Abstract: For simply affixing flat bodies, including solar modules, onto a support, Z-shaped metal profiles may be glued on the bodies, thus acting at the same time to affix the bodies and as a protective device for the edges of the bodies during transport.

Abstract: An anchorage for a tendon that includes a sleeve having a smooth tapered interior bore and a compressible wedge disposed in the sleeve. The compressible wedge has a smooth exterior tapered surface tapering from a wider end to a narrower end and one or more interior channels for receiving a tendon. The taper angle of the compressible wedge is greater than the taper angle of the bore. Thus, upon insertion of the compressible wedge into the sleeve, the wider end of the compressible wedge forms a wedge contact with the sleeve before the narrower end forms a wedge contact with the sleeve. Preferably, the bore and wedge are conical, and the wedge is formed of several symmetrical pie shaped resilient sections. Corners of the sections abutting at the interior channel are rounded. An inner sleeve is disposed in the interior channel, with the outer diameter of the inner sleeve matching the diameter of the interior channel. The tendon is held by the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A method for assembling an object useful for storage, support or shelter. The assembly essentially consists of at least two planar parallel rectangular members in which a plurality of free four-sided spaces are provided so that a network of empty four-sided spaces are formed in the plane of each member. The method comprises the step of inclined insertion and wedging with force of panels in the free spaces, until perpendicularity of the edges of the panels to the planar rectangular members is achieved, the wedging resulting from the forced gripping of the edges of the free spaces by notches or grooves provided on the panels.

Abstract: A window frame includes a head, a one-piece stepped and sloped bottom sill and one-piece side jambs with integral sash and screen tracks. The side jambs, head and bottom sill are welded together at the corners, such that jamb walls attach to the appropriate walls of the head and sill to form a water-tight frame. The bottom sill is one-piece, with integral sloped steps that form the floors of the various sash and screen tracks. It includes an integral dam and integral internal strengthening walls that are strategically placed to support the otherwise hollow sill. The jamb, which is also one-piece, includes integral internal strengthening walls that correspond to the strengthening walls of the bottom sill, and integral track side and front walls that define the tracks for tie sashes and screen. These walls extend the length of the jamb and connect, when the frame is assembled, to appropriate walls of both the head and the bottom sill.

Abstract: A defect in a vinyl window frame is repaired by filling the defect with a PVC filler including a PVC cement and allowing the PVC filler to cure.

Abstract: Collapsible structures include at least first and second panels, each panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the material assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. The first panel has a first retaining mechanism that defines an adjustment space, and the second panel has a second retaining mechanism that is movably received inside the adjustment space of the first retaining mechanism to couple the second panel to the first panel. The second retaining mechanism is movable within the adjustment space to allow the relative positions of the first and second panels to be adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for covering an exposed end of at least one exposed reinforcement bar at a construction site. The apparatus includes a substantially flat portion adapted for receiving a removeable bumper such as a two-by-four piece of lumber, a collar for securing the substantially flat portion over the end of a bar. Once the apparatus is placed over the exposed end of the bar a removable bumper such as a two-by-four piece of lumber may be placed over the substantially flat portion, so that the exposed end of the bar is covered by the two-by-four piece of lumber resting over the substantially flat portion.

Abstract: A method for constructing a resilient floor on a solid base utilizes plate-shaped elements. Hollow, height-adjustable elements are fastened on the base and are filled with an elastically hardening material, which is adhesive in the flowable state. Prior to hardening, base plates are placed on the filled elements and are aligned. When lifted, the base plates move the elements located below them because of the adhesion of the filler material to the base plates. After hardening, at least one further floor layer is placed on the base plates. This method can be executed rapidly.

Abstract: In a construction featuring sections of light metal and light-weight composite panels joined to the sections the composite panels feature a plastic core with light weight metal outer sheets bonded to both sides. The outer sheets partially overlap a light metal connecting section which is integrally incorporated in the composite panel and interlock by virtue of fit with that section. The connecting section features connecting strips that lie as pairs on corresponding connecting strips on the section. At least one of the connecting strips is riveted to this neighboring strip. The connecting strip of the connecting section is inclined at an angle with respect to a contact plane in order to create pressure on the neighboring connecting strip, and is joined at its free edge by laser welding to the neighboring connecting strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing for expansion and contraction in modular building panels provides a quickly insertable shim structure that can be placed between modular building panels adjacent bolt that secures the panels together. The shim is inserted into a gap formed between two adjacent members that are to be joined from a location external to the panels. The shim is U-shaped so that it passes over a bolt for securing the members together. When the bolt is tightened, the shim forms a permanent gap-forming structure. The adjacent members can be vertical members or horizontal members. This shim is inserted at a location on the adjacent members between interconnected transverse members so that the transverse members can expand into the gap with corresponding flexure about the shim of the adjacent members.

Abstract: A hopper that greatly reduces the tendency of the particulate material to form bridges within the hopper is shaped so that its walls slope downward more steeply at the bottom of the hopper and slope less steeply with increasing height above the outlet. In one embodiment the slope decreases continuously with increasing height above the outlet. In another embodiment the hopper is formed of successive sections, each joined around its circumference to the next-lower section, the wall of each section being less steeply inclined than the wall of the adjoining next-lower section. Exact relationships are given, relating the slopes of successive sections, and if the hopper is built in conformity with these relationships, arching of the particulate material is eliminated.

Abstract: A roofing membrane heat seal indicator provides a positive, visually perceptible indication that a joint or seam has been raised to a sufficiently high temperature to achieve a proper seal. The heat seal indicator is applied adjacent and parallel to an edge of a roofing membrane which will be arranged on a roof to form the upper (exposed) surface of an overlapping membrane seam. As the adjacent surfaces of the overlapped membranes are heated, heat passes through the membrane to the heat seal indicator. The heat seal indicator may be a temperature sensitive ink pigmented with material that changes color upon being subjected to a temperature indicating that the membrane surface has been subjected to a sufficiently high temperature to achieve an appropriate seal. Alternatively, the indicator may be an adhered layer of a ground or flaked polymer, such as polyethylene, which is initially opaque but melts to become translucent, thereby indicating obtainment of a proper sealing temperature.

Abstract: A resilient flooring formed over a non-resilient base floor comprising an upper surface of hardwood flooring secured with a subsurface of plywood panels and a plurality of spaced parallel sleepers arranged across the base floor for supporting the flooring and subsurface. Each sleeper is formed with an upper surface and lower surface of equal width and opposed vertical sides. The upper surface supports and is secured with the subsurface. The lower surface of each sleeper includes a pillow of resilient material secured therewith which act to separate the sleeper from the sub-floor. Parallel grooves are formed in the opposed sides of each sleeper and securing clips having upper extensions are arranged along opposite sides of each sleeper with the extensions extending to the parallel grooves. The securing clips are secured with the sub-flooring.

Abstract: An oscillatory floor surface for standing thereupon. The surface is supported at at least three points each having two circular cups mounted above one another. Each has a spherical depression in confrontation to define a space. A ball is in the space. The cups being affixed to each other by an elastic annular casing. The casing being held to each of the cups by a band.

Abstract: A method for restoring load transfer capability across a joint between two adjacent concrete slabs includes cutting a slot perpendicularly to the joint and extending into each of the adjoining slabs. The slot and joint are then integrally filled with polymer concrete to tie the slabs together. A joint tie may be placed in the slot and encased by the polymer concrete when restoring load transfer capability.

Abstract: A post and beam building structure has structural members connected by threaded fasteners. The fasteners extend along the axis of the structural members and project into a transverse bore where they are secured with a nut. Manufactured logs are secured to the posts with oppositely directed keyhole shaped wedges that are located in aligned recesses in the post and end face of the log.

Abstract: An accurate method and apparatus for installing blown-in-place insulation to a predetermined density and R-value includes the use of a removable container of known unfilled weight and volume located between wall studs during the blowing operation. By removal of the container after filled, and determining its fill weight by weighing it, the density of the insulation is calculated and correlated, if desired, to R-value. If the calculated density is not acceptable, the container is emptied and is reinserted in the cleaned out cavity between the studs. Appropriate adjustments to one or more operating parameters are made until the desired density through further filling of the container and weighing it is achieved. Once achieved, the space to be filled is filled with blown-in-place insulation using the adjusted parameter values.

Abstract: A mesh apparatus positionable with respect to a weep hole in a masonry wall so as to bar passage by insects, rodents or other pests through the weep hole; the apparatus including a frame having a central screen and may include a structural support member for releasably securing the apparatus to the wall.

Abstract: A windstrap assembly for a dock seal mounted on a building wall and which includes a fabric encased foam side pad mounted to the wall, and a vertically hanging curtain. The assembly includes a resilient member with two ends--one mountable to the curtain, and the other mountable to the side pad adjacent the wall. A friction reducing member is disposable between the resilient member and the pad fabric such that it frictionally engages and moves with the resilient member related to the side pad.

Abstract: A number of specially shaped curbs for roof-top mounting of equipment are disposed in a nested array which occupies less shipping space than ordinary curbs normally shipped in stacked relationship, one atop the other. Each curb is constructed from four side walls joined at their side edges to produce a box-like structure. The curb has upper and lower rectangular perimeters, the upper perimeter being smaller in each rectangular dimension than the lower perimeter.