Abstract: A curtain-type facade structure is described, comprising a fixedly supported substructure of vertical or horizontal basic profiled supports and crossing horizontal or vertical profiled supports mounted thereon, panel holders which are fastened to the supporting profiles, and facade panels which are retained by means of the panel holders. The panel holder is composed of separate components, one of the components being designed as a basic holder and another of the components being designed as an elastic clip. The elastic clip latches with the basic holder and forms a seat for the facade panels.

Abstract: A vented gutter system includes a gutter hanger and a ventilation strip. The gutter hanger preferably includes a lengthwise support, a plurality of hanger members and a plurality of mounting plates. Each hanger member includes a roof attachment leg and a fascia attachment member. Each mounting plate is attached to a single fascia attachment member. The plurality of hanger members are attached to the lengthwise support. The ventilation strip is secured to a bottom of the plurality of hanger members. A vented fascia system preferably includes a rear plate, a roof flange, at least two bracket spacers, a fascia plate and a ventilation strip. The roof flange is secured to one side of the bracket spacers and the rear plate is secured to the other side thereof. The ventilation strip is secured to the bracket spacers. The fascia plate is secured to the bracket spacers.

Abstract: A construction member includes a composite material offering strength and functionality. Embodiments of the present invention include a thermoplastic composite for use in applications such as decking, exterior siding, seating and furniture. In one embodiment, a structural member includes a glass-reinforced PVC core surrounded by a thermoplastic layer that further includes a thermoplastic with elastomer thermofoamed layer as a exterior layer. All three components can be extruded and bond together to form a composite material that offers appropriate structural strength with resistance to heating from sunlight.

Abstract: An adjustable connector is provided for connecting an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and an elongate generally horizontal supported structural member. The connector is provided with a side attachment member that attaches to an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and a cap that attaches to the elongate generally horizontal supported structural member, with a pin connection that enables rotation between the cap and the side attachment member. An unadjustable connector is also provided for connecting an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and an elongate generally horizontal supported structural member. The connector is provided with a side attachment member that can attach directly to an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and the elongate generally horizontal supported structural member.

Abstract: An improved building panel is presented to make wall surface assemblies on structural building frames. The edge-sealed building panel includes with self-aligning features between adjacent horizontal edges for quick mating and assembly. The building panels have protuberant upper edges mate with grooves on the lower edges for improved sealing and weatherproofing, due to the interlocking shape and the use of compliant seals between the edges. The horizontal mating edge shapes enable pivoting assembly by engaging the building panel obliquely and swinging it onto the wall surface. Vertical mating surfaces with compliant seals are shaped to engage perpendicularly to the wall plane, so that the compliant seals clamp shut without in-plane relative motion, improving seal integrity.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method of making an eave for a roof on a building is disclosed. The method may include providing a structure with at least two sides and a roof frame. The method may further include coupling at least two of a plurality of eave blocks with a first trim piece. The method may also include a step of coupling at least two of the plurality of eave blocks with a side of the structure. The method may additionally include coupling a roof piece with a top of the roof frame and a top of at least two of the plurality of eave blocks.

Abstract: The invention comprises a housing for recessed lights within a ceiling. The invention further comprises a system comprising several housings placed adjacent to each other and an associated method for placing the housings within the ceiling. The system has a series of housings with mounting extension and recessed indentations in which the mounting extensions fit so that two or more housings can be positioned adjacent to each other. The housings rest on a support bar and can be fixed into place by clips or fasteners.

Abstract: A floor hole repair fixture has at least one vertical side wall and a bottom wall which together define an inner volume. The fixture is connected to a hole in a floor with one or more fasteners and is filled with a non-shrink grout. A depending rim or flange extending from the at least one side wall helps seat the fixture within the hole. Intumescent material may be coated onto or applied to external fixture surfaces before the fixture is inserted into the hole. Floor covering material is installed over the grout-filled fixture.

Abstract: A plank is disclosed. The plank has a cellular thermoform plastic substrate, a groove formed in at least one planar surface of the cellular thermoform plastic substrate, and a fiber reinforced thermoset plastic backing on the at least one planar surface. The fiber reinforced thermoset plastic backing includes a fiber chord positioned in the groove, a fiber matt placed upon at least a portion of the one planar surface, and a cured strip thermoset resin on the one planar surface in which the fiber chord and the fiber matt are embedded. Planks for siding of buildings and a method of forming the plank are also disclosed.

Abstract: Currently, piping tapes are used as elastic masking elements of joints between lateral panels in an aircraft. According to one embodiment, a gap covering for cabin panels in an aircraft is provided, where the gap covering comprises a flexible cover region that is arranged between the cabin panels and finishes off so as to be substantially flush with surfaces of the panels. In this way, a lightweight economical gap covering which covers gaps in an effective and attractive manner and provides protection against injury is provided.

Abstract: A precast under floor air delivery construction is provided which includes a plurality of precast concrete system having an upper base floor surface and a lower surface, a plurality of floor panel support means bearing directly to the upper base floor surface capable of an under floor air delivery between the floor panels and the upper surface, a plurality of access floor panels connected to the support means, and a fire protection barrier applied between the concrete slabs.

Abstract: A collapsible structural member has been provided in which substantially identical modules made up of metal or plastic are threaded on a tensioning member such as a cable and are movable relative to each other in the collapsed condition of the beam and are brought together into a condition where adjacent modules are locked together to form a rigid construction when the beam is in its erected operating condition. The beam is changed from its erected condition to its collapsed condition by relaxing the tensioning member or cable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components for use in building construction. The invention provides wall components and systems which have fire-retardant characteristics, as well as wall components which allow for needed ventilation in a building throughout times when no fire is present. Embodiments include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving intumescent material. When the intumescent material becomes hot, it expands rapidly and fills its surrounding area, blocking fire, heat, and smoke from traveling to other areas of a building.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for aiding in the installation of successive horizontal layers of siding members (150) to a sidewall construction (50) of a building. The apparatus also seals the vertical and horizontal seams between adjoining and successive horizontal layers of the siding members (150). In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus (100) is used to aid in the installation and sealing of siding members (150) comprised of a fiber cement composite material. The fiber cement composite siding members (150) are heavier than traditional siding pieces and require more than one person to lift for installation. With the use of the apparatus (100), successive horizontal layers of composite siding members (150) can be installed on the sidewall construction (50) by a single person. One or more sealing members (107) secure and seal the siding members (150) to the apparatus (100) and provide a moisture impervious seal between adjoining and successive horizontal layers of the siding members (150).

Abstract: A protective enclosure apparatus detachably securable with respect to a utility pole base having utility apparatus such as wires, cables and support structure extending therefrom. The enclosure includes a base with an access opening attachable directly to the utility pole base with a support frame securable thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. A housing is secured to the support frame to define a containment chamber therewithin for preventing access to the utility apparatus therein. The base member defines a plurality of mounting slots normally oriented extending radially and in communication with the access opening to facilitate mounting of the base with respect to various configurations of utility pole bases having four post mounting systems.

Abstract: A top down trap lock shingle system that includes a plurality of identical shingles, each shingle having a bottom layer, an intermediate layer permanently attached to the bottom layer along the intermediate layer top edge forming a pocket between the bottom layer and the intermediate layer and a top layer permanently attached to said intermediate layer and permanently attached to said top edge of said bottom layer forming an extended tab along the top of the shingle that includes strips of adhesive and said bottom layer having an enlarged nailing or stapling zone that extends beyond the bottom edge of the intermediate layer, said attachment flange including a top adhesive layer and a bottom adhesive layer. The shingles are trapped and locked by inserting the top tab portion of the top area in a top down manner onto an above shingle row staggered to protect the seams and fastening the bottom edge of the shingle to the plywood roof thus trap locking each of the shingle rows in place.

Abstract: A blast protective barrier system, termed a blast wall, providing a security perimeter or boundary at and above a ground level definable in terms of an x, y, z coordinate system, includes several substantially ground level (xy plane) pile caps, each itself having a y-axis elongate length, a x-axis width, and a z-axis depth, the x-axis substantially defining the width of the barrier system. Each pile cap also includes an upper and lower xy plane surface, each of the upper surfaces including y-axis channels and each of the lower surfaces including several recesses. The system also includes a first, second and further modules having a plurality of opposing pairs of yz plane, the y-axis elongate concrete panels including opposing integral xz end cap elements having a high shock-absorptive structure for isolating each module from the effect of a blast upon an adjacent module.

Abstract: Modular inflatable cover for buildings, comprising separate coaxial conduits (30) secured together by tensionable link (50) and fluid-connected by coaxial inflatable tube (24). Tube (24) securely embraces sliders (32) that in turn closely but freely embrace conduits (30). Sliders (32) are urged by springs (34) to keep tube (24) taught. Elastic cinctures (26) on tube (24) and springs (34) tensionably cooperate against inflation means to provide reliable control of openings between adjacent modules in an assembly. Conduits (30) are securely torqued to ground anchors (40) by coupling (42). End covers (44) and sliders (32) are provided to compensate for and facilitate length shrinkage of tube (24), upon inflation. The present invention provides a variable cover with integral support that is uniquely capable of exploiting canyons and other ground depressions for an unprecedented scale of environment control. Applications include greenhouses, shutters, insulation and shelters.

Abstract: A concrete poured wall corner slab saver and form attachment device that includes a slab saver corner piece and an elongated form attachment device with a longitudinal aperture along an interior of its length. The form attachment device is configured at one end to be partially insertable through spaced-apart apertures in the stem portion of the slab saver corner piece and its opposite end is configured to extend and partially contact both a form board and one side of the corner piece which is in contact with the form board. The longitudinal aperture is size to insert a fastener, such as a nail, for engaging the combined slab saver corner piece and form attachment device to the form board.

Abstract: A deck is disclosed that is level with the top of a concrete/plaster pool having a decorative ribbon of tile along the top of the pool side and an apron surrounding the pool having at least a partially flat surface. The deck has a surface of deck surface members having lengths and ends, the lengths being sized to the dimensions of the pool and the surface being at the same level as the pool apron. Under the deck are supports of joists which are mostly perpendicular to the decking surface members, of underlying beams that form a sturdy base for the joists and beam hangers being secured to the sides of the pool below the decorative ribbon along the top of the pool side and being anchored into the concrete side of the pool. Also disclosed is an improved method for installing such a deck.