Abstract: An insulated building block system for use in building walls and other structures. Each full block has sidewalls and endwalls with a generally open interior and flat upper and lower surfaces. Two vertical ridges are provided along the interior of one sidewall, with a protrusion extending above the upper surface. The ridges are located such that an upper block arranged in staggered relationship to a block in a lower course will interlock with the lower block. Recesses are provided in the interior endwall surfaces to retain a thermal insulation panel against the interior sidewall surface opposite the ridges. Half blocks are also provided to fill spaces in wall end surfaces between staggered full blocks. The half blocks have open interiors for placement of insulation panels and include ridges for interlocking with protrusions on adjacent full blocks.

Abstract: A building system and apparatus for forming a wall. U-shaped channels and H-shaped or T-shaped members coupled at their sides by rigid links hold foam panels in a desired spaced relationship. Vertically oriented panels aligned and connected by T-shaped members or horizontally oriented panels stacked with and connected by H-shaped members are inserted into the U-shaped channels to form a structure of the desired length. Concrete is poured between the panels and members where it hardens to form a structural wall. The planar surfaces of the U-shaped, H-shaped and T-shaped members enable the members to be extruded, or roll formed, thereby substantially reducing member production costs. Furthermore, widely available conventional foam panels can be used, reducing panel production costs.

Abstract: A deck plank comprising a substantially flat top surface made preferably from a wood replacement material having a first edge and a second edge, and may also have a tongue attached to the first edge and a groove attached to the second edge, the tongue and the groove each extending in a plane below the top surface downward from the top, the tongue being adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent plank. The tongue and the groove are shaped so that a space is maintained between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove of the adjacent plank when the tongue is placed adjacent to the groove of the adjacent plank. A number of the deck planks can be used to make a deck.

Abstract: A building foundation is formed by a plurality of pre-cast concrete elements. Each of the pre-cast elements has a length corresponding to the length of a corresponding side or leg of the foundation perimeter. The foundation includes a plurality of pre-cast concrete footing pads that are dispersed along the perimeter and specifically at the corners of the foundation. The pre-cast foundation elements rest on the footing pads and are contiguously arranged to complete the foundation. A bonding agent can be introduced into the joints between adjacent foundation elements to seal the joint. Alternatively, or in addition, mechanical fasteners can be used to interconnect adjacent panels. Certain ones of the pre-cast foundation elements define an integral brick ledge, with varying configurations to ensure continuity of the brick ledge around the corners of the foundation. In a method of the invention, a trench around the perimeter is dug and the pre-cast concrete elements laid in place with a crane.

Abstract: A tile panel system has a frame for supporting one or more tiles. The system includes a plurality of vertical support member. Attached to the support members are two piece blocks that clamp around the vertical supports. Horizontal rails then extend between oppositely positioned clamp. Tiles are then releasably secured to the horizontal rails via spring clips or other appropriate mechanisms.

Abstract: A garden umbrella of the generally large size having a ribholder runner notch adapted for movement along a hollow umbrella pole for operating the canopy ribs to open and close the umbrella canopy. A pulley wheel is mounted in the umbrella pole below its top portion, with one end of a pulley cord being attached to the ribholder runner notch while the other end of the pulley cord extends down through the hollow pole where it connects to a ballast weight. The ballast weight is adapted to travel vertically in the pole in synchronism with movement of the runner notch. The weight of the ballast weight and its pulley arrangement is selected to provide a uniform ballast force and a constant control which facilitates the opening and closing of the umbrella. A second pulley cord can be attached at one end to the runner notch while such cord extends around a second pulley wheel to a handle attached at its other end.

Abstract: An asphalt composition ridge cover providing a three dimensional character to a roof. The ridge covers are manufactured and packaged in an approximately 90 degree "V" shape so as to require very little bending during installation. Adhesive holds the angle formed during manufacture. The ridge cover may have a thickening member or members thereunder giving the ridge covers a tapered thickness which, when installed, gives the resulting roof a pronounced three dimensional appearance.

Abstract: A workspace display comprises a sidewall partition defining a workspace with a portal opening and a door partition to selectively close the portal. A first display screen is disposed on the interior side of the door partition for individual viewing from inside the workspace. A second display screen is disposed exterior of the sidewall partition and positioned a spaced apart distance in general alignment therewith, without substantial interference with user ingress and egress through the portal opening. A video device is positioned overhead in optical communication with the first display screen when the door partition is in its fully closed position to support individual activities. The video device is in optical communication through the portal opening with the second display screen when the door partition is in its fully open position to support group activities. An image on the second display screen can be viewed on either the interior or exterior screen surfaces.

Abstract: A construction panel for use in the erection of buildings comprising a panel of castable construction material of predetermined thickness, and having first and second sides; a plurality of structural members, reinforcing the panel on one side, at least some of the structural members comprising a generally linear edge, and a generally zig-zag edge, and a web extending between the linear edge and the zig-zag edge, the zig-zag edges defining apexes, and root portions; the apexes, being embedded in one side of the panel thereby securing at least some of the structural members to the panel; recesses formed in the web extending substantially from the apexes to the root portions; and, generally triangular indentations formed in the web throat portions adjacent to but spaced from the recesses. Also disclosed is a method of constructing a level portion of a building.

Abstract: A damping device includes a plurality of rockets (3) each having a nozzle (4) directed outward and disposed at the four corners on the upper floor of a building structure (1) and a device for sensing an earthquake and operating the rockets. With this arrangement, there can be provided a damping device for a building structure which is applicable not only to new building structures but also to existing building structures and can cope with a sudden exciting force caused by, for example, an earthquake with a vertical shock which has been conventionally impossible to be coped with.

Abstract: An integrated entertainment and resort complex, which includes at least a first transportation hub; at least one shopping mall communicating with the transportation hub; and at least one riverwalk communicating with the transportation hub. The complex may include at least a second transportation hub communicating with at least one of the riverwalk and the shopping mall, and at least one of the transportation hubs includes an airport. At least one of the transportation hubs includes a railroad station, a bus station, or airport facilities. The shopping mall connects at least partway the first and second transportation hub, and the riverwalk may connect at least partway the first and second transportation hub. The above complex may include a waterway arranged at least partway in parallel with the riverwalk, and at least part of the waterway may form a closed loop.

Abstract: An integrated furniture system for subdividing a building space includes an overhead framework system and a furniture-supporting partition system integrated to be used together, separately, or in a partially overlapping arrangement. The overhead framework system is constructed to provide a relatively open meeting area, and includes at least one horizontally extending beam and posts supporting the beam overhead. The beam and posts are interconnected to form a space below the beam and between the posts, with the space having known height and width dimensions. The furniture-supporting partition system is constructed to subdivide the building space into an arrangement of physically separated offices. The furniture-supporting partition system includes side surfaces defining second width and height dimensions. The partition includes at least a portion positioned in the space under the beam and is potentially positioned completely under the beam in the space. The partition may or may not completely fill the space.

Abstract: A retractable column formed from a set of at least three flexible webs with each of the webs having a set of teeth located along opposite edges of the webs, each of the teeth having a first ear obliquely extending from a first side and a second ear obliquely extending from a second side, each of the teeth spaced from an adjacent tooth a base distance substantially equal to a root distance of a tooth on the web so that when a tooth on one of the webs is engaged in a neck to neck relationship with a pair of teeth on one of the other webs the teeth on each of the webs engage each other in an interlocking relationship to hold the webs proximate each other to form a rigid column.

Abstract: An insulation confining shield and application method, the shield mountable between elongated structural framing members in an unfinished wall or ceiling for insulation dispensed as curable liquid having a blowing agent or an insulation material with a curable adhesive, comprising: a sheet of elongated semi-rigid or rigid material having a center web section and a pair of opposed flanges extending substantially perpendicular from the center web section defining an insulation confining volume, the web section and the flanges being constructed and arranged to fit between the structural framing members in the wall or ceiling to retain the insulation when cured after being applied against the web section and the flanges, in one embodiment, the flanges having a plurality of vent apertures defined therethrough to enable a quantity of the insulation, when applied, to migrate from the insulation confining volume to an area outside of the confining volume and adhere to a portion of the structural framing members to mi

Abstract: A mortarless wall of a building structure has a plurality of blocks arranged in successive overlapping courses. Each of the blocks has a top, bottom, front and rear face disposed between opposed side ends. The blocks are able to interlock in the manner of shingles in a mortarless fashion.

Abstract: An exterior wall assembly comprising an outer weather-resistant layer, a heat insulating panel situated interiorly to the outer layer, a wall situated interiorly to the insulating panel, and a drainage track. The drainage track includes a clog-resistant drainage channel so that water collecting behind the insulating panel may drain from the assembly. The drainage track, in a preferred form, is extruded from PVC and defines a substantially L-shaped configuration in cross-section. An elongated, relatively tall flashing leg is provided for attachment of the drainage track to the wall such that all water-resistant material and insulation laps over the flashing leg to direct water into the drainage channel. Finish apertures are provided through a portion of the drainage track so that exterior finish such as, for example, stucco, will readily adhere and bond to the drainage track.

Abstract: A multiple glazing unit has first and second panes held apart by a spacer frame. The unit is suspended from a structure, such as a building framework, by a supporting assembly which extends through apertures in the first and second panes respectively. The supporting assembly includes a boss which is located between the first and second panes. Annuli of adhesive tape are used to seal the boss and the first and second panes respectively.

Abstract: Flooring panel or wall panel and a use thereof in a wet room. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. The groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water tight material and formed with a snap-together joint.

Abstract: A roof covering includes a thin film safety barrier coupled between the lower flanges of spaced roof purlins for supporting the weight of a person thereon in the space between the purlins. The preferred safety barrier includes a plurality of layers with at least one of the layers being vapor impervious. In the preferred embodiment, fasteners are used to couple straps to the purlin lower flanges with the barrier therebetween in order to secure the barrier to the purlins.

Abstract: A handle for an umbrella or walking stick having a shaft and a hollow hemispherical free end section. The free end section can carry an ornamental or commonplace article. In order to allow different articles to be placed therein, the end section includes a ring which is mounted on an upper surrounding edge of the end section and has a smaller inner circumference than the outer circumference of the article.