Abstract: A building comprises a plurality of concrete corner posts connected by generally planar vertical concrete wall panels. The wall panels include an enlarged footer which rests on an underlying ground surface, as opposed to being connected to an underlying poured concrete foundation. The wall panels include a central web having vertical ribs on the sides extending into the interior of the building. The wall panels are connected to each other and to the corner posts by welding together metal straps embedded in the concrete wall panels and corner posts. The exterior of the wall panels comprise the exterior of the building and may be finished by tinting the concrete before pouring, by exposing some of the aggregate in the panel or other conventional techniques. The interior of the wall panels are typically finished by securing insulation to the space between the ribs of the panels and then covering the interior with paneling or drywall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an adhesive coated wear portion to the underside of a shoe wherein the wear portion and the underside of the shoe are heated, a first pressure is applied to urge the wear portion and the shoe together, and a second greater pressure is applied in situ to further urge the wear portion and the underside of the shoe together. In one embodiment, a heating element may be provided for transfer between a first location for heating and drying a shoe and a second location directly between the shoe and the wear portion to be applied. The periphery of the wear portion may be trimmed to correspond to the underside of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe sole for application to the underside of a shoe includes a sole element having substantially convex upper and lower surfaces. The sole element may have a toe portion at one end thereof and the thickness of the sole element adjacent to the toe portion may increase toward the one end.