Abstract: A door jamb assembly comprises a plurality of longitudinal door jamb portions. Each door jamb portion comprises a longitudinal door jamb member comprising a longitudinal rounded channel and a plurality of longitudinal internal cavities, and a longitudinal frame member comprising a rounded longitudinal edge matingly engaging the rounded channel of the door jamb member. The door jamb assembly also comprises a plurality of corner keys forming generally right-angled joints between adjacent door jamb portions.

Abstract: An improved modular building panel and system for building construction is disclosed. The improved modular building panel comprises a novel honeycomb or lattice core comprising multiple layers of corrugated, preferably metal, components mechanically connected by any means known in the art, but which may be chemical bonding. External cladding layers comprising a novel cement mix comprising, in a preferred embodiment, Portland cement, silica sand, perlite, glass beads, and water, in combination with the honeycomb structure, provide a lightweight, highly durable, low-cost, projectile resistant, highly insulating, water, mold and mildew resistant, wind resistant novel modular wall system which is adapted for use in commercial, residential, and other construction and which provides superior security to the user. The modular building panel and system of the invention may be utilized for walls, roofs, floors, bridges, or other structures.

Abstract: A double-floor design with flooring panels and a support structure to be placed on a sub-floor on which the flooring panels can be laid abutting one another edge to edge and spaced from the sub-floor. The support structure includes support rails which extend below the joints between the flooring panels along the joints. The flooring panels and support rails include devices for vertically fitting the flooring panels onto the support rails, wherein the edge faces of the flooring panels forming the joints are pressed together horizontally.

Abstract: A method to provide in a wall of a building structure a low-profile secure canine access comprises the steps of forming an access opening through the wall, mounting a door structure in the wall, and installing a supplemental security member over the door structure to fully enclose the door structure. A door is mounted in the security member. A low profile locking system secures the door in a closed position.

Abstract: An improved anchor for securing a reinforcement strip to a concrete structure.

Abstract: To provide a seismic isolation apparatus which, as well as widening an applicable shaking range, can be easily configured and is low in height, a seismic isolation apparatus is configured of a low friction combination formed by a point contact between a planar hard base plate, which has a surface on which are disposed at least three convexly curved projections of a uniform height, and a glide plate which is a smooth, hard, flat plate.

Abstract: A method for installing a vapor bather in a building includes loosely hanging a strip around a periphery of an area to be insulated, providing a vapor bather having a plurality of attachments, the attachments adapted to attach to the strip, attaching the attachments to the strip, and then tightening the strip to tighten the vapor bather.

Abstract: A facade is formed on an upright supporting surface using a plurality of facade elements formed of plastic material having a flat rear side and a decorative front side protruding from the rear side. The flat rear side of the elements can be abutted directly against the upright supporting surface with the elements in spaced relation with one another and secured thereon using nails from an air driven nailer. Grouting in the form of mortar repair or caulking can be used to fill the gaps between adjacent elements on the supporting surface to complete the appearance of a natural stone facade on a building wall.

Abstract: A tension assembly indicates when a desired tension is achieved between two objects connected by the tension assembly. The tension assembly may be attached in series with a tension adjustor between a structure and an anchor, or any other two objects, and include a compressible component and an indication mechanism. As tension between the structure and anchor is adjusted using the tension adjustor, the compressible component adjusts in size, allowing the indicator to indicate whether the current tension is satisfactory. The compressible component includes a spring which, when compressed or expanded, allows the indicator to move toward or away from another indicator. When the indicators are aligned, the desired tension is achieved.

Abstract: An anchor bolt device includes an anchor bolt having a threaded first end and a second end. A flange portion has the threaded first end of the anchor bolt extending freely therefrom. The flange portion defines a planar surface aligned in parallel with a surface of a concrete foundation when the second end of the anchor bolt is received in the concrete foundation. A raised column projection having a threaded portion through which the threaded first end of the anchor bolt is threadably received. The raised column projection is set to a user defined position. The flange portion extends radially outward from and is integrally connected to the raised column projection. The flange portion has at least one offset tab used to position the device a defined distance away from a boundary of a concrete foundation wall. The offset tab includes a series of marks defining multiple break points.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.

Abstract: A self-centering damper has an elongated damping body and at least one returning device. The elongated damping body has at least one first wing plate and a supporting element connected to and extending from the first wing plate. The at least one returning device is connected to the damping body and has two holding rib plates respectively connected to the end segments of the damping body, a supporting rib plate securely connected to the damping body between the holding rib plates and at least one pre-stressed stay wire extending through the supporting rib plate and connected the holding rib plates in a tension condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane element for covering surfaces, more particularly for covering ceilings or walls, comprising a frame and a membrane material stretched over said frame. The membrane element is characterized in that at least one frame region is bent inwardly due to forces exerted on the frame by the membrane material and that the inwardly bent frame region has tightening units for pulling or pushing said frame region outwardly with respect to an abutment, towards the unbent state. The invention further relates to a method for covering surfaces, more particularly for covering ceilings or walls.

Abstract: A rotatable building structure (10) contains a vertical central core (14) for supporting suspended floor units (12) surrounding the core. An annular platform (22) extends from the core at corresponding floor units for providing accessibility to and from the central core. The floor units contain a drive mechanism (38, 40, 42) for rotational displacement. The wind load on the exterior side of each floor, and/or horizontal wind turbines that turn around the core but is a separate part of the floor itself, solar panels situated as a roof cover on top of each floor and a wind tool (46) deployable from the floor unit provides alternative wind power assist for rotating the floor units.

Abstract: A door facing is provided. The door facing includes a body portion, and male and female alignment members protruding from a main surface area of the body portion. Also provided are door assemblies including the door facing and methods of making the door facing and the door assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable garage door jamb trim system includes: an interior door jamb trim; and an exterior door jamb trim, wherein the interior door jamb trim and exterior door jamb trim form an adjustable mating configuration that seal the interface between the interior door jamb trim and the exterior door jamb trim when the interior door jamb trim and exterior door jamb trim are secured to a door jamb having a width between a first width and a second width.

Abstract: A system for assembly between a connecting element and at least one cavity positioned on a surface portion situated on an edge face of a substrate, particularly made of a fragile material of glass type. The connecting element is configured to be accommodated in the cavity that has curved and retaining walls, the cavity being made at the edge face of the substrate.

Abstract: A corner flashing system is provided for sealing the corners of recessed window frames against moisture penetration. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises first and second double-flap members, a half-cube member, and caulking. The first and second double-flap members, and the half-cube member are preferably made of asphalt or petroleum based material. In another preferred embodiment, the system comprises one double-flap member, a modified half-cube member, and caulking. In another preferred embodiment, the system comprises a single member that combines a double-flap member and a half-cube member, and caulking. In another preferred embodiment, the system comprises a combination member, a double-flap member, and caulking.

Abstract: A gutter protecting apparatus includes a plurality of substantially parallel rods extending in a downward slope from near a roof edge to and beyond the far side of the gutter. The rods extend substantially perpendicular to the gutter's length and to a frame to which the rods connect at the upper edge. Preferably, the lower rod ends are spaced above and slightly beyond the far edge of the gutter to allow debris to pass the gutter without catching. Legs can extend down from some rods to the gutter's far edge to provide support. The apparatus can be pivotably mounted to the roof, the fascia or the gutter, permitting access beneath. The apparatus forms a cage-like covering over the gutter to exclude matter and small creatures, while allowing the liquid to flow past. Sunlight bypassing the rods and movement of air through the gutter make the water exiting the downspout cleaner.

Abstract: The invention is a retractable gutter system that allows the gutter to be moved under the eaves in climates that are typically below freezing, to prevent an ice dam from forming under the eaves, and at times when leaf debris risks clogging the gutter. Slide retainers are affixed to the soffit and the gutter affixed to the extendible slides held in the slide retainers. The gutter is slidable between a first position in which the gutter is placed at the drip edge and a second position in which the gutter is stowed away under the eaves.