Abstract: A structural member includes a tubular main body with attached, radially oriented longitudinal flanges. The structural member and accessory components are used to construct a variety of versatile, strong, lightweight, easily assembled, easily disassembled, and easily transportable devices and structures.

Abstract: A shear panel for constructing underlayments for floors and roofs of buildings includes a first rectangular layer of fire-resistant material, such as cementitious board, bonded to a second rectangular layer of thin high-strength material, such as galvanized steel. The length of the second layer is longer than the length of the first layer. The additional length of the second layer forms a tab extending from one end of the panel. During construction, a first panel is attached to a set of beams (floor joists or roof rafters) with the tab spanning between adjacent beams. A second panel is positioned on the beams with at least a portion of the second panel overlapping the tab of the first panel. The overlapping portion of the second panel is fastened to the tab of the first panel to form a continuous shear diaphragm for the floor or roof.

Abstract: Floorboards with substantially planar and parallel upper top sides and lower undersides and panel material located between the upper and lower top sides, and a mechanical locking system for locking a first edge of a first floor board to a second edge of a substantially identical second floor board, the mechanical locking system including a tongue and groove forming a first mechanical connection locking the first and second edges to each other in a first direction at right angles to a principal plane of the floor boards, and a locking device forming a second mechanical connection locking the first and the second edges to each other in a second direction and at right angles to the edges; wherein, when the first edge and the second edge are locked together, there is space in the locking system between the first and the second edges.

Abstract: Laminates comprising at least two glass plys surrounding at least one interlayer having at least one bore extending through the laminate are produced by excluding the interlayer from the area surrounding the bore(s) and positioning a load bearing insert around the bore. The insert may be positioned before or after the laminating process. The invention reduces the tendency for delamination around the area of the bore when the laminate is placed under load.

Abstract: An apparatus disposed along and attached to a wall edge to mitigate wind-generated vortices and suction loads on the wall, suitable and convenient for both new constructions and retrofits of existing buildings. Preferred configurations are described and include such types as wall edge cap, wall edge windscreen and wall edge wind spoiler, each utilizing a distinctive primary aerodynamic mechanism, often with optional secondary mechanisms to enhance vortex-suppressing effects.

Abstract: Masonry units (10) are integrally assembled by tightening forces of bolts (60) and nuts (70), in a condition that interlayer metal plates (50) are interposed between the masonry units. A basic form (11) of the masonry unit is contained in a mold for forming the masonry unit. A space (98) for fluidic covering material, which is chargeable with the covering material, is defined between upper and lower faces of the form (11), and the fluidic covering material is charged in the space. The upper and lower faces of the masonry unit are covered with the solidified covering material (12). According to the present invention, high dimensional accuracy of the masonry unit can be ensured, and efficiency of the production process of the masonry units is promoted to improve productivity of the masonry units.

Abstract: A live fire burn room and an insulating system for a live fire burn room are disclosed. The burn room includes a structural framework. The insulating system includes a face panel, at least one face panel mounting bracket for attaching the face panel to the structural framework of the burn room, and an insulating layer disposed between the face panel and the structural framework of the burn room.

Abstract: A nonmetallic masonry flashing is disclosed. The flashing includes a laminate that is applicable to cavity walls and particularly masonry block walls. The flashing has an adhesive layer which is a pressure activated, hot melt adhesive with various additives. The additives provide reinforcement to the entire structure and uses fiber glass or filamentous fragments of polypropylene. These additives are admixed into the hot melt adhesive. The nonmetallic masonry flashing employs peel-and-stick technology. After removal of a release sheet, the adhesive layer is pressed against the rough surface of the masonry block. The pressure activation creates a durable bond with the masonry block. Incorporated into the nonmetallic masonry flashing are various high-strength, polymeric laminates. The high-strength of the polymeric laminates is derived from advances in cross-lamination and laminates having a scrim as a core component.

Abstract: A method for installing a window in or within a poured concrete wall is disclosed. The method comprises a kit with at least one window block. It also includes a first spacer adapted to abut a first side of the glass block and a second spacer adapted to abut a second side of the window block. The method implementing the kit includes the steps of erecting a wall form comprising of a first and a second form, locating the kit in between the first and second form, placing concrete into the wall form around the window kit, removing the first and second wall forms, and removing the first and second spacers.

Abstract: A fascia and soffit system having a fascia component, a soffit component and a soffit support structure, the fascia component comprising first and second members which are adjustable with respect to each other to permit different heights, the soffit having a plurality of apertures formed therein to permit air passage, the soffit support structure comprising first and second members which are retained in position by an interlocking system.

Abstract: An access control system includes first and second portable containers. The first portable container comprises a first sidewall opening and the second portable container comprises a second sidewall opening. The portable containers are arranged such that the first sidewall opening in the first portable container communicates with the second sidewall opening in the second portable container. The first portable container comprises a passing room disposed in the first portable container. The passing room includes a barrier device located in the walkway defining a first space between a first passing room opening and the barrier device, and a second space between the barrier device and a second passing room opening. The access control system is constructed such that when the access control system is disposed between a first area and an enclosed second area ingress and egress from and to the second area is controlled by the access control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit drain for removing liquid condensation in a vertical conduit. Moisture flows down the interior walls of the conduit and collects in a collection lip in the conduit drain. A drain channel is produced around the inner circumference of the conduit drain by the collection lip. The moisture collects within the drain channel and is drawn off into a drain port that is coupled to a drain pipe.

Abstract: Composite structural members and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a composite structural member includes a central structural portion that extends in a first direction and having a first flange portion and a second flange portion that are spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by a web portion, the web portion further including a periodic or a non-periodic undulation extending in the first direction. A first reinforced polymer-based substrate is fixedly coupled to the first flange portion, and a second reinforced polymer-based substrate is fixedly coupled to the second flange portion.

Abstract: A support mat, such as a mat suitable for supporting heavy construction equipment, includes a plurality of billets fastened together, each of the billets being made of a plurality of individual wood laminations adhesively bonded to each other. The billets comprise a plurality of vertically oriented individual wood laminations. The plurality of individual wood laminations has wide faces oriented parallel to a direction of a load applied to the support mat. Each billet has outboard laminations and the wide faces of the outboard laminations of each billet define a wide face of the billet. An expansion pad is disposed between the wide faces of adjacent billets.

Abstract: A roof panel is furnished with a flat covering element (1) having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side and a second side, a projecting bent-up side face (2) vertically protruding from the flat covering element (1) near the first side, and a bent-up side face (4) vertically bending off at the second side of the flat covering element (1). An inwardly flanged edge (3) is formed at the projecting bent-up side face (2) bent over toward the inside. An outwardly crimped edge (5) is formed at the bent-up side face (4) bent over toward the outside. A single piece connected attachment edge (7) for screw holes is disposed along the projecting bent-up side face at the outer side of the projecting bent-up side face. An upwardly warped reinforcement bead (8) is extending parallel to the first side and to the second side and subdividing the flat covering element (1).

Abstract: A through section shielding construction is disclosed in which a partitioning wall defines a slit-like opening extending along a lateral direction as a moving passage of a penetrating member relative to the partitioning wall, and a plurality of shielding plates for closing the slit-like opening are juxtaposed along the slit-like opening as being suspended pivotally to be pushed open one after another by the penetrating member moving along the slit-like opening. The shielding plates are provided as adjacent pairs, and there is provided an operative coupling mechanism for operably coupling, with each other, two shielding plates constituting each pair in such a manner that in association with one of the paired shielding plates being pushed open in one direction by the penetrating member, the other shielding plate is pivotally opened in the opposite direction to the one direction.

Abstract: A mullion sealing bridge and method for use in a curtain wall system. In one aspect, the bridge is placed at an intersection horizontal and vertical mullions to divert fluid along the curtain wall system. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joining system for connecting two elements, for example a beam (10) and a pillar (11), comprising a receiving device (1), a box element (3) and a bridge element (2), where the box element comprises attachment devices for preferably angled reinforcing rods (4). The invention also relates to a box element (3), a bridge element (2) and a method for placing the box element (3) in a concrete element.

Abstract: A removable window insulator preferably includes at least one pane, at least four frame members, at least four compressible seals and at least four adjusting members. At least one frame member is mitered on each end thereof. An edge seal strip is attached to an outer edge of each frame member. A single compressible seal is inserted between ends of two adjacent frame members. A single adjusting member is used to set a distance between adjacent frame members. At least one cross member may be secured in an inner perimeter of the removable window insulator. Second and third embodiments of the removable window insulator are used to seal a double window. A fourth embodiment of the removable window insulator is used to seal a window with a partially curved perimeter.

Abstract: A shock suppressor has a first base, a second base, a sliding holder assembly and a connecting device. The first base has an elongated first sliding channel in a first direction. The second base is parallel to the first base and has an elongated second sliding channel in a second direction. The connecting device is slidably mounted between the first and second sliding channels. The sliding holder assembly is mounted between the connecting device and at least one of the bases. The first base is connected with one of the convex ends of the connecting device in a curved contact surface to provide a first sliding mechanism in a first unidirectional sliding direction. The second base is connected with the other convex end of the connecting device to provide a second sliding mechanism in a second unidirectional sliding direction.