Abstract: A geometric construction system includes: a plurality of flat panels; and a plurality of connecting units provided on side edges of the flat panels. Each connecting unit includes first and second engaging parts. The first engaging part is formed with a protrusion, and the second engaging part is formed with a recess such that the protrusion of the first engaging part on one of the flat panels is releasably engageable with the recess of the second engaging part on another of the flat panels. The second engaging part is further formed with resilient claws that project from a periphery of the recess. The claws of the second engaging part on one of the flat panels clamp resiliently the protusion of the first engaging part on another of the flat panels when the protrusion is moved into the recess of the second engaging part.

Abstract: A composite utility pole or the like is shown, having an elongate member, where a deformable material is co-extruded over the outer surface. The elongate member can have any configuration, but is shown as a circular cross section, and can have structural ribs. Concrete fills the substantial portion of the pole to give it rigidity.

Abstract: A apparatus for removing surface coverings, includes a shaft having a first end and a second end; a sleeve slidably mounted on the first end of the shaft; a clevis pivotably mounted on a first end of the sleeve; a drive mechanism for shifting a rod between a first rod position and a second rod position relative to the shaft; and a blade mounted on the clevis and extending away from the shaft. The clevis is secured to the rod, such that as the rod moves between the first rod position and the second rod position, the clevis pivots on the sleeve, and the sleeve slides on the shaft to shift a leading edge of the blade between a first edge position and a second edge position.

Abstract: A rainwater collection and diverging system includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall. A door is positioned in the bottom wall. A hinge hingedly couples the door to the bottom wall and a biasing member is attached to the door and biases the door in a closed position. Fluid in the housing may flow outwardly through the bottom wall when a biasing action of the biasing member is overcome and the door is moved to an open position. An outlet is fluidly coupled to the housing. A downspout has a bottom end extending into the housing. A conduit is fluidly coupled to and extends between a free end of the outlet and a fluid receptacle. Water flowing down the downspout is directed into the conduit until a force of the water flowing down the downspout overcomes the biasing action and opens the door.

Abstract: A gasket structured such that a packing is firmly fixed to one surface of a plate with a predetermined plane arrangement. The structure is made such that the packing is firmly fixed to one surface of the plate with a predetermined plane arrangement. The plate is screwed to an opposing assembly member at a screw fixing portion at a time of assembling. The packing is bent to one side in a width direction by being compressed at a lip portion by the opposing assembly member. A packing extension portion for partly enlarging an adhesive bonding area of the packing to the plate is provided in a position close to the screw fixing portion, an inflection portion or a position close thereto in a plane shape of the packing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fixing device for a movable wall or the like with a fixing element which can be brought into its working position by an actuating member that can be actuated manually. In order to provide a fixing device for a movable wall or the like which ensures a reliable and trouble-free operation in a simple manner, it is provided according to the invention that the actuating member is constructed as a turning knob whose rotating movement can be transformed into a longitudinal movement for the fixing element.

Abstract: A seal assembly seals first and second operational surfaces spaced apart by a gap. The first surface includes a seal groove having a base surface and first and second side surfaces. A sealing element in the seal groove has a foot portion extending parallel to the base surface which engages the second operational surface. A leg portion extending from the foot portion toward the base surface has first and second surfaces. A back-up ring adjacent to the sealing element prevents extrusion of the sealing element into the gap. A first side of the back-up ring mates with the second surface of the leg portion, and a second side mates with one of the first and second side surfaces of the seal groove. An energizer element located between the base surface and the foot portion applies uniform pressure to the leg and foot portions when the energizer element is compressed.

Abstract: A land use-efficient multiplex housing structure (10) is provided having a central housing unit (12) of generally cruciform plan configuration, with a plurality (preferably four) of peripheral dwelling units (14,16,18,20) interconnected with and spaced about the central unit (12). Each peripheral unit (14,16,18,20) preferably has a generally quadrate primary dwelling area (96,134,172,212) and an associated elongated extension section (84,124,162,202) which extends toward and is interconnected with a respective wall portion of central dwelling unit (12).

Abstract: A rubber gasket to be disposed in a compressed state between separators of a fuel cell includes a sealing portion having a sectional shape of a two-projection structure with a first projection having a curved slope of a first curvature radius (D), and a second projection provided on the first projection and having a second curvature radius (H). A pedestal portion extends in a horizontal direction with a predetermined thickness continuously from a foot portion of the curved slope of the first projection and has a flat bottom surface.

Abstract: A landscaping channel liner apparatus is provided having a longitudinally-extending trough and longitudinally-extending receptacles. The longitudinally-extending trough has a longitudinally-extending floor located between opposed longitudinally-extending side walls extending therefrom. The longitudinally-extending trough also has first and second opposed transverse open ends formed from the floor and side walls. Each of the side walls defines a longitudinally-extending edge located opposite the longitudinally-extending floor. A longitudinally-extending receptacle is located on each longitudinally-extending edge and includes first and second transverse open ends.

Abstract: Free wheel, the cage (5) of which consists of two identical half cages (6, 7) each incorporating an intermediate cylindrical envelope (8) which is firmly fixed to portions forming surfaces (9, 10), which may or may not be continuous, for bearing against the surfaces of the shaft (1) and the bore (2), or the same side as, or on the side remote from the row of cams (3), the said intermediate envelope (8) incorporating notches (12 to 18) of such a shape that it allows the two half cages when positioned facing one another to be fitted together by an axial movement, enclosing the said spring between the central envelope (8) and the surface (9) for bearing upon the shaft, and leaving rectangular openings (15-17, 16, 15-17, 16) for cams (3) to be radially introduced, which thus lock axially the two half cages.

Abstract: The invention relates to members constituting the elements of a load-carrying spatial structure. These members, which can have any cross section, have a central circular channel (3) projecting at least at one end for fastening to the corresponding joint element. In a variant, the members can have several axial channels. An element made from these members can also be used as a part for an intermediate connection between a simple tubular member and the joint of the structure.

Abstract: A building constructed utilizing prefabricated wall frame structures, prefabricated roof truss structures and prefabricated purlin structures. In constructing the walls of the building, at least portions of the walls are constructed utilizing prefabricated braced frame structures. These braced frame structures can be interspersed with unbraced frame structures. Each of the braced frame structures has a plurality of lateral wooden frame members that interconnect two longitudinal wooden frame members and a built-in wooden frame cross-bracing member that extends in between the lateral wooden members. The wooden members of each of the frame structures are interconnected by metal connector plates. At least several of the purlin structures that are attached on top of the roof trusses have built-in cross-bracing.

Abstract: A truss plate for connecting together wood members forming trusses, joists, beams and the like construction parts, formed of stiff sheet metal having struck-out teeth extending perpendicularly to the body of the plate. The teeth are struck-out in pairs, leaving an elongated slot between each pair of teeth. The slots, and their teeth, are aligned in numerous longitudinal rows. The rows form groups whose slots are also transversely aligned, but with the slots of one group being longitudinally offset relative to the slots of its adjacent group. The teeth are V-shaped in cross-section and are axially twisted. Their free ends form asymmetrical V-shaped tips. A pair of such plates are arranged in face-to-face contact with the teeth of the uppermost plate extending through the slots in the lowermost plate for closely positioning together adjacent teeth to form a double thickness plate with pairs of double teeth.

Abstract: Substantially cylindrical and relatively thin-walled large volume containers such as silos are interiorly supported by means of a supporting structure in the form of a triangular supporting triangle, which is fixedly joined to the inner container wall. Thereby an essential amount of radial loads is converted into loads working in circumferential direction, i.e., working tangentially on the container wall, so that the risk of deformations is reduced when the load transmitting members such as pipes provided inside the container are joined to the supporting structure.

Abstract: A waterproofing unit adapted to be positioned against a structure to be protected comprising a grid sheet and a waterproofing composition disposed within the grid. The composition is a film forming material which is self-sustaining.