Abstract: A device for use in association with roof gutters and downpipes for the purpose of removing debris and like items from rainwater as it flows into the downpipe. The device comprises a box compartment having an upwardly facing inclined inlet over which a primary screen is located, and a lower outlet connected to a downpipe through which the filtered water passes. Debris is washed over the inclined screen to the exterior of the device. More than one screen of varying mesh size may be provided.

Abstract: A roof structure to protect a crop growing area includes a retractable roof membrane or curtain that defines pitched sections of the roof. The membrane extends across the valley between pitched sections and apertures are provided in the membrane to allow water to pass through the membrane. A gutter is disposed in the valley beneath the apertures to collect water and discharge it away from the crop growing area.

Abstract: An improved roof flashing is disclosed for covering the abutment of a vertical wall and a sloped roof. The flashing comprises a vertical wall flange which lies in a plane which is essentially normal to the plane of the sloped roof flange. There is provided at the lower portion of the flashing, as an integral part thereof, a diverter part which spans the part of the flashing which lies along the vertical wall above the abutment and the part which lies along the sloped roof and lies at an obtuse angle to each of the said flanges. The upper surface of the diverter is an essentially triangular part with its uppermost corner integral with the flashing at the juncture of the wall part and the roof part, with the two lowermost corners joined at or near the lower edges of the wall part and the roof part in a manner which directs water falling from the flashing away from the wall.

Abstract: This invention comprises laminar flow generation devices that are adapted to be affixed to the upper, substantially flat surfaces of a rain gutter deflector system. They have at least one water diverting surface which rises abruptly from such upper surface and provides for the smooth redirection of water from the region of its top end through an angular displacement preferably not in excess of 90 degrees to the other of its ends from which the water is discharged. Embodiments may have two such water diverting surfaces with a common leading edge to divide the water and redirect the resulting flows away from each other. They may be further adapted for affixation to gutter deflector surfaces which intersect each other at an angle, as at the site of a roof valley. The diverting surfaces may include apertures to provide flow paths for water to further reduce the volume of the water discharged at the egress end of the diverting surfaces.

Abstract: Insulation of flat roofs and simultaneous construction of a gradient for positive drainage of the roofing placed on the insulation, said gradient being perpendicular to the outer edges of the roof and running in two directions perpendicularly to one another, and where between the differently angled falls border lines are running from the corners of the roof towards the center line of the roof, said insulation comprising rectangular elements having an oblique surface corresponding to the gradient of the roof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a plastic-covered, gutter-connected sheltering horticultural structure constructed of a framework and flexible cover sheet material. The structure is constructed with a number of gutters with arched roof trusses connected at their ends between side walls of a consecutive pair of the gutters. Anchor means are provided to join each of the gutters for engagement to longitudinal edges of flexible covering sheet material and maintaining the sheet material in a tensioned state over the roof trusses. A plurality of fastening means are spaced at intervals along the length of the gutters to maintain the anchor means spaced apart from the gutters to provide unobstructed passages between the anchor means and the gutters.

Abstract: A building structure for plant nursery or like buildings including a pair of side frame assemblies, each defined by an elongated gutter member supported at an elevated attitude by a plurality of upstanding supports. Brackets are disposed between the supports and the gutter member, the brackets including opposite side flanges disposed adjacent opposite sides of the gutter member to stiffen same. Straps span the gutter and connect the sides thereof together to resist splaying and thus deflection of the gutter under wind loading. The building structure includes a roof frame formed of a plurality of arcuate roof frame members which are supported in opposite sockets secured to the side flanges of the brackets.

Abstract: A roof valley structure including a unitary panel of durable polypropylene-rubber material having a longitudinal flexure section including a large fold through its center, interlocking ridges spared on each side of the flexure section, and a plurality of spaced parallel longitudinal ribs on the outside of each interlocking ridge. The ribs, folds and ridges are reduced in size slightly at one end of each panel to permit one panel to overlie and interlock with a panel lower on the roof valley. Another embodiment connects two or more such panels together by means of a horizontal fold thereby making it possible to fold the panels together for packing and shipping. The folds in the flexure sections of adjacent panels are designed to nest together when the two panels are folded. Special nailing sections are shown which compensate for thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: An eaves gutter arrangement includes a channel section (1), the bottom surface (12) of which is supported by a gutter mounting bracket (2) attached to an eaves board with the rear wall (10) of the channel section in abutment with the bracket. The bracket includes a tongue (56) which engages around the upper edge (16) of the rear wall of the channel section. The free long edge of the front wall (14) of the channel section has a claw-like configuration, such as to form an anchorage (22) for one end (72) of a strut (3). The mounting bracket (2) has an upper part (46) in which there is formed a part (58) which protrudes outwardly towards the channel section (1), in a manner to define a pocket (60) into which a downwardly extending part of the other end (79) of the strut can be inserted and secured. The tongue (56) comprises a part punched from the mounting bracket (2) at a location beneath the outwardly protruding part (58).

Abstract: A fabricated sheet metal roof flashing assembly for weather proofing the junction of roof planks at a roof valley. The invention consists of a series of abutting pairs of flashing assemblies faced over the intersection of two areas of roof planks. The flashing assembly has an elongated U-shaped channel member which encompasses upwardly directed integrally formed walls of the two flashing segments.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting continuous length sheets of thermo-expansive transparent plastic includes longitudinal rods for affixation along the longitudinal edges of each sheet to form a thickness enlargement thereat and mounting members having channels formed therein adapted to receive and retain the enlargement. The channel has an interior area larger than the rods and a restricted outward opening smaller than the rods but larger than the sheet thickness whereby in assembly space exists in the receiving area unoccupied by the rods and in the restricted opening unoccupied by the sheet permitting shifting movement of the enlargement and the sheet therewithin for relatively free thermo-expansion of the sheet. Each sheet is supported in flexed condition along its lengthwise edges by two such mounting members. Plural sheets may be mounted in side-by-side arrangement to form a roof or other structural or architectural surface. Sheets may be mounted by this system to form overhead skylights, canopies or the like.

Abstract: A construction block having a base, at least one top surface which slopes toward and intersects the base and at least two sides characterized by: at least one right angle corner of finite thickness defined by the intersection of the two sides; two diametrically opposite corners of equal height each of which lie in the plane of one of the two sides; and at least one point at the intersection of the top surface and the base which has zero thickness.

Abstract: Accessories for use in installing metal shingles to a roof have convertability and simplicity features. One of the accessories can be used as a starter strip at the edge of the eaves. It can also be used as a gable strip at the end of the gables. This accessory has two flat portions formed transverse to each other with a channel located at the corner between the two sections. At the edge of the eaves, the channel is oriented on top of the decking for receiving the locking flange of a conventional metal shingle. At the edge of the gable, the channel is oriented vertically, next to the fascia board, for receiving a downwardly bent edge of a conventional shingle. The valley base consists of two flat portions with an upwardly facing channel located in the center. The channel receives downwardly turned edges of the adjoining shingles.

Abstract: A gutter system characterized by a continuous snap lock hinge connection between a gutter and hanger therefor which allows the gutter and hanger to be relatively angularly adjusted in the field for use with different roof configurations, and which then is secured against hinged movement by bonding to provide a continuous rigid support for the gutter as well as a continuous water seal between the gutter and hanger. The hanger includes an anchoring flange having a reversely under-turned edge portion forming a hook; whereas each of the gutter side walls has an inwardly-turned top edge terminating at an enlarged bead adapted to be transversely snapped into the bight of the hook for hinged movement therein. The interengaged hook and bead allow the gutter and hanger to be relatively angularly adjusted as desired until an adhesive interposed between mating surfaces thereof sets or cures to form a rigid bond that holds the gutter and hanger in the desired adjusted angular relation.

Abstract: A valley strip for conducting runoff from the line of intersection of two intersecting roof surfaces of pitched roof comprises an elongated sheet member having a defined channel portion with a bottom wall and opposed vertically extending sidewalls formed between opposed flanges. The recessed channel portion can handle larger precipitation runoff flows, minimizes runoff from one surface flowing over the strip flange underlying the opposite roof surface, and provides for placing the bottom wall of the valley strip in supportive relationship by the underlying roof structure.

Abstract: A prefabricated building of symmetrical polygonal shape secured onto a concrete slab and symmetrical about a vertical central axis, the building having vertical columns in each polygonal corner and the columns being joined by perimeter beams extending therearound parallel to the slab to form a substantially closed main framework. The building further includes roof beams supported entirely by the columns and extending diagonally upwardly and inwardly to an apex member which joins them. The columns have connectors attached to them to receive the ends of the perimeter and roof beams which comprise two C-shaped members disposed back-to-back with their webs slightly spaced by internally mounted spacers. Prefabricated side and roof panel members enclose the framework, and are made thick enough to hide the beams and the columns and to lap each other to form an inclosed structure.

Abstract: A greenhouse structure is formed with a substantially flat and horizontal roof formed of a plurality of roof sections each pivoted about a pivot or hinge end to swing upwardly from a closed position to an open position to admit ambient air to flow into or from the interior of the structure to cool the same. The roof sections are lifted by a lift means which becomes part of the roof supporting structure, and, to this end, the lift means is associated with the vertical support columns. Preferrably, the lift means comprises elongated straight lift members each carried by and stabilized by an associated support column for traveling along vertical and rectilinear paths of travel. The preferred means for shifting the lift members and thereby the roof sections comprises a rotatable nut in threaded engagement with the lift member to shift the same vertically as the nut is turned by a worm gear means.

Abstract: A greenhouse gutter assembly is illustrated wherein an extruded channel member has integral upper and lower sides projecting from the ends of a horizontal drainage member and an insulating bottom is spaced below the drainage bottom creating an air space extending below and across the drainage bottom. Means are also provided creating an insulating air space across the upper sides which facilitates attachment of the bow members of the roof as well as providing insulation for the greenhouse.

Abstract: A plastic covered gutter connected greenhouse structure comprised of metal framing covered by superimposed layers of plastic sheets having an inflated area between the sheets providing insulation to the interior of the structure. The superimposed plastic sheets of adjacent greenhouses are secured to the gutter which inter-connects the same. In this respect, the outer edges of the gutters provide male and female elements having mating V-shaped sections provided with inter-fitting splines on opposing surfaces thereof between which the plastic sheets are clamped. The male and female members are fitted so that screw members which maintain the parts in assembly are threaded through an outer flange of the female member and are perpendicular to the inter-fitting splines.

Abstract: First and second sets of panels of fiberboard or mineral board material are provided. The first set of panels are of constant thickness and rectangular in plan shape, and the other set of panels are also rectangular in plan shape but taper transversely in thickness from one longitudinal edge toward the opposite longitudinal edge. The constant thickness and tapering panels are disclosed in predetermined positions in order to form a saddle of full, half or quarter diamond-shaped plan area and with certain of the panels being trimmed and disposed in superposed relation whereby the upper surface of each quarter diamond-shaped saddle section will be planar and inclined. A pair of quarter diamond sections being used to form a saddle of one-half diamond plan shape and four quarter diamond sections being used to form a full saddle of full diamond plan shape.