of the rebar. Additional rebar members may then be charged therethrough to complete the construction of a column or girder cage. The modular reinforcement cages of the present invention thus eliminate piecemeal engineering requirements by providing modular building concepts in which a unique rebar bundle pattern facilitates improved containment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are utilized to produce panels which simulate overlapping red clay roof tile. The panels are fire resistant, impact resistant, opaque, lightweight, and have sufficient strength to support fully the weight of an individual walking on the tile.

Abstract: A method of forming a concrete column capital using a flexible tension membrane material in place of the traditional rigid panels currently used for this purpose, is described. A flexible tension membrane material is attached to an opening in a panelized flat slab formwork deck located directly above a pre-existing concrete column. The membrane forms a bag-like container which contains and supports the wet concrete, and serves to form a column capital between the column and the flat slab above. Also disclosed are methods for anchoring the flexible tension membrane capital form to a panelized flat slab formwork deck.

Abstract: A ranged, hollow, coffered rectilinear structure having integrally joined side member for hanging within a conventional, suspended T-bar subceiling matrix. Optionally the rectilinear structure may have a lip beneath the flange so that when two side members of two structures sit opposite one another on a conventional T-bar rail, both side members cooperate to reveal a space beneath the T-bar for mounting an additional track assembly, such track lighting, to the T-bar rail. Cross members in the hollow rectilinear structure add to its aesthetic appeal. A single cross member bisecting the rectilinear structure is formed so that it may be split, creating two smaller rectilinear structures having uniformly shaped, flanged side members for hanging within smaller T-bar matrices. By modifying the T-bar matrix and the rectilinear structure, a 3-Dimensional T-bar matrix is formed in the suspended ceiling, allowing rectilinear structures to be oriented on each other in both the horizontal and vertical planes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interlock assembly for joining adjacent building panels, said assembly comprising:(a) a pair of interlock assembly elements, each assembly element having integral therewith:(i) first complementary means for matingly engaging the assembly elements in an engaged position; and(ii) second complementary means for forcing and maintaining the first complementary means in the engaged position, wherein said second complementary means are separate and disposed away from said first complementary means.

Abstract: A leakproof modular manhole system comprising a plurality of separate cooperating, plastic form units that snap fit together in a vertical stack. The deployed system provides a complete replacement for an existing manhole, or forms an entirely new corrosion resistant and leakproof manhole. Each of the seamless units is preferably rotationally molded from polyethylene plastic. Each double walled unit interiorly defines a material receptive annular cavity. The cavity may be filled with structural or non structural fill material. A generally tubular base unit is disposed at the bottom of the excavation for connection with the sewer line by an eccentric reducer coupling. A concrete invert is formed in the base in fluid flow communication with the sewer line. One or more tubular riser units extend serially upwardly from the base. The risers are available in varying lengths to accommodate different manhole depths. The system corbel is formed by a cone that structurally terminates alongside the pavement.

Abstract: A curved panel including a panel body and a pair of reinforcing members fixed to the panel body and arranged so that a planar restorative force of the panel body is balanced by a resilient force of each of the pair of reinforcing members so as to keep the panel body at a predetermined curvature. The panel body is made of resiliently deformable material including a face portion at (a) each of a first pair of opposite sides to which a deformable bent portion is attached which allows the face portion of the panel body to be curved to the predetermined curvature and at (b) each of a second pair of opposite sides to which a reinforcing bent portion is attached which keeps the second pair of opposite sides linear. The reinforcing members have a curvature greater than the predetermined curvature and are fixed to the deformable bent portions of the panel body.

Abstract: A shelter which repays its construction costs in energy savings over a period of five to seven years. Except for entryways, the shelter is enclosed and has no vented attic or similar spaces below its roof. Roof and walls are skin-stressed panels having a closed cell insulation core between selected structural facings, for example steel. Interior insulation is at the walls and the roof line. Any ceiling below the insulated roof line is at nominal room temperature. Natural lighting enters the shelter via sun-tracking, sun-reflecting skylights. Preferable a plurality of air conditioners, concentric about the skylights, heats and cools the interior of the shelter. An energy program manager monitors and controls electrical usage. The shelter lends itself to many building types and functions.Those skilled in the art will conceive of other embodiments of the invention which may be drawn from the disclosure herein.

Abstract: A plastic liner for protecting concrete manhole interior surfaces from corrosion wherein the liner includes provisions for creating a strong mechanical lock between the liner and the interior surfaces. A side of the liner which includes the provisions has a plurality of raised hollow projections with spaced sections. The mechanical lock is created when concrete is poured against the side of the liner with the projections. The concrete at least partially enters the hollow portions and fills spaces between the projection sections. The projections also intersect to enhance the mechanical lock by preventing bulging. Liner sections cover essentially all of the manhole interior surfaces. Forming a liner section by rotationally molding the plastic and cutting gaps into the projections is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of erecting a foundation structure for a building substructure, in which joists including a horizontal web interconnecting upright side flanges on either side, are positioned butt end against butt end and are fixed in position at a distance of a few centimeters above a substratum. Gravel, macadam or other back fill material is then positioned against the external face of each side flange, whereupon concrete is poured into the joists and is allowed to partly flow downwards, through apertures formed in the joist webs, and onto the substratum.

Abstract: A ground covering mat creating a safe working environment around certain pedestals containing electrical and/or telephone equipment and for preventing the growth of vegetation around ground-anchored structures in general. Such structures include fire hydrants, pedestals for containing telephone or electrical circuitry, and gas vents. The mat includes a main body defined by an outer perimeter. The mat is constructed from synthetic fibers saturated with a resin containing ultraviolet inhibitors and a fire-retardant. The mat is resilient so as to conform to the shape of the ground for which it covers. The mat is designed to be substantially non-biodegradable. In a preferred embodiment, the mat has a concentric series of scored profiles defining successively larger interior sections. The scored profiles facilitate a user in cutting a central open area corresponding in with the size of the ground anchored structure.

Abstract: An architectural panel system for assembling geodesic-like structures in which three or more corrugated panels of relatively thin material are joined along their sides to form a polyhedral angle. The corrugations may be formed in the panel surface or along side flanges provided for attaching adjoining panels together, or both. Corrugations in the side flanges serve to interlock adjoining panels together directly or through use of interlocking channel members. Surface corrugations in triangular and pentagonal panels for spherical domes are formed perpendicular to the edges of the panels and converge along load distribution grooves formed in the panel surfaces from the corners of the panels to their centers. Corrugations in the panel surface and along the side flanges are intercorrugated relative to one another for more strength and stiffness. The panels are preferably formed using polycarbonate plastic material.