Abstract: Roof bracing, and a braced roof structure including the bracing located at the junction of dihedral surfaces of the roof structure which meet at a dihedral angle determined by trusses in a roof framing system. The bracing includes a pair of elongate braces each having a web and a flange extending from an edge of the flange. The web is bendable relative to the flange. The braces can be applied with their flanges in back-to-back engagement and with the webs extending laterally outwardly generally at the dihedral angle for generally flatwise engagement of the webs with the trusses. The braces also function as beams to support the roofing against upward and downward loads on the roofing.

Abstract: Energy-absorbing utility poles and replacement components comprising a composite material laminate are provided. In one embodiment, the poles of the present invention are designed to bring an impacting vehicle to a controlled stop. It is intended that the products of the presently claimed invention be formed using a pultrusion process that results in a pole having low to moderate diametric crush strength, so as to initiate a flattening and then folding response as the vehicle encounter, the pole. One of the critical features of the present invention is the provision of a socket/slip joint enabling connection of a composite lower section with a wooden upper section such that the connection securely joins the two elements during ordinary conditions, but releases when either the upper or lower element experiences force greater than a predetermined value, as where the pole is struck by a vehicle.

Abstract: The thermal insulation of buildings is realized by the diffused reflection of thermal radiation and the diffused reflection of the thermal transition of the air, from the internal and the external surfaces of the sublayers of the external masonry, the external roofs, the internal masonry and the internal ceilings of the buildings. Thermal insulation is also realized by a low emission of thermal radiation, with the diffused reflection of thermal radiation and the diffused reflection of thermal transition of air, from the internal surfaces of a parallel plane division having an enclosed layer of air, which is surfaces of a parallel plane division having an enclosed layer of air, which is constructed at the internal side of the sublayers of the external masonry and the external roof of the buildings. These surfaces are covered with a reflective insulating material, which can be colored with the addition of coloring pigments.

Abstract: A protective shelter for installation above and in the ground including a superstructure style frame, a composite wall structure for absorbing energy from missile impacts, and a tub encased in a foundation. The invention also discloses a method for constructing a protective shelter including a tub form and a superstructure which includes utilizing the availability of the tub form to provide a downward force such that the superstructure is not floated out of the excavation when the encasement is poured and removing the downward force after the concrete encasement has reached initial set stage. A further disclosure of the invention includes an energy absorbing compound wall structure for dissipating, transferring, and converting to potential energy the kinetic energy of a missile impact.

Abstract: An intermediate rib for collapsible umbrella is provided. The collapsible umbrella includes multiple sets of rib arrangements each of which includes an intermediate rib and an intermediate tie in addition to many other ribs and ties. The intermediate rib and tie are associated with each other by a collar put around them. The intermediate rib includes an U-shaped inner part that is adapted to support and pivotally connect to other appropriate ribs, and a round outer part that is sufficiently flexible to elastically bend in response to a wind pressure without becoming broken. The outer part of the intermediate rib bends naturally under a tension of the cover of the umbrella when the latter is stretched, giving the stretched umbrella a smooth and graceful appearance.

Abstract: A removable support structure for concrete slab fabrication is described. A horizontally length adjustable latch device may be secured to both ends of shoring girders or shoring beams, or to just one end with a fixed in place latch secured at the other end, to permit rapid and accurate placement of the shoring support across a span to be structured in concrete. Vertical shoring posts and supports are eliminated, with the added advantage of the plane of the shoring always being automatically in the plane of the floor being formed. Bearing shoes on the ends of corrugated deck members, secured to building girders, cooperate with straps at their other ends, accurately and securely positions the corrugated decking in place. After the concrete has hardened, the entire support structure, including the shoring girders, shoring beams, and corrugated deck members, are rapidly and efficiently removed, ready for re-use.

Abstract: Provided are novel gas permeable bricks of a refractory material suitable for use in a hot grid of a regenerative heat exchanger. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the brick has an inner face and an outer face on opposite sides of the brick. One or more cavities extend from the inner face partially into the brick. A plurality of channels for each of the cavities extend from the outer face to the cavities. The cavities and channels allow a gas to pass through the brick. Also provided is a hot grid suitable for use in a regenerative heat exchanger formed from a plurality of the bricks.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a removable cover for retaining off-gases inside a clarifier. The cover comprises trusses extending across the clarifier and a flexible sheet laid across the trusses. Structural angles enclose the clarifier and constitute a kick plate on the walkways around the clarifier for improving the safety of workers. One side of the flexible sheet is permanently affixed to a first wall of the clarifier. A series of pullers are mounted inside the structural angles for pulling and releasably sealing the three other sides of the flexible sheet against the outmost trusses and against a second wall of the clarifier opposite the first wall. Each puller has a cable-deflector bar extending substantially at a same level as a mounting surface of the puller for increasing an angle of downward pull on the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is rolled-up along the trusses to expose machinery inside the clarifier.

Abstract: A surround molding assembly for a doorway or window of a structure such as a residential home or a commercial building. In one embodiment, a decorative molding strip includes a base strip and a decorative strip interconnected by a living hinge. The decorative strip may be pivoted about the living hinge to a closed position over the base strip to hide internally located fasteners. In an embodiment, an extension cap is interconnected between a corner member and a decorative molding strip without external fasteners. In another preferred embodiment, a door surround molding assembly is provided which includes a pair of vertical molding members releasably secured via independent hanger strips along vertical sides of a doorway.

Abstract: A reinforced or prestressed concrete structure is strengthened and/or restored by attaching a strip-shaped tensional member thereto. Prior to attaching the tensional member, a central portion thereof is prestressed. Then, the tensioned central portion is bonded to a concrete surface of the concrete structure by a first adhesive having a high deformation modulus. Thereafter, the non-prestressed end portions of the tensional member are bonded to the concrete surface by a second adhesive having a low deformation modulus, whereby the second adhesive is substantially less deformable than the first adhesive.

Abstract: A transition support for flooring extending between a floor area of a high height and a floor area of a low height, the support being in the shape of a wedge which is generally unnoticeable by persons walking across the support and which does not jostle wheeled vehicles crossing the support.

Abstract: The modularized structure framing system is disclosed incorporating a plurality of quad wall modules, a plurality of single wall modules, a plurality of double wall module, a plurality of window modules, and a plurality of door modules. Each module is,made using conventional 2″×4″ building materials. Endpieces of conventional 1″×4″ building materials allow modules to be aligned together during construction while still maintaining standard dimensionality. A plurality of alignment tools are provided for installation of the modules. These include a corner alignment tool having a 90 degree angle and a 1.25 inch wide by 3.55 inch deep groove running throughout, a wall straightness tool also having a 1.25 inch wide by 3.55 deep groove running throughout, and a “T”-shaped the wall alignment tool having a 1.25 inch wide by 3.55 deep groove running throughout.

Abstract: A disaster shelter for mounting under ground. The shelter includes an entranceway having at least one air vent and a substantially hollow paraboloid shaped shelter cell. The shelter cell includes a paraboloid focus portion attached to the entranceway and paraboloid base portion disposed opposite the entranceway. A gravity ring is attached to the paraboloid base portion and is dimensioned such that the shelter is constrained within the ground when the water table reaches ground level.

Abstract: A substructure for a sports field of the type which can be shifted on glide pads or rollers on a track of a foundation and in which the frame supporting the sports field can be lifted by pairs of hydraulic cylinders to facilitate inspection and maintenance of the structure beneath the frame. A track bridging the inspection and maintenance space can have a wedge-shaped section covering an opening for this space and hydraulically displaceable into and out of position.

Abstract: A wall patching device for attachment to the inside of a wall adjacent to a hole in the wall to fill and patch the hole. The wall patching device includes a rigid plate having a plurality of holes therein, the plate having two wings connected by a raised center portion. The raised center portion preferably has a tether connected thereto for holding the wall patching device when the wall patching device is inserted into a hole in a wall or wallboard such as a hole made by a door knob striking a wall.

Abstract: A reusable concrete support frame removably supported by horizontal supporting beams while a concrete slab is poured on top of it to build a bridge. The frame has an angle iron end member at each end of the frame which removably engages the horizontal supporting beams at a slight angle. One of the angle iron end members is welded to two parallel, spaced apart first channel irons, and the other angle iron end member is welded to two parallel spaced apart second channel irons. The first pair of channel irons insert between the second pair and are pivotally secured to them by bolts so that the channel irons articulate relative to their corresponding mating channel irons. The channel irons can be locked together so the frame is horizontal when the concrete is poured and thereafter can be released to pivot or articulate downward to remove the frame for reuse.

Abstract: A fiberglass railcar roof that includes a fiberglass surface with a central portion and a peripheral portion adapted to be joined to the upper edge region of a railcar. In some embodiments, the roof includes plural elongate fiberglass ribs extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fiberglass surface. In some embodiments, the roof is adapted for use on refrigerated, high cube and cryogenic railcars. Methods for forming the invented roofs and roof panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: An event construction comprises a public area, such as a grandstand, and a pitch for performing activities, for example sporting activities like football or baseball. The pitch is accommodated on a floor which by sliding elements is set up in such a way that it can be moved in relation to the public area. The sliding elements comprise at least one elongated track which is set up underneath the floor and is connected to the base or to the floor, and also supporting elements which are connected to the floor and can be slid in relation to the track, or supporting elements connected to the base, over which supporting elements the elongated track can be slid. Each track consists of mortar material.

Abstract: A sheet of shingles for application to the ridge or hips of a roof. Two or more shingles are arranged in a generally straight line with the tops of adjacent shingles generally aligned with one another, with the bottoms of adjacent shingles generally aligned with one another. The second edge of a prior shingle overlaps and is above the first edge of any immediately subsequent shingle. Adhesive is placed in the overlapping area of adjacent shingles to connect such shingles, leaving the corners unattached so that the upper, overlapping corners can be lifted to nail the lower, overlapped corners to the roof. Tar is placed between the overlapping and the overlapped corners in order to utilize solar energy to seal the corners of the adjacent shingles to one another after the nails have been inserted.

Abstract: Top plate tie-down arrangements are used for securing the roof of a structure against damage caused by high winds, earthquakes, and the like by anchoring the top plate of a wall to a foundation slab. An anchor for use in a top plate tie-down arrangement has a self-tapping thread on one end that allows it to be threaded into a hole drilled into the slab. The upper end of the anchor, which protrudes through a sill plate, is threaded to engage a connecting nut that ties the anchor to an elongated vertical fastener attached to the top plate. The lengths of various portions of the anchor and of the hole into which it is threaded are selected so that the sill plate is captured between the connecting nut and the slab.