Abstract: A system for extending and retracting moveable rooms that expand the useable living space in recreational vehicles and the like. The system includes a pair of hydraulic extension cylinders positioned within the main structural members, each hydraulic extension cylinder powering a double tube arrangement which is combined with a rail assembly. When in the fully retracted position, the moveable floor rests on the stationary floor and is locked in position by a mechanical catch that locks the outer tube of the dual tube arrangement with the rail assembly. When the room is to be extended, the inner tube is advanced under power of the hydraulic cylinders moving the floor outwardly while maintaining it at the same level above the stationary floor. As the inner end of the moveable floor approaches its final position but before lowering, the rear or inner edge of the moveable floor engages a floor support tube that is attached to the outer tube of the dual tube arrangement.

Abstract: In order to join concrete products to be joined together each having an joining face, an opening formed in the joining face, and an attachment hole communicating with the opening, a junction member body has on its at least one end a swelled protruding portion which is inserted through the opening into the attachment hole. The junction member body further has a plurality of spaces for cleavage extending along the direction of thickness of the junction member body, each of the spaces for cleavage being cleaved open by an external force caused by an earthquake or the like, to present satisfactory extensibility and collapsibility.

Abstract: A moisture vent (10) has an elongated back flashing (12), an elongated base side (14) extending from the back flashing, an elongated vent side (18) extending upwardly from the base side, an elongated stucco side (24) extending inwardly from the vent side, a front flashing (32) extending upwardly from the stucco side adjacent the back flashing, and a termite barrier (34) extending outwardly and downwardly from the intersection of the base and the vent sides. Upon installation, the back flashing is mounted to a foundation (6) of a structure (8) with the front flashing in contact with a foam backing (2) of an exterior insulation and finishing system (4) and the stucco side adjacent a bottom face (5) of the exterior insulation and finishing system. To provide air flow, the stucco side has slots (28), and the vent side has vents (22). In one embodiment the slots have fins, and in another embodiment, the vents have louvers. A cap (40) is provided for closing an open end (36) of the moisture vent.

Abstract: A method of upgrading an existing unprotected submersible pump area with secondary containment to prevent accidental release of harmful materials from contaminating the soil below grade.

Abstract: A billboard netting system for a billboard (10) including top netting pieces (40, 46, 48), side netting pieces (50, 54, 56, 58), and bottom netting piece (52). Such netting pieces enclose potential bird nesting structure of the billboard, yet allow for easy access to the catwalks (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) of the billboard. As a result, billboards 12, 16 are exterior of the netting pieces.

Abstract: A quick assembling coupling system for bar structures consists of an annular disk containing a number of radial sleeves having their longitudinal axes distributed about the annular disk such that the ends of the bars are held in the sleeves by a prismatic lock cover inserted in the center of the annular disk.

Abstract: A portable shelter is provided including a frame having a base and a collapsible upper portion. A cover is removably mounted on the upper portion of the frame. A pair of shoulder straps are each coupled to the base of the frame for allowing the same to be worn on a back of a user. Next provided is a bag mounted on the base for receiving the cover.

Abstract: A protective device which is quick and easy and non-messy to install for affording a moisture barrier to the upper surface of a pole. The device comprises a sheet of adhesive, moisture resistant, preferably elastomeric material for covering at least the upper surface of the pole and is adhesively attached to itself and/or the upper end portion of the pole for sealing the upper end portion against moisture.

Abstract: A plate-shaped cambered attachment element (1) for attaching a constructional element (9) to a foundation (7) and having a central bore (2) for receiving an anchoring element (11), an abutment shoulder (4) spaced from the base (3) of the attachment element (1) and extending toward the base (3), and an edge region (5) which extends toward the plate edge (6) of the attachment element (1) and extends to a plane, extending perpendicular to the axis of the core (2), at a shallow angle (W).

Abstract: A construction block comprises parallel faces joined by four side edges. Two side edges have outer spacing flanges while the other two sides have inner spacing flanges. Hook receptacles are located on the lower portion of the inner spacing flanges and face away each other, while corresponding hooks are located along the outer spacing flanges and are adapted to be received within a corresponding hook receptacle when the a construction block is interconnected with the another of the construction block. A structural bar is positionable within the recess of the inner spacing flanges.

Abstract: Exterior finishing panels are provided which contain an elongated, thermoplastic sheet which is supported by a rigid support member disposed along a portion of the length of the sheet. The rigid support member has a flexural modulus which is significantly greater than the modulus of the thermoplastic sheet, so as to support the panel during handling and installation. The panels of this invention will be more kink-resistant, and will ride uneven walls better to present a flatter-looking finished wall surface. These panels are also capable of being worked with ordinary hand tools, such as a standard wood saw made of steel or carbide.

Abstract: A security door for a gate or building opening is formed of a metal frame that defines a pair of hollow stile frame members and upper and lower hollow transverse rail frame members. Each of the frame members has an inner face with an attachment flange projecting therefrom. Security receiving apertures are defined in the inner faces of the frame members. In the fabrication of the door a plurality of metal security bars are positioned relative to the hollow frame member so that the ends of the security bars project through the security bar receiving apertures and into the hollow frame members. The security bars pass over and reside in contact with the attachment flanges. The security bars are spot welded to the attachment flanges so as to permanently secure them to the door frame. Also, the frame itself is preferably formed from a single, elongated strip of metal that is roll formed and then bent at mitered corner cuts to create and delineate the stile and rail members.

Abstract: An earthquake-proof object support device comprising, a sphere of a material having strength high enough to support an object to be supported, and a support frame holding said sphere for supporting said object. At least three devices of the present invention are secured to the bottom of an object to be supported and placed on a flat floor. The devices are attached as legs to a large-scaled computer, for instance and placed on the floor of an office building. The object supported by the devices of the present invention stays at its initial position in accordance with the law of inertia when an earthquake occurs, and horizontal motions of the floor of the building are absorbed by the devices of the present invention. A vertical seismic force is transmitted to the supported object but the object is stably held horizontally as is the case with an object in a vertically moving elevator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for raising concrete floor slabs to form a multi-floor structure. Slabs are cast near ground level with apertures cast for well placed columns. The slabs are lifted sequentially, uppermost first, by an air cushion backed up by follower means to hold the slabs safely at any elevation reached. The air cushion is created between the current uppermost slab, the slab below, and the walls of a steel enclosure erected around the stacked slabs and extending upward allowing slabs to travel upward.

Abstract: A construction block system for constructing construction block structures comprises a first construction block, having a pair of parallel faces joined by four side edges, and a second construction block having a pair of parallel faces joined by four side edges. A first set of spacing flanges extend about the four sides of the first construction block while a second set of spacing flanges extend about the four side edges of the second construction block. Hook receptacles are located along the first set of spacing flanges, the second set of spacing flanges or both, while corresponding hooks are located along the second set of spacing flanges, the first set of spacing flanges, or both and are adapted to be received within a corresponding hook receptacle when the first construction block is interconnected with the second construction block.

Abstract: A frame material for a wall of a building, including a metal beam, and a tubular rectangular metal stud having opposite sides each provided with a window through which the beam is capable of being inserted and in which the beam is received such that the lateral movement is prevented. One of the windows has a stopper member which is displaceable between close and open positions and which extends from one side to the other side of the window. The stopper member in the closed state prevents the beam received in the windows to move vertically.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing a structure involves winding a cable around the structure and tensioning the cable after the ends of the cable are secured. Winding the cable around the structure involves winding a portion of the cable near the top end of the structure such that at least two windings of the cable are made with a first predetermined separation between the windings, and winding another portion of the cable near the bottom end of the structure such that at least two bottom windings of the cable are made with a second predetermined separation between the bottom windings. In one embodiment, the structure is a concrete column. In another embodiment, tensioning the cable involves installing a plurality of shims between the cable and the structure at spaced locations along the cable. A structure which is reinforced using such a method is also described.