Abstract: A one piece beam means used a post to support a longitudinal impact-resistant member, such as a guardrail along a highway. The one piece, stamped construction simplifies installation because fewer steps and parts are involved.

Abstract: An interlocking rectangular sheet of simulated shakes for lock-up assembly upon a structure in an upwardly directed fashion having a thermo-formed base sheet with an exposure surface and a top and bottom surface. The bottom surface terminates in a cross-sectionally “U” shaped, clipping member. The top surface has a plurality of punched key portions, certain of which having apertured, flanged, assemblies thereon. All of the key portions allow for receiving securing members for attachment of the sheet to the structure, including the flanged portions. The apertured, flanged assemblies and the clipping members cooperate positively to interconnect in the upwardly directed fashion to provide, when secured to the structure by the securing members, a substantial inability to be removed or displaced by weather conditions. The flanged assemblies have an extended “S” shaped configuration.

Abstract: A sinusoidal structural member having a dual component flange is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the flange (both upper and lower) is comprised of at least two components. These two components can be produced by dividing the flange lengthwise; where the division plane is substantially parallel to the plane of the web, when observing a standard flange-web relationship; and the geometry of the division border substantially matches the sinusoidal geometry of the web. The two resulting flange components substantially complement one another; wherein the sine peak of one component fits within the sine valley of its corresponding component, leaving a gap sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the web to be interposed. The sinusoidal web, substantially matching the division pattern of the flange components, is compressively sandwiched between the flange components, with sufficient compression to bring the sinusoidal web within dimensional compliance.

Abstract: A mullion assembly that is removably positioned within an opening. The invention includes a tube having telescoping members that fit together and are adjustable between a variety of lengths. The ends of the tube mount to first and second edges of the opening. A biasing mechanism positioned within the tube provides for adjusting the overall length of the tube. In one embodiment, a locking mechanism is located within the tube to prevent the telescoping members from moving relative to each other thus preventing the tube from being reduced in length and removed from first and second mounting assemblies and removed from the opening.

Abstract: A column for use in post-frame construction having a two piece construction in which a first or foundation column portion of the column is set into the earth with a proximal end thereof protruding from the earth. The proximal end of the foundation column includes a column bracket for joining the foundation column to a wooden column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention. The foundation column of the present invention comprises a precast concrete column. The foundation column of the present invention advantageously resists degradation of its mechanical properties due to environmental influences while providing the necessary strength to support a post-frame building, including, e.g., the environmental loads received by the building. The wood column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention advantageously provides ease of workability to complete construction of a post-frame building.

Abstract: A method of modifying a thermal barrier assembly that includes a channel, the method including exposing a surface of a channel to a plasma that includes metal moieties and depositing the metal moieties on the surface of the channel.

Abstract: An expansion joint cover (10) comprises a first plate (18) hingedly attached to a first surface (14) of an expansion joint (12), a second plate (20) hingedly attached to the first plate (18), and a housing (26) fixedly secured to a second surface (16) of the expansion joint (12). During installation, a front plate (52) of the housing (26) can rotate about a hinge (58) to allow the second plate (20) to be installed within the housing (26). In use, the second plate (20) slides within the housing (26) to accommodate variations in separation distance and vertical offset between the two surfaces (14,16). Two hinges (36,44) accommodate variations in torsion between the two surfaces (14,16). The combination of the second plate (20) sliding within the housing (26) and the two hinges (36,44) accommodates variations in lateral offset between the two surfaces (14,16).

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 floor covering panel made of a hard laminated assembly including a wood-base core includes coupling parts formed in one piece with the core, wherein the coupling parts provide locking elements for preventing the drifting apart of coupled panels in directions perpendicular to the mutual edges along which the panels are coupled and perpendicular to the mutual edges and parallel to a plane including coupled floor panels, and further wherein the mechanical locking elements include an upper surface portion of the tongue extending toward the panel upper side and cooperating with a portion of an upper wall of the groove in which the tongue is coupled in locking relationship, and wherein a portion of the upper surface of the tongue includes the surface sloping away from the panel upper side in a distal direction of the tongue at the distal upper end area of the tongue.

Abstract: A plurality of sheet supports 50 or 70 of approximate rectangular configuration are placed on adjacent purlins 14 of a partially completed roof of an industrial building, about the second row of roof insulation support carriages 10. When the carriages are advanced along the lengths of the purlins to apply the sheet material 34 to the purlins, the sheet supports 50 or 70 move in unison with the carriages of the second row of carriages and the rear segment 54 supports the sheet material in the spaces 60 over which the carriage is mounted and the side segments 56 and 58 support the sheet material extending from the first row of carriages in the next adjacent spaces between the purlins. This avoids the sagging of the sheet material between the purlins at the time when the hard roof panels 37 are fastened to the purlins.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for constructing decks, adapted for use with wood composite materials. The invention may include the application of facing to cover the materials used in forming the outer edge or rim of the deck and the underlying deck support members. Additionally, the invention may include railing structures that involve a combination of wood composite and metal elements, coordinated with other deck features.

Abstract: A residential structure preferably has an N-sided polygonal footprint which has a central vertical axis. Inner walls separate a central common area from a number of outer individual residential units, each such unit occupying a sector of the footprint along an associated side thereof. Advantageously, the central common area includes a pool in a courtyard.

Abstract: A self-cleaning flooring system for catching waste products has at least one module comprising a drain pan and a floor grid. The drain pan has a ramp and a central drain outlet. The ramp extends around the drain pan defining a drain pan periphery. The ramp slopes downward from the drain pan periphery towards the drain outlet. The drain pan periphery has a plurality of discharge ports spaced therealong for discharge of flushing fluid onto the ramp such that the waste products are washed down the ramp towards the drain outlet. The floor grid extends across the drain pan and is mounted upon the drain pan periphery for supporting personnel standing thereon while permitting waste products to pass therethrough. The module is interconnectable to horizontally adjacent modules to form the flooring system.

Abstract: A wall structure adapted to be fabricated in sections or modules and comprises an upper member, a lower member, a plurality of studs interconnected between the upper and lower members with respective studs including openings therein, and at least one diagonal brace member extending through the openings within the studs and interconnected between opposed corners of the wall structure. Because the internal brace extends generally centrally through the plane of the wall, the wall structure is designed to carry loads concentrically from the point of applied loads to a foundation or other termination point.

Abstract: A impact protection system for building openings, such as windows and doors, includes a shutter assembly having angled blades extending between frame members in such as manner that access areas are provided when the shutters are closed to permit insertion of a storm bar clip to secure a reinforcing storm bar. The storm bar can be secured to the surrounding wall by removable wall mounts.

Abstract: A reinforced composite system for constructing insulated concrete structures comprising, panels having a foam plastic core between outside and inside reinforcement layers, reinforcement layers substantially strengthen the panels during material handling and construction, greatly reducing deflection of the panels between studs when placing concrete allowing walls to be filled in one lift. Panels are placed horizontally in an opposing and parallel spaced-apart relation. Opposing panels are placed end to end in rows and stacked vertically, rows of panels being staggered from each other so panel ends in adjacent rows do not line up vertically. Vertical studs are embedded in panels extending the full height of the panels, each stud having a flange for receiving mechanical fasteners and groove for receiving spreaders. A plurality of spreaders at each stud location extend between opposing panels and slidably engaging the studs in opposing panels.

Abstract: A floor system composed of a finished flooring preferably secured to a subfloor, a plurality of shock absorber members are fixed to the bottom surface of the floor surface at spaced intervals and in which each of the shock absorber members includes an elastomeric base member provided with a cavity which accommodates an insert member for adjusting the cushioning ability of the base member.

Abstract: A tarpaulin can be connected by clamp devices to a beam assembly for transfer of the beam through a tarpaulin handling machine. The beam assembly has a number of parallel, through beam rods and on each beam rod a number of beam tubes, which are alternatingly rigidly connected to a corresponding beam tube on a neighboring beam rod and are rotatable on the beam rod.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

Abstract: Stackable modular arena seating risers include permanently attached high quality fold down seats that are the equal of normal arena seats. Stacking of the riser modules is facilitated by the use of quick lock stacking tubes fit into locator cups permanently attached into each corner of the deck of each module. Fork lifting channels of the proper size and spacing are provided on three sides of each module to facilitate movement of the entire stack and the stacking, unstacking, and movement of individual modules.