Abstract: A plastic siding panel which includes an upper connector, a medial main portion, and a lower connector. The connectors are complementary in shape so that they interlock with other siding panels of like construction. At least one of the connectors include a strip of high strength material for rigidifying the siding panel. The siding panels are fabricated by extruding a monolithic, substantially planar sheet composed of three different materials. Two of the materials are formed as layers which extend over the entire sheet. The third material is a high strength material adapted to rigidify the siding panel. After extrusion, the sheet is formed into a siding panel having a main portion, an upper connection and a lower connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shingle for covering a roof or other surface. The shingle has an integral heat shield for shielding the roof from direct solar radiation. The shingle is substantially L-shaped when viewed from above and comprises two main parts, a shingle portion that is fastened to the outer surface of the roof in the usual overlapping courses, and a heat shield portion projecting upwards from the plane of the shingle portion. The heat shield portion extends over a part of an adjacent shingle, shading the shingle. The heat shield portion also provides an air passage with open top and bottom ends allowing air flow under the heat shield thereby preventing a heat build-up beneath the heat shield.

Abstract: A mezzanine floor includes a corrugated metal base with tongue and groove panels secured thereto, wherein the panels have been finished with a number of steps to achieve a combination of desired features, including durability, cleanability, water resistance and non-skid characteristics. The finishing steps include coating and curing a polyester acrylic layer, followed by coating and semi-curing at least one more layer of acrylic with no polyester. Then, a final layer of acrylic is coated and all of the layers are cured via electron beam and then ultraviolet radiation. The viscosity of the acrylic is varied during the successive coatings, and this produces the textured finish necessary for non-skid characteristics. The tongue and groove configuration is offset to enhance stability at the joints between adjacent panels.

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: Here is a method of construction of a multi-storey building comprising the following steps: positioning precast side slab walls on the site; each slab wall defining outer and inner wall surfaces with the inner wall surface being inclusive of a plurality of inwardly-extending cavities; positioning one or more precast floor slabs each being of appropriate dimensions for a respective floor of the building; each floor slab having secured thereon or therein one or more retaining means; engaging each retaining means in an adjacent cavity to position the floor slab as required; and securing the so-engaged retaining means such that the respective floor slab is secured relative to the side walls.

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: An apparatus and methodology for smoothing relatively small pads of freshly laid concrete. The apparatus comprises a pair of broom assemblies joined by a gang bar structure and each pivotally movable on the gang bar structure between first and second angularly displaced positions. A first rope is connected to the apparatus and moves the apparatus across the pad in one direction in response to pulling on the first rope, and a second rope is connected to the apparatus and moves the apparatus across the pad in an opposite direction in response to pulling on the second rope.

Abstract: A movable two-fold seating assembly includes an upright support structure, a forward seating section pivoted to the support structure, and a rearward seating section pivoted to the structure. Forward and rearward frame structures are pivoted to the free ends of the seating sections for supporting the same on the ground. The frame structures are folded to underlie their respective seating sections, and the seating sections are folded about opposing sides of the upright support structure. The entire seating assembly is transportable in the folded condition by lowering ground engaging wheels to the ground from a base structure of the upright support, and lifting the forward end of the assembly as by a forklift.

Abstract: A portable tent is disclosed having an outer sidewall supported by a pair of flexible, plastic support poles. A double cushioned floor aligns the bottom of the tent, and is permanently seamed around the perimeter of the tent. An integral, inflatable air mattress is formed between the cushioned floor and a mattress upper surface, defining an air-tight, internal volume. On the exterior of the tent is at least one inflation valve.

Abstract: An earthquake shock damper particularly suitable for use in load bearing columns or pillars, such as columns or pillars which are used to support bridges, elevated highways, or large structures. The damper improves structure's earthquake resistance, by reducing the magnitude of damage to the structure, by isolating and lowering the earthquake frequencies transmitted to a structure, by reducing the forces and accelerations imposed on the structure, and by reducing the horizontal and vertical displacement inflicted on the structure. This damper consists of a female receptacle, a male plug set within the female receptacle but generally separated from the female receptacle by a relativity flexible shock insert completely or partially filling the gap between the male plug and the female receptacle.

Abstract: Swimming pool basin provided with a partition wall, which can be moved essentially vertically up and down, for the division of the swimming pool basin into part-basins, the partition wall comprising an oblong, essentially beam-shaped body, which extends between two mutually opposing, vertical walls of the swimming pool basin, and which partition wall can be brought into a first, operative state so as to lie with its upper limit essentially level with the water level or project above it, in which first state the swimming pool basin is sub-divided into two swimming sections, and into a second or retracted state, in which the upper limit of the partition wall is located at a good distance below the water level, enabling swimmers to swim unhindered past the partition wall along the top, the oblong body of the partition wall being directly attached by means of at least two movable guide arms to the swimming pool bottom or to a wall part of a recess made in the swimming pool bottom.

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: 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: Partially fabricated building systems include pre-fabricated wall panel subassemblies formed of steel tubing. A subassembly includes a rigid frame defining a shallow rectanguloid volume with an outer face and an inner face. The frame includes at least one horizontal dividing member, a plurality of vertical support members, some located above and others below the horizontal dividing member(s), with a surface of the vertical support members oriented flush with an outside face of the frame, a plurality of strut members oriented at an angle to the vertical and horizontal extend between at least one portion of said frame across at least some of the vertical support members and are rigidly connected thereto with an outer surface of said strut members being oriented flush with the inner face of the frame. A number of steel post oriented in a vertical, spaced apart relationship, are rigidly connected to the inner face of the frame.

Abstract: Operator enclosures or cabs in many cases have rear windows which are disposed in a generally upright or vertical position. The vertical position of the window reflects the instruments and dash as well as elements disposed forwardly of the cab during operation at night. The enclosure of the present invention includes a rear wall having lower wall portion and a upper wall portion. The upper wall portion is angled rearwardly from its lower edge to its upper edge and includes an opening for a window. A transparent window is sealably mounted in the opening and is thus also angled rearwardly at an angle sufficient to direct the reflection downward out of the operator's line of vision. This permits improved vision for the operator when operating in the dark.

Abstract: A floating areaway system which can respond to changing soils conditions (such as freezing, expansion, settling, or the like) utilizes a continuously adjustable attachment to the foundation or a free motion support. The system is particularly adapted to overhanging areaway enclosures such as may include an escape dement. The designs can range from slidable retainers to elastic members to rotating elements so that the areaway enclosure can move up or down with the soil. Shields, low friction surfaces, and waterproof elements can be included to assure continuous operation. Installation, whether new or retrofit, is facilitated through individual free motion support brackets which can accommodate previously installed areaway enclosures as well as a new enclosure. The brackets can be designed to be specific to particular designs, generic, removable, and reversible so that the mounting can be in either the interior or the exterior of the enclosure. Integral designs afford efficient manufacture and installation.

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: Forearm rests are combined with a conventional invalid walker. The forearm rests are located generally spaced above the normal hand-grips. The forearm rests are advantageous for providing inward lateral support to the user's outwardly flexed forearms while the user is grasping the hand-grips and while the user is one of (i) maneuvering the walker and (ii) partly supporting and stabilizing him or herself while standing and walking. The forearm rests provide better stability and support for a user who has diminished arm strength and/or diminished motor control over his or her arm muscles. The forearm-rests can be formed in an accessory apparatus that allows attachment to a conventional walker (without forearm rests) in order to enhance the walker and give it the desirable forearm rests.

Abstract: Flat-rolled sheet metal is manufactured to preselected gage, mechanical properties and surface finish and is fabricated into unitary sheet metal shingle structures with interlocking folded over sheet metal layers providing for ease of assembly and weatherproofing along each side of a rectangular configuration portion which remains exposed after assembly of shingle structures in side-by-side interlocked relationship in a horizontal direction, and in overlapping partially-covering relationship in a vertical direction. Galvanized mild steel provides lightweight, high-tensile strength, impact-resistant and long-service-life shingle structure. Finish coating enables selection of coloring and thermosetting polymeric coatings facilitate embossing of exposed portions to simulate the appearance of cedar shakes or other types of shingles.

Abstract: The invention provides a building component comprising first and second high density foam panels each having inner and outer surfaces, top and bottom, and first and second ends, the panels arranged in spaced parallel relationship with their inner surfaces facing each other, and at least two bridging members extending between and through and molded into the panel members. Each bridging member comprises a pair of elongated end plates oriented vertically and abutting against the outer surfaces of the panels; a thin narrow strip member joining the mid-areas of the end plates; a series of first narrow bracing members extending from positions adjacent a mid-point of the narrow strip member to positions spaced a short distance from the ends of the end plates; and a series of second narrow bracing members extending from positions on the first bracing members to positions on the strip member intermediate the plates and the mid-point of the strip member.