Abstract: A sealed insulating unit includes two parallel opposed panes with a spacing and sealing system between the two panes. The panes and the spacing and sealing system together define a sealed gas space. The spacing and sealing system includes a spacer frame with a primary seal between each side of the spacer frame and the opposing pane face and a secondary seal extending between the panes outside the outer peripheral face of the spacer frame. Each primary seal is greater than 0.4 mm thick on construction of the unit and has at least 7 grams of sealant material on each side of the spacer frame per meter of the spacer frame length. A spacer for a sealed insulating unit has side walls in which are defined elongate recesses, the dimensions of the recesses being selected such that sufficient primary sealant can be accommodated to provide in the sealed insulating unit opposed primary seals each at least 0.4 mm thick.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: A spacing web frame assembly for a molded construction form for use in forming a reinforced concrete wall including a pair of inner and outer vertically-oriented attachment studs and a reinforcing wire truss assembly having ends attached to the inner and outer attachment studs to provide a predetermined spacing distance between the inner and outer attachment studs. The studs are visible to the outside when the molded foam panels are attached thereto and the concrete is then added to form the walls. The studs may be formed of either wood or metal, depending upon the type of attachment fasteners desired to be driven into the studs.

Abstract: A method of joining, siding to studs, flooring to floor joists and, roof planking to rafters without the use of visible fasteners, such as nails and screws. The framing members, studs, etc., have rounded corners at their joining edge and rounded grooves close to this edge forming a rounded oval shaped knob for the length of the framing member. The cladding members (siding, etc), have oval shaped cross grooves, being the same shape and size of the knobs of the framing members, cut across them at the same spacing as the framing members. These grooves are undercut on each side so that when they are attached to the framing the undercut parts of the cross groove fit into the grooves along each edge of the framing member. Attachment is made by bending back the cladding at the cross grooves to open up the opening of the cross groove enough that it can be snapped over the knob of the framing member or the cladding can be forced over the knob edges by tapping it with a hard rubber mallet.

Abstract: Utility modules used to form a utility distribution system, where the utility modules are disposed on a foundation with the construction of a building, and where the utility modules may be covered with panels. The utility modules include coupling elements at edge regions and at major surfaces thereof. When coupled together, the utility modules can form a utility distribution system which is used to distribute utility services throughout a building. The utility services can be provided by a utility service system, which preferably comprises a fuel cell.

Abstract: A self-supporting construction element (1, 101) of expanded plastics, in particular for manufacturing floor elements and walls of buildings in general comprises: (1) a central body (2), substantially parallelepipedic in shape and having two opposite faces (6, 7); at least one reinforcing section bar (8,9) transversally extending across the central body (2) between the faces (6,7) thereof and embedded in the expanded plastics; a lath (16) for supporting at least one layer (17) of a suitable covering material, associated to a fin (11,12) of the reinforcing section bar (8,9) lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces (6,7) of the construction element (1,101).

Abstract: A frame body water-proof structure, has a main frame body, a frame cover, a loop-shaped elastic packing element, and four securing screws for fixing the frame cover on to the main frame body. A wall portion is formed along a periphery edge portion on an engaging surface of the main frame body, and a shoulder portion is formed continuously in connection with the wall portion. The packing element is attached around the outer periphery surface of the wall portion and mounted on the shoulder portion. A recess portion is formed on the inner side of the periphery edge portion on an engaging surface of the frame cover. The recess portion also including a shoulder portion.

Abstract: A tubular tapered composite pole for supporting utility lines and a method for making the same. The pole is formed from a plurality of elongated panels made of pultruded composite material having a height H1 in the range of 30 feet-120 feet. An interlocking structural groove is formed on one of the side edges of the panel during the pultrusion process. The other side edge of the panel is formed by a biased angle cut from the bottom edge of the panel to its top edge to give it a generally trapezoidal shape. A tongue shaped interlocking structure is machined along the length of the angularly cut side edge. The panels have a length L1 along their bottom edge in the range of 6″-24″ and a length L2 along their top edges in the range of 3″-16″. The respective tongue and groove structure along the side edges of the panels is interlocked together to form a closed loop extending from their top edges to their bottom edges to form the tubular tapered pole.

Abstract: An improved workspace management system for dividing a space into separate work areas comprises a rigid structural framework formed of rigid rectangular frames rigidly joined together at the edges thereof to form at least one work area. Each of the frames has outer faces on opposite sides thereof and openings on the opposite sides of the frames and a plurality of interchangeable tiles, with each of the tiles having a connector cooperating with the openings on the frames for removably mounting the tiles to the frames for ease of placement on and removal from the frames. The tiles are mounted to the outer faces of the frames to substantially cover both sides of the frames from a bottom portion thereof to a top thereof in juxtaposed parallel relationship.

Abstract: An insulated roof panel comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced parallel web trusses secured to an inner sheathing and an outer sheathing. Each of the web trusses comprises at least one top cord, a bottom cord and a plurality of webs joining the cords together. A vapor barrier is sandwiched between the bottom cords of the web trusses and the inner sheathing. A layer of insulation extends upwardly from the vapor barrier a height less than the height of the insulated roof panel in order to allow air to flow over the insulation. Sleeves built in to the web trusses allow fasteners of a length less than the height of the panel to secure the roof panel to timber frame members.

Abstract: A laminate reinforced beam assembly includes a beam having a channel shape defined by spaced side walls. The beam has a contact location where it would be subjected to a point loaded force. A reinforcement layer is provided on each of the side walls. The reinforcement layer is made of a polymer which forms a structural foam in its cured condition and which has a shape wherein its side edges taper toward each other in a direction away from the contact location.

Abstract: A deck plank comprising a substantially flat top surface made preferably from a wood replacement material having a first edge and a second edge, and may also have a tongue attached to the first edge and a groove attached to the second edge, the tongue and the groove each extending in a plane below the top surface, the tongue being adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent plank. The tongue and the groove are shaped so that a space is maintained between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove of the adjacent plank when the tongue is placed adjacent to the groove of the adjacent plank. A number of the deck planks can be used to make a deck.

Abstract: A composite reinforcing structure for reinforcing a structural member, a method of making the structure, and a method of using the structure to reinforce a structural member.

Abstract: A fastening member for the vertical board siding, which comprises; a main metal fitting comprising a flat substrate, first and second upright portions formed at the upper and lower end portions of the flat substrate, respectively and extending in the horizontal direction, a third upright portion formed along the longitudinal direction of the flat substrate, and an engaging portion formed at a distal end of the third upright portion; and an auxiliary metal fitting adapted to be detachably engaged with the main metal fitting and comprises a first horizontal portion adapted to be placed on the second upright portion of the main metal fitting, and a second horizontal portion adapted to support a lower end portion of the siding board to be fastened.

Abstract: A sound attenuating wall or ceiling assembly includes: a plurality of wall or ceiling boards; a series of parallel spaced apart, elongated framing members; and a series of elongated sound attenuating members extending along the length of the framing members, secured to the framing members and securing the boards to the framing members. Each of the sound attenuating members has a resilient cantilevered portion to which the boards are secured. The cantilevered portion of each sound attenuating member extends from the framing member to which the sound attenuating member is secured both outward away from the framing member and toward an adjacent framing member whereby the boards are resiliently secured to the framing members and spaced outwardly from the framing members to attenuate sound.

Abstract: A one-piece, lightweight snow guard is made of clear plastic. The snow guard includes a base having a bottom and a top, a plate having a front wall and a back wall and extending upward from the top of the base, and support members having first edges connected to the top of the base and second edges connected to the front or back wall of the plate. The snow guard is preferably made of polycarbonate. The bottom of the base is connected to a roof using an adhesive. Preferably, the base includes lower side portions, a raised middle portion and upward and inward sloping portions connecting the middle portion to the side portions. The middle and sloping portions define a region for receiving a roof rib. Breakaway baffles extend from the bottom of the middle portion for retaining adhesive underneath the base. The baffles break away before adhesive application when the base is positioned over a rib.

Abstract: A rain gutter cleaning assembly for removing leaves and other debris from a conventional rain gutter thereby allowing unobstructed drainage of water within the rain gutter. The inventive device includes a guide structure having an upper opening, a lower opening and a front opening. The upper opening of the guide structure mates with a gutter opening with the rain gutter. A plurality of prongs are positioned within the guide structure and are inclined toward the front opening and extend outwardly through the front opening a finite distance. A funnel structure is attachable to the lower opening of the guide structure for connecting to a conventional downspout. In operation, when leaves accumulate within the rain gutter the wind blows the dried leaves about the rain gutter. When the leaves approach the gutter opening, they fall through the guide structure and slide upon the plurality of prongs out through the front opening thereby not allowing the leaves to obstruct the downspout.

Abstract: A ground anchor with a floating stabilizer consists of an elongate shaft, a screw flight coupled to the shaft at the lower end and an extension point mounted to the shaft at its lowermost point. A drive handle is provided for rotating the shaft about the axis and threading the flight into the ground. A winged stabilizer member fits over the shaft such that it floats freely of the shaft after installation to accommodate ground heave. An L-shaped mounting member is carried on a threaded rod screwed into a female thread at the top of the shaft for engaging a structure and supporting the structure relative to the ground.

Abstract: A wood protection assembly including a plastic sleeve having an open end and closed end, and the sleeve being dimensioned to conform closely to and to receive a wooden structural member of standard dimensions, and a plastic cap formed to slip over and tightly seal the open end of the sleeve. Upon the insertion of the wooden structural member in the open end of the sleeve and the sealing of the open end of the sleeve with the cap, the wooden structural member is completely enclosed by the assembly and the wooden structural member and the assembly are such close relation that the wooden structural member is immobilized within the assembly, whereby the assembly protects the wooden structural member from the elements without compromising the rigid integrity of the wooden structural member.

Abstract: An assembly device for flat pieces (2) and tubular elements (1) comprises elements for securement of the flat pieces (2) on the infrastructure tubular elements (1). The securement elements are provided each with at least one element (5) for prepositioning and gripping on the infrastructure tubular elements (1). The device is more particularly applicable to the field of the assembly of structural elements in the form of flat pieces and tubular elements, in particular for leisure equipment, especially playground equipment for children.