Abstract: A plow, including a center blade and a wing blade coupled to each end of the center blade. Each wing blade is pivotally connected to the center blade about an axis. The plow includes a first pair of wear strips, with one wear strip coupled to the first end of the center blade and the other wear strip coupled to one wing blade. A second pair of wear strips is included, with one wear strip coupled to the second end of the center blade and the other wear strip coupled to the other wing blade. A wing pivot tube is coupled to the wing blades and center blade at each end of the center blade. The wing blade, wear strips, and wing pivot tube at each end of the center blade minimize a gap between the blades throughout the range of movement of each wing blade.

Abstract: A card holder including a pop-up element for holding and presenting a card when the card holder is opened.

Abstract: A portable advertising system well suited for outdoor advertising at night includes a body adapted to be secured to a transportation vehicle and may include a universal attachment system for that purpose. An advertisement may be displayed on an advertising surface mounted on the body. An illumination source is directed towards the advertising surface and may be integrated into an electronic display unit or may be directed at an advertising sheet such as a vinyl sheet. When the advertising sheet is used, a sheet tension system typically maintains tension on the sheet, and an openable protective cover may protect the sheet when not in use. The illumination source may be controlled based on environmental light conditions, sheet tension and/or position of the protective cover. The body may be part of a cargo container such as an ISO container suited for securing to a railroad car or other vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve a system to electrostatically mount a display system with a number of visible indicators that define regions and magnetically mount a number of tokens that correspond to the defined regions. In an illustrative example, the display system may include a flexible vinyl carrier of between 0.004 and 0.010 inches which may be sufficient thickness to facilitate removal of air bubbles but sufficiently thin to support magnetic tokens on a wide variety of target surfaces. One surface of the carrier may provide a retention force generated by electrostatic forces between the first surface and a target surface. In an example implementation, the target surface may be the exterior of a residential appliance. An opposite surface of the carrier may include visible indicia, for example, of a map.

Abstract: A muzzle loading firearm has a barrel with a bore on a bore axis, and has a muzzle end and a breech end. A frame is connected to the barrel, and has a breech face. The frame moves between an open position in which the breech face is away from the breech end of the barrel, and a closed position in which the breech face abuts the breech end of the barrel. A breech plug is removably attached to the barrel, and is connected to the barrel by way of interrupted, or multistart threads, or locking lugs. The breech plug may have a rear face that abuts the breech face when the frame is closed, so that a primer contained in a primer pocket in the rear of the breech plug is fully supported on all sides.

Abstract: An ambidextrous safety for a firearm includes a first portion, a second portion and a pivot pin, where each portion has a thumb lever that is rotatable in a frame aperture about the pivot pin having a first end and a second end. The first end is integrally disposed on the first portion and the second end has a first part of a two-part fastener. The second portion has a second part of the two-part fastener. The fastener rigidly secures the first portion to the second portion through the aperture. One part of the fastener has a socket and the other part has a protuberance for receipt in the socket. The protuberance is oblong and tapers inwardly. The socket has a socket aperture having a cutaway, tapering inwardly for receipt of the protuberance. The socket and the protuberance provide an interference fit. The two-part fastener provides retention and minimizes backlash.

Abstract: Butt with recoil pad for a shoulder-held firearm, with the butt comprising a recoil pad, characterized in that the recoil pad is mounted on the butt by means enabling the position of the recoil pad to be adjusted with respect to the butt so as to be able to personalize the position of the recoil pad for the shooter with respect to an average position in which the recoil pad is primarily located in the extension of the butt.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting on a standard mounting platform, such as a Picatinny-type rail, the assembly provides engaged contact between the rail and the surfaces of a base and a clamp. The clamp is rotatably attached to a base, allowing a user to quickly shift the assembly between a rail-engaging position and a disengaged position. The base also preferably contains a locking mechanism that allows a user to lock the assembly in a rail-engaging position. The assembly is particularly useful for the mounting of accessories, such as scopes and sights, onto Picatinny-type rails that are affixed to firearms.

Abstract: A mount adapter device is disclosed which utilizes a sliding mechanism for repositioning accessories attached to a firearm between operative and inoperative positions relative to the firearm. The sliding mount adapter device generally includes a base member, a guiding member, and a sliding member. The base member is configured to be attached to a firearm. The sliding member includes an upper portion configured to receive and retain an accessory. The sliding member is slidably engaged with the guiding member such that the sliding member may be repositioned between a first position relative to the base member and a second position relative to the base member by being slidably moved across the guiding member which is connected to the base member.

Abstract: A propelling device for propelling bait and lures featuring a tube, a bracket is disposed on the tube, and a mounting plate disposed on the bracket. The mounting plate and tube sandwich a fishing rod. A wing extends upwardly from the mounting plate to engage the reel seat base of a reel. A spring is disposed in an inner cavity of the tube. The spring can move between a relaxed position and a compressed position. A plunger extends out of the first end of the tube and is attached to an outer end of the spring. When the plunger is pulled backwardly away from the tube the spring moves to the compressed position and when the plunger is released the spring moves back to the relaxed position such that an object in front of the outer end of the spring is propelled out of the second end of the tube.

Abstract: The grip of certain embodiments includes a flexible mounting tube that can engage a rod and a sheet that including a polymer outside layer and inside layer and is attached to the tube. The sheet includes a friction enhancing feature and can have a seam joining edges of the sheet in either a substantially vertical or a substantially helical fashion.

Abstract: A rodent trap includes a box having one or more entrance tubes provided therein. The entrance tubes are in communication with a mouse hole in the side wall of the box. Within each tube is a tilt ramp that tilts in response to a weight of 4 grams at a distance of one and 5/16 inches from the pivot axis to the tilt ramp.

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 air filtration apparatus for use in horticultural applications provides, in the exemplary embodiment, a coupling portion configured for engagement about an un-filtered air source in fluid communication with an enclosed plant growing area. The coupling portion defines an opening extending therethrough. A support portion is integral about a free end of the coupling portion. A reticulated foam piece is coupled to, and configured for covering, an opposing end of the support portion. The opposing end of the support portion has a diameter relatively larger than that of the coupling portion. Thus, with the coupling portion engaged about the un-filtered air source, the apparatus is capable of removing or trapping impurities—such as dust, dirt, pollen, mold spores, insects, pests, etc.—as the un-filtered air travels into the opening of the coupling portion and through the reticulated foam piece, thereby keeping said impurities out of the associated plant growing area.

Abstract: A landscape edging system has edging strip material with ends having a laterally extending projection and adapted for overlapping relation when assembled and having end edges disposed in edge to edge relation. A stake clip member is mounted to each of the laterally extending projections and defines a stake receptacle. An installation stake extends through the vertically aligned stake receptacles and secures the end portions of adjacent strips of landscape edging material in said overlapping edge to edge relation and supports the landscape edging strip material in upright position. The installation stake and stake receptacles have interacting wedge shaped geometry that locks the ends of the strip material in assembly.

Abstract: A plant support is assembled from a plurality of interchangeable parts that can be readily assembled together to form a complete plant assembly having a desired size, in either an open or closed configuration, and to readily permit disassembly for storage or reconfiguration of the support. The plant support may be made up of various horizontal and vertical members that are configured to readily attach and detach from one another in order to form supports in various shapes and sizes such as enclosures or trellis-type supports.

Abstract: A sprout cultivation device has a carrying body, a controlling device, at least one container, a tube and a sprinkling device. The carrying body controls the amount of water by a water controller and changes the pumping time by a timer. Moreover, an actuating switch is mounted to the carrying body to start a motor to pump the fluid to a cultivation space via the tube. Because seeds of sprouts are embedded in a tray of the container and the fluid is regularly injected into the container via the tube by the motor, the sprout cultivation device is operated automatically without manpower and accelerates the mature time of the sprouts to increase harvest. Moreover, the carrying body interiorly defines a reservoir space for accommodating the fluid to significantly diminish the carrying body's size.

Abstract: Electro-mechanical and electronically controlled access devices are described for controlling access to a building, premises or area in a secure manner such that a subject who is deemed ineligible for access will be barred entry and may be optionally retained. The devices can contain multiple rotatable door panels, which can be positioned behind one another. The door panels can be controlled by mechanized arms or other control devices in order to control the passage through the device. The direction of flow through a device according to these embodiments is electronically controlled and may be changed at any point in time. At any instant in time, the flow through the device is unidirectional. Multiple devices can be stacked together to form clusters, which can be controlled according to traffic, time of day, or other factors.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a door operator comprises a drive member and a driven member. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member both include a protrusion. The driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion. Rotation of the drive member from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door. The driven member protrusion moves in the free space without engaging the protrusion surfaces when the door is opened manually and allowed to close.

Abstract: A door is secured in spaced relation to a wall panel by a support assembly which includes a tubular housing secured to the wall and an elongate guide bar secured to the door at its bottom. The door is retained, at its top, between extruded aluminum abutments which allow the door to slide with respect to the wall panel, but prevent the door from pivoting about the guide bar.

Abstract: A crawl space vent cover assembly seals a crawl space vent during cold weather. The assembly includes a panel and an aperture extending through the panel. A line is slidably inserted through the aperture. A hook is coupled to a first end of the line for coupling to a louvered vent coupled to a vent opening. A second end of the line extends from a second surface of the panel. Pulling the second end of the line urges the hook towards a first surface of the panel such that the panel is drawn to abut a wall surface surrounding the vent opening. A retention member is coupled to the line between the second end of the line and the second surface of the panel and is positionable against the second surface of the panel to hold the panel against the wall surface.

Abstract: Low-profile, self-draining panel threshold assemblies are discussed. The threshold assemblies comprise an interior sill portion, an exterior sill portion, and a drop-down chamber therebetween. The interior sill portion may include a condensation channel, which in one example, includes a roller track centrally positioned therein. The exterior sill portion includes a drain chamber and a reservoir chamber, where the reservoir chamber is positioned below and optionally to the exterior of the drain chamber. The drop-down chamber is partially defined by an elongate exposed weather-strip and an elongate covered weather-strip. In varying examples, a reservoir chamber height is equal to or greater than a water head height at a preselected wind load pressure. In certain examples, an effective threshold assembly height is less than or equal to ¾-inch, such as less than or equal to ½-inch. Methods and apparatuses related to the threshold assemblies are also discussed.

Abstract: A weather strip having a trim portion capable of decreasing an insertion load of a flange and increasing a removal load thereof where the thickness of the flange varies, thereby preventing its turn against a flange. The weather strip has a trim portion and a seal portion. The trim portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section. An inner holding lip includes a base part, a main lip formed along an end of the base part, and a sub-lip formed from a side surface of the end of the base part so as to project obliquely with respect to the main lip in a direction of the opening of the trim portion. The sub-lip is made shorter than the main lip, and an end of the sub-lip is located on the opening side of an interior surface of a joint between the base part and the inner side wall.

Abstract: A shelter including a support assembly having a plurality of inflatable supports each having an elongated tube body and defining at least two separate longitudinal passages pneumatically separated by a bladder, wherein the tube bodies of each support is connected to the tube body of one or more of the other supports and wherein each of the passages of the each support is pneumatically connected to each of the passages of the other supports, and wherein the supports are spaced circumferentially apart as legs of the support assembly for forming a perimeter of the shelter, and a single port pneumatically coupled to only one of the supports, the port configured for passing air between an external pneumatic vessel and the support to which the port is coupled and a canopy including a plurality of wall panels, the wall panels being configured for being suspended from the support assembly.

Abstract: A method of handling the removal and installation of a manway cover to a manway flange includes removing a plurality of manway cover bolts, assembling a portable manway cover hinge device having a pair of hinge plates having a hinge aperture alignable with an existing bolt opening or a user formed bolt opening, forming one or more bolt openings in a peripheral portion of one of the manway cover and the manway flange, aligning a hinge aperture of the support member of each of the pair of hinge plates with the one or more bolt openings formed in the peripheral portion of the one of the manway cover and the manway flange or the plurality of existing bolt openings, inserting a pin into each hinge aperture of the hinge plates, and removing the remaining manway cover bolts from the manway cover.

Abstract: A display for displaying the features of a casket which has a shell, a lid and an interior, comprises a wall, a cabinet mounted to the wall, an openable and closable door mounted to the cabinet, the door having the appearance of being at least a portion of the lid of the casket, and at least a portion of the shell of the casket positioned in the cabinet.

Abstract: An architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level has a headwall unit with a cavity, a ceiling unit, and a column coupled to the ceiling unit. The column is movable between a first position in which at least a majority of the column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity. Various types of patient-care equipment is also disclosed. The patient-care equipment is included in, or is coupleable to, one or more of the ceiling unit, the headwall unit, or the column.

Abstract: A prefabricated building and method for constructing a building are provided. The prefabricated building includes a base, a first module and a second module each configured to fit within a predetermined volume. Each module includes a plurality of beams and a plurality of studs. The method for constructing a building involves prefabricating a first module, prefabricating a second module, packaging the modules for transportation, transporting the modules, and constructing the building using the modules.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method of making cornice assemblies and other trim members utilizing the process of pultrusion. The cornice assemblies and the other trim members made by the method of the present invention exhibit superior strength to weight ratios, low expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity, as well being less labor intensive to install.

Abstract: A modular element (10) for making fixed ladders, made of steel or other suitable material, having a surface (12) and two opposite shaped supports (14, 16), provided with at least one rib developed along the inner face and forming a shelf (36) for bearing a further surface (12).

Abstract: A swimming pool step assembly includes a plurality of steps which can be stacked in a vertical array including a top step, bottom step and, optionally one or more intermediate steps between the top step and the bottom step, each step having a top surface, a periphery, and a bottom, wherein the bottoms of at least the bottom step and the intermediate step(s) each include a recess configured to receive an adjacent higher step in the vertical array.

Abstract: The panel element (1) comprises a frame made up of a number of frame members (2-5) as well as a panel unit (6) including at least one vacuum multi-layer pane and at least one single-layer sheet element. A spacing element is placed between the vacuum multi-layer pane and the single-layer sheet element. The spacing element is made integrally with the corresponding frame member or as a separate spacing profile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a jamb assembly for a door having a novel structure, capable of representing a wooden feel and reinforcing the strength for a specific region by improving the structure of the jamb assembly coupled with an opening of a wall surface for the installation of the door. The jamb assembly is installed along an inner peripheral surface of an opening of a wall surface for installation of a door and constituting a door frame. The jamb assembly includes an outer skin section constituting an outer portion of the jamb assembly and having a surface molded with various patterns such as a wooden pattern, and a body core section surrounded by the outer skin section, constituting an inner frame portion of the jamb assembly, and fixedly coupled with the opening of the wall surface for the installation of the door.

Abstract: A data center includes a server, a trestle-floor, and a battery box. The server is positioned on the trestle-floor. The battery box is located under the trestle-floor and below the server. The trestle-floor includes a number of tiles. The battery box receives a number of battery units. When the battery units need to be replaced or repaired, one or more tiles of the trestle-floor are operable to be removed to expose the battery units.

Abstract: A precast composite flooring system utilizes girders and floor panels having steel lower structures placed in tension and concrete upper structures places in compression. Openings through a stem wall allow ducts, pipes, and conduits to be run therethrough. The system provides reduced weight over conventional precast or pour in place systems, allowing further reduction in the weight and size of other building components. The floor deck does not use tensioning strands, allowing openings to be formed at nearly any stage of construction and with reduced concern over cutting steel reinforcement. The floor panels and girders bolt together and bolt to a steel column frame, allowing for more efficient assembly.

Abstract: The present application is directed toward slotted tracks, in particular slotted tracks for an exterior wall application. Embodiments can include tracks with elongate reinforcing ribs on the tracks' flanges and/or web, tabs and/or protruding ribs for supporting and positioning exterior sheathing elements, second slot patterns along the length of the web of the track to allow for attachment and drift movement of the track with another wall component, and guide marks to identify proper locations for attachment of fasteners.

Abstract: Tower foundations and structures, kits and methods for making the tower foundations. Aspects of the present invention operate to decouple the required mass for the foundation from the structural components needed to resist compression and tension forces. Aspects of the present invention include a foundation structure made of structural components including pre-cast concrete, cast-in place concrete, reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, pre-tensioned concrete and post-tensioned concrete, for resisting the expected forces transferred from the tower.

Abstract: This invention relates to screed methods and building panels. According to the invention there is provided a construction panel comprising two outer wire mesh members and a middle member secured therebetween. The wire mesh members may have a plurality of V-shaped impressions along their length which serve as a built in visual and mechanical screed for finishing the panel with shotcrete or plaster. Alternatively, the wire mesh members may have a clipped-on-screed member attached thereto which serves as a visual and mechanical screed for finishing the panel. The middle member may comprises a composite of alternating layers of wire trusses and polystyrene foam. The middle member may be secured in a compressed state and released after attachment to the wire mesh members.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and components for the construction and disassembly of raised panel assemblies. These systems, methods, and components may include a flow-limiting structure that is configured to define at least one boundary of a channel that includes at least a portion of a gap between adjacent raised panels and is configured to receive a sealant material. The flow-limiting structure may limit a flow of the sealant material therepast, thereby decreasing an overall volume of sealant material needed for construction of the raised panel assembly and/or limiting undesired adhesion of the raised panels to other structures. These systems, methods, and components also may include an elongate disassembly aid that is configured to sever at least a portion of the sealant material from between adjacent raised panels upon removal from the raised panel assembly, such as to decrease a time needed for disassembly and/or repair of the raised panel assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of foam backing panels for use with lap siding and configured for mounting on a building. Also disclosed are lap siding assemblies and products of lap sidings. One such embodiment of the foam backing panel comprises a rear face configured to contact the building, a front face configured for attachment to the lap siding, alignment means for aligning the lap siding relative to the building, means for providing a shadow line, opposing vertical side edges, a top face extending between a top edge of the front face and rear face and a bottom face extending between a bottom edge of the front face and rear face.

Abstract: A molded synthetic polymer based shingle is provided as is a roof made up of underlying and overlying of courses of such shingles. The shingles are generally rigid and are provided with upwardly protruding moisture guards on the upper surfaces of their headlap portions, for guarding against wind-blown moisture entering fastener locations at which fasteners are used to attach shingles to a roof. The moisture guards may be of various configurations and by either completely or incompletely surround the fastener locations. Shields having recesses for receiving moisture guards therein, or other downward projections, may be provided at under surface locations of the shingles in cooperative engagement for further protection against moisture penetration and for facilitating alignment of shingles relative to other shingles.

Abstract: Floor panel, more particularly a laminate floor panel, wherein this floor panel comprises a decor, a top layer on the basis of synthetic material, and an underlying substrate (13), whether or not composed of several layers or parts, wherein the floor panel (1), in the surface over which the decor (10) extends, is provided with embossed portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floor covering consisting of a plurality of panel elements (1) that can be laid in combination with each other. On the front sides (2, 3) and longitudinal sides (4, 5), the panel elements have locking strips (6, 7) that engage with each other in the assembled position in a covering in which panel elements (1) adjoin each other. The front sides (2, 3) of the panel elements (1) have grooves (19, 20). The grooves (19, 20) of two abutting front sides (2, 3) are aligned and form a locking channel (21) for accommodating a front spring (22) that is pre-assembled in one of the grooves (20). The front spring (22) projects from an end of the groove (20) that faces the longitudinal side (5) of the panel element (1) and can be moved in part from one groove (20) into the corresponding groove (19) of the adjoining panel element (1) by sliding the projecting end (24) of the front spring (22) into the groove (20).

Abstract: Floor panels (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges (5a, 5b, 4a, 4b) allowing installation with vertical snap folding that could be accomplished automatically without tools and where the short edge (4a, 4b) locking system comprises a tongue (10) made in one piece with the panel.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete masonry unit for veneering the face of a building. The veneer block includes a body with planar front, top, bottom, and side surfaces with the top, bottom, and sides perpendicular to the front surface. One or more channels are formed in the rear surface. The depth of the channels are restricted to maintain no less than one inch of remaining wall thickness between the channel bottoms and the opposite front surface. The novel shape and larger minimum wall thickness of the lightweight veneer block enables production on a commercial block machine within the standard cycle time, provides weight and raw material cost savings up to 50%, and allows block heights that are not attainable with conventional hollow core veneer blocks.

Abstract: A frame assembly supports a fenestration article. The frame assembly comprises a stile member and a rail member coupled substantially transverse to the stile member. A stile tab extends axially from the stile member and a rail tab extends axially from the rail member. The stile tab is bent around the rail member and the rail tab is bent around the stile member for coupling the stile member to the rail member.

Abstract: A mounting system and method to elastically attach an object to a support structure with an elastic membrane. The elastic membrane allows the object attached thereto to elastically extend in a direction away from the support structure as force is exerted on the object. The elastic membrane includes two surface areas, the first surface area extending peripherally along a perimeter a bottom surface of the elastic membrane and a remaining second surface area. The first surface area being thermally bonded to the support structure, while the second surface area remaining separable from the support structure.

Abstract: A wall standard designed to attach to standard steel construction studs with self-tapping framing screws in the front and on the side of the device at predetermined spacings.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method, on a building site, of forming a stable and, in terms of weight, heavy modular unit under the utilization of prefabricated, in terms of weight considerably lighter, modular unit (12) transported to the building site, where said heavy modular unit (12a) can be adapted to serve as a complete modular-built cellar unit. Said modular unit displays a base slab (14) and double-walled wall sections (10, 11) anchored to the base slab. Inner and outer wall portions (10, 11) are mutually coordinated and secured to one another via supports (18) oriented within a free space formed and structured between the wall portions. The free space is completely filled with a concrete mass, which is caused to cure or set, in order in such instance to form the in terms of weight heavy modular unit. The present invention also discloses a heavy modular unit thus produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a building construction method and a room module which can realize reduction in a construction period in addition to reduction in an on-site working amount by further enlarging a room modularization range. The present invention uses four column members which are vertically provided at inner corners of four room modules adjacent to one another as a frame column of the building when a plurality of room modules are installed in a grid pattern on a floor surface of the building. Specifically, the present invention uses the column member of an angular steel pipe, which the room module has, as the frame column of the building. Thereby, on a construction site, it is not necessary to construct the frame column in advance, and the frame column can be constructed by using the column members of the room module while the room module is installed on the site.