Abstract: An improved retainer element has a mounting section which is connected with a rim portion of a panel. A longitudinally extending main spring section of the retainer element extends from the mounting section. A retainer section of the retainer element is connected with an end of the main spring section opposite from the mounting section. The retainer section includes a retainer flange and a pair of retainer arms which engage opposite sides of the rim portion of the panel. When the panel is moved into position relative to the support frame, a cam surface on the retainer flange engages the support frame and transmits force to deflect the main spring section of the retainer element. The retainer flange then snaps into engagement with the support frame. The retainer arms slide along opposite side surfaces of the rim portion of the panel to guide movement of the main spring section relative to the panel.

Abstract: A unique and simple apparatus and method allow one to simultaneously level a closure, such as a door or window, in an opening in a wall while also anchoring that closure to the wall. The apparatus includes a spring shim and an anchor. The spring shim has a pressure foot at each of two ends for engaging either the wall or the closure and an intermediate portion having a central aperture for receiving the anchor. The closure is leveled and plumbed in the opening by attaching a series of spring shims at spaced locations around the closure. The closure and attached spring shims are then positioned in the opening followed by the engaging and penetrating of the anchors into the wall.

Abstract: A locking device (1) for locking an article (2) relative to a support (3), wherein the locking device (1) includes at least two locking members (4, 6) having grooves (8, 9), anchored to the support (3) and at least two locking members (5, 7), having projections (10, 11), anchored to the article (2). The locking members (5, 7) are brought to cooperate with the locking members (4, 6) by inserting the projections (10, 11) into the grooves (8, 9) and displacing the projections (10, 11) therein in a direction of displacement (F) whereby at least two locking members (4, 5) cooperating with each other can be locked relative to each other by locking means (14) to prevent relative displacement of the locking members (4, 5) in the direction of displacement (F).

Abstract: Floor joist fabricated of metal including a formed structure enhancing areas along and about a main planar web surface.

Abstract: A formwork constructed of prefabricated elements, preferably for building a concrete wall. The formwork has two parallel walls that define a space that is filled with concrete laden with water, sand and large aggregates. An inner wall of the formwork has a lattice or perforated structure to filter and pass water and small aggregates from the space that is filled with concrete. An outer wall also has a lattice or perforated structure to filter additional water and smaller aggregates from the space that is filled with concrete. This invention also includes a concrete heating wall that may be constructed from formwork.

Abstract: A translucent block assembly, for use in a decorative wall, window or the like in a building, has a connector extrusion for connecting juxtaposed translucent blocks in an opening of a frame having a recess extending around the opening. The connector extrusion has an alignment projection fitting snugly into gaps in the peripheries of the blocks for aligning the blocks and abutment faces for abutment with the blocks, and also has outwardly facing side faces engaging snugly in the recess.

Abstract: The static pressure within an air-supported structure is monitored and controlled in accordance with monitored environmental conditions. The static pressure is kept at the minimum value required to maintain the structure's integrity, thereby using a minimum amount of energy. As outside wind velocity incrementally increases, the static pressure is increased incrementally. Under certain weather conditions such as high winds and frozen precipitation, the static pressure is increased to a maximum limit. As a safety feature, a secondary inflation device is activated to assist a primary inflation device to quickly increase pressure in the structure in response to a sudden loss in pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for reinforcing an external surface of a stationary vertical column with a reinforcing material includes a supply of a reinforcing material and a guide that directs the reinforcing material from the supply onto the stationary vertical column. A winding device moves the guide means in a spiral pattern relative to the stationary vertical column, to wind spiral layers of the reinforcing material onto the vertical column. The winding device is provided as a multipart structure that may be assembled around the vertical column and later disassembled to permit removal from around the vertical column. In one approach, the reinforcing material is tows of a curable composite material that are wound onto the vertical column and later cured in place after the winding device is removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for accommodating level placement of a portable building on a support surface includes a foundation leg movable relative to the building and adjustable from inside the building. The length of the foundation leg which extends below the building to the support surface is determined by selectively engaging a bracket in slots in the foundation leg. An adjusting plate is coupled to the bracket and a threaded member is coupled with the adjusting plate. When the bracket engages a slot, the threaded member may be manually adjusted to raise and lower the foundation leg. A portable building adapted for level placement on a support surface may include a plurality of foundation legs and a corresponding number of locking devices for raising and lowering the foundation legs relative to the floor of the building. Each locking device includes a bracket, an adjusting plate and a manually operable member coupled with the adjusting plate.

Abstract: A retail display with bowls for holding and displaying weighty small parts such as steel bolts, nuts, screwdriver bits, drill bits and the like, having a base portion and an upright portion holding the bowls. The upright portion is resiliently cantilevered to the base portion such that it flexes downwardly toward the base portion under applied weight. The bowls are supported in the upright portion in such location that they gently touch or almost touch each vertically adjacent bowl, and the bottom bowl gently or almost touches the base. When a load is applied, particularly when the bowls are filled with weighty products to be displayed, the upright portion flexes downwardly until the vertically aligned bowls firmly touch each other and the bottom bowl firmly touches the base, thereby providing strong support for the weighted bowls.

Abstract: A novel, rapid assembly secure burglar resistant building construction. More particularly, this invention pertains to a unique and inexpensive prefabricated building which is constructed of unique wall panels, floor and roof truss systems, secure locking doors and secure locking windows. A building construction comprising: (a) a foundation; (b) a roof; and (c) a wall extending from the foundation to the roof, wall being constructed of an interior corrugated metal sheet, insulation covering both sides of the metal sheet, a wall covering on an interior surface of the insulation and a wall covering on the exterior surface of the insulation.

Abstract: A plastering and lining strip includes a first strip portion extending in a longitudinal direction, and that includes a base strip extending in the longitudinal direction. The base strip is defined by front and rear oppositely located sides, and two oppositely located edge faces connecting the front and rear sides together. The plastering and lining strip includes a web affixed to and projecting away from the front side and extending in the longitudinal direction. The web is positioned at a distance away from a selected one of the edge faces to form a plaster receiving space having an L-shaped cross section as viewed in the longitudinal direction. A region of the base strip extending from the selected one edge face to the web forms a spacing extension that constitutes a leg of the L-shaped cross section. The spacing extension has a width essentially corresponding to a thickness of an applied finish layer of plaster.

Abstract: A sheet metal structural member for use in the formation of a cast construction panel which member, in turn, comprises a sheet metal web defining a linear edge along one side, and a zig-zag edge along the other side, the zig-zag edge defining wider regions, and narrower regions between the wider regions, and the web extending in a generally triangular fashion from one narrower region through a wider region to the next narrower region, edge formations formed around the zig-zag edge portions of the web and, recesses formed in the wider portions of the web. The apex of each of the wider portions of the web, which may be secured to a construction material to form a panel.

Abstract: A shingle having a headlap section and a buttlap section with at least one portion of the buttlap section having a relatively uniform color and another portion of the buttlap section having a color gradient or gradation from light to dark. An illusion of depth or thickness is created on the portion of the buttlap section having the color gradient. The buttlap section defines in part the exposed weather surface of the associated shingle. The relatively uniform color portions may be formed on tabs or dragon teeth and the color gradient formed on a backer sheet disposed beneath the tabs. Openings between adjacent tabs expose the color gradient to view. A plurality of horizontal striations may be used to establish the desired color gradient from light to dark. The amount of tone and contrast may be selected to create the desired illusion of depth or thickness. The amount of contrast may be varied depending upon the color selected for each shingle.

Abstract: Modular Structures preferably usable to form human habitations in outer space are fabricated by molding. A mold comprising progressively surrounding flexible walls defines progressively surrounding cavities. A selected cavity or cavities are inflated or pressurized, as with gas, to distend to assume a predetermined configuration. Another selected cavity or cavities are injected with mold material, which is then allowed to harden. A pressurized cavity or cavities may be evacuated and then filled with mold material. In this manner, a strong structure is progressively formed is subsequent injection and hardening steps. In alternative embodiments of the molding method, supports or reinforcing members are placed within cavities prior to inflation and material injection. These supports space apart adjacent flexible mold walls and force the flexible walls to assume a desired configuration under inflated conditions.

Abstract: A method of attaching extruded cellular plastic panels together to form structures comprises the steps of coextruding the cellular panel with a noncellular high impact section that forms a channel or keyway. Keys are received in the keyways of adjacent panels and hold the panels together to form specified shapes.

Abstract: An apertured drainage pipe including a first section being inverted V-shaped and a second section, the second section being substantially flat, the second section having a first turn-up and a second turn-up to receive the first section. The drainage pipe is used with a drainage apparatus for a basement having a outer wall and footer unit and a floor including the outer wall and footer unit having an open area excavation at the inner margin thereof extending from the lower margin of the wall footer unit up to a level above the footer, the outer wall having vertically extending openings therein that are aligned, the drainage apparatus including an excavation in which the drainage pipe is placed and spaced from the footer, the outer wall draining water therefrom into the excavation, the drainage pipe enabling water to flow therethrough from the excavation, and gravel filler to fill in the excavation around the drainage pipe and support the floor.

Abstract: A metal stairway constructed on site in a metal framed house. The stair steps are supported between a pair of trimmed sheet metal stringer panels on each side of the stairway. Each step of the stairway is formed of metal treads and risers cut to appropriate lengths from conventional joist members provided on site for the metal framed house. The metal treads and risers are attached at opposite ends thereof to the respective stringer panels by way of standard angled brackets provided on site for securing metal framing members together. Threaded self-drilling fasteners attach each angled bracket to a corresponding stringer panel and to an associated metal tread or metal riser. Wooden treads and risers are attached over the metal treads and risers by standard self-drilling screws.

Abstract: A dry wall butt stud which comprises a structure between two upright wall studs, for back blocking short vertical butt edges of two horizontally aligned rectangular plasterboard sheets, which are mounted to the wall studs offset from an upper horizontally positioned rectangular plasterboard sheet and a lower horizontally positioned rectangular plasterboard sheet. The back blocking structure will form a recessed area at the short vertical butt edges, allowing a person to apply tape and a joint compound thereto to maintain a flat smooth front surface therebetween in the recessed area.

Abstract: A storm shutter assembly comprising a plurality of panels designed to be disposed in an operative position defined by overlying, covering relation to doors, windows, and like structures or openings of a building. Each panel includes an oppositely disposed longitudinal edge specifically structured, disposed and configured to provide an interlocking engagement with a correspondingly positioned longitudinal edge of a next adjacent one of the plurality of panels so as to define a substantially closed seam along a common length of the interlocked adjacent panels, wherein the closed seam is resistant to separation as well as the passage of moisture under high wind conditions therethrough.