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.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a curtain wall member and a first curtain wall member mounting apparatus coupled to a first end of the curtain wall member. The first curtain wall member mounting apparatus includes a mounting plate and an arm having one or more projections. The first curtain wall member mounting apparatus engages with a first curtain wall member supporting channel having a vertically-disposed member and a horizontally-disposed supporting member having a receiving-and-retaining member extending from an end opposite the vertically-disposed member. The receiving-and-retaining member engages with a channel adjacent to one or more projections of the first curtain wall member mounting apparatus. The first curtain wall member mounting apparatus is adapted to be rotated into position such that a connection mechanism at a second end of the curtain wall member engages with a second curtain wall member supporting channel to retain the curtain wall member in position.

Abstract: A rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel is provided, comprising a first profile a first profile on two opposing edges, whereby each such first profile consists of a panel groove, an inner leg on an installation side of a panel and an outer leg on an visible side of a panel, both inner leg and an outer leg confining said panel groove, wherein both said outer legs are longer than said inner legs. A further second profile may be provided on at least one of the other two opposing edges of the panel, said at least one second profile consisting of a recess on the installation side of the panel. The visible side may be a decorative side.

Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing array skirts and solar panel modules in an array on a roof by providing a leveling system that utilizes a barrel bolt and barrel nut to vertically adjust the assembly. Improved electrical bonding by utilizing bonding pins installed in mounting plates of a support clamp are also provided. Additionally, an improved array skirt design that is installed on the outer row of the array, as well as improved designs in the support clamp and splice mechanisms are also provided. Finally, an improved wire management system is included as well as a method of installation of the array assembly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a reinforcing element for producing concrete components, a concrete component and corresponding production methods. The reinforcing element comprises a plurality of fibers and a plurality of holding elements which are connected to each other by the fibers so that the fibers can be stressed in their longitudinal direction by means of the holding elements. The fibers are fixed to the holding elements such that the fibers in the stressed state enter the holding elements in a substantially linear manner. This enables both a high degree of pretension and an efficient, reliable and thus cost-effective production of the concrete components.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a module useful in constructing an energy efficient, durable building structure, the module including walls to form a vacuous, sealed chamber substantially void of structural elements, materials and gaseous molecules. One or more ribs are affixed to or formed integral with an exterior surface of the exterior wall of the module, extending the width of the module. The disclosed technology further provides a vacuum apparatus which may be incorporated in communication with the vacuous, sealed chamber, for creating and maintaining a vacuum within the module. A method of controlling heat transfer within a structure is also provided, utilizing the modules as herein disclosed, each module being coupled with a vacuum apparatus in communication with the vacuous, sealed chamber, for creating and maintaining a vacuum within the module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are attic stair assemblies, in which each attic stair assembly may include: a frame that may include: a first wall; and a second wall; a stair coupled to the frame closer to the first wall than the second wall; a floorboard disposed above the stair; a port extending through the frame and the floorboard; and a support frame removably coupled to the floorboard that may include: a first leg having a first leg upper end, wherein the first leg may be closer to the first wall than the second wall; and a second leg having a second leg upper end, wherein the second leg may be shorter than the first leg and may be closer to the first wall than the second wall; and a rail portion extending from the first leg upper end to the second leg upper end at a first acute angle to the floorboard.

Abstract: A system for passively exhausting air from a structure includes at least one pair of modules arranged on a roof of the structure. Each module has an exhaust face on one side and a sloped surface on the opposite side, and can receive exhaust air that flows upward from inside the structure. The modules can be arranged in pairs facing one another, with one of the sloped surfaces facing a direction of an environmental flow of air, so that the environmental air can flow up the sloped surface of one module and down the sloped surface of the other module without impinging on the exhaust faces of either module. The pairs can also be arranged side-by-side in an array, which can be expanded with additional pairs of modules to exhaust from the structure at a greater rate.

Abstract: A flooring system including floor panels and a connecting system for connecting the floor panels is provided. The flooring system includes a first and a second floor panel, and a connecting device that includes a first and a second connecting element. The first connecting element is configured to cooperate with the first and second floor panel for horizontally connecting the first and second floor panel. The second connecting element is configured to cooperate with the first connecting element for vertically connecting the first and the second floor panel. A connecting device for connecting a first and a second floor panel is also provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic expandable connector for taking up a slack in a tie rod in a hold-down system includes an inner cylindrical body disposed within an outer cylindrical body; a first actuation spring operably attached to the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body to urge relative motion between the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body such that the connector expands axially to take up the slack; a first chamber and a second chamber disposed between an outer wall surface of the inner cylindrical body and an inner wall surface of the outer cylindrical body; a first passageway communicating between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a valve operably disposed in the first passageway in an open position when the connector expands and a closed position when the connector is subjected to an axial load.

Abstract: A system and method for forming an easily-erectable modular business cubicle is provided. The system/method involves the use of a rectangularly-shaped tile that has distinct connectors on each of its four sides. On one tile side is a single coupling connector and on the opposite is a multiple coupling connector. On the top is a connector comprising a plurality of elongated parallel grooves and on the bottom is a connector comprising a plurality of elongated parallel tongues corresponding to the top connector. These integrated connectors allow a plurality of these tiles to be releasably coupled to each other, both in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. In addition, since no tools or separate connectors are required, a variety of cubicle styles can be easily formed and then later the cubicle can be dis-assembled or reconfigured into a new cubicle style. Tiles of different heights, but with the same connector configurations are also provided.

Abstract: A baffle tile that folds from a flat configuration into a three-dimensional configuration is disclosed. In the three-dimensional configuration, it includes a rim portion and a baffle portion. The rim portion is split into halves. Each half of the rim portion terminates in a pair of upwardly-folded, spaced-apart tabs. When the baffle tile is in its three-dimensional configuration, each tab meets and abuts its counterpart from the other half of the rim portion. Each tab has a notch in it, arranged such that the notches of abutted tabs are aligned. A retaining structure inserts into each set of aligned notches. The retaining structures prevent the tabs of the baffle tile from separating. In some cases, a single retaining structure that has approximately the same size as the baffle tile itself may also serve as a cap to enclose the tile.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating canopies featuring extruded members coupled together with fasteners that are hidden and are retained by multiple tracks located in the extruded members. Prefabricated corners of extruded members allow fabricators to build the canopy on site by attaching straight members to form a canopy from the four prefabricated corners.

Abstract: A balustrade apparatus for providing a balcony or increased floor space comprising a balustrade railing, a support fixing for retaining the balustrade railing in a retracted condition, a balcony platform which is pivotably engagable with the balustrade railing and an actuation means for actuating the balustrade railing between the retracted condition and an extended condition which is different to the retracted condition. In the extended condition, the balcony platform extends horizontally, with the balustrade railing being spaced apart from its position in the retracted condition to form a balcony rail for the balcony platform. The balustrade railing includes first and second railing portions which are movable relative to one another such that the balustrade railing is vertically extendible in at least the extended condition.

Abstract: A window wall assembly includes a floor slab, a first window with a bottom sill positioned atop the floor slab and a second window with a top sill positioned at a lower surface of the floor slab. A panel extends between the first and second windows such that a void is defined between the panel and the floor slab. A fire-retardant gasket is positioned within the void and in sealing contact with the floor slab and the bottom sill.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface covering system, and, more specifically, to an improved linear surface covering system. The improvement includes each plank of the system having multi-directionally cut grooves. The improvement further includes clip projections which conform substantially to a notch formed by the multi-directional grooves. The system also includes an improved splice plate for stabilizing two adjacent planks positioned in end-to-end relation.

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 mating features of each cladding element including one or more beveled edges designed to improve mating between the cladding elements and the overall aesthetic appearance of the mating interface between adjacent cladding elements when installed on a wall or other structure.

Abstract: Window assemblies and methods for making window assemblies are disclosed herein. In one aspect, the window assembly can include a base frame assembly, an accessory support frame assembly, and an exterior accessory frame assembly. The base frame assembly is connected to and supported by the accessory support frame. The accessory support frame can be attached to a building structure via a first plurality of fasteners. The exterior accessory frame assembly, which provides much of the exterior aesthetic appearance of the window assembly, can be connected to the accessory support frame via a second plurality of fasteners which are concealed from view by the exterior accessory frame. In one example, the accessory members conceal the first plurality of fasteners once the exterior accessory assembly is connected to the base frame assembly. Many different styles of exterior accessory frames can be supported by the accessory support frame.