Abstract: An entry grid includes a plurality of spaced, side-by-side, grid sections each having a tread rail and a depending support leg with sections interlocked by a locking bar extending transversely through respective locking holes in the support legs. The support legs include locking teeth engaged by complementally configured element teeth of corresponding locking elements extending radially from the locking bar shaft.

Abstract: A hurricane shutter for a building opening closure having a window or door frame recessed from the outer face of the building a predetermined depth-wise distance, the shutter being composed of a pair of normally open doors swingable to a closed position with the doors normally flush with the outer face of the building and spanning the opening and a grid-like structure in the recess between the doors, when closed, and the recessed window or door frame to which the doors are releasably locked.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering devices such as an antenna including a multiple-stage cylinder system composed of a plurality of telescopically connected cylinder units each of which comprising an internal cylinder and an external cylinder that are connected at their lower ends so that the internal cylinders of the plurality of cylinder units form a sealed space so as to be filled with pressure oil used for extending and contracting the cylinder system. In addition, a fixture structure is provided on the lowest stage cylinder unit so that the cylinder system is held upright by the fixture structure at two points on the lowest stage cylinder unit in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A cast cementitious block for constructing a low-rise interconnected ornamental wall having a first course of the blocks placed side-by-side and a second course of the blocks stacked in side-by-side relation on the first course and off-set relative the first course. The blocks define a bottom surface and an opposing top surface, a front face and an opposing back face, and two opposing sides that each define side faces between the front face and the back face. The top surface defines a recessed cavity having an alignment point, and the block further defines a bore extending therethrough and open at the top surface and the bottom surface. The longitudinal axis of the bores of the blocks in the second course align with respective alignment points of the recessed cavities of the blocks in the first course. Adhesive fills the aligned recessed cavities and at least a portion of the respective bores. The adhesive cures to define rivets interconnecting the blocks in the first and the second courses.

Abstract: An integral drip system for thermally isolated straight in glazed curtain wall or window wall which will restrict water penetration into a building. The drip system includes at least one flange included for easy glazing replacement. This drip system reduces the number of parts required to assemble curtain wall or window wall systems.

Abstract: A louvre type roof structure includes a plurality of parallel slats mounted on carrier elements which in turn are mounted on carrier beams such as to permit pivotal displacement of the carrier elements and the slats between a closed position in which the slats are disposed in a roughly coplanar orientation, and an open position in which the slats are disposed in spaced apart generally parallel planes. The carrier elements are secured to the slats by engaging the slats without penetrating the slats, so that each slat is located in a fixed planar orientation relative to the respective carrier. Mounting of the carrier elements to the carrier beams is by means of a pair of mounting levers for each carrier element. One of the pair of mounting levers is a fixed lever securable to a carrier beam in a selected position, and the other lever is a free lever displaceable relative to a carrier beam.

Abstract: A system and method of securing and finishing exterior siding panels. The system includes a bracket mounted on an adjacent surface, a snap-in trim piece, and a siding panel covering a wall. The snap-in trim piece includes an extender having a plurality of crimps for interlocking with a hook at the end of the bracket. Additionally, the snap-in trim piece includes, at another end, a snap-in trim fastener for contacting the siding panel to the wall. Wires or cables may be run through a gap between the snap-in trim piece and a corner where the bracket and the siding panel meet. Additionally, the snap-in trim piece may also act as a trim sectional with coordinating colors to match and accentuate the beauty of the siding panels.

Abstract: The window sash of this invention employs strips of extruded plastic materials which are connected together by mechanical fasteners into an inner sash. The inner sash has barbed protrusions formed on the interior and the exterior which define interior and exterior channels into which wooden or metal trim members may be engaged in snap-fit relation. In operation, individual trim strips are first combined with interior sash elements. These sub-assemblies are then joined with L-shaped injection molded keys. The trim members, plastic keys, and plastic inner sash are then clamped in a frame and stapled together. The exterior sash trim or ring is assembled separately and brought together for assembly with the inner sash. A mastic adhesive is applied to the inner sash, a thermopane window light assembly is disposed on the adhesive, and a bead of adhesive is applied to the rabbet of the exterior ring which is then press-fit into engagement with the inner sash.

Abstract: Portal apparatus (40) is provided for interconnection between adjacent first and second structures (32, 34) in order to maintain operative communication between the structures (32, 34) under seismic conditions. The apparatus (40) includes a portal assembly (36) together with coupling assemblies (38, 40) permitting translation and rotational movement of the portal assembly (36) about three orthogonal axes (X, Y and Z) in space. The first coupling assembly (38) serves to secure assembly (36) to structure (32) and permits rotation about and translation along the X axis, as well as rotation about the Y and Z axes. The second coupling assembly (40) slidably connects the remote end of assembly (36) to structure (34) and accommodates Y and Z axes translation.

Abstract: A bracket for use in attaching a safety fall arrest system to a roof having rafters. Each rafter has an upper surface comprising a central portion extending along the length of the rafter and two edge margins on opposite sides of the central portion. The central portion defines a fastening zone into which one or more fasteners may be driven to attach the bracket to the roof. Each edge margin defines a non-fastening zone into which one or more fasteners should not be driven. Each non-fastening zone has a relatively narrow width in a direction transverse to the upper surface of the rafter. The bracket has at least one fastening hole for receiving the fastener for fixedly attaching the bracket to one of the rafters, and at least two pilot holes located on opposite sides of the fastening hole.

Abstract: A support for connecting a facade to at least one and preferably two buildings permits limited movement of the facade during seismic disturbances. The support includes a coupler presenting a projecting member and a mount presenting a receiver complementally configured with the projecting member. In one application, the projecting member and receiver define a track for permitting relative translational movement therealong, while in another application the projecting member and receiver define a hinge which may permit both limited pivotal movement and limited translational movement between the projecting member and the receiver.

Abstract: A spacer for use in the wall construction for a building or the like. The wall generally comprises a plurality of blocks arranged in at least first and second layers spaced one above the other by a predetermined distance, each block having first and second sides, an exterior face, and interior face, a top and a bottom, and a pair of cutouts extending through the block between the top and bottom. The tops of adjacent blocks in each layer are adapted to be located in a common plane. According to the preferred embodiment, the spacer comprises: a base including a medial portion, first and second opposed ends and a pair of opposed edges, at least one planar body attached to the medial portion of the base along an opposed edge thereof and extending perpendicularly upwards from the base, the planar body having a first and second tabs at opposed ends and first and second V-shaped supports located at and extending transversely from the first and second opposed ends of the base, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting in finishing and securing a top panel for a wall to a J-channel of a soffit. The system includes a soffit panel covering a surface, a J-channel bracket from which the soffit is mounted into, a top panel snap-in trim, and a top panel. The top panel snap-in trim includes, at an end, a top snap-in trim grasper for interlocking with a hook at the end of the J-channel bracket. Additionally, the top panel snap-in trim includes, at another end, a top panel snap-in trim fastener for contacting the top panel to the wall. Wires or cables may be run through a gap between the top panel snap-in trim and a corner where the soffit panel and the top panel meet. Additionally, the top panel snap-in trim may also act as a trim sectional with coordinating colors to match and accentuate the beauty of the siding panels.

Abstract: An adjustable, fastenerless modular shutter includes end rails having an end wall and a pair of locking portions extending therefrom. The locking portions are slidably receivable in a pair of side rails and engage the side rails to resist separation of the end rails from the side rails during assembly of the shutter. An adjusting member located on the end rail permits adjustable engagement of a shutter panel to the end rail to permit positioning and retention of the shutter panel relative to one of the end rails.

Abstract: A composite drainage wall system is disclosed wherein the system includes a support backing for engagement with a wall substructure, a layer of insulating material adapted to be spaced from the support backing by means to produce spaced apart draining conduits for directing the flow of moisture formed in the drainage conduits, and an outer layer of mesh reinforced mortar.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure adapted to be assembled dissociably and placed on a substantially flat surface is disclosed. This structure includes a plurality of upright support members each integrally molded from concrete, the upright support members each including a base portion extending horizontally with a predetermined width, and being to be placed on the surface; and an upright portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and having opposite side surfaces defining a widthwise thickness and opposite end surfaces defining a horizontal length. These upright support members are spaced from each other in a horizontally transverse direction and a horizontally longitudinal direction. Transversely adjacent upright support members are connected together by beam means, while longitudinally adjacent upright support members are connected together by connecting means.

Abstract: An automatically extendible and retractable awning for a vehicle. Awning material is connected at one end to a recreational vehicle and at the other end to a roller assembly, said roller assembly which is movable between a stored position where the awning material is wrapped around the roller assembly and is positioned adjacent the recreational vehicle and an extended position where the awning material extends away from the recreational vehicle. Mechanism provides energy to the roller assembly to effectuate movement of the roller assembly between the extended and the stored positions. Two support arm assemblies, each being mounted at one end to the recreational vehicle and at the other end to the roller assembly are movable between a stored position where the support arm assemblies are close and generally parallel to the side of the recreational vehicle and an extended position where the support arm assemblies extend away from the recreational vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bitumenised P.V.C. member for incorporation in a cavity wall, including two flanges and a bridging portion, the bridging portion in use spanning the cavity and the flanges being incorporated in respective skins of the cavity wall. The bridging member is prevented from sagging by a support mechanism, in a preferred embodiment a polystyrene block of wedge shape, which abuts the inner skin of the wall.

Abstract: A construction for and method of building a tie-down type ground anchor for securing a structure to supporting ground. A cylindrical block formed from recycled plastic waste has a longitudinal bore and receives a tether through the bore. The tether is knotted at one end. The tether is pulled through the block until the knot lodges thereagainst, thus preventing the tether from being pulled free of the block from the unknotted end. The block is lowered into a hole dug beneath the structure being secured. The block is disposed with the free end of the tether facing away from the structure. The free end of the tether is then tied to the structure after being adequately tightened. The hole is then filled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural support post (1) for use in a partition system (2) for supporting one or more panels (6) having panel support brackets (25) with hooks (44) at or in the vicinity of edges of the panel. The post (1) comprises a profile tube having a diameter of at least 70 mm and a multiplicity of angularly spaced longitudinal undercut slots (13), the walls of the slots being provided with insert plates (24) formed and arranged for engagement by hooks (44) provided on the panel support brackets (25). The support posts (1) may provide, in use, a substantially secure support for a security partitioning system (2).