Abstract: An infiltration and energy barrier comprising a flexible substrate sheet having at least one metalized layer thereon is applied to a structure in a substantially continuous manner and is disposed between the structural underlayment and the finish material to enhance the energy efficiency of the structure. In accordance with the desired application, the infiltration and energy barrier may be either impermeable or vapor permeable.

Abstract: A built-up stair assembly of includes a plurality of stair units, of which the angular position of each unit stair can be flexibly adjusted horizontally as well as vertically. Each stair unit includes a T-shaped plate mounted with a tread board and having a holder plate on the top and a socket on the bottom such that the holder plate of one stair unit can be inserted in the socket of another stair unit for connection in series. A handrail is laterally mounted on the top of the tread boards of the stair units when then are connected in series.

Abstract: A construction block suitable for the preparation of an assemblage such as lawn edging, patio perimeters (patio containment system) and the like, wherein a plurality of the blocks are rigidly assembled into the desired configuration without the use of mortar. Each construction block is formed as a pre-cast module, preferably of concrete, within which there is a conduit said conduit being formed from an optional elongated imperforate pipe length with at least one double ended female pipe coupling, and if said pipe is present, double ended female couplings are present at the opposite ends thereof. The conduit may extend in one or more directions through the block and terminates flush with the outer walls thereof.Connection of adjacent blocks one to another to form an assemblage is carried out by connector means comprising the interposition and adhesion of male nipples within adjacent female couplings. A concrete caulk sealant may be applied between any two spaced blocks to retard growth of grass and weeds.

Abstract: Earthquake-resistant insulator for buildings includes two separate single-block units made form a hard, rot-resistant material having a high resistance to abrasion for connection to a the infrastructure and superstructure of a building. More specifically, the insulator includes a lower unit composed of a horizontal circular friction plate having a truncated cone at its center, and an upper unit composed of a circular cap with a downward-turned concavity covering the lower unit such that the bottom of the concavity rests on the top of the truncated cone and lower edges on the friction plate of the lower unit. An annular space is provided between the lateral wall of the upper unit and the lateral walls of the truncated cone of the lower unit making relative lateral movement possible. At least one collar, also made from a rot-resistant material and having high shock-absorbing features, is positioned in the annular space located between the two units.

Abstract: The first preferred embodiment of the subject invention is a mounted stairway built on a central single stringer which utilizes stairs horizontally adjustable with regard to inclination of the stringer. The stairs are fixed in the middle by means of splined bolts which fit into splined apertures both of the stringer and tread angles. The railing posts are screwed into bushings of the tread and secured. Brackets screwed on railing post heads have swivels holding the rails in position.The second embodiment is another option of the mounted stairway which utilizes two side stringers for wider stairs. The stairs in this case are fixed from aside by means of two splined bolts to match splined apertures of both stringers and tread angles.

Abstract: An integral metal stud with a main wall and two lateral walls is provided with an accordionated region which allows the stud to deflect under heavy axial load by shortening the distance between its ends, rather than by buckling in the middle region of the stud.

Abstract: Joints and connector mechanisms for use in a modular wall system which consists of a series of interchangeable panels that may be combined in various ways in order to create a business environment encompassing of a series of private offices. A joint is adapted for disposition between two sections of a movable wall for interconnecting the sections. Each section includes a panel having an elongated vertical edge defines by a pair of spaced parallel walls. The joint generally comprises two elongated vertical posts each including a mounting strip for mounting the posts to the edges of adjacent panels. A pair of spaced parallel tongues extends outwardly from the mounting strip away from the edge of the panel. First and second flexible connecting strips have first and second flange-receiving portions. In use, each of the strips is positioned between adjacent tongues of the first and second posts for receiving the tongues in each of the flange-receiving portions.

Abstract: A sign post constructed of an upper channel section nested with a lower channel section at a frangible joint designed so when the sign post is struck by a vehicle, failure of the joint will occur in a predictable and consistent manner. The channel sections are preferably formed of stock channel material having a transverse cross-section in the general shape of a hat, including a longitudinally extending flat center web and outwardly divergent side walls. When the channel sections are nested together, the side walls of adjoining sections are in contact with one another, while the web portions remain spaced apart. In the present invention, the channel sections are connected together with a fastener in combination with a spacer that is engaged between the web portions to provide a reliable and strong breakaway connection.

Abstract: An improved plastic floor tile formed with an internal stress eliminating structure including grooves or recesses disposed on the lower surface of the floor tile at four corners and four sides thereof, whereby contractile internal stress caused by thermal change can be interrupted from reaching the four corners or margin portions of the floor tile by the internal stress eliminating structure so as to effectively prevent distortion of the four corners or margin portions.

Abstract: A concrete post and panel noise barrier in which the opposed side walls of the post contain vertical grooves for slidably receiving the panels. Each post further contains two parallel rows of vertically disposed reinforcing bars positioned adjacent the front and back walls of the post. The two rows of reinforcing bars are further strengthened by horizontally disposed connector units that include an endless tie rod positioned between the grooves that loops around at least one bar in each row and a pair of stirrup wires that pass around the outside of the rows of reinforcing bars. The ends of each stirrup wire are turned inward about the end bars in the row and are crossed over each other before being brought into engagement with the tie rod.

Abstract: A plastic nailing fin for use with a window assembly includes a first strip of plastic material moveable from a position overlying the viewing surface of a window frame assembly to a position permitting its attachment to a support structure, a second strip of material integral with said first strip and joining it at a corner, said second strip having first and second segments separated by an integral hinge about which said first segment and said first strip of plastic material may be foldable.

Abstract: A roof vent pipe leak collection device comprising a surface extending outwardly and upwardly from the outer surface of the vent pipe and terminating below the roof, the surface defined by a lower end, arranged in water-tight engagement with the outer surface of the vent pipe, and a wider, upper end spaced-apart therefrom; the surface further defining an open-topped cavity exterior of the roof vent pipe to collect drops of liquid falling from above and liquid running down the outer surface of the vent pipe, and at least one aperture formed in the wall of the roof vent pipe, entering from the outside thereof in the cavity and opening into the interior of the vent pipe a spaced distance above the entrance to convey liquid collected in the cavity into the interior of the vent pipe while inhibiting the escape of gas and fumes therefrom.

Abstract: A refractory brick wall system for towers and the like which includes an outside casing and a plurality of bricks laid up in a pattern on the inside of the casing. Tie-back devices secure the bricks to the casing and allow for relative horizontal and relative vertical movement between the bricks and the casing. A plurality of shelves are fixed to the inside of the casing at vertically spaced intervals to provide support for the bricks in vertical sections thereof. A lightweight, insulating refractory material is cast between the casing and the bricks. The bricks themselves are shaped with ring and groove sides for interlocking of the bricks in a laid-up wall construction thereof.

Abstract: A building structure having high blast and penetration resistance, including a plurality of walls at least one of which is of a sandwich construction including four composite panel structures each including a first group of face panels having interlocking ends, a second group of face panels having interlocking ends spaced from said first group, a plurality of laceing panels extending diagonally between the two groups of face panels and having ends interlocking with the interlocking ends of the two groups of face panels, and a filling material filling the spaces between the two groups of face panels and embedding the laceing panels. The filling material filling the spaces between the face panels is a solid material such as cast concrete, and the space between the composite panel structures is filled with a loose filling material, such as loose sand, gravel, pebbles or stones.

Abstract: Metal reinforcing members (3) are attached by bonding to a surface in the tension zone (1a) of a concrete structure component (1) for reinforcing the component. To prevent the ends of the reinforcing members (3) from separating from the structural component (1) when the component is subjected to load, attachment elements (4) clamp the ends of the reinforcing members against the surface of the component in addition to the bonding action. The attachment elements (4) apply such high compressive forces to the structural component, so that potentially damaging tension and shear forces can not be effective.

Abstract: An underground blast shelter providing short and long term protection against nuclear detonation for its occupants. The shelter consists of a paraboloidal cell to house the occupants and a command station interfacing with the ground surface. A flange completely surrounds the cell along its long dimension. The command station is made from an upper portion made out of steel and a lower portion which is a part of the flange of the cell. Access between the command station and the cell is through the flange and includes foot wells to facilitate movement.

Abstract: A floor vibration-damping apparatus damps a horizontal vibration of a floor based on an earthquake or the like. This apparatus comprises a movable supporting portion for supporting a floor with being free to move horizontally, and a damper working portion made by a combination of a viscous damper fixed to a restricted position of the floor and a plurality of spring mechanisms positioned radiately with respect to the restricted position.

Abstract: A modular unit having a double shelled module housing closed by a door secured by a locking system and being substantially portable and self-contained requiring only an AC plug and telephone and television lines. A service unit supplies all water and collects all waste from the modular unit which contains a shower, toilet, lavatory and sleeping facilities.

Abstract: A panel for the construction of swimming pools consisting of a prefabricated structure of reinforced resin concrete, at least one separate reinforcement element 2 corresponding to the height of the panels, the separate reinforcement element 2 comprising a transversal section suitable for defining a vertical gutter formed between two support wings located in one and the same plane, which wings are designed so as to assure the fixation of the element 2 on one of the faces of the structure, the separate reinforcement element 2 comprising a squared edge 2d in its upper part, the vertical gutter of the separate reinforcement element 2 communicates with the squared edge 2d, and the vertical gutter 2a receives concrete over the totality of its height in communication with a series of clamps located in the squared edge 2d of the separate reinforcement element.

Abstract: A bearing connection in a building structure for distributing downward gravity bearing loads through fasteners driven through sheet metal connectors and into a load carrying wood structural member such as a floor joist, a roof rafter or a wood truss member, through a pair of sheet metal connectors and into a wood plate member via fasteners driven through the connectors and into the plate member. Seismic, hurricane or other upward forces are also resisted by the same connectors and fasteners. Relative movement between the load carrying structural member and the plate member is also resisted in a generally horizontal direction transverse as well as parallel to the plate member.