Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an insulation and ventilation system for a building envelope (e.g. a building wall and/or a building roof). The system includes: one or more interior building envelope layers; an insulation panel having an interior side abutting against at least one of the one or more interior building envelope layers and an exterior side having a plurality of transversely spaced and continuously longitudinally extending grooves interspaced between a plurality of transversely spaced and continuously longitudinally extending protrusions; and one or more exterior building envelope layers located exterior to the insulation panel to provide a plurality of transversely localized venting channels defined at least in part by an interior surface of the one or more exterior building envelope layers and the grooves of the exterior side of the insulation panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of mortarless, brick- and stone-like veneer systems for walls. More particularly, the present invention relates to suspension rails for providing mortarless or mortar-optional installations of brick- and stone-like panels for covering walls. Embodiments of the invention provide a cage-type suspension rail configured to be partially embedded in the panel and a universal hanging bracket that provides pullout resistance for the panels. An exemplary suspension rail comprises: a first four-sided frame with horizontally and vertically disposed sides; a plurality of posts disposed on and perpendicular to the first frame or the cross bars; a second four-sided frame in communication with the plurality of posts; an upper tab in communication with the first frame for connecting the rail to a surface; wherein the upper tab is disposed outside a perimeter of the first frame and a perimeter of a second frame.

Abstract: A surround for an electrical box has a sheet of flexible, weatherproof material having a skirt portion, and a flange extending at least outward relative to the skirt portion, the flange defining an opening within the skirt portion sized to provide access to an inner cavity of the electrical box.

Abstract: An ice melting and clearing rod includes an ice melting chemical compound including calcium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, amide, and/or glycol, forming a substantially cylindrical member. The substantially cylindrical member includes: an outer surface including: multiple grooves that run along a length of the cylindrical member, the grooves being evenly spaced about a circumference of the cylindrical member; and a textured surface along at least a portion of the outer surface, the textured surface providing resistance in one direction along the length of the cylindrical member; and a set of through-holes adapted for use as placement features, wherein each through-hole in the set of through-holes is perpendicular to the length of the cylindrical member, where: the rod is adapted for use on a sloped roof, the outer surface is formed by the ice melting compound, and a shape of the substantially cylindrical member is retained without any external container.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for connecting an overhead roof structure to below roof structure elements of a building. The below roof structure elements include a wall having a top plate member or ceiling support structure. The bracket assembly includes overhead fixing members, a bracket member, bearing member, sleeve member, and below roof structure fastener, which are interconnected and fastened together. One end of the bracket member is connectable to the overhead fixing members to the overhead roof structure and the other end is connectable to the below roof structure fastener which is connectable to the below roof structure. The bearing and sleeve members are located and connected between the bracket member and the below roof structure such that the bracket member rests without loading on the bearing member which then rests on the sleeve member which when used rests without loading on the below roof structure, providing structural integrity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of home decoration, in particular to a home plate connecting device, which includes a plate and plate connecting piece, a glass and plate connecting piece, a plate bottom edge and ground connecting piece, a decorative plate and plate connecting piece, a doorframe and wall connecting piece and a plate chamfer connecting piece, wherein each of the connecting pieces is provided with a rubber barbed tenon structure and a mortise structure with a barbed accommodation groove. According to the invention, the mortise and tenon structures and a threaded connection manner are adopted for fixation, so that the device can be freely dismounted and conveniently packaged and transported; each part is matched, and is easy to position, so that mounting and dismounting working efficiency is improved; and the dismounted parts are prevented from damage, and are high in reutilization rate, so that the device can be widely applied to the field of home mounting and decoration.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for a shield and flange support for a duct. The shield and flange support includes a first side and a second side coupled to the first side to extend toward the duct. The first side and the second side cooperate to define a cavity, and the cavity includes at least one of a first insulating fluid and a first insulating solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to structure members having a body made of a composite material comprising at least one type of fiber and at least one type of resin, and pluralities of connection extensions which are one-piece with said body in order to provide connection to another structure member with the same properties, and the present invention relates to a structure formed by said structure members.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a retrofitable brace fitting assembly. In one approach, a brace platform has a first side, a second side, and a platform slot extending inwardly from an outer edge. The brace platform further includes a post disposed on the first side of the platform for engagement with a corresponding opening in a brace fitting, and a tab disposed on the second side of the platform for engagement with a strut. To restrict rotation of the platform relative to the strut, the tab may extend into an opening of the strut for engagement with an inward turn edge of the strut, or the tab may extend along and abut an exterior surface of the strut. The brace platform may further include a reinforcement post for engagement with a threaded rod, the reinforcement post extending through a corresponding opening in the brace fitting.

Abstract: The present invention provided a precast modular concrete wall panel having a rectangular wall body with an upper slot and two side slots, and the wall body can further include an insulating layer and a decorative layer, and can contain a sandwich layer embedded in the concrete structure. The wall panels may be used with wall columns, wall corners and other components to form a wall panel system and further to form a building of frame structure or frame-share wall structure. Such wall panels have advantageous structural features and thus can be cost effectively prefabricated, and the construction process using such panel system can be performed with high efficiency.

Abstract: Provided is a retrofitting structure for existing building that does not require the addition of a foundation specific to the retrofitting structure, can implement seismic retrofitting at any floors only of the existing building, and hardly causes a large drawing force resulting from eccentric bending moment that may act on the seismic retrofitting structure. A retrofitting structure 100 for existing building includes: a reinforcing frame 10 including a frame member 11 and a vibration control member 12 interposed in the frame member, the reinforcing frame being provided on an outer wall surface of an existing building B having an overhang T on the outer wall surface so as to surround the overhang T; and a vertical truss member 30 and a horizontal truss member 20 configured to couple the reinforcing frame 10 and the outer wall surface.

Abstract: A waterproof juncture comprised of a water-impermeable membrane applied over at least the upper peripheral edge of a wallboard or shower pan sidewall and a portion of an adjacent wall-forming member which is coplanar with the wall studs, which in turn will form a waterproof covering over the seam between the upper peripheral edge of the wallboard or shower pan sidewall (or equivalent shower bench, shelf or ledge) and the adjacent wall-forming member.

Abstract: A construction panel comprising a rigid insulation layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an outer concrete wythe secured to the exterior surface of the insulation layer, an inner concrete wythe secured to the interior surface of the insulation layer, a grid system which ties the outer concrete wythe to the inner concrete wythe and a capillary tube system located within the construction panel wherein liquid is passed through the tubing in order to increase or decrease the temperature of the construction panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a welded wire lath device having a plurality of longitudinal wires extending along a plane and in a longitudinal direction, a plurality of tension release devices disposed on the plurality of longitudinal wires, a plurality of transverse wires extending along the plane in a transverse direction; and a plurality of weld connections at each intersection point between the plurality of longitudinal wires and the plurality of transverse wires. Each of the plurality of tension release devices are randomly spaced along the plurality of parallel longitudinal wires. The longitudinal wires, including each of the plurality of tension release devices, have a rectilinear cross-section. The present invention also provides for a structural assembly, and related method, having the welded wire lath device attached to a structural support such as a wall or ceiling and having a cementitious material embedded within the welded wire lath device.

Abstract: Transportable folder-chair formed by two foldable/unfoldable parts, one of which is rectangular prismatic with two flat faces and two faces in the form of bellows, with extensions for forming the seat surface in an unfolded position, or position of use of the chair, which continue in flaps with two cutouts, and a set of flaps and fold lines, from which a folder is formed in the fold thereof. The transportable folder-chair also has a strap fixed by two ends for transporting the unit in the folded position thereof.

Abstract: A covering module for installation on a subsurface and for attachment to additional modules to form a finished decorative surface is provided. The covering module comprises a decorative covering that is detachably or permanently attached to an anchor sheet. The covering module is configured so as to expose a joining region of the decorative covering and a joining region of the anchor sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to structure members having a body made of a composite material comprising at least one type of fiber and at least one type of resin, and pluralities of connection extensions which are one-piece with said body in order to provide connection to another structure member with the same properties, and the present invention relates to a structure formed by said structure members.

Abstract: The present loading dock rainshield has a self-adjusting, weighted canopy seal with a header projecting from the building to support a flexible, dual fixed-end, downwardly looped, central curtain. The central curtain spans the dominant width of the header and loops from front to back. The center curtain joins with opposed pleated side curtains to compete the front seal. The downwardly looped central curtain has a series of staggered and overlapping weighted baffles proximal its front end. When a trailer backs into the dock, the trailer top engages one or more baffles, which ride up onto the top of the trailer. The elongated weighted baffles push rainwater off the trailer top as it backs into the bay, and remain in forced sealing engagement with the trailer top when it is parked to divert water off the trailer top and prevent the water from flowing or blowing into the bay.

Abstract: A tile system has been devised that includes novel, integral self-aligning and self-spacing features on the side walls of the tiles to provide uniform self-alignment continuously during installation in all directions, both on vertical and horizontal surfaces. Border and corner tiles with similar self-alignment features are shown. The self-alignment features will align the tiles in either a straight-laid or running bond (or brick) pattern. The self-alignment features define regular, parallel gaps between adjacent tiles, without the need for separate spacers, in which waterproof grout is applied. The self-alignment features have application with bonded and non-bonded tiles, driveway/walkway/deck pavers and mortared interior and exterior brick, which can be manufactured in a variety of materials and processes. This Invention pays particular attention to plastic injection molded tiles that are to be bonded to a surface and subsequently grouted.

Abstract: A corner siding product may include a plurality of panels. Each panel may include a front face with a simulated pattern, a hollow back, a longitudinal length extending in an x-direction, a lateral width extending in a y-direction, and a depth extending in a z-direction. In addition, the corner siding product may include a living hinge extending in the y-direction between the panels along side edges thereof. The corner siding product can have an uninstalled configuration wherein it is substantially planar. Embodiments of the corner siding product also can have an installed configuration wherein the living hinge permits the panels to be non-planar relative to each other, such that they are complementary in shape to a corner of a building.