Abstract: A flooring system includes a first floor member having a through hole and includes a second floor member having a non-through hole which extends from the bottom side toward the top side of the second floor member. The second floor member is positioned above the first floor member with the non-through hole aligned with the through hole. A radially-expandable fastener (such as a rivet) extends through the through hole and into the non-through hole. A method for installing a flooring system includes obtaining a first floor member having a through hole, obtaining a second floor member, and positioning the second floor member above the first floor member. A non-through hole is created extending from its bottom side toward its top side. A radially-expandable fastener (such as a rivet) is installed in the first and second floor members. The radially-expandable fastener extends through the through hole and into the non-through hole.

Abstract: A lightweight panel construction in which a thin layer or veneer of gypsum board is laminated as a facing sheet onto a backing of lightweight open cell reinforcing material to form a composite panel that has the same surface characteristics and appearance as a sheet of conventional gypsum board and is suitable as a lightweight but strong substitute for conventional gypsum board. Portions of the open cell reinforcing material may be removed or omitted to form raceways or channels for utilities or the like.

Abstract: A building or insulating panel (30) including a collapsible frame of generally square or rectangular configuration, which is collapsible between a generally flat condition and an erected condition in which it is installed. The frame including overlying top and bottom sheets (31,32) that are generally parallel and spaced apart in the erected condition of the frame by two webs (33,36) which are spaced apart to extend in generally parallel realationship lengthwise along opposite side regions of the frame. The webs (33, 36) extend substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom sheets (31, 32) in the erected condition and are disposed substantially parallel to the top and bottom sheets (31, 32) in the collapsed condition. The panel further includes reinforcing means (37) which is inserted between the top and bottom sheets (31, 32) when the frame is in the erected condition to reinforce the panel (30) against collapse.

Abstract: A structural member includes an outer frame unit, a multi-cellular frame unit, and a foam filler. The outer frame unit confines an inner space. The multi-cellular frame unit is disposed in the inner space of the outer frame unit, and cooperates with the outer frame unit to define a plurality of cellular spaces within the inner space. The foam filler fills the cellular spaces.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete deck structure particularly adaptable for bridge spans is made up of superimposed layers of concrete with a corrugated metal pan therebetween along with a plurality of reinforcing bars which extend transversely of and through the corrugations. Individual, partially completed slabs are precast and are then placed on a bridge span and covered with a second layer.

Abstract: A sandwich panel for high strength wall and covering assemblies, comprising at least a plate element and at least a fretted element, glued to the plate element, the fretted element comprising a sheet metal plate having a size substantially like that of the plate element and a cross-section having a profile including a plurality of adjoining integral trapezium shape elements each defining a top and a bottom flat portion.

Abstract: A top sheet and a bottom sheet are connected together by wing members, each having a center segment hinged to the top sheet and to the bottom sheet about parallel axes. Wings protrudes from the center segments and are biased to project out of a plane defined between the hinge axes. In a collapsed condition the top and bottom sheets are close together with the wings distorted from their relaxed positions. In the expanded condition the sheets are spaced apart and the wings return to their relaxed positions projecting out from the center segments and conferring stiffness on the structural member and resisting the return of the member to its collapsed configuration. In storage, the sheets are secured along the edges with an underlying rip cord, and may be rolled. The wings may be formed as part of metal or plastic spring members.

Abstract: An access floor panel is disclosed having improved load-bearing strength. One access floor panel in accordance with the present invention includes an upper plate having a surface to support loads and a lower plate being substantially parallel with the upper plate. A core is disposed between the upper and lower plates and a reinforcing member disposed in the core.

Abstract: A method for the production of a core material (1) composed of strips (2) of preferably fibrous material for a sandwich panel, in which sandwich panel the width direction (7) of the strips (2) is coincident with the thickness direction of the panel and a cover layer (8, 9) is attached to each of the longitudinal edges of the strips (5, 6), comprises cutting each strip (2) from an even number of layers with the formation of, in each case, a longitudinal edge (5, 6) having a cut surface (11) which, viewed in cross section of the strip (2), runs at an incline between the two surfaces (15, 16) of the strip (2).

Abstract: A sandwich panel is manufactured-by providing: a first step (a), (b) of attaching another end portion of an insert 1 whose one end portion is made sharp to an inner side of a facing member 2 in which a hole is cut in advance; a second step (c) of pressing the insert 1 into the core member 4 such that the one end portion of the insert 1 force-cuts a core member 4; and a third step (d) of attaching another facing member 2 to a side of the core member 4 opposing the insert-inserting side thereof.

Abstract: A load bearing deck structure is made from at least one sandwich panel formed of a ploymer matrix composite material. The sandwich panel comprises a plurality of substantially hollow, elongated core members having side walls, the core members being provided with an upper facesheet and a lower facesheet. Each facesheet is formed integrally with the side walls of the core members and at least one of the side walls is disposed at an oblique angle to one of the upper and lower facesheets so that the side walls and facesheets define a polygonal shape when viewed in cross section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device by a constructional part (1) preferably extending between supporting parts (10, 11, 12) of a building or plant constructions, and preferably forming a partition between storeys, such as a floor or a deck. The constructional part (1) is self-supported, preferably of light-weight material and comprises a channel system for air, so that the constructional part (1) may provide heating and/or cooling of rooms in the building or plant construction, or may thaw snow and ice lying on the constructional part, respectively. The constructional part (1) is made up of at least three interconnected layers (2, 3, 4) of corrugated sheet material. The layers (2, 3, 4) are arranged at angles in relation to each other, in such a way that corrugations form a preferably right angle between themselves, so that the corrugations of the layers (2, 3, 4) form a channel system in the constructional part (1). A number of holes (6) are made in the intermediate layer (3).

Abstract: An ultra-lite modular composite building assembly system, comprising the lamination of rigid solid and expanded matrix materials, that can produce a functionally homogeneous composite structure capable of supporting over three hundred times its own weight. The rigid material, as the primary structure capable of sustained axial stress, is encapsulated within the body of the matrix material as a sheet or membrane that is bonded to and laterally braced by the matrix material. As a corrugated sheet or membrane, it may be either thermoformed or extruded and integrated into the body of the matrix composite in either a static or continuous foam molding process. The rigid material may be a solid polymer and the matrix material may be either an expanded polymer or any other structural foam matrix with similar characteristics. Further, extremities of the rigid material may be configured for tools-free interlock with adjacent building components.

Abstract: A light-transmitting building component, as wall roof or ceiling component etc. is formed with a technical membrane, in the form of a textile tissue on the outward-facing side and, furthermore, by a sound-insulation layer arranged at a distance to the outer layer of the technical membrane, and by and infrared-impeding, light-transmitting layer on the inward-facing side. In this manner, a building component is created which features low surface weight and still meets stringent requirements not only in terms of resistance to climatic influences but also with regard to heat and sound insulation.

Abstract: A building panel (10) including a core body (11) containing a compressible solid, and cladding layer (12), on at least one outer surface of the core body, and wherein the building panel is foldable. Preferably, the core is a polymer foam, and the cladding layer is substantially more rigid than the core body for imparting strength thereto. The fold (26) may be provided by cutting the cladding layer from what will become the inside surface of a fold, and removing sufficient material from the core body to permit the panel to be folded. The cladding layer preferably includes a textile of a flexible fiberglass, nylon or polyester in the form of a woven or non-woven mesh (16) with a resin component (17) in the form of a settable liquid applied to, and set into the interstices of the textile with the resin component substantially encapsulating the textile component.

Abstract: A connection element formed of a strip of a corrugated sheet and including a plurality of bearing surfaces (3) spaced from each other and located in a common plane; at least one attachment opening (6, 7) formed in at least one bearing surface (3); a plurality of free-lying top surfaces (4) extending parallel to the bearing surfaces (3); free-lying legs (5) extending between respective bearing surfaces (3) and the top surfaces (4); and at least one through-opening (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) formed in at least one of free-lying top surfaces and legs.

Abstract: A partition wall system providing for lay-in of cables, includes a plurality of interconnected panel sections. Each panel section has a base surface and a plurality of protrusions extending from the base surface and a plurality of covering skins. At least one of the covering skins is attached to each of the panel sections so that a passage is formed between the covering skin and the base surface of the panel section to allow the cables to travel through each panel section and between interconnected panel sections.

Abstract: A laminated composite building component, capable of sustained axial stress as a primary support structure and enclosure of a building structure, comprising a lamination of rigid and resilient material, said rigid material formed of sheets with continuous corrugations parallel to the supporting axis and which have opposite faces being bonded to and encapsulated by said resilient material, said resilient material being a cellular foam matrix, an adhesive or fusion that bonds the rigid and resilient material together in either a static or continuous laminating process, said resilient material forming two outer surfaces spaced from the rigid material, said rigid material having opposite lateral edges being exposed from said resilient material, said lateral edges of the rigid material having return flanges for interlocking said laminated composite building component with adjacent building component, and said building components capable of being supplied and distributed in generic lengths and custom field-cut like

Abstract: A structure according to the invention comprises a series of interconnected structural members. The structural members, such as panels, are made of a composition comprising as its first essential ingredient a cured (cross-linked) resin having sufficient strength when filled as described below to support weights up to about 700 pounds without significant buckling, but which has sufficient resilience to flex and rebound from impacts such as low speed collisions with small boats or dropping of heavy human-carried objects without cracking or breaking. The cured resin matrix contains a first filler consisting essentially of inorganic particles effective to improve the impact resistance and flame resistance of the structure, and an amount of a second filler consisting essentially of fibers effective to enhance the rigidity of the structure and reduce crack propagation therein.

Abstract: A stacked structure especially useful for storing water in the underground is formed of a plurality of skeleton members. Each skeleton member includes a plurality of skeleton parts extending in one direction and situated side by side in a lateral direction perpendicular to the one direction. Each skeleton part has one top portion, and two bottom portions extending from the top portion, wherein one bottom portion in one skeleton part is connected to one bottom portion in the adjacent skeleton part. Also, each skeleton part includes top recesses formed at the top portion to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval, and bottom recesses formed at the bottom portions to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The skeleton members form upper and lower skeleton members to be vertically stacked together. The skeleton parts of the upper and lower skeleton members extend perpendicularly to each other.