Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a tile configured to form a modular floor covering including an array of substantially identical tiles. The tile includes a top surface, bottom side, front and rear sides and first and second lateral sides. The top surface includes an elongated shape and the bottom side includes a support grid. The front and rear sides are defined along a longitudinal length of the elongated shape. The front side includes at least one first hinge member and the rear side includes at least one complementary second hinge member configured to be engageable with the at least one first hinge member of an adjacently positioned tile. The first and second lateral sides define a width of the elongated shape with the first and second lateral sides including a respective tab and slot coupling portion each having a coupling length at least one-third the width of the elongated shape.

Abstract: A shingle includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an upper end, a lower end, a first side, and a second side. The body has a width defined as the distance between the first and second sides and a length defined by the distance between the upper and lower ends. In a preferred embodiment, the shingle also includes a water diverter tab attached to the first side for channeling water onto the top surface of a lower adjacent shingle, and a recess adjacent to the second side for receiving the water diverter tab of a laterally adjacent shingle in an interlocking manner. An anchor tab attached to the second side secures the lower ends of adjacent, interlocked shingles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an air conditioner cover having at least two posts, a plurality of slats, and a plurality of obstructions used to properly distance the slats from the ground. The air conditioner cover also has connectors disposed between said posts and said slats in some embodiments. The air conditioner cover is designed to surround an air conditioner unit in order to hide it from sight and to protect the air conditioner unit from various types of damage. The present invention is specifically designed to ensure appropriate ventilation, as the uniquely shaped slats have in order to provide a spacing gap for ventilation purposes, while still providing a barrier to the air conditioner unit.

Abstract: An LNG full containment system is provided. The LNG system generally comprises a primary container, and a secondary container positioned around the primary container. The secondary container generally comprises a first end wall, a second end wall, and at least two side walls. At least one of the walls is fabricated from a plurality of prefabricated wall panels. Each of the wall panels is fabricated from a combination of concrete and steel. The wall panels are preferably prefabricated offsite, and then transported to the construction site where they are adjoined together in end-to-end fashion to form walls. A method for constructing a full containment LNG system is also provided. In one embodiment, walls and a roof for a secondary container are assembled, but leaving an end open. At least one primary tank is brought into the secondary container. A second end wall is then erected to form the enclosure for the secondary container.

Abstract: A joint profile (1) intended to be arranged between panels (2 and 3 respectively). The joint profile (1) comprises a first edge portion (10) and a second edge portion (11). The first edge portion (10) comprises a main body portion (101), a bridge portion (102) being at one end connected to the main body portion (101) said bridge portion (102) further being provided with a distal edge (103) and a connector means (104) arranged close to the distal edge (103). The second edge portion (11) is provided with a second main body portion (111) comprising a connector receiving means (114). The main body portion (101) is provided with an edge portion (105) having a geometry adapted for joining with a selected edge (2?, 2?, 3? and 3? respectively) of the panels (2 and 3 respectively). The second main body portion (111) is provided with an edge member (115) having a geometry adapted for joining with a selected edge (2?, 2?, 3? and 3? respectively) of the panels (2 and 3 respectively).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll-formed sheet metal tee for grid type suspended ceilings with the face of its flange integral with the stem and the layers of the stem fixed together for improved torsional strength. An upper region of the stem can have one or more of its layers folded to increase suspension wire breakout strength. A stiffening bulb is below suspension wire receiving holes so that a loop of the suspension wire through the tee has a narrow profile and thereby avoids interference with ceiling panels during their installation or removal. Other embodiments of a tee share the feature of a narrow, suspension wire receiving upper stem portion.

Abstract: A gusset connector plate for anchoring a safety line to a roof truss, a roof truss and an anchoring system incorporating the same. The plate is substantially planar and includes an attachment region and an anchor portion. Teeth extend from the attachment region and into the sides of truss members that form the peak of the roof truss. The anchor portion extends laterally beneath the peak and a hole defined therein receives the connector for the security line. The hole is disposed below the lower surfaces of the truss members and vertically beneath the peak. The plate is permanently engaged with the truss. A single plate or a pair of plates may be incorporated in the roof truss and utilized in the anchoring system.

Abstract: A fascia and soffit system having a fascia component, a soffit component and a soffit support structure, the fascia component comprising first and second members which are adjustable with respect to each other to permit different heights, the soffit having a plurality of apertures formed therein to permit air passage, the soffit support structure comprising first and second members which are retained in position by an interlocking system.

Abstract: A shear panel for constructing underlayments for floors and roofs of buildings includes a first rectangular layer of fire-resistant material, such as cementitious board, bonded to a second rectangular layer of thin high-strength material, such as galvanized steel. The length of the second layer is longer than the length of the first layer. The additional length of the second layer forms a tab extending from one end of the panel. During construction, a first panel is attached to a set of beams (floor joists or roof rafters) with the tab spanning between adjacent beams. A second panel is positioned on the beams with at least a portion of the second panel overlapping the tab of the first panel. The overlapping portion of the second panel is fastened to the tab of the first panel to form a continuous shear diaphragm for the floor or roof.

Abstract: Masonry units (10) are integrally assembled by tightening forces of bolts (60) and nuts (70), in a condition that interlayer metal plates (50) are interposed between the masonry units. A basic form (11) of the masonry unit is contained in a mold for forming the masonry unit. A space (98) for fluidic covering material, which is chargeable with the covering material, is defined between upper and lower faces of the form (11), and the fluidic covering material is charged in the space. The upper and lower faces of the masonry unit are covered with the solidified covering material (12). According to the present invention, high dimensional accuracy of the masonry unit can be ensured, and efficiency of the production process of the masonry units is promoted to improve productivity of the masonry units.

Abstract: A joining element and a method for attaching the joining element on a surface of a component are disclosed. The joining element comprises a sleeve-shaped accommodation part for the accommodation of an element to be attached in the interior of the accommodation part. A flange-type extension having an indentation is provided wherein said indentation can be filled with suitable means of attachment for mounting the joining element onto surface.

Abstract: A prefabricated cover board has a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer having a density between 4 lbs/ft3 and 25 lbs/ft3. A prefabricated roofing panel composite includes the cover board and an insulation board that has a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer preferably having a density less than 2.5 lbs/ft3. The cover board may have a waterproofing membrane forming the top major surface of the cover board. When making the roofing panel composite, the low-density foam core layer of the insulation board may be formed with the high-density core layer of the cover board being currently or subsequently formed over and bonded to a top major surface of the low-density foam core layer in the same operation or preformed insulation boards may be fed into a production line with the high-density core layer of the cover board being formed over and bonded to top major surfaces of the low-density foam core layers of the insulation boards.

Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roof structure including a deck air sealed by expanding foam and wherein a mesh material is upwardly adjacent the deck and embedded in the expanding foam or in additional expanding foam. Further disclosed herein is a method for making a roof which includes applying a foam material to a roof deck and embedding a mesh in the foam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for repairing walls are provided used to repair foundational and veneer walls that have bowed or shifted. A system can include a wall support member disposed proximate a wall; an anchor disposed below the wall support member (the anchor can be affixed to a bottom portion or component of the wall (e.g., a foundational pier)); a tension member (e.g., a chain) affixed to the anchor and the wall support member; a brace affixed to the wall support member at a first end; and a stake in operable communication with a second end of the brace operable to prevent movement of the second end of the brace. Increasing tension on the tension member between the anchor and the wall support member (with a jack, for example) causes the wall to be shifted (e.g., horizontally and vertically) for repositioning the settled wall. The wall can then be re-anchored and re-attached to the structure to aid in preventing future movement of the wall. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: An electrical card connector (100) includes a shielding member (1), an insulative housing (2), an ejector (3) assembled onto one side of the insulative housing, a switch terminal (4), a plurality of first contact terminals (5) retained in a rear portion of the insulative housing and a plurality of second contact terminals (6) retained in a middle portion of the insulative housing. The shielding member has a slot (111) defined at one side. The ejector has a slider (31) moving along the sliding direction between a forward position whereat the contact terminals are not in contact with a corresponding card and a back position whereat the contact terminals are in contact with the card. The slider has a rib (311) formed at a top wall thereof mating with the slot of the shielding member. The slider also has a first mating part (312) and a second mating part (313) respectively abutting against different types of cards.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing having a base portion, a mating portion extending forwardly from a front face of the base portion, a mounting portion extending rearwardly from a rear face of the base portion, a plurality of passageways defined in the mating portion, a space defined between the rear face of the base portion and an upper face of the mounting portion for receiving the PCB therein, a terminal module having an insulation mounted to the base portion of the housing and a plurality of terminals molding with the insulation, each terminal having a middle portion molded with the insulation, a mating portion extending forwardly from the middle portion into a corresponding passageway, a leg portion extending rearwardly from the middle portion adapted to extend through the PCB, the leg portion having a U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A configurable battery connector (20) is provided for accommodating a plurality of different battery types (10). The connector (20) includes a plurality of slots (24, 26) for receiving enlarged headed connectors of a battery and two sets of electrical terminals (32, 34), each for a specific battery type. The electrical terminals (34) of one of the sets of terminals are provided on movable members (36, 38) which are coupled together to as to move from a first configuration in which these terminals (34) are active to a second configuration in which they are located behind a face plate (22) of the connector (20) and out of use, such that the terminals (32) of the other set of terminals are active. A latch keeps the connector (20) in one of its two configurations while a plurality of springs bias it to the other configuration when the latch is released. The connector allows different battery types to be attached to cameras, chargers and the like without the need for an adapter.

Abstract: In a sun room awning comprising a roll bar for rolling up an awning sheet under formation of a sheet roll and lateral guide rails for guiding the awning sheet while it is being extended, provision is made, to attain a drop-out range, to implement new awning configurations and to avoid the shortcomings of conventional pull systems, for the awning sheet to have push straps with an inherent stiffness in the direction of extension that can be rolled up together with the awning sheet.

Abstract: In the connector body, which has side portions for guiding the side surfaces of the IC card, a bottom portion having a support surface to support a front surface or back surface of the inserted IC card and stepped portions to engage the raised surface portion formed on the back surface so that the raised surface portion can be moved in an IC card , insertion/retraction direction, and a top plate portion disposed opposite the bottom portion to prevent the inserted IC card from floating upward; a leaf spring is provided to urge the IC card upward at a predetermined position with respect to the card insertion direction. The top plate portion has a blocking portion which engages the raised surface portion of the IC card at a predetermined blocking position and is disposed in front, with respect to the IC card insertion direction, of the predetermined position where the IC card is urged by the leaf spring.