Abstract: An improved anchor for a sign support includes a square tube having a plurality of holes along a center line on at least two opposing sides or all four sides. One end of the square tube has two points at opposing corners of the square tube and edges connecting the two points to the sides of the square tube to facilitate easier insertion of the anchor into the ground.

Abstract: A structural furniture in which at least a portion thereof has a strength required for a structural member and constitutes a structural member bearing loads in a vertical direction and a lateral direction. Back plate constituents made of structural plywoods are stood vertically in parallel with each other on bottom plates and side plates 4 are stood vertically being joined at a right angle to the back plate constituent members 3 so as to form a U-shaped lateral cross section.

Abstract: A protective cover for covering an end of a concrete reinforcing bar so as to prevent injuries caused by coming into contact with the end of the concrete reinforcing bar, the protective cover including an elongated cylindrical collar for securing the protective cover to an exposed end of a concrete reinforcing bar, a cap which is arranged perpendicularly to the elongated cylindrical collar, and a bowl-shaped seat which is disposed between the elongated cylindrical collar and the cap and which is positioned such that a convex side of the bowl-shaped seat is directed toward the cap.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, strips of a gutter decoration are piece-wise end-to-end (or seamlessly) attached to a gutter mounted to a building or structure to decoratively cover the gutter. The gutter decoration strip extends horizontally and cross sectionally comprises a first generally vertical section and a second section depending upwardly therefrom. The first vertical section includes a series or pattern of decorative features formed therein. The gutter decoration strip further includes means for attaching the strip to the gutter. Alternatively, the gutter decoration is attached below the gutter to either the fascia board or the gutter. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, strips of a fascia decoration are piece-wise end-to-end attached to a fascia board of a building or structure to decoratively cover the fascia board.

Abstract: A multi-piece dome is constructed from a plurality of rigid panels and configured to receive a hemispherical optical projection on a truncated spherical inner surface. The inner view surface has a predetermined retroreflectivity. The multi-piece dome is lightweight, portable, self-supporting, and easily assembled, disassembled and transported from one location to another.

Abstract: A prestressed concrete tensioning system for a tensioning tendon in the construction of a prestressed concrete beam comprising an anchor seat and a prestressed tensioning device. The anchor seat embedded in one end of the beam and has spherical structure and inverse ratchet gripping device therein for adjustably holding one end of the tendon. The tensioning device has a hollow cylindrical housing including a hydraulic fluid chamber therein for slidably disposing a piston member in associated with a wedged surface grip means which are operated by hydraulic pressure for gripping and tensioning one end of the tendon, and a hemisphere concave in the forward end of the housing for engaging with the hemisphere convex of the anchor seat to obtain an universal joint effect. This disclosure is characterized in the prevention of shear and strength declination to the tendon and the risk to the ambient personnel.

Abstract: A light transmitting roof, skylight or interior floor/ceiling includes plural panels each having a light transmitting plate assembly formed of a glass plate laminated to a plastic plate having a lower thermal conductivity or a glass plate supported on a grid of glass blocks. The glass and plastic plates are secured together by a silicone adhesive disposed in a peripheral ledge or channel formed in one of the plate members. A perimeter frame is secured to the plate assembly, is inset from the side edges of the plate assembly and may include a grid of divider members for aesthetic and light transmitting purposes or for supporting the glass blocks. The perimeter frame is secured to the laminated plate assembly by angle members and the frame is secured to a substructure such as a grid of beams by respective angle members.

Abstract: A roof shingle has parallel top and bottom marginal edge portion which are turned inwardly of a central area and are interengageable with like bottom and top marginal edge portions, respectively, of like roof shingles. The shingle further comprising, at each side thereof, an upper side marginal edge portion and a lower side marginal edge portion, which are inclined relative to said parallel top and bottom marginal edge portions, respectively, so as to converge with one another; and are interengageable with like lower and upper side edge marginal portions, respectively, of like roof shingles.

Abstract: A panel for constituting sound insulating wall is provided with a front plate, a rear plate, and a sound absorbing member put between the plates. The sound absorbing member contains reduced plastic products coated with magnetic material such as magnetic tape and magnetic sheet. The front plate is provided on the sound source side and constituted of a plate having numerous holes. The sound absorbing member is composed of a permeable bag and the reduced plastic products in the bag so that the bulk specific gravity and permeation resistance can be 0.05-0.4 and 3-90 dyn.S/cm.sup.4, respectively. The reduced plastic products may be reduced plastic products alone not subjected to other processings, or may be a mixture of reduced plastic products and molded bodies of reduced plastic products. Alternatively, only molded bodies of reduced plastic products can be put in the permeable bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.

Abstract: A block for retaining wall of a leaning type includes a front wall disposed with an upper portion thereof located behind a lower portion thereof so as to lean gradually in a backward direction, a partition wall having a length as substantially long as a vertical length of a rear wall portion of the front wall and extending backward, and a bottom plate connected integrally to a bottom portion of the front wall and extending backward. At least either of the front wall or said partition wall is provided with an opening which extends vertically over an entire length of said partition wall and into which an iron bar or rod is disposed.

Abstract: An internal shear panel for reducing the tendency of the upper portions of buildings to move relative to the foundation when lateral forces, such as those produced by winds and earthquakes, are applied to the walls. The shear panel is pre-assembled having two vertical posts and two diaphragm members interconnecting the two vertical posts. The panel also has an upper and a lower horizontal member that are connected to the vertical posts and the diaphragm members. The lower horizontal member and the vertical posts are configured to be attached via brackets to holdown bolts mounted in the foundation of a building and the upper horizontal member is configured to be attached to an upper plate or rail of the wall. Hence, the shear panel can be installed by connecting the upper horizontal member to the upper portion of the wall and connecting the lower horizontal member to the holdown bolts in the foundation.

Abstract: A support block for use with other similar support blocks to support a die in an elevated position above a factory floor. Each support block comprises a body having a horizontal top surface for supporting a flange extending laterally outwardly from the bottom of the die. A vertical rod is slidably received in a central bore of the body and has a head on the upper end. The rod is disposed in a notch in the bottom flange of the die and a spring in the body urges the rod down to clamp the flange between the top surface of the body and a washer under the head of the rod. The rod has a spacer between the head and the top surface of the body to maintain a minimum spaced relation between the head of the rod and the top surface of the body. The support block is tethered to an anchor on the die by an elongated flexible linear member which is of sufficient length to enable the support block to be positioned under the die flange with its rod in one of the notches.

Abstract: Thermal insulating structure having at least two layers of a substantially gas-impervious material forming a gas-retaining enclosure having a plurality of segments. The segments are connected by non-inflatable substantially flat structure. A valve is mounted in each segment for inflating and deflating the segment. Means are provided for securing the thermal insulating structure around the perimeter of a building to be insulated.

Abstract: A plumbing stack vent cover or guard is disclosed which is used for flashing. The cover includes a body member and a base member which are preferably constructed integral. The cover is preferably constructed from a non-metallic material and is also preferably pre-molded in its final form prior to installation. The cover can be installed over an existing plumbing stack vent or installed on a point on the roof where a plumbing stack vent will be installed.

Abstract: A method for securing a cladding plate to a building substrate by means of an expandable material, such as a hydrophobic polyurethane foam, which is capable of expanding many times its original volume is disclosed. The hydrophobic polyurethane foam is introduced into a space between the cladding plate and the building substrate so as to create an adhesive bond between adjacent surfaces of the cladding plate and building substrate. The foam is introduced into the space either as a free flowing liquid dispensed into a retention basin created in the space or by means of a balloon from which it will expand freely upon fracturing of the balloon. The balloon is constructed so that it will break shortly after the material has turned into foam but before the material has lost its capability of adhering to the cladding plate and building substrate, and before the balloon pressure can overcome the retaining pressure delivered by the cladding plate and building substrate.

Abstract: A columbarium in the form of a structure includes a plurality of components forming urn chambers for receiving at least one urn. The front opening of each component is closed by a door. The components are arranged in horizontal rows with the side walls of the components being located next to one another. At least two rows of components are arranged on top of each other. The structure has an interior for forming a common chamber for abandoned urns which are to be pushed through the rear opening of each component.

Abstract: A plate structure block for establishing a surface layer ground is formed integrally with an iron plate on an upper surface of a reinforced concrete member. A lift metal fittings for transporting the block is installed on the block. The surface layer ground establishment block has a large ground bearing pressure and is a portable block. This block is covered on the surface layer ground and establishes the ground for operating a heavy material machinery and/or for maintaining a heavy material member. By operating a mobile heavy crane on the established ground, the working for constructing a plant is carried out. The material for constructing the ground is reused, the shape of the ground site is easily changed, and the dismantling and removal of the ground is simplified.

Abstract: A storage unit for storing a bicycle or the like has an overall vertical dimension greater than an overall horizontal dimension, such that the storage unit provides an enclosed area for storing the bicycle in a substantially inclined position. Specifically, the storage unit stands upright or "on end" for storing the bicycle in the inclined position. As such, ground surface area usage is minimized. The storage unit includes an inclined ramp within the enclosed area for providing lift to a wheel of the bicycle as the bicycle is moved into the enclosed area and into the substantially inclined position. A tire-stop cross member is disposed within a lower portion of the enclosed area for providing support to a wheel of the bicycle for retaining the bicycle in the substantially inclined position. The storage unit comprises a plurality of modular panels and may be combined with other storage units such that a common wall is shared between any two adjacently joining storage units.

Abstract: A method of finishing window cavities is described. This includes the step of flaring peripheral surfaces which define a window opening outwardly from an exterior wall toward an interior wall. Window cavities finished in accordance with the teachings of this method create a sensation of spaciousness of light.