Abstract: An apparatus to aid in the accurate installation of a frame by establishing a required gap and alignment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a block of material with pre-determined dimensions related to the standard or custom dimensions of the frame and standard or custom dimensions of a subsequent stud and dry wall to be installed. The block of material has a slot running along the length of at least one side with the slot having a pre-determined depth and width corresponding to standard or custom dimensions of an outer lip of the frame to be installed for fitting the block of material onto the outer lip. A securing system for temporarily securing the block of material to the outer lip is also provided. The slot is offset from an edge of the block of material by a distance corresponding to the required gap and alignment to be established.

Abstract: A locator for locating and holding a structural member in engagement with an adjacent structural member at a predetermined position of an assembly apparatus during a truss assembly operation. The locator includes a cylindric sleeve having an outer wall configured for engaging the structural member and a bore extending through the sleeve defining an inner wall sized for placement around a stop of the assembly apparatus. The bore is eccentrically positioned in the sleeve. The sleeve is portable, may be secured to the apparatus free from fixed connection, and is rotatable about the stop for adjusting a magnitude of force applied by the sleeve to the structural member.

Abstract: In a building construction having a floor surface, a wall structure extending upwardly from the floor surface to a ceiling structure, which is positioned above the floor surface, a panel lifting apparatus includes a stationary hinging member, which is tacked in a horizontal attitude to the wall structure in proximity to the ceiling structure. The stationary hinging member provides strut-fastening fixtures engaged with extended support struts extending downward from the stationary hinging member. A movable hinging member is mounted near the free ends of the support struts. The movable hinging member provides a hinged fixture for engaging an extended lifting strut. The lifting strut is able to push the support struts with a ceiling panel on top of them into place against ceiling joists in position to be fastened in place while the lifting strut wedges the panel in place against the floor surface.

Abstract: A body has a support surface for temporarily supporting a siding, trim, or other construction piece that is to be installed on a building wall. A suction cup is controllable to temporarily adhere by suction the support device to the building wall. An extendible spacer is used to accurately position the support device on the building wall. Notches in the body receive the ends of a tape measure or chalk line for accurately sizing and positioning the construction pieces. The support device can be used with existing compressors, vacuum pumps, or other suction-inducing devices. A venturi tube in the body generates the suction when an air compressor is used. A method of installing the siding, trim, or other construction pieces is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides for a removable former which is interlockable with other, similar formers between spaced-apart ribs to form shuttering between the ribs for a reinforced concrete slab. The former includes a hollow block (110) which has a top face (112), a front face (114), a rear face, two opposed side faces (116) and an interlocking flange (118) on or below each of the side faces for interlocking the hollow block, side by side, with adjacent, similar hollow blocks. The interlocking flanges (118) extend from the side faces (116) so that when the hollow block is interlocked with an adjacent hollow block, a gap is formed between adjacent side faces of the interlocked blocks. The former also includes a support member (122) for supporting the hollow block (110) on two of the spaced-apart ribs during casting of the concrete slab.

Abstract: A concrete form comprises cross members, plywood, and metal studs. The studs include a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of side walls, the walls arranged to form a generally rectangular cross-section. A pair of inner walls extends between and perpendicular to the pair of side walls. A pair of flanges extends from the side walls. The flanges are aligned with each other and positioned between the front wall and the pair of inner walls. A portion of each stud is adapted for complementary engagement with the cross members. The cross members are attached to at least one of the inner walls and the flanges of the cut portion of the studs, and the plywood is mounted to the rear wall.

Abstract: Wedge couple for fixing and wedging-up of windows and doors in connection with their mounting in a wall opening, and with belonging mounting shears with which the wedges can be located and tightened by means of a shearing operation with one hand. A wedge couple consisting of two flat wedges (1) oriented in mutually opposite directions, each with a thick end (2) and a thin end (3). The thin end of one wedge is connected to the thick end of the other wedge by means of a thin deformable plate (4), which ensures that the two wedges in advance are correctly arranged in relation to each other and able to be displaced only parallelly towards each other in their longitudinal direction, when they are being forced together. The thin deformable plate (4) ends at the thick end (2) of the wedges in a slightly thinner curved portion (5), which serves to start the deformation of the thin plate (4) outside the area where the two wedges must lie close to each other, when the wedges are forced together.

Abstract: In order to provide a connecting means for the releasable connection of a first component and a second component, in particular, for the releasable connection of furniture and machine parts, comprising a first connecting element arranged on the first component and a second connecting element arranged on the second component, wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are releasably connected to one another in the connected state of the components and one of the connecting elements comprises a retaining part which interacts with the other one of the connecting elements in a retaining position such that any relative movement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along a direction of connection is prevented and which allows a relative movement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along the direction of connection in a release position, which makes a reliable releasable connection of two components with one another possible witho

Abstract: A building wall structure having increased heat insulating qualities. The building wall structure comprises a plurality of foam panels that are arranged substantially around the exterior of the building frame. The plurality of foam panels collectively define an insulative barrier. The insulative barrier is also designed such that exterior cladding such as stucco, siding, or the like can be attached to the insulative barrier. Moreover, the attachment hardware used to attach the foam panels to the frame and the cladding to the foam panels are substantially isolated thermally to thereby inhibit heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the building.

Abstract: An insulated structure including a backing surface, a bar coupled to and extending generally parallel to the backing surface, and a plurality of insulating blankets coupled to the bar. The insulated structure further includes a clip coupled to the bar, the clip being attachable to the bar at any of a plurality of locations along the length of the bar to compress at least one of the blankets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning mild steel reinforcing bars within a precast, moment resisting frame of a building. The apparatus includes a hand-receiving access component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame so as to permit convenient access to the reinforcing bars that are slidably carried within bar receiving passageways formed within the concrete beams. Additionally, the apparatus includes a bladder-receiving component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame in a manner to permit an expandable bladder to be conveniently positioned within the cable receiving passageways formed in the beam. When in position within a cable-receiving passageway, the expandable bladder spans the interface between the beam and the column and effectively prevents grout from entering the cable passageway during the grouting step.

Abstract: A temporary support device for installing sheet material in a building construction is provided with a multitude of perpendicular surfaces and a pair of offset surfaces for temporarily supporting a variety of sheet materials in a variety of orientations. Countersunk through holes integral to the support device accept standard screw hardware for temporarily mounting the support device to the building substructure. The pair of offset surfaces provide clearance for loosely supporting the sheet material before final securement of the sheet to the building substructure. The support device may be manufactured out of lightweight material, such as, for example, aluminum, wood, or plastic, and may include cored out sections, thereby enhancing the utility and handling of the device. Materials that can be temporarily supported by the support device include, but are not limited to, sheetrock, insulation board, plywood, and particle board.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spacing device utilized in the construction of decks and the like from composite building planks. The spacing device generally comprises a straight length of material possessing a T-shaped cross-section. The vertical element (or leg) of the “T” is used to establish the space between the polymer planks of a deck. The horizontal element prevents the spacer from falling through the space established by the T's leg. The spacing device is fabricated of a strong, lightweight material such as aluminum to provide the durability and portability required by the nature of its usage. The present invention's design is simple and straightforward, and can be economically manufactured and sold.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding in the proper position and location reinforcing steel in the center of a grouted concrete masonry unit cell. A means for safely and easily positioning rebar in in masonry walls.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for repairing nail pops in a wallboard is disclosed. The apparatus can be placed In a first state in which it acts as a cutting tool and can be used to cut a bore hole into a wallboard to separate a popped nail from the wallboard. The apparatus can also be placed in a second state in which it acts as a driving or impact tool and can be used to drive the popped nail which has been separated from the wallboard, into a framing support. The apparatus may be comprised of first and connecting members and a cutting member. The driving member may have an elongated core and may be connected by the connecting member to the cutting member. The driving member may be able to slide with respect to the connecting member to allow the apparatus to change from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: An adjustable drywall support apparatus for holding a gypsum wallboard in place as it is being installed at ceiling level. The adjustable drywall support apparatus includes a support assembly including an elongate tubular member and a shaft member being telescopingly disposed in the elongate tubular member; and also includes a cross member assembly including a tubular main cross member being securely attached to the support assembly and being adapted to engage and support a drywall.

Abstract: Various improved methods are provided for fastening two of more steel framing members together with a fastener. In one aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a tip section such that a portion of the tip section extending beyond the underside of the framing members may be outwardly flared, thereby inhibiting removal of the fastener from the framing members In another aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a steel tip nose for piercing the framing members and a plastic stem section, such that a portion of the stem section extending beyond the underside of the framing members expands, thereby inhibiting removal of the fastener from the framing members. In yet another aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a coil section with an elastic characteristic.

Abstract: A floor board installation device comprises a cross bar, a wedge and two pins extending outwardly from the top and bottom sides of, and through, the cross bar. The wedge comprises a top curved edge and a bottom edge including a groove therein. The pins typically are spaced from one another a distance slightly larger than the width of a joist. In use, the cross bar is placed on top of two adjoining joists so that the pins are positioned on either side of a single joist. The other end of the bar merely rests on top of the adjacent joist. A force is then applied to a side edge of the wedge in a direction parallel to the length of the sub floor boards. Due to the rounded shape of the top curved edge and the flat surface of the wedge that contacts the floor board, the wedge will rotate within the cross bar so that the edge of the wedge is flush against the sub floor board and so that the curved surface of the wedge will contact the cross bar at only one point.

Abstract: A containment apparatus for removal of a window/window frame from within the wall of a building. The containment apparatus has a rigid member with a peripheral gasket. An adjustable supporting member, which is connected to the rigid member, extends angularly to the ceiling above the rigid member. The bottom end of the rigid member is braced to secure the rigid member in place.

Abstract: A temporary support device for installing sheet material in a building construction is provided with a multitude of perpendicular surfaces and a pair of offset surfaces for temporarily supporting a variety of sheet materials in a variety of orientations. Countersunk through holes integral to the support device accept standard screw hardware for temporarily mounting the support device to the building substructure. The pair of offset surfaces provide clearance for loosely supporting the sheet material before final securement of the sheet to the building substructure. The support device may be manufactured out of lightweight material, such as, for example, aluminum, wood, or plastic, and may include cored out sections, thereby enhancing the utility and handling of the device. Materials that can be temporarily supported by the support device include, but are not limited to, sheetrock, insulation board, plywood, and particle board.

Abstract: A formwork system is provided for prefabricated concrete parts, wherein a magnetic body can be set with its underside on a base plate and over which formwork parts can be fixed in their respective position. The formwork part has a lift-off stirrup engaging over the magnetic body, and between the lift-off stirrup and the cover side of the magnetic body facing away from the base plate there is a slot into which the magnetic body is retractable with a lifting element. This formwork system is characterized by a retaining elements which are releasably coupled on the magnetic body when it is retracted into the slot. This has the advantage that, by the couplable retaining elements, the magnetic body is securely fixed in the lift-off stirrup in its retracted state. Preferably, the coupling elements are constructed as magnetic and adhesion surfaces, which are arranged in the region of the slot between the magnetic body and lift-off stirrup.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a construction component, such as a window unit, in proper position within a construction component opening, such as a framed opening, of a structure or building. The system employs a position securing means attached to the periphery of the construction component. The position securing means may be a strap of flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid material or combination thereof, or a self-locking device. The position securing means is adapted for attachment to a construction component opening when the construction component is in proper position. In the method of the invention, a construction component carrying a position securing means is placed in proper position within a construction component opening. Once in proper position, the position securing means is attached to the construction component opening, securing the component in proper position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing lateral support to a post includes a cage-like structure comprised of one or more modular cage units which are installed about the post. A plurality of guy wires are attached to the cage-like structure and anchored to the floor, ground, or the like, for providing lateral support to the post. Each cage unit includes a pair of main components with each main component including a pair of elongate generally parallel bar members. A lower connection bracket is attached to the bottom of each main component and includes a bolt hole for connecting the main component to a loading fame or other cage units. An upper connection bracket is attached to the top of each main component, and includes a bolt hole for connecting one main component to another main component placed on top thereof. The upper bracket also includes a pair of rod holes located near the free ends of the upper bracket for attaching a pivotable guy wire attachment fixture between two main components.

Abstract: A quick and easy technology for attaching, and facilitating reconfiguration (detachment and reattachment) of, panels to walls that uses a clamp assembly including a base, a receptacle attached to the base and a clasp that fits into and attaches to the receptacle. The clasp has resilient arms and a head. Insertion of the resilient arms of the clasp into the receptacle draws the head towards the base, which produces a clamping action. Alternatively, the clamp assembly includes a channel having sidewalls attached to a base and at least one fastener having a blade-like shank and a head. The sidewalls converge so as to be more closely spaced together at the opening of the channel than at its base. The at least one fastener appears T-shaped in cross section, and is sized so that insertion of the blade-like shank into the channel widens the opening. Alternatively, the clamp assembly includes a first clamping piece and a second clamping piece configured to cooperatively engage each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing soffit segments below the eaves of a building. A main body with a standoff is temporarily fastened to the sub-fascia. A swing arm and a locking arm are pivotally connected to each other and also to the main body, except that a J-shaped slot in the locking arm permits the locking arm to translate, as well as pivot, with respect to the main body. A segment of soffit material is placed upon the swing arm, and the swing arm is rotated about the pivot joint on the main body creating a lever action to lift the soffit material into a horizontal position immediately below the eave. The locking arm slot is notched to lock the locking arm and swing arm, into a fixed position. The apparatus thereby steadily maintains the soffit segment in position pending its permanent attachment to the underside of the eave. The apparatus is temporarily attached to the structure via a clamp arm or via screw into the sub-fascia.

Abstract: A method of installing an insert in a sandwich panel for mounting a fastener includes making a hole in the panel and inserting a spacer having a height greater than the thickness of the panel. An entrance rim of the spacer extends above an upper surface of the panel and a setting tool exerts a force on the entrance rim to force it into the hole and to position an upper edge of the entrance rim flush with the panel surface. The spacer can include an annular groove on an interior wall of the entrance rim to facilitate the cold working deformation during an installation in the panel and a hole engaging surface to align and maintain the spacer within the hole. An outer exterior surface of the entrance rim can be indented and coated with a first sealing compound to ensure a watertight seal with the panel. A second sealant material can be provided within the entrance rim for sealing with a head of any fastener extending through the spacer. An improved floor panel with spacer is accordingly provided for aircraft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for elevating a house, building, or other structure. The apparatus of the system includes a plurality of beam elements. The beam elements include a space-frame structure and include mateable ends whereby a first beam element may be connected to a second beam element in an end-to-end fashion for forming an elongate unitary consolidated beam. Thus, any number of beam elements may be connected to one-another for forming a consolidated beam of any desired length. The beam elements are provided in several lengths, and are light enough so that one or two individuals may lift and carry the beam elements by hand for installation in a structure and removal from a structure. The system may further include additional equipment to enable use of the system without the necessity of significantly damaging the exterior walls of the structure. A plurality of consolidated beams are constructed within a structure's interior and fastened to the structure for forming a lifting grid.

Abstract: It is possible to easily and freely change a hinged side and an opening direction of a door when or after a resident moves into a house. Detachable inner frames having doorstop portions, flat portions, and locking nails are mounted to locking grooves in left and right vertical outer frames through spacers and a door main body is mounted to the heelpost side flat portion through hinges. By dividing a doorframe into vertical outer frames and inner frames, in order to change a hinged side of the door, inner frames are pulled out from the vertical outer frames and inserted into the locking grooves in the vertical outer frames after changing orientation of the inner frames according to the hinged side or exchanging the inner frames for inner frames suitable for the hinged side and the opening direction to thereby easily change the hinged side of the door main body.

Abstract: A portable roof anchor having a slidably adjustable beam member is supported at a pivot location near a line support end and at an opposed end by a rotatably attached self-leveling counterweights. A line wrapped onto the beam member may be used as a handle for carrying the beam member to a roof top, then used to support a person or equipment over a side of the building. The counterweights have a relatively small top cross-section and a relatively large bottom cross-section so that, for any given amount of weight, a relatively large bottom surface area and a relatively tall height from the rooftop will be provided. A handle is provided near a line-deployed center-of-gravity so that the roof anchor assembly may be easily maneuvered, while the line remains over the side of the building, with one hand on the handle and a second hand cradled underneath the beam member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for adjustably suspending and positioning eight post anchors at a time for an octagonal structure regardless of a shape and size of a floor form. The apparatus includes eight trapezoid template panels to form an octagonal template, sixteen “wing” post anchor holders attached to along the anti-parallel sides of said trapezoid template panels, and screws to firmly assemble eight template panels. For a large structure, the apparatus may also include braces which diagonally hold and stabilize each of the template panels to prevent them from shifting. The device facilitates placements of post anchors in octagonal position and the process of permanently securing the post anchors by pouring cement. The device can be easily removed after concrete has hardened, this speeds the construction process of finishing an entire floor.

Abstract: A wall positioning and bracing method is disclosed. The method comprises providing a device comprising first and second elongated members, each having proximal and distal ends, and being pivotally attached to one another at their proximal ends, such that the second elongated member is movable into an open position, coextensive with the first elongated member; affixing the device to the floor of a building under construction and to the upper end of a wall of a building under construction when the wall is lying flat on the floor of a building under construction; raising the wall so that the brace is in the open position and the first and second elongated members are coextensive, such that the wall is moved to a position perpendicular to the floor; and securing the members in the open position. The method permits a wall to be raised to and braced in a position perpendicular to the floor.

Abstract: The invention provides a temporary portable shelter for an individual or individuals from the severe effects of a tornado or hurricane. The Enclosure consists of an case, having six sides, which is constructed of polycarbonate thermoplastic of extremely high quality and of superior strength and endurance. The Enclosure has a hinged door with door latch assemblies that may be operated from the inside. It has ventilation padding to protect the individual from injury while within the Enclosure. It may be bolted to the floor. Light may enter the Enclosure and a person inside may see out of the Enclosure. The Enclosure may also be outfitted with reflective tape detailing or a battery operated strobe light to help emergency staff quickly locate victims of severe weather conditions.

Abstract: A support system of brackets and rods designed to be removably attached to a building stud. Used in pairs, the system can hold sheets of building material within the holing bracket and supported by a back rod so that the builder has the materials within easy view and reach and can replace partial sheets with the brackets.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for use with an interior space-dividing wall system including portable upright panel assemblies each having an end edge defined by a vertically elongate rail and attached to an upright support post in supportive engagement with the floor. The connector arrangement includes a connector ring which clampingly engages the side walls of at least two adjacent support posts to interconnect two adjacent panel assemblies, for example in right-angled relation with one another.

Abstract: In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided a new and improved deck and beam connector for post and beam structures. The deck and beam connector has a deck flange mounted on the deck, the flange has an opening therein. Depending into the deck is a well secured to the flange. The well has a bottom and a bottom opening therein. A threaded bolt having an enlarged head is positioned within the bottom opening with the threaded portion within the well. The head is positioned within a step-diametered counter-sunk bore in the deck with the larger diameter portion thereof adjacent to the surface opposite that to which the deck flange is connected. A threaded member is positioned on the threaded shaft of the bolt within the well with a spring positioned on the bolt between the threaded member and the well bottom. The bolt is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position into which the bolt head is biased and within the larger diametered portion of the step-diametered bore in the deck.

Abstract: A jig for aiding in securing a fascia board on the downwardly extended ends of a row of eaves of a frame of a building being constructed including a U shaped member and an angle bracket with an angle bracket with one leg swivelly attached to an end of one leg of the U shaped member. Two jigs are used for temporarily supporting the board across the ends of the row of eaves permitting that the board be nailed to the ends of the eaves. The jig is preferably made of resiliently flexible polycarbonate so that the jig can be twisted when required to enable aligning of the board in a required direction.

Abstract: A quick and easy technology for attaching, and facilitating reconfiguration (detachment and reattachment) of, panels to walls that uses a clamp assembly including a base, a receptacle attached to the base and a clasp that fits into and attaches to the receptacle. The clasp has resilient arms and a head. Insertion of the resilient arms of the clasp into the receptacle draws the head towards the base, which produces a clamping action. Alternatively, the clamp assembly includes a channel having sidewalls attached to a base and at least one fastener having a blade-like shank and a head. The sidewalls converge so as to be more closely spaced together at the opening of the channel than at its base. The at least one fastener appears T-shaped in cross section, and is sized so that insertion of the blade-like shank into the channel widens the opening. Alternatively, the clamp assembly includes a first clamping piece and a second clamping piece configured to cooperatively engage each other.