Abstract: A lightweight ballistic shelter comprising mutually connectable modular panels of two sizes only (8, 7, 6). Each panel (8, 7, 6) of the shelter structure is connectable to any other panel of the shelter system thus allowing protective structures of different sizes and shapes to be assembled therefrom. The shelter is assembled from planar panels of which at least one (6) has the shape of an equilateral triangle and at least another one (7) has a square shape. The shelter system also includes coupler means (4, 5) for connecting the modular panels (6, 7, 8) with each other.

Abstract: Spacers and a spacing strip for use in an outer wall of a building between the outer vertical surface of its underlying structure and the inner surface of siding through which the siding is nailed to the underlying structure to provide a ventilation space between the rear surface of the siding and the outer surface of the underlying structure. Ventilation channels can be provided at both the lower and upper ends of the ventilation space to facilitate movement of air to the atmosphere from such a ventilation space.

Abstract: A structural assembly has a first set of first elongate structural members alternately spaced apart from a second set of second elongate structural members by locking blocks, the first set defining a first plane and the second set defining a second plane forming an intersection at an angle with the first plane, the structural members and locking blocks defining an assembly of adjoined blocks and structural members at the intersection, and a compressive mechanism spanning the assembly of adjoined blocks and structural members at the intersection. Compressing the adjoined blocks and structural members by the spanning compression mechanism locks the blocks and structural members together in a manner to resist applied forces.

Abstract: An insulating concrete block adapted to be interlocked with other insulating concrete blocks to form an insulating concrete form for casting concrete. The insulating concrete block including a first foam panel and a second foam panel supported in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to form a concrete receiving cavity. Each of the first panel and the second panel having a top end, a bottom end, a first end, and a second end. The top end and the bottom end of each of the first and second panels having an outside row of a plurality of projections and an inside row of a plurality of projections. The projections of the outside row being spaced apart to define a plurality of recesses and the projections of the inside row being spaced apart to define a plurality of recesses with the projections of the outside row being adjacent to the recesses of the inside row and the recesses of the outside row being adjacent projections of the inside row.

Abstract: A system for supporting individuals or objects is disclosed that can be used, e.g., as a bunk for sleeping upon within a vehicle, such as, e.g., a truck or commercial vehicle. The system preferably includes a support platform, a pivot mechanism, and at least one flowable-medium spring. The support platform is provided with an upper surface to support at least one individual or object within a vehicle. The pivot mechanism is connected to the support platform so as to pivot the support platform around a pivot axis to move between a stored position and a deployed position in which the support platform supports the at least one individual or object. The at least one flowable-medium spring is provided with a first end fixed relative to the vehicle and a second end fixed relative to the support platform at a location displaced from the pivot axis.

Abstract: A slotted upper track (10) has double-thick sidewalls (34, 36 and 40, 42) through which the slots (54, 50 and 52, 56) extend. The sidewalls (34, 36 and 40, 42) and an interconnecting web (38) form a central channel in which upper end portions of the studs (12) are received. The upper track or header (10) includes secondary channels outwardly of the central channel that are formed by the flanges of the central channel (34, 36 and 40, 42) and auxiliary flanges (30, 46) and auxiliary webs (32, 44). The header or upper track (10) is of a one-piece construction, making it relatively economically to construct. Upper end portions of wallboard panels (WP) are positioned outwardly of the sidewalls (34, 36 and 40, 42) of the central channel. Trim panels (TP) of wallboard are connected to the auxiliary flanges (30, 46) and are positioned laterally outwardly of the upper end portions of the main wallboard panels (WP).

Abstract: A roofing structure for buildings, and more particularly a roofing assembly having high resistance, especially for use with roofs of residential and industrial buildings. The assembly comprises a plurality of sheet panels to be interconnected along side edge portions shaped to define a first longitudinal projection facing laterally outwards, and multiple mounting brackets to be anchored to a roof. Each bracket has at least one longitudinal groove to house in a snap fit relationship the first longitudinal projections of adjacent panels, so that the first longitudinal projections and the groove have opposing upper surfaces at least partly flat and substantially parallel or slightly inclined, in order to enhance the retaining action of the brackets and increase the separation load causing the separation of the edge portions from the brackets.

Abstract: A lattice structure includes a plurality of members and a plurality of connection rods. The plurality of members may be individually oriented to form the lattice structure. Each of the plurality of members may include at least one of (i) an end section having a sidewall and a platform that define an end gap, or (ii) a mid-section having two sidewalls and a platform that define a mid-gap. Each member of the lattice structure may be connected to at least one other member, so that the lattice structure includes a plurality of connections between individual members in the plurality of members. Furthermore, each of at least some of the plurality of connections is formed by one of (i) an end section of a first member of that connection overlapping an end section of a second member of that connection; or (ii) an end section of the first member of that connection overlapping with a mid-section of the second member of that connection.

Abstract: Steel frames formed of rolled steel I-beams are connected by steel framed wall panels spanned by steel studs, and covered by steel framed roof panels spanned by steel purlins, making a structural frame completely formed of steel components bolted together. All components are precut and predrilled before transport to a construction site. A crane is used to raise steel frames and steel framed roof panels into position for bolted assembly, reducing construction times to absolute minimums. Entire structure is virtually lightning-proof, wind-proof, and earthquake resistant.

Abstract: Metal faced insulated inserts have interior and exterior surfaces with parallel longitudinal edges between an upper and lower short edge. Each longitudinal edge of each insert has two deep recesses and a central shallow recess. A plurality of generally I-shaped concealed locking beams have a central section and parallel end sections. Each end section has a central region of a thickness less than end regions to form a locking ramp. A pair of similarly configured metal facings for each concealed locking beam with opposed end parts are located within the deep recesses at the longitudinal edges of each insert. Each end part terminates in a V-shaped projection configured to allow the end regions of the concealed edge lockings to compress the V-shaped projections and allow the end regions of the concealed locking beams to mate with the metal facings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a built-up type box-shaped steel column for filling concrete therein, that can be formed easily and economically in a built-up scheme by using ?-beams and steel plates, and a method for manufacturing the same that includes bonding a steel plate at the inner surface of a ?-shapes during a process of making a built-up type box-shaped steel column, thereby having a good resistance against a lateral pressure of concrete filled in the steel column and preventing the bonded portion from being exposed to the outside to provide a better outer appearance. The built-up type box-shaped steel column for filling concrete therein, includes: a ?-shapes disposed at each of the four corners of a box-shaped steel column to be formed; and a steel plate disposed between the ?-shapes adjacent to each other for connecting the ?-shapes with each other.

Abstract: An improved structure, whereby the log structure is comprised of at least two adjacent walls mated to form a corner, with each wall constructed of logs laid horizontally upon each other, the logs alternating between protruding and nonprotruding logs, such that the ends of the protruding logs of the walls are interleaved, with the ends of the protruding logs of the first wall having notches cut from them to facilitate the mating of the first and second walls, and further comprising plugs to be inserted into the notches upon completion of assembly of the log structure, and a method for constructing same.

Abstract: A container is constructed to have a variable volume, wherein a basic container has a bottom panel and a roof panel, one or more hinged side panels are rotateable about a horizontal axis, and one or more expansion elements are telescopeable out of the basic container and having a bottom panel, a side open toward a front the basic container and a front panel opposite the open side. The one expansion element(s) is/are open toward the top and, in a telescoped state, the roof panel is formed by a raised side panel of the basic container. One or more hoisting devices is associated with each expansion element and with which the expansion element is lowerable. Thereby, after the one or more expansion elements are telescoped out, the bottom panels of the expansion element(s) and of the basic container are at the same height and also so that the expansion element(s) is insertable back into the basic container after being lowered.

Abstract: A modular louvered shutter includes first and second stiles and a center section assembled using a tongue and groove joint. The center section is a solid piece have a plurality of rails and louvers cut into the center section.

Abstract: The invention is a window glazing assembly having a series of segmented and non-segmented intersecting muntins for supporting glass panes. The non-segmented muntins incorporate a continuous carbon fiber insert that is disposed interior of the non-segmented muntin which rests directly against a perimeter edge of the glass panes. The glazing assembly safely disperses wind load or other forces acting against the glass panes.

Abstract: A building material anchor including a resilient pad. A resilient, openwork tube is affixed to the top of the pad. An adhesive layer coats the bottom of the pad.

Abstract: A floor system includes a clamping ring drain assembly for funneling water to an opening of in-floor drain plumbing. The drain assembly includes clamping rings and a cover for the input opening. A waterproof membrane has marginal material defining a hole, with the marginal material being located outboard of the upper clamping ring. A customized floor drain flasher adapter membrane has an outer first ring bonded to the marginal material of the waterproof membrane, creating a double thick ring outboard of the clamping rings. The adapter membrane further includes a ring of transition material sloping to the clamping rings. The adapter membrane has a preformed shape selected to match a vertical dimension at the construction site, so that the adapter membrane is not bent, stretched, folded or wrinkled during construction/installation, hence preventing water leaks, puckering of the membrane, and membrane cracking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for geodesic sphere construction provides a construction framework from an extrusion system that, when fabricated, generates the geometries of the geodesic sphere or dome, and also is configured to interlock with the triangular exterior panels to form a waterproof system. The apparatus includes an extruded strut portion having a cross-section, and a vertex component having the same cross-section, with a sliding connector portion adapted to slide into and join the strut portion and vertex component to form the geodesic frame work of a geodesic strut and panel system. The extruded strut and vertex components have a centerline bearing opposing dihedral angles. The vertex connectors are each set at the appropriate face angle and axial angle according to their location on the geodesic structure. Thus, the vertex component generates both the surface angles on a geodesic sphere and the axial angles which produce the curvature of the geodesic dome.

Abstract: A connector for joining frame members of a window assembly is provided. Each frame member has a channel to receive the connector. The connector comprises a pair of spaced longitudinal members and a pair of transverse members attached to the longitudinal members to form a frame. The frame has a front wall and a rear wall. The connector has at least one flexible finger extending from one of the longitudinal members towards the other longitudinal member, wherein a clearance exists between a free end of the finger and the other longitudinal member.

Abstract: A floor structure unit, comprising: a tray, a flooring material, a rubber grommet, and a rubber matrix is provided. The tray includes an upper and lower horizontal surface, at least one retaining wall, a first and a second set of contrapositive interlocking members. The flooring material is disposed on the tray upper horizontal surface such that the first set of interlocking members is substantially flush with the flooring material and the second set of interlocking members extends beyond the flooring material. The rubber matrix is disposed in the tray lower horizontal surface, and the rubber grommet is disposed about the perimeter of the at least one retaining wall. The rubber grommet and the rubber matrix are a unitary piece. Methods of manufacture and use thereof are also provided.