Abstract: The present invention provides a prefabricated floor panel system used in stay in place formwork for pouring concrete floors. The prefabricated floor panel system includes a top and has walls depending downwardly at an upper lateral edge of the wall from each outermost lateral edge of the top, a lower lateral edge of each wall having a ledge extending outwardly away from the top. A first ledge of one prefabricated floor panel system is capable of overlying another ledge of an adjacent prefabricated floor panel system to allow for the one prefabricated floor panel system to be joined to the adjacent prefabricated floor panel system to form a channel.

Abstract: A shear wall panel utilizes improved corner connection to effectively connect vertical chords and horizontal tracks of the shear wall panel to diagonal brace members and accommodating anchoring of the panel frame to horizontal building components. The panel frame uses structural corner brackets interiorly mounted to the corners of the panel adapted to receive anchor bolt connection adjacent the corner and diagonal bracing connection at a position spaced from the anchor bolt connection. Preferably, the shear wall panel is manufactured in a factory and shipped to a job site as a finished panel frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a metal stud for use in sound attenuating wall systems utilizing high density, abuse resistant wallboard, the metal stud having specific steel chemical and mechanical properties to result in increased sound attenuation properties while maintaining the load carrying capacity and screw performance providing improved economics. The metal stud is a generally C shaped metal stud constructed of 0.0180 steel having at least 57 ksi strength having two parallel spaced apart flanges joined along the length of one edge by a central web and being provided with an in-turned double thickness hemmed ledge along the length of the second edge, the flanges having a width of greater than 1? inches between the one edge and the second edge, each of the flanges being provided with a reinforcing rib centrally located in the flange extending the length of the flange.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drywall paperbeads, particularly drywall paperbeads for use in protecting exposed drywall surfaces having non-planar surface contours in an edge region adjacent the drywall edges. The paperbead includes an elongated core having an inner surface and an outer surface, an elongated paper strip having an inner surface and an outer surface, a thickness of between 6 and 7 mils, a weight of between 110 and 125 grams/square meter (gsm) and a porosity of 30 to 130 Gurley sec. The inner surface of the paper strip is roughened and bonded to the outer surface of the core. The outer portion of the thickness of the paper strip is impregnated with a strengthening compound, preferably a polymer strengthening compound, more preferably a latex strengthening compound in an amount of between 3.5% and 13% of the total weight of the paper strip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prefabricated floor panel system used in stay in place formwork for pouring concrete floors. The prefabricated floor panel system includes a top and has walls depending downwardly at an upper lateral edge of the wall from each outermost lateral edge of the top, a lower lateral edge of each wall having a ledge extending outwardly away from the top. A first ledge of one prefabricated floor panel system is capable of overlying another ledge of an adjacent prefabricated floor panel system to allow for the one prefabricated floor panel system to be joined to the adjacent prefabricated floor panel system to form a channel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a framing member for use in a steel framed flooring structure. The framing member has a U-shaped rectangular cross section with two parallel spaced apart flanges and a central web bridging the flanges and connected to one edge of each of the flanges. The central web has an extension on each end thereof, the extension extending beyond the flanges a distance of at least half the width of the flange.

Abstract: A bracket for attaching bridging members to a thermal stud being generally C-shaped with parallel spaced apart flanges connected by a central web having opening in the web of the stud which spans the majority of the width of the web and where the openings are provided with flanges extending perpendicularly from the edges of the opening into the interior of the stud. The bracket is a generally L-shaped bracket having a leg with a means to properly locate a bridging member centrally within the bracket and the stud wall and a base for overlying the web of the stud. The base has a width approximately the same as the stud and preferably has flanges extending perpendicularly from the base at either end thereof to engage and be able to attach to the flanges of the stud. The base is also provided with a centrally located tab extending perpendicularly from the base to allow the bracket to be properly positioned within the web of the stud.

Abstract: A flush mount masonry veneer anchor for mounting on an exterior wall and tying a masonry veneer to the exterior wall, the masonry veneer anchor comprising an anchoring portion with anchor holes to receive a suitable fastener to attach the anchoring portion to an exterior surface of the exterior wall and a tie wire holding portion extending perpendicularly from the anchoring portion, the tie wire holding portion having one end connected to the anchoring portion and having a slot in an opposite end for holding a tie wire for tying the masonry veneer to the exterior wall, the anchor holes being in line with the tie wire holding portion to transfer extrusion and compression loads exerted on the tie wire holding portion directly through fasteners in the anchor holes to the exterior wall without an offset of a plane of the transfer of the forces.

Abstract: A bracket for attaching bridging members to a thermal stud being generally C-shaped with parallel spaced apart flanges connected by a central web having opening in the web of the stud which spans the majority of the width of the web and where the openings are provided with flanges extending perpendicularly from the edges of the opening into the interior of the stud. The bracket is a generally L-shaped bracket having a leg with a means to properly locate a bridging member centrally within the bracket and the stud wall and a base for overlying the web of the stud. The base has a width approximately the same as the stud and preferably has flanges extending perpendicularly from the base at either end thereof to engage and be able to attach to the flanges of the stud. The base is also provided with a centrally located tab extending perpendicularly from the base to allow the bracket to be properly positioned within the web of the stud.

Abstract: A flush mount masonry veneer anchor for mounting on an exterior wall and tying a masonry veneer to the exterior wall, the masonry veneer anchor comprising an anchoring portion with anchor holes to receive a suitable fastener to attach the anchoring portion to an exterior surface of the exterior wall and a tie wire holding portion extending perpendicularly from the anchoring portion, the tie wire holding portion having one end connected to the anchoring portion and having a slot in an opposite end for holding a tie wire for tying the masonry veneer to the exterior wall, the anchor holes being in line with the tie wire holding portion to transfer extrusion and compression loads exerted on the tie wire holding portion directly through fasteners in the anchor holes to the exterior wall without an offset of a plane of the transfer of the forces.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a blocking member that cooperates with adjacent blocking members to provide securement throughout the entire width of the blocking member. The blocking member comprises a male portion at one end thereof and a cooperating female portion at the opposing end. The male and female flanges are shaped such that when a first horizontal blocking member is placed adjacent a second horizontal blocking member, the male member fits within the female member such that there is no large discontinuity in the width of the horizontal blocking members at the joint between a first horizontal blocking member and a second horizontal blocking member.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect for a bracket for use with insulated forms for concrete walls. The bracket has an attachment plate for overlying the exterior of the insulated form to provide for a means of attaching the header or rim joist to the bracket. The bracket is provided an anchoring plate extending from the attaching plate for insertion into the interior of the insulated form. The present invention also provides for a method of attaching a header or rim joist to a concrete wall formed using insulated forms. The method involves cutting a vertical slot in the insulated form and inserting a bracket into the slot. The bracket has an attachment plate for overlying the exterior surface of the insulated form and an anchoring plate extending from the attachment plate through the slot into the interior of the insulated form. Concrete is poured into the form and allowed to set, after which the header or rim joist is attached to the brackets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load supporting blocking member for use in a metal stud wall having a plurality of parallel spaced apart metal studs, each of the studs having an aligned opening and horizontal bridging member passing through the aligned openings and tying the studs together. The load supporting blocking member comprises a base for overlying and being attached to the bridging member and an upstanding flange extending from one edge of the base the depth of the base being sufficient to overly the bridging member and position the upstanding flange in line with the edges of the studs in the metal stud wall.

Abstract: A masonry anchor for tying a masonry veneer wall to a stud back-up wall comprises a generally planar anchor plate of corrosion resistant steel having an outer coupling end for connection to a veneer tie wire and an inner anchoring end for securement to the stud back-up wall. The anchor plate is provided with a plurality of holes through the anchoring end for accepting a fastening means for fastening the anchor to the stud back-up wall. A backing plate of an inert material is provided for positioning between the anchoring end of the anchor plate and the stud back-up wall, the backing plate being provided with raised structures on a face sized to be contained within the holes in the anchoring end of the anchor plate to allow a shank of the fastening means to pass through the raised structure without contacting the anchoring end of the anchor plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load supporting blocking member for use in a metal stud wall having a plurality of parallel spaced apart metal studs, each of the studs having an aligned opening and horizontal bridging member passing through the aligned openings and tying the studs together. The load supporting blocking member comprises a base for overlying and being attached to the bridging member and an upstanding flange extending from one edge of the base the depth of the base being sufficient to overly the bridging member and position the upstanding flange in line with the edges of the studs in the metal stud wall.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a blocking member that cooperates with adjacent blocking members to provide securement throughout the entire width of the blocking member. The blocking member comprises a male portion at one end thereof and a cooperating female portion at the opposing end. The male and female flanges are shaped such that when a first horizontal blocking member is placed adjacent a second horizontal blocking member, the male member fits within the female member such that there is no large discontinuity in the width of the horizontal blocking members at the joint between a first horizontal blocking member and a second horizontal blocking member.

Abstract: A masonry anchor for tying a masonry veneer wall to a stud back-up wall comprises a generally planar anchor plate of corrosion resistant steel having an outer coupling end for connection to a veneer tie wire and an inner anchoring end for securement to the stud back-up wall. The anchor plate is provided with a plurality of holes through the anchoring end for accepting a fastening means for fastening the anchor to the stud back-up wall. A backing plate of an inert material is provided for positioning between the anchoring end of the anchor plate and the stud back-up wall, the backing plate being provided with raised structures on a face sized to be contained within the holes in the anchoring end of the anchor plate to allow a shank of the fastening means to pass through the raised structure without contacting the anchoring end of the anchor plate.