Abstract: A door has a core that includes a first major surface having one or more first recesses, a second major surface opposite to the first major surface, and fire retardant material such as intumescent material applied to the first recesses and no more than about 20 percent by surface area of a remainder of the first major surface excluding the first recesses. A door skin includes an interior surface, an exterior surface, at least one contoured panel portion establishing a protrusion extending on the interior surface and an opposite depression extending into the exterior surface, and fire retardant material such as intumescent material applied to at least one of the protrusion or the depression and no more than about 20 percent by surface area of the remainders of the interior surface excluding the protrusion and the exterior surface excluding the depression.

Abstract: Drainage channels are added to a control joint to provide a weeping control joint wherein condensate or other sources of water that finds its way between the stucco and the substrate, above the weeping control joint, flows through the channels to the exterior surface of the stucco below the weeping control joint.

Abstract: A roofing system including a plurality of roofing panels that can be releasably secured to rafters or other supports of the roof by connectors. In embodiments, the connectors can include first and second connectors, each of which can include a plate with a projection extending therefrom, and with the plates defining flanges on each side of the projection. The plates of the first and second connectors are configured to seat on and at least partially extend along one of the rafters of the roof structure and along exterior facing surfaces of adjacent ones of the roofing panels to releasibly secure the roofing panels to the rafters.

Abstract: A joint connector comprising a hub, two registration caps, a bolt assembly or similar means of connecting the components, and at least two wing pairs. The joint connector is adaptable and thus is capable of creating a variety of different joint networks. Joint connectors can be arranged to connect panel frames and panels for regularly faceted structures and asymmetrical or irregularly shaped structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy, specifically, the use of bottom flashings in such systems. Methods for installing such systems and replacing non-photovoltaic roofing elements in such systems are also described.

Abstract: A stay-in-place concrete formwork system allows stucco to be applied directly to the formwork, avoiding the need to provide a further surface treatment of the wall prior to applying stucco. Apertures are provided on an exterior facing wall of the formwork panel to receive and embed stucco therein. The panel may also be formed with outward stucco-engaging projections. Other features include using rigid insulation to brace the stucco and keep concrete from the apertures, a sealing joint element, extendible panels for use in curved formwork, rainscreen features and an alligator connector panel for adjustable lengths of formwork faces.

Abstract: A wall construction formed of solid wood members. The wall construction provides for a heating and cooling system that synergistically works with the inherent insulative properties of solid wood members. The wall construction comprises channels formed in the solid wood members to accommodate conduits for heating and cooling. The conduits are routed through multiple solid wood members of a wall and are positioned to efficiently heat and cool the interior of a building. Other grooves may be formed in the top side of the solid wood members to accommodate conduits for heating, cooling electrical service and communications carriers.

Abstract: A wooden module may include four cross-sectionally square longitudinal pieces of timber, at least six cross-sectionally square transverse pieces of timber, and at least two cross-sectionally square plugs, which may be connected to one another via a plurality of connection plugs. The four longitudinal pieces of timber may be arranged parallel to and spaced apart from one another such that the four longitudinal pieces of timber span a square. The at least six transverse pieces of timber may be arranged over a length of the four longitudinal pieces of timber and may be arranged between the four longitudinal pieces of timber. The at least two plugs may be arranged vertically parallel to one another and to at least four vertical transverse pieces of timber on at least two horizontal transverse pieces of timber and may project from a lateral face of the wooden module.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a structural frame member which includes a brace member that is used to absorb energy when the structural frame is subjected to loadings such as seismic, wind and gravity loads. The brace member is coupled to a restraining member that increases the buckling capacity of the brace member so that the brace member has approximately the same load axial capacity in compression as in tension. Embodiments of the invention also relate to the design, construction and assembly of the connection of the brace member that couples the brace member to a gusset plate which is coupled to the beam and column in the structural frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a building comprising a foundation; a wall supported by the foundation; and trusses supported by the wall. A plurality of hold down assemblies connects at least some of the trusses directly to the foundation. Each hold down assembly comprises an anchor; a tie-rod connected to the anchor; a bearing plate operably associated with an end portion of an associated truss for transferring load to the tie-rod; and a fastener securing the tie-rod to the bearing plate, thereby tying the associated truss directly to the foundation.

Abstract: Roofing panels with water shedding features may be installed on the roof of a house or other structure in lieu of or as an underlayment for traditional roofing materials. The water shedding features can be built into a base of the roofing panels, as part of a frame for the roofing panels, or formed as part of a waterproofing layer applied to the base of the roofing panels, or which can be configured as a roofing panel. The roofing panels also can be installed in overlapping courses along a roof with water shedding features applied thereto or incorporated along one or more peripheral edges. The water shedding features of adjacent roofing panels will collect and divert water away from the upper surfaces and/or away from headlap and/or sidelap joints defined between the roofing panels.

Abstract: A metal canopy structure, including: arches arranged in parallel formation, equally spaced apart, the arches having a planar construction and disposed on a plane running along a first axis; a plurality of cross beams arranged in parallel formation and disposed on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and mechanically coupled to the plurality of arches; a plurality of support poles, each of the arches mechanically coupled to a pair of support poles; a plurality of coupling poles, the coupling poles disposed along the second axis and mechanically coupled to the plurality of support poles, at least a portion of the coupling poles arranged in a parallel formation.

Abstract: A roof tile comprising a decorative layer, having at least a ceramic body, and a support layer disposed below the decorative layer, wherein the roof tile comprises an upper edge, a lower edge which is opposite to the upper edge and two opposite side edges, said side edges being transversal to the upper edge, wherein said roof tile comprises at least one anchoring element for anchoring the roof tile to a structure or framework.

Abstract: A segmented/modular cooling tower fan cylinder having basic segments, a motor segment and an access segment, assembled to form an hourglass shaped cooling tower fan cylinder to protect fan blades, reduce sound and vibration, and enhance performance. The segments are preferably molded fiberglass composite structures having integrally molded vertical and horizontal ribs and a horizontal rib stiffener which connects horizontal ribs of adjacent segments. A top ring stiffener is provided at the junction of each two adjacent segments in the top ring flange. Lifter bars may be provided inside a central vertical rib of the segment to secure cables or straps to hoist an assembled fan cylinder into its final location or to secure a safety harness for workers servicing equipment in the interior space defined by the fan cylinder.

Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges allowing installation with vertical snap folding that could be accomplished automatically without tools and where the short edge locking system has a tongue made in one piece with the panel. The floor panels may have a first and a second connector at the long edges that are configured to obtain a minimum of friction facilitating a displacement, by a spring back force from the bending of a short edge locking strip, of a new panel in a horizontal direction along the long edge during the vertical snap folding action.

Abstract: A modular wall unit for a modular wall system includes a first elongate reinforcement member comprising at least one tubular portion for connecting the wall unit to a further wall unit of the wall system. The wall unit also includes a body at least partially surrounding the reinforcement member along its elongate length. The reinforcement member provides strength to the wall unit and allows a connecting element to engage with the at least one tubular portion. The connecting element can connect the wall unit to a further wall unit. This allows formation of a wall system where multiple wall units are interconnected via the reinforcement members and connecting elements. A kit including a wall unit and one or more plugs for assembling a plurality of wall units, a method for forming a wall unit, and a hanging device for supporting a frame are also described.

Abstract: A light-weight unitary window assembly for recreational vehicles and trailers. The window assembly uses a two piece design that seats within the wall or door opening and incorporates a fixed window pane integrally molded into one of the polymer frame halves. The window assembly also uses a plurality of weep holes that extend through the frame halves to vacate water from the window assembly to the exterior of the vehicle or trailer wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the window assembly also includes a sliding window pane that slides along a peripheral track and securely seats in a closed position using a plurality of contact pads to prevent window “chatter.” The window assembly also includes an integrated latch mechanism to secure the sliding pane.

Abstract: A cladding element, for use in a building envelope, comprising a first face, a second face and a plurality of edges. One or more of the plurality of edges includes a mating feature configured to resist moisture passage between cladding elements when the cladding elements are installed on a wall or other structure. The cladding element can include one or more joint features to improve mating between the cladding elements, reduce labor costs, and facilitate moisture drainage from the cladding elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to doors having internal blocking components that reduce or eliminate telegraphing of the outer surface of the door facings. In particular, the invention relates to steel-edge steel doors that have internal solid wood blocks that have one or more integral cantilever beams formed into the blocks to interact with the adjoined oppositely arranged door facings in order to eliminate visually apparent door telegraphing. The blocks are modified to contain notches formed therein to form the cantilever beams.

Abstract: An exterior wall section forms a portion of an exterior wall of a building. The building has multiple floors and a framework defining the multiple floors. The exterior wall section includes a structural layer to be connected to the framework. The structural layer includes a plurality of studs connected together. An insulation layer is supported by the structural layer to insulate the building. Siding is supported by the structural layer and defines an exterior side of the exterior wall section. A perimeter of the exterior wall section is defined by the edge margins of the structural layer, the insulation layer and/or the siding. The exterior wall section includes an interlocking structure extending along the perimeter that mates with an interlocking structure of another exterior wall section to form a seal with said another exterior wall section when the exterior wall sections are connected to the building.