Abstract: An acoustically insulating floor panel comprises a top board having an underside. Spacing laths are mounted on the underside of the top board. A layer of fibrous, mineral wool is glued on the top board underside between the spacing laths. The panel is adhered to an already existing, supporting floor through pads made of resilient, high density polyurethane foam, self adhesive on both sides thereof, and interposed between the laths and the supporting floor.

Abstract: A vent or passageway through a structure such as a wall in a motor home or mobile home or the like which is readily accessible by opening a water tight lid or cap hinged to each face plate which exposes a tubular passageway through the wall through which may be passed a garden hose or an electric cord or the like for such purposes as flushing out a holding tank or the like.

Abstract: Expansible type triangular umbrella ribs and the related collapsing mechanism, wherein the expansible first main rib is arranged to penetrate through the second main rib which is connected with the linking rib, the rear end of the first main rib being directly connected with the front end of the first support rib by pivotal joint, the rear end of the linking rib being pivotally connected to the first support rib, such that the first main rib is expansible to slip along the pivotal connecton between the second main rib and the linking rib; the first main rib, the linking rib and the first support rib being to form a triangular rib structure, the front U-channel of the first support rib being to provide an prolonged flange for receiving the rear portion of the linking rib; the first main rib, the linking rib and the first support rib being arranged in a straight line at the time the umbrella being fully opened; at the time the pivotal connection of the first main rib and the first support rib being attached to

Abstract: A rectangular fabric article of manufacture vertically supported on poles on a beach so that users on the leeward side are shielded from wind, and having color indicia or the like imprinted on the windward side to serve as a location-indicating visual signal.

Abstract: A tent is disclosed having movable tent poles for supporting a flexible tent body. An apex junction member is provided for pivotally supporting one of the ends of each of the tent poles, the opposite ends of which are held in a fixed position. A tensioning member is provided movable between a normal position in which the tent is collapsed with the tent poles parallel and adjacent to each other, and a tensioned position for tensioning the tent poles in a splayed apart configuration for placing the tent body in an erect position. A latch member is provided for releasably latching the tensioning member in its tensioned position and the tent in its erect position.

Abstract: Joining system for joining wall panels to form a box-like housing, which panels are composed of rectangular flat plates having a core of electrically non-conducting material and having two principal surfaces situated opposite each other and covered by a layer of electrically conducting material. In the peripheral surfaces a groove extends parallel to the said principal surfaces. The groove walls are embodied such that the two principal surfaces of each plate each terminate in a wedge-shaped peripheral portion along the edges. The panels have to be joined to each other in tows by means of two L-shaped sections of electrically conducting material of which the ends of both legs are provided with a groove whose cross-sectional shape is matched to the shape of the wedge-shaped peripheral portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing vertically extending, generally straight-line tent zippers without reaching and bending. A first embodiment of the invention includes a first pulley removably mounted on a stake adjacent to and aligned with a lower end of the zipper. A pair of plates each is formed with a plurality of spaced peripheral openings and has a pulley rotatably mounted thereon adjacent to and aligned with another opening formed in the plate. The plates are placed together in a back-to-back relationship so that the plate openings are aligned with each other and with a plurality of corresponding openings formed in the intervening tent wall, for fastening the plates and attached pulleys on the tent adjacent to and aligned with the upper end of the zipper.

Abstract: An impact-impeding structure includes a pane which extends along a plane and has a front and a rear side, and an impact-impeding frame for the pane. The frame may include an outer frame member and an inner frame member received in the outer frame member, the frame members being provided at least at one of the front and rear sides of the pane with impact-impeding elements, and defining with one another a labyrinthine gap situated at a region of the impact-impeding elements and including a plurality of steps extending at least substantially parallel to the plane. The parts of the gap which interconnect the steps extend at an angle deviating from the normal to the plane of the pane and may have different widths which may decrease from the exterior to the interior of the frame arrangement.

Abstract: A collapsible rolling cane adapted to assist an elderly or handicapped person in walking. The cane includes a front leg having a handle attached to its upper end at a height convenient to the user, a single front wheel being mounted on the lower end. A shorter tubular rear leg is pivotally connected at its upper end to the leaf of a first hinge joined to the front leg at a position below the upper end thereof. The lower end of the rear leg is joined to the midpoint of a transverse axle on either end of which a rear wheel is mounted.

Abstract: A multi-function umbrella includes a multi-section rod, a handle portion provided on a lower end of the rod and a canopy body provided on an upper end of the rod. A flashlight is provided on top of the rod. A buzzer, a gas container and a battery are provided in the handle portion. A switch is provided on the handle portion in order to control the buzzer and the discharge of the gas. Another flashlight is pivotally provided on the handle portion. A flexible sleeve is provided on top of the handle portion for receiving the canopy body when the canopy body is folded.

Abstract: A reinforced panel and a curtain wall construction using a plurality of the reinforced panels 10 each panel has a plastic foam board reinforced along one surface 30 by a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart reinforcing members 12. Conforming groves 14 cut into the interior surface 30 are filled with an adhesive 18 and the reinforcing members are inserted to the recesses 14, until the exposed surface of the reinforcing members is flush with surface 30. Terminal ends of the reinforcing members extend slightly beyond the edges of the panels 10, thereby enabling the reinforced panels to be attached to a building's substrate wall when erected to form a curtain wall.

Abstract: An improved means for securing planking to a horizontal support in a platform having a plurality of vertical support frames laterally joined with cross braces for use in constructing bleachers, risers and stages. The vertical support frames have horizontal supports for planking and means are concealed within the underside of the planking to prevent the planking from uplifting or shifting from end to end or back and forth on the horizontal support. The means are in the form of male and female mating endcaps for the planking in cooperation with a hook provided on the horizontal support.

Abstract: A modified concrete block, apparatus and method of manufacture for making the concrete block which includes a bored arch-shaped inspection hole formed through one side wall into one cavity of the concrete block. The inspection hole, used for inspecting reinforcements within the cavity prior to filling with concrete, is formed by the apparatus and in accordance with the method of manufacture by boring a circular hole through the side wall at an acute angle to the side wall in alignment with one cavity. The hole, generally equal in diameter to the length of the cavity, is offset so that it extends from through one edge margin of the side wall toward, but not to, the other side margin of the side wall.

Abstract: A portable shelter which can be quickly and easily set up at the beach or other recreation area. The shelter is formed of a sheet of lightweight material having creases to form hinges between back and roof panels and supporting side panels. The side panels having upper and lower sections which have mutually engaging slots. The shelter is easily and quickly set up by folding the lower side panel sections approximately ninety degrees to the back and interlocking the mutually engaging slots of the upper and lower side panel sections.

Abstract: A patio door system uses a metal frame attached to a door jamb. A door panel to be installed in the frame includes a metal sill member and a metal jamb member. A pair of fixed door panel adapters is provided for insertion into the panel sill member when the panel is to be used as a fixed door panel. When the door panel is to be used as a sliding panel, a pair of wheel assemblies is installed in the panel sill member, thus permitting a single panel to be adapted as either a fixed panel or as a sliding panel.

Abstract: Structures for roofs, made of tiles of substantially planar and rectangular configuration or the like, including on one of their smaller edges at least one flange parallel to this edge which prevents displacement of the tiles with respect to the elongated supports on which the tiles rest directly by means of the flanges. A plurality of the supports are distributed one per each horizontal tile row and parallel therebetween, resting on a second plurality of more resistant elongated members. The elongated members are generally spaced from each other a distance larger than the space between the supports, horizontal and parallel as per inclined planes in the direction of the roof slope. Each elongated support has an "L" cross section from the edges of which longitudinal flanges project, forming angles of no less than 90.degree. with their respective legs.

Abstract: A single piece spacer element is disclosed for insertion between spaces between tiles for uniform spacing of the tiles. The spacer element comprising a plurality of legs extending radially from a common juncture, with the legs being formed with beveled edges which facilitate their removal from the adhesive material between the tiles once the adhesive has cured. The invention also comprises integrally formed cylindrical or U-shaped stems which extend from the surface of the spacer element and which aid in placement and removal thereof. The invention also comprises the method of using the spacer element to space and align tiles.

Abstract: A stationary window arrangement for a motor vehicle door is connected with an upright extending holding web by the interposition of a seal, and a holding rail being mounted at the lower edge area of the window. The holding web, the window, the holding rail, the seal, and an upper end piece for the holding web are prefabricated in a single operation to form a unit that is ready to be installed in the door.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for securing an article to a ground surface using an elongated stake having a sharp first end of a body portion for driving into a ground surface and a blunt second end for receiving a driving force and transferring it to the body portion. A rope extends from the article and forms a loop at its free end. The loop is drawn through a ring-shaped outrigger pivotably mounted to the body portion of the stake. After passing through the ring-shaped outrigger, the eye of the loop is passed over the blunt second end of the body portion of the stake. The rope is made taut by pulling the free end of the rope so as to enlarge the loop, thereby taking up slack in the portion of the rope spanning the article and stake.

Abstract: A swimming pool cover support system for maintaining the cleanliness of a pool during periods the pool is not in use includes at least one central support member, and a plurality of support arms. The top of the support member is positioned at a height greater than the distance from the bottom of the pool, at the location of the support member, to a height over the highest point on the side of the pool. Each of the plurality of support arms is attached at one end thereof to the top of the central support member, and at the other end thereof contacts a side of the pool. The other end of each support arm is secured to the side of the pool by means of a side brace affixed to the side of the pool. A cover is disposed over the central support member and support arms, and suspended thereby over the surface of the pool.