Abstract: A pivotable gutter mount (14) which allows a rain gutter (10) to tilt or pivot, such that leaves, needles, dirt and other debris may be dumped out of the rain gutter (10). The gutter mount (14) comprises a generally L-shaped bracket portion (40) having a mounting leg (46) adapted for fixing to the fascia board (12) and a support leg (45) extending outwardly from the fascia board (12). A distal end of the support leg (45) is pivotally connected to a middle region of the underside of the gutter. As the pivotal connection is located under the centre of gravity, the gutter can be easily pivoted. The arrangement also affords greater flexibility in the placement of gutter mounts on the fascia board.

Abstract: A steel truss (10) spanning an opening (11) in a load-bearing CMU wall (111) is used as a structural support from which to hang hangers (12) having steel plates (13) on their lower ends. U-blocks (14) are placed on the hangers, and the space (20) between adjacent U-blocks (14) is filled with mortar. After the mortar hardens (typically 24 hours later), the trench formed by the hollow areas (15) in the U-blocks is filled with concrete, thus encasing the steel truss (the height of the truss is less than the distance from the lower interior of the U-blocks to the bottom of the CMUs above the U-blocks) and forming a steel-reinforced structural beam across the opening (11). CMUs (17) are then laid on top of the structural beam to continue the load-bearing wall above the opening.The truss preferably has attached at each end thereof a steel saddle (16) which serves to center the truss in the U-blocks.

Abstract: An improved metal framing member that utilizes stiffening sections to enable lighter gauge of metal to be used. The framing member also features embossed surfaces that facilitate fastening using standard self-tapping fasteners. Safety edges are provided to eliminate the sharp edge problem of handling metal framing members. The framing member is designed to be fabricated using rollforming methods in all standard sizes of studs, floor joists, rafters, and trusses.

Abstract: A wall formed from square edge predecorated wallboards and the method of constructing a seamless wall from square edge predecorated wallboards comprising folding the edge flaps of two abutting square edge wallboards away from the joint, cutting a groove along the length of the joint formed by the square edged abutting wallboards, adhering a joint strip comprising a rib which fits within the groove and a support strip therefor which extends laterally over the uncovered portion of each gypsum board adjacent to the joint, and double-cutting and adhering the edge flaps of the wallboards to the joint strip so as to form a seamless appearing joint.

Abstract: A frame structure having collapsed and erected conditions and comprising a plurality of rigid frame sections (21) hingedly connected one to another by hinges (23). An erection means is provided for effecting relative pivotal movement between the frame sections to erect the frame structure. The erection means comprises at least one cable (39) having one end thereof connected to one of the outer frame sections (21a) and the other end thereof fixed to a power device (40) connected to the other outer frame section (21a) whereby operation of the power device to tension the cable effects movement of the outer frame sections in a direction towards each other.

Abstract: A curved stairway preform designed to be finished in trim thereby simulating a completely wooden curved stairway.

Abstract: A post system having a capability for aligning and maintaining a post thereof to a vertical attitude during installation that consists of a post adjustable mounting which, in one embodiment, is a pair of interactive tapered washers for arrangement as a stack, and in a second embodiment is a ball segment and seat, with both of which embodiments for clamping together utilizing a single bolt fastener for arrangement between a ground stake top surface and a post bottom end or post insert base. The relative positioning of which tapered washers to one another or the positioning of the ball segment in the seat to provide an off-set from a straight line through which post adjustable mounting, allowing the post itself or the post insert to be angled relative to the top of the ground stake.

Abstract: A long span truss of substantially conventional steel construction provided with concrete encasement of the top and bottom chords with the concrete encasement being reinforced and the concrete encasement on the bottom chord and optionally on the top cord including post-tensioned steel tendons. The invention further relates to a method of making the truss as described above in which the light structural steel truss is first erected and provided with temporary steel scaffolding and bracing to support formwork. Reinforcing steel and steel tendons are placed in the formwork and concrete is poured to encase the top and bottom chords of the truss. The steel tendons are post-tensioned to provide maximum load support capability.

Abstract: A plastic liner for protecting concrete manhole interior surfaces from corrosion wherein the liner includes provisions for creating a strong mechanical lock between the liner and the interior surfaces. A side of the liner which includes the provisions has a plurality of raised hollow projections with spaced sections. The mechanical lock is created when concrete is poured against the side of the liner with the projections. The concrete at least partially enters the hollow portions and fills spaces between the projection sections. The projections also intersect to enhance the mechanical lock by preventing bulging. Liner sections cover essentially all of the manhole interior surfaces. Forming a liner section by rotationally molding the plastic and cutting gaps into the projections is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for applying a water gathering and channeling roof covering onto the upper roof of a building, which roof is at least slightly pitched, wherein fully annealed sheets of at least 99% titanium with a thickness of less than 0.020 inches are preformed into roof pans with right hand and left hand edges thereof formed into matching, longitudinally extending standing seam elements. The pans are placed in adjacent, abutting relatinship with one another and joined together by press fitting adjacent standing seam elements into a standing seam extending along the roof's pitch and forming a water collecting trough for gathering potable rain water.

Abstract: A wooden structural member for use as a stud in the wall of a building is formed from two strips of wood separated simply by elongate pins at right angles to the length of the strips. Each pin has pointed ends which are punctured into the wood of the strips to provide a frictional engagement therewith. After formation of the structural element, it is formed into the wall of a building and services can be threaded through the space between the strips following which insulation material is applied between each stud and the next and in between the strips thus increasing the insulation value of the wall, reducing the amount of lumber required and simplifying construction.

Abstract: A method of post-tensioning a truss of substantially conventional steel construction provided with concrete encasement or cladding of certain chords while the truss is in a fabrication yard or at ground level before erection and installation in which the structural steel truss is first assembled in a fabrication yard with certain of the chords being provided with formwork. Reinforcing steel and steel tendons are placed in the formwork and concrete is poured to encase the chords of the truss while the truss is positioned horizontally or vertically in the fabrication yard or at ground level. The steel tendons are then partially or fully post-tensioned to provide maximum load support capability. The cladded and partially or fully post-tensioned truss is then lifted to an installation point and a load deck placed on the truss with final post tensioning of the truss then being completed.

Abstract: A wall assembly used in the construction of passenger boarding bridges or other box type structures. The wall assembly includes an exterior panel with V-shaped folds or corrugations and a vertical flange on the end of each panel for attachment to adjacent panels.

Abstract: A drainable blade louver comprises a multiplicity of inclined blades extending horizontally between the jambs of a frame. Each blade has in cross-section a base portion sloping smoothly upwardly from a lowermost point at the front edge of the blade to an uppermost point proximate to the rear edge of the blade. The undersurface of the base portion is free of protuberances so that there are no drip points and water clinging to the undersurface of the base portion is transported along the undersurface by the air flowing through the louver. A generally C-shaped bottom trough portion adjacent the upper edge of the blade captures water blown along the undersurface of the blade and drains it to the jambs. A front drainage trough, an intermediate drainage trough, and a rear drainage trough on the top surface of each blade provide high capacity water-capturing ability. Water captured in each drainage trough is flows along each trough to respective front, intermediate and rear drainage channels in the jambs.

Abstract: A flooring system having a base member having a top side, an underside, and four circumferentially spaced outer edges, a tongue connector secured to one outer edge by an interlocking rib and groove, a groove connector secured to another outer edge by an interlocking rib and groove, the tongue connector having forwardly converging compressible sidewalls terminating in rear transverse locking surfaces, the groove connector having an enlarged inner opening and a smaller outer opening, the tongue sidewalls in a compressed position being smaller than said groove outer opening to pass through the outer opening but elastically expandable to be larger than said outer opening to lock a tongue in a groove.

Abstract: A simulated shake shingle for replicating the random appearance of natural wood shakes is provided, the shingle including a generally rectangular top plate having forward and rearward ends, the top plate being rearwardly tapered. A generally rectangular bottom plate is also provided, being secured and partially underlying the top plate and being rearwardly and transversely offset therefrom. The bottom plate is of a size and shape for flush engagement against a flat roof surface and is adapted for side to side engagement with bottom plates of six identical adjoining shingles positioned with the top plates thereof in adjacent nonoverlapping relation. The shingle may also include a plurality of venturi grooves formed on the underside thereof for forming an air insulating barrier to reduce heating or cooling loses from a building interior through the roof.

Abstract: In a wall panel wall system for a building with a plurality of wall panels, each wall panel having an exterior weather surface, an interior plenum exposed surface, and panel side edges extending the preselected thickness of the panels from the exterior weather surface to the interior plenum surface for abutment to similar said panels to form a continuous building exterior wall, and means affixed to the panels for supporting the panels from a structural member of the building. The panels as supported from the building abut to form at least one horizontal or diagonal joint at the side edges between the panels and at least one vertical joint between the panels. A caulking system is provided for the joints between the panels. The caulking system has an elastic gutter support member for forming a barrier between said horizontally or diagonally abutted panels.

Abstract: In an interlocking beam construction in which hollow beams are notched and interlocked to define a completely rigid joint without fasteners, reinforcement inserts are slid into the beam to the notched area. The inserts are notched to conform to the notches in the respective beams so that the interlocking function of the beams is accommodated, but the weakness that would otherwise be produced at the joint due to the notching of the otherwise hollow beams is eliminated.

Abstract: A special mobile kitchen provides an impact-resistant food service trailer and a rapid deployment, containerized field kitchen unit which can be quickly transported to a remote field location by helicopter or other aircraft as well as by ship or land transportation. Advantageously, the mobile kitchen has thermally insulating composite walls so that the kitchen unit can effectively function even at freezing temperatures and dessert conditions. The composite walls can be readily assembled from modular components comprising lightweight, high strength fiberglass panels for easy storage and economical transport. Desirably, the high tech panels are constructed with numerous access openings for ready access to work stations in the kitchen for better service, repair, maintenance, and adjustments and for enhanced supply and delivery of food. During storms and inclement weather, the access openings can be closed and secured with impact-resistant doors and shutters.

Abstract: A concrete panel is provided having a threaded cylindrical concrete insert imbedded therein for receipt of a bolt. Preferably, the concrete inserts are imbedded in each corner of the panel. The inserts have an opening on at least one end thereof for receipt of a securing bolt after they have been imbedded in the concrete panel. Each insert has a passageway which allows a reinforcing bar to pass through the cylindrical insert. The concrete inserts can extend the entire thickness of the panel and the cylindrical bore opens on both sides of the panel. As a result the panel can be secured from either side during construction of a building. The panel can then be made with one style or configuration on one side and a different style on the other side. Thus, two different style buildings can be constructed from the panels.