Abstract: Holder for plates, in particular glass plates with borings or holes, whereby in each boring is inserted an annular body with an internal or female thread and an outside facing made of an elastic material. A threaded bolt for the connection to a load-bearing construction can be screwed into the annular body. The punctiform holder makes possible a pivoting and displacement of the glass plate within certain limits. It can be installed quickly and easily.

Abstract: A modular insulated building panel is disclosed. The panel is configured for connection to a like adjacently positioned insulated panel to form a building system. The panel comprises a central core of insulating material having two major surfaces and two side surfaces, substantially flat sheets on the major surfaces of the central core. Extending beyond the side surfaces of the core are male connectors having a generally convex curved first male mating member, a generally convex curved second male mating member, and a generally concave curved member between said first male mating member and said second male mating member. The panel further comprises female connectors having a generally concave curved first female mating member configured to accept the first male mating member, a generally concave curved second female mating member configured to accept the second male mating member, and a generally protruding member between the first female mating member and the second female mating member.

Abstract: The strip includes an elongated body having a pair of parallel sidewalls, an upper surface between sidewalls and a lower surface between sidewalls adapted to engage a water barrier on a wood roof. A plurality of spaced, inverted channels are formed along the body from the lower surface and terminate generally midway between the upper and lower surfaces. The channels extend between the body sidewalls and provide drainage perpendicular to the length of the body. The upper surface may be planar or be stepped. A plurality of spaced recesses with preset fasteners are disposed along the upper body surface.

Abstract: An improved construction member or joist is disclosed that includes upper and lower chords connected by various members including first and second trimmable webs at either end thereof, which webs include end portions received in grooves in the upper and lower chords. Significantly, the profile of the end portions of the webs includes at least one notch or ridge that fits within a corresponding notch or ridge in the chord to provide a more secure attachment, even under unusual loading conditions. Supplemental webs are also provided that can be attached to the member at various locations to provide an additional degree of support only where needed.

Abstract: This relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1′), a floorboard having such a locking system and a flooring made of such floorboards. The locking system has mechanical cooperating structure (36, 38; 6, 8, 14) for vertical and horizontal joining of adjoining floorboards. The means for horizontal joining about a vertical plane (F) comprise a locking groove (14) and a locking strip (16) which is located at opposite joint edge portions (4a, 4b) of the floorboard (4). The locking strip (6) projects from the joint plane (F) and has an upwards projecting locking element (8) at its free end. The locking groove (14) is formed in the opposite joint edge portion (4a) of the floorboard at a distance from the joint plane (F). The locking groove (14) and the locking element (8) have operative locking surfaces (10, 11).

Abstract: A construction beam includes a pair of lateral members and a resilient web extending therebetween, so as to present a cross-sectional profile corresponding to commonly used construction beam members (e.g., 2″×4″ or 2″×6″). The resilience of the web helps to attenuate sound transmission through the beam from one lateral member to the other. In particular, in a wall frame, the lateral members are mounted at opposite ends thereof to end plates consisting of other construction beams according to the present invention (i.e., a pair of lateral members with resilient web extending therebetween).

Abstract: A stud bridging/spacing member (30) generally having at least three longitudinally spaced apart notches (26) for receiving and engaging therein a web of a metal stud. The notches (26) extend at an incline to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member.

Abstract: A building system includes structural insulated panels having an inner insulating core such as of foam plastic or agri-board and strong thin facings such as of plastic impregnated/reinforced paper on opposed surfaces of the insulating core. The impregnated/reinforced paper provides the panel with high strength and facilitates attaching the panel to dimensional lumber or to similar adjacent panels. The opposed outer facings overlap/extend beyond the insulating core's edges in various configurations so as to provide several different panels, each adapted to satisfy a specific structural purpose. In a first configuration, three edges of the outer facings overlap respective edges of the insulating core for also overlapping a base plate, a top plate and an adjacent stud, panel, window or doorjamb.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device for holding glass closures (20) formed by individual glass profile elements, especially U-shaped glass profile elements (21, 21′), or other long glass elements, especially insulating glass elements. In order to prevent water condensation inside the glass closure (20), the holding device comprises at least one holding rail (2; 32, 36, 37; 34, 64, 65; 34, 64′, 76; 79; 80) for holding or mounting and for laterally guiding and supporting the individual long glass elements or glass profile elements (21, 21′) or the glass closure (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning mild steel reinforcing bars within a precast, moment resisting frame of a building. The apparatus includes a hand-receiving access component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame so as to permit convenient access to the reinforcing bars that are slidably carried within bar receiving passageways formed within the concrete beams. Additionally, the apparatus includes a bladder-receiving component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame in a manner to permit an expandable bladder to be conveniently positioned within the cable receiving passageways formed in the beam. When in position within a cable-receiving passageway, the expandable bladder spans the interface between the beam and the column and effectively prevents grout from entering the cable passageway during the grouting step.

Abstract: Domed building structures are disclosed comprising a series of concentric rings or frustums, each comprising a plurality of panels (4, 5, 6, 8, 30, 32A, 32B, 32C) connected end to end around the ring. Some rings comprise only trapezoidal panels (4) whilst others comprise combinations of trapezoidal (6, 30) and triangular (8, 32A, 32B, 32C) panels. Some rings or frustums may incorporate bracing comprising ties (52, 54) disposed in the interior of the structure and connected with junctions between panels (50).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying down floors or linings and for their quick removal and replacement by glueing or fixing them onto a support, removable with respect to a support sheeting (9). The method includes providing fixed support (8) and movable support (7), which have a substantially similar shape. The fixed support (8) being immovably fixed into the support sheeting (9) and the second movable support (7) being movably fitted with the first fixed support (8) and being intended for laying down floors or linings (5).

Abstract: A wall protector includes a retainer that is adapted to be attached to a building wall and a cover of an impact resistant thermoplastic polymeric material in the form of a thin web of suitable cross-section attached to the retainer portion of the retainer. The cover includes at least one substantially straight portion of substantially uniform cross section along its length and having a face portion overlying the retainer and an integral transition portion that is integral with the straight portion has an end wall that curves smoothly away from the face portion of the straight portion from a rounded juncture with the face portion and overlies and conceals the end of the retainer. The integral transition portion may be configured as an end cap or a wall return piece that forms a transition between the straight portion and a wall surface or as a corner piece that joins sections of wall protectors mounted on walls that intersect at a corner.

Abstract: The present invention is method and resulting assembly for applying a flexible liner to the outer surface of a pre-cast concrete walled container to be buried in an earthen excavation.

Abstract: A mechanic's body support including first and second horizontally-oriented and spaced-apart base rails and first and second spaced-apart support rails. Each of the support rails has one end connected to a respective one of the first and second base rails. Each support rail also extends upwardly from and is in vertical alignment with the base rails for supporting a mechanic as he kneels in an elevated position over the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. A chest pad and a knee pad are mounted in spaced-apart relation between the support rails for securing the support rails in a fixed, spaced-apart relation, and for supporting the chest and knees of the mechanic while in the kneeling position, thus allowing the skeletal structure of the body to support the weight, rather than the back and leg muscles.

Abstract: A composite structural member with pre-compression assembly. The apparatus comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending composite units. Each composite unit comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending girders or beams disposed on the bridge supports and a deck portion made of a moldable material and attached to the beams. Pre-compression is used for clamping adjacent units together such that a gap or hardened grout-filled joint between the deck portions thereof is substantially closed. The pre-compression portion of the apparatus includes a threaded member disposed through holes in facing beams of adjacent composite units with a fastener engaging the threaded member so that tightening of the fastener on the threaded member pulls the adjacent units together. The deck portions of the composite units may use a tongue-in-groove construction, and adhesive may be placed in the gap between the deck portions.

Abstract: A lumbar support device, preferably secured in a seat frame, includes a support structure attached between a pair of levers that are rotated by an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, the pair of levers are each formed from a serpentine wire, and each lever wraps around a bar that is secured to the seat frame and wraps around a side of the support structure. The actuator assembly rotates the pair of levers which move the support structure into the lumbar region and pull the support structure in tension.

Abstract: Vehicle seat (1), in particular for a two-door automobile, with a seat back (3) and a headrest (3a, 5, 5a) integrated into the seat back, wherein one section (3a) of a seat-back frame forms a carrying structure of the headrest, and the headrest comprises a cushion carrier part (5) mounted in such a way that it can move with respect to the seat-back frame when the seat back is tilted forward, so that the overall length of the seat back is reduced when tilted forward with respect to the resting position.

Abstract: A system and associated method for forming a window opening in a poured concrete wall and installing a window therein includes a two-piece reusable window buck having a retainer temporarily coupled thereto. The retainer becomes partially embedded in the poured concrete wall and after the window buck is removed from the window opening formed in the wall, the window is easily and conveniently installed in the window opening and secured therein by the window retainer and cooperating spring clip on the window frame without the need for additional mechanical fasteners or tools.

Abstract: A modular deflection device for securing to buildings to prevent birds, particularly pigeons, from roosting. The deflection device has a plurality of base rails arranged parallel and forming a web of modules divided by break points. The device includes a plurality of the modules, each having bent metal pins anchored thereto. The ends of the pins extend upwardly and outwardly, acting as spaced deflection elements to prevent birds from roosting over the deflection device. Preferably, one pin end extends perpendicularly upwards, while the other pin end extends outwardly at about 30° from vertical. The modules are separable at the break points for quickly fitting to a length of a building feature such as a ledge or molding.