Abstract: The invention relates to a composite panel for raised floors comprising a core bonded on its top to a tile of stony material and bonded on its bottom to a base of metallic material, wherein the stony material tile has a bottom surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion, and has a perimeter recess formed at the bottom surface, wherein the core is bonded to the stony material tile through the central portion of the bottom surface, and wherein the base of metallic material consists of a metallic sheet having upturned edges to form a tray that is bonded to the core, the end portions of the upturned edges being folded up to bond the stony material tile at the peripheral portion of its bottom surface and in the perimeter recess.

Abstract: A pedestal head that is sufficiently resilient to allow for alignment of the floor panels during installation of the floor panels and to allow individual access floor panels to maintain their originally-aligned position after having been subjected to a heavy load during use. The pedestal head includes a base and arms extending from and supported by the base for cantilevered movement relative thereto. The base has a first surface, disposed in a first plane, configured to support a first portion of a floor panel. The arm has a second surface configured to support a second portion of the floor panel. The second surface is disposed in a second plane generally parallel to the first plane in a first configuration of the pedestal head. The arm is deflectable by the weight of a panel mounted thereon to define a second configuration in which the second surface is nonparallel to the first plane. The base may include additional arms for supporting additional floor panels.

Abstract: A shim assembly comprises a first shim piece having a generally planar body and a plurality of spaced apart projections extending upwardly therefrom. A second shim piece has a generally planar body and a plurality of spaced recesses. The recesses are slightly larger than the projections and spaced apart similar to the spacing of the projections to receive the projections and maintain the first and second shim pieces in an assembled condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing backing in walls which include a first, second and third upright U-shaped stud. A first backing member has a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side. The first backing member is disposed between the first and second studs. A second backing member has a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side. The second backing member is disposed between said second and third studs. A hinge is operatively attached to the first side of the first and second backing members for permitting the second backing member to pivot with respect the first backing member between a first position wherein the first side of each of the first and second backing members are substantially in the same plane and a second position whereby the first and second backing members are not in the same plane. This permits the first backing member to be placed between a first and second adjacent vertical stud.

Abstract: A window stabilizing device including a wedge portion dimensioned for being positioned between a lower edge of a window and a corresponding window frame or sill. The wedge portion has a generally triangular configuration. The wedge portion has a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls, a forward edge, and a raised rearward edge. The forward edge and the raised rearward edge are disposed whereby the top wall is angularly disposed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises various combinations of 2″×4″, 2″×6″, 2″×8″, 2″×10″ and 2″×12″ members stacked on top of one another with one longitudinal edge of each member co-aligned. In this configuration, the non-aligned longitudinal edges form shallow steps which act as a ramp, allowing wheeled implements to easily transition form ground level to the floor level of the portable building.

Abstract: A portable screen door for positioning in an apartment doorway. The portable screen door includes a frame having a first side bar, a second side bar, a top bar and a bottom bar. A screen extends between and is attached to the first side bar, the second side bar, the top bar and the bottom bar. The screen extends along each of the bars. A first support holds the frame in a doorframe. The support is elongated and has a first end and a second end. The first side bar of the frame is hingedly coupled to the support. At least one biasing member removably biases the support against the doorframe. The biasing member is removably extendable from one of the ends of the support.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fast mounted building unit, characterised in that it comprises: a substantially rectangular lower frame (20), four walls (34) set on the vertical members of the frame, an upper frame (20) identical to the lower frame, whereof the vertical members rest on said walls, and four poles (42) which are arranged outside the walls and connecting between them the two frames by their comers.

Abstract: A building levelling system is provided for a building having a basement or foundation supported on expansive soil. A water management system is included for maintaining water in the expansive soil at a level adjacent the foundation to saturate the soil with water and thereby prevent the cyclic shrinking and expanding of the soil when the soil is normally repeatedly dried and wetted, causing damage to the building supported thereon. An injection system may also be included for injecting water into the soil spaced well below the foundation to lift a foundation which has already settled significantly due to shrinkage of expansive soil upon which it is supported. The injection system includes a level sensing mechanism for determining when a level of water in a prescribed area of the expansive soil falls below a reference level of the system and injectors for feeding water into that area.

Abstract: A device for leveling or aligning adjacent prestressed hollowcore concrete planks includes an insert member that is received between the planks at a grout joint. One end of the insert member supports a first alignment member that is received against one side of the planks. The other end of the insert member cooperates with a second alignment member that is received against an opposite side of the planks. An adjustment member adjusts the spacing between the first and second alignment members to provide a desired alignment between the planks.

Abstract: A method and jacking assembly used for forming a concrete foundation pierhead. The pierhead is attached integrally to a foundation and/or floor system. A plurality of pierheads are used for leveling the foundation and floor system. Each of the pierheads include a jacking assembly which is used for jacking the pierhead on top of a vertical support member. The vertical support member may be a helix pipe pier, steel beams, posts, piers and the like. The pier pipe is installed into a ground surface and next to the foundation. The method steps include excavating a hole next to the foundation and installing the vertical support to a selected depth in the ground surface. The jacking assembly is then attached to the foundation and to a top of the vertical support. The pierhead is then poured around the jacking assembly and next to the foundation and floor system and allowed to cure.

Abstract: A portable bleacher construction includes a wheeled framework for supporting a plurality of bleacher seats thereon in a mobile travel condition and a stationary seating condition. At least one pair of leveling jacks is located on opposite sides of the framework for stabilizing and leveling the framework upon a ground surface when the portable bleacher construction is in the stationary seating condition. The jacks are arranged to provide a four-point stance for the framework, and have a high sway load capacity to provide lateral stability. A control arrangement is associated with one of the jacks in each pair for separately controlling the leveling of both of the jacks. The control arrangement is located on one side of the bleacher construction, and enables operation of leveling jacks on both sides. The control arrangement includes a pair of transfer rods and a separate operating handle interconnected with each transfer rod.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for lifting and leveling an existing building from a position underneath the existing building. At least a first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape and first and second ends is located within the earth at a position underneath the existing building. A vertically-adjustable cap is placed in contact with the second end of the first non-cylindrical support section. A jack is disposed on an upper surface of a lower side of the cap and raised until an upper surface of an upper side of the cap is exerting pressure against the foundation of the existing building. The jack is then raised, thereby raising the cap, until the foundation has been raised to a desired height. The cap is the locked so that it will not move in the vertical directions and the jack is lowered and removed. If the building subsequently needs to be re-leveled, raised or lowered, the cap can be unlocked and vertically adjusted to an appropriate height.

Abstract: A shim is disclosed. The shim includes a body member having (i) a top wall segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first end wall segment attached to and extending from the first end of the top wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment attached to and extending from the second end of the top wall segment, and (iv) a bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth end, the third end of the bottom wall segment being attached to the first end wall segment, and the fourth end of the bottom wall segment being attached to the second end wall segment The top wall segment, the first end wall segment, the second end wall segment and the bottom wall segment are all made from a plastic material.

Abstract: An interlocking wall and roof system for the protection of a building structure is disclosed. The interlocking roof and wall system is equipped with a plurality of supports that form downward facing open channels that are either already attached to the overhang of the roof or are easily attachable to the overhang. The system also includes a plurality of protective walls that surround the building structure. The protective walls can be lifted from a resting position to a position where at least a portion of the walls fit into the downward facing open channels of the overhang. These walls are lifted by a hydraulic lifting system. The invention also provides a complete building structure already fitted with the supports, hydraulic lifting system and protective walls.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for lifting and leveling an existing building from a position adjacent a side of the existing building. One or more non-cylindrical support sections having a substantially rectangular shapes and first and second ends are driven into the earth at a position adjacent a side of the existing building. A jack is used to lift the existing building to a desired height. The foundation of the building is then bracketed to the uppermost non-cylindrical support section to maintain the building at the new level. The non-cylindrical support section has low bearing and high friction characteristics. The low bearing characteristics enable the apparatus to be driven further into the earth than cylindrical pilings that are commonly used to lift and level existing buildings. The high friction characteristics assist in maintaining the stability of the apparatus once it has been installed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for lifting and leveling an existing building. At least a first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape and a second support section are coupled together by a fastening device that provides the apparatus with stability once the apparatus has been installed. A jack is used to raise the foundation of the existing building to a desired height. The apparatus is attached to the foundation of the building from underneath the building or from a location adjacent a side of the building. The non-cylindrical support section has low bearing and high friction characteristics. The low bearing characteristics enable the apparatus to be driven further into the earth than cylindrical pilings that are commonly used to lift and level existing buildings. The high friction characteristics assist in maintaining the stability of the apparatus once it has been installed.

Abstract: An automatic or active shoring apparatus and process for controlling the deflection of the beams and girders typically in an elevated structure prior to and while concrete is placed and screeded on the beams and girders comprises a beam adjusting device and a beam monitor. The beam adjusting device is operable to adjust a curvature of the beam in response to the beam monitoring device, which measures and monitors the curvature of the beam throughout the placing and screeding processes. The beam adjusting device may comprise a heating device with or without a cooling device such as a fan, a cooling device, an adjustably weighted container, or a horizontally mounted fluid cylinder or jack. The curvature of each beam is automatically adjusted and maintained at a substantially level orientation prior to and while concrete is placed, screeded and cured at each beam.

Abstract: A cardboard or plastic sheet can be folded into a support structure for supporting an object on an inclined roof. The sheet has multiple fold lines which, when used to fold the sheet, form a base for mounting on the roof and a shelf for supporting the object at an angle relative to the roof. A roofing assembly includes bundles of roofing shingles and a sheet between the bundles. The sheet has multiple fold lines which, when used to fold the sheet, form a support structure for supporting an object on an inclined roof.

Abstract: In order to be able to shift a leader (18), which is disposed on a travelling chassis (10) via a carrying mechanism (16), both towards the front and also towards the rear into a substantially horizontal position, the carrying mechanism (16) has at least one guide arm (24) which is adjustable in length and which comprises a double-acting hydraulic working cylinder.

Abstract: A framing device enabling formation of an in-ground reinforced concrete structure and a method thereof, wherein the preformed structure of beams, rods, and plates is placed into a prepared site, removable platens are placed therein, concrete is poured therebetween, resulting in a reinforced concrete structure of which the framing device is an integral part. The framing device and resulting concrete structure is especially useful for installing therewithin a loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device for the load-bearing support of the device.

Abstract: An adjustable support system is provided for a premanufactured building structure. Struts (65, 66) are mounted at their lower or platform ends in support clevises (45, 46), and are mounted to the joists (12, 13) of the building structure. The lower or platform end (78) of the struts can be moved horizontally with respect to the support platform (36) by rotating the adjustment nut (80) on the travel screw (55) of the support clevis. This effectively reorients the strut to a greater or smaller angle with respect to the horizontal, so that the strut bears more or less of the load of the joist and the building structure. Preferably, the rotation of the adjustment nut (80) is accomplished with a torque wrench which provides the installer with an indication of the load being assumed by the strut.

Abstract: A raised floor system for installation over a base floor that allows ready access to the space created thereunder. Raised floor panels are supported above the base floor by and secured to base floor web tile assemblies that interconnect one to another. Each base floor web tile assembly includes a plurality of hollow metal cylinders with a lower portion to which a plastic base floor web tile is over-molded. The base floor web tile has adhesion pads with apertures which allow adhesive to be injected below the tile from above. The adhesive is used to affix the interconnected base floor web tile assemblies to the base floor. Further, an upper surface of each metal cylinder has over-molded thereto a plastic floor panel support boss. The floor panel support boss engages with a threaded panel fastener to secure a raised floor panel to a floor panel support of a base floor web tile assembly. Services such as telephone, electricity and computer cables may be installed in the space under the raised floor panels.

Abstract: Provided is a plumbing device for plumbing and connection of a long member, at the time of installation vertically of the long member on an upper end of a lower member, which is used for plumbing the installed long member to connect with the lower member.

Abstract: A method and an adjustable roof curb are provided that enables the mounting of an appliance onto a roof of a building. More specifically, the adjustable pitch roof curb includes a base curb section, a support curb section and at least one pin operating as a fulcrum to adjustably position the support curb section to a desired pitch relative to a pitch of the base curb section, and further operating to effectively bear a load of the appliance (e.g., fan, air conditioner) mounted on the support curb section.

Abstract: A raised floor system which includes a plurality of upright support columns, a plurality of floor panels, and a cable tray support assembly. The cable tray support assembly includes a plurality of support pedestals and a platform section. Each support pedestal has an elongated stringer member, a first upright sleeve member, and a second upright sleeve member. Each first and second sleeve member defines a bore extending from a top end through a bottom end. The stringer member is attached to the sleeve members proximate the respective top ends of the first and second sleeve members so that the elongated stringer member is supported above the respective bottom ends of the first and second sleeve members. At least one of the first and second sleeve members of each first support pedestal is removably connected, in overlying registration, to the body portion of one support column of a pair of support columns. One platform section is suspended from the stringer members of a pair of opposing first support pedestals.

Abstract: An overhanging form system for attachment to a support structure is disclosed. The support structure includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the overhanging form system comprises a pair of spaced apart hangers, with each of the hangers being adapted to engage the upper portion of the support structure. A pair of frames are provided, with each of the frames having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of each frame engages a corresponding one of the hangers, the second portion of each frame is adapted to engage the lower portion of the support structure. Each of the frames further includes a first leg and a second leg, with the first leg having an inner end disposed adjacent the first portion of the frame and an outer end disposed outwardly from the first portion of the frame. The second leg extends from the second portion of the frame to engage the outer end of the first leg. A plurality of stiffeners are provided.

Abstract: A support structure for a building comprises a pair of steel piers (11) embedded into or supported upon a ground surface so as to extend upwardly therefrom. The structure also comprises a wall support lintel (80,90) secured to each pier (11) so as to extend substantially horizontally therebetween. The structure also comprises a respective floor support member (50) secured to each pier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring or affixing a manufactured home to the land it is located on in a permanent or substantially permanent manner. A foundation for the manufactured home is provided by excavating a plurality of parallel trenches in a spaced relation to one another. Precast longitudinal footers are disposed in the trenches. The footers include anchoring receptacles to receive a complimentary anchoring member. Soil is backfilled around the footers to partially bury them, and then the support frame of a manufactured home is secured to the footers using an anchorage assembly with an adjustable tensioner. Support blocks are disposed between the footers and the support frame to maintain the manufactured home at a desired height above the footers or the ground.

Abstract: A concrete form suspension system has a form support projecting laterally from an upper portion of a vertically displaceable support structure and a hydraulic jack operable to raise the support structure along a vertically extending concrete structure. A support device can be secured to the concrete structure for supporting the jack and support brackets can be secured to the concrete structure for supporting the raised support structure from the concrete structure. By operation of the jack, the support structure can climb the concrete structure to allow concrete forms suspended from the form support to be located in position for use in upwardly extending the concrete structure.

Abstract: A human habitat structure for placement upon a non-uniform, non-level site.

Abstract: An adjustable truss (10) for a multi-section manufactured home (70) comprising a left section (71L) and a right section (71R); each section having a beam (72) having a lower end (75) including an inner flange (77) and an outer flange (78) and a upper end (73) supporting a transverse floor joist (80) having an end (84) at a mating seam (95). In a preferred embodiment, truss (10) comprises: a joist connector (30) is disposed under mating seam (95); jacks (20L, 20R) of adjustable length spanning respectively between the lower ends (75L, 75R) of beam (72l, 72R) and joist connector (30); a tie bar assembly (50) including an elongate bar (51) attached to beam lower ends (75); and a center jack (60) of adjustable length spanning between tie bar (51) and mating seam (95).

Abstract: A plastic wedge shaped shim for leveling which is prescored to enable protruding section to be broken off. Parallel, straight, scores are formed at regular intervals on the top surface of the shim. These scores form teeth enabling stacked shims to interengage one another when one is placed inverted on another. The underside of the shim has recesses configured such that there exists a zone of constituent material which has equal localized thickness measurements along that portion of the length of the shim wherein scores and the recess formed in the underside of the shim are in overlying relationship. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the recesses form cleats for resisting sliding or other displacement of the shim.

Abstract: An extendable and retractable building includes floor and roof assemblies, each having a number of components movable between respective stowed and extended positions. A support structure may be provided to couple the floor assembly and the roof assembly. A cable coupling a component of the floor assembly and a component of the roof assembly preferably extends through at least two pullies in order to at least partially balance the weights associated with the respective components of the floor and roof assemblies. In one embodiment, the floor and roof assemblies may each include first, second, and third sections. A first cable may be coupled with support beams associated with the second floor section and a support beam connected with the third roof section. A second cable may also be provided coupled with a support beam connected with a third floor section and a support beam connected with the second roof section.