Abstract: An implement for cutting grass or weeds or the like wherein a Weedeater type cutting head is provided on which a cutting line or blade or the like cutting element is mounted for rapid whirling motion, wherein protective shielding is provided on the implement and interposed between the cutting element and the normal position of the operator, and a skirt-like mat of tough, resilient, flexible plastic filaments are provided on the implement for extending downwardly toward and preferably into contact with a terrain surface when the implement is in its operative posture, the filaments being sufficiently flexible to readily conform to the terrain surface when brought into contact therewith to thereby afford greatly enhanced protection against flying debris while providing substantially unhindered freedom of motion to the cutting head.

Abstract: A round knife including a handle which is provided in a head end thereof with a slot for receiving pivotally a round knife blade and a support frame. The slot is provided with a protective groove for retaining and locating the support frame. When the support frame is securely engaged with the protective groove, the round knife blade is concealed securely by a protective shield of the support frame. The support frame can be actuated by an actuation piece to rotate so as to expose the round knife blade to execute the cutting operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cutting member (3). According to the method, a single side 9 of a carrier 1 of the cutting member is provided with an auxiliary layer (11). The carrier is provided with a cutting edge (7) by means of an electrochemical machining device (19), an electrode (21) of the electrochemical machining device being arranged on a side (15) of the carrier remote from the auxiliary layer. According to the invention, the auxiliary layer is provided as far as the cutting edge to be provided on the carrier, and, after the cutting edge has been provided on the carrier, the auxiliary layer is maintained on the carrier as a layer which is functional for the cutting member. In this manner, the auxiliary layer has a double function and is thus utilized in a better way. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary layer mainly comprises SiO2 and has a thickness below 200 nm, preferably below 100 nm.

Abstract: A four sensor wheel aligner has a single omnidirectional angle sensor mounted on each of four vehicle support wheels. Each sensor is in optical communication with the other sensors. Data is produced from which toe, camber, caster and steering axis inclination angles are computed. No reference is made to vertical. Redundant data sets are produced which provide system reliability and error tracking features and maximum accuracy from available data sets. Frame distortion measurements are made to facilitate collision repair in coordination with wheel alignment.

Abstract: A carpenter' square provides a pair of I-shaped legs joined at right angles, each of the legs having a pair of back-to-back U-shaped channels preferably of a size for accepting a construction material, such as common 2×4, 2×6 and 2×8 lumber boards. The lumber may be inserted snugly into them so as to align the lumber at right angles. The square also may include a gusset plate for mounting the square onto a construction stake at any selected height and direction so as to enable the defining of a corner and its related orthogonal directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glove fitting device and method for measuring aspects of a user's hands and recommending an appropriate glove size therefrom. The device includes a platform with left-hand and right-hand measuring stations. Each measuring station includes at least one measuring system comprising a plurality of cooperating elements, such as scales, to measure the length of at least two of a user's digits and selecting a preferred finger length value. Each of the two digits is measured, relative to a different position. The device further includes a measuring tape that allows a girth value to be obtained of user's palm. In addition, the device includes a sizing grid that allows the preferred finger length value and the girth value to be correlated with a recommended glove size.

Abstract: A nominally cylindrical surface of a workpiece is sensed by a stylus displaceable radially of an axis of rotation of the surface relative to a support column defining a reference datum so that the stylus follows the cylindrical surface at a given height along the surface. Relative rotation of the workpiece and the stylus about the axis of rotation of the surface is effected and the displacement of the stylus used to determine information relating to the radial form of the surface at that height. These measurements are represented at different heights along the surface so as to determine its cylindrical form. The displacement of the stylus from a given position on the surface at each height before and after rotation of the stylus and workpiece through 180° are measured and the resulting measurements used to compensate for any error or deviation in the reference datum.

Abstract: In a touch signal probe (10) having a stylus holder (11), a vibrator (12) supported by the stylus holder (11) and has a contact portion (12A) to contact to a workpiece at a distal end thereof, a vibrating means (13A) for vibrating the vibrator (12) in an axial direction resonantly, and a detecting means (13B) for detecting the contact by a change in the vibration of the vibrator (12) caused by the contact to the workpiece is provided. The vibrator (12) is supported by the stylus holder (11) at two support points (A) and (B) positioned with a node of vibration of the vibrator (12) therebetween. Since the vibrating means (13A) and the detecting means (13B) are disposed spanning over the two support points, the node of vibration can be formed between the support points A and B and the size of the touch signal probe (10) can be easily reduced.

Abstract: A grinding machine includes a swing-arm mounted to pivot on a frame, a lens-holder shaft which is mounted to rotate on the swing-arm about a rotation axis parallel to the pivot axis of the swing-arm, and on which a calibration template can be mounted, and a tool-holder shaft which is mounted to rotate on the frame at a distance from the pivot axis of the swing-arm and on which a machining tool can be mounted. A method of calibrating the machine includes an approach phase during which the swing-arm, which is fitted with a calibration template, is moved toward the tool-holder shaft, which is equipped with a machining tool. The approach phase is interrupted as soon as contact is detected between the calibration template and the machining tool. Applications include machines for grinding ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: A position detector for sensing the position of a movable member which moves along an axis relative to a stationary member. A nonrepeating N bit chain code embodied in a scale on the movable member runs along the axis. A detector fixed to the stationary member is positioned to sense a portion of the chain code. The detector has K elements (K>>N) generating a plurality of signals. A controller determines the position of the movable member relative to the stationary member as a function of the signals.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible sports dryer for drying wearing apparel has at least one rigid air supply tube with an open end for being placed within a clothing article for supporting it above the dryer. An electric blower communicates with the tube for circulating air to dry the clothing article, and a removable drip shield is provided between the open end of the tube and the electric blower for deflecting moisture that drips from the clothing article away from the electric blower. A carrying case containing the air blower serves as a supporting base for the dryer when the dryer is placed on the floor or on a table. The air supply tube is adapted to be stored in a storage plenum within the case and is removed and then connected during use to the blower. The tube is positioned while in operation to extend upwardly from the case for forcing a current of air through an article of wearing apparel supported upon an upper free end of the rigid air supply tube.

Abstract: A process for drying a polymeric material present on a substrate is provided. Temperatures of the polymeric material is measured and the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the substrate. A temperature of the substrate is also measured. A variation in the measured ambient temperature is detected. The substrate temperature, polymeric temperature, ambient temperature or a substrate drying spin speed is adjusted in response to the detected variation in the measured ambient temperature.

Abstract: A processing method for processing a substrate has a vertical thermal processing furnace 4 having a bottom and an opening 4a provided at the bottom. A boat 3 holding substrates W in vertical multistairs can be placed on a first lid 17, and the first lid 17 can open and close the opening 4a of the vertical thermal processing furnace 4 with the boat 3 placed thereon. The processing unit also has a boat-placing portion 19 on which the boat 3 and another boat 3 can be placed and a boat conveying mechanism 21 for conveying the two boats 3 alternatively between the boat-placing portion 19 and the first lid 17. A second lid 18 hermetically closes the opening 4a of the vertical thermal processing furnace 4 when the first lid 17 opens the opening 4a but no boat 3 passes through the opening 4a.

Abstract: A sole construction for supporting at least a portion of a human foot and for providing energy storage and return is provided. The sole construction includes a generally horizontal layer of stretchable material, at least one chamber positioned adjacent a first side of the layer, and at least one actuator positioned adjacent a second side of the layer vertically aligned with a corresponding chamber. Each actuator has a footprint size smaller than that of the corresponding chamber, and is sized and arranged to provide individual support to the bones of the human foot. The support structure when compressed causes the actuator to push against the layer and move the layer at least partially into the corresponding chamber. In one embodiment, dual action energy storage and rebound is provided by using a plurality of actuators that move both upwardly and downwardly into corresponding chambers.

Abstract: Ski boot comprising a sole and a shell of plastic material designed to house the wearer's foot and including a flexible portion in correspondence with the metatarsus area, a leg piece hinged to the shell substantially at the ankle and designed to wrap the lower part of the leg of the wearer at the back and at the sides, a front closure tongue, fastening devices and releasable securing means between the tongue and the shell; the tongue comprises a lateral portion which extends on an internal lateral wall of the shell, and the lateral portion projects on the internal side of the shell beyond the profile of the flexible portion.

Abstract: The invention is a replaceable golf shoe cleat or spike 10 for use in place of a standard metal spike 4. Winter golf shoe spike 10 preferably has a main cleat body 11 molded from a durable plastic type material in single unitary fashion. A threaded stud 13 is formed on the upper surface of generally concavo-convex flange 12 and protrudes axially therefrom. A plurality of traction ribs 15 are formed on the bottom traction surface of concavo-convex flange 12. While the ribs 15 may be present in a variety of configurations, they are preferably triangular ridges arranged in a radial fashion emanating from the center of concavo-convex flange 12.

Abstract: A snow shoveling machine comprising an engine and an auger housing accommodating therein an auger paddle. The engine is actuated to thereby rotate the auger paddle. The auger housing includes an upper half and a lower half. The upper half is made from resin. The lower half is formed of a sheet of steel. The upper and lower halves are connected to each other through a connecting member. The connecting member serves a function of reinforcing the auger housing. As snow collected by the auger paddle is thrown upwardly into a snow throwing aperture formed in the upper half, some snow fails to enter the aperture. The connecting member serves to allow such snow to fall to the auger paddle.

Abstract: In a snow-removing machine, an expandable and contractible regulating mechanism is coupled between a steering handlebar of a machine body including a snow-removing section and a drive section capable of being turned relative to the machine body about a wheel driving shaft, and is capable of regulating the level of the snow-removing section relative to the drive section. The expandable and contractible regulating mechanism is comprised of a cylinder connected to the machine body, a piston which divides the inside of the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber, a piston rod coupled to the piston and connected to the drive section, a communication passage permitting communication between the first and second chambers, and an on-off valve for opening and closing the communication passage. A high-pressure gas is filled in the first and second chambers, so that the expansion and compression of the high-pressure gas is permitted upon closing of the on-off valve.

Abstract: The ironing board includes an underframe, a table frame, fitted to the underframe and at least broadly flat and having a table rim which is formed from an edge profile, and an ironing board table having an essentially flat top surface, which ironing board table, close to the periphery, is mounted on supporting portions of the table rim, At the periphery the ironing board table is held with a clearance between stop portions of the table rim, which delimit a displacement of the ironing board table in a direction parallel to the top surface thereof. The total clearance (2s) parallel to the top surface of the ironing board table has an order of magnitude of at most 4-5 mm.

Abstract: This invention relates to the application of holographic collectible and/or play premiums positioned on consumer packaging to provide value to the advertising label stock. The holograms are integral with the labeling material such that the label has an essentially uniform thickness. The labels of this invention include a front face and a back face. In one embodiment the collectible hologram premium is provided on the front face of the label stock and in another embodiment the collectible hologram premium is provided on the back face of the label stock. The labels with the holographic premium can be trimmed to provide a collectible hologram premium with entertainment value to children or adults.

Abstract: A window display arrangement having a support and a lightbox is disclosed. The support has a first side to which an adhesive is applied so that the support can be secured to a window and a second side having a releasable fastener. The lightbox further includes a housing having a releasable fastener which can co-operate with the releasable fastener on the support to releasably fasten the lightbox to the support. Light from an illumination source in the housing is directed towards an image located when the arrangement is in use between the support and the lightbox, so that the illuminated image can be viewed through the window.

Abstract: A system for raising and lowering an object such as a banner or sign that includes a ceiling unit, that has an axle, and at least two lines connected to the axle in a manner to allow the lines to wind on the axle and thereby moving the object toward and away from the axle. The system has a long control rod having a motor on one end and an engagement to transfer the energy from the motor on the opposite end and thereby controls the rotation of the axle by engaging the ceiling unit and transmitting energy to the axle.

Abstract: A garden marker device has a cover, a back and a stake. The cover is transparent and has a periphery bounded by a top margin, a bottom margin and a pair of side margins. The back is connected to the top margin and the pair of side margins of the cover, so as to define an enclosure between the cover and the back extending between the side margins. The stake is connected to the back.

Abstract: A securing device for holding two ammunition magazines in a manner to allow one and then the other magazine to be loaded into a firearm includes two brackets for engaging the upper and lower surface of both magazines and holding them side-by-side. The brackets are connected together with a screw threadably engaged into the lower bracket and threadably engaged with an overcenter toggle lever on top of the other bracket. The toggle lever is operable to lock the brackets in place. A flexible strap is mounted to the upper bracket and connectable to the lower bracket in a manner to partially encircle the magazine located on each side of the brackets. The flexible strap is used for continuous length adjustment to accommodate magazines having a wide variety of sizes and shapes. The brackets are sized to space the magazines to allow one to be loaded in a firearm without interference from the other magazine.

Abstract: An optical device for aiming at a target wherein an optical element of the optical device has a surface that reflects a source of light to create a sighting image for alignment with the target. The optical element has aspherical surface to minimize aberrations of the target.

Abstract: A firearm sight mount with a sight mount body configured for clamping on the outside of a firearm barrel. In one embodiment the sight mount has a unitary sight mount body that is split to permit the body to be slipped past any existing front sight on the firearm barrel. The split construction of the sight mount body permits it to be clamped to firearm barrels having different outside diameters and tapers. The other embodiments use a two piece body that are configured to be clamped to firearm barrels having different outside diameters and tapers and in one of these embodiments provision is made for the sight mount to fit around a rib on the barrel. In all embodiments, the sight mount body has a flat rectangular shaped mounting surface with short cylindrical projections sized and shaped to mesh with corresponding holes in the sight and hold the sight in place. Two screw holes are also provided in the mounting surface for holding the sight to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A fishing lure or fishing tackle assembly designed to facilitate rapid and efficient attachment to and removal from a fishing line and/or a pre-rigged bait structure commonly used in offshore fishing. The fishing lure assembly includes a head portion having a channel formed within its interior and extending along the length of the head portion; the head portion also includes a slit extending from its exterior surface and being disposed into the channel; and the head portion further has a locking member situated within the channel and being movable to close access from the slit into the channel during a locked position to secure the fishing line within the channel of the head portion.

Abstract: There is provided a system (10) for releasably securing an article to a frame structure (2). The system (10) generally comprises a collar member (200) secured to the frame structure (2) and a snare member (100) coupled to collar member (200). Collar member (200) is configured to substantially define a hoop. Snare member (100) includes a collapsible loop portion (110) displaceably captured by collar member (200) to pass through the hoop defined thereby, and an engagement portion (120) coupled to loop portion (110) for releasably engaging the frame structure (2). Loop portion (110) is operatively drawn to collapse about and constrict the article responsive to sufficient displacement of at least a portion of snare member (100) relative to collar member (200).

Abstract: A pest trap which comprises retaining means (9) and one or more members (3) having substantially smooth surfaces mounted above the retaining means, whereby a pest displaced from the smooth surface falls into the retaining means (9). The members with smooth surfaces may comprise rods or spheres which may optionally be coated with electrostatically charged powder.

Abstract: The doll body 64 which consists of the decorative doll is attached to the exchange member 68 removably. The exchange member 68 is attached to the pedestal member 62 by the post member 67 which is also used as the foot 65. The exchange member 68 is a dual or a single cylindrical structure. In case of a dual cylindrical structure, the inner cylinder fits into the post member 67. Insects like cockroaches crawls up along the foot 65 of the doll. They are enticed to come into the space made by two cylindrical members of the exchange member 68, and caught by the adhesive member which is not shown in Figure. As the appearance of this device is a doll, it is possible to set this on conspicuous places without hesitation. The exchange member 68 can be exchanged appropriately.

Abstract: A method and kit of components for destroying organisms and toxins in from an enclosure such as a building. Temperature sensing probes are installed in the enclosure to indicate structure temperature and a recorder is used to record the temperature of said sensing probes in real time. Hot air is introduced into the enclosure through one or more ducts to raise the structure temperature to at least about 120° F., as monitored by the temperature sensing probes. This is sufficient to kill essentially all insects, bacteria, virus, dust mites, spiders, silver fish, fungi and toxic molds such as aspergillus oryzae, aspergillus terreus, aspergills versicolor, cladosporium hergbarum, stachybotrys chartarum, penicillium aurantiogriseum, pencillium chrsogenum, pencillium glabrum and fusarium oxysporum, and the like. The air can exit through open doors and windows or through ducts to a filter assembly that captures the remains of the organisms. Ozone may be added to the heated air to improve efficiency.

Abstract: An insect controller in which at least one volatile insecticidal or insect repellent compound that volatizes without heating is carried on a support with at least one through hole. The use of a volatile insecticidal or insect repellent compound without heating can ensure satisfactory insect-controlling effects. If a specific structure, e.g., folding structure, is employed for the insect controller, wasteful evaporation of the volatile insecticidal or insect repellent compound can be reduced during non-use.

Abstract: A hard disk drive has a base bottom surface and a male connector to which at least one protruding pin is attached. The pin has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the base bottom surface and is exposed toward the base bottom surface. A female connector cover portion covers at least a portion of a plane above a female connector. The plane is substantially parallel to the base bottom surface. The pin of the male connector is inserted into a pin-receiving portion of the female connector by guiding the base bottom surface along and on an insert-guidance surface. The female connector is mounted on the insert-guidance surface and has at least one pin-receiving portion corresponding to the pin of the male connector so that the pin of the male connector can be received. The female connector cover functions as a forcible guide in mounting the hard disk drive to prevent damage at the external interface between the pins of the male connector and its mounting location.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular landscape apparatus including a plurality of brackets. The brackets are used with conventional landscaping timbers secured thereto. The brackets includes different embodiments to provide the user with a variety of options for forming any desired shaped border in a landscape design. The brackets include a pivotal mechanism which enables the option of transforming the bracket to any desired angle and for ultimately forming any desired boarder pattern.

Abstract: Christmas tree stand watering apparatus includes a water container which may be located somewhat remotely from a Christmas tree stand and then a conduit extends from the container into the Christmas tree stand. In the embodiment illustrated, the container comprises a pair of reservoir elements, with a connecting conduit connecting the two reservoir elements. A relatively long conduit extends from the connecting conduit to the Christmas tree stand. A pump, with appropriate check valves, is disposed in the conduit for starting the siphon action from the container to the Christmas tree stand. An element, which may be metallic element, is disposed in the conduit to keep the bottom of the conduit from contacting the bottom of the Christmas tree stand and the element extends upwardly within the conduit to provide a stable and secure routing path over the top wall of a stand.

Abstract: A plant cover for covering a flower pot includes a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve having upper and lower portions wherein the upper portion is detachable from the lower portion. The lower portion of the sleeve may be constructed from a first material and the upper portion of the sleeve may be constructed from a second material different from the first material. The lower portion includes a base portion and a skirt portion, wherein the base portion may be constructed from a first material and the skirt portion may be constructed from a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate mechanism is provided that includes a gate arm adapter which is pivotally mounted to allow a lowered gate arm to rotate away from a generally perpendicular force in a generally horizontal plane. The gate arm mechanism further includes multiple interchangeable spring assemblies that generate a return force to bring a displaced gate arm back to its normal operating position, and a latch hook assembly for selectively latching the gate arm in its normal position and controlling the rate of return of the gate arm from a displaced position through application of a pivotally leveraged force to a braking surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a face grating including bearer members having a large number of holding projections formed at predetermined intervals along their longitudinal dimension. The bearer members are fixed to the exterior wall above and below or to the left and right of a building window with the holding projections facing outwardly. A plurality of elastic panels are formed in a substantially channel-like shape with curved portions at their opposing longitudinal edges and are mounted on the holding projections of the bearer members with the holding projections pushed inwards. Elastic covering members have a large number of push-in projections formed at predetermined intervals for fitting into spaces between mutually adjacent panels at positions corresponding to the bearer members or in the vicinity thereof.

Abstract: The kit is made from sheet material for flashing a quadrangular roof-penetrating element, for instance a window (4), in an inclined roof (5) with a substantially plane surface, which material comprises a first element (1) with two through cuts (6) extending convergingly from the ends of a first line segment (L1) to an edge (7) of this element (1), a second element (2a) with two through cuts (11, 12), which cuts extend from each end of a second line segment (L2) obliquely to an edge (13) of the element (2a) under formation of an acute angle (V21) with the line segment (L2) and obliquely or straight to an edge (14) of the element (2a) under formation of an obtuse or straight angle (V22) with the line segment (L2), respectively, an element (2b) mirror-inverted relative to the second element (2a), a third element (3) with two through cuts (19), which elements extends from each end of a third line segment (L3) extends to each their respective edge (20) of the element (3) under formation of an obtuse or straight an

Abstract: A fire-proof refuge shelter includes a plurality of partition walls joined together by bolts and screws to form a closed box provided with a pair of sliding doors, characterized in that: each of the partition walls being made of a surface layer, an intermediate heat-resistant layer and an inner heat-resistant cement layer, the surface layer being made of fire-proof glass fiber or calcium silicate or mineral fiber, the inner heat resistant layer being a fire-proof sound absorbing board made of lightweight bone concrete or made by solidation of heat resistant concrete, and the intermediate heat resistant sand layer being made of non-combustible clay, silicon stone or substance primarily consisting of carbon, whereby oxygen tanks, flashlights and so on are arranged inside the shelter for people who waits for rescue.

Abstract: A building construction element is used to form cast concrete interspaces in a concrete slab. The element has a bowl shaped portion which has a concave upper surface forming substantially a catenary as seen in vertical section. Supports are connected with the bowl shaped portion and extend downward relative to the bowl shaped portion.

Abstract: A jointing device (10) is provided for joining elongate members (106, 110), and 108, 112) in a building (100). The device (10) is formed form a blank (11) of sheet material and comprises a gusset portion (12) and spaced flange portion (14 and 16) each extending from an edge of the gusset portion (12) and forming a cavity there between. The device (10) further comprises a first opening (24) arranged adjacent to one end of the gusset portion and in communication with the cavity and a second opening (26) arranged adjacent to the opposite end of the gusset portion and in communication with the cavity. In use, one elongate member (106) is positioned in the cavity through the first opening (24) and a second elongate member (110) is positioned in the cavity through the second opening (26) for joining by fixing to the jointing device (10). The blank (11) has foldlines (70) and the blank (11) is configured with sections bendable along the foldlines to form the gusset portion (12) and the flange portions (14 and 16).

Abstract: A floor mold slab 3 of reinforced concrete is uniformly assembled above sleeve crowns of underground beams 12 of mat foundations 1 of reinforced concrete, and underground beam piercing pipes 43, whose length is identical to a width of the underground beam 12, both pipe ends thereof being provided with connecting portions 433 for joints, are embedded and fixed within the underground beam 12 at the time of installing concrete for the mat foundations 1, and pipes 4 that are used for guiding plumbing for water, gas or other fluids or electric wiring cables are respectively connected to both pipe ends while the pipes 4 are extended indoor and outdoor. With this arrangement, concrete closely fits to the periphery of the underground beam piercing pipes 43 so that termites can be prevented from entering an underfloor portion 5 of a building from piping portions piercing through the underground beams 12.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning steel reinforcing rods within a precast, moment-resisting frame of a building. The apparatus includes a uniquely configured hand-receiving component that can be embedded within the concrete beams that make up the building frame to permit access to the steel reinforcing rods that are slidably carried within rod receiving passageways formed within concrete beams. The apparatus also includes a uniquely configured-bladder receiving component that can be embedded within the concrete beams that make up the building frame and is so constructed and arranged as to permit as expanable bladder to readily be positioned within the cable receiving passageways formed in the beam during the grouting of the interfaces between the beams and the columns.

Abstract: A frame assembly includes a non-combustible rigid filler sheet supported within a surrounding support frame made from lengths of a structural frame member joined together. The structural frame member has an elongate body extruded from a heat meltable material and has longitudinally extending cavities. Intumescent material is located in selected cavities.

Abstract: A flat cast structural member, particularly a cast metal part or a cast plastic part wherein the surface of the structural member is covered by a thin metal sheet or a plastic layer. An adhesive or coupling layer is provided between the thin metal sheet or plastic layer, whereby under the influence of heat, the adhesive or coupling layer absorbs any surface unevenness or irregularities on the structural member.

Abstract: A structural member having a top flange, a web and a bottom support. The top flange transitions into the web and the web transitions into the bottom support. The overall height of the structural member varies to accommodate structural panels, including insulation and acoustical panels, of similar or different thicknesses. In one preferred embodiment, an apparatus having a plurality of structural members attached to corresponding bearing plates is used as a sub-purlin to provide an economical roofing system which allows for retrofitting and easy detection and replacement of damaged roofing panels.

Abstract: A connecting structure of concrete block according to the present invention comprises connecting rods buried in divided blocks, and a connector which exerts forces to attract exposed ends of the connecting rods toward each other and maintains a condition where it exerts predetermined attracting forces. In this connecting structure, the connecting rods are attracted toward each other and the divided blocks are brought into contact with each other under pressure by tightening an external thread portion of a first tightening member into an internal thread hole of a second tightening member with a tool after the divided blocks are combined so as to match cavities thereof with each other. A connector according to the present invention comprises a first tightening member which is rotatably fitted over an exposed end of a connecting rod of one divided block and a second tightening member which is rotatably fitted over an exposed end of another concrete block.

Abstract: A rigid body has at least one hole formed therein for receiving a piece of lumber of rectangular cross-section. The hole is rectangular in cross-section to form two long sides and two short sides of the hole, with a longitudinal axis extending through the hole. Three ribs are provided which project into the hole and extend parallel with the axis of the hole. A first rib is formed at the midpoint of one of the long sides of the hole; and a second rib is formed at the midpoint of the other one of the long sides of the hole. A third rib is formed at the midpoint of one of the short sides of the hole. An opening is formed through the one short side of the hole. When the piece of lumber is disposed within the hole in the body, a fastener such as a screw extends through the opening and into the piece of lumber to fasten the body to the piece of lumber.

Abstract: The present invention is a channel-shaped connector for connecting a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysmic forces. A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a back member formed to interface with the fasteners for attaching the back member to the first building structural member, a first side member connected to the back member, a second side member connected to the back member, and first and second anchor receiving members. Both the first and second anchor receiving members extend laterally between the first and second side members, and both the first and second anchor receiving members are connected to the first and second side members.