Abstract: An extruded strip joining system including a strip and a clip which cooperate to join free ends of extruded strips in precise abutment to maintain alignment of the strips. The strip joining system includes the strip which has an elongated junction portion and at least one elongated flange extending parallel to and away from the junction portion. The junction portion includes an internal surface and an external surface. Protruding structures are provided on the internal surface of the junction portion. A pair of axially elongated tabs are formed on the protruding structures depending from internal surface of the junction portion. The tabs are axially elongated along the strip and extend inwardly defining a channel therebetween. The clip is configured to engage the tabs thereby retaining the clip in the channel. Two strips are positioned with free ends abutting each other and a clip is positioned over the channel and pressed into engagement with the tabs.

Abstract: A multi-rise of stacked modules for human occupancy, particularly a method and apparatus for constructing a multi-rise of modules stacked about a central core. The method is characterized by developing support towers by positioning in each support tower a base support bracket having a rectilinear periphery, then telescoping complementary stacking brackets upon said base support bracket and upon each other, so as to develop individual structural columns extending vertically with each level of stacking brackets defining a superposed floor level. Support planks are then emplaced within the stacking brackets at each floor level in lateral array, prior to positioning modules upon the support planks such that each module is supported about a central core and retains a multi-sided outward view.

Abstract: Roofing felt containing bitumen which is solid at ambient temperature and soft at an increased temperature is laid on roofs, the roofing felt having pieces with end edges and the method practiced by utilizing a heat emitting member in the form of a metal strip with a number of openings in it for penetration of softened bitumen. The metal strip is provided adjacent a first end edge of a first piece of roofing felt, and the first end edge of the first piece of roofing felt is overlapped with a second end edge of a second piece of roofing felt so that the metal strip engages both of them. A variable magnetic field is applied to the joint area to induce a current of sufficient strength to cause the metal strip to be heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the bitumen of both the pieces of roofing felt so that softened bitumen flows into the openings in the metal strip.

Abstract: A window assembly for mounting in a recessed window opening, especially as the rear window in the passenger compartment of a pickup truck or other motor vehicle, has slidable and fixed positioned panes, preferably right-side and left-side fixed positioned panes with a slidably mounted center pane between them. A mounting frame including a molded plastic, single-sided frame member supports the fixed positioned pane(s) by adhesive surface bonding to a perimeter portion of the interior surface of the panes. The peripheral edge and the exterior surface of the fixed position pane(s) are free of adhesive bonding to the single-sided frame member. The mounting frame also provides an exterior show surface substantially flush with the exterior surface of the fixed position pane(s). The window assembly presents, therefore, an overall flush surface appearance with exposed peripheral edge surfaces of the fixed positioned pane(s).

Abstract: A flashing arrangement for mounting of a roof element in a roof having a thin sheet-formed roofing comprises flashing elements for connection with the main frame members and is made from a sheet material. The flashing elements intended for connection with the side members of the main frame are of a substantially L-shaped cross-section with an upright flange portion for bearing against the side member of the main frame and a flange portion protruding substantially parallel to the roof surface. The protruding flange portion is folded to form at least one slot in its longitudinal direction, said slot having an opening facing away from the main frame side member for receiving an edge portion of the thin sheet-formed roofing.

Abstract: A bracing system for in-ground steel and vinyl swimming pools that allows the pool to be constructed very quickly and without the use of concrete either on the braces or around the bottom perimeter of the pool is described. The bracing system works by properly using the resistance of undisturbed earth around the perimeter of the pool (after excavating for the pool) and the weight and correct placement of the back-fill material reintroduced around the pool. Each earth brace system is comprised of a number of structural components in contact with peripheral wall panels of the pool. These include a horizontal lower structural member, an upper structural member, a diagonal brace member and a vertical support member. The horizontal and upper structural members each possess load bearing pad assemblies at their ends away from the wall panels to contact undisturbed earth surrounding the pool (after excavation).

Abstract: To assure that each spectator sitting on his seat enjoys a performance in a theater or the like at his desired height, a floor height adjusting mechanism is mounted on each of a plurality of movable platforms constituting a variable floor height telescopic multi-staged spectator seating system. Usually, the floor height adjusting mechanism is constructed in the form of a threaded shaft driving unit which is composed of a motor, a threaded shaft adapted to be rotationally driven by the motor, and a support column fixedly secured to each movable platform. The lowermost end of the support column is operatively connected to the lowermost end of the threaded shaft for rotatably holding the threaded shaft.

Abstract: A pier foundation system provides for a preformed building structure to be erected on site in a final position level to ground. The system includes first and second elongated cylindrical members telescopically engaged with one another defining a longitudinally extendable load bearing member with first and second ends. The second cylindrical member is installable extending below ground level. The first member includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced first apertures extending through diametrically opposed side walls. The second member includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced and equally angularly spaced second apertures extending through diametrically opposed side walls. The first and second cylindrical members are movable longitudinally and rotatably relative to one another to bring one of the first apertures into coaxial alignment with one of the second apertures.

Abstract: A portable decking system formed from a plurality of flat panels adapted to be placed directly on the ground is provided with special clips that facilitate interconnection of adjacent edges of adjacent panels. The clips are generally W-shaped in cross-section to define a pair of channels each of which is receptive to a frame member of a flat panel. The clips are constructed to securely connect the panels together but in a manner that enables their ready detachment, all of which may be accomplished without tools or additional fasteners.

Abstract: A vehicle tilt-out window with a resilient seal insert includes an annular frame which is bonded to the vehicle window opening. The frame includes a resilient double lip seal which is molded into a recess formed in the frame and the lip seal cooperates with a glass panel mounted upon the frame by homogeneous hinge tabs extending from the frame permitting the glass panel to be tilted relative to the frame for ventilation purposes and an articulated pivoting latch mounted to a homogeneous latch base locks the glass panel against the lip seal.

Abstract: A portable, inflatable tent has a semi-cylindrical cover portion that fastens to a planar base portion. The cover portion is provided with rib air-passageways that, when inflated, support the cover portion in its semi-cylindrical configuration. Various configurations of the rib air-passageways connecting to edge air-passageways provided with air inflation valves are described. Generally, the rib air-passageways are segregated into two groups, so that the failure of a single rib air-passageway will not cause the deflation of all of the rib air-passageways. The inflation valve(s) are preferably disposed on a surface of the cover portion that will be interior the erected tent, so that the user may reinflate the tent without exiting the tent. The tent is sized and shaped so as to provide convenient, weatherproof, portable shelter for a user.

Abstract: A rain gutter which collects water from a roof portion and prevents other objects from entering therein, comprising an elongated tubular member having an opening defined longitudinally therealong; a flashing member which operatively connects to a lower roof portion and the upper surface of the tubular member so as to provide fluid communication therebetween; and a plurality of spikes inserted through an upper portion of the tubular member, for attaching to a roof portion or support therefor.

Abstract: A three dimensional stringer pad affixed to the stringers of a staircase prior to applying carpet. The stringer pad is dimensioned to substantially completely overlay the stringer, has an inner flat surface which lies substantially flush on the stringer and has an outer surface which billows out from the stringer to create a three dimensional surface upon which carpet is later applied. Prior to applying carpet to the stringers of the staircase, the three dimensional stringer pads are applied to the stringers using nails or any suitable adhesive. Carpet is then applied to the stringers with the stringer pads interposed between the carpet and the stringers. Due to the billowing surface of the stringer pads, the carpeted stringers are provided with a three dimensional look which is aesthetically pleasing and which serves to further define the risers and treads of the staircase. Preferred aspects of the invention include constructing the stringer pads from inexpensive polyurethane foam or equivalent material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible structure having improved storage and shipping properties which are achieved by specific designing of the size, shape and hingeable connection positions whereas said structure is erectable and collapsible within minutes utilizing a minimal amount of tools and effort.

Abstract: An insulating, substantially rectilinear building panel comprised of a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least three chambers containing interior surfaces disposed between said top portion and said bottom portion. The pressure within each of such chambers is less than about 100 millimeters of mercury; and each of the interior surfaces has a reflectivity of least about 80 percent. Each of the chambers contains a top portion and a bottom portion, and each such portion has at least two legs, each of which ends in a rounded surface. The two portions of each chamber contact each other at their respective rounded portions.

Abstract: A prefabricated staircase unit includes four steel columns, at least four steel cross bars and a staircase set. The steel columns are disposed vertically to form a rectangular space. Each steel column has attaching devices at both ends for attaching a steel column of a second staircase unit. Each steel cross bar is disposed horizontally for connecting different steel columns. The staircase is disposed within the space defined by the four steel columns and the steel cross bars. Each staircase consists of a base landing, an intermediate landing and a series of steps.

Abstract: A rebar splice joint embedded in a reinforced concrete structure and having improved seismic resistance is made between a first rebar with an internal thread and a second rebar element having a male thread between a stop shoulder and the end of the rebar. The bar length between the stop shoulder and the male threaded bar end is shorter than the length of the internal thread. The male thread is turned into the internal thread and the first rebar is torqued against the stop shoulder to near the elastic limit of the bars to elastically deform the male and female threads into more uniform contact along their opposing thread surfaces thereby increasing contact area between the threads to reduce or eliminate relative axial movement between the rebars under cyclic axial loading, such as seismic loading.

Abstract: A unitary compound earthquake isolation bearing which permits the installation of a compound bearing comprising a sliding bearing and at least one MER as a single unit without special and separate attachment of the MER to the support or superstructure.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to construction and building toys, blocks and the like for children and structurally similar construction and building materials and components for building retaining walls, support structures and lattices, trellises, and enclosed structures and other self supported units comprised of a plurality of individual, modular, high-shear panels, and more particularly, to a plurality of cross members having discrete and individual openings at various and specific locations within the cross members and a plurality of tubular or cylindrical or other cross-sectional shaped lateral members, the lateral members being set into the openings within the cross members such that, upon assembly, modular, high shear strength panels are created.

Abstract: A telescopic flare pipe tower supports a flare pipe several hundred feet above the base level and includes a bottom section in contact with the base that may be the ground or the platform or deck offshore. The bottom section has a door or opening through which tower section assemblies including a tower section and a flare pipe section are transported on a dolly travelling on a track and telescopically raised above the bottom section. Each tower section assembly includes a flare pipe that permits vertical movement relative to the tower section but substantially restricts lateral movement. Upon installation of the second tower section assembly below the superposed previously telescoped tower section assembly the flare pipe section may be raised by a jack positioned on the ground, the deck or other base level to move the flare pipe section up to the superposed flare pipe section for welding.