Abstract: An attic ladder system includes an upper portion that can be extended above the attic floor and a lower portion that can be extended into a room below the attic. The upper portion can extend automatically into the attic upon extension of the lower portion, or may be operated independently of the lower section. Ladder extension can be telescopic or by unfolding of sections. Retraction of either or both ladder portions may include a pivoting capability to reduce vertical height when stored. A gap can be provided between lowest the rungs to avoid danger to a user's hands. Embodiments can be used to access the top of a vehicle roof from within the vehicle. Embodiments can support a user weighing up to 300 pounds. A gas spring can assist in lifting and stowing the lower portion. Pivot latches can secure the ladder in its stowed and deployed configurations.

Abstract: An attic ladder system includes an upper portion that can be extended above the attic floor and a lower portion that can be extended into a room below the attic. The upper portion can extend automatically into the attic upon extension of the lower portion, or may be operated independently of the lower section. Ladder extension can be telescopic or by unfolding of sections. Retraction of either or both ladder portions may include a pivoting capability to reduce vertical height when stored. A gap can be provided between lowest the rungs to avoid danger to a user's hands. Embodiments can be used to access the top of a vehicle roof from within the vehicle. Embodiments can support a user weighing up to 300 pounds. A gas spring can assist in lifting and stowing the lower portion. Pivot latches can secure the ladder in its stowed and deployed configurations.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting and stowing “VLS” system compactly stores a vehicle by lifting and tilting it vertically. The VLS can be attached to a fixed structure for compactly storing a vehicle, or mounted to the aft end of a host vehicle, such as a motor home, for vertically mounting and transporting a smaller vehicle with the host vehicle. The VLS includes a main frame and two rotatable extensions hingedly joined end-to-end. The first extension is rotated by a drive mechanism while the second section maintains attachment to the vehicle, thereby lifting first one end of the vehicle and then the entire vehicle above grade. Some embodiments also include a pulling strap. Positioning of the vehicle above the extensions can automatically cause the second extension to contact and attach to the vehicle. Embodiments include alignment and/or support pins. Some embodiments include latches that hold the extensions together in the stowed configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate system is provided, the system comprising: A primary arch, the primary arch being hingably coupled to a vehicle bed of said vehicle; An actuator whereby the primary arch is rotated between a fully deployed roll bar position, and a fully stowed position; A channel, configured to receive the primary arch disposed in the pickup vehicle bed, the channel running down a first side of the bed, between exterior and interior walls of the first side, along the bottom of the pick up vehicle bed beneath the floor of the vehicle bed, and up a second side of the bed between exterior and interior walls of the second side of the vehicle bed. The bumper can be lowered to allow the arch to pass. The bumper mechanism may also include accommodation for the tailgate. The moving bumper can also lower and lift a trailer hitch or work with the tailgate to create a lift gate.

Abstract: A system for retraction and deployment of a covering over at least a portion of a vehicle interior is disclosed, such as might be employed in commercial or sport utility style vehicles to provide a convertible hardtop over a portion of the vehicle that can be retracted for open air and ease of access, or closed for physical and environmental protection. The system provides: first and second roof panels; first and second sidewall panels; and posterior and anterior roll bars, each roll bar having at least one channel whereby the first and second roof panels and the first and second sidewall panels are guided between a deployed position and a stowed position, such that when the panels are in the deployed position the vehicle is enclosed and when the panels are in a stowed position the vehicle is at least partially open.

Abstract: A building system using prefabricated building panels preferably with a foam core and the fastening components and raceway components used therewith which may be substantially incorporated during prefabrication. An improved method for the assembling of a building or structure which building preferably uses foam core structural wall, floor, ceiling and roof panels. Locking mechanisms are used and integrated with a raceway system. The raceway system is comprised of components which are used in conjunction with the locking mechanisms to form utility carrying raceways and to securely connect wall panels together in edge-to-edge relationship to form walls including structural walls and curtain walls, roof panels to form the roof and to connect the wall panels and roof panels together to result in a complete structure. The raceway system is preferably included and integral with the locking mechanisms of the building system.

Abstract: An improved multi-layered panel, sometimes referred to as a stress skin panel, has a highly insulative multi-layered core located adjacent to one skin or alternatively located between two skins bonded to or otherwise rigidly affixed to the two outside surfaces of the core. The core of the multi-layered panel has a plurality of core layers which may be of the same or of different foam plastic materials. The layers of the core located adjacent to the panel skins provide a thermal barrier for the middle or second core layer which middle layer may be of a thermoplastic such as styrofoam and also may provide the means for bonding or securely affixing the panel skins to the surface of the multi-layered core. Borate, which is typically in the form of a powder (a borate compound used has been TIM-BOR.RTM. a product manufactured by U.S. Borax Corporation), may be incorporated, or encapsulated into selected layers or all of the layers of the panel core. Borates in the form of borate compounds similar to TIM-BOR.RTM.

Abstract: A prefabricated building panel, sometimes referred to as a stress skin panel, having a core which may be comprised of a single layer or may have multiple layers of material and into which core is incorporated, or encapsulated, borates in the form of borate compounds similar to TIM-BOR.RTM. in an amount (typically between about 2 weight percent and about 10 weight percent) which results in a core material which deters the entry of and the infestation of ants and other insects thereby enhancing and improving the usefulness of such prefabricated building panels. The addition of the borate compound has also been found to act as a fungicide and further flame retardant properties of the building panel are improved. Borate may be added, if possible, into the core material of any known prefabricated construction/building panel. However, it is most advantageous and effective if the borate is added during the fabrication of the core of the panel.

Abstract: The present invention, in its most simple embodiment, is directed to an improved shingle or shake which has a strapping member affixed to the underside thereof and positioned across the narrow dimension of the shingle a distance from the tip end toward the butt end about equal to the exposure width. The strapping member may have at least one slot through the outer surface directed along the height dimension, substantially perpendicular to the lower facing surface and having a depth less than the strapping depth. The strapping member serves, at least, the functions of consistently positioning shingle in successive courses to result in a constant exposure width and allowing the circulation and flow of air under and around the shingles so that they will dry out and thus remain functional for a long period of time.

Abstract: A unique bowed prefabricated structural building panel and a bowed roof for a building using the panel. The panel preferably having a light weight rigid highly insulative foam bore bonded to inner and outer skins and having a bowed configuration which when assembled with similar panels creates a bowed structural wall and/or a bowed structural roof. A method for building a bowed roof for a building such as a cap house by assembling a plurality of bowed structural prefabricated panels in edge-to-edge relationship to create the bowed configuration on the roof.

Abstract: A tapered dovetail mortise and tenon joint is formed within typically a post and beam or within two joists which intersect perpendicular to each other. The tapered dovetail shaped mortise portion cavity is shaped to interfit with a dovetail shaped tenon portion. The tenon portion has incorporated therein a plurality of acute angles which permit easy assembly, cause precise alignment and cause forces to be created when components are connected using the joint which forces tend to bring the mated components into very rigid tightly interfitted assembled relationship. The joint, when assembled, is not visible because of the unique configuration of the mortise and tenon portions. A very large load bearing capability of inherent in the joint partly because of the large mating surface incorporated into the side surfaces and the bottom surfaces and also partly becuase the integrity of the chords and the web of the "I-Beam" cross section of the components is not violated.

Abstract: A unique prefabricated panel having joints on at least the vertical edges of the panel is provided which can be easily and effectively assembled into a wall by gluing the panels together at the edges without the need for splines or stud posts thereby creating a joint, preferably a captured scarf joint, which is strong and which joint provides for a large bonding surface ans is effective to capture, align and rigidly secure the panels together and inmportantly maintain the skin strength through the joint. When a joint, preferably a captured scarf joint, is provided on the horizontal edges and the vertical edges, larger panels can be assembled from smaller panels while maintaining the skin strength of the larger panel. The panels can be also be effectively assembled as a floor or a roof. There is no buckling of the shingles of the roof when the panels of the instant invention are used.