Abstract: An arrangement for connecting a tubular element to a body extending into the same using a tensioning ring, which, via its inner surface, embraces the outer wall of the tubular element, extends axially along the tubular element, and applies clamping forces thereto such that the tubular element acts via its inner wall on the body situated in the tubular element, clamping the same. The tensioning ring rests against the outer wall of the tubular element with only one axial partial section of its inner surface and exerts a clamping action thereon.

Abstract: An indirectly prestressed concrete roof-ceiling construction is a prefabricated element for constructing large-span industrial buildings. The construction includes a distinctly wide and thin concrete soffit plate and an upper concrete girder of an inverse “V”-shaped cross section, interconnected by slender steel pipe-rods that are used to stabilize the upper girder against lateral buckling and to prevent the plate and the girder from getting closer or further away from each other. Prestressing of the soffit plate causes compression in the upper girder which passively (indirectly) pushes the ends of the construction, acting on some eccentricity over the center of gravity of the cross section, causing rotation of its ends, bending in that way the soffit plate upwards. There are two efficient methods of prestressing these constructions.

Abstract: A compression anchor for holding a support member, such as a cylindrical handrail, is disclosed. The anchor includes a body having a cavity and a wedge portion that connects to the body using thick threads, such as 2-4 ACME 2-G threads. The wedge is substantially cylindrical and encircles a support member received in the cavity. A compression ring is in contact with the body and the wedge portion. As the wedge portion turns relative to the body using the threads, the compression ring expands and contracts to loosen or tighten the connection between the received support member and the anchor. The wedge portion and the body are corrosion resistant.

Abstract: A panel assembly for providing underdeck water drainage and for other applications such as wall panels and skirting for exposed areas under building. The panel assembly, for an underdeck water drainage system, includes a plurality of joist brackets that are mounted transversely to and under the joists of a deck, a plurality of drainage panels, a plurality of drainage panel brackets, and a plurality of joist bracket spacers. The drainage panels may be slidingly engaged or snapped into separate panel brackets or into panel bracket portions of adjacent drainage panels. When properly installed, the underdeck drainage system will protect an area of interest, such as a patio or storage area under a deck, from rain water and keep the area dry. Another application of the present invention is to provide a shield, skirt, or cover for an exposed area under a deck, a home, a mobile home, a wall, or other place of interest.

Abstract: For the fixing adjusting tools of the plate material to the structural body, the female member has a base plate with a through hole in a center and an external cylinder fixed vertically on the base plate. The male member has a base plate with a through hole in a center and an internal cylinder fixed vertically on the base plate. The communicating section is formed in the base of the female member communicating with the gap. The guide cylinder is formed protruding on the base plate of the male member to guide the nozzle for injecting adhesive. Resultantly, the adhesive injected through the guide cylinder into the rear surface of the base plate of the female member, reach the gap between the internal and external cylinders passing the communicating section.

Abstract: A long-span decking panel that includes a first panel section, a second panel section, a first channel and a second channel which form a cell. The first panel section includes a first open channel and a first side flange integrally extending from a first edge of the first open channel and a second side flange integrally extending from a second edge of the first panel section. The second panel section includes a second open channel, a first side flange integrally extending from a first edge of the second open channel and a second side flange integrally extending from a second edge of the second open channel. The first channel and the second channel include a panel and two depending legs. Also disclosed is a system incorporating the long-span decking panels and methods for manufacturing the panels and the systems.

Abstract: An endpiece and method for siding a wall to simulate wood log construction are described. A generally cylindrical core (101) of the endpiece (100) has a curved surface (103), and a flat surface (105). A decorative skin (111) attached to the curved surface (103) has a cross-sectional arc that is greater than one hundred and eighty degrees. When an endpiece (100) is installed on a plank (200), a spline (117) that attaches along a lateral edge (109) of the endpiece interlocks with a bottom spline (215) of a plank (200). Also, a first offset (113) of the decorative skin (111) engages an upper lateral edge (207) of the plank (200). An end cap (301) attaches to a surface formed by an endpiece surface (305) and a plank surface (307).

Abstract: An anti shock device has a base plate and a top plate, at least one pair of support racks are mounted between the top plate and the base plate. At least one adapter is mounted between the support racks. The adapter has a curved rail defined therein, and the support racks also have curved rails defined therein which curves opposite to that of the adapter. A rolling shaft is mounted through the curved rails. In addition, a damping layer is provided on the top plate or base plate as well as support racks and rolling shafts. When the anti shock device is subjected to the earthquake, a relative displacement will reduce the horizontal vibrations and the damping layer will reduce the vertical vibrations.

Abstract: A step bead comprising: A) an elongated base having opposed front and back top and bottom longitudinal edges; B) a first rear vertical flange extending upwardly from the top rear longitudinal edge; C) a second rear vertical flange extending downwardly from the bottom rear longitudinal edge; D) a first front vertical flange extending upward from the top front longitudinal edge, generally parallel to the first rear vertical flange and having a first end proximate the top front longitudinal edge and a distal end; E) a longitudinal horizontal flange having a first end proximate the distal end and a second end remote from the distal end and extending from the distal end generally parallel to the base and away from the first rear vertical flange; F) a second vertical flange extending upwardly and downwardly from the second end and having a first top vertical flange end; and G) a third horizontal flange extending inwardly from the top vertical flange end toward the first vertical rear flange but not to the distal en

Abstract: A tool and method for abutting an individual floor panel which is near an obstruction, such as a wall, to the assembled floor. The tool and method provide a rod having a flanged member at one end. The flanged member has a notch in its vertical flange which contacts the floorboard to be abutted, requiring a minimal amount of space between the obstruction and floorboard to be set. A sliding weight mounted on a rod can then be slid toward an impact surface resulting in a horizontal force being applied to the individual floorboard thereby abutting or setting that floorboard with respect to the assembled floor. An especially useful application for the device and method is in the installation of a tongue-in-groove laminate floor in which the individual floorboards have a tongue and groove connection on their ends.

Abstract: A rainwater collection and diverging system includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall. A door is positioned in the bottom wall. A hinge hingedly couples the door to the bottom wall and a biasing member is attached to the door and biases the door in a closed position. Fluid in the housing may flow outwardly through the bottom wall when a biasing action of the biasing member is overcome and the door is moved to an open position. An outlet is fluidly coupled to the housing. A downspout has a bottom end extending into the housing. A conduit is fluidly coupled to and extends between a free end of the outlet and a fluid receptacle. Water flowing down the downspout is directed into the conduit until a force of the water flowing down the downspout overcomes the biasing action and opens the door.

Abstract: A shutter assembly mounts to a building and includes a right stile and a left stile disposed in spaced opposing relationship with one another. A first bar is mounted to the right stile and presents at least one recess facing outwardly away from the right stile for receiving a decorative member. A second bar opposing the first bar is mounted to the left stile and presents at least one recess facing and opposing the recess of the first bar for receiving the decorative member. The first and second bars each have at least one biasing device extending into the respective recesses of the first and second bars and engage the decorative member for biasing the decorative member outwardly away from the respective stiles to prevent movement of the decorative member relative to the stiles.

Abstract: Modular structural components and structural connections including chords and forming strips. Each chord has a generally elongated square main body of four main walls surrounding a central bore and having a T-slot structure adapted to accept a bolt type fastener extending along each exterior main surface. Each forming strip is an elongated plate formed into strip segments oriented at right angles to each other and forming a W-shaped corner region, a face region with a bolt hole and an attachment region, each region forming a mating bearing surface with a surface of a chord.

Abstract: A sheet is removably positionable adjacent to a window. The sheet has upper, lower and side edges. A plurality of braces is secured to the sheet. Each brace has a metal base plate and a pair of fixed housings. A vertical push rod is slidably supported in each fixed housing for axial reciprocation. A cam is rotatably secured in each fixed housing. A swivel rod is secured to the handle and both of the cams. A reciprocable housing has an open upper face and a lower face. The housing is secured to the push rods. A rubber bumper is secured to the upper face. The bumper is adapted to contact an adjacent surface when in the extended operative orientation during operation and use.

Abstract: A staircase system (2) includes a rail element (40) and multiple stair elements (42). Baluster elements (44) are coupled to the rail element (40) and to the stair elements (42). A center support system (46) is coupled to and supports the rail element (40) and the stair elements (42). The center support system (46) has a stowed state and a deployed state.

Abstract: A multi-functional building assembly includes a plurality of elongated studs, each of the studs including a recessed notch defined in axially extending fashion along first and second opposite extending surfaces. A plurality of elongated and planar shaped panels include extending edges which match in configuration that of each of the notches and in order that a selected panel is secured to a selected stud. A plurality of the studs and panels are engaged in end-to-end extending fashion to construct at least one of a wall and a corner detail.