Abstract: Various embodiments provide a modular light shelf assembly in which individual light shelf units are substantially prefabricated. For example, in various embodiments, the assembly includes pre-fabricated support arms that are secured adjacent an interior wall of a building adjacent a window opening. Each of the support arms define at least one channel, and each light shelf includes at least one protrusion extending from each of a first side and a second side of the light shelf. The protrusion on the first side of the light shelf slidably engages the channel of the support arm adjacent the first side of the light shelf, and the protrusion on the second side of the light shelf slidably engages the channel on the support arm adjacent the second side of the light shelf to secure the light shelf between the adjacent support arms.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to a sill flashing assembly configured to fit within a lower portion of an opening in a wall. The sill flashing assembly comprises: (1) a central sill flashing member having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion; and (2) at least one end dam member. The substantially vertical portion extends upwardly adjacent an interior edge of the substantially horizontal portion, and the substantially vertical portion defines at least one channel. The end dam member has a planar base and at least one tab extending at an angle greater than zero degrees from an interior edge of the planar base. The tab has a height that is shorter than a height of the interior edge of the planar base, and the tab engages the channel when the end dam member is installed adjacent an end of the central sill flashing member.

Abstract: A sunshade for mounting to a building structure has first and second extruded outriggers spaced apart from each other and louvers extending from the first outrigger to the second outrigger. The first and second outriggers have an elongated body, an upper leg extending from an upper portion of the elongated body, and a lower leg extending from a lower portion of the elongated body. The outriggers of adjacent sunshades face each other such that the upper legs face each other and the lower legs face each other. A pocket is formed between the adjacent outriggers. The outriggers also have a mounting notch at an end which is mounted to the building structure. The outrigger notch engages a hook on a sunshade anchor mounted to the building structure.

Abstract: A tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) is a one-piece webbing. The tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) has a top layer load-bearing web (12) and a bottom layer load-bearing web (24). An energy absorbing portion (38) of the webbing has binder yarns (36) interlaced with the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). A sufficiently high load force applied to the webbing breaks the binder yarns (36) and tears apart the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). The energy absorbing portion (38) absorbs energy as it tears apart. The top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14) support the load force when the shock absorbing portion is torn apart.

Abstract: A sash window includes two window frames disposed in lateral juxtaposition and each including a head member, a sill member and a pair of jamb members connected together into a rectangular configuration, and a pair of upper and lower sashes supported within a respective one of the window frames. A sill nose is mounted to exterior sides of the sill members and extends continuously from an outer end of one sill member to an outer end of the other sill member. Each of the upper sashes is fixed to the respective one of the window frames by attachment members.

Abstract: A shock absorbing fabric structure is a one-piece webbing. The shock absorbing fabric structure has a tubular-shaped high strength sheath and a high elongation member inside of the sheath. The sheath and the high elongation member are secured together at spaced apart connection locations and the high elongation member is generally not secured to the sheath between the connection locations. Heat treatment shrinks the length of the high elongation member. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the high elongation member and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the high elongation member and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded while the high elongation member absorbs energy as it stretches or elongates.

Abstract: A shock absorbing fabric structure is a one-piece webbing. The shocking absorbing fabric structure has a sheath and an elongation member inside of the sheath. The sheath and the elongation member are secured together at spaced apart connection locations and the elongation member is generally not secured to the sheath between the connection locations. Heat treatment shrinks the length of the elongation member. The sheath does not substantially shrink from heat treatment relative to the elongation member and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation member and unfolds the gathered sheath. The sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded while the elongation member absorbs energy as it stretches or elongates.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an elongated hook and loop fastening strap with a slit defined therein for securing one or more objects together. The fastening strap includes an engaging portion, which is disposed generally above the slit, and an anchor portion, which is disposed generally below the slit. The engaging portion is peeled away from a base to which the anchor portion is attached and is wrapped around the objects to be secured. The engaging portion is then threaded through the slit and engaged onto the base. The engaging shear force between the anchor portion of the strap and the base is sufficient to hold the strap to the base when the engaging portion is peeled away from the base, alleviating the need for external bonding methods for securing the strap to the base and allowing a user to secure the strap using one hand.

Abstract: A thermally broken sunshade anchor can attach a sunshade to a mullion of a curtain wall of a building structure. The thermally broken sunshade anchor has a body for connection to the sunshade, a wall attachment member for attachment to the curtain wall, and a thermal break between the body and the wall attachment member. The thermal break is positioned adjacent a thermal break location portion of the body and adjacent a thermal break location portion of the wall attachment member. The thermal break resists heat transfer such that the body and the wall attachment member are substantially thermally isolated from each other by the thermal break. The thermal break can be formed by pour and debridge processes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an integrated window assembly that includes a mullion, a window frame to be secured relative to the mullion, a reinforcement member positioned within the mullion, sashes on each side of the mullion, and an integrally formed connector positioned between the reinforcement member within the mullion, the window frame, and the sashes. In various embodiments, the integrally formed connector and the reinforcement member provide improved wind resistance for the window assembly, according to various embodiments of the invention. For example, in a particular embodiment, the window assembly can withstand about 75 lbs. per square foot of pressure with no permanent deflection in excess of about 0.4%.

Abstract: A hose cover for a high pressure hose is disclosed. The hose cover includes an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath. The inner and outer sheaths have a woven construction, each have a plurality of warp threads, and a weft thread that it interwoven between the warp threads. The weft thread is woven between the warp threads of the inner and outer sheaths in a pattern such that weft thread is shared between the inner and outer sheath and the inner and outer sheaths are interwoven together.

Abstract: A sash window includes a support device disposed on a lower end portion of each sash and including a pivot shaft for pivotally supporting the sash relative to a window frame, and a latch device disposed on an upper end portion of the sash for interlocking engagement with each jamb member to lock the sash in position against pivotal movement relative to the window frame. The window frame has a holder member for holding the pivot shaft in position against movement in inward and outward directions of the sash window when the sash is in a fully closed position. A first reinforcement member is mounted in at least one sash rail, and a second reinforcement member is mounted in a portion of each jamb member adapted for engagement with the latch device in the fully closed state of the sash, so as to indirectly reinforce the jamb member portion from inside the jamb member.

Abstract: A tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) is a one-piece webbing. The tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) has a top layer load-bearing web (12) and a bottom layer load-bearing web (24). An energy absorbing portion (38) of the webbing has binder yarns (36) interlaced with the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). A sufficiently high load force applied to the webbing breaks the binder yarns (36) and tears apart the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). The energy absorbing portion (38) absorbs energy as it tears apart. The top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14) support the load force when the shock absorbing portion is torn apart.

Abstract: A reusable slider stop member has a solid body shaped to fit over a tooth element in a slide fastener assembly. The solid body has a central through channel defined by a pair of parallel prongs which fit over a tooth element. Each prong has an internal shoulder that engages a portion of the tooth element to retain the stop in place. The stop may be removed without damaging the stop or the tooth element, thus permitting easy repair of slide fastener assembly components. The stop is installed by aligning the channel at a right angle to the axis of the array of tooth elements, pressing the stop partially onto the tooth element, twisting the stop into alignment with the array and pressing the stop fully onto the tooth element to engage the internal shoulder of the stop with the tooth element.

Abstract: A shock absorbing lanyard is a one-piece webbing. The shock absorbing lanyard has a tubular-shaped high strength outer sheath and a high elongation member inside of the outer sheath. The outer sheath and the high elongation member are secured together at spaced apart connection locations and the high elongation member is generally not secured to the outer sheath between the connection locations. Heat treatment shrinks the length of the high elongation member. The outer sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the high elongation member and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the lanyard stretches the high elongation member and unfolds the gathered outer sheath. The high strength outer sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded while the high elongation member absorbs energy as it stretches or elongates.

Abstract: A mold shim or insert is disclosed, which is placed between the surface of a forming mold or mold magnet and a fastener strip that is to be molded into a foam object. The mold shim compensates for the variability of the mold surface and provides a more even surface for the fastener strip to seal against —thereby preventing fouling of the strip's fastening elements during the molding process. Alternative embodiments of the invention are not used with a fastener strip, but instead have engaging members on their non-mold-proximate surface for engaging clips or wires which are thereby embedded into the foam object during the molding process.

Abstract: A fastener is disclosed with a fiber-covered element for anchoring the fastener in a finished foam seat cushion, and/or a fiber-covered element for sealing the fastening members of the fastener against fouling during the seat cushion molding process. The fiber-covered elements can additionally be magnetically attractable, and serve to temporarily secure the fastener to the forming mold during the molding process.

Abstract: A light reflective film having a multi-layered structure including a light reflective membrane layer on a web. A plurality of transparent spherical glass beads are provided on the light reflective membrane layer. A transparent film layer is provided on the glass beads and is spaced away from the light reflective membrane layer by an air gap. A transparent coating encapsulates all of the component layers to form the light reflective film. The light reflective film is flexible and durable, and effectively reflects light when under water.