Abstract: A one-piece rain gutter and leaf guard apparatus is formed from a single sheet of aluminum. The rain gutter includes a formed trough portion that has a conventional scalloped front aesthetic appearance with a generally vertical back wall and a smooth bottom floor. The leaf guard portion is integrally formed with the trough portion and includes a 180 degree fold that permits generally vertical movement of the leaf guard portion relative to the trough portion. A rear reinforcement flange is formed to project above the trough and leaf guard for mounting of the gutter to the facing board of the roof soffit below the drip edge of the roof. The front edge of the leaf guard is connected to the forward edge of the trough portion by detachable fasteners to provide a rigid support to the forward edge of the gutter trough along the entire length of the gutter.

Abstract: Interlocking blocks for construction preferably include an in-line block, a corner block, an offset block and end blocks. The in-line block includes a connector extension disposed on one end and a connector cavity formed on the opposite end thereof. The connector cavity is sized to receive the connector extension. First and second retention projections preferably extend from a face of the in-line block. The corner block preferably includes the connector extension formed on one end and the connector cavity formed in a side at the opposite end thereof. The offset block includes the connector extension formed on one side at one end and the connector cavity formed on the opposite side at the opposite end thereof. The end block includes a connector extension or a connector cavity disposed on one end. At least one cavity is formed through each block.

Abstract: An elongate flexible track is flexibly positionable from an initial straight configuration to a non-straight configuration having a horizontal, vertical or compound curvature in which it is lockable with locking elements. The track has a plurality of stud receiving components each being formed with a horizontal base wall having a longitudinal edge and a transverse edge, a side wall on a first side of the track and a side wall on a second side of the track, the side walls extending vertically from respective longitudinal edges of the base wall. The base and side walls define a space in which a stud end of an elongate stud can be mounted. Adjacent stud receiving components are joined by linking elements which include pivot elements about which the linking elements are adjustable in one or more directions. At least one locking elements passage is provided on each side of the track.

Abstract: A compressible seal for a loading dock includes a pliable heat shield that helps protect the seal from concentrated heat generated by a truck's taillight being pressed against the seal. The seal includes a compressible foam core protected by a tough outer covering. The heat shield is preferably placed against the foam core, just underneath the cover. The shield reflects heat away from the foam and helps disperse the heat over a broader area to reduce the peak temperature of any hot spots.

Abstract: Gutter protector (10) comprises a profiled sheet (28) that extends over a gutter invert (24A) above a gutter floor (24) for collecting water and debris that would otherwise directly collect in the gutter invert (24A). The gutter protector (10) includes a spacer (30) for spacing adjacent profiled sheets (28) by a first gap (32) that allows water to the substantial exclusion of leaves and debris to fall through the gap (32) into the underlying gutter invert (24A). The profiled sheet (28) includes a planer liquid impervious portion (34) having an outer edge (36) adjacent an outer wall (22) of gutter (12) and an inner edge (38) disposed to lie adjacent or in substantial alignment with a lower edge (40) of a roof covering (18). A channel (48) is disposed adjacent to and extends along the inner edge (38) of planar portion (34). Channel (48) has a base (50) below the planar portion and a first wall (52) that extends between the base (50) and inner edge (38).

Abstract: Exemplary methods and assemblies for preventing corrosion of metal connector devices, e.g., zinc-galvanized joist hangers and fasteners, used for assembling outdoor structures such as decks from wood components pretreated with alkaline copper quat (ACQ), ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ-B), copper azole (CA), or mixtures thereof. Membrane barriers separate metal from wood, and seal around fasteners thus minimizing corrosion of the connector devices and fasteners.

Abstract: In a water diversion system, in a preferred embodiment, a first fold of a deflector is disposed into a first hanger cavity and a second deflector fold is disposed into a second hanger cavity. The first fold of the deflector cooperates with the first cavity of the hanger to allow a resistance hinge-like action of the deflector. The deflector may be lifted open by compression of a curve of the deflector to remove the second fold of the deflector from the second hanger cavity. Methods are provided in which, in a preferred embodiment, a deflector-forming machine is disposed above a trough-forming machine and the deflector-forming machine is moveable forward and backward relative to the trough-forming machine.

Abstract: A process of retrofitting an existing window that uses a gasket to secure a sacrificial member and a glazing. The sacrificial member forms a replaceable protective barrier between the glazing and occupants of a vehicle such as a bus. The gasket is traditionally used to secure the sacrificial member and the glazing to the window. Over time, after several removal and re-installations during replacement of the sacrificial member or the glazing, the gasket typically becomes unfit for subsequent use. The gasket is replaced with a rigid retainer member that fits into an existing recess that receives the gasket. The retainer member secures the sacrificial member and the glazing to the window so as to permit repeated changes of the sacrificial member without removal of the retainer member.

Abstract: A device for setting and leveling tile is provided that comprises an elongated straight edge. The straight edge includes a horizontal tile support flange and a vertical flange. A support leg is adjustably attached to the vertical flange adjacent each end of the straight edge and a bubble level is centered on the vertical flange between the support legs. The thickness of the horizontal support flange is sized so that after all the courses of tile are laid and the straight edge is removed, only a layer of grout is required to complete the installation. If the floor is not level, the support legs are adjusted to center the bubble in the level prior to laying the tiles. When leveling tile around a bathtub, an adjustable brace is affixed onto each of the support legs. Each brace includes and adjustment slot therethrough and a rubber boot secured on one end for engaging the bottom of the tub for supporting the straight edge on the edge of the tub.

Abstract: A vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block for use in wall construction includes a sheet of solar radiation reflective material disposed therein to define two compartments within the plastic block. A vent is disposed in a side wall of the plastic block in fluid communication with each of the compartments to alleviate any pressure increase/decrease within the plastic block and for discharging any condensation within the plastic block that may occur.

Abstract: A lateral force resisting system includes a rigid structural panel and holdowns. A foundation bolt placement template may be used to locate and support the foundation bolts during fabrication of the foundation and to further secure the frame foundation interface. The rigid structural panel may be a vertical truss or a rigid structural frame with a wooden panel covering one side and interconnecting the members of the rigid structural frame. The wooden panel may be made up of multiple panes to tailor the response of the panel to the lateral force load. The holdowns secure the rigid structural panel to the foundation bolts and may be either a folded strap and pin embodiment or self-tightening.

Abstract: A stabilized window structure and method for stabilizing a window structure having a window frame entirely or substantially entirely devoid of glass includes a patch removably secured over the window frame to cover the opening in its entirety and a body of unifying material disposed over and bonded to the patch to form a cohesive mass therewith. Alternatively, a pre-formed, polymeric foam panel is removably secured over the window frame to cover the entirety of the opening. A method of removing a shattered window pane involves using pre-existing cracks in the pane to define the formation of separately removable, disconnected cohesive masses. A method of removing shards from a track of a window structure involves removing the shards as part of a single cohesive mass, as pieces of a single cohesive mass or as separate, disconnected cohesive masses.

Abstract: A floor drain (100) comprising a bottom part (4) having at least one discharge opening (5), a front part being integral with the bottom part (4) and having a first part (3b) being inclined to said bottom part at an angle being at least 30°, such as at least 45°, preferably at least 60° more preferably at least 75° and even more preferably about 90° or at least 90° and having a flange part (3a) being horizontal or inclined to horizontal at an angle being less than 20° such as less than 17°, preferably less than 15°, such as less than 10°, more preferably less than 5°, tow side walls (2) integral with said bottom part and said first part, and a back part (1) being integral with said bottom part (4), said back part (1) extending vertically from the bottom part (4), through and above the plane defined by the flange part (3a).

Abstract: A compressible seal for a loading dock includes a pliable heat shield that helps protect the seal from concentrated heat generated by a truck's taillight being pressed against the seal. The seal includes a compressible foam core protected by a tough outer covering. The heat shield is preferably placed against the foam core, just underneath the cover. The shield reflects heat away from the foam and helps disperse the heat over a broader area to reduce the peak temperature of any hot spots.

Abstract: A bird deterrent has a base and at least one branched spike extending from the base. The branching can occur anywhere along the spike, and a single branch point can give rise to multiple branches. Spikes can have multiple branches. The various branches can be of any suitable length(s), and can be oriented in any suitable direction(s).

Abstract: A shelter and a method of providing a shelter are provided. The shelter includes a roof structure supported by a plurality of wall structures. The wall structures are anchored securely into at least one foundation. A display panel extends adjacent to at least one of the wall structures but is structurally separate therefrom. The display panel includes advertising materials.

Abstract: A stabilized window structure and method for stabilizing a window structure having a window frame entirely or substantially entirely devoid of glass includes a patch removably secured over the window frame to cover the opening in its entirety and a body of unifying material disposed over and bonded to the patch to form a cohesive mass therewith. Alternatively, a pre-formed, polymeric foam panel is removably secured over the window frame to cover the entirety of the opening. A method of removing a shattered window pane involves using pre-existing cracks in the pane to define the formation of separately removable, disconnected cohesive masses. A method of removing shards from a track of a window structure involves removing the shards as part of a single cohesive mass, as pieces of a single cohesive mass or as separate, disconnected cohesive masses.

Abstract: A two-ply flooring plank is disclosed having two layers or “plies” with a bottom layer having a grain that runs generally transverse to a top layer or “cross-ply” to provide dimensional stability to the plank. The bottom layer includes a number of strips secured to the bottom of the top layer. The bottom layer strips are also placed with gaps between the individual strips of the second layer to allow flexibility of the flooring plank, which allows the flooring to more easily conform to irregularities in a subfloor upon which the flooring plank is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a post-framing system for building construction. The post-framing system includes support posts and wall sections that can be prefabricated and transported to the job site for assembly. The support posts are at least 3-ply, having an upper ply member, a lower ply member, and at least one middle ply member attached to and interposed between the upper and lower ply members. Pre-framed low and high wall sections are attached to the support post to form the building frame.

Abstract: A doorjamb end cap and method of installation therefor, wherein application of the present invention to wooden doorjambs permits the enclosed or encased portion thereof to effectively resist or avoid the onset of rot therein, and wherein the present invention is effectuated without expensive extrusion processes and/or thermoplastic melt and adhesive applications.