Abstract: A circular stage platform capable of accommodating one to four dancers is cyclically, vertically reciprocable, a distance of about three feet within a cage which encloses the dancers, the latter remaining visible to the spectators. The system is used in nightclubs or the like.

Abstract: A fastening device (10) for securing panels (252) to each other, foundations (258) and other surfaces is disclosed including cam elements (50) which are rotated to fasten with locking plates (29). Specifically, elongated hollow channels (11) are provided of an identical construction including slots (24) formed in the free edges of lips (21, 23) defining a slit opening (19). Grooves (22) are formed in the abutting, outside surfaces of the lips (21, 23) for receipt of seals (214). The heads (216) of the seals (214) in an uncompressed condition are of a height substantially greater than and of a width substantially less than the depth and width of a trough (208) of the groove (22) and are compressible to fit completely within the trough (208). The cam elements (50) are rotatably mounted between the support walls (202) of a U-shaped carrier (200). The upper ends of the support walls (202) integrally terminate in shelves (206) having edges which are slideably mounted in the slots (24) of the channels (11).

Abstract: Suspended ceiling structure for cleanroom comprising a pressurized plenum, the lower face thereof is defined by filter plates supported by a metallic structure having the shape of an horizontal grid, comprising extrusions (P1, P2, P3) crossing at a right angle, said extrusions (P1, P2, P3) having upper channels associated in such a manner that they form a continuous channel around each mesh of the grid and they form a support for a filter plate (13, 13'), said channels (15, 15') being filled with a material in which dips a peripheral support (14, 14') for said filter plate (13, 13') to assure the sealing between the plenum and the volume beneath the ceiling structure, characterized in that each extrusion (P1, P2, P3) comprises at least one horizontal lateral groove (3), upon its full length and having the shape of a slide (2) having at each end housings (4) provided to cooperate with fixation means (5, 6, 7) of a perpendicular extrusion, said fixation means (5, 6, 7,) cooperating also with said slide (2) faci

Abstract: A structural member, a floor structure, and a roof structure for a wooden building, and a method of building with the same are provided. The method comprises mounting floor panels on a foundation, mounting on sills wall panels provided with L shaped pillars of a plywood laminated material to produce a wall structure of the first floor, mounting and joining second-floor panels by panel support assemblies to the first-floor wall structure, and joining the second-floor panels with their beams connecting to each other to produce a floor structure of the second floor. This is followed by assembling a wall structure of the second floor, joining roof panels to each other by retainer assemblies on a ridge beam, and joining the roof panels with arms connecting to each other to produce a roof structure. Accordingly, the steps of making the floor, wall, and roof structures are minimized in number.

Abstract: A fixed domed structure, and a pair of movable units each having an arena for playing a game thereon. The fixed structure includes fixed amphitheater seats around a center void where a movable unit is located when in active position. One of the movable units also includes bleacher seats carried thereby, surrounding a smaller arena. When this latter movable unit is in active position, the bleacher seats form a continuation of the fixed amphitheater seats.

Abstract: A gutter liquid separator is shown for separating liquid from non-liquid debris and for removing debris from a rain water gutter system secured to a roof of a structure. In a particular embodiment, the gutter liquid separator includes two main components; a debris discharge outlet and a liquid separator. The debris discharge outlet includes a flow surface, an inner and an outer wall extending up from the flow surface so that upstream edges of the flow surface, inner and outer walls are secured to a U-shaped gutter of the system. The debris discharge outlet also includes a debris drop-off edge that defines a drop-off plane passing through downstream edges of the flow surface, inner and outer walls.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a concrete made construction comprising the steps of provisionally disposing a reinforcement member onto a lower surface of a concrete made construction, forming holes at the lower surface of a concrete made construction, and inserting fixtures into the holes to fixate the reinforcement member onto the lower surface of a concrete made construction so that the fixture imparts tension force to the reinforcement member in a plane of the reinforcement member. For instance, a fixture includes a device for applying tension force to the reinforcement member in a plane thereof by moving at least a part of the fixture in a direction perpendicular to the reinforcement member. The invention ensures fixation of a reinforcement member onto a lower surface of a concrete made construction such as a bridge to which repeated live loads are always applied.

Abstract: A termite shield according to the present invention provides a physical barrier between a foundation and a wooden building structure, a detection mechanism for detecting termite presence, and a chemical termiticide in the form of a bait block. The termite shield includes a sill plate barrier which is positioned between a masonry foundation and a sill of a wooden structure. An interior bait block holder is removably attached to the sill plate barrier on an interior side of the foundation, and an exterior bait block holder is removably attached to the sill plate barrier at an exterior side of the foundation. The bait block holders may be provided with a block of wood which is inspected periodically to detect the activity of termites. If termites are detected, the block of wood may be replaced with a bait block of cellulosic material containing termiticide.

Abstract: An improved roll-form vent for buildings comprises a sequentially thermoformed polymeric vent which provides multiple venting air flow paths between the interior of a building and ambient atmosphere. The vent includes projections extending from a web and a plurality of vent openings that cooperate with screening to bar entry into the building of water, insects and foreign matter. A method of making the vent includes steps of providing a web of material of indeterminate running length, heating the web, sequentially thermoforming the web, cooling the web and rolling the formed vent for storage, shipment and use.

Abstract: A new Window Board system for offering a quick and easy way to insulate and fill a window opening. The inventive device includes an upper window insert end, a lower window insert end, and a compressive spring area. In use, the Window Board System (10) is compressed and fitted into a window frame (16) with the desired message (40) showing in the desired direction. The Window Board System (10) is placed into the window frame (16) when ever one desires to muffle noise, increase insulation value, or block out light. This can be done as often as one chooses, for example, put it in at night and take it out in the morning to make it darker, save on winter heat, and cut down on electrical bills.

Abstract: A patio/floor assembly comprising interlocking plastic blocks with open drainage spaces which form a base for porous indoor/outdoor carpeting is disclosed. The carpet assembly allows the drainage of water through the carpet and plastic blocks and away from bottom of the patio/floor assembly. This avoids a build up of minerals on the substrate concrete of patios, decks, and balconies and avoids cracking of the concrete or damage to the permanent deck.

Abstract: This invention concerns an electrochromic pane comprising a principal functional film constituted of a material which, under the effect of an electric current, is capable of reversibly inserting cations and which has characteristics of coloration and/or transmission in certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that differ for its inserted and deinserted states. Said principal functional film has a quasi-columnar structure, with axes of growth of the columns parallel to straight lines contained within a dihedron, the opening of which is less than 20.degree., and the bisector plane of which makes an acute angle with the substrate.

Abstract: A bolster for use in construction including a plurality of leg members arranged in parallel relationship and a beam integrally formed with the plurality of leg members and extending across the plurality of leg members. Each of the plurality of leg members has a foot for contacting an underlying surface. Each of the leg members includes a central body portion, a first leg extending downwardly from one side of the central body portion and a second leg extending downwardly from an opposite side of the central body portion. The foot is formed at an end of each of the first and second legs opposite the central body portion. The foot includes a plurality of pin-like projections extending outwardly from a bottom surface thereof. The beam has a waveform pattern formed across a top surface of the beam and a rectangular cross-section in a plane parallel to the plurality of leg members.

Abstract: A post anchor adaptable to impact insertion into the earthen ground to rigidly support a post extending above ground level. The post anchor is functional without requiring the use of concrete to reinforce the post anchor within the earthen ground. A driveable member and a locking member cooperate to form each post anchor. A post engaging channel cooperates with a plurality of ground engaging fins and a sub-grade surface to provide displacement resistance properties to the post anchor. The resistance properties include the sub-grade surface compacting the earthen ground during and following installation and restricting displacement of earthen ground over the ground engaging fins following installation. A secure attachment, using the locking member, occurs to secure the post to the driveable member following placement of both the post and the driveable member during the installation procedure.

Abstract: An easily assembled greenhouse apparatus includes a polymer tube frame formed with plastic tube frame members, some of which have a plurality of openings therein, which tubes are connected together with conventional plastic tube couplings. Each of a plurality of cover attaching members has a screen gripping portion and a tube attaching member for attaching to the polymer tube frame. A plastic covering extends over the polymer tube frame and is attached thereto with the plurality of cover attaching members attaching through the plastic covering and into one of the polymer tubing frame member openings. A door is formed with polymer tube frame members and has a polymer covering and a pair of hinge pins.

Abstract: A bracing apparatus for use with a partially or fully built wall. The wall extends upward from a base surface and has a top surface, a first face and a second face. The wall is constructed from a plurality of stacked masonry forms. The bracing apparatus includes first and second support members, a lock and a base securing mechanism. The first support member rests on the top surface of the wall and has a first brace extending downward adjacent the first face. The second support member is movably connected to the first support member and has a second brace extending downward adjacent the second face. The lock is connected to the first and second support members and is capable of securing the first and second support members in a position substantially equal to the width of at least one of the masonry forms. The ground securing mechanism is connected to at least one of the first and second support members and the base surface.

Abstract: An exterior wall system for a side of a building includes a plurality of prefabricated composite panels which are positioned in courses above an elongated support bracket attached to a support structure of the building, the composite panels being connected to the building support structure by fasteners which extend through washers that each extend in part into grooved channels in the sides of abutting panels from adjacent courses. The courses of panels are covered by a seamless layer of a hardened mixture of binder and aggregate material such as marble.

Abstract: A joint mechanism having a movement between relative members about a center of rotation located at a point where a first line extends from one of the members intersects a second line extending from the opposite member is disclosed. Multiple joint mechanisms may be aligned together along with common lines being the axis of rotation of each joint mechanism to provide a concentric spherical joint mechanism. Concentric spherical joint mechanism may be used to assemble truss frame structures.

Abstract: A method for supporting a tombstone, including the steps of boring a hole into the ground which extends to the vault. A polystyrene column is placed into the hole so that it is supported by the top surface of the vault. A rigid platform is attached to the top of the post to provide a platform on which the tombstone is set. The apparatus according to the invention includes the polystyrene column and a rigid platform made from extruded polystyrene foam insulation. The platform is attached to the post by galvanized nails.

Abstract: A low cost building is made of modular parts in the absence of special tools. Light-in-weight wall blocks having a facade of conventional appearance include a thick, insulating mixture of a cementitious material, polystyrene, and organic fiber aggregates capable of retaining water. The blocks have interlocking top and bottom surfaces so that they are easily stacked to form walls. A floor is built by spanning foundation beams with floor trusses that have a key along their respective tops and by sliding modular floor panels between contiguous floor trusses, each floor panel having opposite edges that slidingly engage the keys of the floor trusses. A roof is made in a similar manner by sliding modular roof panels between contiguous roof trusses. Tensioning rods are extended from a top surface of the walls to the building foundation to compress the walls.