Abstract: A stiffening apparatus (10) for use with a suspension assembly (12) is disclosed. The stiffening apparatus (10) comprises a suspension assembly (68) configured for receiving a first part of the suspension assembly (12). The stiffening apparatus (10) further includes a holder (70) extending transverse to the suspension assembly (68). The holder (70) is configured for receiving a second part of the suspension assembly (12). The holder (70) secures the stiffening apparatus (10) to the suspension assembly (12).

Abstract: A deformable screen adapted for mounting in an opening of a building includes at least one sheet of netting and a frame. The frame includes an inflatable tube coupled to and surrounding an outer perimeter of the at least one sheet of netting and is adjustable between an inflated-use mode and deflated-storage mode.

Abstract: A window blind support assembly including one or more elongate support members; a mounting bracket; and a locating element; wherein the or each elongate support member defines a longitudinal channel; the locating element is slidably coupled to the or one of the elongate support members via the longitudinal channel; the mounting bracket defines a retaining portion and a connecting portion; and the retaining portion of the mounting bracket is secured to the elongate support member at a desired position via the locating element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for shelter are provided. The apparatus and methods may include a channel defining an interior and a slot that extends along a length of the channel in the interior and is configured to receive a retainer that retains a wall against a surface of the channel. The apparatus may include a retainer and a wall. The channel may be supported by a support. The channel may include exterior slots. The channel may define a slot that extends along a length of the channel in the interior and is configured to receive a guide to raise and lower a wall.

Abstract: One or more seismic wall fuses that wrap around the edge of a building wall, the seismic wall fuses having a first wall panel on one side of the wall and a second wall panel on the other side of the wall, and an edge panel along the edge of the wall connected to the first and second wall panels. Each of the first and second wall panels have: a top portion that is attached to the wall, a mid portion that deforms to absorb seismic stresses, and a bottom portion that is also attached to the wall. In operation, the mid-portion of the first wall panel expands while the mid-portion of the second wall panel simultaneously contracts (or vice versa), thereby dissipating seismic energy in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wall, which could otherwise topple the wall.

Abstract: A steel panel damper is provided for reinforcing a building structure. The steel panel damper is disposed between a first member and an opposite second member arranged in the building structure. The steel panel damper comprises a first elastic segment, a second elastic segment, an energy dissipation segment, a first end plate, and a second end plate. In terms of the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the first direction, the first elastic segment and the second elastic segment are greater than the energy dissipation segment.

Abstract: A support for installing facing materials such as ceramic tiles on a substrate, such as, floors, walls and ceilings. The support plate has a plurality of spaced apart raised portions and recesses in the plate material, and a plurality of openings extending through the top surface and bottom surface of the plate material. The openings exposing a mat layer attached to the bottom of the support plate. Support plates of the invention are used for tile installations between a substrate and tile. Thin-set mortar that is used to secure the tile to the support plate flows into the recesses and into the openings forming a continuous bond between the mortar, openings and mat layer to provide a strong bond between the support plate, mortar and the tiles.

Abstract: A dry-laid tile structure and a tile dry-laying method are provided. A tile includes a tile body and a plastic frame. The plastic frame includes a frame body, first connection assemblies, and second connection assemblies. The frame body is provided with a limit groove and an insertion groove. First connection assembly protruding blocks are respectively provided on top sides of the first connection assemblies. The second connection assemblies protruding blocks respectively include extension portions. The extension portions are respectively provided with hook grooves. When two adjacent tiles are laid, the hook grooves on the extension portions of a first tile of the two adjacent tiles are respectively engaged with the first connection assembly protruding blocks on a second tile of the two adjacent tiles, and the second connection assembly protruding blocks on the extension portions of the first tile are inserted into the insertion groove on the second tile.

Abstract: Needless repairs can be avoided, and energy savings can be achieved, through installation of windows using methods that incorporate the use of extruded water-resistant foam, bonding tape covering the flanges and fasteners or windows and building wrap covering the bonding tape. This system becomes part of the window, system to improve strength, air and moisture penetration Also eliminating the building wrap bonding tape at the head prevents trapping moisture behind build bonding tape. This system eliminates all voids around the window and frame and becomes part of the structure of the window, etc.

Abstract: Devices configured to operate on an angled surface (e.g., a roof), and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, representative systems include an apparatus with a body assembly, an arm assembly coupled to the body assembly, and a material handling assembly coupled to the arm assembly. The body assembly can include a body frame, and a plurality of positioning assemblies coupleable to cables and configured to position and/or orient the body frame on the surface. The arm assembly includes a proximal end portion rotatably coupled to the body portion and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion. The material handling assembly is coupled to the distal end portion of the arm assembly and is configured to carry a surface material to be positioned on the angled surface.

Abstract: A customizable storm protection system for protection and aesthetics comprises a first jamb, a second jamb, a header, and a sill, each with a glazing recess, and each with a receptacle for inserting a screw boss that runs a length of each of the first jamb, the second jamb, the header, and the sill, wherein joined define a frame for the opening in a building. A customizable storm protection system may further comprise glazing received by the glazing recess of each of the first jamb, the second jamb, the header, and the sill. A customizable storm protection system may further comprise a storm track configured to the frame to, wherein the storm track identifies fastener locations for the screw boss within the frame, and wherein the storm track comprises a cap, a stanchion, and an attachment layer for attachment to the frame. The system enables different openings in a building to be individually customized for different types of storm protection while maintaining a uniform exterior appearance.

Abstract: A structural yielding link, particularly for use in an eccentrically braced frame arrangement or in a linked column frame arrangement having a first end having a means for connecting to a face of a first beam and a second end having a means for connecting to a face of a second beam; a first variable cross-section portion and a second variable cross-section portion extending from the first end and from the second end, respectively; and a constant cross-section portion joining the first variable cross-section portion and the second variable cross-section portion.

Abstract: A building wall includes a bottom plate and a top plate; a first stud and a second stud extending between the bottom plate and the top plate, the first stud and the second stud are spaced apart and next to each other; a tie rod including a first end portion operably anchored to a foundation and a second end operably attached to the building wall; a sheathing attached to the bottom plate, the top plate, the first stud and the second stud; a longitudinal member including a longitudinal hole, the tie rod extending through the hole; and the longitudinal member is operably attached to the sheathing.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a radially perforated damper for damping relative movement between a beam and a column. The radially perforated damper comprises at least two radially perforated damping plates, each radially perforated damping plate comprising a central connecting portion configured to rigidly connect to the beam. Each damping plate also comprises a plurality of radial strips extending radially from the central connecting portion such that when an external force is applied to the beam or column, and a moment is applied to the central connecting portion, each radial strip of the plurality of radial strips experiences shear stress and undergoes plastic deformation, thereby damping relative movement between the beam and column.

Abstract: A collapsible structural frame for forming a soffit having a multi-planar surface. The collapsible structural frame includes a first frame portion configured to receive a first sheet of building material, a second frame portion configured to receive a second sheet of building material, the second frame portion extending along a second reference plane, and a third frame portion configured to receive a third sheet of building material. The collapsible structural frame is alterable from: (1) a flat state in which the first, second, and third frame portions extend along the second reference plane in a linear arrangement; and (2) a deployed state in which the first frame portion is out of plane with the second reference plane and the third frame portion is out of plane with the second reference plane.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a safe high speed roll-up door with spiral brackets. To enable a high speed operation, robust spiral brackets having efficient spacing are provided to guide the plurality of sectional slats. Durable and low noise signature rollers are used. A unique assembly configuration of the slats and the tracks guiding the rollers enable quick replacement of each individual roller without disassembling the door. A double-belt counter weight mechanism balances the door and incorporates safety sensors that prevent loosening the belts when the door is jammed. The belts are further adjustable using ratchets such that adjustment for the horizontal balance as well as weight position is made effortless. In all, the high speed roll-up door using sectional slats performs faster and quieter, withstands greater loads, and lasts longer than other existing roll-up doors with spiral brackets.

Abstract: A roof construction comprises a frame that has a transverse direction, a longitudinal direction, an inside and outside; a roof construction formed by a plurality of mutually parallel transverse elements positioned on the inside of the frame, wherein each transverse element has a support element and a slat, wherein the slat is rotatably attached to a corresponding support element, wherein the support elements are attached to the frame; displacement elements for shifting the support elements in the longitudinal direction between a spread out position and a stacked positions; and a plurality of cable guides that are attached between two successive transverse elements and together form a part of a cable guide for guiding a cable from the frame to at least one of the transverse elements. Thus, the electrical components are integrated into and/or attached to the transverse elements with power and the roof cover is formed of rigid elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for tensioning duck or canvas. In particular, the present invention provides a tensioning system wherein a canvas can be tensioned dynamically along one or two sides of a frame. The present invention also further provides a method for dynamic tensioning of a canvas on one or two sides of a frame.

Abstract: As described herein, a motorized window treatment may be configured to synchronize its covering material with other motorized window treatments if movement of the covering material has been delayed. The motor drive unit may receive a message including a command via wireless signals, and rotate a roller tube to adjust a present position of the covering material at an increased rate in response to determining that adjustment of the covering material in response to the command is delayed. The control circuit may determine a delay time between when the other motorized window treatments began to move and when the motor drive unit begins to move in response to the command. The control circuit may begin adjusting the present position of the covering material at a nominal rate in response to determining that the covering material is synchronized with the other motorized window treatments using the determined delay time.

Abstract: A fire shutter control system and a fire shutter control method capable of effectively controlling a fire shutter in the event of a fire in a building are provided. The fire shutter control system may include a fire detector configured to detect a fire outbreak and generate a fire signal in the event of a fire; a fire shutter controller configured to apply a control signal to a fire shutter to enable a drive motor for operating the fire shutter to operate when the fire signal is generated by the fire detector; and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the fire detector, the fire shutter controller, and the drive motor for operating the fire shutter.