Abstract: A method of creating a bend in a construction component for use in a transportation vehicle. The method comprises providing a plurality of cuts in the construction component so as to create a region of increased flexibility in the construction component. The method further comprises bending the construction component in the region of increased flexibility so as to cause the construction component to acquire a bent shape, and then rigidifying the construction component in the region of increased flexibility so as to cause said construction component to maintain the acquired bent shape.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated architectural element and method of fabricating that same. A first step involves providing a piece of drywall having a first edge and a second end, the second edge being opposed to the first edge. A second step involves cutting two parallel ninety degree “V” grooves in a face of the piece of drywall. A third step involves folding a portion of the piece of drywall as dictated by the “V” grooves and securing the folded portion, thereby forming a square corner at the fold. A fourth step involves bending the piece of drywall to a desired radius of curvature.

Abstract: A removable arch form assembly for use in forming a masonry arch of a plurality of masonry elements on a substructure comprises a flexible arch form having a substantially rectangular shape, first and second end clips engaging an arched structure about which the masonry arch is to be formed, at least one intermediate clip positioned on the arched structure between the end clips and at an elevation differing from the end clips, the end clips and the at least one intermediate clip removably receiving the flexible arch form and retaining the form in an arched orientation.

Abstract: An arched member such as a jamb is made from three parts. The first part is an elongate strip having upper and lower faces, opposite sides, and opposite first and second ends, with elongate grooves extending along the opposite sides. The other parts are a pair of elongate side pieces each slidably engaged in a respective one of the grooves. The strip and side pieces are formed together into an arch having a predetermined curvature with the opposite ends of the side pieces flush with the opposite ends of the strip. The formed member is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be forced into a flat condition for shipping. When forced flat, at least one end of each side piece will project out from the respective end of the strip. The projecting ends provide indicators to allow a user to correct the curvature of the member after release from the flat condition.

Abstract: An arched door frame for use within an arched opening in a framed, wallboard clad wall comprises: two similar door frame side portions each having a lower straight portion, an upper rounded portion, and an upper connection edge portion; wherein each door frame side portion has a jamb having a width generally equal to a stud width and two thicknesses of wallboard, and a contoured casing attached to both a front and rear edge portion of the jamb; and, frame side alignment and connection maintenance means to centrally align and maintain the two frame side portions in close proximity. In a preferred aspect the frame alignment means comprises clip holes and dowels, and the connection maintenance means comprises a front and back U shaped clip having opposite ends which are received in the clip holes, one clip hole in an outer edge of each jamb side portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a header in a structural framing system comprising a pair of track members defining opposing receiving portions. A plurality of column members is disposed substantially transversely to the track members and joined thereto. A web member is receivingly engaged in the receiving portions and spans the column members. The track members can be characteristically longitudinally arcuate and the web member characteristically conformable to the arcuate shape of the track members. In one illustrative embodiment the track members can comprise a plurality of flexibly joined sections that are moveable to define a selected arcuate longitudinal shape. A retaining member is adapted for retaining the flexibly joined sections in the selected shape. A fixing member is adapted for fixing the web member to one or more column members and/or one or more of the track members after the track members achieve the selected shape.

Abstract: In a system for making walls, at least two pairs of connector plates are provided, each including receptacle for receiving an end of a structural member. At least one spacer plate is located between and rotatably coupled to successively positioned connector plates. To form a wall, a pair of connector plates is coupled via the retaining means, one to each of a pair of generally opposing ends defined by structural members. The connector plates are rotatably movable relative to the spacer plates thereby allowing the structural members to be oriented relative to one another so as to form a surface having desired contours.

Abstract: Flashing used on curved exterior wall projections designed to stop water intrusion and provide a permanent, attractive, paintable surface that is safe from UV radiation. The flashing includes a Z-shaped or L-shaped body bonded with a flexible flashing material along its front and back surface. The metal body includes at least two perpendicularly aligned flange members. Formed on the top flange member is a plurality of transversely aligned slits evenly spaced thereon that allow the flashing to be bent around a curved wall projection. The flexible flashing material is adhesively bonded to the inside and outside surfaces of the top flange member thereby covering the slits to create a water barrier. During installation, the top flange member and flexible flashing material are covered by external wallboards or siding.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a covering structure for covering swimming pools, including several pairs of parallel arches that serve to support flexible panels, the arches being made from a curved profile having lateral walls delimiting a series of parallel guide grooves arranged one above another and perpendicularly to a plane of the arch and receiving the panels, and a protective and elevating border disposed on a lateral edge of at least one of the panels contacting at least one of the internal faces of the guide groove, the height of said border being sufficient to prevent the latter from contacting the profile.

Abstract: An arched jamb member of elongate, strip-like shape for forming the upper end of an arched wall opening is preformed into an arch of predetermined curvature, and is of sufficient flexibility to enable it to be forced into a flat condition for shipping and storage purposes. Once released from its flat condition, it will automatically spring back into an arched configuration.

Abstract: A form assembly for forming a concrete structure during drying of the concrete. The form assembly is formed of an elongated plastic form having a front wall for engaging the concrete and a rear wall. The front wall is spaced apart from the back wall to define a pocket for receiving at least one connecting member. The connecting member is secured in the pocket to project a distance beyond an end of the form. A slidable stake holder may also be provided to slide in a C-shaped pocket in the form. The stake holder has right and left flanges that abuttingly engage the rear wall and at least one preformed nail hole is provided in each of the right and left flanges.

Abstract: Flashing used on curved exterior wall projections designed to stop water intrusion and provide a permanent, attractive, paintable surface that is safe from UV radiation. The flashing includes a Z-shaped or L-shaped body bonded with a flexible flashing material along its back surface and front edge. The metal body includes at least two perpendicularly aligned flange members. Formed on the top flange member is a plurality of transversely aligned slits evenly spaced thereon that allow the flashing to be bent around a curved wall projection. The flexible flashing material is adhesively bonded to the inside and outside surfaces of the top flange member thereby covering the slits to create a water barrier. During installation, the top flange member and flexible flashing material are covered by external siding.

Abstract: An arched jamb member of elongate, strip-like shape for forming the upper end of an arched wall opening is preformed into an arch of predetermined curvature, and is of sufficient flexibility to enable it to be forced into a flat condition for shipping and storage purposes. Once released from its flat condition, it will automatically spring back into an arched configuration.

Abstract: A framing assembly and associated method of orienting and supporting a plurality of framing studs for constructing a curved wall through the utilization of a base formed of a high strength, flexible and at least partially separable material comprising a plurality of base segments which are disposed in interconnecting relation to spaced apart outwardly extending the sidewalls disposed in substantially parallel relation to one another. The plurality of base segments are removably secured to one another but are separable when the base is disposed in an operative position defined by a curved orientation which substantially corresponds to the curved wall or like structure being formed.

Abstract: A flexible form assembly for forming concrete structures during setting of the concrete is provided. The flexible form assembly includes an elongated form having a front side for engaging the concrete and a rear side. The rear side includes a back wall disposed between two rearwardly extending top and bottom walls which, in turn, are connected to downwardly and upwardly protruding lips respectively to form a C-shaped pocket for receiving a stake holder. The stake holder includes right and left flanges that abuttingly engage the back wall and that fit between the top and bottom walls and that are partially disposed between the upper and lower lips and the back wall. The stake holder further comprises a pocket portion that is connected to and disposed between right and left flanges. The pocket portion extends outwardly to define an apex which provides a looped pocket for receiving a stake.

Abstract: An adjustable masonry arch form is disclosed. The adjustable masonry arch form comprises a planar base section to support the masonry elements which will comprise the masonry arch, and a plurality of attachment means secured to the planar base for securing the form to a structure. The adjustable masonry arch form is constructed from material rigid enough to support the masonry elements, but flexible enough to be bent to conform to any given arched construction without unwanted buckling of the form. The masonry elements which will comprise the masonry arch are placed directly on the planar base of the form in the desired configuration and secured in the masonry arch by mortar. The form is left in position permanently, obviating the need to build a temporary arch support saving time and expense and obviating waste of materials.

Abstract: Sized and shaped attachments made of suitable materials and having a predetermined thickness for straightening and replacing studs, joists and rafters, squaring of openings and for aligning a plurality of the studs, joists and rafters in the framing for a building to provide a planar application surface to which exterior finishing members can be affixed. The attachments have sized and spaced openings thereon operatively associated by frictional engagement with fastening members each having a slidable member thereon to enable the attachments or devices to be adjustably fastened to a given stud, joist or rafter so a plurality of such adjusted attachments or any replacement attachments can be aligned with each other to provide the planar application surface. Methods are provided to align a multiplicity of adjoining studs, joists or rafters, to square and to square and align openings with such attachments to provide the planar application surfaces.

Abstract: Doorway or passageway arches and a mold and method for making doorway arches, wherein the arches comprise pre-fabricated plaster, two sides that are substantially perpendicular to each other, a concave arcuate side extending between the sides and flanges extending outward from each side for securing the arch to adjoining walls defining a comer, and the mold comprises a base, at least two perpendicularly disposed slots, at least one slidably insertable and removable board for each slot, a mold projecting upward from said base and having a convex side extending between opposing ends of said boards, flanges disposable along the boards and a volume for receiving a hardening agent, such as plaster.

Abstract: Sized and shaped attachments made of suitable materials and having a predetermined thickness for straightening and replacing studs, joists and rafters, squaring of openings and for aligning a plurality of the studs, joists and rafters in the framing for a building to provide a planar application surface to which exterior finishing members can be affixed. The attachments have sized and spaced openings thereon operatively associated by frictional engagement with fastening members each having a slidable member thereon to enable the attachments or devices to be adjustably fastened to a given stud, joist or rafter so a plurality of such adjusted attachments or any replacement attachments can be aligned with each other to provide the planar application surface. Methods are provided to align a multiplicity of adjoining studs, joists or rafters, to square and to square and align openings with such attachments to provide the planar application surfaces.

Abstract: A new prefabricated arch structure for aiding the construction of an archway. The inventive device includes a base wall with a pair of spaced apart side walls outwardly extending from the inner surface of the base wall. Each side wall is generally triangular and has a vertex corner, and a pair side edges extending from the vertex corner towards the ends of the base wall.

Abstract: For trimming an archway, a drywall-trimming has a nose with an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface has a curved portion conforming substantially to an arcuate profile with a radius in a range from approximately 1/4 inch to approximately 3/4 inch. The drywall-trimming strip has a series of slits defining a series of tabs spaced from one another along a tabbed edge but not extending into the nose. Near the tabbed edge, the slits have widened, oblong portions. Usually, the drywall-trimming strip has a flange extending from and along an opposite edge, but the flange is omitted for some applications. A comparatively softer portion, which includes the juncture where the tabs are joined to the tabbed edge, is made from a comparatively softer, more flexible, polymeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride having a hardness of Durometer 92 Shore A.

Abstract: An edge strip for being mounted along a base structure includes a first axially extending flange and a second axially extending flange obliquely extending from the first flange. The second flange includes a first support configured for being mounted adjacent to the base structure. The first support includes a head portion, a first neck portion between the head portion and the first flange, and a second neck portion spaced from the first neck portion between the head portion and the first flange.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated thermoplastic bar members, each bar member defining a pre-determined width, and a pre-determined thickness which is less than its width, and each bar member being made up of an outer facing panel, and an inner wall and intermediate spacer walls extending between the facing panels and inner walls at intervals, and defining therebetween generally elongated passageways, and at least some of the bars having interlock formations formed on the exterior of the facing panels, so that adjacent bars may be interlocking together, the interlock formations defining continuous tongue and groove slide members, permitting one bar member to slide relative to its adjacent bar members, and at least one of bar members having one panel free of the interlock formations, so as to provide a smooth finished exterior surface.

Abstract: Construction members and methods of forming archways and the like in wood or metal frame construction is disclosed. The member is of an elongate planform having a central body of the width of the archway to be formed, with a plurality of tabs at each side thereof which may be bent at right angles to the body and, once the member is curved as desired, nailed or screwed to the structure to define the desired shape prior to finishing the same. In an alternate form, the body is wider than the archway to be formed, with the tabs spaced inward from the edges thereof so as to be spaced in accordance with the archway width. The outer extending edges thereby provided in the archway, once installed, provide a finishing edge for the wallboard finishing the structure. Various embodiments and materials including metal and plastic for the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A preform for use in constructing an archway wherein opposing sheet metal cheek are spaced apart by a curved throat to permit the cheeks to reside between the adjacent wall support and the overlying wallboard or drywall. The preform is affixed directly to the support members. Drywall is fastened to the preform by screws with the seams between adjacent drywall sections being covered in the conventional manner. The attachment of the preform directly to the wall supports essentially eliminates the likelihood of joint separation or fastener movement after installation.

Abstract: In constructing a masonry header, masonry header jacks are mounted in opposed fashion on the sides of existing spaced masonry stiles. A masonry header template is supported on the jacks between the stiles and the jacks are vertically adjustable for properly positioning the template prior to constructing a masonry header on top of the template. After the header is cured, the template and jacks are removed. The jacks include horizontally disposed base mounting arms that have a vertical thickness equivalent to the thickness of mortar joints in the stiles. The jacks are mounted on the stiles by positioning the arms in preselected mortar joints of the stiles when the masonry block or brick stiles are laid up.

Abstract: A molded exterior decorative unit for securement to a structural facing comprises a molded unit with front and back surfaces and side edges. The front surface has decorative features, while a channel is molded in the back surface into which a compressible, expandable, flexible sealing member is partially secured. Preferably, a groove is formed in the floor of the channel so as to provide a labyrinth path for air or moisture. Upon securement of the molded decorative unit to a facing, the compressible, expandable, flexible sealing member forms a seal adjacent the periphery of the molded unit. In one embodiment, weep holes or slots are provided at the back adjacent a bottom surface of the molded exterior decorative unit. In another embodiment, where the unit is adapted for securement in a recess in the structural facing, the channel is formed in the side edge of the molded unit, and the compressible, expandable, flexible sealing member forms a seal between the side edge and a surrounding wall forming the recess.

Abstract: A process of forming a curved sheet rock panel that can later be used in curved ceiling constructions within buildings. Initially a flat sheet rock panel is soaked with water, and then squeezed to remove excess water. The pliable panel is transferred to an arcuate form, where it quickly remolds itself to the arcuate surface contour on the form. The arcuate panel is dried to a stiff, but still pliable, condition in which it can be fastened to an arcuate ceiling framework.

Abstract: J-channel member comprises a relatively rigid plastic back leg and channel bottom wall, with spaced apart slits along the length of the back leg to permit bending of the bottom wall around a radiused opening, and a relatively flexible plastic front leg which permits stretching of the front leg during such bending of the bottom wall while leaving the front leg intact. At the outer end of the front leg is an inturned annular lip which is urged radially inwardly into engagement with the trimmed ends of vinyl or aluminum siding received in the channel to help hold the siding down and enhance the overall appearance of the joint.

Abstract: A prefabricated unitary body forming an archway is made of a light, durable material. The body includes a corner bead and defines a recess for receipt of a corner bead covering a drywall section which abuts against the bottom walls of the archway. The archway is nailed in place and drywall compound is applied, tapering from the corner bead of the archway to fill and cover the seam joining the archway within a framed opening.

Abstract: A metal corner bracket for use in drywall construction in corners on windows and archways to eliminate subsequent cracking at the corners.