Abstract: Disclosed is a plunger including, in combination, a handle, a plunger bell with an inner bell surface, and an elongated tubular sheath, wherein the sheath at least substantially encases the handle and plunger bell, and the sheath is at least partially secured to the inner bell surface.

Abstract: A manufacture and method for reducing thermal transfer through window systems has a composite window cap retainer. The retainer has a metal extrusion at least partially covered by a thermal spacer having reduced relative thermal conductivity. The thermal spacer is mechanically supported by the metal extrusion and mechanically intermediates and thermally insulates between the cap and the metal window structures to which the cap is secured, reducing thermal transfer between the inside and outside environments of a building.

Abstract: An elevator guide rail fixing clip has a u-shaped clip body configured to encompass a side edge of an elevator guide rail and a fastening element. The fastening element is fastened to the clip body and is configured to mount the clip body to a fixed structure of an elevator runway. The clip body includes a base wall, a side wall and a cover wall forming the three members of the u-shaped body. At least one of these walls has at least one projection protruding from the respective wall configured to contact the guide rail, which projection has a contact face for contact with the elevator guide rail. The fixing clip allows the fastening of a guiderail in a horizontal plane but with reduced friction against vertical sliding of the guide rail to compensate for building shrinkage.

Abstract: Reinforcing bars include load transfer connectors. A link plate includes openings that mate with the load transfer connectors to overlie the splice between reinforcing bars being spliced. A cover plate may be fastened over the link plate.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and a unit for a masonry wall system, each unit comprising a face shell wherein the interior surface has a transverse axis running from the top surface to the bottom surface of the face shell, and one or more webs having a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end of each web is integral with or attached to the interior surface of the face shell along the transverse axis. The method for wall construction further comprising positioning one or more vertical reinforcement rods or tendons with one end embedded in a wall-foundation and laying a layer wall units on the wall-foundation such that the one or more webs of the layers of wall units are aligned, and the vertical reinforcement rods or tendons run through or are adjacent to the webs of the wall units.

Abstract: A portable and modular foundation that can be utilized to support a monopole includes a central hub and a plurality of legs. A proximal end of each leg is removably attached to the central hub. A plurality of floor panels extends from proximate the hub to a perimeter of the foundation and define a substantially uninterrupted floor. With the plurality of floor panels attached to the legs, the foundation can optionally be buried where the soil or other material is positioned on top of the floor panels to provide the necessary ballast to allow the foundation to retain a monopole with a piece of equipment in an elevated position. Alternatively, if the foundation is to be utilized above ground, a plurality of wall panels can be attached to the floor panels and the legs with braces to retain the wall panels in a substantially vertical position. The plurality of wall panels forms a substantially continuous wall about a perimeter of foundation such that ballast can be placed therein.

Abstract: Matrix basalt reinforcing member constructed and arrange to provide lateral support for the longitudinal bar steel or FRP tendons that provide tensile strength to cementitious material or plastics to reduce bending moment by reducing the onset of shear. The reinforcement members are formed from basalt fibers treated with a thermoplastic thermoset polymer and formed into structures to provide structural resistance to bending-moment forces, compression forces, and torsional forces acting on the structure.

Abstract: A tile leveling structure includes a fixture and a leveling member mounted on the fixture. The fixture includes a base, an adjusting plate extending upward from the base, and a oneway toothed rack mounted on the adjusting plate. The base and the adjusting plate have a connection formed with a breaking point. The leveling member is provided with a passage through which the adjusting plate passes. The leveling member has a bottom provided with a pressing face is provided with a first locking portion and a second locking portion. The leveling member is provided with a first wing and a second wing. The first wing is provided with a first hook which is provided with a first abutting face. The second wing is provided with a second hook which is provided with a second abutting face.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and device (10, 100, 200, 300) for mounting a solar panel (11) to a roof (43). The device (10, 100, 200, 300) allows for the mounting of solar panels (11) with various thicknesses using an end clamp (12) and base (13) assembly where the end clamp (12) is height adjustable along an alignment portion (20) that projects vertically upward from a planar top surface (19) of the base (13). The end clamp (12) includes an end portion (18) with a three-angle bearing surface (27) that engages both a side surface and a groove (23) within a side surface of the alignment portion (20). The solar panel (11) frame is secured from the top by an upper clamping surface of the end clamp (12) to the alignment portion (20) and the top surface of the base (13).

Abstract: A flashing system and assembly for slate or tile roofs having a flashing and a flashing cap. The flashing is shaped to replace a plurality of removed slates or tiles. The flashing cap has an adjustable position such that the position of a mounting rail support system passing through the flashing can be adjusted with respect to the flashing while still maintaining a watertight seal with the flashing cap and optional sealing cap.

Abstract: A ceiling system in one embodiment includes an overhead support grid comprised of a plurality of intersecting grid support members and a ceiling tile mountable to the grid. Retaining clips support the ceiling tile from the grid which may be concealed from view. The retaining clips each include a cavity that receives a grid support member and a pair of resilient mounting elements configured to lockingly engage a support member. The mounting elements are laterally movable in response to inserting the support member into the cavity of the retaining clip. In one embodiment, the movable elements include locking tabs which create a snap-fit interlock with the grid support member for securing the ceiling tile to the grid.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of satisfaction of vital human needs. A transformable platform, which is intended for creation of installations arranged both horizontally and vertically or slantwise, represents the unidirectionally oriented rod-shaped elements with a flat end face each, located close to each other in the form of cells, which form the flat horizontal platform in the initial position due to the flat end faces located at the same level. Each rod-shaped element is equipped with an individual drive to move linearly and lift the flat end face above the level of the surface of the transformable platform or lower the flat end face below this level.

Abstract: A cover for a C-shaped stud comprising a semi-rigid plate having a first face with a first end and a second end, the distance between the first and second end sufficient to cover the space between the L-shaped legs of the C-shaped stud. A pair of U-shaped clips each positioned proximal to opposite ends of the plate and configured to engage each L-shaped flange of the stud enabling the cover to be applied to the C-shaped stud by bending the plate sufficiently to permit the leg of each L-shaped flange to fit within the U-shaped clip. A further embodiment incorporating a spring means configured to be biased so as to be positioned within the C-shaped stud to engage one of the L-shaped flanges to provide a biasing force on the cover to secure the cover to the C-shaped stud.

Abstract: A portable framed artistic window pane covers includes plain and textured window pane film mounted on glass or transparent polyvinyl sheet with a prismatic effect that allows incoming light to pass through a window pane while refracting the light at random or semi-random angles in a manner that distorts viewed images through window panes of any size outside a home, office, or structure to create privacy for persons inside home, office, and other structures.

Abstract: Moisture barrier membranes for use in flooring structures are provided. The moisture barrier membrane can suppress water vapor emission from a flooring substrate (such as a concrete floor) up to about 99% relative humidity. The moisture barrier membrane may include a top layer (e.g., a polyester layer), a rubberized copolymer bottom layer, and an optionally removable liner (e.g., polyethylene or nylon film). Methods of installing the moisture barrier membrane are provided.

Abstract: A precast concrete step unit formed of left and right sidewalls, risers, and treads, wherein left and right sidewalls are assembled from a plurality of pre-cast sidewall panel modules, including at least one stepped panel module and at least one rectangular panel module. The panel modules are joined edge-to-edge at seams, with cement and/or with hardware. Pre-cast concrete tread modules extend at least between the left and right sidewalls and are mounted onto respective stepped edge surfaces of the right and left sidewalls. Pre-cast concrete riser modules also extending at least between the right and left sidewalls and mounted onto tread modules. These each extend vertically to successive stepped edge surfaces. Reinforcing cross brace members are fastened to the inward surfaces of the left and right sidewalls and extend at crossed diagonals between them. The precast modules each weight about 200 pounds or less and can be carried by two workmen.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.

Abstract: A flooring component (700) comprising a main body portion (717) defining a first major surface (701) and a second major surface (702), a first extending portion (720) that extends from the main body portion in a first direction, the first extending portion defining a third surface coplanar to at least a portion of the first major surface, and a second extending portion (730) that extends from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second extending portion defining a fourth surface coplanar to at least a portion of the second major surface, wherein at least 60% of the main body portion, the first extending portion and the second extending portion is of a first material, the first extending portion comprises a female structure (722) on a side of the first extending portion opposite the third surface, the second extending portion comprises a male structure (733) on a side of the second extending portion opposite the fourth surface, the flooring component comprises, in a reg

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods of manufacturing a spiral staircase assembly for custom projects. A method may include coupling a plurality of stairs to a center column such that distances between adjacent stairs of the plurality of stairs deviates less than ½? to meet code. A method may further include cutting the center column after coupling the plurality of stairs to the center column to form a first center column and a second center column. A method may further include welding a female column coupling to a first end of the first center column and welding a male column coupling to a first end of the second center column. The male column coupling is configured to couple to the female column coupling such that when the male column coupling is coupled to the female column coupling, distances between adjacent stairs of the plurality of stairs deviates less than ½?.

Abstract: The invention is related to a masonry reinforcement and to a dispenser therefore. The masonry reinforcement comprises a reinforcement strip that defines a strip plane and that is at least in one direction bendable. In the reinforcement strip multiple strip apertures are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the strip, each strip aperture comprising an aperture rim at the aperture rim or in the range of the aperture rim of some or all of the strip apertures rim serration members are arranged. The rim serration members are orientated inwardly. They can protrude out of the strip plane of the reinforcement strip in at least one direction.