Abstract: A trellis system is disclosed wherein the trellis comprises a front tube, a back tube, and two end tubes joined together, a plurality of roof panels, each panel having a perimeter, wherein the perimeter of the panel is coupled to at least a back tube surface and a front tube surface; a plurality of cross member assemblies wherein the cross member assemblies assist in creating tension between the front tube and the back tube, and a plurality of fasteners coupling the front tube to the end tubes, the back tube to the end tubes, and the roof panels to at least the front tube and the back tube, wherein the fasteners are not visible when the trellis system is installed. The trellis system also includes accent bands. A plurality of turnbuckles allows for easy leveling of the trellis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for roof ridge construction are provided. Ridge risers are used to securely retain an attachment block above sheathing portions at an elevation sufficient to permit air venting through the ridge. The ridge risers have legs with one or more weakened regions (such as scores) that permit easy folding so that the legs can be attached to the sheathing and/or rafter portions. A set of attachment holes may be positioned below each of the weakened regions. The legs are joined to a cradle in which the attachment block rests. The attachment block is retained within the cradle via a mechanism such as fasteners, retention cleats, and retention assemblies with tabs designed to be driven into the attachment block. Roof covering elements, such as shingles, shakes, tiles, slate units, metal units, and synthetic ridge covering elements, are attached to the roofing block.

Abstract: A device that attaches to the rebar used to manufacture a concrete item and is left in place as the wet concrete is placed within the form for the concrete item and allowed to cure. The device is a hollow, walled, generally cup- or half disc-shaped structure having an outer forming wall and a hollow interior. The device may be a unitary or two part construction having an upper section, a lower section, upper rebar braces, lower rebar braces, and anchor holes. Anchor holes extend through the anchor recess former providing for a passage from the hollow interior to the outside. Upon the curing of the concrete, the present invention becomes an integral part of the concrete item, creating a uniform recess and exposing an anchor that can be used to lift the concrete item.

Abstract: A joint device is installed between adjacent components during construction to provide a proper transition between the components. The joint device has a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg of the device that may be mounted to the outer face of the inner wall of a cavity wall construction and in the cavity between the spaced walls. The second leg projects generally perpendicularly from the first leg and from the inner wall toward the outer wall adjacent the bricks at which the movement joint is located. The second leg of the joint includes a series of segments in which a terminal end portion of the second leg is joined to a remainder thereof by frangible connections or perforated joints. After the joint device is installed on the inner wall and the outer wall is constructed, the terminal end portion of the second leg is removed by being torn along the appropriate frangible joint depending upon the spacing between the components.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method of making cornice assemblies and other trim members utilizing the process of pultrusion. The cornice assemblies and the other trim members made by the method of the present invention exhibit superior strength to weight ratios, low expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity, as well being less labor intensive to install.

Abstract: A deployable truss is formed from a plurality of column members connected at their ends where at least some of the column members are formed from column assemblies, each including a plurality of strut members that are at least connected to each other at a first and second end of the column assembly. For added rigidity, strut members of a column assembly may be connected to each other between the first and second ends using, for example, a rigidizable resin, a fixed spacer, or a deployable spacer. Connecting strut members between the ends of the column assembly provides mutual bracing to the strut members and decreases the free buckling length of the individual strut members. Spacers are preferably configured to radially space the strut members away from the longitudinal centerline of the column assembly to increase its moment of inertia, and hence its buckling strength.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tactile warning panel inlay system and method. Such system is comprised of a panel formed with an exposed surface having a plurality of tactile warning protrusions and a support surface configured to contact a substrate matrix. The panel includes a plurality of apertures extending from the exposed surface to the support surface. Further, a plurality of fasteners are configured to extend individually through an aperture included in the plurality of panel apertures to secure the panel to the substrate matrix. Each fastener includes a head conformed to the shape of the tactile warning protrusion and a body for extending the fastener through the panel and into the substrate matrix.

Abstract: A self-cleaning grain bin roof configured to allow ventilation through the roof ribs which has a trapezoidal shaped inner rib with ventilation orifices therein and a spaced apart and partially covering outer rib configured to inhibit precipitation from falling through the orifices while permitting air to be blown from inside the grain bin outside. The trapezoidal shape providing for a self-cleaning ability in that if matter is blown to the orifices by positive pressure in the grain bin, it will, in the event of a loss of pressure, either fall outside of the orifices and slide down one of the slanted trapezoidal sides, or return to the grain bin. If debris blown by wind gathers on the roof, it will be blown out from under the outer rib by the airflow through the orifices.

Abstract: The present invention is a vinyl siding panel and a method of making the vinyl siding panel. One embodiment of the vinyl siding panel comprises a planar row extending the longitudinal length of the vinyl siding panel. The siding panel may also have a slightly curved row. A reinforcement panel may be secured to the siding panel. In such case, the slightly curved row of siding may be secured to a planar portion of the reinforcement panel. In addition, an intermediate portion of the siding panel may be thicker than the outer portions of the siding panel.

Abstract: A molded panel is provided, which includes a body and a plurality of supporting members. The body includes a generally planar top surface and a bottom surface. The supporting members extend from the bottom surface of the body to define a support structure. The support structure includes a top surface adjacent to the bottom surface of the body, a generally planar bottom surface and at least one edge extending therebetween. The support structure also includes at least one channel extending along a central x-axis of the support structure, and at least one additional channel intersecting the at least one central channel and extending along a y-axis of the support. The y-axis is generally perpendicular to the x-axis. A connection system for the molded panel, systems including the molded panel, and methods related to the molded panel are also described.

Abstract: Wall blocks and methods of constructing walls from the wall blocks which have a side connection system interlocking adjacent blocks whereby a side of the block is provided with a channel or slot that is configured to engage a corresponding projection on the adjacent block. The side connection system may alternatively have a connection receiving cavity formed by channels or slots on the sides of the blocks which are configured to align with a channel or slot from adjacent blocks where a connector may be received to interlock the blocks.

Abstract: A beam shoe for attaching a (first) beam end-on to a load-bearing construction, especially to a second beam disposed in the same plane as the beam to be attached and running at right angles thereto, the beam shoe comprising an originally flat, one-piece, strip-like sheet-metal portion or blank, which is shaped to an upwardly open channel-shaped retaining member having a web-like rectangular bottom for bracing the beam to be attached on the beam shoe as well as two web-like, parallel retaining legs, the retaining member embracing, in assembled condition, an end portion of the beam to be attached at the underside and side faces thereof, the legs, which are bent over upwardly from the bottom at right angles and disposed along two opposite borders of the bottom, being provided with through holes for rod-like fasteners such as nails in particular in order to join the beam shoe to the beam to be attached, the inside spacing of the legs therefore being (at least) as large as (and if necessary somewhat larger than) t

Abstract: Plate-shaped cover material comprising an elastomeric layer and a plastically deformable metal mesh or metal plate, the elastomeric layer consisting of a glue or joint sealant cured to an elastomer and having strong adhesion to the metal mesh or the metal plate.

Abstract: A telescoping mast apparatus has a plurality of nesting cylinders. The telescoping mast apparatus has a plurality of telescoping cylinders and a plurality of straps. The plurality of cylinders is extendable from a base. Each strap extends from near a bottom of an outer cylinder, around an upper roller near a top of the outer cylinder, and is attached near a bottom of an inner cylinder. The plurality of straps and the plurality of telescoping cylinders intercouples in series with alternating straps and cylinders. The plurality of cylinders is extended by retracting a first strap from the outer cylinder, which raises an intermediate cylinder, which retracts the intermediate strap from the intermediate cylinder, which raises the second intermediate cylinder.

Abstract: A relocatable concrete armory includes an outer vestibule and an inner vault separated by a dividing wall. A vestibule door provides entry to the concrete vestibule. A steel vault door and a security daygate are mounted to the dividing wall and provide entry to the concrete vault. The interior surface of the armory includes insulation panels embedded in concrete. The armory can be integrally lifted via removable lifting cams attached to concrete side walls. The concrete has a compressive strength of at least 15,000 psi.

Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards. For horizontal mechanical joining there is a projecting portion with a locking element which cooperates with a locking groove in an adjacent board. A tongue-and-groove joint for vertical mechanical joining has cooperating upper abutment surfaces and cooperating lower abutment surfaces which are essentially parallel with the principal plane of the floorboards and of which the lower abutment surfaces are positioned essentially outside the outer vertical plane, i.e. displaced relative to the upper abutment surfaces. The tongue is movable at an angle into the groove and the locking element is insertable into the locking groove by mutual angular movement of the boards about the joint edges.

Abstract: A glazing panel system is provided with improved glazing panels, retention clips and/or U-shaped connectors. The retention clip may engage the glazing panels at locations lower than top ends of the upstanding seam flanges. In one embodiment, an internal U-shaped connector is positioned to engage the seam flanges while an external U-shaped connector covers the internal connector and the seam between adjacent glazing panels. The glazing panels may be formed with pockets adjacent the base of the upstanding seam flanges to receive a portion of the retention clip to apply retention forces at locations below the upper ends of the seam flanges. The retention clips may be formed with an upper transverse portion that is movable relative to the base portion of the clip to accommodate panel expansion and contraction. Also, a thicker plate or portion may be provided at a top flange for the retention clip to provide increased resistance to uplift loads trying to bend the flange.

Abstract: An improved panel is disclosed. The panel is of the type for use with a bracket and which, in use: forms a wall surface as part of an assembly for partitioning or dividing a space; defines a horizontal groove; and is adapted to releasably, securely, receive, via the horizontal groove, said bracket. The improvement comprises a metal sheet and a metal bolster. The metal sheet has a front and a rear face, the front face defining said wall surface in use and said sheet defining a horizontal slot in use. The metal bolster is secured to the rear face of said metal sheet to define, in combination with the metal sheet, said horizontal groove.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: A connector device is provided for a curtain wall system of the type having structural members secured to the building framing to define frames to support glazing panels. The glazing panels each have a sash by which they are secured to the frames of structural members to form an outer wall portion of a building. The curtain wall system has connector devices securing one of the glazing panels to the frames of structural members. The connector device comprises a keeper secured to a frame, and a latch mechanism secured opposite the keeper on the sash. The latch mechanism has a latch bolt automatically displaceable to a locking position upon contact with the keeper. The keeper and the latch mechanism cooperate in the locking position to lock the glazing panel to the frame in a secured position. A method for installing the connector device is also provided.