Abstract: An insert for a glazing unit includes a body having a width and a height. The insert is configured to fit within the spacer of the glazing unit. A typical glazing unit has at least two outer glazing sheets separated by a substantially rigid, U-shaped spacer disposed about the perimeter of the sheets to create an interior cavity between the outer sheets and the spacer. The width and height of the body of the insert are adapted to allow the insert to fit within the U-shaped spacer. The spacer has a longitudinal length dimension substantially equal to the perimeter of the glazing sheets. The body of the insert also has a longitudinal length dimension substantially equal to the length of the spacer. The body of the insert is fabricated from a non-flowable material having substantially stable dimensions. In one embodiment of the invention, the insert includes an inwardly facing, intermediate glazing sheet-receiving channel that is adapted to slidably receive and position an intermediate glazing sheet.

Abstract: A construction block has improved thermal insulation qualities and reduces or outright eliminates the effects of a seam failure. The construction block is comprised of a pair of generally parallel faces joined by a plurality of sides. A desiccant or insulation gas, or both are disposed within the interior chamber of the block. At least one baffle is disposed within the interior chamber.

Abstract: Side struts (68) are positioned on ground anchors (40, 42) at intervals along the lower side edges of a manufactured home (10). The side struts spread the “footprint” of support from the ground to the manufactured home, so as to decrease the likelihood of tilting, the manufactured home in response to wind and other lateral forces.

Abstract: There is provided herein a three-dimensional structure for camouflaging edifices having a large roof area from effective identification and targeting by aerial observation. The structure is light in weight, has minimal bulk, and is relatively easy to transport and deploy. The structure is comprised of a light weight metal frame having structural bar members arranged in substantially parallel horizontal and vertical arrays when assembled. The bar members are connected to each other by hinges so that the structure may be readily collapsed (lowered) or raised quickly and on short notice. The structure is deployable and retractable (i.e., may be raised or lowered) with the camouflage cover placed over the frame. A fabric cover imbued with camouflage patterns and colors on its exterior side is draped over the frame. Windup cables, pulleys and winches or cranks allow for the raising or lowering of the structure from the ground or other remote location.

Abstract: Prevention of damage of wooden construction materials of a building by termites by laying one or more panels each having a polycarbonate resin foam layer on the ground on which the building is constructed or by arranging such panels on surfaces of continuous footing of the building or of vertical concrete walls of the building. The concrete wall may be formed using modular concrete form structure units each having a pair of opposing side panels, with each side panel having a polycarbonate foam layer.

Abstract: A steel roof deck diaphragm to provide structural rigidity to a building wherein loads of varying intensity can cause movement of structural members, which tends to generate noise when two members rub or work against each other. Corrugated sheets of high tensile steel are supported from below and span the distance between purlins, the corrugated sheets having over-lapping side edges and end edges and upper and lower surfaces. Non-metallic strips of felt form spacers positioned between the over-lapping side edges and end edges to prevent generation of noise resulting from relative movement of the corrugated sheets.

Abstract: A form assemblage for making concrete and other building walls is disclosed. The form assemblage includes interlocking interior and exterior wall panels that are connected at a predetermined spacing with panel connectors that interlock with the interior wall panels and the exterior wall panels. The panel connectors have means for holding insulating foam panels at a position intermediate to the interior and exterior wall panels. Cavities between the insulating foam panels and the exterior and/or interior wall panels can be filled with concrete or other load-bearing materials. In certain aspects, the form assemblage can be used as a wall structure without the use of the load-bearing material.

Abstract: A method of assembling a large-size plant and an assembling method for reducing a term of work are disclosed. Each of a crane operator in a crane operation room and site workers in a plant construction site is equipped with a picture I/O device and a voice I/O device. The crane operator and the site workers assemble the plant while sharing picture information of the picture I/O device and voice information of the voice I/O device with each other. A site remote control room vicinal to the plant construction site is connected via a radio transmission path to a host control center. The plant si assembled while the site workers, the crane operator room, the site remote control room and the central control room share the picture information and the voice information of their own with each other.

Abstract: A roof has a series of panels are positioned along roof joists such that there are upper and power panels to provide a series of air paths between the upper and associated lower panel. The upper panels are shorter in length than the lower panels so that a portion of the lower panel is exposed to create an opening for air to exit. The combination of the air paths and the exposed panels permits the free flow of air from the bottom to the top of the roof which allows cooling as well as rain water to flow along the lower panels.

Abstract: A longitudinal stabilizing system for a premanufactured building having support joists extending along the length of the underside of the building and being supported above the ground by upright piers. The system comprises at least one foundation plate, a joist connector, a plate connector, and a rectilinear strut. The foundation plate is placed between the pier and the ground. The joist connector attaches to the joist of the building. Plate clamps may be used in conjunction with the joist connector to grasp the joist. The plate connector attaches to the foundation plate. The strut is attached to the joist connector at one end and the plate connector at the other end such that the strut slopes downward from the joist towards the ground.

Abstract: An internally threaded insert anchor for use in poured concrete floors having a metal decking or a wood form is described which provides stability against skewing or misalignment due to rough action after being inserted into the metal deck or wood form, prior to the concrete being poured. Once locked into the concrete floor, the threaded insert anchor provides easy attachment for the support rods that carry the racks of utility, piping and ceiling grid systems for the building. Each threaded insert anchor is capable of accepting two different size rods or bolts with different thread cuts. The internal threaded apertures are protected from concrete intrusion during the pour by the plastic or metal sleeve. Moreover, the anchors are designed so that subsequent spraying of the ceiling with fire retardant or insulation foam will not penetrate into the threaded apertures, so as to prevent subsequent entry of the support rods.

Abstract: A concrete assembly form having a plurality of panels adjoined to one another to form opposing walls. A plurality of studs are encased in each panel. Each stud has a truss structure for increased strength and has a plurality of cylinders extending from the inner face of each panel. The opposing walls are connected with a plurality of bridges, each having collars on the ends in which are seated the cylinders from the panels. U-shaped rods are connected between the cylinders. A hold-down clip connects the bridges between vertically oriented panels. A method of preparing the assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a holder (32) for adjustable positioning of reinforcing rods (49). The holder has a horizontal support structure and a means for holding a reinforcing rod (49). The holder is comprised of a first leg member (33), a second leg member (34), a spring (35) and a retaining member (41). The leg members are elongated for spanning one of the cells of a hollow block (20). The first and second leg members are configured and arranged to create a gap (37) therebetween for receiving the reinforcing rod. The spring is adapted to bias the leg members against the reinforcing rod to vertically suspend and selectively permit adjustment of the vertical position of the reinforcing rod during the construction of a hollow block wall (47). In the preferred embodiment, the leg members and the spring are integrally formed from a continuous wire member having a U-shaped profile.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improvement of ductility and strength performance of connections in structural steel buildings made typically with rolled structural shapes, specifically in bolted and/or welded beam-to-column connections with welded flanges, by greatly reducing the very significant uneven stress distribution found in the conventionally designed connection at the column/beam weld, through use of slots in column and/or beam webs with or without continuity plates in the area of the column between the column flanges, as well as, optionally, extended shear plate connections with additional columns of bolts for the purpose of reducing the stress concentration factor in the center of the flange welds. Moreover, the slots in beam web adjacent to the beam flanges allow the beam web and flange to buckle independently thereby eliminating the degrading of the beam strength caused by lateral-torsional bucking.

Abstract: A floor assembly includes at least two elongated extrusions disposed adjacent to each other where each extrusion includes a pair of outer leg members and a pair of inner leg members that are connected by a connector which engages the inner leg member and the outer leg member of one of the extrusions and the outer leg member and the inner leg member of the other extrusion. The connector includes a base and first and second end flanges where the first end flange engages the inner leg member of one of the extrusions and the second end flange engages the inner leg member of the other extrusion. A method of making a floor assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ceiling panel that conceals the grid in a suspended ceiling, having opposed active first and second edges with profiles different from one another, and opposed passive edges. An access kerf, and a registration kerf, at different levels in the active edges, along with a registration step in one active edge, permit the panel to be inserted, or removed, by successive hinge actions. When installed, the panel is locked to the ceiling with no visual indications on how the panel can be removed. During installation the panel is self-centering and self-aligning.

Abstract: A plastic wedge shaped shim for leveling which is prescored to enable protruding section to be broken off. Parallel, straight, scores are formed at regular intervals on the top surface of the shim. These scores form teeth enabling stacked shims to interengage one another when one is placed inverted on another. The underside of the shim has recesses configured such that there exists a zone of constituent material which has equal localized thickness measurements along that portion of the length of the shim wherein scores and the recess formed in the underside of the shim are in overlying relationship. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the recesses form cleats for resisting sliding or other displacement of the shim.

Abstract: An alignment and spacer apparatus includes an elongated body member that extends longitudinally along and laterally from a longitudinal axis. The elongated body member has an arcuate surface and a flat surface facing opposite the arcuate surface. The arcuate surface curves about the longitudinal axis and has a longitudinally extending crown. Further, the body member includes at least one stop tab that projects from the arcuate surface to define a stop tab surface. The stop tab surface extends laterally and perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis and at least a portion of the stop tab surface protrudes above the crown. Also described is a siding panel installation system for installing siding panels on a support structure which includes a plurality of elongated body members. Each body member includes a sequence of stop tabs that are spaced equidistantly apart from one another and project from the arcuate surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a liner for manholes, drainage systems, sewer system and the like, wherein multiple layers of liner material are sprayed onto the mandrel and outer shell engaging particles are embedded in and partially covered with the liner material. The liner is then placed into a mold and concrete or other suitable material is poured around the liner. The outer shell engaging particles form a mechanical bond between the liner and the concrete, thereby preventing future separation and failure of the liner.

Abstract: A device is provided for protecting a window or door during severe storms. A panel, cut to fit in a window frame, is held in place by the action of the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies described herein. A rubber gasket can be used along one side of the panel in place of some of the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies. Different embodiments of the assembly are described for mounting along the sides or at the corners of the panel. A “clip-on” assembly is also described. Wind resistance is enhanced by tightening the assemblies until the panel bows outward. Optional security features are disclosed to prevent unauthorized removal of the panel.