Abstract: A storm shutter installation includes a pair of supports attached above and below a window to be protected. The supports include a pair of parallel channels to receive a pair of plywood panels. One or more removable brace are provided to support the plywood panels. The braces typically run parallel to the short dimension of the panels thereby reducing the unsupported long dimension of the panels. The braces are clamped together, thereby clamping the panels together and clamping the panels to the supports. The resulting storm shutter installation is substantially stronger, perhaps as much as an order of magnitude, than single plywood panel installations.

Abstract: A fixing element has a shank having a rear end and a leading end, a holding element arranged on the rear end of clamping an article to a building component, at least one expansion region extending from the leading end in a longitudinal direction for part of a length of the shank. The expansion region is formed by a longitudinal slot with a base surface raising toward the leading end. A expansion member is inserted in the longitudinal slot. The base surface slopes upwardly and ends at an outer circumference of the shank at a distance from the leading end. The expansion member is formed as a wedge with a length substantially corresponding to a lenght of the longitudinal slot and lies on the base surface so as to be displaceable toward the leading end. The wedge has an outer surface provided with roof-shaped teeth which project beyond the shank at least by a part of a height of the teeth.

Abstract: A manhole opening structure having a cover traveling rail on which at least one manhole cover can travel between a manhole opening and the ground and rail lifter serving to upwardly and downwardly move the cover traveling rail between a lower position where the manhole cover closes the manhole opening and an upper position where the manhole cover can move between the cover traveling rail and the ground.

Abstract: A covering for an underlying structure comprises a bottom layer of U-shaped sections with gaps between covered by an upper layer of inverted U-shaped sections, the sections having clearance holes and/or flexible edges to permit transverse thermal flexing. The bottom sections are attachable to the structure by clip elements previously attached to the structure.

Abstract: An L-shaped coping for drywall corners is marked with indicia to facilitate both installation of the coping and use of the coping as a permanently affixed rule.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making and assembling reliable mechanical rebar couplers so that a short upstand of rebar that protrudes from an existing concrete structure can be connected to a new rebar at a retrofit work site out in the field so as to provide a connection between a new and the existing structure. According to a first embodiment, one end of the protruding upstand is upset, and a threaded male coupling member surrounds the protruding upstand behind the upset end thereof. The threaded male coupling member is mated to a threaded female coupling member that is affixed to the new rebar such that the upset end of the upstand is retained between the male and female coupling members. According to a second embodiment, one end of each of the protruding upstand and the new rebar is upset, and a threaded male coupling member surrounds the protruding upstand and the new rebar behind the respective upset ends thereof.

Abstract: A gable vent assembly comprising a mounting ring and a cover member. The mounting ring includes a plurality of distinct lengths, one of which is formed in two parts to enable easy manipulation of portions thereof when the mounting ring is positioned over an opening in a wall having siding thereon. The cover member includes a plurality of shoulder portions which engage with securing grooves in the mounting ring such that the gable vent member may be secured to the mounting ring without the need for fastening elements such as threaded screws, staples or the like. The cover member and mounting ring are also adjustably positionable relative to each other to accommodate different thicknesses of siding.

Abstract: A building block comprises a transverse groove (12) in each end face (10b, 10c), an opening (15) extending from the first (10e) to the second bearing face (10d) in which a longitudinal groove (13, 14) is also provided. The block is further provided with reference and positioning structure comprising a pair of longitudinal seats on the first bearing face and a pair of projections, each divided into three projection portions, on the second bearing face. When a building structure is constructed, the blocks 10 are superposed dry and in a staggered arrangement in superposed rows, such that the longitudinal seats of each block engage the projections on the blocks of the underlying row. The apertures and the grooves in the blocks constituting the building structure form a grid of intersecting vertical and horizontal channels which extend over the entire building structure, and in which a binder is poured and solidifies, ensuring that the building structure is stable and resistant over time.

Abstract: Composite reinforcements (100, 100A, 100B, 100C) are formed by combining a first plurality of continuous fibers (102) with a second plurality of continuous fibers (106) with the first and second pluralities of continuous fibers (102, 106) being impregnated with at least one appropriate resin material (R1, R2, R3) and pultruded to form the reinforcements. The first and second pluralities of continuous fibers (102, 106) can be intermixed with one another or combined as a central core (104, 132) of the first fibers with a jacket (108, 108A, 108B, 134) formed by the second fibers. In either event, the combined fibers are formed as an elongated rod (110) and rigidified using the resin material. The first fibers are glass, either E-glass or S-2 glass, with the second fibers being either carbon, aramid, S-2 glass or AR-glass.

Abstract: A metal building roof structure includes a plurality of purlins in a parallel arrangement in which the purlins have a generally vertical leg and a generally horizontal top leg. An insulation support sheet depends from the horizontal legs of adjacent purlins, and a purlin cap, having a horizontal top portion, is positioned on top of the horizontal top leg of the purlin. The purlin cap also has two generally vertical portions extending downwardly from the horizontal top portion and is placed over the insulation support sheet so that the two vertical portions of the purlin cap cause the insulation support sheet to substantially conform to the shape of the vertical leg of the purlin, thereby defining an insulation area having deep corners to enable the full thickness of the insulation material to be used.

Abstract: A collapsible and portable fishing shelter or survival unit for use in conjunction with a snowmobile. The snowmobile acts as the base for the unit, and adds stability to it. Structural members are releasably secured to the snowmobile, and a tarp covering is placed over the structural members to form the collapsible shelter. The seat or seats of the snowmobile form the seats of the collapsible shelter. The shelter may be erected at one location, and moved by the snowmobile to a new location.

Abstract: A long-lasting base for supporting a structural post for a shelter-type structure for use principally on a farm. The base is made of an impervious material to avoid any rotting or deterioration which might result from moisture in the ground, and is formed to receive laminated posts as part of the structure.

Abstract: A protective flooring which includes a plurality of floor segments wherein each one of the floor segments has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an interior peripheral edge. At least one anchor connected to and depending from the bottom surface of selected ones of the segments, each one of the anchors comprises an elongate cylindrical tube with a central bore, and apertures that provide communication with the bore. Each floor segment includes at least one notch in the peripheral edge thereof, a base connector affixed to the bottom surface of the floor segment defined by the notch. When the floor segments are assembled, the notches in the peripheral edges of the adjacent floor segments correspond so that the respective base connectors are proximate to each other. A U-shaped connector engages each proximate pair of corresponding base connectors so as to join together the adjacent floor segments.

Abstract: A roofing ridge (or hip) installation includes a roof understructure having a pair of outwardly sloping walls which form an inverted V-shaped ridge. A support panel is mounted on each of the walls with the lower end of each support panel optionally terminating in an upwardly facing channel. Tiles such as slates are mounted in each channel. A pressure applying assembly forces the base end of the panels inwardly. A cap spans across and covers the upper ends of the panels and assembly.

Abstract: A cubicle forming partition system has a construction which permits the use of wall panels made entirely from a cost effective volume of solid surface plastic sheets. The wall panels are rigidly secured in spaced relation from a room floor by mounts which positively engage forward and rear edge portions of the wall panels without penetrating or interrupting either of the opposed, continuous wall forming surfaces of the wall panels. Steel reinforcements in a composite pilaster and metallic hardware for mounting wall and door panels are concealed from exposure to airborne moisture and contaminants for enhancing durability of the partition system when used in moisture rich environments.

Abstract: A roof system utilizing a solar cell comprising a first modular roof member composed of a plurality of first light collecting plate segments each of which having a solar cell embedded therein, the first light collecting plate segments being aligned in one direction and in the other direction perpendicular to the one direction; and a second modular roof member composed of a plurality of second light collecting plate segments each of which is equal in size to the first light collecting plate segment, the second light collecting plate segments being aligned in one direction and in the other direction perpendicular to the one direction, the number of the second light collecting plate segments in one direction being larger by one than that of the first light collecting plate segments.

Abstract: A dasher board assembly having a U-shaped channel for receiving a shielding panel, and a rotatable cam co-operating with the channel to releasably clamp the shielding panel to the channel.

Abstract: An improved structural framing system and associated method for constructing same wherein a specially configured dissymetric steel beam is horizontally disposed and supported between adjacent vertical columns erected on conventional foundations. The dissymetric beam is fabricated having a compressed, block-like top flange formed opposite a substantially flattened bottom flange and integrally connected thereto by an intermediate web. Standard hollow core sections of precast, prestressed concrete plank spanning perpendicular to the dissymetric beam are disposed on either side of the beam and together assembled thereto so that the web of the beam is disposed centrally between facing edges of the plank sections with the bottom flange of the beam supporting the lower surface of the plank and the top flange substantially aligned with the upper plank surface.

Abstract: Finishing systems and roof decks are provided which include a gypsum board having a set gypsum core faced with a fibrous mat. The gypsum core includes one or more additives which are effective in simultaneously improving the water and fire resistance of the board. In preferred embodiments, the board has sufficient water-resistant additive for absorbing less than about 10% water in an ASTM C-473 test.

Abstract: A material having fibers in a curable matrix is applied as a reinforcement to a vertical column. The matrix is cured by providing a reinforcement curing apparatus including a steel cylindrical housing split lengthwise into at least two sections, and a plurality of elongated radiant heaters mounted to an interior wall of the housing and oriented to direct their heat inwardly. The curing apparatus is assembled around the perimeter of the column having the reinforcement thereon and operated to heat and cure the reinforcement.