Abstract: A base isolation supporting device 1 includes a support 8 which is adapted to be affixed to an outer casing 4 of a fixture 3 to be supported on a floor 2, so as to receive the load, acting in a vertical direction V, of the fixture 3, and which has a cross-sectionally circular arc-shaped convex outer surface 7; and a rotating body 13 which, at a cross-sectionally circular arc-shaped outer surface 9 thereof, is adapted to be brought into contact with the cross-sectionally circular arc-shaped convex outer surface 7 of the support 8 slidably and rotatably in an R direction about a center O1, while, at a cross-sectionally circular arc-shaped convex outer surface 11 thereof, coming into contact with a flat surface 10 of the floor 2 rollably about the center O1, so as to receive together with the support 8 the load, acting in the vertical direction V, of the fixture 3 via the support 8.

Abstract: A building (1) includes square columns (2) disposed in such a manner as to extend in a vertical direction so as to support the vertical load of the building (1); girders (3) disposed in such a manner as to bridge the square columns (2) and extend in the horizontal direction between the square columns (2); variation damping means (6) juxtaposed to opposing side surfaces (4) and (5) of each square column (2) on each floor of the building (1); and upper and lower connecting means (7) and (8) for connecting the vibration damping means (6) to a ceiling girder (3) side and a floor girder (3) side, respectively.

Abstract: A seismic isolation apparatus is structured such that a pair of seismic isolation mechanisms are formed each having a pair of upper and lower clamping members formed in the shape of a rectangular frame, wherein upper and lower roller guide surfaces, in each of which a longitudinal central portion is formed as a concavely arcuate curved surface and portions respectively extending therefrom are formed as convexly arcuate curved surfaces, are formed on the four sides of the upper and lower clamping members, and wherein rollers each having a circular cross section are respectively interposed between the upper and lower roller guide surfaces. The pair of seismic isolation mechanisms are installed by being superposed on top of each other such that the rolling directions of the rollers in the two seismic isolation mechanisms are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A substrate is coated with a coating composition (1) mainly composed of 3 to 16 parts by weight (in terms of an SiO.sub.2 basis) of a quaternary ammonium silicate (a), 15 to 85 parts by weight of an inorganic filler (b) and 12 to 82 parts by weight of water (c) (with the proviso that (a)+(b)+(c)=100 parts by weight), further with a coating composition (2) mainly composed of 2 to 15 parts by weight (in terms of SiO.sub.2) of a quaternary ammonium silicate (a)' and 98 to 85 parts by weight of water (c)' (with the proviso that (a)'+(c)'=100 parts by weight) as required, followed by hardening by drying at an ordinary temperature or by heat drying at a low temperature, thereby obtaining a noncombustible, weatherproof film.

Abstract: Several embodiments of improved kick starter mechanisms for vehicles wherein the starter mechanism includes a starter level that is pivotally supported about a first axis and is rotatable about the first axis to rotate a starter shaft for starting the engine. In addition, a foot pedal is carried by the starter lever and is rotatable between a direction extending transversely to the associated vehicle and longitudinally relative to the vehicle. The starter lever and foot pedal are rotatable as a unit in a direction opposite to the kick starting direction relative to the starter shaft for movement to a concealed storage position.