Abstract: A new roofing system (14) for installation on a structure (2) whose existing roof deck (6) and membrane (12) may include depressed regions (8, 10) compensates for the depressed regions with contour cut compensation panels (18). Filler panels (20) are placed atop the roof deck, membrane and any required compensation panels, with opposed perimeter edges (64) of adjacent filler panels abutting. The filler panels are secured to the underlying roof deck with anchor plates (22) and screws (70), one anchor plate preferably securing four adjacent filler panels at the junction of their corners. The filler panels may have uniform thickness (58) or, if a sloped roofing system is to be fabricated, they may have non-uniform thickness (60, 62). Lengths (82, 88) of roofing material (76), such as galvanized metal, are laid atop the upper surface (72) of the filler panels and anchor plates and are secured to the anchor plates with screws (92).

Abstract: In a curtain wall of metal-stud-frame type in which a metal frame is attached to the back surface of a concrete panel through a flexible anchor, a self-supporting type solid, knitted goods formed by knitting fibers in three dimensional directions with a pitch between each fabric exceeding 5 mm is buried in the skin of said concrete panel and the forward end of said flexible anchor is held in the space of cell of said solid, knitted goods. The curtain wall has a high bending strength and is easily manufactured and, therefore, suitable for use in external materials of buildings.

Abstract: A structural system of modular components which promotes rapid erection of building type structures is disclosed. The modular building structure system comprises a plurality of beam members, a plurality of column support members, and a connector means for affixing the beam members into a structural gridwork. Each beam member is positioned between and aligned with two nodes of a planar assemblage of interconnected polygons to form a structural gridwork that is congruent with the planar assemblage of interconnected polygons. The column support members are positioned between two structural gridworks and aligned with two nodes, one node being in each structural gridwork. The column support members include endpieces enabling the column support members to be affixed to the structural gridwork. The connector means comprises a plurality of tubular hubs positioned at the nodes of the structural gridworks and a plurality of radial flange sets.

Abstract: A rail system for stairs, balconies and the like utilizes standardized components to facilitate rapid and inexpensive assembly. The rail system includes rail sections including upper and lower rails, joined by posts. Transitions comprising connector and corner members accommodate changes in the rake and direction of adjacent rail sections, and provide a continuous upper rail. Connectors and base elements, which also facilitate ease of assembly and adjustment, are disclosed.

Abstract: An openable roof includes a plurality of rotationally movable roof members and at least one linearly movable roof member. Each of the rotationally movable roof members is of a generally sectorial shape in a two-dimensional projection. The sectorial shape has a radially outer edge portion. The outer edge portions of the rotationally movable roof members are movably disposed on an outer arcuate support. Accordingly, each of the rotationally movable roof members is able to revolve around an axis of the arcuate support so as to participate to open and close a sectorial opening portion provided by the arcuate support. The linearly movable roof member has a generally V-shaped edge portion. The V-shaped edge portion cooperates with the arcuate support to define the sectorial opening. The linearly movable roof member is movably disposed on a plurality of linear supports so as to participate to open and close a larger opening portion which is larger than the sectorial opening.

Abstract: The vertical reflective enclosure, containing a double-pane bay window panels, with movable inserts between the panes, which function as shading devices, and a light reflective panels directly extending above the bay window panels at top portion, intended to channel the sunlight and an outside view from the translucent roof membrane to the exterior wall installed transparent mirror window. This enclosure, in the form of a bay shaft configuration adapted for positioning around such window, is attached at the upper end around the translucent roof membrane and at the bottom and terminated below the wall window.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for repair for poles which have been damaged by environmental effects, which is easily transportable, simple to install, and easily adaptable to many classes of poles. The method involves excavating around the pole, cleaning the surface of the pole, pumping a fumigant into the pole, applying a bonding agent to the clean surface, and then applying strips of a composite fiberglass mat and resin to the pole in a controlled manner until a desired casement thickness has been achieved. The repair is completed by application of an ultraviolet resistant coating to the pole.

Abstract: A combination active and passive mass damping device to attenuate vibrations in a structure caused by seismic and/or wind forces. A mass is actively rendered vibratable by a hydraulic actuator and passively vibratable by use of springs. The device normally functions as an active mass damper, but, in the event of a power failure, is automatically converted by a failsafe means into a passive mass damping mode.

Abstract: A pair of supports to aid in the installation of door jambs, each support includes a base to rest upon and to be secured to a support surface. Extending upwardly from the base is a brace member which has at its upper end a securing bracket to engage the door jamb. Adjacent the base is a second securing bracket which also engages the door jamb. Both brackets are adjustable movable horizontally to adjust the door jamb engaged thereby.

Abstract: A pre-stressed concrete member which is mainly composed of (a) first reinforcement members including first fiber strands bound together and extending along a first direction; (b) a second reinforcement member including second fiber strands bound together, extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first reinforcement members and the second reinforcement member connected to each other at their intersections so as to form a meshwork thereby, and at least one of the first members and the second member being pre-tensioned; (c) and a concrete body embedding therein the first reinforcement members and the second reinforcement member.

Abstract: An anchor is formed in a wall or ceiling composed of friable asbestos containing material by placing a plate member having a seal member around its peripheral edge against the wall or ceiling and then driving a fastener through the plate member and into the wall or ceiling. The plate member is of a size to permanently contain between the plate member and the ceiling any friable asbestos containing material which is dislodged by the fastener. Preferably, the seal, which comprises a sealing strip with an adhesive coating, or a sealing adhesive, temporarily secures the plate member to the wall while the fastener is being driven through the plate member to assure that the plate remains in place; however, it is the fastener which permanently secures the plate member to the wall or ceiling.

Abstract: A basic joint member and a plurality of application joint members are formed so that a side plate portion or end plate portion is fitted to the end face of a construction member constituting a post, a beam or the like and a coupling plate portion extending from the side plate portion or end plate portion orthogonally to the side plate portion or end plate portion is fitted in a groove formed in the end face of the construction member or is gripped between construction members including two parallel members, and the connecting plate portion is clamped by a clamping member. The basic member containing a longitudinal construction member is combined with and connected to at least one application joint member for a lateral construction member, a lateral construction member orthogonal to the first-mentioned lateral construction member and an oblique construction member to construct a joint apparatus for construction members.

Abstract: An expansion joint for floor panels such as concrete slabs, as well as wall and ceiling panels, has a thickness equal to a covering material on the panels and is surface mounted. An expansion joint member which can be an integral extruded or otherwise formed length bridges across substantially abutting panels at a variable gap, the panels having coplanar surfaces on at least one side and a covering material thereon. The joint member has a U-shaped body portion having a width greater than a maximum width of the gap, and fasteners adjacent one side of the gap for affixing the body portion to one of said panels defining an attachment side of the joint. The body portion bridges across the gap and rests freely on the coplanar surface of the panel on an opposite side of the gap. Wing members are attached to the body portion on the attachment side and on the opposite side, in each case at a space from the lower surface of the body portion equal to a thickness of the covering material on said attachment side.

Abstract: A method of fixedly securing an lighting fixture to a ceiling of a building structure, comprises a first securing step for securing an anchor grip at a prescribed position on a bottom face of a slab of the building structure, a flexible suspender being inserted through the anchor grip; a second securing step for securing a suspender grasping assembly temporarily to a lighting fixture support member; a suspending step for inserting the flexible suspender from the lower free end thereof through the suspender grasping assembly and then raising the suspender grasping assembly along the flexible suspender, while the lighting fixture support member is temporarily fixed to a temporary set position on the suspender; an adjusting step for adjusting height of the lighting fixture support member to fit into a ceiling finish board, by moving the suspender grasping assembly along the flexible suspender together with the lighting fixture member; and a fixing step for fixing the lighting fixture support member to the flexib

Abstract: A hangable holder suitable for suspending plants and the like comprises a receptacle suitable for holding a plant and a unitary support for the receptacle. The support comprises a waterproof bottom and an exterior peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom. There are at least three longitudinally extending arms projecting upwardly from the exterior wall, each arm being provided with a support hole. There can be an inner wall inwardly from the exterior wall with a space between the two walls for holding articles such as decorative flowers.

Abstract: In its preferred form the present invention provides a system of interconnecting wall panels, which in normal use provide horizontal parallel recesses along the length of the wall, into which shelf brackets can be fitted, the converse face of the recesses providing detents by which the panels can be attached to a supporting structure on the wall behind.

Abstract: A weatherseal flashing is made from sheet vulcanized rubber and surrounds a skylight frame situate on a roof curb. The weatherseal consists of a plurality of sealedly lapping panels each embodying a relatively wide apron and an upstanding flange extending along one elongated edge of the rectangular-shaped panel. The ends of each panel flange have overlapping sealedly connected wings on their ends to provide collectively, a continuous fastener for surrounding the inner side or leg of the skylight assembly to make a co-planar seal in engagement with the combined projecting curb and the skylight frame, and the roof surface.

Abstract: A vacuum insulation panel having flexible gas impermeable walls formed in multiple substantially adjacent compartments. A thermal break may advantageously be provided around the perimeter to prevent conduction of heat from a warmer side of the panel to a colder side, which thermal break can be easily constructed by utilizing webs of gas impermeable material with the foil carried thereon such that the foil has a width somewhat less than the width of the film and with two separate pieces of the firm rotated at 90.degree. to one another to provide a continuous area void of the foil.Multiple compartments are utilized to enhance the long term thermal characteristics of the panel by "protecting" the vacuum characteristics of at least one of the compartments by surrounding it with additional evacuated compartments.

Abstract: The compound thermal insulating system, which can be attached to a building wall with a light-absorbent exterior wall surface comprises at least partially transparent thermal insulating material which is externally projected against the effects of weather. In order to guarantee in a particularly simple fashion the sure protection of the thermal insulating material against external influences, particularly against the effects of weather, the thermal insulating material is provided with a weather-resistant protective coating consisting of at least partially transparent filler which contains a curing binder sufficient to provide a radiation transmission ratio for vertical sunlight of greater than 20%, given coating thicknesses between 0.5 mm and 6 mm. A transparent reinforcement is effectively positioned between the insulating material and the protective coating.

Abstract: A protective tree guard is set forth formed of stretch polymeric filaments to define a webbing of finite length and width formed with a right and left webbing including cooperating snap fasteners to enable securement of the flexible netting about a desired tree. Upper and lower hollow sheaths slidingly receive drawstrings thereto to secure and position the tree guard in a predetermined orientation and position about the associated tree. Alternatively, a one-piece tubular webbing may be formed for securement about the aforenoted tree.