Abstract: A cladded door frame system includes spaced left and right frame members orthogonally joined at upper portions thereof to a header, thus defining a door opening having exterior and interior sides. Each frame member includes a side jamb and a brickmold orthogonally extending along an exteriorly disposed surface of the side jamb. First, second and third metal cladding strips frictionally engage a respective frame member. Each cladding strip includes a U-shaped inner flange that engages three surfaces of one of the jambs and a U-shaped outer flange that engages three surfaces of one of the brickmolds. The inner flange is joined to the outer flange at an orthogonal orientation. The inner flange engages most of the surface area of the respective side jamb.

Abstract: A retractable trackless spa enclosure includes at least two sections, a first section being slightly smaller than a second section. The first section may be retracted into the second section in reverse telescoping fashion. Both sections are mounted on wheels so that the spa may be more easily moved. Both sections of the enclosure may also include a sliding door for access/egress. In addition, the front end panel of the front section is pivotally mounted on rollers that move within a track. The pivotal mounting allows the front end panel to be rotated in its frame, so that it can be moved to a position horizontal to the ground, thereby providing sufficient clearance for the enclosure to pass over the spa. When the enclosure is retracted, the front end panel can be moved to a position adjacent the end wall of the rear section, so that an open-ended alcove is formed. The frame of the structure is formed from extruded aluminum, and is therefore very lightweight.

Abstract: In a structure for installing a viscous vibration-damping wall, high-strength bolt hole portions are provided for connecting a lower-floor girder and a base plate forming part of the wall. Gusset plates are disposed on both sides of the group of the high-strength bolt hole portions. A pair of flange plates are respectively provided with a pair of gusset plates. High-strength bolt hole portions and a pair of gusset plates for connection to opposing gusset plates are embedded in a flange of the lower-floor girder, to connect the viscous vibration-damping wall and the lower-floor girder. The viscous vibration-damping wall is connected to an upper-floor girder by directly connecting a gusset plate fixed to the upper-floor girder and an intermediate plate of the viscous vibration-damping wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a siding boards attachment structure having excellent ventilation characteristics and a high siding-board fixing strength, and a fastening member to be used therewith. The fastening member is disposed to span an upper horizontal edge of a lower siding board and a lower horizontal edge of an upper siding board, and fixes the siding boards to a framework of a building. The fastening member includes a base plate portion having a flat rear side surface, a support portion projecting forward from the base plate portion, an upper-board engagement portion bent upward from the support portion, a lower-board engagement portion bent downward from the support portion, and spacing portions individually formed at left and right sides of the base plate portion, each of the spacing portions having a front face which is forward from the base plate portion and rearward from the front end of the support portion.

Abstract: Slidable connections from a support to a supported section combined with slidable end connections between adjoining supported sections allow relative motion between adjoining supported sections to be limited to less than the relative motion between adjoining supports. This is accomplished in an open-gap mullion embodiment for supporting a curtain wall assembly by providing an open gap between mullion sections equal to or less than a tolerable range for the curtain wall. When floor support deflections close the gap, further floor deflection causes an adjacent lower mullion section to provide support for the contacted upper mullion section. In a limited-gap embodiment, the gap between mullion section may exceed the tolerable motion of the associated curtain wall assembly, but a slidable gap-limiting means is provided to limit relative displacement between sections. In addition, the slidable mullion sections can be field installed without the need for field drilling and/or welding.

Abstract: A deck plank (12) readily attaches to an engagement clip (46) when force is applied over the plank. When a plurality of clips are attached to underlying joists in parallel with the joists, and a plurality of deck planks are oriented to the clip perpendicular to the joist and pushed down over clips, a secure deck structure is provided. Each clip has a pair of horizontal flanges (52 and 54), which snap over a plurality of ledges (42 and 44) in a channel under each plank. The deck planks (12) are embossed (14) so as to form a slip resistant surface to be walked upon. The plastic extruded deck plank (12) resists rot, deterioration and insect infection found in current wood products. The deck plank assembly is simple enough so that a homeowner or do-it-yourselfer can install or alter it with minimal effort and direction.

Abstract: A system for sealing the gaps that occur along the perimeter of a building envelope, particularly along with installation of an exterior finish system channel, or screed, as occurs in the installation and application of stucco. It is common to have gaps occur between the channel, base plate, and foundation of the building envelope. The system utilizes a foam sealing element in combination with the channel, caulking, a fiberglass netting that is installed along the bottom of the channel and the face of the foundation, and, an adhesive sealant that seals and adheres the fiberglass netting to the foundation. The system includes several embodiments for use in either new construction or as an aftermarket product.

Abstract: A mullion connector connects a mullion to a building structure, the mullion connector having a first flange and a second flange in a plane generally perpendicular to the first flange with a first flange having a first fastener opening capable of allowing relative motion of the mullion connector relative to the mullion in at least one direction and a second flange having an second fastener opening capable of allowing relative motion of the mullion connector relative to the building in at least two generally perpendicular directions. By placing the second flange on a generally horizontal surface such as a building floor, and loosely fastening the second flange through the second fastener opening to a building anchor, the first flange opening may be attached to the mullion allowing up and down and rotational motion while the second flange opening allows in & out and left to right motion while supporting the mullion.

Abstract: A pier support system comprises a support pier with a load-spreading plate that is laterally braced at the top to an anchor plate pinned to the ground just under the periphery of a modular building. The support pier is placed directly under the support girders of the modular building at critical points, and the lateral bracing runs outboard at a down angle of 35°-55°. Sufficient working room exists just inside the periphery of the modular building for large pinning rods to be driven into the ground through the anchor plate.

Abstract: A locking ground hole cover is disclosed comprising a cover plate with a scissor-type apparatus suspended therefrom which apparatus can be actuated from above the cover plate. The apparatus allows for the locking of a hole by pulling the cover plate down into a sealed locked position with the hole mouth. Variations on the device are disclosed.

Abstract: An access floor panel having an improved applied edge trim element comprising a panel base capable of being suspended above a subfloor surface, having a load surface for supporting loads, and a method for forming such an edge trim element. Affixed to the load surface is a covering comprising a top layer having a thickness and an underlying backing layer. The covering further comprises a wear surface with a central portion and perimeter edges therearound, the wear surface along the perimeter edges of the covering being etched to a depth that is less than the thickness of the top layer. An edge trim element, such as ink, is applied to the etched portion of the covering, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the access floor panel.

Abstract: A window frame for positioning in a fence. The window frame includes a first frame having a first side, a second side, an outer perimeter edge, and an inner perimeter edge. A shoulder is integrally coupled to and extends away from the outer perimeter edge. The second side has a plurality of slots extending therein. The first frame has a shape substantially identical to the opening in the fence. A screen member is securely attached to the inner perimeter edge such that the screen member extends across the first frame. A plurality of fastening means removably fastens the first frame to the fence wall. A second frame has an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface is adapted to cover the second side of the first frame and has a plurality of protruding members thereon, each positioned to be removably extended into one of the slots.

Abstract: An escapable area well cover includes an elevated body having a top gently sloping away from a building, and a trio of sides that extend generally vertically. A casement window is pivotal beneath the cover, and may be either right or left hinged and still fully opened. The cover additionally includes a pair of flanges adjacent the building that permit the cover to conform to irregular building surfaces while also increasing the strength of the cover. A second pair of flanges cooperates with the top of the area well, to both support the cover and also shed moisture away from the area well. The cover is most preferably fabricated from an ultraviolet resistant plastic such as UV protected polycarbonate, and may be formed by many different techniques, but is most preferably vacuum thermoformed.

Abstract: A post cap assembly having a body including a generally vertical side defining an interior volume. A one locating member projecting into the interior volume and having a stop formed thereon for positioning the post cap on a support. Furthermore, the post cap having an upper portion to selectively receive a light source. The light source reflected down over and substantially illuminating only the sides of the post cap through apertures selectively formed in eaves on the tops of the sides.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete deck structure particularly adaptable for bridge spans is made up of superimposed layers of concrete with a corrugated metal pan therebetween along with a plurality of reinforcing bars which extend transversely of and through the corrugations. Individual, partially completed slabs are precast and are then placed on a bridge span and covered with a second layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a block forming a dead form work element for the construction of a mechanically resistant concrete wall. The block essentially comprises two parts (1a, 1b) which can be assembled, each part consisting of a main surface (10a, 10b) which is integral with and acts as the starting point on one side for bracing elements in the form of a shaft (11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 14b), whereby said parts when assembled rest against each other and interlock via the ends of the bracing elements. The invention can be used to improve the construction of swimming pools.

Abstract: A modular wall panel for manufacturing an exterior wall is made from a substantially flat rectangular insulating foam core having two opposite surfaces, two opposite side edges, a width defined by the opposite side edges, opposite top and bottom edges, and a length defined by the top and bottom edges. The panel also has at least one elongated longitudinal support stud and at least one elongated transverse stud, each mounted to the foam core. The first side edge of the panel has a first face extending between the opposite surfaces and the second side edge has a second face extending between the opposite surfaces. Each face defines an elongated first channel when the first face of one panel is abutted against the second face of an adjacent panel and the first channel has an elongated first cavity and an opening extending to the first surface of the panels.

Abstract: A positioning device for positioning a reinforcement bar within a masonry block. The positioning device includes a core with a central opening and an openable seam, a support structure having support arms connected to the core and arranged and configured for holding the positioning device in a desired position in a cavity of the masonry block. The core is arranged and configured such that a gap can be formed along the seam, the gap being configured to receive the reinforcement bar, and the core encloses the reinforcement bar within the central opening when the gap is closed.

Abstract: Cementitious building panels are connected together using a connector plate made of a composite material of carbon fibers embedded in an organic matrix. The interconnection is made by removing cementitious material to form recesses in the building panels, applying an adhesive material into the recesses prior to placing the connector plate into the recesses, and thereafter affixing the connector plate to the first-panel face and to the second-panel face in the recesses and extending across the gap between the first-panel edge and the second-panel edge.

Abstract: A componentized, three dimensional, self-aligning, self-engineering building system for homes and similar constructions involving a plurality of individual, separately installable components of predetermined height selectively arranged, positioned and secured to each other in side-by-side relationship along the perimeter of and also secured on a previously prepared flat supporting surface for a home; and modeling blocks representing the components.