Abstract: An existing vertical monopole tower is reinforced by a plurality of vertically extending metal reinforcing members in the form of elongated channel members or angle plate members or ribbed plate members. The reinforcing members have longitudinally spaced holes which align with vertically spaced holes in the tower wall, and blind fasteners extend through the aligned holes to secure the reinforcing members to the tower. The fasteners provide for transferring only tensile forces or tensile and shear forces to the reinforcing members. Vertically aligned reinforcing members have adjacent end portions spliced together by splice plates and blind fasteners, and the splice plates are fastened to the web portions of the channel members or the ribs of the rib plate members or the wing portions of the angle plate members. Shear plates and pin assemblies may also be used to transfer shear forces and in splicing vertically aligned reinforcing members.

Abstract: A frame assembly is provided for a solar module. The frame assembly includes a plurality of frame members that are structured to collectively support and hold a first solar panel. At least one of the plurality of frame members is structured to adjoin a frame member of a second solar module in forming a joining with the frame member of the second solar module over a length where the frame member of the first and second solar module adjoin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of adhering a flexible solar panel to a PVC-based roofing membrane that interposes a certain plasticizer-containing PVC membrane between the solar panel and the roofing membrane.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions for palm tile, which consists of an assembly of leaves of the palm tree Brahea dulcis, previously torn, placed in a uniformly and symmetrically way and lengthwise sown, stapled or held to the part where the petiole meets the lamina to form a tile, board, panel or Hawaiian skirt. Also provided herein are methods to manufacture the tiles and elements for its elaboration and placement on crosspieces of a structure.

Abstract: A downspout assembly includes a downspout, a downspout extension disposed in fluid communication with the downspout and a strainer basket seated in the downspout extension.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass.

Abstract: The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation, to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotatable gutter support assembly that can rotate the gutter from an operational position where the gutter is used to collect and divert water from a roof, to a cleaning or rotated position in which the gutter is sufficiently rotated downwardly so that its inside may be accessed from ground level. The cleaning position then enables one to clean the gutter by using a suitable brush or even simply by hosing with water. The present invention also relates to a gutter system using the above assembly.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced pultruded planks serve as underlayment for tile, stone or terrazzo. In one embodiment, the planks have a thin base surface with a plurality of elongated ridges. The planks have interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with the thin base resting on the support. Tile can be adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area, creating a very rigid support structure. If the planks are reversed with the ridges resting on the support, tile or stone can be adhered to the relatively smooth thin base with an epoxy adhesive.

Abstract: Ridge strip apparatus. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A very lightweight long-range extending member formed from assembled tapes. The strength of an extended structure can be greatly increased by forming a composite structure from individual single tapes. This invention describes various composite structures and the means for forming them.

Abstract: A wall panel which can be used to provide a lower, more rigid, perimeter wall to an air supported structure. The wall panels may be attached to the earth via a hinged connection to provide for improved ease of raising the air supported structure and to allow for flexing, or may be rigidly attached. The wall panels will generally be modular and interchangeable.

Abstract: A door is constructed with a separate member joined to the door edge by a tongue-and-groove coupling and screws so as to be readily removable and replaceable. The separate member sustains the impacts imparted to the door by carts or wagons pushed past the door and can be readily replaced when damaged, thus avoiding replacement of the entire door. A flexible cover snaps over the outer surface of the separate member to add impact resistance and aesthetic appeal. Intumescent strips may be inserted inside or outside of the cover to enhance sealing between the door, and as adjacent door or door frame, thereby improving the fire resistance rating of the door. Accent strips or reveals of contrasting or complementary colors may be incorporated to add to the aesthetic appeal of the door. The door construction is of particular utility in schools, health care facilities and other institutions.

Abstract: An interlocking curtain wall insulation system for a building having a backer bar spaced from a floor slab defining a perimeter void between the floor slab and an outer wall, a safing insulation disposed above the backer bar and compression fit within the perimeter void between the floor slab and the backer bar, a first curtain wall insulation extending from an upper surface of the safing insulation adjacent the backer bar, a second curtain wall insulation depending from the backer bar.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator door is provided with a metal outer panel and upper and lower plastic end caps installed on top and bottom edges of the door. The caps include grooves to receive flanges on the edges of the panel, thereby mounting the caps to the panel. The caps include ratcheting members to provide a mating fit with the panel. A bushing is snap fit into the upper cap without the use of hardware fasteners. Electric wires and a water line extend downwardly through the bushing to an ice and water dispenser in the door.

Abstract: A stop member for an operator chain in a chain operator, wherein the operator chain has a width, rivet holes and rivets, constitutes a pin arranged in a rivet hole not occupied by a rivet in the operator chain, wherein the pin has a length exceeding the width of the operator chain. The pin can be cylindrical with a diameter corresponding essentially to that of the rivet hole, and the diameter of the pin can be slightly smaller than that of the rivet hole, so as to be loosely held in the rivet hole.

Abstract: A system for forming a flooring includes rectangular floorboards (1, 1?) including first and second types of floorboards (A, B), on which first and second locking devices are arranged in pairs on opposing short edges (5a, 5b) and long edges (4a, 4b), respectively, and on which the locking device of the first type of floorboard (A) along one pair of opposing joint edges is mirror inverted relative to the corresponding locking device along the same pair of opposing joint edges of the second type of floorboard (B). The system includes a third type of floorboard (C), which is so designed that a first one (5b) of its two short edges presents the first locking device (12) and both its long edges (4a, 4b) and its other short edge (5a) presents the second locking device.

Abstract: A masonry flashing is disclosed having a polymeric membrane and a pressure-activated adhesive in a peel-and-stick product. The flashing is used in cavity walls, typically a wall with an inner wythe of masonry block and an outer wythe of brick. The adhesive layer is a hot melt with various additives, which additives provide reinforcement to the flashing structure. The reinforcement can be fiber glass or filamentous fragments of polypropylene that are admixed into the adhesive. The flashing has a release sheet and, after removal thereof, the adhesive is pressed against the rough surface of the masonry block creating a durable bond with the inner wythe. Incorporated into the masonry flashing are various high-strength, polymeric webs including a spun-bonded polyolefin, an ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, and a polyvinylchloride with an ethylene interpolymer.

Abstract: Glazing system for buildings, comprising a number of module elements (1) arranged to be joined to parts that are part of a building without intermediate framework. The elements comprises a glass sheet (3) each, which is supported by the frame (18) of the building, by means of supporting elements (22) and is retained in an intended position by means of retaining devices (23) supported by the frame, which retaining devices (23) each one is arranged to be joined with the sheet by means of attachment elements (12). The attachment elements (12) are arranged with organs (38) for coupling the attachment elements to coupling organs (43) on the respective retaining device (23), before being mounted on the building frame, the module elements (1) are arranged with the attachment elements (12) attached, which thus form a handling protection against damages of the edge of the sheet (3).