Abstract: A fire retardant material is formed by intimately associating the unexpanded form of perlite in association with a permeable mass of silica glass, said association is formed by permeating said perlite into said mass of glass. Preferedly the composition comprises particles of unexpanded perlite less than 100 mesh and preferably no larger than 200 mesh and the permeable glass comprises a glass fiber mat. The fire retardant material can be formed as a unified body capable of being applied onto other structural components or alternately, it can be intimately bonded to the surface of structural components as a veneer layer. Upon exposure to combustion temperatures the perlite expands from its unexpanded form to its expanded form at or near the deformation point of the glass mat followed by reaction of the perlite and the glass to form a flame-impenetrable ceramic.

Abstract: A fire retardant material is formed by intimately associating the unexpanded form of perlite in association with a permeable mass of silica glass, said association is formed by permeating said perlite into said mass of glass. The composition comprises particles of unexpanded perlite less than 100 mesh and preferredly no larger than 200 mesh and the permeable glass comprises a glass fiber mat. The fire retardant material can be formed as a unified body capable of being applied onto other structural components or alternately, it can be intimately bonded to the surface of structural components as a veneer layer. Upon exposure to combustion temperatures the perlite expands from its unexpanded form to its expanded form at or near the deformation point of the glass mat followed by reaction of the perlite and the glass to form a flame-impenetrable ceramic.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for a wheel comprising a hollow inner tube, an outer casing completely encasing the inner tube, and an elongated flexible element tightly tied within the inner tube. The tire can be made by forming an opening in the wall of the inner tube, inserting an elongated flexible element through the passage of the inner tube, deforming the inner tube and tying the end portions of the elongated flexible element together through the opening with the tube in its deformed configuration. The opening is then sealed and the outer casing is molded around the inner tube.

Abstract: An integrated shingle construction in which shingles are constructed perferably of foamed plastic primarily, the construction being in the form of panels in which the foamed plastic shingle is integrated with a board or wooden roofing member such as a standard sized sheeting member that attaches directly to the rafters. The integrated shingle and sheeting members are applied in courses to a pitched roof, for example, the first course being at the top or adjacent the ridge pole and then proceeding downwardly to the eves. Adjacent courses are in interlocking sealing interconnection. The integrated shingle and sheeting members are formed in extended panels with the shingle portion simulating a plurality of individual shingles. Sealing and interconnecting or joining means are provided to sealingly join panel courses at their ends.