Abstract: The invention is directed to a bitumen composition, to a paving, to a roofing, to a method for preparing a bitumen composition, to a method for increasing the stiffness of a bitumen composition, to a method of adjusting the physical properties of a bitumen composition, and to the use of a bitumen composition. The bitumen composition of the invention comprises a lignin compound or derivative thereof, wherein 10 wt. % or more by weight of said lignin compound or derivative thereof is molecularly dissolved in said bitumen composition.

Abstract: In a stator of a rotating electric machine, an annular stator core has slots. A stator winding includes phase windings of three phases of differing electrical phases that are housed in the slots and wound around the stator core. Three phase bus bars electrically connect the respective phase windings to an external apparatus. Each of the phase windings are configured by multiple parallel windings. The phase bus bars are integrated with a fixing member to form a bus bar module. Each of the phase bus bars include branch portions and a trunk portion. The branch portions are electrically connected to the respective phase windings. The trunk portion electrically connects together the branch portions, and is configured that a cross-sectional area of an end portion closest to the phase winding is smaller than a cross-sectional area of an end portion closest to the external apparatus.

Abstract: A method of assembling a structure of timber lengths, e.g. roof trusses, includes a number of upper and lower structure lengths or pieces, as well as a number of diagonals or braces etc., in which the timber lengths are laid out and fixed to one another. The structure formed from the timber lengths fixed to one another is observed by a first camera for positional determination of the structure and comparison of observation data with structure data and for controlling at least a second camera. The structure is fed into a unit for pressing in place of jointing pieces, e.g. corrugated fasteners, over the joints between the timber lengths by at least one positionable press unit, and the second camera observes the infed structure and positions the press unit at the correct position over a joint for pressing in place of a jointing piece.

Abstract: Disclosed are stable bases comprising: a plurality of members, a plurality of poles, and a plurality of dowels, where the combination provides a stable, biodegradable mat. Also disclosed are methods of constructing the above device with biodegradable materials.

Abstract: An improved laminated bat is presented using a wood inner core that maintains a constant “feel” to the bat when a ball is struck. The use of a wood inner core further ensure consent thermal expansion and bending as the bat is used to impact a ball. Progressively narrower veneer sheets of wood are heated to bond thermoset glue on the inner core to approximate the finished contour of the bat. Veneer layers are also pressed onto the bat thereby providing a completely bonded bat with any air bubbles removed when the last layer of veneer is rolled onto the bat. This reduces the amount of post processing of the bat and results in a nearly finished shape when the veneer is applied. The overlapping wood grain increases the strength of the bat and eliminated inconsistencies with hitting a ball at a particular side of the bat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a garment hanger comprising a hook attached to a central region of a support arm structure wherein the support arm is a section of bamboo having a first end and a second end and further comprising a bend where in the bend has a predetermined radius.

Abstract: A method of adjoining a pair of workpieces together comprising forming a mortise on one of such workpieces and a tenon in the other workpiece wherein one of the mortise and tenon is provided with diverging surfaces along the length thereof, inserting the tenon into the mortise and displacing one of such workpieces relative to the other of the workpieces along a line of travel parallel to the length to the mortise to cause the diverging surfaces of one of the mortise and tenon to engage the surfaces of the other of the mortise and tenon thereby positioning the workpieces relative to each other.

Abstract: Floor boards and wood flooring for truck trailers and containers as well as methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example wood floor for truck trailers and containers may include a wood member having a top surface and a bottom surface. The wood member may include a plurality of wood strips that are attached together. A coating essentially impermeable to liquid water and water vapor may cover the bottom surface. The coating may include crosslinking polyvinyl acetate.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for wood construction, comprising: a plurality of layers facially attached to each other, each layer comprising a plurality of primary wood members, each neighboring two of the primary wood members being connected by a plurality of connecting wood members, each connecting wood member extending between the two neighboring primary wood members, each one of the layers being oriented with each primary wood member of the layer overlapping a plurality of respective connecting wood members of a neighboring one of the layers.

Abstract: A wax composition comprising a lignin derivative wherein the derivative has a total hydroxyl content of from about 0.1 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g.

Abstract: A method of joining a plurality of elongate log members using mortise and tenon joinery includes the step of forming mortise sockets in the log members at a controllable depth relative to a longitudinal central axis of the log members. Log members having tenons formed thereon for connection between two mortise bearing log members can thus be standardized and interchangeable with one another even when an outer surface of the log members is irregular in profile. A device for forming mortise sockets and tenons on log members in a reproducible manner includes a pair of work holders which define a longitudinal axis of the log member. A mortise cutter and a tenon cutter are supported for movement relative to the work holders for controllably forming the mortise sockets and tenons in a log member relative to the longitudinal central axis of the log member.

Abstract: A wood plank which is dimensionally stable and moisture resistant includes a sealant layer on at least four of its sides. A geometric variation (e.g., tongue and groove) may be located on at least one side of the dimensionally stable wood. The sealant layer may be applied to the tongue and groove as well. A method for manufacturing the dimensionally stable wood is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panel assembled from individual timbers for high buildings, wherein a plurality of layers of parallel square timbers (1) are arranged lying on one another with predefined crossing angles between the square timbers of adjacent layers and are joined to one another at predefined crossing points by means of screws perpendicular to the planes of the layers.

Abstract: A method for the production of panel-type components having at least three layers of boards disposed parallel to the plane of the component, with the boards being connected to one another without glue by dowels extending substantially transversely to the plane of the component, includes disposing a plurality of layers of boards on top of each other in different orientations, providing a plurality of bores in these boards which penetrate the layers, and pressing dowels into the bores. An especially high strength is achieved by tensioning layers of the boards during drilling and insertion of the dowels, the tensioning including applying compressive forces. Also, the dowels are preferably compacted in a radial direction before insertion in the bores.

Abstract: A method of assembling a structure of timber lengths, e.g. roof trusses, includes a number of upper and lower structure lengths or pieces, as well as a number of diagonals or braces etc., in which the timber lengths are laid out and fixed to one another. The structure formed from the timber lengths fixed to one another is observed by a first camera for positional determination of the structure and comparison of observation data with structure data and for controlling at least a second camera. The structure is fed into a unit for pressing in place of jointing pieces, e.g. corrugated fasteners, over the joints between the timber lengths by at least one positionable press unit, and the second camera observes the infed structure and positions the press unit at the correct position over a joint for pressing in place of a jointing piece.

Abstract: The foundation consists of an assembly of wooden components which interconnect to form an enclosed rectangular configuration for supporting a mattress. At each corner of the assembly are two posts which are interconnected by dowels or by a tongue and groove. The dowels and the mouths of the openings in which they are accommodated are bevelled for facilitating the insertion of the dowels into the openings should they be misaligned. The tongues and grooves are also bevelled for the same reason. The wooden components are subject to compressive forces and to a heat treatment before being assembled into the foundation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for jointing wood veneers to each other with an edge joint. In the method, the veneers to be jointed are first positioned with edges to be jointed against each other, and thereafter a jointing operation of the veneers to each other is performed at connection points spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of a joint between the veneers. The method comprises forming in the to-be-jointed veneers a row of not less than three through-holes at said connection points, said row extending across the joint between the abutting edges of the veneers to be jointed, such that one of the holes substantially coincides with the joint, and thereafter attaching the veneers to each other by means of splicing tools to be fitted in the holes.

Abstract: A method for making wicker constructions is proposed, which can be used for interior decoration of buildings as heating radiators screens, light-weight partitions, wall and ceiling panels, furniture elements and door-panels. The method allows decreasing efforts for making the wickering and increasing rigidness and carrying capacity of wicker constructions. The wickered elements are placed into the construction along two, predominantly mutually perpendicular directions. The first direction elements are pre-produced as straps with straight profile or corrugated profile with a step L, the second direction elements are pre-produced as straps with corrugated profile with a step L. The first elements are placed in parallel rows with an interval L/2. The first elements crossing the second elements are placed into their depressions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a compressed wood product includes attaching a paper piece on a surface of a wooden piece cut-out from raw wood, the paper piece containing vegetable fiber as a main component; and compressing the wooden piece with the paper piece attached thereon to deform the wooden piece into a predetermined shape under a water vapor atmosphere of a temperature and pressure higher than those of an atmospheric air.

Abstract: A method of inserting wooden or plastic connecting elements into at least one of end faces and longitudinal sides of technical wood products which are continuously conveyed along a device. The technical wood products have two opposing planar surfaces, the end faces connect the opposing planar surfaces and have a relatively small surface area compared to the two opposing planar surfaces. At least one of the end faces and the longitudinal sides have grooves for receiving the connecting elements. The method includes providing an inventory of pre-fabricated connecting elements. Cutting and separating the connecting elements and transferring the connecting elements from the inventory into magazines. Grasping individual ones of the connecting elements from the magazines with a transfer device and lifting or lowering the individual connecting element to the height of the groove in the technical wood products.

Abstract: The pole can include a plurality of elongated panels, the elongated panels being oriented substantially longitudinally relative to an axis of the pole and being face-joined in a stacked arrangement. Each one of the elongated panels can be an assembly of substantially longitudinally-oriented wood boards. The method can include face joining a plurality of elongated panels into an elongated stack, where each one of the elongated panels can be an assembly of substantially longitudinally-oriented wood boards.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bamboo manufacturing field, in particular, to a process for making a bamboo filament slab floor by opposite directional hot pressing. Aiming to overcome the defects that, while compressing, the existing bamboo filament slab floor at normal temperature under cold pressing is easy to rebound and expand, has low strength and weak resistance to abrasion and is easy to mildew while using for a long time, the present invention adopts shredding bamboo sheet, sizing treatment, molding bamboo filament and etc. procedures, characterized in that, a secondary drying procedure should be inserted between said sizing treatment and bamboo filament molding procedure; said sizing treatment should be implemented by soak sizing bamboo filament; said compressing includes opposite directional hot pressing of positive pressing and side pressing.

Abstract: A joint for joining one board to another board comprises a plurality of alternating top and bottom fingers. The top fingers each have a top surface and a sloped surface. The top surfaces of the top fingers are level and contiguous with the top surface of the board, and the sloped surfaces angle from the outer ends of the top fingers inward and downward to the bottom surface of the board. The bottom fingers each have a bottom surface and a sloped surface. The bottom surfaces of the bottom fingers are level and contiguous with the bottom surface of the board, and the sloped surfaces angle from the outer ends of the bottom fingers inward and upward to the top surface of the board. When two boards having such joints are joined, the top fingers of each board interlace and the bottom fingers of each board interlace.

Abstract: A compressed wood product includes a first part composed of a wooden material compressed into a predetermined shape; and a second part to be joined with the first part. A direction of wooden fibers of the wooden material composing the first part is substantially parallel with a lengthwise direction of the first part and intersects with a thickness direction of the first part. At least one surface of the second part is substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the first part.

Abstract: A process for producing a decoration, in particular a wood decoration, and a relief, corresponding to the decoration, on the top side of a woodbased-material board which is pressed in a press, by means of a pressing plate, with a cover layer made of a synthetic resin, in particular a paper layer impregnated with melamine resin, which has been applied to the top side of the woodbased-material board, the relief being stamped, during the pressing operation, by a female die which interacts with the pressing plate, is distinguished in that the decoration and the relief are introduced simultaneously into the cover layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an wood-gluing system enabling the continuous production of glued pieces of lumber for panels and the like. The system includes a deck, a horizontal displacement system for advancing lumber across the deck, a braking system, a one-way clamping system and an upstream pressure system. The system may be used in conjunction with finger-jointing processes or with single pieces of lumber and may be used for the production of both furniture grade and construction grade wood products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing glued laminated wood such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) are disclosed. The glued laminated wood is made of a number of wood sheets such as veneer sheets which are laminated together by a hot press with a thermosetting adhesive into a continuous length of multiple-layered board of the glued laminated wood wherein wood sheets in each layer of the multiple-layered board are arranged in a staggered relation in the lengthwise direction of the board to wood sheets in an adjacent layer. The hot press has a pair of heating plates arranged substantially in facing relation to each other and an auxiliary heating plate disposed adjacent to one end of each heating plate. The auxiliary heating plate is adapted to press part of wood sheet which extends out beyond the above end of the heating plate.

Abstract: The fundamental technique of the method for making cellular cores is to make stacks of components which are configured such that cutting slices off the stacks produces cellular cores and, when needed, components used in stacks used to produce cellular cores. One of the basic components used in the stacks is termed a ribbed ply which is a ply (thin sheet of material such as wood) with a number of ribs (long thin strips of material such as wood) attached to the ply, parallel to each other. The spaces between the ribs are filled with filler material such as foam plastic, and the cells in the cellular core are filled with the filler material. The filler material is introduced as layers of the material stacked alternately with plies and adhesively attached. Slices of such a stack, sliced parallel to the grain of the plies (if wood) are called ribbed fillers. Stacking ribbed fillers and plies produces a stack having a cross section which, when sliced, produces filled cell cellular cores.

Abstract: The fundamental technique of the method for making cellular cores is to make stacks of components which are configured such that cutting slices off the stacks produces cellular cores and, when needed, components used in stacks used to produce cellular cores. One of the basic components used in the stacks is termed a ribbed ply which is a ply (thin sheet of material such as wood) with a number of ribs (long thin strips of material such as wood) attached to the ply, parallel to each other. If the spaces between the ribs are filled with filler material such as foam plastic, the cells in the cellular core will be filled with the filler material. The filler material is introduced as layers of the material stacked alternately with plies and adhesively attached. Slices of such a stack, sliced parallel to the grain of the plies (if wood) are called ribbed fillers. Stacking ribbed fillers and plies produces a stack having a cross section which, when sliced, produces filled cell cellular cores.

Abstract: A method for producing a processed substantially continuous veneer ribbon is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of debarked wood logs. A substantially continuous veneer ribbon is separated from each of said plurality of debarked wood logs. The substantially continuous veneer ribbons is conveyed to a plurality of storage locations. A system is provided for processing the substantially continuous veneer ribbons introducing a plurality of the substantially continuous veneer ribbons from the storage location to the continuous veneer ribbon process system. A processed continuous veneer ribbon is formed from the plurality of the substantially continuous veneer ribbons in the continuous veneer ribbon process system.

Abstract: A process for producing a decoration, in particular a wood decoration, and a relief, corresponding to the decoration, on the top side of a woodbased-material board which is pressed in a press, by means of a pressing plate, with a cover layer made of a synthetic resin, in particular a paper layer impregnated with melamine resin, which has been applied to the top side of the woodbased-material board, the relief being stamped, during the pressing operation, by a female die which interacts with the pressing plate, is distinguished in that the decoration and the relief are introduced simultaneously into the cover layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an wood-gluing system enabling the continuous production of glued pieces of lumber for panels and the like. The system includes a deck, a horizontal displacement system for advancing lumber across the deck, a braking system, a one-way clamping system and an upstream pressure system. The system may be used in conjunction with finger-jointing processes or with single pieces of lumber and may be used for the production of both furniture grade and construction grade wood products.

Abstract: A pre-textured sealing tape is provided for sealing the chink between the stacked logs in a log structure. A paper, plastic, metal or textile type of backing support material is coated with a thin layer of flexible moisture impermeable material resembling conventional chinking materials. A suitable adhesive can be applied to the opposite side of the support materials with the adhesive covered by a release layer. The tape is cut to the desired width for the chink that is to be sealed and is finished in a rolled configuration. A synthetic resin mixed with a granular material has been found to be suitable for the flexible coating and texturing of the tape. The tape can be applied directly to the logs, between the logs or to objects positioned within the chink, such as splines, insulation sheeting, or plywood panels. The tape can cover the space between simulated logs attached to panels used in simulated log structures.

Abstract: A method of producing a three-dimensionally, flexibly deformable surface element of wood or wood composite material is provided. A workpiece is used having a thickness at least 5% greater than the thickness of a three-dimensional surface element that is to be prepared. Narrow, spaced-apart grooves are introduced into the workpiece and have a depth greater than or the same as the thickness of the three-dimensional surface element yet less than the thickness of the workpiece. The portion of the workpiece that is greater than the thickness of the surface element is separated or otherwise processed from the remainder of surface element in such a way that at least temporarily no fixed cohesion of portions separated by the grooves exist. Prior to, during of after separation from the workpiece the portions thereof separated from one another by the grooves are fixed to one another and/or to a substrate by a transverse connection or bond.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joint between pieces (2) like wood. Into the joint a band (4) is tightened in a special point so that in the joint a moment is produced, where the tensile stresses are transmitted through the band and the compression stresses through contact. Alternatively, the band is placed to run in the joint so that it becomes a hinge.

Abstract: A power-operated hand tool has a handle portion or frame that is gripped by the operator using two hands. A clamping portion comprising a pair of opposed jaws extends outwardly from the handle portion and utilizes an air cylinder to move an upper clamping jaw toward and away from the lower fixed jaw. Both jaws have free outermost ends that cooperatively define an entry mouth into a clamping zone between the jaws. In use, a group of individual boards are laid side-by-side in edge-to-edge relationship slightly above a work surface so as to permit the lower jaw of the tool to be slipped beneath the boards while the upper jaw becomes placed above the boards, both of which extend transversely across the boards. Upon actuation of the air cylinder, the upper jaw comes down into flattening engagement with the boards, causing them to be clamped down into generally flat alignment with one another in a common plane so as to present a substantially smooth top surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminated beam includes assembling a plurality of individual wood laminations in a juxtaposed relationship, and joining the assembled laminations together to form a laminated beam. The assembled laminations define a tension zone of individual wood laminations, a core zone of individual wood laminations, and an compression zone of individual wood laminations. The average thickness of the laminations in the tension zone is less than the average thickness of the laminations in the core zone, and the average thickness of the laminations in the compression zone is less than the average thickness of the laminations in the core zone.

Abstract: A building board which is provided on the surface thereof with a concave and convex pattern, and opposite sides thereof with overlying rabbeted portions (2-1, 6-1, 6-2) and underlying rabbeted portions (3-1, 3-2, 5-1), respectively, wherein each overlying rabbeted portion (2-1, 6-1, 6-2) is constituted by one end portion of the convex portion (2, 6) of said pattern; each underlying rabbeted portion (3-1, 3-2, 5-1) is constructed to have an area bigger than the area of corresponding overlying rabbeted portion (2-1, 6-1, 6-2) bearing said convex portion and formed on the opposite side; and each of said opposite sides is provided on the rear side thereof with a linear contact surface (7-1, 7-2).

Abstract: The invention is a wane-free engineered wood product and the method of its manufacture. Lumber having wane along one or more edges is first milled to produce rectangular notches along each of the four edges. The notches are sized to remove all or most of the wane. The notched piece is then ripped lengthwise to produce two strips. These are rotated 180° and placed adjacently so that the notched edges face each other and form longitudinal channels. Strips of oriented strand board or a similar material are then affixed into the channels, preferably by gluing, reuniting then again into a unitary wane-free structural member.

Abstract: A system for attaching a drawer face includes a fixture capable of attaching to a drawer box. The fixture has a surface that is substantially planar to a surface of the drawer box. A semi-permanent attachment device is capable of connecting the surface of the fixture to the drawer face. This system holds the drawer face in place while the carpenter screws the drawer face to the drawer box.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of gluing veneers to form LVL and plywood boards from veneers laid one over the other in several layers by curing the adhesive placed between the single layers in a heated press. The invention consists in the fact that the gluing and pressing of the outer layers of a veneer pack to form LVL and plywood boards is performed by high-temperature adhesive and the inner layers by low-temperature adhesive, so that the amount of heat to be put into the veneer pack decreases from the outside in.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process whereby low-grade lumber, (i.e., lumber having surface defects such as knots, voids, wane, and bark pockets, and warp defects such as twist, bow, crook and sweep), is converted to higher grade lumber and panel products. The process of the present invention involves first categorizing low-grade lumber, arranging a specified number of the categorized low-grade lumber side by side in a manner which offsets the surface defects on adjacent lumber by a minimum distance, and then face-laminating the categorized low-grade lumber together to form a cant. Warp defects such as bow, twist and crook are also offset in the arrangement of the cant and are straightened through the clamping and bonding process. The cant is then re-sawn to produce new, laminated wood products of a higher grade, each new laminated wood product including portions of the original lumber.

Abstract: A method for making a beveled laminate corner on an edge piece for laminate countertop includes making a first cut into a laminate-covered edge piece at the angle of the bevel at the front edge of the edge piece. The first cut terminates below the laminate at the top of the edge piece. A second cut is made through the laminate and into the edge piece at an angle that is normal to the first cut. The second cut intersects the first cut at its upper extremity and has a predetermined depth. A rectangularly cross-sectioned laminate-covered bevel piece, having a thickness equal to said predetermined depth, is then adhesively attached to the edge piece abutting the surfaces formed by the first and second cuts.

Abstract: A technique for forming a contoured axially extending engineered moulding that has at least one axially extending exposed surface. The technique includes providing an elongated outer wood section. A substrate having at least one axially extending side is provided. The wood section is adhered to the axially extending side. The wood section is contoured uniformly in an axial direction to form the exposed surface. A preferred embodiment uses a reengineered rip saw to contour the piece of wood. It is also assumed that multiple moldings can be machined by the reengineered rip saw simultaneously. The simultaneous machining by the reengineered rip saw also permits simultaneous measurements and simultaneous cross cutting and dado cutting of the moldings.

Abstract: Door frames, window frames, baseboards, corner mouldings, etc are trimmed with solid wood, eg oak, trim pieces. The trim pieces are fitted over splines which are screwed to the wall. A jig enables the splines to be located accurately in position. The spline includes no beads, snaps, or other features that would require the oak trim section to flex; instead, the trim is secured by the friction arising from the fit of the spline into a groove cut into the rear face of the trim section. In a variation, a pair of parallel grooves are provided, together with a corresponding pair of splines, which are mounted on a web.

Abstract: A durable chair mat has a resin impregnated backing sheet base layer, a polyvinylchloride middle layer and a wood veneer top layer laminated together.

Abstract: A method for making hardwood or decorative plywood. The plywood includes a number plies including a back veneer, a face veneer, and a number of core and center plies. The method forms subunits of plies and stacks the discrete formed subunits to form a unit. The unit is processed to forms discrete hardwood panels. Subunits having different sets of plies are formed. The subunits are formed by sequencing the order of placement of the plies so that the face and back veneers do not touch the conveyor. This process enables line assembly of hardwood plywood. Without this sequencing, at least the back veneers would touch the conveyor subjecting the panel to aesthetic damage due to the nature of the outer veneers. This process also significantly reduced the labor necessary for forming the panels because numerous subunits can be formed simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a multi-panel door. The method includes the steps of fashioning a plurality of rails; fashioning a plurality of panels; fashioning a plurality of mullions; fashioning a plurality of stiles; and preassembling selected rails, selected panels, and selected mullions into sub-assemblies of the door. The sub-assemblies are positioned intermediate a first stile and a second stile in a pre-assembly orientation with the first stile and second stile generally coplanar with the sub-assemblies. The sub-assemblies, the first stile, and the second stile are compressively urged together in two substantially perpendicular axes to create a squared assembly with respect to the two axes. The sub-assemblies are intermediate the first stile and the second stile and are affixed to the first stile along at least a portion of the first stile, and are affixed to the second stile along at least a portion of the second stile.

Abstract: A personal vehicle loading and unloading apparatus includes a support structure mounted to a platform such as a truck bed which supports the personal vehicle, and a moveable ramp mounted telescopically within the support structure. The ramp is manually moveable between a retracted position where substantially the entire ramp is within the truck bed and an extended position where substantially the entire ramp extends from the truck bed. The ramp and the support structure each have an upper surface over which the bottom surface of the personal vehicle, or a conveyor for the vehicle, rides as the personal vehicle is moved to and from the truck bed. These upper surfaces each comprise an anti-friction material having a kinetic friction coefficient no greater than 0.5. A winch mechanism mounted to the support structure pulls the personal vehicle into the truck bed during loading and lowers slowly the personal vehicle from the truck bed during unloading.

Abstract: Fiberboard doors and methods for constructing the same are shown. Doors are constructed by assembling fiberboard stiles and fiberboard rails to form door-halves and then by bringing the door-halves together. The doors may be constructed to have one or more panels, mullions and intermediate rails. The doors may also be of standard or decorative design, and include panels made of glass or other materials.