Abstract: Composite building panels comprising a slab of cementitious fiber reinforced material and a stud framework keyed thereto. The studs have a flange which abuts the inner surface of the slab, and a plurality of tabs which project downwardly from the flange to key the stud. Adjacent tabs are axially spaced apart, and may also be transversely staggard, to reduce the incidence of cracking of the slab, and may be upset from the flange material. The slabs may be relatively thin i.e. 2 cms. The tabs may also serve to retain rod or mesh reinforcement in thicker slabs.

Abstract: An improved grating construction of the type intended for closing or flooring an opening. The construction preferably is formed of aluminum and includes a plurality of spaced, parallel, elongated bearing bars and a plurality of spaced, parallel, elongated, transversely extending crossbars. Each bearing bar has a generally flat, rectangular shape and has a plurality of spaced cutouts formed along a top longitudinal edge thereof. Each cutout comprises an upper rectangular-shaped portion and an outwardly flared lower portion. Each crossbar has a rectangular-shaped top portion and an outwardly flared lower portion, which portions are complementary in shape and size to the upper and lower portions of the bearing bar cutouts. The crossbars are slideably received within a plurality of transversely aligned bearing bar cutouts. The crossbars are deformed or swaged at locations adjacent to and on opposite sides of the cutouts engaged by the crossbars to lock the crossbars in the bearing bars to form the grating.

Abstract: An improvement in inflatable tents includes a mattress element that has a manifold system for inflating that mattress element and fluid check valves that co-operate with fluid check valves on various accessory items to inflate such accessory items via the mattress manifold system. Attaching means are located on the mattress element and on the accessories to releasably couple various accessory items to the mattress element. The mattress thus can be used as a raft, as a bottom to various types of tents and the like.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible ice fishing shelter includes a frame assembly and a unitary covering assembly. The frame assembly includes a base, vertical and horizontal frame elements and the covering assembly is releasably attached to the frame by snap fasteners. Specially shaped runners are mounted on the base and permit the shelter to be moved across difficult terrain.

Abstract: One embodiment of a temporary enclosure structure includes a rear frame section and a pair of side frame sections. The rear frame section includes a pair of spaced apart tubular vertical support members and a pair of extensible tubular horizontal members attached between the vertical support members to define a generally planar frame. Each of the side frame sections includes a pair of extensible vertical members and a pair of extensible horizontal members connected therebetween to also define a generally planar frame. Each vertical support member of the rear frame section includes a pair of spaced apart frame supports for supporting each of the side frame sections and against which the extensible horizontal members rests. Each frame support includes a rear pipe section concentrically disposed about a vertical support and a removable fastener for connecting the rear pipe section thereto.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful roofing panel comprising an elongated thin rectangular body section having first and second longitudinal edges and respective first and second longitudinal upstanding ribs of inverted channel configuration adjacent the edges; wherein the first rib has an inner side thereof remote from the first longitudinal edge, and the bottom section of the inner side is formed to a position approximately parallel to the body section and spaced therefrom to form an inwardly facing slot adjacent the body section; and wherein the second rib has a first outer side the bottom section of which includes the second edge and which bottom section is formed to a position substantially coplanar with the body section to form an inwardly facing flange; whereby when a first panel is placed adjacent a second panel, the second rib of the second panel fits over the first rib of the first panel and the flange is then housed in the slot.

Abstract: An insulating panel for buildings has an insulating core with one face imprinted with a grid pattern and a multiplicity of rectilinear lines radiating from one corner and defining increasing included angles relative to the base side of the panel which corresponds to pitch lines of roofs. The pitch line of a roof may be determined, and then the equivalent angular line located on the printed face. The panel may be cut along this line to abut closely the structural member of the roof extending at that angle. Vertical and horizontal measurements of the space in which the panel is to be fitted can be readily transposed to the grid pattern for making perpendicular or horizontal cuts therealong. The panel is conveniently formed by imprinting a facing sheet member and securing it to a synthetic resin core member.

Abstract: A crutch includes a monolithic frame and has at least two different arm-engaging pieces associated therewith. The arm-engaging pieces are releasably attached to the frame by a locking mechanism and one of the pieces is a D-shaped forearm-engaging element and another of the pieces is a U-shaped armpit-engaging element. The arm-engaging pieces include pads in one form of the invention.

Abstract: An inflatable pneumatic seal is provided for very large structures, such as domed stadiums provided with retractable roof structures. Because of the necessarily large cross sectional configuration, required for closing large designed clearances in stadium roof sections, the cross section of the seal must be maintained under control during non-working periods. A structure is provided which is pressurized to one cross sectional configuration for closing and sealing purposes and pressurized to a second cross sectional configuration for maintaining cross sectional control during periods when the seal is inactive.

Abstract: A building construction system provides a building which contains four separate but connected self-standing units each with its own roof and four walls. A member in the shape of a cross extends vertically above the roofs and horizontally beyond the outside walls of adjacent units. The member has two planar arms intersecting each other at right angles along a central vertical axis, thus providing four 90 degree quadrants, each of which contains a different one of the four units.

Abstract: The present invention includes a connector having rods with keys thereon. The keys engage slot in tubes comprising a frame for portable furniture. The connector also includes a foot which will apply a releasable breaking force to a surface supporting the portable furniture. The present invention also includes a portable bed using the connector invention and the inward suspension of the playpen. The present invention also includes a child enclosure using the connector of the present invention and suspended inwardly from horizontal support members.

Abstract: A bracket for fixing a prefabricated window to roof boards or sheathing in an inclined roof is already secured to the window main frame during the factory assembling of the window. The presecuring of the bracket is effected by a screw inserted through a hole in a positioning member which through a connecting portion consisting of a bridge and a rodlike member is integrally connected with one side edge of a first leg of the bracket. The first leg continues at its lower side into a second leg at right angle to the first leg. Before packaging the window for transportation the first and second legs are swung into abutment on the main frame by turning around the connecting portion. When the window is to be installed in the roof the first and second legs are swung through an angle of 180.degree. until the first leg abuts against the positioning member. In this position mounting screws are through the overlapping holes screwed into the main frame.

Abstract: An assembly is described for mounting coping on a surface. A first vertical plate includes fastening elements for fastening a first end of a cover thereon and vertical weakness lines for allowing bending of the plate along a vertical line so as to form an angle defined by the bent plate. A second vertical plate includes a fastening element for fastening a second end of a cover thereon and weakness lines for allowing bending of the plate along a vertical line so as to form an angle defined by the bent plate. First and second covers are provided for mounting by their respective ends each to the first and second vertical plates and wherein each cover includes a mating edge for contacting a substantial portion of the mating edge of the other cover when the first and second covers are mounted on the vertical plates and the vertical plates bent to conform to and mounted on a structural body.

Abstract: A high-rise building comprising a plurality of storeys (5) is characterized in that two or more units (1-1c) of mutually superimposed storeys (5, 6) of the plurality of storeys are arranged one on the other. Each storey unit (1-1c) has a common, garden area (7) located within the confines of the building and has a ground floor on the same level as the lowermost storey of the unit. Each storey unit is served by an elevator and staircase arrangement which is restricted to the unit in question and which is accessible from the ground floor of the garden area (7). Finally, the garden areas (7) are mutually connected by means of separate elevators and staircases from the lowermost storeys of respective units of the high-rise building.

Abstract: A wall construction which comprises a wall panel and a conduit in the wall behind the wall panel, a protector secured in the wall in the area in which the conduit is located, the protector comprisng an L-shaped one-piece sheet metal member defining a base portion and a vertical portion being from about two to about eighteen inches wide and from about two to about eight inches high extending vertically behind the wall panel upwardly covering the portion of a wall in which a conduit is located, the base portion being from about two to about eighteen inches wide and extending perpendicular from the vertical portion adjacent a floor or ceiling of the construction from about two to about eight inches, and an indicia portion formed on the base portion extending outwardly from the wall panel for marking the location of a conduit after installation of a wall with the protector therein is described.

Abstract: A hole (12) in a panel (10) of composite material is cut by a router or the like to dress it into a rounded hole (12'). A cavity is routed or otherwise formed in the panel (10) to extend across the dressed hole (12') in the direction of maximum tension loads in the panel (10). An insert (16) is secured in the cavity (18). The insert (16) and the cavity (18) have matching plan forms and each has a relatively narrow central portion and enlarged end portions (42, 44). The end portions (42, 44) of the insert interlock with end portions of the cavity (18) such that tension loads will be carried by the insert (16) from a region of the wall (10) on one side of the hole (12') across the hole (12') to a region of the wall (10) on the opposite side of the hole (12').

Abstract: A support frame for receiving and retaining a panel of glass as part of a wall or door assembly. This support frame includes an integrally, formed body of uniform cross section and unibody construction having (i) a pair of opposing side walls joined by (ii) an interconnecting support bridge which extends between opposing inner faces of the side walls and includes an upper and a lower face. The inner faces of the side walls and upper face of the support bridge define a channel configured to receive the panel of glass at one edge. The support bridge includes a recessed slot formed into one of the faces to sufficient depth to form a hinge axis operable with respect to the opposing side walls for enabling rotational displacement of the inner faces against the inserted glass panel in a gripping manner. Screws are inserted through an opening in one side wall into a threaded opening in the second side wall and operate to draw the two side walls into gripping contact at the glass panel.

Abstract: A gutter device (10) for capturing and channeling run-off rain water from a roof (12). The gutter device (10) comprises a vertical back wall (16), a bottom wall (18) extending outwardly from the back wall (16) and a front wall (20) extending upwardly from the bottom wall (18) to define a generally U-shaped trough portion (14). A hinge (24) is provided at the intersection (22) of the bottom wall (18) and the front wall (20) for allowing the front wall (20) to rotate the trough portion (14) to an open position. A lip portion (42) extends rearwardly of the back wall (16) for insertion underneath the shingles along the roof edge. A perforated top wall (16) extends between the front wall (20) and the back wall (16), and includes a downwardly extending male leg (34) which interlocks with a female channel (36) disposed on the back wall (16). A drip edge (40 ) extends outwardly from the back wall (16).

Abstract: A fire-resistant suspended ceiling grid structure having cross tees interlocked to main beams, to support ceiling tiles. The structure has shear means to permit a cross tee to expand into a main beam during a fire. The interlock includes tongues held in an abutting relationship by open belt loops. The tongues slide to permit the cross tees to expand longitudinally during a fire.

Abstract: A sheet material assembly for forming a fascia assembly, raised roof edge assembly, coping assembly, or other such building component assembly, is disclosed. Such assembly includes at least a longitudinally-extending generally vertical outer face member, and frequently a longitudinally-extending, generally vertical inner face member spaced laterally away from the outer face member with an intermediate member disposed between the spaced-apart inner and outer face members to interconnect the inner and outer face members. Preferably, both or at least one of the face members has a flange portion located generally at an upper edge, with the intermediate member or an adjacent portion of the face member being secured to the flange portion. Such an assembly facilitates the forming of an angulated configuration, or a curved arcuate configuration, in order to form a "corner" portion of the assembly.