Abstract: Multipane, insulating glazing structures having exceptional thermal insulation performance are provided. The multipane structures comprise two substantially parallel rigid glazing sheets spaced apart by an interior spacer which includes a physically stable body of low thermal conductivity, closed cell, foamed polymer.

Abstract: A retractable dome stadium having a plurality of generally lune-shaped panels mounted for movement between an open position in which they are stacked one above the other in a superimposed relationship and a closed position in which they are disposed in a generally side-by-side relationship. In the open position, the dome has a low and open view in one end thereof.

Abstract: A wallboard patching element is collapsible to fit through a hole in the wallboard. Using a handle, the element is moved through the hole and inside the wall adjacent to the hole. Once inside the wall, the element is released into a fully deployed condition with part of the element larger than the hole. The patching element has adhesive on portions that contact the wall, and is moved into contact with the wall. Once the patching element is fixed to the wall, the handle is removed, and tape or other patching material is used to fill in any gaps remaining between the patching element and the wall.

Abstract: Ground anchors of the type which are attached to cables and rods and driven into the ground and tilted transversely by tensioning the cable. A ground anchor comprising a body portion having a generally triangular cross-section extending substantially along its length having generally concave sides and a continuous convex lower surface from one edge of the body portion where the sides and lower surface meet to an opposite edge.

Abstract: A cementitious structural member has a high volume of encapsulated captive air and has an unusually high compressive and shear strength.

Abstract: A seismic damping system for a building structure, comprises a foundation for supporting a structure, a fixed anchor disposed in an accessible position centrally of the foundation, and damping members connected between the foundation and the anchor for damping seismic movement of the foundation.

Abstract: A deck fastening system includes an underdeck elongated fastening clip. Such clip is in the form of an elongated metallic sheet of a predetermined width. The clip has a profile defined by a fastening flange, and a depending facia projecting at right angles to the fastening flange from the leading edge thereof, which terminates in an intersecting valley. An angularly upwardly-extending track projects from the intersecting valley at the lower end of the depending facia. A washer flange extends outwardly from the leading edge of the angularly-upwardly-extending track.

Abstract: A modular solarium includes (a) a plurality of prefabricated wall panels, each prefabricated wall panel including (i) at least one transparent sheet of material having a peripheral edge, and (ii) a peripheral frame of an L-shaped cross-section supporting the peripheral edge and positioned therearound, the peripheral frame having opposite exposed surfaces with an opening in at least one of the exposed surfaces; (b) a plurality of prefabricated ceiling panels, each prefabricated ceiling panel including (i) at least one transparent sheet of material having a peripheral edge, (ii) a peripheral frame of an L-shaped cross-section supporting the peripheral edge and positioned therearound, the peripheral frame having opposite exposed surfaces with an opening in at least one of the exposed surfaces; and (c) a plurality of joint members for connecting together the prefabricated panels, each joint member including (i) a joint frame member, and (ii) at least two protrusions extending from the joint frame member, each pro

Abstract: An anchoring clip for the installation of a hollow door or window frame in stud or masonry walls that minimizes the need for additional hardware when installing a hollow door or window frame because the clip can be used along the entire height of either the strike jamb or the hinge jamb of the door frame, across the header of the door frame or at the base of the door frame for secure attachment to both the wall and the floor surrounding the door opening. Furthermore, the anchoring clip can be used for new construction or existing walls without marring the wall finishes or cutting a hole in the walls for the installation of the door frame.

Abstract: A shelter (1) comprising an array of substantially rigid panels (2, 3, 4) hingedly joined together, the arrangement being such that a central polygonal roof panel (2) is surrounded by a number of wall panels (3) equal in number to the sides of the polygon, each wall panel having an edge hingedly attached to an edge of the roof panel, and a tension element (20) being arranged to extend along the edges of the wall panels remote from the roof panel in such a way that by applying tension to the tension element, adjacent edges of respective wall panels can be brought together to form a three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A weep drain for a tile wall includes a dam for collecting water, moisture, or other liquids and an extrusion with a plurality of hollow cylindrical tubes for allowing the water, moisture or other liquids to drain from behind the tile wall.

Abstract: Concrete structures, such as beams, columns, decks, walls, and the like are reinforced by advanced fibrous composite, concrete reinforcing devices, embedded in concrete, the devices comprising, respectively, at least one continuous band of tow, yarn, or strand of high strength, high modulus, fibrous laminate material having a multitude of very fine structural filaments as laminae bonded together in endless belt formation, such band or bands forming a bar of endless belt formation having at least two length portions extending longitudinally in substantially coextensive spaced relationship as load-bearing tendons, with end portions continuing around opposite ends of the device in unbroken continuity. The tendons of the bar may be either straight or deflected and may be pre-tensioned or post-tensioned. A band may be interlaced as a continuous perimeter, mesh shell.

Abstract: A method for assembling floor boards includes the steps of: (a) providing a supporting joist fixedly mounted on a floor; (b) providing a plurality of floor boards on the supporting joist; (c) providing a plurality of fastener members each mounted on the supporting joist for securing each of the floor boards on the supporting joist; and (d) combining each of the floor boards consecutively.

Abstract: A roof construction includes spaced apart corrugated sheets held in spaced relationship by a plurality of spacers, the corrugated sheets both including apertures for dissipating heat contained in the hot air between the sheets into atmosphere and for guiding hot air from below the lower sheet into the space between the sheets for ultimate expansion and discharge into atmosphere. The apertures may be offset to prevent flow of moisture directly through the apertures and other devices may be utilized to prevent direct flow of moisture into the space below the roof assembly.

Abstract: A rain cover 10 prevents leaves and other debris from plugging a conventional gutter G, while rain water from the roof of a building is transmitted to the gutter by surface tension. The cover includes a main plate 14 inclined for allowing water and debris to pass by gravity from an upper portion 30 to a lower portion 32. A front portion 16 of each of a plurality of traversely spaced fins 14 extend laterally beyond an outer wall of the gutter. Pairs of adjacent fins 14 are separated by a uniform traverse gap of less than 0.05 inches to significantly increase the return of water to the gutter by surface tension with the fin walls. The cover may be economically manufactured from plastic or metal, and may be easily installed on an existing gutter system. The separation device of the present invention may be used in other applications to separate solid debris from a fluid.

Abstract: A method for a temporary attachment of a covering on a base, for example, a floor covering or a wall covering, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: treating a base for supporting a covering with a material containing a particulate subject to a magnetic attraction or a magnetically-attracting particulate; producing the covering for attachment to the base so that the covering contains a magnetically-attracting particulate material or a magnetic attraction particulate, the particulate of the covering being different from the particulate of the base so that the covering and the base are magnetically-attractable to one another; and, placing a side of the covering against the base so that the covering is temporarily attached to the base by magnetization and without an adhesive. A surfacer material or a precoat, which magnetically-attractable material, may also be applied to the base.

Abstract: A high voltage electrical transmission line support structure is constructed virtually completely from glass reinforced composites, comprised of vertical ribs, reinforcing cross bracing members and a skin composed of composite panels, enabling the reduction in elevation and closer spacing of conductors, and the creation of a smaller support structure weighing half or less the weight of a steel tower of the same power rating. The resulting structure requires substantially less ground right-of-way, and EMF radiation is attenuated in the immediate tower area due to the closer phase spacing.

Abstract: A spider for a railroad crossing signal foundation has plastic lined tubular channels extending through it with conical entry sections. In assembling a foundation, upright guide rods are guided into the channels by the entry sections without dislodging the plastic liners. In producing the spider, concrete is poured into a mold about tubular plastic liners so as to form entry sections and channels and to fix the plastic liners in the concrete to line the channels.

Abstract: A wall anchor having a first inclined plane secured to a second inclined plane by a connector. The connector is resilient to allow the inclined planes to move relative to one another. The inclined planes are oriented opposite one another, in a manner which increases their combined height as the inclined planes slide in a first direction relative to one another, and which decreases their combined height as the inclined planes slide in a second direction relative to one another. A retainer is secured to the first inclined plane and is used to insert the inclined planes into a hole in a wall. After the inclined planes have been inserted, the retainer is withdrawn slightly, which causes the inclined planes to slide relative to one another and increase their combined height to wedge the inclined planes against an interior surface of the hole. In this manner, a retainer may be securely and manually anchored to a wall.

Abstract: A protection system comprises a protective wall rail, such as a handrail or a guardrail, which is made of an extruded thermoplastic sheet and which is thermoformably bonded to a decorative vinyl film. The vinyl film has a decorative pattern on one of its surfaces. The protective wall rail is mounted to a wall forming part of a building by a suitable bracket and retainer. If the protective wall rail is a guardrail, then it may be used for protecting the wall from being damaged by a movable object. If the protective wall rail is a handrail, then it may be used for securing the movement of an human through the building. The protective wall rail advantageously exhibits improved aesthetic quality and improved durability.