Abstract: A base-point anchor that will allow anchoring of chalklines, plum bob lines, string for layout lines and tape rules, comprising a body with adhesive locking apertures and an anchor aperture and a bulk adhesive adhering to the body and extruded into the adhesive locking apertures.

Abstract: An illuminated display or sign includes a hollow glass block defining a closed chamber. One or more block walls are severable for access to the chamber. A neon display or other light source of any configuration is mounted upon the glass block and includes tubular extensions sealed through one wall of the block enclosing electrodes within the chamber. A transformer is enclosed within the chamber with output leads connected to the electrodes. A switch is mounted upon the block and projects into the chamber with a exterior control. Electric leads are connectable to a power source then into the block and are connected to the transformer with a switch interposed in one of the electrical leads within the chamber. As a modification, a display sign is supported within the chamber. As a further modification, two or more glass blocks are arranged in a row or intersecting rows to form a panel, with an independent display in each block or a unit display extending into and enclosed by a plurality of adjacent blocks.

Abstract: An anchoring bracket for use in attaching substantially parallel boards to a generally transverse member or joist and in spacing the boards generally comprises a rain-spacer side and a joist attachment side. The rain spacer side has a spacing portion for placement on the top of the joist for spacing a board from the joist and an extended portion attached to the spacing portion for extending over the edge of the joist. A board spacer tab, affixed to the rain-spacer side, projects generally perpendicularly upward therefrom for positioning directly adjacent a board for controlling the spacing thereof. The joist attachment side includes an attachment portion disposed generally perpendicular to the rain-spacer side for attachment to the side of the joist and an angled portion connecting the attachment portion to the outer end of the extended portion. The angled portion includes holes for receiving a fastener for fastening a board to the bracket.

Abstract: Described is a fastening element for sheathing and thermal insulation components (1) of hard foam material, in particular for the cladding concrete method of construction, which has a plate (6) which can be fixed to the hard foam material component (1) and is provided with extending fastening means (11). The plate (6) is desirably made from concrete and has a groove-and-tongue arrangement (7, 8) which co-operate with corresponding grooves (3) and tongues (4) on the component (1) so that the fastening elements (2) is fixed to the component (1) in such a manner as to be adjustable in respect of height.

Abstract: A ventilating curtain wall includes at least a vertical beam secured to a building framework and at least a horizontal beam, both beams being linked together by a ventilating coupler having a hollow bolt poking through the coupler, and each vertical beam being inserted with a ventilating pipe therein, so that a ventilating system will be formed in situ in the curtain wall for ventilating environmental air inside a building interior through a perforated horizontal beam, the ventilating coupler, and the ventilating pipe.

Abstract: Material for use in fabrication having reference markings spaced uniformly such that the markings can be used for measurement.

Abstract: An insulating panel for buildings has an insulating core with one face imprinted with a grid pattern and a multiplicity of rectilinear lines radiating from one corner and defining increasing included angles relative to the base side of the panel which corresponds to pitch lines of roofs. The pitch line of a roof may be determined, and then the equivalent angular line located on the printed face. The panel may be cut along this line to abut closely the structural member of the roof extending at that angle. Vertical and horizontal measurements of the space in which the panel is to be fitted can be readily transposed to the grid pattern for making perpendicular or horizontal cuts therealong. The panel is conveniently formed by imprinting a facing sheet member and securing it to a synthetic resin core member.

Abstract: A wall construction which comprises a wall panel and a conduit in the wall behind the wall panel, a protector secured in the wall in the area in which the conduit is located, the protector comprisng an L-shaped one-piece sheet metal member defining a base portion and a vertical portion being from about two to about eighteen inches wide and from about two to about eight inches high extending vertically behind the wall panel upwardly covering the portion of a wall in which a conduit is located, the base portion being from about two to about eighteen inches wide and extending perpendicular from the vertical portion adjacent a floor or ceiling of the construction from about two to about eight inches, and an indicia portion formed on the base portion extending outwardly from the wall panel for marking the location of a conduit after installation of a wall with the protector therein is described.

Abstract: This conduit locator is designed to indicate the location of an end of a conduit after concrete is poured over the conduit. Primarily, it consists of an adhesive tape having a multiple number of spaced rods adhered so as to extend from an edge of the tape, and the tape is adhered to the open end of the conduit which may be plugged or covered with out interfering with the rods extending upward. The rods are of a springy plastic and protrude upward after the concrete is poured over the conduit enabling the end of the conduit to be located beneath the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: A building kit is provided for the assembly of a building structure. The kit includes a plurality of building members having selected lengths and configurations. Each building member occupies a designated position in a mating engagement with at least one other companion building member to form the building structure. The building members include coded sections to provide a visual indication of which building members are to be coupled in the mating engagement, thereby facilitating assembly of the building structure. A door frame assembly can be included with the building kit. The door frame assembly includes a plurality of building members having integral connector portions to couple adjacent building members to form the door frame.

Abstract: A raised access floor construction comprises floor panels supported above a subfloor on spaced pedestal blocks upstanding from the subfloor. The pedestal blocks are maintained in predetermined positions by a base layer of thin sheeting material laid on the subfloor and having an array of pedestal block locating means formed on its upper surface in the predetermined positions and with which the pedestal blocks are engaged.

Abstract: A system of composing alphanumeric characters and/or decorative designs from modules containing line segments. There are eight different module types (I-VIII), each different module type containing a differently shaped or positioned line segment. Most characters are formed by placing six modules in an array of three high by two wide; those of the module types which are needed to create the desired character are used in the array. Some character require an array only three modules high, while others require an array of three modules high by three modules wide. This embodiment has application in the fields of signage, tiling, games, and educational toys.In another embodiment a system for composing alphanumeric characters and/or decorative designs from compound modules is provided.

Abstract: A drywall sheet is marked on the reverse side thereof with a plurality of bands; the bands are of two different types according to two modular dimensions of the sheet to form two grids, which aid in positioning drywall studs prior to the sheet being secured thereto. The obverse face is marked with two complementary marked grids to assist in positioning screws or other securing means. Preferably the obverse face has screws positioning intervals marked around the bounding edge thereof.

Abstract: From a mineral fibre strip supplied in roll form, portions (L) are cut off, the length of which corresponds to the width of a rafter area between rafters plus an oversize designed to produce a clamping effect. Formed in this way, the mineral fibre panels are so inserted into the rafter area that the lateral edges of the mineral fibre strip form the top edge and the bottom edge of the panels. In this way, it is possible to achieve virtually completely wastage-free roof insulation even when the distances between the roof rafters vary considerably, and it is possible to work with material of one uniform and considerable width which is supplied in the form of rolls. By reason of the considerable width of the mineral fibre strip, insulation of one rafter area over its entire length requires only a few mineral fibre panels, with few joints being produced.

Abstract: A reinforced composite sheathing paper for use in wall construction between interior framing and exterior materials such as stucco in which a backing sheet of asphalt saturated kraft paper is provided on the interior surface with a plurality of reinforcing bands extending for the length of the paper in spaced parallel relation, each band including a plurality of fiberglass yarns, a thermoplastic adhesive coating each of said yarns and bonding each yarn to said interior side surface whereby each of said bands reinforces said kraft paper and minimizes deflection of said paper during application of stucco to the exterior surface of the sheathing paper. A method of preparing a wall frame construction for application of exterior stucco material including the step of wrapping in one operation the wall frame construction with a longitudinally reinforced backing sheet including reinforcing bands and securing the backing sheet to the studs of the wall frame construction.

Abstract: A modular synthetic plastic concrete form structure for forming a concrete wall or free form or an enclosure having a curved corner. One form of the structure includes a pair of modular concrete impervious foamed forming panels each comprised of a series of modular foamed concrete forming sections stacked on top of one another and also disposed in end-to-end relation. The structure further includes a foamed curved corner form structure comprised of a series of arcuately curved corner sections stacked on top of one another providing a radially outer continuous curved corner area for forming a curved concrete corner. The sections each have means on upper and lower edges and at opposite vertical edges of interlocking the section in stacked end-to-end engagement with one another. The panels are positioned in spaced opposed relation.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the placing of gypsum plasterboards, the boards are provided on their surface with a marking, which comprises length scales extending along regularly spaced apart lines which are parallel to the edges of the board. The marking may preferably be applied in the form of paints which fade under the action of light.

Abstract: A channel shaped strip formed of a resilient material that is press-fitted over the beams of a deck to protect the beams from water damage and the like. The strip also contains a series of raised resilient ribs equally spaced along its length. The inside distance between adjacent ribs is equal to the width of the planking mounted upon the beams. The strips are fitted upon the beams to that the ribs are co-aligned in rows that are perpendicular to the beams so that the planks can be laid down between the ribs in spaced apart parallel alignment.

Abstract: A joist protector which is placeable between a joist and a plurality of planks prevents water from entering the joist through nail holes or cracks. The joist protector has a generally planar central web and downwardly angled side flanges. A plurality of spaced water deflectors and interspersed deck planking spacers may be formed on the central web.

Abstract: This process of forming ornamental joints comprises sticking a sheet flooring material onto a floor base, thereafter drawing two parallel standard lines on this stuck sheet flooring material with a desired outline and an interval corresponding to the width of the joint, sliding a cutter on the sheet flooring material along this standard line thereby to draw two parallel cuts on this flooring material, stripping the sheet flooring material between these cuts to thereby form a joint-forming grooved portion provided with a masking along side edges of stuck sheet flooring material and charging this grooved portion with a joint material. This process permits to obtain various patterned ornamental joints.

Abstract: A sheet metal connector for wood-to-wood, metal or concrete connections between holding and held members in a building structure in which all or substantially all of the nail openings in the connector are omitted and replaced by indicia inscribed, printed, or formed in the connector at or near the locations where the nail holes were formerly punched. Fasteners, such as nails may be driven through the indicia areas of the connector and into the held and holding members by automatic nailing guns or heavy hand held impact hammers.

Abstract: A clamping device adapted to receive respectively in each of two linearly spaced members the distill end of a shroud line and a deck plate mount, the members being moveable along a threaded shaft to draw the distall end of the shroud line toward the deck plate member for attachment thereto; and a guage for determining precisely the linear relationship between the distill end of the shroud line and the deck plate.

Abstract: A structure and method is disclosed for facilitating the construction of a brick facade. A panel is provided made of bonded vacuum formed polystyrene and extruded polystyrene foam. The outer portion is specially configured to secure bricks in place by a friction fit until mortar is laid. The rear surface of the bricks are secured by adhesive to the surface of the outer portion of the panel. Channel bars separate the bricks in a vertical direction while other spacing means are used to locate the bricks in the horizontal direction the proper distance from one another. The mortar is then laid in place by hand to create the effect of bricks laid by a mason. Because of the materials used and the configuration, the panel can be cut at the work site to accommodate variations in the structure being erected. The cutting operation can be accomplished by a commercial cutting knife, the panel nailed in place, and bricks laid within the panel by an unskilled construction worker.

Abstract: A protective cap of inverted channel shape for placement on beams to protect same from moisture. A lengthwise extending recess in the cap upper surface receives a pliable sealant having a surface which is in pressurized contact with a beam supported structural member. A seal is thus provided about fasteners driven through the cap. Diverging side walls of the cap discharge moisture away from the beam sides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and positioning a plurality of anchor bolts in concrete to provide a tie down apparatus for columns and posts. The apparatus includes two or more anchor bolts passing through and welded to a locator plate. The anchor bolts are turned at the lower end and are threaded at the upper end. The anchor bolts are positioned, aligned and set in relationship to one another with the longitudinal center lines of the anchor bolts positioned parallel to one another in a predetermined spaced apart relationship to the locator plate that is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal center lines of the anchor bolts. The locator plate is adjustably connected to removable cross members which are supported by forms in a final position during the pouring of support concrete around and beneath the tie down apparatus.

Abstract: A synthetic plastic concrete wall tie comprising a pair of triangular truss sections disposed in end-to-end relation, an intermediate web section joining the truss sections of the apexes of triangles of the triangular truss sections, and T-shaped end sections at opposite ends of the tie with each end section being formed integral with its stem joined with the associated triangular truss section, the cross piece of each T-shaped end section comprising means for anchoring the tie to a slotted wall section when assembled therewith.The tie is usable with modular foamed plastic concrete form structure having a pair of modular concrete forming panels. The panels are comprised of a series of modular concrete forming sections stacked on top on one another in secured assembly and also disposed in end-to-end relation.

Abstract: Gypsum wallboard, for use in drywall construction, printed with suitable identifying indicia on the face using an optical brightener which is visible only under ultra-violet light. The wallboard is identifiable as to source, after the board is installed, and even after having been painted.

Abstract: A large surface to be lined with a covering cut precisely to size, e.g. a wall of a room or building to be paneled or papered, is marked with strips of adhesive measuring tape posted thereon along orthogonally intersecting lines to divide its area into zones whose dimensions can be accurately read thereon. The strips may be left in position when the covering is applied and, advantageously, have centerlines determining the boundaries of adjoining zones, the covering being divided into sections abutting one another along these boundaries.

Abstract: A panel which comprises a substrate of transparent or translucent material having applied to one or both sides a design superimposed on, or forming part of, an opaque pattern so that the design on one side of the panel cannot be seen from the other side.

Abstract: A greenhouse construction is provided which includes adjacent panels, each including a front wall section, a sloped roof section and a curved section which is located between and connects the front wall and sloped roof sections to form a continuous module. Each panel includes and is laterally bordered by glazing bar sections and glazing is provided which extends between these sections. The glazing is, at least in part, supported by the glazing bar sections and includes a curved glazing section corresponding to and constituting at least a part of the curved section of the associated panel. One of the galzing bar sections of each panel abuts the corresponding glazing bar section of the next adjacent panel and is in mirror image and matched relationship therewith. Together the glazing bar sections cooperatively form a glazing bar. The abutting glazing bar sections include matched curved sections which can be matched by being bent simultaneously by a common bending force.

Abstract: A spacing and support construction member for wood frame construction which provides precise positioning and support for cross-members, such as joists and rafters, on their supporting members, and, in addition, provides for pre-nailing positioning of blocking pieces between cross-members, and furnishes supplementary vertical connection and support, the latter having special use in the attachment of rafters. The construction member comprises a center strip, laid longitudinally along support members, from which transversely-oriented perpendicular projections extend to position the cross-members for attachment. Additional projections provide supplementary horizontal, or, when bent about the edge of the supporting member, vertical attachment means for the construction member, permitting direct vertical connection between the cross-member and its supporting member. The projections from the center strip additionally provide edges for the positioning of blocking pieces between the cross-members for attachment.

Abstract: A mounting system for plastic siding comprises an elongated nailing strip from which a siding panel is suspended by means of interlocking channels which permit longitudinal relative movement resulting from differential thermal expansion or contraction. A predetermined amount of horizontal overlap of adjacent panels is assured by the provision of a notch adjacent each end of the panel, which notch is intended to be vertically aligned with the end of the adjacent panel. The same notches provide a guide for centering the nailing strip on its associated panel. Unintended disassembly of each strip-panel pair is presented by dimple-like deformations near the end of each strip cahnnel, which function to limit the longitudinal travel of the associated panel channel therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to exterior wall and roof constructions wherein a space is provided between an outer sheathing layer and the underlying structure for passage of air to assist in heating, cooling and ventilating functions. Perforated channel members are installed in the area at which air enters and/or leaves the vented space, permitting free flow of air while preventing entry of insects, rodents, or other foreign materials into the space. Means may be optionally provided for blocking off air flow through the vent space when desired to assist in heating and cooling functions. Plenums and ductwork may be provided for recirculation of air from the vented spaces to other portions of the structure. In one embodiment, a vented roof structure is provided which may advantageously be employed in conjunction with an interior, cathedral-type ceiling. An angle bracket useful in both marking roof rafter members for cutting and in assembly thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a formwork assembly for concrete wall structures side wall portions are provided at their edges with grooves and projections engageable therein for securing side wall portions together in a proper position, with the side wall portions being connected by connecting members and possibly end wall portions as required. On their inside surface, each side wall portion has engagement means to which the connecting members can be secured in the appropriate position. The engagement means may be formed by interengaging recesses and raised portions, ball portions and ball-receiving sockets or shallow detent grooves. Adhesive may also be employed for additional strength. The side wall portions may be used as insulating panels for walls, roof and floors.

Abstract: A boundary marking system comprising cylindrical receptacles having relatively large plates flush with one end and adapted to be installed in the ground with the plate at ground level. A marker stake which is color coded to the top of the plate is placed in the receptacle through a hole in the plate so that the stake extends a foot or so above ground to mark a boundary. Because of the color coding, installation and replacement of the stakes is facilitated. Moreover the particular character of the marked boundary may be perceived not only by the color of the stake, but also by the color of the flush plate even if the stake is missing. A hole maker to facilitate installation of the receptacle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated electrical heating foil element includes electrical resistance strips embedded between two sheets of insulation material to make the laminated heating element with its power supply terminal. The heating element is in particular adapted for horizontal floor mounting between adjacent floor joists, and each element may either be wider than the specified joist distance by approximately 2h, where "h" is the specified minimum distance to be left free above an installed element, or each element may be provided with fastening devices which may cooperate with complementary catching devices on the joists. Different fastening devices between joist and heating element, as well as easy-to-fold zones running along both side edges of the heating element, are included.

Abstract: An adjustable staircase assembly comprises a pair of channel section stringer members having spaced tread support pivots adjacent their lower edges and tread locating apertures adjacent their upper edges, the tread locating apertures being spaced along arcs each having its origin at the tread support pivot axis. After the stringers are attached to a structure, the tread supports are pivoted to a horizontal position and a tab on each tread support is located in a suitable locating aperture in the sloping stringer such that the tread support is horizontal.

Abstract: An appliance frame having a score line formed by pressing metal to form a plurality of dimples each having a substantially straight severed edge extending out of the plain of the metal and arranged in a substantially straight line to form the score line, thereby to weaken the metal sufficiently that it may be manually bent to form a substantially right-angle bend at the score line.

Abstract: Tarpaulins (sometimes termed "tarps") are used to protect an underlying structure or material from wind, rain and the other effects of the weather. Some tarpaulins are insulating in nature. Such insulating tarpaulins in the past have comprised weatherproof membranes with a plastic foam or polyester fiberfill portion between the membranes. These prior membranes have been characterized by short useful life and marginal insulating and weatherproofing ability, either because of limitations of the insulating fill (foam or fiber) or difficulty in sealing the seams or edges between adjacent tarpaulins. The disclosed tarpaulin comprises a first and second membrane sandwiching an insulating batt of a highly resilient fibrous glass insulation. The tarpaulin includes a seam structure around all four edges of the tarpaulin which not only fastens the first and second membranes together but holds the highly resilient fibrous insulating batt in position.

Abstract: A modular carrier for stair treads (15) is provided so that treads may be evenly spaced and hung between a pair of stringers (25, 25'). A pair of vertical side walls (16, 16') extend above the tread and have a mounting plate connected thereto lying in a plane which intersects the plane of the tread at a predetermined angle (.phi.). With the stringer set at this angle with respect to the horizontal, the treads lay in proper horizontal orientation. The plurality of notches or score lines are provided at the ends of the mounting plate (19, 20) which may be broken off, or overlapped, facilitating easy construction of evenly spaced stairs. Alternately, the left and right hand carriers are provided as separate units having a bottom plate 48 so that treads of varying widths may be used with the device.

Abstract: A system for interlocking the edges and corners of adjacent panels of a pedestal supported, elevated floor construction. Edge and corner clamp units are put in place after set-up of the panels. The edge clamp units include a lower elongated element which drops through a similarly shaped gap between adjacent panels and is then rotated 90.degree. out of alignment. A screw turned from the space above the floor draws the lower clamp element towards an upper clamp element to grip and interlock intervening edges of the adjacent panels. Adjacent corners of four panels are interlocked to a supporting pedestal by an overlying clamp plate. This corner clamp plate is releasably secured to the pedestal by an individual screw which is also tightened from the space above the floor.

Abstract: Architect can predetermine desired roof surface contour by means of a plurality of studs secured to a base support. The studs, which may carry extenders, are clipped to the desired roof surface contour. Material is added on the base support to attain this desired roof surface contour. A device such as a laser rotating on an axis defines an imaginary reference plane or cone surface, and a clipper apparatus clips the studs or extenders at a predetermined distance from the imaginary reference surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of constructing a housing development in which the necessity for taking repetitious measurements and re-measurements throughout the various stages of construction is minimized. A construction surface in the form of the floor of a school or building in a shopping center associated with the housing development initially is established. Full scale dimensionally-stable, flexible templates are used at each building site location to mark the foundation footings and plumbing trenches required for the houses to be built. A first metal frame and all of the below-floor plumbing is assembled together as a unit. The first frame then is moved to the lot location after trenching has been completed, and is lowered in place prior to the pouring of the concrete foundation and the floor of the house. A second template is used to mark the location of various construction items for the house on the construction surface.

Abstract: A plurality of different types of building blocks are fabricated to include a respective coding for each different type, which coding in the preferred embodiment is a color pigmentation. Associated with the building blocks is a pattern marked with indicia which define, by full-scale markings, locations of the lowermost building elements of the predesigned, pre-engineered structure to be constructed by the present invention. Associated with the coded building materials and pattern is a coded diagram depicting the completed predesigned, pre-engineered structure by means of coded objects, coded in correspondence with the coded building materials, showing the numbers and location of each type of building material within the structure. The manufacturing of a kit of these elements and the method of erecting the structure from such a kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved connector for a supporting filter bank framework is disclosed which comprises a body member defining at least two extensions radiating from a common central location. Each of the extensions has a U-shaped cross sectional configuration so as to define a bottom wall and two opposite side walls. A threaded coupling member may be disposed at the central location for securing the connector to a supporting tie rod, and a protuberance is disposed within each U-shaped extension at a predetermined distance from the central location. Adjacent connectors are adapted to be joined by an interconnecting channel of predetermined length, with the ends of the channel being positioned within aligned extensions of adjacent connectors, and with the ends of the channels abutting the respective protuberances. A supporting latticework is thereby constructed which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas, and the length and width dimensions of each open area is automatically established.

Abstract: An improved stake for supporting guides for screed members used in concrete smoothing. The stake is a hollow, open-ended tube having a wall of substantially uniform cross-section along at least most of its length, and having an upper edge adapted to support a guide rod or bar and a lower edge adapted for ground cutting. Certain embodiments include pairs of slots for receiving inserts which assist in determining the proper depth to which the stake should be driven.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying articles comprising: modular panels adapted to be joined together and fastened to a support wall, each panel having a back wall, a plurality of ribs extending outwardly from the back wall at separated intervals, a plurality of flanges each extending from the other end of the rib to form surfaces parallel to the back wall and coplanar with the surfaces of the other flanges and, to form channels between the back wall and adjacent flanges, a lower extension of the back wall, and an upper extension of the back wall extending beyond the uppermost flange, having a furrow for receiving the lower extension of another panel and having an indentation for indicating positions of bores for driving fasteners through the upper extension to fasten the panel to said wall. The lowermost flange of the other panel covers the fasteners when the lower extension is received by the furrow.

Abstract: Drips-catching mats for installation in combination with a minor proportion of a floor especially a garage floor beneath a motor vehicle to capture oil drippings therefrom. The mat essentially comprises generally horizontally extending laminar elements including: a base member highly-tenaciously bonded to the underlying floor environment; an oleophilic blotter member having a lower-tenacity attached to the base member whereby an oleo-laden blotter can be manually replaced with a fresh blotter without disrupting the high-tenacity flooring bond to the base member, the lower-tenacity attachment preferably comprising an oleo-resistant laminar adhesive; and visual indicator means to indicate when blotter replacement is necessary.

Abstract: The specification discloses a device for detecting movement of two portions of a structure relative one another. The device comprises a first disc defining a radial scale and fixedly securable to the first portion of the structure and a second disc fixedly securable to the second portion of the structure. A telescoping linear scale extends between and is pivotally secured to the center of the radial scale and to the second disc. Consequently, the angular orientation of the telescoping scale with respect to the first disc is displayed on the radial scale; and the distance between the disc members is displayed on the linear scale, providing a measurement of movement between the structural portions. Also disclosed is a method of detecting structure movement comprising securing the device to the two portions of the structure and monitoring subsequent readings displayed on the radial and linear scales.

Abstract: A building panel having inner and outer faces outlined by opposite ends and an upper and lower edges has opposite ends adapted to closely face the end of an adjacent panel in the same course. The outer face of the panel includes a lower segment of substantially greater surface area adapted for exposure and an upper portion of relatively smaller surface area adapted to underlie a lower portion of one or more panels in a next higher course laid in overlapping relation therewith. One of the ends of said panel includes an overlap end segment adapted to overlie an underlying end segment at the other end of an adjacent panel laid up end to end in the same course to form a ship lap end joint between the panels. The overlap end segment includes a marginal end portion of the outer face with an underside therebelow formed to slope from a minimum panel thickness adjacent the upper edge toward a maximum panel thickness adjacent the lower edge.