Abstract: A wall reinforcing system is provided for strengthening of walls formed of masonry or from wood, metal or other structural materials. A basic system comprises utilization of rigid, fiber reinforced polymer plates of a length to extend substantially the full vertical heigth of the wall. These plates incorporate a plurality of filamentary fibers of length to extend the full length of a plate with these fibers formed from carbon, glass or other material exhibiting high tensile strength and are affixed in a cured polymer matrix. A number of these plates are securely fixed to a wall in spaced parallel relationship by a resin bonding agent or by mechanical fastening devices, or by a combination of both. A plate may include a plurality of plates secured in stacked, superposed relationship and ridgidly secured together by a resin bonding agent into a unitary structure.

Abstract: Laminated shingles are manufactured from roll stock roofing material that is wider than that used to make similar laminated shingles. The roll stock includes longitudinal edge strips having a reduced thickness. The roll stock is cut into strips of tabbed top sheets and backing sheets. The strips of material used for the backing sheets are at once wider than commonly used in the industry, and include the longitudinal edge strips of reduced-thickness material. Because the backing sheet is wider two rain seal strips are laid down on the backing sheet prior to being laminated to the tabbed top sheet. The backing sheets are laminated to the tabbed top sheets with the longitudinal edges aligned. The wider backing sheet provides a substantially wider nail zone. In addition, since it allows for a second rain seal strip, provides somewhat more protection against leakage. The portion of the backing sheet that comprises the added width is relatively thinner than the remaining portions of the sheet.

Abstract: A trim assembly is provided for installation in a wall opening, such as a recessed window frame or walk-through doorway. The trim assembly includes a jamb extension assembly for covering the interior surface of the wall opening and one or more casing assemblies for covering the wall at one or both sides of the wall opening. Both the jamb extension assembly and casing assembly are made of solid cellular foam polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polystyrene members having miter cut and welded corners. The specific material allows for the construction of a strong, yet lightweight pre-finished one-piece assembly for easy and efficient installation in a window or door opening independent of any window or door structure. A method for manufacturing the trim assembly and curved portions thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: The construction system can be achieved through the use of a novel prefabricated construction footing. The footing, can have a circular or rectangular top, and a circular base. The sides are downwardly tapered thereby forming a conical shape. If the shape is viewed as a cone or pyramid, then the top portion is truncated thereby forming a frustrum of a cone or pyramid. The top serves as a support surface for a post. The top surface can be curved thereby forming a dome like structure. The dimensions of the footing are such that the ratio of the surface area of the top to the bottom, is on the order of from about 1:1.3 to about 1:8.3. The top surface is substantially parallel to the bottom surface and the angle between the side surface and a line perpendicular to the top surface is at least about 20 degrees. That is, the footing is conical or pyramidal in shape, with a truncated top.

Abstract: A roof panel construction includes a plurality of integral snow and ice gripping projections to help retain accumulated ice thereon and to guide the drainage of melted snow and ice therefrom during snow and ice melting ambient conditions. The projections are each convex in configuration to grip the frozen snow and ice and yet permit efficient drainage of the melted snow and ice thereover and therearound.

Abstract: An energy absorber including a pair of shear dampers mounted back to back on a common axis. Each shear damper has a central core of damping material, confined by a laminated structure of rigid plates, preferably separated by resilient material. The cores and surrounding laminates are compressed between a pair of distal end plates and an end plate common to both dampers. The common end plate may be attached to one structural member and the distal end plates to another structural member to dampen relative motion between them.

Abstract: A cementitious building product such as a siding clapboard is composed of about 30 to 50% cement, 40 to 60% sand and 5 to 15% fiber, by volume. A preferred mix has about 35% portland cement, 55% fine sand and 10% cellulose fiber by volume. As so composed the product can be worked after curing in a manner similar to wood. At least one elongated cut is formed after curing the product in the shape of an elongated board or plank, preferably by planing or routing the product along an edge to form a distinct bead that can be round, teardrop shaped, crowned or coved.

Abstract: A number of triangular or rectilinear flat panels are bent along their edges forming flanges. The so-formed panels are fastened together at the flanges, reinforced at the junctures of the flanges, producing a dome-like structure. This differs from other structures that are usually composed of a skeleton of ribs, covered separately by flat or curved panels or fabric sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for applying building panels, such as siding panels, to building surfaces, such as walls. The panels are of a type which undergo expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature, and they are applied to a building surface, such as a wall, by means of nails, screws, staples or the like. In order to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the panels, the panels are provided with an attachment hem, such as a strip of relatively flexible material, generally rubber-like or fabric-like in nature. A strip of relatively flexible material may be secured to the relatively rigid building panel by any suitable means, such as adhesive securement, welding, heat fusing, etc., such that it becomes an integral part of the building panel, or the relatively flexible attachment hem may comprise a separate component which, when applied to a building surface, such as a wall or the like, by a suitable nailing, stapling, etc.

Abstract: An elongate tubular spacer frame bar for insulating windows. The spacer frame bar is formed of metal and has spaced, staggered sequences of longitudinally oriented elongate slits which increase the length of the thermal conductivity path from the first pane to the second. These slits are formed by displacing the material so that this breaks and shears away along the edges of the slit, thereby forming an effective but narrow air gap. The air gap is sized to prevent the escape particulate desiccant material from within the interior of the spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus of a muntin bar clip to secure the position of muntin bars during and following the fabrication of multi-pane sealed glass window units. The disclosure relates to securing and positioning muntin bars at multi-pane sealed glass window unit perimeters and in joining hollow false muntin bars within such units. The invention relates particularly to muntin bar clips intended to fix the position of hollow false muntin bars at the perimeter of the window unit utilizing the sealing methods including foam strips and or butyl as the sealing medium. The disclosed invention more particularly relates to muntin bar clips for the purpose of fixing the position of hollow false muntin bars at the perimeter of the window unit where the false muntin bar is other than orthogonal in relation to the perimeter of the window.

Abstract: A synthetic textile support for bituminous sheaths, particularly for the coating of roofs. The textile support consists of two layers of non-woven lap of polyester fibers, between which there is interposed a plurality of continuous polyester threads arranged parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the textile support.

Abstract: A spacer clip for securing side-by-side joists and a method for using such clips is provided. The spacer clip, constructed from sheet metal or a rigid composite includes a bridging section and a pair of legs that extend transversely to the bridging section. A draw bar is provided along the legs at positions remote from the bridging section. The draw bar is movable to vary the pressure applied by the legs to confronting sections of joists. The draw bar can be locked in a pressure-applying orientation with respect to each of the legs. In this manner, the joists are spaced by the bridging section at one end of their height and the draw bar pressurably spaces them at an opposing end of their height.

Abstract: A composite drainage mat for preventing water and moisture from remaining trapped within walls and roofs of buildings which includes a weather barrier fixedly attached to a three-dimensional matrix filamentatious mat of a thermoplastic polyamide resin such as Nylon 6. The mat contains a great number of voids for permitting gas and liquid such as water to flow therethrough. The mat possesses a crush-resistance which allows the mat to withstand the compressive force of other building materials without inhibiting the ability of the mat to allow liquids and gases to flow therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable barrier device for use with elevator door jamb panels and entryway doors and jambs to protect the surfaces of these panels and doors from sustaining damage from collisions with moving equipment, building materials and furniture. The device protects the surfaces from scratches and dents when furniture and construction materials inadvertently bang into these protected surfaces. The entryway protector comprises two sections and securing components. An inflatable main rectangular section is separated by a line of stitching from a minor rectangular section or flap that is filled with padding material. The securing components secure the protector to the surfaces against dislodging by contact with equipment, building materials and furniture.

Abstract: A fire resistant barrier and system for dynamic building expansion joints comprising a plurality of layers of fire resistant material comprising: a first mechanical support layer having a first and second major surface; a second layer having a first and second major surface, wherein the second layer provides protection and mechanical support to the fire barrier; and at least one layer of intumescent sheet material having a first and second major surface; said at least one layer of intumescent material is disposed between said first mechanical support layer and said second layer; and wherein said first mechanical support layer, said second layer and said at least one layer of intumescent material are locally bonded together over only a portion of their width substantially continuously along the length of the layers of said fire resistant material.

Abstract: A roof ridge vent for covering longitudinal vents cut through a roof on opposite sides of a ridge board, the roof ridge vent comprising: a planar cover configured to straddle the ridge board. The planar cover has a first edge and a second edge on opposite sides of the ridge board. A first row of spaced apart baffles are positioned parallel to the first edge and a first row of spaced apart baffles are positioned parallel to the second edge. A second row of spaced apart baffles are positioned parallel to the first row of baffles adjacent the first edge and a second row of spaced apart baffles are positioned parallel to the first row of baffles adjacent the second edge. A row of spaced apart posts are positioned parallel to the second row of baffles at the first edge and a row of spaced apart posts are positioned parallel to the second row of baffles at the second edge.

Abstract: A beam construction for ceilings in clean rooms, comprising first (1) and second (2) beams. The first and second beams are arranged essentially horizontally and perpendicularly to each other and have longitudinal ducts (7) for receiving a liquid or viscous sealant. In order to facilitate mounting and increase the flexibility of the beam construction, a transition piece (12) is arranged between two beam elements (1a, 1b) which are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction, thereby forming an opening (14) in at least one side-limiting duct wall (6) of the first beam (1). A second beam (2) is arranged sealingly against the transition piece (12) and the first beam elements (1a, 1b) arranged on each side thereof, such that the ends of the duct walls (6) of the second beam encompass the thus-formed opening (14).

Abstract: A joint cover device includes a joint cover which covers a joint part of right and left building members. The joint cover has ends supported on surfaces adjacent the joint part. A retaining device is provided for retaining the joint cover in a central position. The retaining device has ends attached to the right and left building members. The retaining devices further include a first bar member that engages a gear and has one end rotatably a side portion of one of the building members in a horizontal direction. A second bar member engages the gear and has one end rotatably attached to a side portion of the other building member in a horizontal direction. The first bar member faces the second bar member in an inclined orientation relative to the building members. The gear engages the first bar member and the second bar member.

Abstract: A roof angle attachment device (10) attachable to a vertical stud (14). The roof angle attachment device (10) having a left mount (12L) which has a left mount clip (12LA) positioned along a top distal edge functioning to hold a roof angle (16) to support exterior framing (18). The roof angle attachment device (10) further has a right mount (12R) securely attached along a left distal edge to a right distal edge of the left mount (12L). The right mount (12R) further comprises at least one right mount opening (12RA) wherein a fastener is positioned therethrough to securely attach the right mount (12R) to the vertical stud (14).