Abstract: A wall frame has C-shaped vertical studs each with a web having vertically spaced openings with an outline conforming to the cross-sectional shape of a short channel member. The two legs depending from the web have a plurality of depending tabs punched therefrom. These tabs extend into vertical registration with the top and bottom edges of each opening such that when a short channel member is inserted through the stud it is supported by the opening and by the tabs and is thereby stabilized in position. The short channel members have plastic spring clips snapped thereto. A gypsum board panel with clips attached thereto may then be mounted to the wall frame by clipping the clips to the horizontal channel members. The spring fingers of the plastic clips on the short channel members abut the gypsum board panel to dampen vibration.

Abstract: This invention relates to an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of the outward faces of said beams.

Abstract: A sun shade assembly (10) includes a shade means (11) including a flexible cover (13) attached to a plurality of support arms (14), the support arms being movable from a lowered position in which the cover is in a stowed attitude and a raised position in which the cover is in an operative shading attitude, and support means (12) having a mounting base (16) and a support structure (15) upstanding from said mounting base and extending in part above said shade means (11) for supporting said shade means offset from said mounting base, and a plurality of cables (44) connected to respective ones of the support arms (14) and disposed above the cover for maintaining the cover in the operative shading attitude.

Abstract: A foundation for masts, posts, pillars, etc., wherein the foundation has a foundation tube (3) which is lowered into a pre-drilled hole (2) in the ground (1), where the pre-drilled hole has a diameter larger than the diameter of the tube (3) and where at least the space between tube (3) and ground (1) is filled with a casting mixture (8), e.g. concrete, a tube (3) is used which is designed with perforations (4) in its lower area. The foundation tube (3) is equipped with a coating which gives the tube protection against corrosion, and possibly also an electrical insulation. The coatings can have a rough surface in order to create the best possible adhesion to the casting mixture. In order to ensure that the coated foundation tube (3) is safely lowered into the hole, it is first lined with a casing (13), which is removed during or immediately after the casting.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for extending an arm from a fallen elongated walking appliance, such as a walking cane or crutch, to enable the appliance to be retrieved without requiring any bending over by the person retrieving the appliance. At least one elongated arm is spring biased to the actuator mechanism and the actuator mechanism includes means for extending the arm therefrom responsive to impact of the actuator mechanism with the surface upon which the object or cane has fallen.

Abstract: A roof ventilation system of the type for venting air from under a roof and preventing water, debris and pests from penetrating the ventilation system and entering the interior of the structure is provided. The roof closure vent system includes: a structure having a sloped metal roof having a ridge slot formed along substantially the length of a roof ridge permitting ventilation from the interior under said roof to the exterior; and a ridge closure vent positioned adjacent each longitudinal side of said ridge slot extending substantially along the length thereof fastened between said roof and a ridge panel, in place of the ridge closure vent or in combination therewith is a eave closure vent connected beneath said roof substantially along the length of an eave of said roof.

Abstract: An umbrella includes an elongated stick for connecting a handle to a cano and an elastic-driven mechanism for controlling operation of the canopy between an open end position and a closed end position by moving a slide mechanism, which is linked to the canopy, relative to the stick. The elastic is set under tension when the canopy occupies one of the end positions to bias the slide mechanism so that the canopy seeks the other end position. A latch releasably locks the slide mechanism when the canopy occupies the one end position.

Abstract: A medical walker foot includes a shell having a base portion for engaging a floor or the ground when weight is applied to the walker and a sleeve portion for receiving the lower end of the medical walker leg. A biasing member is disposed within the shell for biasing a tip member into an extended position, disengaging the base portion from the ground, and allowing the tip member to glide along the ground when weight is removed from the walker. The biasing member provides a substantially uniform pressure throughout its full stroke and may comprise a cup-like urethane cushion or a coil spring. The base portion of the shell includes a wiper seal which extends radially into the opening in the base portion to form a watertight seal with the stem of the tip member.

Abstract: A construction panel for use in the erection of buildings comprising a panel of castable construction material of predetermined thickness, and having first and second sides; a plurality of structural members, reinforcing the panel on one side, at least some of the structural members comprising a generally linear edge, and a generally zig-zag edge, and a web extending between the linear edge and the zig-zag edge, the zig-zag edges defining apexes, and root portions; the apexes, being embedded in one side of the panel thereby securing at least some of the structural members to the panel; recesses formed in the web extending substantially from the apexes to the root portions; and, generally triangular indentations formed in the web throat portions adjacent to but spaced from the recesses. Also disclosed is a method of constructing a level portion of a building.

Abstract: A modular glazing system having several members, each member having one or more keyways or keys that permit the members to be connected. A preferred embodiment has four fundamental shapes: a base longitudinal member, an expander A, an expander B and a screen sash member. The base longitudinal member has a glazing channel, through which supplemental or primary glazing material is inserted. Along one side wall of the base longitudinal member is a keyway formed to interlock with a key from another piece. At right angles to the first keyway in the base longitudinal member, and disposed along a bottom wall of the base longitudinal member is another keyway, similarly shaped. The base longitudinal member also has an interior aperture through which an L-shaped connector is inserted to form corners. An expander A, shaped generally like the letter H, has two keys, one located on either side of the middle bar of the "letter" H. An expander B has only one key, depending downwardly from the middle bar of the "letter" H.

Abstract: A fixing device for a tensioning member of a prestressed concrete may unimly act holding force for the tensioning member on the overall peripheral surface of the tensioning member mating with the wedge. The device includes a stationary grip through which the tensioning member extends, a wedge press fitted to the grip with holding the tensioning member for fixing the tensioning member relative to the grip under a given tension, and a buffer member disposed between the tensioning member and the wedge, the buffer member having both elasticity and plasticity.

Abstract: A frame for a bimini cover for a deck of a water craft. The support structure has a first end frame retained in a fixed position with respect to the deck and a second end frame pivotally connected to the first end frame. The frame has first and second support members each of which have a first end fixed to the deck and a second end fixed to the first end frame to define first triangular members to hold the first end frame in a fixed position with respect to the deck. The second end frame is moved from a closed position to an opened position to selectively extend a canopy over the deck. First and second strut members are secured to the first end frame and joined to the second end frame to define second triangular members. The strut members are adjustable after being joined to the second end frame to hold the second end frame at a fixed arcuate distance from the first end frame while maintaining a predetermined tension on the canopy.

Abstract: A building unit including a base unit including a non-curvilinear front face, two side faces, a back face, a top face, and a bottom face. A glaze portion is applied to the front face of the base unit. The glaze portion includes a front face having a curvilinear portion including at least a portion of an inside corner, a back face adjacent the front face of the base unit, two side faces, a top face, and a bottom face.

Abstract: A canopy system for use when performing outside construction is provided. The canopy is particularly useful for use on a roof to protect the worker from rain, snow or sun and the canopy system comprises a plurality of adjustable brackets which are secured to the roof in spaced relation to form a desired canopy area, a plurality of rigid canopy support poles secured to the brackets and disposed in a substantially upright position, and a canopy member secured to the upper ends of the canopy support poles. A specially configured bracket is employed which comprises a rotatable and axially moveable member which member is fixedly positioned to a fixed member of the bracket and which moveable member is adapted to hold a canopy support pole in an upright position.

Abstract: A concrete dowel slab joint system is provided for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. It includes a sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. In this is way, the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve assembly comprises an elongate sleeve body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and defines a hollow interior compartment, (b) at least one closed end, and (c) a sleeve member. Preferably, at least one collapsible spacer member is located within the hollow interior compartment. The spacer member is collapsible by interactive forces exerted by the dowel bar moving in a lateral and/or longitudinal path within the hollow interior compartment in response to the expansion and contraction of the concrete.

Abstract: A stabilization system protects a structure, comprising at least a slab and having a foundation formed in the earth, from the effects of seismic disturbances. Pendulum support elements, secured at upper ends to respective support columns affixed to the foundation and at lower ends to support positions of the slab, support the slab while permitting limited relative movement between the slab and the support columns in the event of a seismic disturbance. A damping system connects the slab to the foundation to impede action of forces tending to produce relative rotation between the slab and the foundation and to provide damped control of relative linear displacements therebetween. A level monitoring system monitors the respective levels of monitoring positions displaced about the slab and detects differential changes in the levels at the monitoring positions, the rods being adjustable to correct for such differential changes and thereby to reestablish a common level condition at all monitoring positions.

Abstract: A controller for wheeled vehicles includes a mechanism which selectively shifts the vehicle between a mobile and a stable state. The vehicle may be a walker for easing an operator's efforts in walking and includes a selectively actuable stabilizer which fixes the position of the walker or releases it for rolling motion, thus providing a stable state or a mobile state, respectively. An actuator such as a button, pressure sensor, or lever, electrically and/or mechanically actuates a stabilizer brake mechanism to engage or release the brake and thereby allow the walker's mobility to be controlled when the actuator operates the brake to stabilize or to slow the motion of the walker. Preferably, lift applied to the vehicle itself releases the brake and allows mobility. The actuator may control an electrically actuated braking mechanism, in response to a sensor such as a strain gauge that may be adjusted to the needs of the patient; alternatively, lifters may be provided to act in response to the lifting force.

Abstract: A cruciform joint of glazing bars comprising a glazing bar extending between and perpendicular to an aligned pair of glazing bars. Each glazing bar has a central load bearing portion (16) which has a solid snapfit formation (22) at one end, interconnected to a solid end portion (23) by a hollow mid-portion (21). A base portion is interlocked with the solid end portion (23) and a clamping section is snap-fitted onto the snap-fit formation (22) so that a respective pane of glazing material can be clamped therebetween. The aligned pair of glazing bars are connected by a key (19) which is placed through a keyhole (18) in the intervening glazing bar and which extends into the hollow mid-portions (21) of each of the aligned pair. The keyhole (18) is formed solely through the hollow mid-portion (21) of the glazing bar, and the key (19) is inserted through the aperture (18) and then rotated and snap-fitted into a locked setting.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a car cover for placement over a roof, front and rear windows and two front and rear side window portions of a car. The cover is of such a makeup that it facilitates the entrance of drivers and the ventilation of the car. The cover can also be used as a simple tent.

Abstract: A first story log house material is adhered to a base with a coach bolt and succeeding log materials after a second story are piled up in turn with clamping bolts. A coach bolt or a clamping bolt has a height corresponding with one long thickness and is equipped with a nut portion and a wahser. This method of assembling log walls for the log house eliminates the accumulated shrinkage for the log wall during the drying period. Thus, by the present invention, it is now not necessary to prepare some large size of a side adjusting device and also to reserve some large settling space, both of which are unavoidable in prior art.