Abstract: A fastener is configured to affix a first article such as a picket to a second article such as a rail to form a railing or balustrade. The fastener includes a first engaging surface having a maximum diameter configured to engage an interior surface of an opening in the first article and a mating surface configured to mate with the second article. The first engaging surface can have shape selected from cylindrical, ellipsoidal, conical, elliptic conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, and ball and other shapes having cross-sections of rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other regular polygons having at least four sides such that good engagement is obtained and the fastener is hidden from view in the assembled railing.

Abstract: A method and/or system is provided that compensates for the flow of air through fiberglass insulation. In certain example embodiments, a dynamic heat flow meter or the like is provided for measuring and/or determining any detrimental effects of air flow through insulation such as fiberglass insulation. Once the possible detrimental effects are recognized, an insulation system is adapted (e.g., by providing a foam based insulation in a wall cavity in addition to the fiberglass insulation) to compensate, or substantially compensate, for the effects of air flow through the fiberglass. For instance, a sufficient amount of foam insulation may be provided in a cavity adjacent fiberglass, where the foam blocks or substantially blocks air from flowing through the cavity, thereby compensating for the effects of air flow through fiberglass and permitting the intended R-value to be maintained or substantially maintained.

Abstract: An insulation product is comprised of a fibrous layer pre-assembled with a flexible foam layer. The layer containing the fibrous material may comprise a fiberglass layer or a layer containing cellulosic fibers. The foam layer, on the other hand, may comprise any suitable flexible foam, such as an elastomeric polyurethane foam, that creates an air barrier. The two materials are laminated together and the resulting product is delivered to a building or structure for installation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are rigid solar powered photovoltaic (PV) integrated roofing membrane and related methods of manufacturing such a membrane. The disclosed membrane and methods beneficially provide solar power to structures in either off-grid or on-grid connections. The roofing membrane may comprise multiple membrane strips or members having electrically interconnected photovoltaic solar elements. The membrane members preferably have distinct patterns for the solar elements located thereon that provide for coverage of entire sections, upon installation, as well as accommodate interconnections between the solar elements. Moreover, the membrane will appreciate the numerous types of patterns to achieve such purposed of full coverage and electrical coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are flexible, solar powered photovoltaic (PV) integrated roofing membrane and related methods of manufacturing such a membrane. The disclosed membrane and methods beneficially provide solar power to structures in either off-grid or on-grid connections. The roofing membrane may comprise multiple membrane strips or members having electrically interconnected photovoltaic solar elements. The membrane members preferably have distinct patterns for the solar elements located thereon that provide for coverage of entire sections, upon installation, as well as accommodate interconnections between the solar elements. Moreover, the membrane will appreciate the numerous types of patterns to achieve such purposed of full coverage and electrical coupling.

Abstract: A building component having first and second high density foam panels and improved bridging members for connecting the panels that extend between and may be molded into the panels. The bridging members include a pair of elongated end plates oriented in a top to bottom direction of the panels, a pair of substantially identical web members joining the end plates and being substantially symmetrically disposed above and below a central horizontal axis of the bridging member, and a pair of strip members oriented in the top to bottom direction of the panels intersecting the web members. The web members have a unique configuration that maximizes load bearing capacity with a minimum amount of material. The strip members may abut against and be substantially flush with respective inner surfaces of the foam panels to assist in positioning and forming the panels during molding. Seating areas for positioning horizontally and/or vertically disposed rebar in predetermined positions are also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a reflective insulation product is provided. The product includes a first outer layer having reflective material, a second outer layer, and an inner layer. The inner layer includes fiberglass and urethane, the urethane being present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight. The inner layer is positioned between the first outer layer and second outer layer such that the first outer layer is adhered to a first side of the inner layer by the urethane and the second outer layer is adhered to a second side of the inner layer by the urethane.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a storm shutter assembly clip used for stitching together multiple storm shutter panels in making a storm shutter system, and/or assembly method for accomplishing the same. The clip includes upper and lower portions, with the upper portion having at least one arm extending therefrom, and the lower portion having a housing including a nut. A hole is formed in the lower portion. The upper and lower portions of the clip may be angled so as to correspond with an angle formed by intermediate portions of the storm shutter panels. The at least one arm of the clip is slipped over an end of the first shutter panel so that the hole of the clip aligns with holes of the inner and outer shutter panels. A screw is fed through the holes of the first and second shutter panels and the clip so as to engage with the nut, the shutter panels tightening together via the screw being received by the nut in forming the storm shutter system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are photovoltaic building materials and related methods of manufacturing and installing such materials. In one embodiment, a modular roofing structure comprises a photovoltaic shingle panel having a planar lower surface and an upper surface, and a rigid back member having a length the same as or greater than the length of the shingle panel and attached to the planar lower surface of the shingle panel. The roofing structure also includes at least one electrical contact pad on a lower surface of the back member, and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the shingle panel via the lower surface and passing through the back member and out the lower surface. In such embodiments, the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one contact pad and extends past a front end of the back member sufficient to electrically contact a contact pad on another back member of a separate modular roofing structure couplable to the first.

Abstract: A system and method for cutting shingles according to which a plurality of cutting blades are mounted on the outer circumference of a cutting cylinder, and the cylinder is rotated with the blades engaging the sheet while effecting relative translational movement between the cylinder and the sheet so that shingles are cut from the sheet upon one rotation of the cylinder.

Abstract: A joint for connecting at least two members; wherein the joint includes a first scalloped face having peaks and troughs located at an end of a first member and a second scalloped face having peaks and troughs located at the end of the second member. The resulting seam designed to minimize the visual impact of the joint.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to composite siding panels, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a method of making a siding panel is provided. A first cover is provided. A fiberglass based substrate is provided. Urethane is applied to at least some of the fiberglass before at least some of the fiberglass reaches the first cover. The fiberglass is provided so as to be supported by the first cover. A second cover is provided so that the fiberglass is provided between at least the first and second covers. The fiberglass, wetted with the urethane, is flattened and/or densified between at least the first and second covers to form at least part of the siding panel. The siding panel may have a specific gravity of between about 0.5 and 1.2. The compressed siding panel may comprise from about 5-30% urethane by weight and from about 75-95% fiberglass by weight.

Abstract: A hand-held tool. The tool comprises an interchangeable blade or blades located at an end of an L-shaped frame. The frame has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion attached at its end to the second portion in perpendicular fashion. The blade is located at an end of the second portion and has a working edge, which may be sharp, rough, serrated, or otherwise adapted for an application. A motor supported inside the frame provides reciprocal motion to the blade, the motion in a direction parallel to a length of the first portion of the L-shaped frame.

Abstract: Snow stop includes a base member, and a snow-restraining member. The snow stop can have a series of holes for ventilation of adhesive as well as for forming “glue-rivets” with cured adhesive, and can have slots (grooves) to the holes or boundary of the snow stop to assist in ventilating adhesive solvent. The holes and grooves also can provide for increased physical bonding with the adhesive and hence, roof. The base may be round with the snow-restrainer included in intersecting upstanding members.

Abstract: A method of thermally joining plastic eavestrough allows plastic eavestrough systems to be considered in more applications including traditional aluminum eavestrough systems where long lengths of continuous eavestroughs are desired. The method allows end to end joining of plastic eavestrough with a thermal joint therebetween or an angled connection with a thermal joint therebetween. This allows plastic eavestrough systems to be customized on site for improved performance and appearance. Thermally joined plastic eavestrough sections either aligned in an end to end or angled connection are possible.

Abstract: A roof having slate attached by battens and hangers. The hangers have a short member and a long member. The long member has a hook on one end and the remaining end is adjacent to a first outward extending arm. The first outward extending arm is adjacent to a central connecting member. The central connecting member is adjacent a second outward extending arm. The second outward extending arm is adjacent to the short member. The first and second outward extending arms are removably secured to the battens. The slate roof is installed by positioning and attaching the battens to a roof deck. The hangers are then secured to the battens by squeezing the short member and long member together and inserting the first and second outward extending arms into the adjacent hanger holders on the batten.