Abstract: A composite material panel includes a substrate formed of a first material; one or more strands formed from a second material, the strands being interspersed through the substrate, the second material being a natural material, the second material providing modified mechanical properties of the composite material panel.

Abstract: A molding system installed at or near the top of a vertical wall having a molding portion and an attachment portion, where the attachment portion is attached securely to the wall above at least the center of mass of the molding portion, and the molding portion has an outwardly visible decorative face which extends down to where the lower edge of the molding portion meets the wall. The attachment portion is enabled to flex as it is firmly attached to an imperfect wall, and the structure of the molding portion is such that the decorative face of the molding system remains preferentially straight and preferentially positioned as the molding system is installed on an irregular wall. A hinge-like flex is enabled along the length of the molding above the center of mass of the molding portion such that the decorative face of the molding can pivot like a pendulum ensuring the lower edge of the molding is placed against the wall.

Abstract: A construction system includes a metallic stud definable in terms of an X, Y, Z coordinate system. The system includes a Z-axis elongate substantially rectangular integral web within a YZ plane, the web having a stability elements along a Z axis line of dependency with a first edge of the web, the elements defining an L-shaped element having a foot occupying a YZ plane substantially parallel to the web. The system also includes a second and opposite Z-axis edge of the web defining a series of trapezoidal cut-outs having openings at a minor base of each trapezoidal cut-out.

Abstract: A structural component for use in building construction including a first support material member, a second support material member, an insulating material, and a first securing member. The first support material member may have a first length and a first edge. The second support material member may have a second length and a second edge and may oppose the first support material member. The insulating material may be disposed between the first support material member and the second support material member. The first securing member may be adapted to contact the first edge and the second edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for smoothing and blending drywall mud are provided. The apparatus provides a tool having one or more flexible blades to be applied to unfinished cured drywall mud. The blades may be selectively flexed by driving a displacement member towards or away from the blades. The flexed blades may be used to smooth and feather portions of drywall mud to conceal underlying irregularities and to blend with surrounding drywall. The blades may be biased against the displacement member by biasing mechanisms. The tool may receive multiple blades, including a rough-edged blade for a first pass across the drywall mud and a smooth-edged blade for a subsequent pass across the drywall mud. The blades may be kept in place with connectors which may be flexibly connected to allow for flexion.

Abstract: A frame assembly is disposed within an opening of a structure. The frame assembly includes first and second frame members each defining an interior and having a plurality of walls extending between a first end and a second end. The frame assembly includes a cornerlock extending into each of the first and second frame members. The cornerlock includes first and second body members each having hinge and distal ends and are rotatably coupled together at the hinge ends. The first body member has at least one arm deflectable to bias against and engage the first frame member. Each of the first and second frame members has a mitered end. The first and second frame members abut at the mitered ends in an angular configuration. The cornerlock rotates to correspond with the angular configuration and is entirely disposed within a combination of the interiors of the first and second frame members.

Abstract: The invention provides novel articles of composite materials having hollow interior channels or passageways, or otherwise being hollowed out, and formulations and methods for their manufacture and uses. These hollow core objects are suitable for a variety of applications in construction, pavements and landscaping, and infrastructure.

Abstract: A gasket retainer that is absent sharp corners, has apertures of reasonable dimensional tolerance, and may be conveniently made by a variety of manufacturing processes. The retainer is made from thin flat springy material that readily returns to form after slight bending. Representative gasket capturing apertures are of smoothly non-convex outline with major dimension sufficiently large to allow passage of a ring shaped gasket turned on edge and minor dimension sufficiently small to engage, on approximately opposite circular segments that each engage along less than one third of a gasket circumference, a cavity or groove on the outside diameter periphery of the gasket turned flat parallel to the retainer material sheet. Fasteners may be retained by similar apertures.

Abstract: A system of supports for running lengths of tubing between points in a facility independent of wiring carried by cable trays. In an embodiment, each support includes a support assembly including lengths of strut channel and channel clamps secured to the strut channel. In an embodiment, each support includes a generally vertical bar attached to a structural member of the facility, one or two support assemblies clamped to the vertical body, and a removable support bracket carried by at least one of the strut channels. Moveable clamps above the support bracket support lengths of tubing.

Abstract: A drilling rig mast erection system includes a mast support shoe that is fixedly attached to a drilling rig substructure and has a support shoe pinned connection. A bottom mast section has a first mast pinned connection that is adapted to be pivotably connected to the support shoe pinned connection. A mast positioning apparatus is adapted to pivotably position the bottom mast section so that the first mast pinned connection is positioned adjacent to the support shoe pinned connection. The mast positioning apparatus includes a bottom mast support spreader having a first end that is adapted to be pivotably connected to the bottom mast section at a first spreader end pinned connection and a mast erection apparatus having a first end that is adapted to be pivotably connected to the bottom mast support spreader at a first mast erection apparatus pinned connection.

Abstract: An exterior wall structure includes first to fourth waterproofing members. Each of the first to fourth waterproofing members includes a fixing portion, a positioning portion, a separating portion, a supporting portion, and first and second seal portions. The positioning portion extends continuously with the fixing portion toward the exterior side. The positioning portion positions an exterior wall material by coming into abutment with an end face of the exterior wall material. The separating portion extends continuously with the positioning portion toward the sash body side so as to be located between the sash body and the exterior wall material. The first seal portion inhibits the entry of water by coming into abutment with the exterior wall material. The second seal portion inhibits the entry of water by coming into abutment with the sash body.

Abstract: A wind turbine tower is provided with a plurality of tower segment which are placed one on top of the other in order to form the tower. A lower tower segment has a lower end face, and in the lower region of the lower tower segment, the lower tower segment has a plurality of recesses and through-bores between the lower end face of the lower tower segment and a base of the recesses. The recesses are designed to receive a leveling unit for leveling the lower tower segment. The recesses are preferably provided on the inner face of the lower tower segment and provide an effective possibility for receiving leveling units.

Abstract: A window shade storage and deployment system includes a recess formed in a ceiling and an access panel. The recess houses a window shade movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The access panel is removably attached to a surface of the recess such that a visible surface of the access panel occupies substantially the same plane as a visible surface of the ceiling surrounding the recess. A gap is provided between an edge of the access panel and the ceiling. The gap enables the window shade to extend through the gap from the recess to the area below the visible surface of the ceiling when the window shade is in the extended position. The visible surface of the access panel and the visible surface of the ceiling include the same or a similar material such that the visible surface of the access panel and the visible surface of the ceiling are visibly substantially identical.

Abstract: A door component, a door, and a method for manufacturing the same. The door may be an external domestic door. The door component includes a thermally insulating material sandwiched by a first layer and a second layer. The component has at least one strengthening bar sandwiched by the first and second layers. The first and second layers are cross-laminated plywood. The strengthening bar(s) are advantageously cross-laminated. Related doors and methods of manufacture are disclosed.

Abstract: A gutter debris preclusion device for use with a gutter attached to a building, comprising a screen having a plurality of manipulations, which cause resting debris to be elevated off the surface of the screen. The elevated debris resultingly become more rapidly dried and more easily removed by the wind.

Abstract: A fall protection apparatus includes a heavy support base with a pivotal mast having a top member for rotation around the axis of the mast carrying a series of booms pivotal about respective vertical axes, each having an end coupling member for receiving a fall restraint harness. Each boom is formed by a tube which fractures on a fall and an elongate stainless steel strap inside the tube which bends without fracturing. The mast includes a series of telescopic rectangular mast sections with a winch driven cable and pulley arrangement for extending the first section which acts to pull the second inner section to the extended position as the first inner section moves out of the outer section. Each section includes first and second pulleys mounted at the same face of the section with the cable located between the face of the section and the face of the next section.

Abstract: An alternative design for a cabin or a house which utilizes an arched shape to provide a significantly stronger overall structure. The design includes a first roofing structure, a second roofing structure, a planar base, and a ridge beam. The planar base makes up the flooring for the cabin. The ridge beam is positioned parallel to and offset to the planar base to join and support the first roofing structure and the second roofing structure. The first roofing structure and the second roofing structure are positioned opposite to each other across the bridge beam and each includes a plurality of arched beams and a plurality of roofing boards. The arched beams are distributed along the bridge beam and are connected in between the bridge beam and the planar base. The roofing boards are distributed across and mounted to the arched beams to make up the roof of the cabin.

Abstract: A deck system is provided. The deck system includes a joining strip comprising a first strip connector having a first connector tongue and first connector groove. A plank removably and pressureably is coupled to the first connector, the plank comprising a first plank connector coupled to the plank body, the first plank connector comprising a first plank tongue configured to removably couple to the first connector groove and comprising a first plank groove configured to removably couple to the first connector tongue. A first plank leg is coupled to the first plank connector and comprising an inner channel and an outer channel configured in flow communication with the inner channel, wherein at least one of the inner channel and the outer channel is configured to direct any fluid seepage from the joining strip and the plank away from the joining strip and the plank.

Abstract: A moveable and demountable wall panel system that is secured between a floor of a room and a ceiling rail secured to a ceiling of the room. The wall panel includes a lower trim assembly that is both removably connected to a wall panel of the wall panel system and pivotably connected to a floor channel of the wall panel system. The lower trim panel is further configured to adjust in conjunction with wall panel height adjustments made by one or more height adjustment assemblies.

Abstract: A flooring product includes a first oriented strand board layer, an acoustic barrier layer, and a second oriented strand board layer, where the acoustic barrier layer is secured between the first and second oriented strand board layers to form the flooring product. The plurality of flooring products can be positioned adjacently to comprise a complete flooring assembly. Such a flooring assembly can be facilitated by including features along edges of the flooring product for securing or engaging one flooring product to adjacent flooring products. For example, the flooring product can be arranged with one edge as a tongue and an opposing edge as a groove, where the tongue of one flooring product can be fitted into the groove of an adjacent flooring product to secure or engage the two flooring products together. In another example, edges of the flooring products can be arranged to form lap joints upon engagement.