Abstract: The invention relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1?) which have a body (30), a lower balancing layer (34) and an upper surface layer (32). A strip (6) is integrally formed with the body (30) of the floorboard (1) and extends under an adjoining floorboard (1?). The strip (6) has a locking element (8), which engages a looking groove (14) in the underside of the adjoining floorboard (1?) and forms a horizontal joint. A tongue (38) and a tongue groove (36) form a vertical joint between upper and lower plane-parallel contact surfaces (43, 45) and are designed in such manner that the lower contact surfaces (45) are on a level between the upper side of the locking element (8) and a plane containing the underside (3) of the floorboard. The invention also relates to a floorboard having such a locking system, a floor made of such floorboards, as well as a method for making such a locking system.

Abstract: A masonry block that is produced from a workpiece that is split in a block splitting assembly which uses engagement surfaces that are enhanced with, for example, alternating ridges and valleys, preferably in combination with workpiece-engaging projections, to supplement or replace the action of the splitting blade in splitting and dressing the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved decorative brick having a display face with a network of deep interconnected grooves to produce a mosaic-like appearance, and patios made with such brick. A manufacturing method for such decorative brick.

Abstract: Articles comprising simulated stone block walls and artist's canvases may be formed by providing a burlap or canvas substrate, coating the substrate with a layer of gypsum wallboard finishing compound or similar plaster-like composition, and folding or otherwise manipulating the substrate when a predetermined set or hardening of the composition has occurred to create cracks, crevices and chipped corners of the article, for example, to simulate a broken stone block or an aged artist's work.

Abstract: A system and process for sealing exterior windows and doors of a building. For sealing a window, four slots are formed in the building wall spaced from the window. Four panels of material are obtained each having an elongated planar portion with two spaced apart edges and two flanges extending in opposite direction from the two edges respectively. One of each of the flanges of the panels are located in the four slots respectively and each of the other flanges are located next to the window. The lower ends of the two side panels overlap the laterally extending ends of the two side panels, and the upper panel overlaps the upper extending ends of the two side panels. The invention also is applicable to door frames in which case the lower panel will not be employed.

Abstract: A fireplace assembly is comprised of a fireplace surround having surround leg portions which may be inserted into a base to adjust the elevation of the fireplace surround. The base may include one or more elongated slots or other openings for receiving lower end portions of the surround leg portions. These surround leg portions may be slidably coupled or otherwise movable relative to a surround breast portion to facilitate width adjustment of the spacing between the surround leg portions. A mantel assembly may also be included.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for constructing a finished convex or concave curved wall of any desired radius beyond a specified minimum. The wall is constructed of pre-finished rectangular panels retained on a sub-wall structure in horizontal rows and vertical columns. The panels are retained on the sub-wall structure with vertical rails at their vertical edges and retainer clips spaced along their horizontal edges. The panels are slotted at their rear face to provide rigidity in the vertical direction and flexibility in the horizontal direction. The horizontal edges of the panels are kerfed to receive the retainer clips and flexible splice strips that conform to the curvature of the wall and align and space a panel with the panel immediately above it. Clips attaching vertical edges of the panels to the rails allow the associated areas of the panels to align tangentially with the curvature of the wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to an Air handling unit casing in which the circulated air is thermally conditioned and prevents the change of the thermal condition of the circulated air due to air leakage and thermal bridge. It has a modular structure which can be disassembled in the case of the necessity and is constructed from panels (1) which are made of an inner skin (15), an outer skin (16) and insulation material (9) therebetween, doors (2) and door frames (3). The embodiment of the panels (1) does not allow the direct contact of the inner and outer skin and reduces the thermal bridge and air leakage through the unit by employing gaskets (8, 11, 17), plastic bushing (18) and heat barrier slits (28). The panels (1) can be joined to each other side by side or perpendicularly.

Abstract: Floor covering hard panels having at least on two opposite edges, coupling elements made in one piece with the panels, so that several ones of such panels can be mutually coupled, whereby these coupling elements provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges and parallel to the plane of the panels, and whereby these coupling elements are made such that the panels can be rotated into and/or out of one another at least along the above-mentioned edges. The panels are provided, at least on the above-mentioned edges, near the top side, with a part from which has been removed an amount of material such as by a bevel.

Abstract: A wall siding system for simulating a log wall structure having notched, interlocking log ends includes a plurality of cambered side planks with each side plank having opposed longitudinal tongue and groove edges for interconnecting to adjacent side planks so that the side planks can be secured to vertical wall surfaces, and a plurality of end caps that straddle and cover the corner of adjoining vertical wall surfaces and that are securable to each adjacent vertical wall surface for creating an alternating and interlocking arrangement thereby simulating authentic notched log ends. The end caps project past the corner of adjoining vertical wall surfaces whereupon the end caps that are secured to spacer elements of one vertical wall surface alternate with and project at a right angle to the end caps secured to the spacer elements of the adjoining vertical wall surface.

Abstract: In a dock unit for maintenance of aircraft there is provided, in addition to an outer support which supportingly engages against a frame disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft in the vicinity of the end of said frame and is adjustable, a further support which is located further in and is likewise adjustable. The distance between the two supports is greater than the largest dimension of the wings of the aircraft to be maintained, measured in the longitudinal direction of the fuselage. One of the supports can therefore be temporarily retracted in order to move a wing past and below this support.

Abstract: A bolster for use in construction having a plurality of leg members arranged in generally parallel spaced relationship to each other, a beam integrally formed with the plurality of leg members and extending transversely across the leg members, a first plate affixed to one side of the plurality of leg members and a second plate affixed to an opposite side of the plurality of leg members. Each of the plates has a generally flat bottom surface. A clip is provided on the plates for fixedly attaching the plates to respective feet of the leg members.

Abstract: A stairway system is disclosed that includes a plurality of spaced apart treads; a handrail; and at least two balusters per tread. Each baluster includes a top length segment, a bottom length segment and a turning length segment, the turning length segment including a portion of defined features. According to the present invention, a length of the turning length segment of a subsequent baluster is greater than a length of the turning length segment of a previous baluster on the same tread according to the equation of the riser height divided by the total number of balusters. Thus, each of a portion of the defined feature in the bottom length segment of each of the balusters align with the tread for each baluster. In the preferred embodiment, only four different baluster lengths are necessary for both two and three balusters per tread stairway systems.

Abstract: Prefabricated, light-weight, columnar or rectangular, convertible to fencing or stand-alone columns resemble solid brick and masonry structures built by skilled masons. Modules comprise heavy duty durable plastic liners with corner reinforcements comprising heavy duty square plastic tubing, faced with concrete, mortar and exterior brick and mortar. Modules are erected on concrete footings equipped with (1) raised studs that mate with square plastic tubing and (2) embedded anchor bolts which mate with bottom apertures. Ends of rectangular modules are bolted together and columnar faces. Capitols are of same plastic faced with concrete or mortar and brick veneer. Black plastic tubing simulating wrought iron may be disposed along wall tops. Module inner spaces may be ballast-filled.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for lifting and leveling an existing building. At least a first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape and a second support section are coupled together by a fastening device that provides the apparatus with stability once the apparatus has been installed. A jack is used to raise the foundation of the existing building to a desired height. The apparatus is attached to the foundation of the building from underneath the building or from a location adjacent a side of the building. The non-cylindrical support section has low bearing and high friction characteristics. The low bearing characteristics enable the apparatus to be driven further into the earth than cylindrical pilings that are commonly used to lift and level existing buildings. The high friction characteristics assist in maintaining the stability of the apparatus once it has been installed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing studs (9) or the like generally oblong pieces comprising a central web (14) and opposite flanges (8a, 8b) connected thereto. The present invention also relates to a stud system comprising such studs, as well as to methods for attaching such studs between an upper and a lower surface. Said flanges (8a, 8b) are formed of an essentially latch-like waste wood material which has been generated in mechanical wood processing, whereby a contact surface (13) is formed at the side of a respective opposite flange latch (8a, 8b) for co-operation with a surface (13a) shaped in a corresponding manner at a web (14) which also is made of wood, suitably of said waste wood material. Said contact surfaces (13, 13a) are glued, favorably under press, together so that said web (14) and said flanges (8a, 8b) attached thereto form an essentially monolithic entity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular screening assembly for a piece of equipment on the roof of a building. The assembly includes two perpendicular sets of channels that are rigidly secured to and cantilevered from a base of the equipment. Each channel set has one or two sets of common ends. A vertically oriented framework formed by a number of frame sections is secured to the common ends. Each frame section is secured to one set of common ends and spaced a uniform distance from the equipment. Each frame section is formed by one or more like-shaped frame segments. Each frame segment holds one like-shaped panel. Two or more modular screening assemblies can be combined to form an integrated screening assembly around several pieces of equipment. Two or more tiers of framework and panels can be stacked vertically to attain a desired screening height.

Abstract: A heating arrangement for protecting a building eave from build-up of ice and snow: The heating arrangement includes an elongated, heat conductive strip adapted for installation along a building eave and an elongated heating element extending within the strip. The strip is formed to be attached to the building eave, and includes an elongated attachment flange which is secured by a plurality of fasteners. Depending on heating requirements, two or more of the elongated heating elements, spaced from one another, can be employed, and a further heating element can be installed within any rain gutter extending along the building eave.

Abstract: A stiffener system includes a stiffener and a fastener means. The stiffener includes an extruded body that includes a plurality of projections. The stiffener couples to the apparatus to facilitate increasing a structural integrity of the apparatus. The fastener means secures the stiffener to the apparatus.

Abstract: A construction beam includes a pair of lateral members and a resilient web extending therebetween, so as to present a cross-sectional profile corresponding to commonly used construction beam members. The resilience of the web helps to attenuate sound transmission through the beam from one lateral member to the other. Ends of the resilient web are fixed to respective ones of the lateral members on opposite sides of an imaginary reference plane passing orthogonally through both of the lateral members. In particular, in a wall frame, the lateral members are mounted at opposite ends thereof to end plates consisting of other construction beams according to the present invention. When used in a frame of a building structure, the lateral members of the end plates on the same side are attached to the surrounding structure, leaving the other side of the frame resiliently free floating.