Abstract: A joist hanger used to attach a joist to a support member or header designed to minimize the noise caused by the rubbing of the members of the connection, during loading. The joist hanger includes a seat and a pair of side walls extending upwardly in spaced relationship therefrom to receive the end portion of an joist. The bottom of the joist rests on the seat, and the side faces of the joist extend upwardly therefrom in spaced relationship from the side walls of the hanger. Inwardly projecting guides formed in the side walls of the hanger, hold the joist at selected points, maintaining the spaced relationship between the sides walls of the hanger and the side faces of the joist. The inwardly projecting guides can be formed with embossed portions connected to the side walls of the joist. The joist hanger is also formed with back flanges and top flanges that are relatively narrow compared to the back flanges.

Abstract: A fence-frame-to-post connector comprises two separate members joined by one or more fasteners separate from the members. One member is attached to the fence frame with additional fasteners separate from those used to join the two members and also separate from the connector. One of the fasteners that joins the two members of the connector can be a hinge that is preferably made by a key tab and key slot combination in which the key pivots in the keyhole.

Abstract: An internal shear panel for reducing the tendency of the upper portions of buildings to move relative to the foundation when lateral forces, such as those produced by winds and earthquakes, are applied to the walls. The shear panel is pre-assembled having two vertical posts and two diaphragm members interconnecting the two vertical posts. The panel also has an upper and a lower horizontal member that are connected to the vertical posts and the diaphragm members. The lower horizontal member and the vertical posts are configured to be attached via brackets to holdown bolts mounted in the foundation of a building and the upper horizontal member is configured to be attached to an upper plate or rail of the wall. Hence, the shear panel can be installed by connecting the upper horizontal member to the upper portion of the wall and connecting the lower horizontal member to the holdown bolts in the foundation.

Abstract: An elongated strap member that is coiled in a box and is bent lengthwise as it is drawn out of the box, providing an economical, light, compact means of connecting multiple structural members without sagging or other disadvantageous deformations between the structural members. The structural members are bridged by strap member. The end of the strap member is bent over.

Abstract: A seat and anchor assembly for mounting and securing a wood joist or roof truss to a tie beam of a building including a central web portion and an upwardly extending wall portion disposed along a longitudinal edge thereof wherein a lower portion of the roof truss or joist fits within what may be considered a seat defined by the web and the upstanding wall portion. An elongated anchor strap is adjustably attached to the wall portion and is adapted to be secured by nails or like connectors to the top portion of the roof truss and further wherein the anchor strap includes a lower length disposed and adapted to be embedded in wet concrete initially defining the tie beam of the building on which the seat and truss rests.

Abstract: A coupler nut with multiple bore diameters that are symmetrically stepped in both directions away from the center bore diameter. The bore diameter at the center is the smallest, and each pair of steps away from the center bore increases the bore diameter. This means that the coupler nut has no single, correct vertical orientation. It has no top or bottom, and as such is vertically ambidextrous.

Abstract: A beam shoe for attaching a (first) beam end-on to a load-bearing construction, especially to a second beam disposed in the same plane as the beam to be attached and running at right angles thereto, the beam shoe comprising an originally flat, one-piece, strip-like sheet-metal portion or blank, which is shaped to an upwardly open channel-shaped retaining member having a web-like rectangular bottom for bracing the beam to be attached on the beam shoe as well as two web-like, parallel retaining legs, the retaining member embracing, in assembled condition, an end portion of the beam to be attached at the underside and side faces thereof, the legs, which are bent over upwardly from the bottom at right angles and disposed along two opposite borders of the bottom, being provided with through holes for rod-like fasteners such as nails in particular in order to join the beam shoe to the beam to be attached, the inside spacing of the legs therefore being (at least) as large as (and if necessary somewhat larger than) t

Abstract: A resilient wall base member manufactured with pre-scored grooves to allow relatively short, straight lengths to be used for both flat walls and wall corner junctures without on site scoring operations or equipment. The lengths can either be pre-cut during manufacturing to convenient lengths or can be cut after manufacturing from coils.

Abstract: An improved connector formed with a seat member that is stiffened by first and second reinforcing flanges that extend around first and second corners at either end of a third edge of the seat member, the first and second reinforcing flanges being connected to the third edge and to first and second edges that intersect with the third edge, the fist and second edges also having side members connected to the seat member. When used as a hanger, the connector includes a seat member, first and second backwall members which are connected to the supporting girder and first and second side members connected to the supported trusses. A flange member integrally connected to the seat provides further connection when a jack truss is supported.

Abstract: A tension connection for a building includes a first tension member, the first tension member being anchored at its distal end, a second tension member being anchored at its distal end; the first and second tension members being disposed in close proximity and connected by a coupler having a surrounding sleeve and a central bore with a thread, the coupler also being formed with a first rotational member being received in the central bore of the surrounding sleeve and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve; the first rotational member is connected to the surrounding sleeve, such that the rotational member can rotate in relation to the surrounding sleeve. A torsion spring connects the first rotational member and the surrounding sleeve; the torsion spring biasing the first rotational member and the surrounding sleeve in opposite rotational directions such that the first rotational member can be drawn into the surrounding sleeve.

Abstract: Screw fasteners are used to connect multiple trusses in side-by-side relationship. The screw fasteners join truss wood members which are in edge to edge relationship with the screws being driven through the edge of each wood member. The screws may be knurled screws as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,850; lag screws, or standard screws. The connection may also join wood board members in edge-to-edge relationship when bending of the wood members is limited by a restraining structure.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jacq. named ‘Damascus’ originated as a controlled cross between the commercial cultivar Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jacq. ‘Chesapeake Snowflake’ and an unnamed Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jacq. cultivar. The cultivar ‘Damascus’ has R.H.S. 155 A (white group) tepals at maturity and is distinguished from other similar cultivars of which the inventor is aware by its erect racemes, wide leaves that lay flat and its suitability for growth in pots.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) named ‘Carina’ originated as a found plant in a cultivated area of ‘Orion’. The cultivar ‘Carina’ has a R.H.S. 68 A (red-purple group) bi-color pigmentation pattern on its sepals at maturity, with the pigmentation giving way to non-pigmented margins and is distinguished from other similar cultivars of which the inventor is aware by its stable sepal color pattern, its sturdy growth habit, and small leaves. ‘Carina’ has large showy inflorescences, having both sepalous and non-sepalous florets, with the sepalous florets hiding the non-sepalous florets.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Helichrysum plant named ‘Harvest Fire’ that originated as a controlled cross. The new variety is distinguished from Helicyrhsum bracteatum (Vent.) and all other members of the genera known to the inventor by: the color of it inflorescence and buds, in combination with the ability of its immature inflorescence to develop under indoor light conditions, the resistance of its stems to bending, the resistance of its leaves to scorching, a very compact growth habit, and the ability of its lower buds to develop when the upper inflorescence is cut off without the plant becoming excessively large. The new variety further possesses the following commercially and aesthetically desirable characteristics of resistance to the rood disease Pythium, its puberlent leaves, its ability to grow well in pots, and the ease with which it can be forced to flower for sale in the autumn, and its long-lasting inflorescences.

Abstract: A plant variety of the Cactaceae family, Schlumbergera truncata, called ‘Gail Glazier’ having a predominantly white colored bloom characterized as R.H.S 155 D (white group). The new variety has a strong resistance to bud abscission, a strong propensity for buds to mature and flower, an erect growth habit, and an ability to branch easily with minimal pruning, contributing to a dense appearance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) named ‘Galilee’ originated as a controlled cross between Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) True Blue - U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,593 (the seed parent), and the unpatented commercial variety Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘Mathilda Gutges’ (the pollen parent). The cultivar ‘Galilee’ can be blue or pink depending on the acidity of the soil. The new cultivar is characterized by its sturdy growth habit and its ability to produce blue pigmentation with relatively low levels of soil amendments. The new cultivar has showy inflorescences with large florets.

Abstract: A plant variety of the Helichrysum family resulting from a controlled crossing of the varieties of Helichrysum bracteatum ‘Harvest Fire’, the subject of a currently pending U.S. patent application, and Helichrysum bracteatum×splendidum ‘Raspberry’, the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,929. The outermost involucral bracts of the bud appear as RHS 64 B (red-purple group). The rest of the bracts have an overall appearance of RHS 58 A (red-purple group). The tips of the outer bracts are RHS 187 A (greyed-purple group). The new variety also possesses the commercially desirable characteristics of hardy and attractive leaves and has generally good post harvest characteristics.