Abstract: An insulated building block system for use in building walls and other structures. Each full block has sidewalls and endwalls with a generally open interior and flat upper and lower surfaces. Two vertical ridges are provided along the interior of one sidewall, with a protrusion extending above the upper surface. The ridges are located such that an upper block arranged in staggered relationship to a block in a lower course will interlock with the lower block. Recesses are provided in the interior endwall surfaces to retain a thermal insulation panel against the interior sidewall surface opposite the ridges. Half blocks are also provided to fill spaces in wall end surfaces between staggered full blocks. The half blocks have open interiors for placement of insulation panels and include ridges for interlocking with protrusions on adjacent full blocks.

Abstract: A temporary shelter for use with an existing frame structure is provided. The temporary shelter has a flexible sheet having a pair of parallel slits. The flexible sheet encloses the frame structure to define an inner shelter space. A pair of zipper structures are provided. Each zipper structure has a separable zipper chain composed of two interlocking halves having fastening elements attached to flexible tapes. The fastening elements are interlocked and separated by a slider. The slider is operatively connected to the interlocking halves. Each flexible tape has an adhesive strip located on a back portion of the flexible tape and extends along side and parallel to the fastening elements.

Abstract: A new Height Adjustable Rebar Support System for supporting rebar at various elevations during pouring and curing of concrete with a single adjustable support member. The inventive device includes a first panel having a first lower slot, a second panel pivotally attached to the first panel having a second lower slot, an aperture and a notch into the first panel near the first lower slot, and a beaded cord secured to the second panel. The end of the beaded cord opposite of the second panel selectively engages the first panel through the aperture thereby adjusting the separation of the first panel with respect to the second panel opposite of the pivoting point. The beaded cord comprises a plurality of color coded beads for indicating the exact height selected with a selected color of bead juxtaposed to the first panel within the aperture.

Abstract: A method and device for repairing fasteners attached to plaster board, where the plaster board has become loose around the fasteners. The method is particularly useful to repair loosened threaded fasteners affixed to plaster board which have worked loose due to the brittleness and chalkiness of the plaster board. The device consists of a syringe or like implement to which is attached a specialized needle. A bonding agent is pushed by the syringe through openings in the needle and into the plaster board after the needle is inserted into the plaster board in the immediate proximity of the fasteners.

Abstract: A partition construction includes a partition frame having opposing vertical edges and upper and lower frame members each defining a repeating pattern of configured apertures and holes extending horizontally between its vertical side edges. The configured apertures are "+" or "T" shaped, and include at least a smaller lower section and an enlarged middle section. Cover panels are attachable to the partition frame by top locator/connectors that engage the smaller lower section of selected apertures in the upper frame member, and by bottom connectors that engage an upper one of the holes in the lower frame member. The cover panels are shaped to leave the enlarged middle section of the configured apertures open, so that they can receive a component-supporting bracket or an off-module partition supporting bracket to the primary partition frame.

Abstract: A construction panel for use in the erection of buildings comprising a panel of castable construction material of predetermined thickness, and having first and second sides; a plurality of structural members, reinforcing the panel on one side, at least some of the structural members comprising a generally linear edge, and a generally zig-zag edge, and a web extending between the linear edge and the zig-zag edge, the zig-zag edges defining apexes, and root portions; the apexes, being embedded in one side of the panel thereby securing at least some of the structural members to the panel; recesses formed in the web extending substantially from the apexes to the root portions; and, generally triangular indentations formed in the web throat portions adjacent to but spaced from the recesses. Also disclosed is a method of constructing a level portion of a building.

Abstract: A method of floor construction with a grid system utilizing 1) a plurality of floor grid members interconnected to create a floor grid member assembly; 2) a plurality of floor tile members mounted on respective ones of the floor grid members; 3) a plurality of cushion pad members having one associated with each respective floor tile member; 4) grout strip members mounted within grout receiving grooves in the floor grid members and about the floor tile members; and 5) a tile setter tool member is used to mount a floor tile member between the grout strip members.

Abstract: A gusset for joining first and second abutting support trusses wherein the gusset comprises a plate having a body portion and a finger portion. The body portion is adapted to be abutted against and fastened to a side of the first support truss at one end thereof and the finger portion is adapted to extend beyond the end of the first truss when the body portion is fastened to the first support truss. The finger portion is further adapted to hangingly engage at least one element of the second support truss for supporting the one end of the first truss thereon without fastening the first truss to the second truss.

Abstract: A new Plastic Timber Landscaping System for providing an efficient landscaping tool which has the appearance of natural wood but does not rot or discolor from the elements, and of which is constructed from a staggered formation increasing strength and stability of the structure. The inventive device includes a plurality of elongated hollow rectangular members constructed from plastic including a plurality of knockout passages near the ends of said elongated hollow rectangular members, where the knockout passages align to corresponding knockout passages of other elongated hollow rectangular members where a joiner pipe projects through the corresponding knockout passages providing a strong, staggered, orthogonal connection of at least two elongated hollow rectangular members, and where the elongated hollow rectangular members include arcuate wood grain sides and a planar wood grain top simulating the appearance of natural wood.

Abstract: An interlocking roofing system includes, in combination, a plurality of shingles and a plurality of interlock strips. Each of the plurality of shingles includes a planar rectangular body having a first face, a second face, and four sides. Horizontal rows of shingles are interlocked by interlocking a single zigzag reentrant edge on a third side adjacent the second face of one horizontal row of shingles with a double zigzag reentrant edge on a first side adjacent the first face of another horizontal row of shingles. Each of the plurality of interlock strips includes an elongate planar rectangular body having a first face, a second face, and four sides. Shingles are laid in parallel spaced relation with the fourth side of a first shingle adjacent the second side of a second shingle.

Abstract: An earthquake attenuating apparatus is located adjacent to a fault line for reducing the intensity of a potential earthquake. The apparatus includes a vibration generator which is located adjacent to the fault line and a vibration transmitter for transmitting the vibration to the fault line such that when the vibration generator is operating, the vibration transmitter transmits vibrations to the fault line so that the intensity of the potential earthquake is reduced.

Abstract: Method of producing concrete structures with a surface protection layer and a concrete layer. The method includes moulding the concrete layer and the surface protection layer using a "wet in wet" process. The surface protection layer preferably consists of a cement allied mortar having a low water binding average ratio and a binding agent strength above 70 Mpa. The concrete layer which preferably consists of a concrete having a lower binding agent strength than the surface protection layer, is preferably an air entrained ballast concrete with dense structure and a strength in the range of 10-20 Mpa. The surface protection layer is cast in the bottom of a mold, and the concrete layer is cast above the surface protection layer. During desiccation of the material, the surface protection layer shrinks less than the concrete layer, so that pressure strains are created through deformation differences in the surface protection layer and concrete layer.

Abstract: A composite frame member that includes a longitudinally extending external member that defines a longitudinally extending internal cavity within which a longitudinally extending internal member is disposed. The internal member and external member, while being distinct components, are constructed and arranged to cooperate in a substantially synergistic fashion that seeks to provide a frame member having superior strength characteristics. Further, the internal member and the external member cooperate to define an accessible stapling channel that is capable of being readily stapled into. The external member includes walls that at least partially bound the internal cavity. The internal member is disposed within the internal cavity and defines the stapling channel, wherein the stapling channel receives a cover sheet and staples through an opening defined by the external member.

Abstract: A method for making substrate-supported slatted panels which consists of first cutting each slat to the appropriate size required to form the panel. The slats are placed face down on a flat support and are assembled according to the design of the intended panel using a frame to keep the slats together, if necessary. Multiple uniform layers of contact adhesive are then progressively applied to the back of the slat panel so formed, thereby producing a flexible continuous sheet of adhesive backing the panel. At least one uniform layer of adhesive is also applied to a rigid substrate of dimensions appropriate to support the panel. When the adhesive is dry and ready for contact, the substrate is lifted and placed over the intended location on the slat panel using a series of spacers to prevent contact. Finally, the spacers are sequentially removed permitting contact and the formation of a rigid slatted panel.

Abstract: A window unit (20) including a jamb extension assembly (28) is provided for use with fenestration products. The jamb extension assembly (28) includes a frame member (30) having structure to permit installation of the window unit (20) in a building wall rough opening. The frame member (30) presents inner, outer, rearward and forward portions (62, 64, 66, 68), and includes a jamb extender receiving slot (70) extending and opening rearwardly from the rearward portion (66) of the frame member (30). An elongated jamb extender (32) is provided and includes a transverse, extender flange (88) extending forwardly from an extender corner, and a trim flange (92) extending outwardly from the corner. The extender flange (88) is configured to slide in the slot (70). The extender flange (88) includes structure defining a plurality of longitudinally disposed lines of weakness being in the form of scores (94) disposed on an outer flange surface (96) to permit the length adjustment of the extender flange (88).

Abstract: A curb for supporting equipment upon a roof is constructed as a rectangular box-like structure bounded by four side walls, adapted to be vertically positioned. Each side wall is constructed of an upper panel, and a lower panel outwardly displaced from the upper panel. A crown flange is associated with the top extremities of the upper panels. An outwardly directed base flange is associated with the bottom extremities of the lower panels. An outwardly directed shoulder extends in joinder between the bottom extremities of the upper panels and the top extremities of the lower panels. The shoulder is parallel to the crown flange and positioned half way between the crown and base flanges of the tallest side wall. The features of the curb are configured and dimensioned such as to permit nesting of a plurality of the curbs.

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: An apparatus and method for securing a structure and its roof against damage from high winds. A harness of a plurality of strap-like elements runs from or over the roof of a structure to anchors in the ground, with a coarse fabric such as shadecloth attached to and running between the strap-like elements. As the wind velocity increases, the wind pressure against the shadecloth in the area between the eaves of the roof and the ground increases, thus increasing the downward tension on the harness and further securing the roof and structure against damage.

Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight, strong and durable casting that has a surface appearance simulating carved stone, and is especially adapted for use as a transition between a brick or stone wall and window and door openings. Further, it provides architectural detail to building constructions, especially as a surround for window and door openings. The casting is produced from a mixture of graded aggregates and a resin binder, combined in predetermined proportions to make a soupy mixture that is cast in a mold. The mold is vibrated to cause migration of air bubbles away from the surface of the molded product, and to cause realignment and orientation of the aggregate materials in a way to enhance the structure and surface density of the product. After the casting has set, it is removed from the mold and cured and the surface is sandblasted to erode away some of the resin binder and portions of the aggregate at the surface to produce an appearance that is an accurate simulation of carved stone.

Abstract: A lumber straightening apparatus includes generally a force application section and a lumber engaging section. In a preferred application, the lumber engaging section is inserted over a stud being secured as part of a stud wall. Force is applied to the force application section to cause a first end of the stud to rotate relative to a second end of the stud. After rotation and upon positioning the first end in proper alignment and orientation relative to a cross piece, the first end is secured to a cross piece in a parallel and square manner relative to the cross piece.