Abstract: A lightweight load bearing architectural column is disclosed. The column includes an exterior shell formed of a plurality of walls that together define an open interior. An interior load bearing shaft is within the exterior shell and is proportionally smaller than the exterior shell. One portion of the interior load bearing shaft is connected against one interior wall of the exterior shell with the remaining portions of the interior shaft being independent of the other interior walls of the interior shell.

Abstract: A building block arrangement comprises a first layer of building blocks and a second layer of building blocks. The first layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the first layer. The second layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the second layer. The space includes communicative vertical portions such that that the space at least partially isolates an interior wall portion from an exterior wall portion. The second layer of building blocks is positioned on top of the first layer of building blocks. The second layer of building blocks spans across at least a portion of the space in the first layer of building blocks.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite building that will float if the building site is flooded. The materials of the composite are resistant to mold and mildew.

Abstract: Components for use in the assembly and installation of a modular decking system, comprised of structural free floating piers which distributes loads of deck pad to ground, piers have a pad bearing surface and four uniformly placed receiver blocks which interlock with corresponding recesses at four pad corners, an interlocking cam passes through pad recesses at deck surface and locks to piers by rotating cam with custom designed tool. The system is designed to be assembled without permanent fasteners to allow for expansion, reconfiguration or relocation, or addition of traditional and contemporary deck accessories that engage and interlock with the piers, pads and cams. One ideal manufacturing method of one or any of the system components is compression molded post-consumer and/or industrial thermo-plastic waste.

Abstract: A sliding pendulum seismic isolator (1) comprises a lower sliding element (2) provided with a concave surface (2a) facing upwards, an upper sliding element (3) provided with a concave surface (3a) facing downwards, a first intermediate element (4) and a second intermediate element (5), said intermediate elements (4, 5) being each provided with a convex sliding surface (4a, 5a) suitable to allow the sliding of the first and second intermediate elements (4, 5) on the concave surfaces (2a, 3a) of said lower and upper sliding elements (2, 3) respectively. The first intermediate element (4) has a convex spherical surface (4b) opposed to its convex sliding surface (4a), and the second intermediate element (5) has a flat surface (5b) opposed to its convex sliding surface (5a). The convex spherical surface (4b) and the flat surface (5b) are in contact with each other and are suitable to allow a relative rotation substantially without sliding between the intermediate elements (4, 5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a noise attenuating window comprised of two panes of glass separated by a spacer tube. The spacer tube contains T-shaped acoustic resonator capable of targeting a single mode or multiple-mode to be attenuated.

Abstract: A post adjustable in length as required. The post can be adjusted at any time during and after construction. The post can be used as an extension of a column which requires adjustment in length. The post can be used as a jack. The post is capable of withstanding compression, tension, and dynamic loading. The post can be used to provide support to beams and girders in a house frame.

Abstract: A roof system includes modular trays placed side-by-side on a roof, and a border along the boundaries of the system. The border includes side members with walls that extend from the roof to the top of the modules, along the length of the outer sides of the modules, to conceal the otherwise exposed sides of the modules. The side members include feet that extend along the roof line, from the base of the sidewalls to below the outer perimeter of the modules such that the weight of the trays holds the feet against the roof. The feet are formed with upward projections that are gravitationally engaged into voids formed in the bottoms of the modules to lock the side members in position at the sides of the modules.

Abstract: An alignment brace for multi-level insulated concrete form walls that utilizes a cured base level wall for anchoring the brace that will be used to brace and align a succeeding wall level comprising, a bracing beam having first and second sections that are pivotally interconnected at a pivot point, an elongated adjustment beam disposed in spaced relation from the bracing beam and co-planar therewith where the adjustment beam is pivotally interconnected to the bracing beam at the pivot point and where the adjustment beam carries at its distal ends a jack screw assembly for expanding or contracting the spacing between the distal ends of the adjustment beam and the bracing beam.

Abstract: A swimming pool hydraulic suction fuse system. Implementations may include a fuse housing having a pump outlet, a drain inlet, and an air source. The hydraulic suction fuse system may also include a fuse assembly coupled into the fuse housing, the fuse assembly having a fuse body including a first section and a second section. An air intake may be coupled to the fuse body and a magnet assembly may be coupled to the first section of the fuse body. The magnet assembly may include a solid magnet. A fuse may be included, which may be coupled to the second section of the fuse body and include an attractor element coupled between a fuse cap and a fuse stem.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning a swimming pool using a swimming pool cleaning head. A first method may include intermittently raising a nozzle head under water and ejecting a stream of water under water, incrementally rotating the nozzle head in a clockwise direction, retracting the nozzle head, sliding a cam reverser, and reversing the direction of rotation of the nozzle head with the cam reverser to counterclockwise. A second method may include rotating a stem by sliding at least one pin coupled to the stem through at least one channel in a cam, the stem configured to release a stream of water under water in a swimming pool. The method may further include reversing the direction of rotation of the stem by sliding a slidable section of the cam with the at least one pin.

Abstract: A multipurpose adjustable panel system having support beams continuously adjustable between zero pitch and a pitch exceeding zero, wherein support beam pitch is influenced by vertical adjustment of support post assemblies and by horizontal spacing of support post assemblies. Multiple mounting fixtures are incorporated to accommodate beam pitch adjustment including pivotable beam support fixtures adjustably and positionably secured along the bottoms of the beams and pivotable panel support node fixtures adjustably and positionably secured along the tops of the beams, the pivotable beam support fixtures and the pivotable panel support node fixtures enabling ready adjustment of the pitch of the beams.

Abstract: An insulated concrete form system for constructing the exterior walls and gable ends of a structure is disclosed using expanded polystyrene forms that interconnect and are bonded to each other and to the structure's slab or foundation with concrete. Internal, substantially columnar voids are provided in each of the panel forms and both the interior and the exterior surfaces of the walls and gable ends may be finished with a variety of finish materials using furring strips that are incorporated into the interior and exterior surfaces of the forms.

Abstract: A tile assembly having a plurality of tiles adapted to join in an interlocking and repeating fashion. A plurality of tile assemblies can be joined to each other to form a roof. Each tile assembly includes left and right center tiles positioned side-by-side. Each tile has a generally diamond shaped main surface with vertically spaced upper and lower apices and laterally spaced lateral apices. Two upper flanges extend upwardly and outwardly from the main surface along upper edges and are joined in an upper flange apex. Each center tile includes two lower flanges that extend downwardly and outwardly from the main surface along the lower edges. The tile assembly includes upper and lower tiles of the same configuration. The upper tile fits over the adjacent upper flanges of the two center tiles, and the lower tile fits beneath the adjacent lower flange of the two center tiles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foam material upwardly adjacent and in air sealing contact with a roof deck, an insulation layer upwardly adjacent the foam material, and additional foam material upwardly adjacent the insulation layer. Further disclosed herein is a method for creating a roof system including air sealing a roof deck with a foam material, adhering insulation material to the foam material, and applying additional foam material upwardly adjacent the insulation layer.

Abstract: An adaptor clip, for converting a standard tee grid ceiling to a snap-up panel system, comprising an injection-molded plastic body that includes gripping elements for engaging the tops of the flanges of the tee grid and support elements for mating with the upstanding peripheral flanges of the snap-up panels. The clip is arranged to be quickly and easily installed without tools by simply positioning it against the lower faces of intersecting tee grid members so that its center underlies the center of the intersection and rotating it about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A non-penetrating seismic roof support that provides for a solid platform for the attachment of various pipe and equipment support devices with a positive means to secure both the support and the supported piping system or equipment to a building's structure in a fashion that further enables the support to be readily flashed to the roof s moisture proof membrane in order to prevent potential leakage of water into the building's interior.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sub-flooring assembly. The disclosed assembly includes at least two rectangular sections. Each of the sections have first and second ends and first and second sides. A male component extends outwardly from the first end of each of the sections. The male component has a flange proximate a free end thereof. An opening is disposed on the second end of each of the sections. The opening extends into the section to form a cavity. A pocket is formed in the cavity. The flange of one of the sections is removably received in the pocket of another of the sections for detachably securing the first end of one of the sections to the second end of another of the sections.

Abstract: The invention provides an igloo-shaped structure formed from a plurality of rectangular shaped blocks having a rim and a trough molded therein. The rim has pins adjacent the corners of the blocks that engage apertures or holes fastening plates. Each fastening plate has four holes to enable it to snap together four blocks. Subsequent rows of blocks may have smaller dimensions so that the assembly curves inward forming the familiar domed shape of an igloo. Curved trapezoidal shaped blocks, also held together with fastening plates, are used to cap off the dome.

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.