Abstract: A covering system provides a structural insulated panel for covering a roof having standing seams. The insulation is a composite core made of EPS and other polymers such as polyurethane. At least one panel covers a mounting surface, like a roof, and at least one protruding seam on the roof. The panel utilize a deformation, or crimping to form connections with adjacent panels and attachments with the mounting surface. A bracket fastens to the mounting surface by crimping onto the protruding seam. An exterior portion includes a pair of stabilizers that extend outwardly. A pair of stabilizer ends crimp onto a support portion of the mounting bracket for fastening. The crimping mechanism minimizes the need for penetrating the mounting surface with fasteners and reduces space between seams.

Abstract: A retention tie system for pre- or post-construction installation to stabilize masonry or composite walls. The system comprises a tie member anchored in an anchor hole bored into the existing foundation and a tensioned against a base plate and a cover plate seated along the top of the wall. A bracing member is used to provide lateral stability to the respective plate members. A tension washer is used to ensure that the tie members are tensioned to the appropriate load. A guide member is installed within the masonry wall to brace the tie members against lateral deflection.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of a reinforced slab-shaped building element (E) having a length (L), a width (W) and a thickness, said slab-shaped building element (E) comprising an upper concrete plate anchored to a lower concrete plate with a top surface and a bottom surface, said upper concrete plate being cast from relatively higher strength concrete laid out upon said top surface, said lower concrete plate being of a less strong concrete, said lower concrete plate including a base contiguous with a plurality of raised portions integral therewith, said raised portions being spaced apart in the direction of said length (L) and said width (W), said plurality of raised portions defining between them a network of recesses, at least some of said recesses including reinforcing bars (R), said raised portions and said recesses together defining said top surface.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) mounting system having a base portion that is substantially planar and having a first roof-facing side and an opposite module-facing side. The base portion has a lip that circumscribes the perimeter of the base portion and curves inward on the module-facing side. A clamp having a spring base is partially installed in the base portion and has a pair of clamping flanges extending upwardly from the base portion. A support beam comprising a pair of ledges adapted to mate with the clamping flanges of the clamp and a bottom portion that is supported by the spring base. A PV module coupling device is mechanically coupled to the support beam and configured for coupling to the frames of at least two photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A joint tape for drywall includes a substrate layer having an elongate shape in a lengthwise direction and being flexible in the lengthwise direction and in a transverse direction. The tape further includes a covering layer disposed in bonding relation on the substrate layer. The covering layer is rigid in the transverse direction and configured to withstand compressive forces applied generally in the transverse direction and shear stresses applied generally along the transverse direction.

Abstract: A wall and ceiling panel system which utilizes a concealed resilient beam for securing a panel to a wall or ceiling structure is disclosed. A wall and ceiling panel system having features of the present invention can comprise a panel configured for releasable attachment to a latching assembly. The latching assembly can comprise a resilient beam dynamically secured to a base bracket so as to allow the resilient beam to deflect relative to the base bracket during the panel installation and removal process. The panel can comprise a keyed flange having at least one locking slot configured to mate with the resilient beam, with the panel becoming secured to the latching assembly once the panel's key flange is mated with the resilient beam.

Abstract: A wallboard panel support may include a base support member having two upwardly extending sidewalls which receive the lower end of the wallboard panel and space the lower end of the wallboard panel above a floor of a building. A method for installing a wallboard panel in a building may include attaching a wallboard panel support to the lower end of a wallboard panel, moving the wallboard panel attached to the wallboard panel support to a location in a building adjacent a stud, placing the wallboard panel against the stud, and securing the wallboard panel to the stud.

Abstract: A interior partition includes a suspended wall track system that includes suspended wall track frame that aligns and receives an interior wall material to create a non-load bearing wall structure. The suspended wall track system may further include a suspended wall track frame that is fitted within a suspended ceiling track hanging from a ceiling floor with an unobstructed interstitial spacing between the suspended ceiling track and the ceiling floor.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: An assembled house has a house framework, a roof framework, wall panels and a roof panel. The house framework has multiple beams, columns, and connectors. The roof framework has multiple rafters. Each one of the connectors is mounted securely in the column, and has multiple screw sleeves mounted securely in a concrete body. Thus, the beam can be connected securely to the column by screws screwed into the screw sleeve of the connector. Welding is not required for assembling the house framework on the site of the assembled house, thereby effectively accelerating the assembling. In addition, the beams and the columns are connected without welding, which eliminates the problem that the welded portions may easily rust. Furthermore, the columns, rafters, and the beams are hollow tubes, which can effectively lower the weight of the whole assembled house.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting multiple panel assemblies comprising a first bracketing body having a first bearing member and at least one planar member; a second bracketing body having a second bearing member pivotally engaged with the first bearing member and at least one planar member; a third bracketing body having at least one planar member; a fourth bracketing body having at least one planar member; a first panel receiving volume at least partially defined by the at least one planar member of the first and third bracketing bodies; a second panel receiving volume at least partially defined by the at least one planar members of the second and fourth bracketing bodies; and wherein the at least one planar members of the second and fourth bracketing bodies at least partially define a second panel receiving volume.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting multiple panel assemblies comprising a first bracketing body having a first bearing member and at least one planar member; a second bracketing body having a second bearing member pivotally engaged with the first bearing member and at least one planar member; a third bracketing body having at least one planar member; a fourth bracketing body having at least one planar member; a first panel receiving volume at least partially defined by the at least one planar member of the first and third bracketing bodies; a second panel receiving volume at least partially defined by the at least one planar members of the second and fourth bracketing bodies; and wherein the at least one planar members of the second and fourth bracketing bodies at least partially define a second panel receiving volume.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting multiple panel assemblies comprising a first bracketing body having a first bearing member and at least one planar member; a second bracketing body having a second bearing member pivotally engaged with the first bearing member and at least one planar member; a third bracketing body having at least one planar member; a fourth bracketing body having at least one planar member; a first panel receiving volume at least partially defined by the at least one planar member of the first and third bracketing bodies; a second panel receiving volume at least partially defined by the at least one planar members of the second and fourth bracketing bodies; and wherein the at least one planar members of the second and fourth bracketing bodies at least Partially define a second panel receiving volume.

Abstract: An emergency access system comprising a structure having therein at least two rooms with at least one common wall between them and an exterior wall, at least one bi-directional access opening defined in at least one selected from an exterior wall and common wall, a sheet of material with a bi-directional breakaway panel sized to substantially fill the access opening, the sheet affixed and in-line to at least one wall, the breakaway panel is a double panel, one panel on each side of an internal framed structure allowing entry from either room, and at least one bi-directional breakaway mounting fastener retaining each panel within each opening and, under pressure, breakably releasing the panel whereby an access opening enables a person in an emergency to release the breakaway mounting panel by applying pressure to the panel, thus allowing emergency access.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disposing and supporting a solar panel array are disclosed. The embodiments comprise various combinations of cables, support columns, and pod constructions in which to support solar panels. Special installations of the system can include systems mounted over structures such as parking lots, roads, aqueducts, and other bodies of water. Simplified support systems with a minimum number of structural elements can be used to create effective support for solar panel arrays of varying size and shapes. These simplified systems minimize material requirements and labor for installation of the systems.

Abstract: A shingle underlayment system includes a waterproofing shingle underlayment, drip edge member, and one or more adhesive sealing strips integrated in a single product. The waterproofing shingle underlayment includes a top surface and an adhesive bottom surface. The drip edge member comprises an in-roof portion and an overhang portion, with the in-roof portion affixed to the top surface of the waterproofing shingle underlayment. The one or more adhesive sealing strips are located above the drip edge member on the top surface of the waterproofing shingle underlayment.

Abstract: Reinforced boards and/or walls, and methods of producing thereof. In some non-limiting examples, there is provided a reinforced gypsum board and a process for the production thereof. In one example, the reinforced board may include one or more reinforcing elements, e.g., to enhance the rigidity of the board and/or to provide support for the board.

Abstract: A method for installing a truss-wall stud unit includes coupling a set of bottom plates with a foundation, coupling a set of hinge brackets with the set of bottom plates, coupling a first partial truss with a second partial truss to form a truss-wall stud unit, coupling the truss-wall stud unit with the bottom plates and hinge brackets, and hoisting the truss-wall stud unit into a substantially vertical position. A system includes truss-wall stud units which are connected to bottom plates using hinge brackets. Once connected to the hinge brackets and bottom plates, the truss-wall stud units are hoisted upright into a substantially vertical position using a cable system with a cable support system. Temporary interlocking spacer bars are used to brace the truss-wall stud units at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A wall comprising an upper horizontal member to be fixed to a ceiling, a lower horizontal member to be fixed to a floor, and at least one panel provided between the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, characterized in that the lower horizontal member comprises at least two longitudinally extending, elongate profiles of U-shaped cross-section, wherein the first profile is fixed to the floor with a base part of its U-shaped cross-section, wherein the second profile is placed on the first profile, wherein base parts of the U-shaped cross-sections of the two profiles face away from each other, wherein the lower horizontal member further comprises a third profile of U-shaped cross-section provided between the first profile and the second profile thereof.

Abstract: In a partition system partitions there are two or more doors, positioned in a common plane. Adjacent doors have angled sides that meet when the doors are closed. Each door is attached to a post or partition by a pair of hinges and is mounted so that there is a space adjacent each side surface of the doors when the front surfaces of those doors are parallel to the common plane. When the front surfaces of those doors are parallel to the common plane each door is mounted so that and any sight line through each space will intersect at least one of the spaced apart posts and the spaced apart partitions when the front surfaces of the doors are parallel to the common plane. The hinges may provide an axis of rotation that is inward from the edge of the door. The partitions are preferably mounted on frame members that have an L-shaped or inverted T-shaped cross-section. The partitions have a slot along one side which receives the upright portion of the frame members.