Abstract: A mortar and debris collection device for use within a cavity wall to prevent the blockage of weep holes at the base of the wall. The cavity wall assembly includes a masonry wall, an adjacent inner wall, a wall cavity therebetween, and a free-standing elongate strip of openwork material located within the cavity forming a debris collection surface a spaced distance above a base surface of the cavity. Preferably, the openwork material is inserted and positioned within the cavity after the inner wall and only a base portion of the outer masonry wall is constructed. Thereafter, the upper portion of the outer masonry wall is constructed and any mortar or debris falling into the cavity is caught and supported on the debris collection surface.

Abstract: A lateral force resisting system according to the present disclosure includes a metal lateral force resisting panel and holdowns. A foundation bolt placement template may be used to locate and support the foundation bolts during fabrication of the foundation and to further secure the frame foundation interface. The metal lateral force resisting panel may be formed from a single piece of material and may include a plurality of ductility apertures forming lateral force resisting elements to enable the panel to flex without catastrophic failure. In a hybrid configuration, a wooden structural frame may be combined with the metal structural panel. The structural panel may be subdivided into multiple panes using ductility apertures to tailor the response of the panel to the lateral force load. The holdowns secure the rigid structural panel to the foundation bolts and may be either a folded strap and pin configuration or self-tightening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for attaching a first stud (20) against a transverse second stud (30). The respective stud(s) include(s) at least two opposite flanges (5). A connector piece (40) is brought to extend at said first stud (20) into a longitudinal groove which is arranged at a flange inner side (6), whereby an outer locking end (42) arranged at said connector piece is brought into a locking engagement with a corresponding groove (12) in the other stud (30). The present invention also relates to a stud (20, 30) which includes opposite flanges (5) and a first longitudinal groove between said flanges. An additional longitudinal groove (12) extends in into the respective flange (5) and defines a retaining edge (14) for a connector piece (40) which extends in the groove. The present invention further relates to a connector piece (40) for connecting studs (20, 30).

Abstract: The present invention sets forth a tile and strut construction system for a geodesic dome. The tile has a generally triangular shape, with the corners cut out to accommodate hubs which retain supporting struts in position. The tile has a faceted 3-dimensional upper surface, integrally molded reinforcing ribs, a recess in the lower surface at each of its 3 edges.

Abstract: The invention includes an end cover (32) for disposition over an end of a mantel (20). The end cover (32) presents a front corner (38) extending between an upper wall (34) and a lower wall (36) and is symmetrical rearwardly to a pair of side edges (42) from the front corner (38) whereby the end cover (32) may be disposed over either end of the mantel (20). The upper wall (34) of the end cover (32) extends between the front walls (44) and the side edges (42) and the lower wall (36) extends between the front walls (44) and the side edges (42). The upper wall (34) and the lower wall (36) each has the shape of a square with equal sides. The front walls (44) define interior surfaces complementary to the irregular pattern of the decorative face (24) of the mantel (20) and the end cover (32) overlies the mantel (20) the thickness of each front wall (44).

Abstract: The invention is directed to an anti-vibration sound insulator for a suspended ceiling which is intended to be used either in residential or commercial applications. The insulator comprises a metal furring devised to be fixed to the ceiling. It also includes a central part comprising a star-shaped element having an upper vertical plate provided with an orifice and two lower plates each having extremities. These extremities are folded so as to jointly form a slide rail sized to receive and support the folded extremities of the metal furring. The central part also comprises an insulating element devised to be inserted in the upper plate orifice, this insulating element including an orifice. This latter orifice allows introducing a fixing element so as to fix the insulator beneath a floor, or against a joist supporting the floor.

Abstract: A floor panel and method of manufacturing wherein each panel comprises a sheet having at least two stiffening members extending from the lower surface and substantially the length of the sheet. A bead is defined along one of the stiffening members while a tab is defined along the other stiffening member. Clips are provided to fasten the bead and tab in a locking relationship to hold the sheet in position. A flange formed at one end of the panel is received within a recess formed at an opposite end of another panel to automatically space one panel from another.

Abstract: A modular wind abatement system comprises a plurality of net components, net-to-net connection hardware, net-to-ground anchors and net-to-building anchors. Flexible net-like sheet components are configured and joined into a suitably sized and shaped web fitted in covering relation with a structure, such as a home, building, billboard, motor home, boat, or any other outdoor thing to be protected. Net component sections are joined together to form suitably sized and shaped web using clamp devices. Once formed the web is secured to the ground in at least partial covering relation with the protected structure by suitable ground anchors such that wind forces are transferred to ground anchors. The present invention thus provides a wind abatement device suitable for protecting a wide variety of structures and property from damage resulting from hurricane force winds and windborne debris.

Abstract: A shock suppressor has an upper base, a lower base and a connecting device. The upper base has a bottom and a top channel defined in the bottom along a first direction. The lower base corresponds to the upper base and has a top and a bottom channel defined in the top along a second direction corresponding to the first direction of the top channel at an angle. The connecting device is slidably mounted in the top channel and the bottom channel. Accordingly, the shock suppressor can reduce or isolate the transmission of a shock efficiently.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an aerial service wire includes a mast capable of attachment to an aerial service wire. The mast may be extendable between at least a first position and a second position and connected to a clamp capable of attachment to a support structure. A method for supporting an aerial service wire includes attaching an extendable aerial service wire mast to a support structure, attaching an aerial wire to the extendable aerial service wire mast, and adjusting the height of the extendable aerial service wire mast.

Abstract: Installed on a top of a structure (1) is a base stand (11) against which damping body (3) movably rests via a linear guide mechanism (12). Mounted between the damping body (3) and the structure (1) or between the damping body (3) and a top of a support housing (14) erected on the structure (1) is a characteristic-frequency adjusting spring or springs (13) with an initial tension being applied vertically. Movement of the damping body (3) causes the spring or springs (13) to be obliquely and longitudinally expanded to apply horizontal component to the damping body (3) upon restoring.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

Abstract: A waterproof structure of a building, includes: at least two face members disposed on an exterior of the building; a sealing member disposed between end edge portions of the face members; a joint covering member disposed between the end edge portions. The end edge portions are folded to protrude exteriorly and have constrained portions for narrowing a gap therebetween. The sealing member is disposed between the end edge portions to close the gap between the end edge portions. The joint covering member covers and presses the sealing member from an exterior side. The joint covering member is attached to the constrained portions acting elastic force between the constrained portions.

Abstract: A fire collar, for location in a concrete slab around a deformable conduit, has a housing with a passageway through which the conduit passes. The collar has the housing in which are located two compression springs with arms which are held against the force of the springs by fusible links. When the heat of a fire on one side of the slab causes the fusible links to soften or melt, the force of the springs causes the spring arms to rotate towards the conduit, engaging the conduit and collapsing it. An intumescent layer may be provided around the conduit to assist in collapsing it.

Abstract: As used to trim a corner where a wall and a ceiling meet, a crown molding member has a planar portion, an intermediate portion, and a mounting flange. The planar portion is attached to the ceiling, in a first mode, or to the wall, in a second mode. The intermediate portion may have a coved, stepped, or curved profile. When applied to the mounting flange, drywall-finishing material, so-called “mud” in trade parlance, is pressed through apertures in the mounting flange, against the wall, in the first mode, or against the ceiling, in the second mode.

Abstract: The invention is a joint cover assembly for covering a gap adjacent an edge of a panel that covers a sub-surface, and a method of covering such a gap. The assembly includes a molding having a foot, a first arm, and a second arm. The foot is positioned along a longitudinal axis, and the first arm extends generally perpendicularly from the foot. The second arm extends generally perpendicularly from the foot. A tab depends generally perpendicularly from the first panel engaging surface. At least one of the tab and the foot engage the edge in order to tightly fit within the gap. The method includes the steps of placing the foot in the gap, pressing the respective panel engaging surfaces into contact with respective panels, and configuring at least one of the tab and the foot to cooperate to retain the molding in the gap when the assembly is in an installed condition.

Abstract: An improved panel section for use in a sound barrier is disclosed and is of the type: having a cementitious body; for use with at least two vertically-extending, ground-mounted I-beam columns, each having two parallel flanges and a transverse web extending therebetween and being positioned with its web substantially parallel to the web of adjacent columns and substantially normal to a line defined by said columns; and disposed, in use, in respective vertically-stacked groupings to form one or more wall panels interleaved between adjacent pairs of columns, each panel having a pair of end edges disposed, one each, in mechanically-engaged relation, between the flanges of a respective pair of adjacent columns. The improvement comprises: the body having defined therethrough an opening; and a glazing element secured to said body to occlude said opening and impede sound passage therethrough. A sound barrier constructed from the improved panel section is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new and unique temporary support system for installing drywall panels on ceilings and walls. This system is ideal for large commercial and residential ceilings spanning and supporting two large 4?×12?×?? sheets of drywall side by side on a fastening element at a plate by a protruding end and a hole. The opposite end, with a protruding end and a fixed spacer, is secured to a parallel framing structural member, the panels are slipped between the hangers and the framing structures, aligned and secured. The hangers are easily removed and reused to install the next panel. The second set, ideal for handymen, Do-it-Yourselfers, additions and remodels will support one 4?×12?×?? panel on a ceiling. It is mounted on a fastening element at a plate on a parallel framing structure, the same as the first set, the panel is aligned and secured eliminating the cumbersome task of holding the panel in place to secure.

Abstract: A support panel comprising a plate including a face, at least one row of support tabs and at least one row of L-shaped fingers. The at least one row of L-shaped fingers are located above at least one of the at least one row of support tabs. The L-shaped fingers include a first portion and a second portion defining the L-shape of the L-shaped fingers. A tile can be placed on at least one of the tabs and maintained in position by the second portion of at least one of the L-shaped fingers. Alternatively, the plate could include at least one row of upwardly and outwardly angled tongues for insertion into at least one angled slot in a rear face of a tile to maintain the tiles in position adjacent a front of the plate.

Abstract: A floor drain with a bottom part having at least one discharge opening, a front part that is integral with the bottom part and which has a first part inclined to the bottom part at an angle of at least 30°, and a flange part that is horizontal or inclined to horizontal at an angle of less than 20°, two side walls integral with the bottom part and first part, and a back part that is integral with the bottom part. The back part extends vertically from the bottom part, through and above the plane defined by the flange part.