Abstract: A combination insole board includes a shock diffusion plate for diffusing the shock of a heel strike and for providing torsional stiffness in the heel and midfoot areas and includes a flexible material in the forepart of the insole board. The semi-rigid shock diffusion shock diffusion plate is engineered with a contour which loosely correlates to the foot morphology. At least two alternative shoe construction methodologies may be used for incorporating a combination insole board into a shoe according to the present invention. In a first embodiment, the shock diffusion plate is attached to the flexible forepart to form the combination insole board. In this embodiment, the combination insole board is tacked to a shoemaker's last either mechanically or adhesively, an upper having a sufficient lasting margin extending beyond the feather edge is pulled over the last and the lasting margin is attached to the combination insole board with a suitable adhesive.

Abstract: A strike pad for an athletic shoe to be located adjacent the heel portion of the shoe, made of a flexible resilient material comprising a disc-like upper portion having a series of semi-spherical nubs on its upper face confronting the heels of the user, a thin, circular base portion of a larger diameter than the upper disc portion and a generally circular bottom disc secured to the base of the strike pad by a suitable adhesive or the like.

Abstract: A shoe insert that can be customized by the user to control pronation of the foot and to relieve or reduce stress at painful areas of the foot comprising a sheet of a natural material such as leather or a synthetic resin such as high density polyethylene capable of being deformed to the shape of the foot by the weight of the user. The sheet includes fastening hook or loop material on at least one surface whereby detachable cushioning elements can be attached to the film. The fastening material attached to the sheet is preferably a layer of loop cloth that continuously covers one or both surfaces of the sheet. The cushioning pads also contain a sheet of loop or hook material on one or both surfaces. When the insert with attached, spaced pads is placed in a shoe, the sheet deforms around and between the compressible pads due to the weight of the user and retains the shape when the weight is removed.

Abstract: An attachment to footwear, particularly boots, to assist in their removal from the foot of the wearer. The attachment comprises a strap hinged to the heel of the footwear. Fasteners secure the strap against the heel extending generally vertically upward in a stored position. In use, the strap is loosened and placed on the surface so the wearer may place weight on the strap to anchor the footwear so the wearer's foot may be withdrawn. The strap may have decorative features and define an opening to accommodate a spur. In another embodiment, the attachment comprises a spring steel wire bail to which the strap is hinged. The bail may be detachably secured to the footwear in the welt in the heel area by an elastic band.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a condition indicative of a level of difficulty of excavation of a material engaged by a work machine having a work implement. A controller receives a first signal during a dig pass of the work machine, and determines a material condition indicative of a level of difficulty of excavation during the dig pass as a function of the first signal, and transmits an output signal during the dig pass as a function of the material condition.

Abstract: The jewelry display device comprises a base portion and a display portion bearing an image, such as an image of a person. Openings, such as apertures and slits, adapted to accept and retain items of jewelry are positioned in the display portion such that the openings align with features of the image appearing on the display portion, thereby allowing items of jewelry to be displayed in a realistic, aesthetically pleasing manner.

Abstract: A device for producing a simulated snowfall is disclosed. The device comprises a display tank filled with water and a plurality of small pellets. A pump positioned on the upper side of the display tank creates water currents which flow around the perimeter of the display tank. The water is propelled out of the pump into an outflow tube extending down a first side of the display tank to a receiving trough positioned along the bottom side of the display tank. The pellets descend through the water to the receiving trough and are then carried horizontally across the receiving trough by a water current to a deflector plate which diverts the pellets and water current in an upward direction along the second side of the display tank. As the pellets reach the upper side of the display tank, they spread out uniformly and gradually descend through the water, creating a simulated snowfall with a natural appearance.

Abstract: A panel, page or substrate is provided having a tier of electroluminescent (EL) material which forms a pattern corresponding to a series of images. When illuminated in accord with a predetermined sequence, the series of images provide an illusion of movement. A sound generator is provided to produce a predetermined audible response associated with the predetermined sequence. One or more flexible membrane switches are coupled to simultaneously activate both the EL material and the sound generator when depressed. A layer bearing a plurality of icons, with each of said plurality of icons being associated with one of a first and second set of icons. The first set of icons is adapted to be viewable with an unaided eye on a continuous basis, and the second set of icons comprises the pattern of the EL material and are selectively viewable with the unaided eye, when the EL material illuminates.

Abstract: A display device resembling neon tubing includes a transparent substrate with one or more elongate, continuous grooves formed in the substrate from a rear surface thereof. The groove is shaped to represent an informational image, such as a letter, symbol, character or design, for communicating a message to a viewer. A layer of a roughness is formed within an arcuate groove surface of substantially constant diameter along the length of the groove to thereby uniformly disperse light that may be incident on the groove toward the front surface of the substrate in an arcuate path. A blocking layer covers the rear surface of the substrate adjacent the groove for permitting the transmission of light only through the groove to thereby create a sharp contrast between light incident on the groove and the blocking layer. The diameter of the groove is preferably approximately equal to the diameter of conventional neon tubing.

Abstract: A decorative object including a groove, such as a grooved border or other indicia, with a rounded apex and well-defined sidewalls, formed in the back surface of the object. The back side of the object is painted a first color and the grooved border is painted a second different or contrasting color to give the illusion of a frame made of metal, stone or some other material that is embedded in the object. The illusion of an embedded frame gives the object a three-dimensional visual quality.

Abstract: A holder for holding and displaying coins and souvenirs, has a front panel and a back panel secured together to hinge about a common axis along a common edge, and an inner panel pivotally secured to hinge about a common axis along a common edge of the back panel, a mounting face on the inside surface of each of the front and back panels, and a mounting face on opposite faces of the inner panel, or on loose sheets that can be added or removed, such as a three ring binder, each mounting face is formed with a plurality of vertically spaced rectangular surfaces, each rectangular surface having a pair of laterally disposed mounting positions for receiving and mounting a coin or souvenir, each mounting position defined by a planar surface bound by an upper and a lower groove, and a transparent retaining sheet covering each of the mounting positions.

Abstract: An externally adjustable coil hammer mainspring assembly for pistols having several different mechanisms for clearing obstructing internal and external pistol design features. These mechanisms make it possible to incorporate external coil hammer mainspring adjustment on many popular pistols. Finger-adjustable drive mechanisms (44, 46, and 30) as well as tool driven drive mechanisms (12) are provided to allow the pistol user to adjust coil hammer mainspring tension. This capability allows the user to adjust trigger-pull and hammerfall force in the field and provides a locking safety mechanism which locks down the pistol firing train including the trigger, sear, hammer and hammerstrut.

Abstract: A removable trigger lock having a unitary housing that includes a first guard member and a second guard member permanently connected by a linking member having a fixedly sized gap therebetween for fitting the housing around the trigger lock section of a gun. The removable trigger lock has a lock member integrally and slidably coupled to the housing. The lock member has a open position such that it is not within the gap and an open position such that it is at least partially within the gap. The lock member has a shaft with a latching section for locking the shaft. The trigger lock includes a lock attached to the housing for locking the lock member into the second position. The locking mechanism is a combination lock.

Abstract: A rifle has a barrel which is mounted detachably in the housing in that pairs of clamping rings (11, 12) are provided between the rear part of the barrel (5) and the inner cylindrical surface (3) of the housing (1), which clamping rings (11, 12) have mutually facing conical surfaces and are pressed axially by a clamping nut (13) against a collar (7) on the barrel (5). Such a barrel mounting can also be used for a housing made of light alloy, with simple production and with production-dependent tolerances and alignment errors being eliminated.

Abstract: A unitary or one-piece, integral soft bodied plastic fishing lure may be multi-layered and have two or more distinct colors. Soft bodied fishing lures may emit salt flavors directly into the adjacent water that dissolves salt grains exposed at the surface of the lures directly to the water. Methods of making the multi-colored and salt emitting lures by dipping mandrels into molten plastic and supplies of salt grains are disclosed.

Abstract: A fishhook remover and method are achieved by a remover tool that has a handle shaped like a pistol stock and a slender shank that extends away from the pistol-grip handle like a barrel. The slender shank terminates in an end substantially configured in a J-shape, but which also includes a fork that flares out in the direction opposite to the handle. In use, the fork of the tool is preferably inserted in an elbow portion of a fishhook to allow a user to push in the elbow and unhook the fish. The handle of the remover tool includes a lateral flange. The flange is arranged so that a user, gripping the handle like a pistol, can reach his or her thumb out and press it firmly against the flange. That way, a user can clamp fishing line between the flange and his or thumb, and thereby keep the elbow of the hook pulled tightly into the fork while maneuvering the tool. The J-shaped portion of the tool allows the user to catch the elbow of the hook like the way two links of chain contact each other.

Abstract: A fish hook remover for removing a fish hook from a fish without damaging dressing affixed to the fish hook. The fish hook remover includes a pair of arms pivotally mounted to one another. Each of the arms defines a first end and a second end. A hook member extends from the first end of each arm at a selected angle and a handle extends from the second end of each arm. The hook members extend from the arms in a manner such that the bend of the fish hook can be gripped between the terminating ends of the hook members without disturbing the dressing.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a daughter card to a back plane. The back plane has a male electrical connector which has a grouping of a plurality of parallel protruding electrical connecting pins. Mounted on these pins is a daughter card alignment module with this module having an internal cavity. One end of the internal cavity terminates in a guide post. A female electrical connector that is mounted at an edge of a daughter card is to be matingly located within the internal cavity with the edge of the daughter card to slidingly connect with slots formed within the module. The guide post is to connect with a recess formed in the daughter card.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling termite infestation. The apparatus is comprised of a termite resistant housing having (1) a bottom, (2) sidewalls having an interior and exterior surface and (3) a top. The top includes an opening for accessing the interior of the housing to identify the presence of termites and to introduce toxic bait into the housing when the presence of termites is observed through the opening for accessing the housing interior. The housing has at least one sidewall opening large enough to permit termites to pass through and nontoxic termite bait fixedly attached to the interior and/or exterior of one or more of the housing sidewalls. A number of alternative architectures are provided which have in common the feature of allowing termites to transition from nontoxic bait to toxic bait that is introduced in a manner that minimizes disturbance to the termite habitat at, without or within the apparatus.

Abstract: An environmentally safe insect control system for incapacitating a nest of insects while allowing an individual to simultaneously remove the nest without utilizing toxic chemicals. The inventive device includes a telescoping tube, a carbon dioxide tank, a tube extending from the tank along the telescoping tube, a nozzle extending from the distal end of the telescoping tube for dispersing the carbon dioxide, and a capturing structure attached to the distal end of the telescoping tube and about the nozzle for capturing portions of the nest and insects. The nozzle attached to the tube preferably has a plurality of apertures within for allowing complete coverage by the carbon dioxide for incapacitating the insects within the nest. In an alternative embodiment, a ring member replaces the capturing structure for retaining a bag having a drawstring. In the alternative embodiment, a scraper is attached to the distal end of the telescoping tube for engaging and removing the nest.

Abstract: A covering material for stacks and beds for mushroom cultivation made up of 50 to 80 percent by volume filter cake from paper manufacturing and 20 to 50 percent by volume aggregate such as peat, vegetable fibers, milled limestone and/or marl with improved water storing capability and reduced nutritive content.

Abstract: An environmentally controlled greenhouse is located near a landfill site and uses the landfill gas to both heat the greenhouse and furnish a clean carbon dioxide enriched product gas to enhance plant growth. The clean CO2 system product gas is used to regenerate adsorber beds which remove undesirable constituents from the landfill gas. A portion of the landfill gas may also power an extraction steam turbine which heats the greenhouse with extraction steam. The system is controlled to enhance plant growth by adjusting the temperature and CO2 levels.

Abstract: A plant protective cover system for protecting and insulating plants from cold weather. The plant protective cover system includes a ground sheet having a plurality of plant holes therethrough. An inner cover with an open bottom is rested on the ground sheet so that the open bottom of the inner cover is positioned over the plant holes of the ground sheet. An outer cover with has an open bottom is rested on the upper face of the ground sheet with the inner cover is upwardly extended into the open bottom of the outer cover so that the inner cover is enclosed by the outer cover. The inner cover is spaced apart from the outer cover to define an insulating space therebetween.

Abstract: A self-watering reservoir (21) which is placed in a planter (31) and buried in soil (32) of the planter. The reservoir consists of a container (23) that holds water in a chamber (27) and a lid (22) to cover the container. The lid has an opening (24) through which a tube (30) can be inserted, the tube runs up to the surface of the soil in the planter and allows the addition of water to the reservoir as needed. The reservoir also includes a well (26) that projects down into the container. The well is open at its top and the bottom of the well has a first section (28B) which rests on the bottom surface of the container and a second section (28A) which projects up and away from the first section at an angle. The second section has an opening (29). When the reservoir is buried in a planter, soil in the planter fills the well and comes in contact with water in the chamber through the opening in the second section of the well, and thus water is transported through soil in the well to soil surrounding the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for the fertilization of soil for cultivated plants, whereby nitrogen fertilizer is spread over the cultivated area in conjunction with the sowing of cultivated plants and later during the growing season more fertilizer is spread over the cultivated area.

Abstract: A remediation-assisting material or structure is arranged in the vicinity of a root system and the hole prepared for the root system. The hydraulic gradient created by the root system draws contaminated water through the remediation-assisting material or structure to enhance remediation of contaminants within the groundwater. To facilitate the establishment of a hydraulic gradient, and perhaps to concentrate the same, the hole prepared for the root system is made in such a way that surface water will not penetrate the hole and feed the root system in lieu of the root system being fed by the groundwater, as extracted by capillary action.

Abstract: A cellular container assembly comprises collapsible linked two-layer, open-ended structure containers formed of opposed container walls. The containers are formed by weldment at opposed contacting wall portions to form multiple cells, for retention of a soil mix and an associated plant. The assembly also comprises a soil drain board upon which the containers are supported. The drain board defines a fluid permeable mat having pylons and a foraminous screen resting upon the mat. An impermeable liner rests within a box with the liner being interposed between the box and drainage board to confine the containers and drainage board. A drain in the liner recycles fluid or permits runoff.

Abstract: An automatic door opening arrangement for motor vehicles includes a sensor system for detection of objects in a predetermined region adjacent to a vehicle and a computing unit for at least one door which indicates entry of an object into the predetermined region. The automatic door opening arrangement prevents, as reliably as possible, injury of persons and/or damage to obstacles or to the door itself upon opening of the door, since the sensor system determines the height of an object located in the predetermined region relative to a given reference coordinate system.

Abstract: A device for securing an adjustable window of a motor vehicle to a guide mechanism of a window lifter, having a first component with an elevated stopper and a second component with an essentially horizontal, elongated recess into which the stopper can positively lock, whereby one of the two components is connected to the window and the other component is connected to the window lifter, characterized in that the recess of the second component has an entry passage pointing in the direction of the stopper; there is an interval between the vertical central axis of the entry passage and the vertical central axis of the stopper, the horizontal dimension of the recess is at least 1.5 times the breadth of the stopper, and the stopper can be secured in order to ensure that it remains in the attachment area. Installation and adjustment of the window are simple and secure and the operational reliability of the window is thereby increased. If necessary, blind assembly is also possible.

Abstract: A decorative molding assembly for a vehicle door frame having a window opening for a transitional window pane moveable between open and closed positions. The molding assembly includes a window door seal mounted to the door frame and having a channel for selective sealing engagement with the window pane. A molding strip has an arm mating with the window door seal and faces outward to provide an appealing appearance. A retaining member engages the arm of the molding strip and the window door seal to secure the molding strip and the window door seal within the window opening of the door frame such that the window pane is securely sealed within the window opening when the window pane is in the closed position.

Abstract: A shutter for withstanding hurricane wind and pressures has permanent hardware attached to a structure and a temporary shutter that can be stored until needed. Hardware consists of brackets mounted above or below a window and sliding latches at the edges of the window. Sliding latches have a key way for a carriage bolt to enter and attach. Brackets allow a shutter that has attached hinges to latch and pivot around a bridge. The shutter can be made from any material. Hinges are attached to shutter and are able to be latched and pivoted on the brackets mounted on the house. The shutter can also be swung up to protect a high window. The shutter is swung over the window and locked down to sliding latches and carriage bolts with wing nuts through holes in shutter.

Abstract: A modular vehicle door has a hollow door shell of sheet metal panels that are secured together at their abutting periphery, a crash beam that is attached to hollow door shell so as to extend across the length of the door, and a module that supports several parts of vehicle door that is preassembled and assembled to the hollow door shell as the preassembled module. The hollow door shell has a hinge reinforcement at a forward end and a latch reinforcement at an aft end. The module has a metal support beam that is attached to the hinge reinforcement at one end and to the latch reinforcement at the other end so that the metal support beam extends across the length of the door and forms a box section with the crash beam. The metal support beam has upper and lower channels and the module includes an insert molded carrier that has a plurality of ribs that cooperate with the channels of the metal support beam to increase the torsional ridgidity of the metal support beam.

Abstract: A gutter guard support attaches to a gutter to support a gutter guard which prevents debris, e.g. leaves, twigs, tree buddings, etc., from entering the gutter. The gutter guard support is received on the transverse support members of the gutter and tautly holds the gutter guard (screen) under tension to prevent the creation of debris collecting valleys in the gutter guard.

Abstract: A secure, modular and movable interactive two-way telecollaborative video conferencing and imaging enclosure for conducting business or privileged medical, legal, or other confidential matters in private, being particularly equipped for remote monitoring of physiological attributes of one or more users by medical specialists and remote interaction between users and medical specialists.

Abstract: A bunker construction is comprised of precast arch elements which form a semicircular roof of the bunker by engaging cast-in-place footings. A front and back plate cover the front and back of the enclosure defined by the arch elements. A crown element along the apex of the arch and footing blocks at the bottom sides of the arch along the footing facilitate a lightning protection system. Precast concrete panels form lateral sides of the front of the bunker construction and compacted earth coacts with steel stabilizing elements associated with the precast panels and the front plate of the bunker. The entire bunker exterior is covered with compacted earth thereby forming a bunker construction with enhanced structural integrity due to the mechanically stabilized earth in combination with the precast arch elements and front panel members.

Abstract: The well-known, compliant sheet of material which is enwrapped about the juncture of structural units, to form a fluid barrier thereat, has its structure-adhering adhesive admixed with an insecticide or termiticide, to additionally form an insect barrier thereat as well. In an alternate embodiment the insecticide or termiticide is sprayed onto the adhesive.

Abstract: A roof screen system comprises a number of triangular frames assembled from aluminum beams held together with pivotable clamps. Such clamps also bolt down onto roof footers with flashing boots that prevent roof leaks. A number of clips are attached to the upright triangular frames. Horizontal rails are then attached with the clips to the triangular frames, and screen panels are hung and attached to the rails. The pivotable clamps allow a slip-connection anywhere along the aluminum beams that can be locked down with ordinary wrenches. As such, the screen panels can be tilted back or forward to accommodate painted signs, electric signs, advertising, and even solar photovoltaic panels.

Abstract: A prefabricated foundation panel for being supported on a footing to support the perimeter floor sill of a mobile home is disclosed. The panel has a generally rectangularly shaped frame including generally elongate, parallel and spaced, metallic top and bottom members as well as a plurality of spaced metallic cross members which are rigidly affixed to the top and bottom members. The outermost cross members of the frame are positioned so that they are flush with the ends of the top and bottom members. The top, bottom and cross members collectively define a plurality of spaces extending through the frame from an outer side thereof to an inner side thereof. A decorative aggregate coated facing is also provided for the panel which is attached to the outer side of the frame and which covers the plurality of spaces. A method of installing the panels around the lower periphery of a mobile home to enclose the lower periphery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a compressible seal and a support mounted for pivoting away from the top of an adjacent vehicle to facilitate exiting. In some embodiments, a stiffening member is located proximally to the seal to provide a compression force between the seal and the top of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a deflectable seal and a locator including a distal recess for engaging the leading edge of a vehicle entering the parking area.

Abstract: A stairway (10) is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in one embodiment of the invention in which a pair of side support panels (12, 14) are formed of a hollow plastic material. Side support panels (12, 14) have closed end columns (24, 26, 28) extending from an outer face of the side support panels to provide a relatively large bearing area. Another embodiment of a stairway (10A) shown in FIGS. 3-5 has a side rail panel (40A) positioned on a lower side support panel (12A) with wooden posts (32A) received in open ended columns (24A, 26A, 28A) of lower side support panel (12A) and received within columns (42A, 44A and 46A) of side rail panel (40A). Posts (32A) are normally embedded in concrete (36A) for securement of the stairway (10A).

Abstract: A window assembly in which the frame of the window assembly provides support for both a window and a protective shield with such support comprising an inwardly facing saddle which supports the window within the frame and an inwardly facing casing and retainer adjacent the saddle which releasably retains the protective shield and the window within the frame with the shield extending over and protecting the window.

Abstract: An anchor is disclosed for anchoring a vertical frame member to an adjacent condition and for diverting water away from an opening in the frame member. The apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a water diverter attached to the mounting bracket. A downward extending flange connected to the water diverter is configured to engage the frame member. When the mounting bracket is attached to the adjacent condition and the flange engages the frame member, the water diverter overlies the opening in the frame member to prevent water from entering the opening and to divert water away from the opening.

Abstract: An interlocking corrugated fluted panel for use in constructing a foundation wall for a building where a plurality of the panels are attached to a presupported building member and the panels hang downwardly into a foundation support opening. At the bottom portion of each fluted panel, the flutes extending outwardly from the building are cut along a bend line and the bottom portion of the panel is bent inwardly approximately 90°, the bent portion forming an anchorage when concrete is placed around the bottom of the panels. At the lower edge of each panel a cut flute is bent into either an interlocking male or female shape.

Abstract: An insulated concrete block and wall assembly. The primary element is an insulated block which consists of two rectangular concrete facings and a rigid solid insulating core. The concrete facings are attached by adhesive to the insulating core. The insulating core has apertures within it to allow vertical reinforcing rod support in a constructed wall. The invention additionally provides an indentation along the top of each insulating core to provide for horizontal re-rod support within the wall itself. The invention provides optimal decrease in thermal conductivity coupled with simplicity of design and transport.

Abstract: The application of a reinforcing layer to the visible face of slabs of stone material. For slabs of marble and granite, especially thin slabs, the reinforcing layer is constituted by non-twisted glass threads, preferably in the form of a mat, and by a transparent resin resistant to the action of atmospheric and chemical agents. A reinforced slab is obtained which has a small thickness and in which the resistance to negative flexing is greatly increased, along a front face concomitantly with the resistance to positive flexing along the rear, or invisible, face of the slab when the rear face is also reinforced.

Abstract: A laminated composite building component, capable of sustained axial stress as a primary support structure and enclosure of a building structure, comprising a lamination of rigid and resilient material, said rigid material formed of sheets with continuous corrugations parallel to the supporting axis and which have opposite faces being bonded to and encapsulated by said resilient material, said resilient material being a cellular foam matrix, an adhesive or fusion that bonds the rigid and resilient material together in either a static or continuous laminating process, said resilient material forming two outer surfaces spaced from the rigid material, said rigid material having opposite lateral edges being exposed from said resilient material, said lateral edges of the rigid material having return flanges for interlocking said laminated composite building component with adjacent building component, and said building components capable of being supplied and distributed in generic lengths and custom field-cut like

Abstract: An asymmetric structural insulated panel for building construction includes a generally planar insulating foam core such as of expanded polystyrene, urethane or polyisocyanurate plastic. Adhered to a first surface of the insulating foam core is an outer facing of a conventional building material such as wood, oriented strand board (OSB), gypsum composite or cement. Adhered to a second opposed surface of the insulating foam core by a conventional adhesive is a thin, high strength sheet of paper impregnated with plastic such as polyisocyanurate. The plastic impregnated paper provides a high tensile strength for the structural insulated panel to accommodate large transverse loads on the panel. Elongated “nailing” members may be affixed in a spaced manner to the inner or outer surface of the plastic impregnated paper to also provide this surface of the panel with high compressive strength and to permit the panel to withstand large axial loads.

Abstract: A roofing plate for securing a roofing membrane to a roof includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a generally oblong peripheral edge having two major sides and two minor sides. An opening is located generally centrally on the plate in a central portion for receiving a fastener for securing the plate to the roof, and a plurality of gripping formations are formed on the peripheral edge for preventing slippage of the roofing membrane relative to the plate. Also included are a pair of first rib portions which project from the top surface respectively along at least each of the two major sides between the peripheral edge and the central opening, and a pair of transverse ribs which project from the top surface for enhancing torsional stability and reinforcing the central portion of the plate.

Abstract: To at least considerably diminish or even completely prevent rain water from being driven inward in a strong wind, the front face (9) of the front slab segment (61) has horizontal grooves (68, 69, 70).

Abstract: A surface mounted grid system for use in association with a substructure and for supporting an array of tile panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of main runners and cross-runners adaptable arranged normal to each other. The main runner has (i) a horizontally oriented surface and spaced, non-peripheral, longitudinal side walls depending transversely therefrom and includes a plurality of spaced openings; and (ii) a downwardly depending member terminating with a horizontally disposed flange having a longitudinal marginal edge. The cross-runners have (i) a horizontally disposed flange with a transverse marginal edge and arranged in a common plane with the flange of the main runner, and (ii) an intermediate longitudinal web extending transversely from the flange and having a longitudinal projection extending beyond the transverse marginal edge.