Abstract: An apparatus and method for elevating items includes telescopically retractable and extendable hollow tubular pole sections that include a locking means to lock at least one section in extended position. The bottom of the pole is adapted for mounting to a support structure.

Abstract: A panel for a portable floor system comprising a rectangular core defining an upper surface and a lower surface extending parallel to the upper surface and lateral side surfaces extending from edges of the upper surface to edges of the lower surface. Frame members are connected to the lateral side surfaces and define outwardly projecting channels. The frame members have opposed spaced parallel horizontal walls defining an upper wall and a lower wall, and further have a transverse connecting end wall for connection to the lateral side surfaces. A laminated graphic layer is integrally joined to the upper surface of the rectangular core and extends over the upper walls of the frame members to conceal the frame members. The channels of the frame members have flanges for releasably securing connecting members for joining a panel to other panels in side-by-side aligned relationship.

Abstract: To provide an ultra thin-type metallic form panel, a form employing the same, and a method for constructing a foundation with which labor in performing operations for constructing a concrete building may be remarkably saved. Form panels 2 are used as a form 1 for constructing a foundation, each panel including a plurality reinforcing projecting lines 5 obtained by bending a metallic plate to extend in longitudinal directions and formed in an aligned manner with intervals being formed in lateral directions, wherein guiding portions for bending 20 are formed at intermediate portions in the longitudinal directions by cutting at least top surfaces and both lateral sides of the respective reinforcing projecting lines 5 in lateral directions and the remaining portions are remained as coupling portions 21.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved casting process of mass producing complete lightweight cementitious house walls. More specifically, the invention relates to the manner in which thin cementitious skins are separately cast on either face of the wall against a sub-assembly of thick panels of insulation material shaped and located in a manner to control the movement of displaced cementitious fluid so that the exposed top and bottom chords of small vertical structural trusses, sandwiched between these the panels of insulation and other perimeter reinforcing members are encased with the least amount of cementitious material. The size and strength of each wall component can be varied to achieve the specific characteristics of the wall. Smooth or textured faces in the casting beds reproduce whatever profiles are of required on the finished walls. Accurate window and door openings are cast in such a manner as to eliminate the need for trim.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for securing insulation panels to the surface of a poured concrete wall by securing caps to the protruding ends of the ties extending through the wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a building component to a structure. The apparatus may include a C-shaped support header that is sized to be received on a portion of a structure such as the top plate of a wall. A number of attachment tab assemblies are integrally formed in the support header and protrude therefrom to facilitate attachment of the building components to the support header.

Abstract: A gutter shield for protecting a gutter comprising a mounting means secured to the gutter, a guard member having an elongated configuration with a plurality of apertures extending therethrough for drainage into the gutter, a first side of the guard member being engageable with the mounting member to prevent substantial vertical movement while permitting horizontal movement thereof to allow adjustment of the guard member for an individual gutter width. The device is suitable for many different sizes of gutters.

Abstract: A below in floor lengthwise interconnected arrangement of wire baskets serving as a repository of cables for computers and like apparatus, in which opposite sides of the baskets are assembled in depending relation from opposite side supports by inverted U-shape hooks thereof being urged in ascending movement through an opening into a compartment of each opposite support bounded by U-shaped edges, and resulting in the inverted U-shapes and upright U-shapes engaging with each other.

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 sunshade for shading window exteriors includes at least one connecting bracket for attachment to a window mullion, a blade support strut attached to the connecting bracket at a first joint, and a plurality of louvered blades supported by the blade support strut at a second joint. The pivot angle at the first joint may be varied to extend the louvered blades a desired distance from the window mullion. The louvered blades are positioned at a preselected fixed profile angle on the second joint in order to optimize shading at the latitude where the sunshade is installed. In a preferred embodiment, the louvered blades have top walls supporting photovoltaic cells and the sunshade includes electric cables for connecting the photovoltaic cells to an electric circuit.

Abstract: A modular wall component with an insulative thermal break for preventing the creation of a continuous thermal path across the modular wall component. The modular wall component may be formed with an insulated frame structure that is fixed to an open frame structure with an insulative thermal break interposed therebetween. The insulated frame structure may be formed with a plurality of vertical track members coupled to an upper track member and a lower track member. At least one sheet of insulative material is interposed into the insulated frame structure. The open frame structure may have a plurality of vertical framing studs coupled to an upper framing track and a lower framing track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device by a constructional part (1) preferably extending between supporting parts (10, 11, 12) of a building or plant constructions, and preferably forming a partition between storeys, such as a floor or a deck. The constructional part (1) is self-supported, preferably of light-weight material and comprises a channel system for air, so that the constructional part (1) may provide heating and/or cooling of rooms in the building or plant construction, or may thaw snow and ice lying on the constructional part, respectively. The constructional part (1) is made up of at least three interconnected layers (2, 3, 4) of corrugated sheet material. The layers (2, 3, 4) are arranged at angles in relation to each other, in such a way that corrugations form a preferably right angle between themselves, so that the corrugations of the layers (2, 3, 4) form a channel system in the constructional part (1). A number of holes (6) are made in the intermediate layer (3).

Abstract: A building member forming apparatus is comprised of standardized metric dimensioned panels including plywood paneling, outer horizontal support beams, vertical support beams, and inner horizontal support beams. A conversion corner bracket has a first leg and a second leg joined to form a right angle, a V-shaped indented outer corner, and a rounded inside corner opposite the V-shaped indented corner. The conversion corner bracket is attached to the panels by securing members which secure the conversion corner bracket to the vertical support beam of the panels. The conversion corner allows the apparatus to convert standardized dimensioned panels for use with either metric or U.S. customary unit-based construction structures.

Abstract: A contoured roof ventilation system having a strip with an air-permeable portion located adjacent to a ridge slot. Stand-off clips are provided which can be placed over the air-permeable strip at fastener locations which are located on flat portions of the roof panels. A sealing material may be placed beneath the air-permeable strip at such fastener locations to prevent the ingress of moisture beneath the panels.

Abstract: A panel for raised floors, which comprises: a box-like element made of metallic material, which forms a bottom and side walls with first edges which are folded outwards and is meant to contain a body made of filler material; and a covering element. The covering element also is made of metallic material, is flat, is larger than the dimensions of the box-like element and has second edges which are folded a first time around the first edges of the box-like element. The first and second edges of the box-like element and, respectively, of the covering element are folded together a second time along the side walls, so as to be arranged laterally thereto in order to reduce the dimensions of the panel and increase its loading strength along its sides.

Abstract: A protective shelter that is made from a plurality of elongate, vertical C-shaped panels that have web portions and perpendicular side portions, and are butt connected together with fasteners that are located in a section of the side portions that are closest to the inside portion of the shelter. A connecting cap is connected around the side portions of at least some of the adjacent panels. A cap connects a roof to the upper portions of the panels and the lower part of the panels are connected with fasteners to a base that in turn is connected to a floor.

Abstract: A building includes an exterior wall provided with a door which can be opened to expose a plurality of compartments for receiving a wide range of deliverable products. The compartments are defined as sections of one or more appliances. Preferably, the exterior door can be used to expose both fresh food and freezer compartments of a refrigerator, as well as one or more compartments of an oven unit. Each of the compartments is also accessible from an interior of the building through an associated inner door. The inner and outer doors can be electronically latched and are linked together such that at least the exterior door is prevented from being opened whenever a specified interior door is open.

Abstract: A blast shelter for protecting individuals during a blast or a natural disaster. The blast shelter includes an outer perimeter wall and an inner perimeter wall. The inner perimeter wall is positioned generally adjacent to the outer perimeter wall. A plurality of coupling members securely couples the inner perimeter wall to the outer perimeter wall such that the inner and outer perimeter walls are in a spaced relationship to each other. A door frame extends through the inner and outer perimeter walls. The door frame is securely attached to the inner and outer perimeter walls. A concrete material is poured between the inner and outer perimeter walls.

Abstract: This invention comprises reinforced industrial vaults with segmented knock-outs having a variety of shapes and orientations. The invention also comprises vaults having cast-in cable racks. The cable racks can be electrically connected to the reinforcing elements during manufacture, providing electrical grounding of electronic equipment placed in the vault. Cable channels can be installed at desired locations by selecting a knock-out, removing the knock-out and installing a terminator plate having cable conduits. Cable conduits can have diaphragms that can be removed to provide additional choices for locating cable channels. Cable channels can be provided in a vault in the field, even if the vault has been already installed.

Abstract: A modular plastic shutter assembly that includes an injection molded panel that has been cut to length to accommodate the particular shutter assembly. A die cutter having an appropriately shaped cutting blade cuts an end of the panel to the desirable length. A separate injection molded panel end piece is secured to the cut end of the panel to form a complete panel.