Abstract: An energy conversion device is adapted to be housed within a unitized curtain wall unit as part of an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The device can be a photovoltaic module that includes other power generating system components—including control units and associated power/signal wiring—within the façade.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a building panel which has structural integrity. A plurality of stud members with opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces extend from a first face of the panel toward a second face. The plurality of stud members are spaced from each other and extend in a direction which is essentially parallel to each other. A rigid foam fills the volume of the panel which is not filled by the plurality of stud members. The rigid foam is bonded to at least one side surface of each of the plurality of stud members. The bonding of the rigid foam to the plurality of stud members results in a stable and strong panel which is capable of accommodating large shear loads.

Abstract: A method of constructing a grain bin floor support system having a plurality of interconnected support members. The support members are constructed from a monolithic sheet of structural metal stamped and formed having upper and lower horizontal rails spanning across and integrally connected by a plurality of transverse support columns. The rails include a longitudinally extending center segment and a stabilizing portion adjacent each end thereof. The stabilizing portions are configured to be folded out in opposite directions forming a non-planar self-supporting structure.

Abstract: A multi-tiered building structure. The multi-tiered building structure includes a panel member having a pattern of cuts, a pattern of legs, and a pattern of tabs configured to move the panel member between a nonexpanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially flat shape, and an expanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially stepped shape. The building structure also includes a support structure configured to accept at least one of the pattern of tabs of the panel member and maintain the panel member in the expanded position.

Abstract: Floor panel comprising coupling parts enabling two floor panels to adopt two or more different mutually locked positions (P1-P2) when coupled, wherein the two or more mutual positions (P1-P2) differ from each other in that they, at the coupled sides, define two or more different distances (S) between the upper side edges of the floor panels, and adapter elements are provided with the coupling parts, so that the use or non-use of these adapter elements enables setting the mutually locked position (P1-P2).

Abstract: A method of making a stainless steel composite door is accomplished by forming an oversized composite core by gluing a sheet of lightweight plywood to a sheet of brushed metallic laminate formed of a layer of metal and phenolic plastic. The thus formed core is cut to form an undercut step through only a portion of the plywood section, leaving the laminate intact. A pan is then laid down on a flat table with flanges pointing up. One-quarter inch thick spacer pads are placed in each of the four corners of the pan. The oversized metallic laminated core, with an undercut step, is placed on top of the pan and centered. Overhead clamps are tightened to hold the core in place in the pan. The metallic laminated core is routed by a trim router having a rotatable bearing and a cutting bit, with the bearing having a lesser radius than the router bit. The difference in radii between the bearing and the router bit is equal to the thickness of the flanges of the pan.

Abstract: A heated insulating glass panel, with a fitting, is provided. The heated insulating glass panel is formed from two dielectric sheets that are separated by a spacer, which has a spacer layer at the spacer edge. The fitting, which is made of a fitting base portion and a fitting tubular portion, is attached to the spacer layer at the spacer edge by way of, for example, two screws. Thus, the fitting provides a pathway for routing wires into and away from the heated insulating glass panel. If necessary, an elbow may be provided which attaches to the fitting tubular portion for changing the direction of the routing of the wires. In addition, conduit may be attached to the fitting to route the wiring to and from the heated insulating glass panel.

Abstract: A combination method for combination plates of the present invention, in which a plurality of C linking plates are installed on a building surface or frame surface, and the C linking plate is provided with a surface, and is at least provided with one C pocket and one J post. Moreover, a cavity is formed between the C pocket and the J post, and the C pocket and the J post are used to form a height difference between the C linking plate and the building surface or frame surface, thereby forming a sealed chamber between the cavity and the building surface or frame surface, and enabling providing the effectiveness to insulate against sound, temperature, dampness and moisture, as well as providing electric insulation.

Abstract: A panel, in particular a floor panel, has a core of a wooden material, in particular MDF or HDF, or a wooden material/plastic mixture. A pattern is arranged on a visible side. The visible side is provided on at least one side edge (I, II) with a chamfer running at an angle ? hereto and a length (L). The angle ? of at least one of the chamfers varies over the length (L).

Abstract: A building panel for residential and commercial construction uses a plurality of insulating blocks connected together by adhesive. The insulation blocks are typically made of foam. A plurality of support members are disposed on opposite sides of the insulating blocks and offset with respect to the adjacent support member. The support member are typically made of metal and can have different shapes including “T” shape, “U” shape, and “L” shape. Each support member has a head portion in contact with a surface of the insulating block and a stem portion extending into the insulating block and having a length less than a width of the insulating block so that a thermal conduction path of the support member is discontinuous across the insulating block. The panel can be used as a curtain wall panel in high-rise construction, as well as bodies for aircraft, automotive, and marine applications.

Abstract: A structural sandwich plate member particularly adapted for use as a floor panel comprises a structural sandwich panel (10a, 10b) comprising first and second outer metal plates (11, 12), an edge member (20) fixed between the outer metal plates (11,12) in an edge of the panel (10a, 10b) and a core (13) bonded to the outer metal plates (11, 12) and arranged to transfer shear forces therebetween, wherein the edge member (20) comprises: an inner part fixed between the outer metal plates (11, 12); and an outer part projecting beyond the outer metal plates (11, 12) and having a plurality of through-holes (22) therein arranged to receive respective bolts (34) to fix the panel (10a, 10b) to another structure (40).

Abstract: The invention concerns a building façade having an inner wall, an insulation layer, an outer cladding layer and profiles for securing the outer cladding to the inner wall. Air gab for ventilation is provided between the insulation layer and the outer cladding. The insulation layer comprises insulation panels having two major large surfaces and four minor edge surfaces and the insulation panels have layers of insulation of different densities extending parallel to the two major surfaces, where a layer with a density above an average density of the panel is facing the outer cladding.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing homes is provided. An embodiment includes a final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes is to be situated. The final assembly facility is for receiving the planar sections from the sub-assembly plant and for constructing the homes from planar portions according to the production schedule.

Abstract: A shapeable framing element for the construction of panels comprising mounting means to affix said shapeable framing element to a substrate, said mounting means being divided into a plurality of mounting tabs defining a plurality of channels, thereby allowing said framing element to be shaped into curvilinear forms prior to being mounted upon said substrate. A shapeable element for attaching objects to a substrate.

Abstract: A method for production of sandwich panels having a zigzag corrugated core made from sheet material to be used in aircraft construction, shipbuilding, and other branches of industry. The method improves the quality and ease of sheet blank folding into a 3-D relief structure. Folds are made in the sheet blank at locations of crimp zigzag lines protrusions and recesses. Holes are punched in the sheet with a diameter of the holes being greater than or equal to a sheet blank bending radius.

Abstract: An information processing system for producing a building material has a design drawing generator, a list generator and a member production controller. The design drawing generator generates design drawing information of an objective building. The list generator generates list information of the members used for the objective building. The member production controller controls the production of the members used for the objective building, based on the list information.

Abstract: A method of assembling a composite structure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes receiving and positioning at least two composite structure subassemblies on a structure assembly table by operation of at least one first device and at least one second device and compacting the at least two composite structure subassemblies into a composite structure by operation of a third device.

Abstract: A shingle blank is provided including a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and including a first fold region, a second fold region, a third region, a lower edge and an upper edge. The shingle blank has a length. The first fold region extends substantially across the length of the shingle blank. The second fold region extends substantially across the length of the shingle blank and is positioned between the first fold region and the third region. A first perforation line is positioned between the second fold region and the third region. A second perforation line is positioned between the first fold region and the second fold region. The first and second perforation lines are sufficient to facilitate folding of the first fold region and the second fold region on top of the third region to form a three layered stack configured to be applied across a ridge or hip.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing frame-type composite panels to a desired length comprises forming an elongate core-frame composite in which frame members have been received in slots on a slab of core material. The composite is cut to the desired length and the frame is finished by application of end members. The method described herein allows composite frame panels to be formed without restriction on the length typically due to the length of the mold in which the core is formed. A drum for use in a system for creating composite panels is disclosed having protruding rings concentric to the drum. A slab of core material is passed between two such drums which form slots in the slab for receiving frame members when they contact the slabs.

Abstract: A building system can be made from a structural member and a panel. The panel can be made from a plurality of sheets while each of the sheets can be made from steel sheets which are coated with an alloy such as an aluminum zinc allow to form a galvalum sheet. This galvalum sheet can then be coated with a ceramic insulating material on one or both sides of the sheet. These two sheets can be spaced apart from each other to house an insulative barrier in between. This insulative barrier can include one or more layers of air, and/or basalt continuous fiber. Each panel can be sealed so that it doesn't allow for air convection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a metal roofing shingle system comprising universal flashing installed as either a ridge cap, hip flashing, or valley flashing and including non-visible double-flanged interlock joints that extend beneath the underside surface of the flashing, the interlock joints are adapted to couple with metal shingles; each metal shingle having a planar segment, a first longitudinal edge segment opposite a second longitudinal edge segment that includes a non-visible double-flanged interlock joint that extends beneath the bottom surface of the shingle, and a first transverse edge segment opposite a second transverse edge segment that includes a non-visible double-flanged compression joint that extends beneath the bottom surface of the shingle; and shingle shaping tools.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite door is disclosed. The method comprises: mixing together a thermoplastic polymer with an organic fibrous material in a ratio such that the organic fibrous material constitutes 40 to 60 percent by weight of the mixture; extruding the mixture under heat and pressure to create a thin sheet form; cutting the sheet to a predetermined size; removing material from at least one surface of the sheet to create a homogeneous appearance devoid of obvious fibrous particles; thermoforming the sheet to impart to the at least one surface an exterior three dimensional door surface to create a thin door facing; and assembling two of the thermoformed thin door facings, a peripheral frame and a core material into a door.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stiffened panel, and a datum part for use in such a method. The method comprises: holding the panel with a jig; holding a datum part with the jig; engaging the panel and the datum part with a stringer; and joining the stringer to the panel. Preferably an additive process is used to form the datum part. By growing the datum part in a series of layers, the shape of each layer can be selected to enable the shape or size of the datum part to be optimised.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of panels for floor, wall or ceiling coverings, with the panels being cut from a large starting sheet and provided on their long sides (11, 12) with locking strips (15, 16). The starting sheet is hereby provided with parallel grooves (4, 5) along the topside and underside thereof, with the upper groove (4) and the lower groove (5) extending in the sheet plane (PE) at an offset in relation to one another at a distance (a), thereby forming a breaking web (6). The starting sheet (1) is then divided along the breaking web (6) such that projecting longitudinal strips remain along the long sides (11, 12) and are used for shaping the locking strips (15, 16).

Abstract: A building panel formed from sheet material extends in a longitudinal direction along its length and includes a curved center portion in cross section, a pair of side portions extending from the curved center portion, and a pair of connecting portions extending from the side portions. The curved center portion includes a plurality segments extending in the longitudinal direction. The panel is curved in the longitudinal direction without having transverse corrugations. A particular segment may have a depth greater than that of another segment to accommodate the longitudinal curve. A system for longitudinally curving the panel includes first and second curving assemblies, each of which includes multiple rollers arranged to contact the panel as it passes along, a positioning mechanism for changing a relative rotational orientation between the first and second curving assemblies, a drive system for moving the panel longitudinally, and a control system for controlling the positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engineered wood flooring product including providing a flat plywood platform having an original thickness, sanding top and bottom surfaces of the platform to achieve a final thickness less than the original thickness, wherein the amount of material removed from the bottom surface is greater than the top surface to induce center lift in the platform, applying adhesive to the platform, applying a veneer face to the platform, and subjecting the lay-up to a lineal pressing system to ensure bonding.

Abstract: A composite floor panel includes a frame assembly having a base plate, a plurality of first lateral supports secured to the base plate, and a plurality of second lateral supports secured to the base plate. The first lateral supports lie in a first plane and the second lateral supports lie in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane each intersect the base plate and the first plane is disposed at an angle relative to the second plane. The composite floor panel also includes a concrete portion coupled to and supported by the first lateral supports and the second lateral supports.

Abstract: A stiffened plate is formed by welding a plurality of stiffener materials which, together with a steel plate, form closed cross-sectional structures onto a surface of the steel plate. The stiffener materials are joined to the steel plate as a result of edge portions of the stiffener materials which are in contact with the steel plate by being laser welded at a predetermined welding speed as a result of a laser having a predetermined output being irradiated from a predetermined direction thereon from the external side of the closed cross-sectional structures. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the weld quality when welding stiffener materials onto a steel plate, and to achieve an improvement in fatigue strength.

Abstract: An improved vehicle box assembly with an upright front or side panel defined by a monolithic one-piece roll-formed steel sheet member having a desired three-dimensional configuration. The sheet steel member is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof. The panel has a channel, preferably a closed tubular channel on the front panel, roll-formed along one edge of the sheet steel during forming of the panel. The closed tubular edge rail is preferably closed by a seam weld which extends lengthwise therealong and is performed in line with the roll-forming operation. The roll-formed panel is preferably provided with a flat shelf deformed horizontally to extend lengthwise along the panel downwardly from the top rail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum insulation panel (1) having a core (5) having insulating hollow spaces and cover layers (11) closing off the core (5) from the environment, the hollow spaces of the core (5) being formed by two chambers (3) sealed off from each other in a gas-tight fashion, extending together with the walls (4) or intermediate walls thereof from one cover layer (11) to the other cover layer (11) and being formed from the walls (4) or intermediate walls and the cover layers (11).

Abstract: The panel includes a water resistant barrier layer secured atop its outward facing surface. The water resistant barrier layer includes a skid resistant surface. The panels are made of lignocellulosic material. The water resistant and skid resistant surface may include indicia for aligning strips of tape or for aligning fasteners. A method for manufacturing the water resistant building panels is also disclosed and includes the steps of feeding paper onto a forming belt, depositing lignocellulosic material and the binding agent onto the forming belt so as to form a lignocellulosic mat, applying heat and pressure so as to impart the skid resistant surface on the paper, and cutting panels to predetermined sizes.

Abstract: A decorative fencing system is provided for use as a small fence or decorative accent for a yard. The fencing system comprises several different structural components that may be joined in various combinations so as to create a limitless number of different configurations or arrangements. The components include base units, decorative end units and gate units, each of which may be attached to the other components in any combination thereof. Each of these components are attached to post sections which are inserted through post rings or post hinges on the individual components to thereby allow for each component to be rotated to the desired position relative to the post section. The post sections are secured to the ground by means of stakes that are first driven into the ground and the post section is then inserted into a sleeve in the stake to thereby provide support and stability for the fencing system. A separate and smaller pin is provided on the end units to anchor these components to the ground.

Abstract: A skylight fall protection safety panel formed from a single sheet of metal having a predetermined surface area A1 and a plurality of apertures are punched out of at least one central perforated portion of the sheet having a surface area A2 surrounded by strip portions having a perimeter surface area A3. A2 is as great as or greater than 0.60A1. The shape of the apertures can take many different forms but they would have a greatest width D1 that is less than 2.0 inches. The central perforated portion has a sufficient number of apertures of a sufficient size that 50 percent of A2 is open to pass light therethrough. The sheet metal safety panel would be secured under an existing fiberglass skylight panel. The sheet panel can also be corrugated to match translucent skylight panels that are corrugated. The sheet metal panel can also be inserted into a mold or cast with a top layer of resin material and a bottom layer of resin material and also having the central perforated portion apertures filled with resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing a side edge of a panel (2), in particular a floor panel, with a top (18) and a bottom (19), which on at least two side edges lying opposite one another has profiles corresponding to one another such that two identically embodied panels (2) can be joined and locked to one another in the horizontal and vertical direction by an essentially vertical joining movement, wherein the locking in the vertical direction can be produced by at least one tongue element formed in one piece from the core and moveable in the horizontal direction, which tongue element during the joining movement snaps in behind a locking edge extending essentially in the horizontal direction and the tongue element is exposed by means of at least one essentially vertical slot with respect to the core, and at least one of the slots is not embodied in a continuous manner over the entire length of the side edge, wherein the at least one non-continuous slot is produced by at least one guided tool (41)

Abstract: The invention relates to floor covering comprising two different impact sound attenuating layers 5, 6.

Abstract: A structural sandwich plate member particularly adapted for use as a floor panel comprises first and second outer metal plates and a core bonded to the outer metal plates and arranged to transfer shear forces therebetween, wherein the core comprises: an inner core comprising a corrugated metal plate and a filler material within the corrugations thereof; and an outer core layer of plastics or polymer material bonded to parts of the corrugated metal plate and the outer metal plates.

Abstract: A refrigerator door in which a decoration member is mounted to a door frame using a foam material is disclosed. In the refrigerator door, the foam material fills a space formed between the decoration member mounted to a front side of the door frame and a rear panel mounted to a rear side of the door frame. Accordingly, the decoration member can be fixed to the door frame through direct contact with the foam material.

Abstract: A composite cladding panel 1 comprises a backing tray 2 and an external skin 3 with a layer of foam insulation material 4 such as a phenolic or polyurethane based foam material therebetween. One of the skins, in this case the external skin 3 has a plurality of tongue and mortise blocks 5 fastened to the panel 1 by fasteners 12. Each fastener 12 comprises a peel rivet having a mandrel, a stress plate, and a main body. Pilot holes 13 are first drilled through the blocks 5 and the rivet 12 is inserted. On operation of a rivet gun the main body curls up 22 and is clamped against the inside surface of the external skin 3. The blocks 5 are thereby efficiently and effectively clamped to the external skin 3. A composite insulating panel with an integrated high performance brick cladding is provided.

Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.

Abstract: A collapsible building module including: a floor panel; a plurality of wall panels, each having an upper end and a lower end and being connected to said floor panel at or adjacent their lower ends for pivoting movement relative to said floor panel about respective pivot axes at or adjacent their lower ends between an erected position in which they stand up from said floor panel and a stowed position in which they rest on said floor panel or on top of one another; a roof panel operatively connected to one of said wall panels at or adjacent its upper end for pivoting movement relative thereto about a pivot axis adjacent said upper end; and securing means for securing selected adjacent panels together in the erected position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wood-based composite panel that is not susceptible to top surface edge swell, and methods of making the panel.

Abstract: To provide a cost-effective, stable vacuum insulation panel (10) having at least one lead-through (20) in a main surface (16) of an insulating material supporting body (14) and having a vacuum-tight film envelope (17), it is proposed that the lead-through (20) is formed as a bush (30) with an outer side (32) facing the insulating material supporting body (14) and that on the first bush end (36) is provided a first, preformed collar (37) extending radially away from the bush (30) into the main surface (16) and, opposite said collar, is provided a second collar (39) formed by thermal deformation of the second bush end (38), wherein the vacuum-tight film envelope (17) is welded to the collars (37, 39). A corresponding method for producing the panel is also described.

Abstract: A heat-formation method for creating a composite, layered structural panel which possesses at least one selected area of elevated densification and reinforcement including (a) providing a pre-heat-formed, layered expanse of compressible, heat-formable, composite sheet material having a reception face and a starter thickness T1, (b) establishing a pre-formation assembly of materials by placing on a selected area of the reception face an already heat-formed and densified island of essentially the same layered composite sheet material which defines the expanse, with such island having a thickness T2 which is less than T1, (c) employing heat and pressure, consolidating and compressing the expanse and the island to form, in an embedment region in the panel, an embedded-island, finished panel having an allover uniform thickness T3 which is less than T1, and wherein the region associated with the island has an embedment thickness T4 which is equal to or less than T2, and an effective density which is elevated in rel

Abstract: A building element includes a glass panel defining an outer circumferential rim including at least two rectilinear segments, a first one of which defines a first length and a second one of which defines a second length. The glass panel is made of hardened glass and has a specific coefficient of thermal expansion. The building element further includes a first pultruded element having a length corresponding to the first length, and a second pultruded element having a length corresponding to the second length. The first and second pultruded elements are adhered in a high strength integral adhesion to the hardened glass panel along the first and second rectilinear segments, respectively, and the pultruded elements have a content of reinforcing fibers for providing a coefficient of thermal expansion of the pultruded elements substantially corresponding to the specific coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A composite building panel includes a substantially rigid planar sheet and a substantially rigid first skin. The first skin includes a plurality of anchors embedded in the sheet. The anchors fix the first skin to the sheet.

Abstract: A screen for a glazed area such as a window or a door to reduce heat transfer has a board with a light reflective face and top and bottom tracks to permit attachment to the wall around a window or door opening. In a variant a transparent fluted plastic board has frame extrusions on the top and bottom edge to close the flutes and is supported in top and bottom tracks enabling the assembly to be lifted in and out and slid laterally. This variant can be installed in a window opening and exerts a double glazing and noise reduction effect.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing protective shutters is provided. The method may include: shaping metal to form shutter components, the shutter components comprising at least a top guide piece and a bottom guide piece, a plurality of shutter blades, and side supports; cutting the shutter components to predetermined dimensions; drilling screw holes into the shutter components at predetermined locations; providing a plurality of guide wheels for guiding the shutter blades along a hollow portion in the top guide piece; providing a plurality of protruding pieces for protruding from joints where two shutter blades attach and for guiding the shutter blades along the top and bottom guide pieces; and providing mounting hardware for attaching the protective shutters to a fixed structure and for attaching the shutter components together. The shutter components, guide wheels, protruding pieces, and mounting hardware are for being packaged together for delivery to a recipient.

Abstract: A method for making the core of a door of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). A billet of AAC is provided from which slabs are cut to the approximate dimensions of the door core. A reinforcing band is secured about the perimeter of a slab or a pair of slabs sandwiching a reinforcing panel. The thickness of the slab, or the pair of slabs and reinforcing panel, is then sized for the door core as by sanding. The door is finished by applying skins to the core surfaces and trim to the reinforcing band.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method of making cornice assemblies and other trim members utilizing the process of pultrusion. The cornice assemblies and the other trim members made by the method of the present invention exhibit superior strength to weight ratios, low expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity, as well being less labor intensive to install.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roofing plate produced as an injection-moulded plastic piece, supporting a functional unit for fitting to the roof surface such as a roof ventilator, extended on the edge thereof with a predominantly plastically deformable strip, made from lead sheet for example, which extends into a groove in the boundary region of the injection-moulded plastic piece and is retained there with a positive fit against outward movement. The strip is exclusively arranged on the eave-sided edge of the roofing plate and the groove around the boundary region of the strip on the roof plate has groove edges inclined towards the groove opening in cross-sectional view.