Abstract: A modular partition is composed of a plurality of posts, panels and shelves detachably interconnected therebetween. Disposing different specifications and varied amounts of the panels between the posts according to specific requirement can form partition walls with varied arrangements. The shelves disposed between any two of the walls can be mounted on any one of the panels to obtain desired heights.

Abstract: A selectively reconfigurable wall system for use in a work environment is disclosed. The work environment provides at least a first work space and a second work space. The wall system is configured to control access to the work spaces and is adapted for association with a frame system having a plurality of floorstanding posts and overhead beams. The wall system includes an articulating partition adapted for mounting to a vertical member and for selective positioning between a first position and a second position. The articulating partition in the first position increases the relative level of privacy provided by the first work space, and the articulating partition in the second position increases the relative level of privacy provided by the second work space.

Abstract: A coping assembly for a parapet wall, cant dam or gravel stop resiliently maintains the coping assembly in a tight-fitting interlocking installation and has a locator member beneath the coping cap or cover for maintaining at least a portion of the outer coping cap in a predetermined cross-sectional shape and in an accurate alignment between adjacent sections of the coping cap. The preferred locator member is generally symmetrical with respect to a line normal to the face of the wall, dam stop or other raised roof protrusion. The coping assembly is quicker, easier, and less costly to install than prior such structures and provides enhanced protection for interior or underlying components or structures.

Abstract: A shear panel configured to fit between adjacent studs in a stud wall is described. The shear panel in one embodiment of the present invention includes an elongate I-shaped member, a top shear cap, and a bottom shear cap. The elongate I-shaped member includes a central region and two opposing flanges extending longitudinally along opposing outer edges of the central region. The elongate I-shaped member is configured to fit between adjacent studs with the flanges in face to face contact with the faces of the adjacent studs. Each shear cap includes an elongate flat section, a first elongate leg section, and a second elongate leg section. The first and second leg sections extend perpendicularly from the elongate flat section, and the leg sections are configured so that an end of the central region of the I-shaped member fits between the legs.

Abstract: A method for enclosing a layer of insulation covering a building foundation having a vertical edge, where the layer of insulation has front, back and edge surfaces. The method involves: (1) placing the back surface of the layer of insulation against the foundation such that the edge surface of the insulation is aligned with the edge of the foundation; (2) covering the front surface of the layer of insulation with a first protective cover; and (3) enclosing the edge surface and parts of the front and back surface of the insulation with a second protective cover by positioning a back overlap portion of the second protective cover between the back of the layer of insulation and the foundation and a front overlap portion of the second protective cover between the front of the layer of insulation and the first protective cover, whereby all surfaces of the layer of insulation are enclosed. A system for protecting insulation covering a building foundation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural element for ships' decks, ships' bulkheads, ships' loading ramps, shore-mounted loading ramps, ships' elevators, ships' doors, loading hatches or the like. The element comprises a frame structure and at least one support plane. The invention is particularly characterized by said support plane being constituted by a plurality of plate-like sandwich elements which are connected with said frame structure in such a way that they integrally contribute to the overall strength of the structural element. Said sandwich elements serve as flanges for beams with conventional webs which are included in the structural element. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sandwich element comprises a core consisting of a pyramidal framework structure, said core being positioned between two covering plates.

Abstract: A vent flow apparatus and method for general application in venting and filling air pockets in conduit or duct type apparatuses designed for passage of material therethrough is provided including a hollow vent flow conduit preferably in the form of a tube having an entry opening and a downstream exit opening with both openings being in communication with a duct for flow of material therethrough. The entry opening is in communication with the duct at a first location of greater cross-sectional area of the duct than a second location of communication of the exit opening with the duct. The vent flow conduit has particular applicability for post-tensioning systems for concrete or other suitable structures, particularly post-tensioning systems which include body sections interconnected in series by an intermediate anchor head and which use a transfer means for routing grout between the body sections and around the intermediate anchor head.

Abstract: In order to anchor, reinforce, affix or keep together construction or machine parts, construction members, construction works or parts thereof, or at least to apply a force component, the invention involves a looping anchor or retaining element including several supeposed belt layers or plies.

Abstract: A modular decking system for use in constructing a deck of the type normally attached to a house or cottage includes a plurality of square, typically one meter by one meter, frames which are mounted on posts; deck or floor panels which are mounted on the frames; finishing planks for mounting on the outside edges of the frames to finish the base of the deck; and a railing assembly including posts for mounting on the corners of the base and at the junction between finishing planks, and rectangular fence panels which are connected to the posts, mainly by sliding the panels into longitudinally extending grooves in the posts.

Abstract: A method of making a seal on a panel for a door or window by applying and curing a sealant on the surface of the panel is provided, preferably by screening the sealant onto the surface of the panel. The panel with the seal is mounted in a window or door frame such that the seal is disposed between the panel and the frame itself. To assemble the door or window, the panel may be inserted into “U” shaped grooves in the structural members comprising the door and the frame members assembled about the panel. The panel may have multiple layers with such seals interposed between the layers.

Abstract: A bunker construction is comprised of precast arch elements which form a semicircular roof of the bunker by engaging cast-in-place footings. A front and back plate cover the front and back of the enclosure defined by the arch elements. A crown element along the apex of the arch and footing blocks at the bottom sides of the arch along the footing facilitate a lightning protection system. Precast concrete panels form lateral sides of the front of the bunker construction and compacted earth coacts with steel stabilizing elements associated with the precast panels and the front plate of the bunker. The entire bunker exterior is covered with compacted earth thereby forming a bunker construction with enhanced structural integrity due to the mechanically stabilized earth in combination with the precast arch elements and front panel members.

Abstract: A roof screen system comprises a number of triangular frames assembled from aluminum beams held together with pivotable clamps. Such clamps also bolt down onto roof footers with flashing boots that prevent roof leaks. A number of clips are attached to the upright triangular frames. Horizontal rails are then attached with the clips to the triangular frames, and screen panels are hung and attached to the rails. The pivotable clamps allow a slip-connection anywhere along the aluminum beams that can be locked down with ordinary wrenches. As such, the screen panels can be tilted back or forward to accommodate painted signs, electric signs, advertising, and even solar photovoltaic panels.

Abstract: A device for extending across a gutter for separating trash from rain water running off a roof has a planar metal body secured to the roof and to the outer edge of the gutter. A plurality of elongate louvers are cut into the metal body so that they extend parallel to the gutter. The louvers are arranged in columns and are twisted to form openings between which the water will flow.

Abstract: A tent having a panoramic image displayed thereon and method for making same. An observer inside the tent is surrounded by a panoramic or continuous image, giving him the illusion of being in the space represented by the image. The image is applied to flat two-dimensional sections which are attached together to form the three-dimensional tent.

Abstract: A deployable telescopic seating structure employs a backstop arrangement to prevent users and operators from coming into contact with structures that may cause injury, such as interengaging metal elements that limit the extent of deployment. The backstop portions are arranged in the aisle region of the telescopic seating structure and have an overall height that is responsive to the height of one seating level above another, or in another embodiment, to the difference between such height an an intermediate step. The backstop arrangement has an engagement portion with a flange element that extends transversely therefrom and which engages with a top surface of the seating level. Preferably, the engagement portion forms a forwardmost edge termination. A fastening portion is arranged intermediate of the engagement portion and the riser portion of the backstop member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seismically retrofitting pre-existing household brick chimneys is described to meet current building codes. Vertical steel rebar and horizontal chimney anchors are inserted into the chimney and a polymer concrete is poured between the liner and the brick masonry thereby bonding to the chimney, the vertical steel rebar, and the horizontal chimney anchors. The horizontal chimney anchors are coupled at one end to the external face of the chimney and at another end to the interior frame of the house. Holes are vertically drilled into the masonry of the chimney base in order to anchor the steel rebar at one end. Holes are drilled through the chimney and into the interior of the house at an appropriate point to properly anchor the pre-existing chimney to the house. A polymer concrete that has similar heat properties to other fireplace components is poured into the chimney around a chimney liner in order to reinforce and provide resiliency.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid storage system for storing liquid products, particularly petroleum and its derivatives. An auxiliary dam (1) within a bund defined by a main dam (3) bounds an area (5) around a tank (2) in such a way that the contaminating wastes from the fluids stored in the tank are contained within that area (5).

Abstract: Grid-shaped reinforcement strip is configured for reinforcing masonry joints, and includes at one substantially straight elongated reinforcement wire having a substantially rectangular cross section. There is a further reinforcement wire having a substantially rectangular cross section that is spaced apart from the at least one reinforcement wire. At least one connecting wire extends between opposed faces of such at least two spaced apart reinforcement wires. An unflattened weld attaches the at least one connecting wire to respective ones of opposed faces of such at least two reinforcement wires. The connecting wire preferably has a substantially round cross section, and the thickness of the at least one connecting wire is as thick as or less thick than the thickness of the at least two reinforcement wires.

Abstract: A power system is provided for extending and retracting a telescopic seating structure. The power system includes a frame, a drum operably mounted on the frame for rotational movement, and a plurality of slidably interconnected telescoping members having a terminal telescoping member operably attached to the telescopic seating structure. A cable is wound about the drum and the plurality of telescoping members. Upon rotation of the drum in a selected direction, a tensional force is exerted upon the telescoping members causing their selective extension or retraction to thereby extend or retract the telescoping seating structure. A control assembly is operably connected to the drum shaft to thereby deactivate the power mechanism when the telescopic seating structure is filly extracted or retracted. A cable guide assembly is positioned below the drum to thereby ensure that the cable is properly wound upon the drum during rotation to thereby assure maximum efficiency of the power system.

Abstract: A laminated shingle is provided, having lighter and darker granule portions visible from the front, at different planes; the front-most or anterior lane generally having granules of lighter shading and the more rearward or posterior plane generally having darker granules. The darker granules in the more posterior plane are visible from the front of the shingle to provide visually sharp, precise delineation between zones of lighter and darker shading. The shingles may be of multi-layer construction with suitable adhesives securing the layers together. The darker granules may be visible from beneath the lower edge(s) of the anterior shingle, to provide a shadow line effect. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the darker shingle zones from the more posterior plane may be visible through tab-separating slots of the lighter shaded anterior shingle portion.