Abstract: A process for covering, protecting and providing access to mate lines during building construction comprising the steps of preparing a vertical and horizontal mate line closure flap, carrying out a vertical and horizontal mate line access process, carrying out a vertical and horizontal mate line closing process, repeating the vertical and horizontal mate line access and closing processes as required, and carrying out a vertical and horizontal mate line sealing process to complete the building weatherization.

Abstract: A system and method used to translate a building structure (e.g., a single-family home) from a first position (e.g., above grade) to a second position (e.g., below grade) is provided. The system may thereby protect building structures from above grade threats such as wildfires, tornados, hurricanes, and other threats by lowering the building structure into a below grade cavity and sealing it therein. The system may include a base that supports the building structure and a translation system that lowers the base and the building structure below grade. The translation system may include scissor lifts, hydraulic lifts, jackscrew lifts and/or other types of lifts. The system also may include a quick release utilities system to disconnect the various utilities during the translation and a protective roof that may be extended over the top of the building structure to protect it from the threats above.

Abstract: A click-on clamping mechanism is for attaching, without tools, a clamp+tower subassembly to a slider bar (which is attached to a roof substrate with lag screws). The clamp+tower sub-assembly can have a height-adjustable, rail-less solar panel mounting assembly attached to it for mounting one or more photovoltaic solar panels thereto. The height of the solar panel mounting assembly can be easily adjusted, either before or after mounting of the solar panels. The click-on clamp+tower sub-assembly is easily removable from the slider bar. A click-on L-foot mount for attaching solar mount rails is also described. The click-on structures can be spring-loaded.

Abstract: In an extruded window frame, engineered foam patches are attached to the window frame for delivery to the job site. In combination with a sealant bead that is applied at the job site to the perimeter of the nail fin on the window frame, the foam patches serve as weep holes. Moisture reaching the interior of the rough framed opening of the building after installation of the windows is channeled between the sealant bead and the inside of the window frame. The foam patches, applied as a spaced-apart pair to the inside surface of the nail fin are in physical contact with the sealant bead to receive channeled rainwater, which can flow by gravity to the bottom of the window frame and exit the window. The foam patches block entry of insects.

Abstract: A modular panel assembly for use with, e.g., a shower enclosure. The modular panel assembly includes a plurality of panels, each panel having a first side surface and a second side surface. The modular panel assembly also include a plurality of channel members, wherein each channel member is configured to be coupled to an edge portion of one or more panels. Additionally, a plurality of brackets are provided, wherein each bracket is configured to hold both the first side surface and the second side surface of two or more of the plurality of panels and an end portion of one or more of the plurality of channel members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure in which no gap that allows water entry between a weather strip and a glass run is formed in a situation where the weather strip at an upper frame portion of a window frame extends gradually downwardly apart from the glass run. An upper glass run portion is provided with a door panel sealing lip. The door panel sealing lip is provided with a gradually varying portion such that a downward protruding length of the door panel sealing lip increases. The gradually varying portion is disposed so as to contact an outer sealing lip of the weather strip.

Abstract: Rooftop photovoltaic solar systems and methods for installing interconnection wiring for photovoltaic solar systems. Cabling systems can include cable support stands secured underneath shingles. Cabling systems can include molded rubber raceways mounted using raceway clips secured underneath shingles.

Abstract: An insulated construction panel having a top end, a bottom end, a first end, a second end, a front side and a rear side, the panel for constructing a single or multi-thickness concrete form, the panel including regularly spaced coplanar passages extending completely through the panel from the top end of the panel toward and through to the bottom end of the panel. For each of the regularly spaced coplanar passages, an angular passage perpendicularly intersecting each coplanar passage at the top end and extending toward and through a portion of a front side surface of the front side and rear side surface of the rear side of the panel, each angular passage extending only partially through the panel from the top end toward the bottom end.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is an exterior cladding panel including a first end, a second end, and a series of locking clips extending from a front face of the exterior cladding panel and positioned along the first end of the exterior cladding panel. The exterior cladding panel also includes a locking leg extending from a rear face of the exterior cladding panel and positioned along a middle portion between the first end and the second end. The exterior cladding panel also includes a series of simulated shingles positioned in a single course between the first end and the second end, including a series of gaps separating adjacent shingles. Each gap extends lengthwise from the second end to the middle portion of the exterior cladding panel, and includes a first width that differs from a second width of at least one adjacent gap in the series of gaps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spring winder having a winder base, pulleys disposed at one end of the winder base, at least one constant force spring disposed on the winder base, each constant force spring having an extension end, and a guard plate is disposed at one side of the extension end of each constant force spring. A curtain using the spring winder is also described having an upper beam; a lower beam; and a curtain disposed between the upper beam and the lower beam, the upper beam having a spring winder disposed therein; a fixed plug head disposed at one end of the upper beam, a fixed pulley plug head disposed at the other end of the upper beam, each constant force spring of the spring winder being connected to the fixed plug head, a cord winding around the pulleys, the cord being connected to the pulleys at the fixed pulley plug head after being connected to the curtain.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a structure for connecting a composite insulation exterior wall panel and a steel structural beam-column, including a steel structural beam and a steel structural column making up a a steel structural body. A filling insulation layer is provided at a gap of the steel structural body. A composite insulation panel connecting assembly is wrapped at a junction between the steel structural beam and the steel structural column. The composite insulation panel connecting assembly is connected to a horizontal composite insulation panel assembly, via a staggered seam, in a horizontal direction, and the composite insulation panel connecting assembly is connected to a vertical composite insulation panel assembly, via a staggered seam, in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A system for centering a reinforcing member within a drilled shaft/bore hole includes a first cage member and a second cage member. The first cage member is operable to surround a first half of the reinforcing member. The second cage member is operable to surround a second half of the reinforcing member. The second cage member is operably connected to the first cage member, and the first and second cage members have identical shapes.

Abstract: A baseboard element including a nose portion, a riser portion, and a wall groove portion coupled to the riser portion. The nose portion includes a nose bottom section and a nose face section. The riser portion includes a riser section extending approximately perpendicular to the nose bottom section and a riser bend coupled to the nose portion. The riser section is substantially planar and defines a plane. The nose portion is positioned only on a first side of the plane defined by the riser section, and the wall groove portion is positioned only on a second side of the plane, the second side opposite the first side. The nose bottom section comprises a nose bottom edge at a terminal end of the nose bottom section. No structure of the baseboard element extends beyond the terminal end of the nose bottom section from the terminal end. The nose bottom edge of the nose bottom section is either approximately at the plane or closer to the plane than the nose face section is to the plane.

Abstract: A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

Abstract: A field-deployable construction set for the assembly of a Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU), used for simulating real world environments without costly construction expenses. The various panels, supports, and accessories used to construct an RHU include male (M) and female (F) lock connectors located on their respective peripheries and a frame constructed from a plurality vertical corner posts and horizontal beams provide the user with innumerable options for floor plans and building design, further providing significant options for reconfiguration of floor, ceiling, and wall panels without having to disassemble the structure. The exterior composition of the expanded polymer foam is customizable to provide a realistic environment for high quality training in a versatile system that is deployable by truck or aircraft and can be assembled with only a single tool.

Abstract: An improved cable molding product that can be easily installed to protect low voltage and line voltage electrical cables in new and existing building construction applications. Its primary benefits are found in decreasing the cost of installation procedures and improving the aesthetics of low voltage electronic system cable and lie voltage cable runs at exterior and interior openings in new and existing buildings. The two-part secure molding system is comprised of a base portion that is mounted for instance to an inside face of rectangular aluminum tubing or any interior wall. Low voltage wiring cable is placed into a rectangular base portion channel. The line voltage wiring is placed into the separate base portion channel. A rectangular cover snaps securely onto and over the base to conceal the cable and wire.

Abstract: A support for installing facing materials such as ceramic tiles on a substrate such as floors, walls and ceilings wherein the support plate has a plurality of spaced apart recesses in the plate material, with the recesses being open at the top surface and have solid sidewalls and a base, and a plurality of slots in the non-recessed portions of the plate material extending through the top surface and bottom surface, the slots joining one or more adjacent recesses. The support plate of the invention is used for tile installations between the substrate and such tile. Thin-set mortar that is used to secure the tile to the support plate flows into the recesses and into the slots forming a continuous bond between the mortar and the adjacent slots providing for a strong bond between the support plate, mortar and the tiles.

Abstract: The subject invention includes a fixed window assembly for a vehicle comprising a fixed glass, a trim portion having a polymeric base and a decorative member bonded to the polymeric base. An encapsulation is coupled to the fixed glass and the polymeric base to mount the trim portion in a spaced and adjacent position relative to the fixed glass. A method of manufacturing is also provided using first and second molding apparatuses. Polymeric material is injected into a first mold cavity of the first molding apparatus to form the polymeric base bonded to the decorative member. Polymeric material is injected into a second mold cavity of the second molding apparatus to form the encapsulation coupled to the fixed glass and simultaneously coupled to the polymeric base to mount the trim portion in an adjacent position to the fixed glass.

Abstract: A ballast block is provided with a body and a plurality of fluid receiving channels. The body includes a top surface, a bottom surface positioned opposite the top surface, and a first side extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The plurality of fluid receiving channels are disposed along the first side in a plurality of units and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface to form a zigzag pattern. Each unit of the plurality of units having an adjacent pair of fluid receiving channels extending at opposing angles toward each other from the top surface to the bottom surface in an approximate V-shape.

Abstract: A sealing strip is for sealing drywall connecting joints. The sealing strip has a centre web with two longitudinal edges, wherein along each longitudinal edge, a sealing profile is arranged having a first profile section, which is arranged along the allocated longitudinal edge and has a first thickness in the transverse direction of the centre web. A second profile section adjoins the first profile section, and the second profile section forms the end of the sealing profile that is remote from the centre web and has a second thickness in the transverse direction of the centre web, the second thickness being smaller than the first thickness.