Abstract: A concrete filled tubular steel column includes a longitudinally extending vertical tubular steel shell and an inner tubular steel member disposed at the center of the steel shell. A plurality of spaced vertical steel plates extend from the inner members toward but not abutting the steel shell. In addition a plurality of horizontally disposed perforated pipes extend outwardly from the inner member and have a plurality of meltable polymer plugs or caps to prevent plastic cement from flowing into or closing the openings. In the event of fire the plastic or polymer plugs or caps melt and allow gases and smoke to flow into the pipes and up through the inner member and out therefrom at the top of the column.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for protecting a tobacco storage facility used to contain tobacco material. The tobacco storage facility includes a tobacco enclosure defining at least one enclosure opening for providing access to the tobacco enclosure. A door assembly is operably engaged with the tobacco enclosure about the at least one enclosure opening. The door assembly includes a screen arrangement having a mesh sized to limit tobacco pests from passing therethrough. The door assembly is configured such that the screen arrangement is capable of moving between a closed position covering the tobacco enclosure and an open position allowing access to the tobacco enclosure. A method of monitoring pests in a tobacco enclosure is provided. The interior of the tobacco enclosure is monitored for pests using a monitoring system. At least a portion of the interior is fumigated if the number of detected pests meets or otherwise exceeds a predetermined pest threshold.

Abstract: A wheel spacer is provided for spacing a reinforcing rod for a cementitious structure away from an object during fabrication of the structure. The spacer consists of two substantially semicircular sections configured for connection together with the rod abuttingly retained in saddles generally situated at the center of the sections when connected together in an assembled configuration for the spacer. Each section has, on an inner wall thereof in which the saddles are situated, primary inserting arms for insertion into apertures for locking engagement with teeth on the inserting arms with teeth on receiving arms of the other section. Retaining arms having guide walls further facilitate retention of the rod and guiding thereof towards the saddles while the spacer is placed in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: A skylight fall protection safety panel formed from a single sheet of metal having a predetermined surface area A1 and a plurality of apertures are punched out of at least one central perforated portion of the sheet having a surface area A2 surrounded by strip portions having a perimeter surface area A3. A2 is as great as or greater than 0.60A1. The shape of the apertures can take many different forms but they would have a greatest width D1 that is less than 2.0 inches. The central perforated portion has a sufficient number of apertures of a sufficient size that 50 percent of A2 is open to pass light therethrough. The sheet metal safety panel would be secured under an existing fiberglass skylight panel. The sheet panel can also be corrugated to match translucent skylight panels that are corrugated. The sheet metal panel can also be inserted into a mold or cast with a top layer of resin material and a bottom layer of resin material and also having the central perforated portion apertures filled with resin.

Abstract: An invention is provided for an independently operable ventilating security garage door system. The invention includes a ventilating security garage door that is permeable to light and air, and is wider than the existing garage door. The system also includes a plurality of ventilating security garage door rails that allow the ventilating security garage door to move between open and closed positions. Each rail is disposed to an outside of an existing garage door rail. Connected to the ventilating security garage door via cables is a rear torsion assembly, which is disposed behind the ventilating security garage door. In operation, the rear torsion assembly provides torque to assist in opening and closing the ventilating security garage door.

Abstract: A tile for a synthetic grass system having a top surface with a plurality of trusses, a bottom surface with a plurality of legs extending therefrom. The trusses intersect and form apertures. The top surface has a plurality of sections which are hingedly attached to adjacent sections with expansion members.

Abstract: A sheet of material formed for bending along a bend line including a sheet of material (30) includes a plurality of dividing slits (37) and a plurality of strap slits (39) formed therethrough. The dividing slits extending substantially along a desired bend line (35) and divide the sheet of material into first and second planar regions (32, 33). The strap slits intersect the desired bend line and adjacent pairs of strap slits form a bending strap therebetween. The bending strap has a longitudinal strap axis intersecting the desired bend line. The sheet of material may be formed of composite materials. A method of forming and using the sheet of material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A side screen for the cab of a work vehicle, such as a skid steer loader, comprises a panel having strips defining openings therebetween. A high percentage of the area of the screen is open for visibility. At least one reinforcing member, such as a rib, is formed in the screen, such as on a strip or on a panel section. An intermediate panel may also provide a section of relatively heightened rigidity. Such reinforcing members reduce sheet bowing, or “oil can” effect, and maintain flatness of the screen, thereby optimizing the screen for a combination of both protection and visibility.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided that has a filtering screen and a skeletal structure, the skeletal structure being attached to the filtering screen. At least one of the filtering screen and the skeletal structure form a plurality of downward extending channels.

Abstract: A skylight fall protection safety panel formed from a single sheet of metal having a predetermined surface area A1 and a plurality of apertures are punched out of at least one central perimeter surface area A3. A2 is as great as or greater than 0.60A1. The shape of the apertures can take many different forms but they would have a greatest width D1 that is less than 2.0 inches. The central perforated portion has a sufficient number of apertures of a sufficient size that 50 percent of A2 is open to pass light therethrough. The sheet metal safety panel would be secured under an existing fiberglass skylight panel. The sheet panel can also be corrugated to match translucent skylight panels that are corrugated. The sheet metal panel can also be inserted into a mold or cast with a top layer of resin material and a bottom layer of resin material and also having the central perforated portion apertures filled with resin.

Abstract: A reinforced slab, in particular able to withstand concentrated loads, has a substantially flat reinforcing structure (20) which is situated at a distance from the bottom (12) of the mould (10) and arranged at a height such as to allow embedding of said reinforcing structure (20) within the end product (40), said reinforcing structure consisting of a sheet oriented substantially parallel to the surfaces of said slab and having a plurality of holes or openings. Preferably said sheet is provided with stiffening ribs and the edges of the holes or openings are folded in the form of a “U”. The method for manufacturing the reinforced slab is a method known as “Terastone”, except for the step involving insertion, in the forming mould, of the reinforcing structure which is positioned at the desired height by means of support feet.

Abstract: A truss system wherein the structural components and fixtures are formed from light gauge metal. The trusses are fabricated from roll formed truss chord members and truss web members. The truss chord members are roll formed to have a generally U-shaped cross-section with a base and two substantially parallel legs with recessed web attachment faces and outwardly extending stiffening flanges to improve structural capacity thus improving the strength-to-weight ratio of the chord member and minimizing costs. The truss web members are formed by nesting two roll formed C-shaped members to form a web member which is box-shaped in cross section. The web members provide the structural advantages of a box-shaped member and the ease and flexibility of a roll formed member.

Abstract: A thin flexible floor mat system is configured to resist penetration by high heeled shoes and be capable of being easily rolled up in long segments. The floor mat is constituted by a series of small square sections and are connected together with connectors that permit easy deployment and removal of the mat system by detaching segments of the mat from each other. The mat is flexible but resists penetration from high heels and other forms of traffic by virtue maintaining of a predetermined amount of flexibility through the use of auxiliary supports. Further stability is provided by one-piece ramp corners.

Abstract: A thin flexible floor mat system is configured to resist penetration by high heeled shoes and be capable of being easily rolled up in long segments. The floor mat is constituted by a series of small square sections and are connected together with connectors that permit easy deployment and removal of the mat system by detaching segments of the mat from each other. The mat is flexible but resists penetration from high heels and other forms of traffic by virtue maintaining of a predetermined amount of flexibility through the use of auxiliary supports. Further stability is provided by one-piece ramp corners.

Abstract: A thin flexible floor mat system is configured to resist penetration by high heeled shoes and be capable of being easily rolled up in long segments. The floor mat is constituted by a series of small square sections and are connected together with connectors that permit easy deployment and removal of the mat system by detaching segments of the mat from each other. The mat is flexible but resists penetration from high heels and other forms of traffic by virtue maintaining of a predetermined volume in the areas formed by adjacent cross pieces of the mat. Longitudinal connectors are configured so that the matting connected to half the connector comes away relatively easily while the matting connected to the other half of the connector is held tightly to the connector. Ramp structures are arranged on all outside edges of the mat system. Different connection arrangements between the mat and the ramps are provided.

Abstract: A thin flexible floor mat system is configured to resist penetration by high heeled shoes and be capable of being easily rolled up in long segments. The floor mat is constituted by a series of small square sections and are connected together with connectors that permit easy deployment and removal of the mat system by detaching segments of the mat from each other. The mat is flexible but resists penetration from high heels and other forms of traffic by virtue maintaining of a predetermined amount of flexibility through the use of auxiliary supports. Further stability is provided by one-piece ramp comers.

Abstract: A space truss composite panel is excellent in structural mechanics and capable of being efficiently and economically produced. The space truss composite panel has a construction in which a sheet 1 provided with a series of slits 2 is formed into a space framework 3 through a press working. The space framework 3 is provided with a series of polygonal unit lattices in one of its opposite sides and a series of polygonal pyramids in the other of the opposite sides, wherein each of the polygonal unit lattices has an intersection of its adjacent sides 3a, 3a connected with a ridgeline portion 3b of each of the polygonal pyramids, and the space framework 3 has at least one of its opposite sides connected with a board-like member 4.

Abstract: A one-piece metal plate has an open mesh-like pattern, a plurality of identical rectangular perforations arranged at regular intervals in parallel rows, a plurality of identical rectangular embossed parts arranged at regular intervals and bridging the rows, and a plurality of identical rectangular web parts. Each of the embossed parts is raised relative to the web parts, and has two opposing overlapping ends extending into the rows. Each of the web parts is confined by two adjacent ones of the perforations and two adjacent ones of the embossed parts. The perforations are aligned along first lines which intersect the rows. The embossed parts are aligned along second lines parallel to the first lines. The first and second lines alternate with one another.

Abstract: A thin flexible floor mat system is configured to resist penetration by high heeled shoes and be capable of being easily rolled up in long segments. The floor mat is constituted by a series of small square sections and are connected together with connectors that permit easy deployment and removal of the mat system by detaching segments of the mat from each other. The mat is flexible but resists penetration from high heels and other forms of traffic by virtue maintaining of a predetermined volume in the areas formed by adjacent cross pieces of the mat. Longitudinal connectors are configured so that the matting connected to half the connector comes away relatively easily while the matting connected to the other half of the connector is held tightly to the connector. Ramp structures are arranged on all outside edges of the mat system. Different connection arrangements between the mat and the ramps are provided.

Abstract: A paneling system includes a first upper or outer plate having a plurality of outwardly extending tabs unitarily and integrally formed therewith and a second, lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate to present a void therebetween. The tabs span the void and join with the second plate to fixedly secure the plates together to form the panel construction. The free ends of the tabs may be welded within slots formed in the second plate to secure the plates together. Alternatively, the tabs may be L-shaped to present a flange in parallel relation to the plates. The flanges are welded to the second plate to secure the plates together. The tabs may present anchor holes in the first plate for securing a load in place. The first plate may include a raised portion at the periphery of the anchor holes to help prevent skidding.

Abstract: Two sheets having geometric perforations formed in a regular pattern are mounted such that they are spaced apart in parallel planes and the geometric perforations are congruent. The pair of sheets may be used either for the decoration of the facade of a building or as an interior structural building component.

Abstract: Roofing assembly having a substrate covered with a base sheet which is perforated with a plurality of uniformly spaced clusters of vertical apertures designed to receive an adhesive to bond the base sheet to the substrate. The roofing assembly possesses improved wind uplift resistance.

Abstract: A supporting crossbar construction is made from thin metal strip by feeding the strip lengthwise to a punching station, and forming in the punching station four parallel rows of slits extending lengthwise of the strip so that five parallel plate fields are formed extending lengthwise of the strip. The strip is then deformed so that the strip is expanded into a construction having two outer straight plate fields and a straight middle plate field between the two outer plate fields, the middle plate field being interconnected with each of the two outer plate fields by a plurality of diagonal members that are spaced apart and are formed by the deformation of the plate fields between the middle and outer plate fields, whereby the middle and outer plate fields are spaced a greater distance apart from each other. The middle plate field is then bent about at least one longitudinal bend line so as to bring together the two outer plate fields.

Abstract: A metallic transporting appliance, such as a flat pallet, a skid, or a box pallet, is designed so that a thin metal plate is used entirely for the pallet and skid and for the side wall of the box pallet. The thin metal plate is subjected to burring so as to have sufficient durability, thereby contributing to the reduction of the amount of wood for conventional wooden pallets in order to preserve natural resources. The metallic transporting appliance includes a main plate made from a thin metal plate having plural pairs of bores each formed at a predetermined interval therebetween in a flat surface thereof, with a slit formed between each pair of bores to couple the bore pair. The main plate has a plurality of elongated hole portions, each having a bottom hole with a flange provided by burring those portions where the bore pairs are coupled with the associated slits. This main plate is also adapted for the deck board of a skid.

Abstract: A panel assembly including a plurality of roof deck panels assembled in side-by-side relationship and secured to roof supports with each panel including a plurality of parallel and spaced apart perforated flat sections. Each flat section is separated from its adjacent flat section by a rib section, and has a width as measured in the plane of the flat section at least three times and preferably five times greater than the width of the rib section. Lengths of insulation are positioned between adjacent ribs and a wire mesh spacer is positioned within the space between each perforated flat section and the insulation to maintain the insulation in spaced relationship to the flat section. Insulation cover plates may also be included between adjacent ribs.

Abstract: A structural metallic member particularly useful for framing interior and exterior walls, ceilings and floors of building structures consists of a hollow generally quadrangular in transverse cross-section stud consisting of at least three contiguous walls with the middle of the at least three walls being provided with a multiplicity of parallel, spaced, longitudinal rows of longitudinally spaced slits with alternate rows of slits being staggered such that the longitudinal spaces of one row are positioned substantially midway of the length of the slits of adjacent rows. In a form of studs where there are four contiguous walls, the slits are provided in the pair of opposed walls that will connect the inside and outside walls of the structure.

Abstract: The specification discloses an access flooring panel having improved load-bearing strength and a relatively simple construction. The panel includes a generally planar metal pan and a concrete core cast thereon. The pan includes a plurality of tabs encapsulated within the concrete and bent upwardly from the pan and radially inwardly with respect to the panel. Consequently, radially outwardly directed horizontal shear forces exerted on the tabs by the core when loads are placed on the panel exert a pushing, rather than a pulling or tearing, force on the tabs. In a preferred embodiment, the pan includes an integral side wall and return flange extending about the core to protect the core and to strengthen the panel.

Abstract: A novel and improved, expanded metal is disclosed along with novel and improved products incorporating such expanded metal. The expanded metal is formed from a piece of sheet metal which is lanced in nested arrays so that when the metal is expanded, diagonal legs are connected to the remaining portion of the sheet metal by folds. After the expanding operation, the legs are substantially coplanar with the adjacent portions of the piece of sheet metal, and the only material deformation of the metal occurs along the folds. The illustrated legs and adjacent projections, which are connected to the legs by folds, are curved so that the centers of the legs have a maximum width. The expanded metal is illustrated incorporated into various types of framing members used to position interior panels of building structures, such as drywall studs, floor tracks for drywall construction, and intersection tracks. Also disclosed are grid tees for suspension ceilings and wall molding members for suspension ceilings.

Abstract: A material for use as a core in panels or structural members includes a longitudinal and transverse axis which lie in a common plane. The material includes alternating first and second strips that are interconnected at spaced intervals along the longitudinal axis by lands lying in the common plane. Each of the first strips is formed to have portions lying to one side of the common plane and each of the second strips has portions lying to the other side of the common plane. The interconnected lands define webs extending along the transverse axis to provide inherent stiffness to the material.

Abstract: An improved anti-skid tread or grating (10) design is provided with gripping members or rosettes (30) having a plurality of upstanding individual lobes (36) which are configured in such a way and project high enough to provide an excellent gripping surface. The lobes (36) of the design are self-cleaning, and have non-continuous gripping edges at their crests (40) that accommodate a greater build up of ice or mud without clogging the grating (10).

Abstract: A pellet holding casing disposed in a container is formed at its wall sections with a plurality of louvers that extend outwardly away from the casing. Each of the louvers is formed with at least one channel shaped corrugation in substantially the top portion thereof for providing the converter with improved characteristics with respect to flow resistance and thermal expansion.