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: A lining board includes: a plate-like support structure which is made of a multi-layered fiber sheet and has a plurality of hollows; and an upper plate which is attached to the top of the support structure and has a plurality of LED leading lightings formed on the top of the upper plate. The honeycomb-structured lining board including fiber sheets stacked with a predetermined thickness has advantages of lightness, high impact-resistance and high noise-proofing due to high sound absorptiveness.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a plurality of curtain wall members positioned in a horizontal array, a first curtain wall member separated from an adjacent second curtain wall member by a gap. The system further includes a gap-filling member positioned in the gap separating the adjacent first and second curtain wall members, the gap filling member comprising one or more vents.

Abstract: To obtain a covering on a supporting structure that has a visual appearance that varies with the angle of light from a light source impinging on the covering, there are provided parquet blocks having reference edges and top surfaces with geometric forms in parallel relationship extending to a higher elevation than the block's adjacent surface portions and extending at angles relative to the reference edges that varies from that of other blocks. The parquet blocks in plan view 5 be of varying shapes such as rectangular, triangular, etc. while the geometric forms may be, for example, any one of parallel ridges, lands between parallel slots, rows of selected shapes in linearly spaced, linear alignment, etc. Indicia may be provided on the blocks together with a chart having markings facilitating selecting and adhering the blocks to the supporting structure to obtain the desired pattern.

Abstract: Fire-barriers systems, including pre-assembled intersecting and straight-line fire-barriers having either all male-, all female-, or both types of coupling ends eliminate on-site cutting and construction of barriers required for intersection-spaces and provide easy, rapid, and safe one-step, drop-in installation and coupling. All male/female ended fire-barriers are constructed as single-piece units. All adjacent laid-flat layers are continuously connected having no gaps or folds. Straight-line and L-shaped barriers are certified according to the criteria mandated by both the ASTM E 1399-97 (Reapproved 2005), Standard Test Method for Cyclic Movement and Measuring the Minimum and Maximum Joint Widths of Architectural Joint Systems and the UL 2079 Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems Test for air leakage (Revised and relocated as 1.14 Mar. 10, 2006).

Abstract: Embodiments of a structural stud and panel for use in building a tilt-wall building are disclosed. Devices and methods for forming structural studs and panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nail or screw holes are provided on the body of a trim unit so that the trim body can be more robustly secured to the building structure, beneath a slidable molding which in a first position reveals these holes and in a second position covers the holes. This sliding is preferably achieved by a self-retaining interference connection, such as a dovetail joint, between a movable molding part and the body of the trim unit. In a further preference, the molding has a stationary portion that is fixed with respect to the trim body, and a movable portion which, after attachment of the trim body to the structural member, can be slid into engagement with the stationary portion and glued thereon to complete the molding.

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: A fastener for securing rebar rods that is a generally planar, elongated main body selectively deformed into a closed loop. The fastener can also include a head end integrally formed with the main body having a buckle and an opening. A tail end depends from the main body that has a plurality of substantially flat, spaced-apart, and staggered engaging members, or barbs. The rods are secured by folding the tail end around the rods and inserting the tail end into the opening of the buckle and twisting the tail end so that a barb engages an edge of the buckle.

Abstract: A clip for mounting an elongated trim strip on ends of ceiling grid runners, having a right angle configuration with two intersecting legs, one leg adapted to laterally abut an end of a grid runner and the other being adapted to engage the trim strip, said other leg having oppositely extending upper and lower grips for reception into upper and lower opposing channels of the trim strip, the grips being relatively moveable, and a toggle arrangement for moving said grips away from one another, when retracted, the grips being capable of passing between the opposed channels, the toggle arrangement selectively maintaining said grips in an extended position to frictionally lock onto the opposed channels of the trim strip.

Abstract: A door comprising first and second door skins secured to each other to form a cavity therebetween filled with expended foam. Each of the door skins has an opening therethrough for receiving a glass insert and a flange portion. Distal ends of the flange portions of the first and second door skins engage each other in an overlapping relationship by the expansion pressure of the expanded foam. The door further comprises a glazing rim member having a leg portion snap-locked between the flange portions of the first and second door skins. The method for assembling the door comprises the steps of filling the cavity between the door skins with foam material, then inserting the glass insert through the openings in the door skins and mounting the glazing rim member to the first door skin by snap-locking between the flange portions of the first and second door skins.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a tool or a family of tools which will provide mechanical force to separate pieces, plates, or parts of machinery or other assemblies which, although de-fastened, still resist separation. This is accomplished by utilizing a bolt-like device and a plurality of gripping inserts, which provide separating force between a plurality of plates or similar structures when the device is operated properly.

Abstract: A panel having a surface for supporting heat transfer tubing and at least one edge for mating and interlocking with an adjacent panel, improves versatility in leading the tubing upon the supporting surface in a variety of configurations.

Abstract: An overhead bin for use on both sides in a passenger cabin of an aircraft, includes a first baggage compartment and a second baggage compartment, a first opening and a second opening for loading items into the first baggage compartment and into the second baggage compartment, and a partition for dividing the first baggage compartment from the second baggage compartment. The first baggage compartment and the second baggage compartment differ from each other in their shape and/or alignment. With several overhead bins, the alignment of a larger and a smaller baggage bin can alternate so that adequate bin space for stowing hand baggage is available to passengers in the center seats.

Abstract: A masonry flashing for use in a cavity wall is disclosed. The flashing has channels for draining water from the cavity while permitting entry of air into the cavity. The top surface of the flashing is covered by a protective member. The protective member is a scrim or, in the extruded form, an overarching portion of the flashing material. The protective member prevents the clogging of channels from mortar droppings and other construction debris. The flashing is shown with a drip edge is formed by extending the flashing beyond the external surface of the outer wythe and, with the edge being foil lined, manually forming the drip edge. A peel-and-stick embodiment described herein utilizes clear, nondrooling adhesives. Flashing accessories, namely, an end dam, an inside corner and an outside corner are also described.

Abstract: A gutter protector is provided that has a top surface defining a front edge and a back edge. The protector also has a first side extending from the front edge to the back edge and extending at an angle ? from the top surface and having a gutter contacting first edge, a second side extending from the front edge to the back edge and extending at an angle ? from the top surface and having a gutter contacting second edge. A notch is provided in the front edge adapted to engage a complementary notch in an article to couple the gutter protector to the article, thereby allowing protectors to be engaged and pushed collectively down a gutter course to facilitate installation.

Abstract: A curtain wall mounting system adapted for cantilevered support of at least one structure outwardly therefrom. The curtain wall mounting system including an anchor plate having dual plates and adapted for integral mounting with a curtain wall web section. The curtain wall web section includes one of a hollow tongue web extending outwardly of a curtain wall vertical mullion in a first direction and an integrally formed flange region extending outwardly of the curtain wall vertical mullion in the first direction. The curtain wall web section includes a first set of fastening apertures oriented transversely to the first direction and formed. The anchor plate includes at least one generally planer body portion having a first set of mating apertures adapted for alignment in registry with the first set of fastening apertures of the web. The anchor plate further having a second set of apertures adapted for securing structures outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A rotating adapter for joining an offset, right angle, or other pulling head to a pulling tool. The adapter allows one-handed positioning of a pulling head that is offset, oriented at an angle relative to the tool, or designed to fit into a relatively tight space. The pulling head can be rotated and/or repositioned repeatedly without changing the stroke length of the pulling tool.

Abstract: An overhead arrangement, for use in a suspended ceiling system having a grid framework of frame elements lying in a ceiling plane and bounding a plurality of openings for supporting a corresponding plurality of ceiling members, includes an electrical apparatus, such as a DC power supply, a support for supporting the electrical apparatus on the framework at an elevation above one of the ceiling members supported in one of the openings, and a slanted control panel on the housing and having manually accessible controls and visually accessible displays. The slanted control panel is obliquely and downwardly inclined relative to the ceiling plane to enable manual access to the controls and visual access to the displays through the opening to the slanted control panel from below the framework after the ceiling member is at least partially removed from its opening without mechanical interference between the ceiling tile and the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A building wall or roof is formed of tubular structural members arranged in parallel, planar, spaced-apart relation. Saddle-shaped structural members having strengthening portions are respectively mounted on the tubular members with a clearance space, and thermal and/or acoustical insulation is interposed in the clearance space between the strengthening portions and the tubular members. As compared to conventional tubular log structures, the resulting wall or roof is resistant to horizontal forces generated by the wind or earthquakes and is faster and easier to construct and, furthermore, considerably better performing in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation without having to increase its thickness on an otherwise proportionate basis.