Abstract: A metal roof truss assembly is provided comprising a plurality of elongated structural members, including a top chord, a bottom chord, and a web member. Each structural member comprises a planar base and planar legs extending from the longitudinal edges of the base. The base and the legs define an open longitudinal channel. A flange integral with the longitudinal edges of each leg has a planar first portion extending outwardly from the legs and a planar second portion extending from the longitudinal edges of the first portion of the flanges. The end of a first structural member is inserted into the channel defined by the legs and the base of a second structural member. The inserted end of the first structural member has no flanges for a length equal to at least the depth to which the first structural member is received in the channel of the second structural member so that the outer surface of the legs of the first structural member are adjacent the inner surface of the legs of the second structural member.

Abstract: A pumped shower drain system (10) comprises a shower base (12), a waste water unit (14) provided on the shower base (12) and having a waste water inlet (28) and a waste water outlet (30), and a reciprocating water pump (20) for pumping water from the waste water unit (14) to a drain (22). The reciprocating water pump (20) includes: a pump housing (40) having a pump inlet (48) in liquid communication with the waste water outlet (30) of the waste water unit (14), and a pump outlet (50) in liquid communication with the drain (22); first and second inlet valve seals (56, 58) in spaced relationship; and first and second outlet valve seals (84, 86) in spaced relationship. Each set of inlet and outlet valve seals comprise different kinds of valve seals from each other, and are independently closable to close the pump inlet or outlet. Preferably, the inlet valve seals and/or the outlet valve seals have different modes of operation.

Abstract: A self-sealing window with a flexible gasket that extends around the entire perimeter of closure assemblies and a method of installing such closure assemblies in a rough opening. A sealing member is attached continuously around an entire perimeter of the closure assembly to form a water impermeable seal between the sealing member and the closure assembly. The closure assembly is inserted into the rough opening. Accurate positioning of the closure assembly in the rough opening is verified. The closure assembly is secured in the rough opening. The sealing member is engaged with an exterior surface of the structure proximate the rough opening. A foam material is delivered into at least a portion of a space between perimeter edge surfaces of the closure assembly and inner surfaces of the rough opening.

Abstract: An elevated retainer is disclosed for retaining roofing tile that include tile lugs against a roofing surface. The elevated retainer includes a retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top. Extending from the retainer head, is a reinforcing strip with as nail slot. The reinforcing strip being adapted for extending in generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface. The device also includes lug retainer that engages lugs of the roofing tile while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer.

Abstract: A multi-layered roofing shingle is described. The layers of the shingle are connected via a mechanical fastener. A method for manufacturing a multi-layered shingle is also described. The method includes aligning the layers of the shingle, and connecting the layers via at least one mechanical fastener. Further described is a multi-layered shingle having layers that are mechanically fastened by deforming one of the layers into one of the other layers.

Abstract: A building system including a plurality of supports structured to be vertically disposed in an underlying surface in spaced apart relation from one another, and a plurality of support headers removably disposed on an exposed end of each of the supports. Each support header includes a mounting hub that removably engages the exposed end of the support. A span element is further provided and extends between adjacent supports, each span element including a lock element that matingly engages a corresponding engagement element at the supports so as to removably secure the span element in position. A reinforcement panel formed of a stiff, open grid configuration is suspended from the span element along with an application panels.

Abstract: An interlocking, modular floor tile that comprises a planar member defined by a perimeter having four sides and a top surface, a plurality of downwardly projecting support legs of common length dispersed pattern-wise inside the perimeter of the planar member and coupled with the top surface, and at least one female interlocking connector element that extends outside the perimeter of the planar member for receiving a support leg of a like tile and thereby forming an interlock with the like tile.

Abstract: A self-supporting module contains first and second rectangular, generally closed longitudinal frames, which are detachably interconnected by crossmembers and to which external wall elements are detachably fixed. The module is characterized in that the external wall elements have dimensions corresponding generally to the height and the width or length of the module and that the outer edges of the elements run flush with the outer edges of the longitudinal frames and crossmembers in such a way that in the corner region of the module, the end faces of adjoining external wall elements define a recess in the form of re-entrant corner. Corner elements are detachably fixed in the recesses, the elements sealing the interior of the module that is delimited by the external wall elements in relation to the exterior.

Abstract: An exterior wall assembly includes a wall frame supporting an interior wall layer and an exterior wall layer opposite the interior wall layer, a flexible sheet disposed within the exterior wall assembly, and a seal attached to the flexible sheet and configured to prevent ingress of water toward the wall frame. The flexible sheet is configured to transport moisture from between the interior wall layer and the exterior wall layer to a location outside of the exterior wall assembly.

Abstract: An integrated window sash includes a sash frame having a base between first and second sheet supporting surfaces and first and second sheets each having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet are secured to the first supporting surface, and marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet are secured to the second supporting surface. The first surface of the second sheet faces and is spaced from the second surface of the first sheet to provide a compartment therebetween. A desiccating medium carried in a groove, or on the base communicates with the compartment, and the base and the desiccating medium define an interior opening in the sash frame, wherein the first sheet is sized to pass through the interior opening to the first sheet supporting surface without contacting the desiccating medium.

Abstract: A door comprising first and second door skins secured to each other to form a cavity therebetween filled with expended foam. Each of the door skins has an opening therethrough for receiving a glass insert and a flange portion. Distal ends of the flange portions of the first and second door skins engage each other in an overlapping relationship by the expansion pressure of the expanded foam. The door further comprises a glazing rim member having a leg portion snap-locked between the flange portions of the first and second door skins. The method for assembling the door comprises the steps of filling the cavity between the door skins with foam material, then inserting the glass insert through the openings in the door skins and mounting the glazing rim member to the first door skin by snap-locking between the flange portions of the first and second door skins.

Abstract: A disposable portable toilet that is efficiently fabricated from foldable stock, such as corrugated cardboard, with minimal waste and adapted with a fluid absorbing inner liner is disclosed. Foldable stock material is formed as a blank sheet having a plurality of fold lines defining multiple panels disposed in side-by-side relation, and a joining tab. Each panel includes a fold-in tab that functions to provide a rim. The blank sheet provides a structure that may be configured to form a support structure that is selectively configurable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. An absorbent liner is insertedly received within the support structure. Padding sections are disposed on the liner in proximity to overlay the top rim of the support structure when the liner is received therein thereby providing the device with a padded upper rim. A drawstring functions as a closure member to close the liner after use.

Abstract: A corrugated hurricane panel attachment and strengthening strap system and method for enhanced storm protection for a window of a building. A pair of attaching brackets are each entrappingly connectable along opposing upright edges of the corrugated panel and to the corresponding window frame to hold the upright edges of the panel protectively over the outside of the window. An elongated flexible strap is extendable across the front and rear faces of the panel and is supported through and tensioned against spaced slots formed through each of the brackets, the slots being spaced apart a distance similar to a thickness of the panel. The ends of the strap are lockingly engagable one to another under tension wherein the strap bears against an outer surface of the corrugations of the panel for added panel strength.

Abstract: A kit of parts for a column assembly includes a sleeve having a first end portion, and a second opposed end portion. The kit further includes a collar having a collar aperture therethrough for receiving the first end portion of the sleeve in sliding fit. The kit further includes a skirt having skirt a first end and a skirt second end opposed to the skirt first end. A skirt aperture extends through the skirt for receiving the first end portion of the sleeve in sliding fit to position the skirt second end is adjacent the collar. A base is positionable adjacent the first end portion. The collar is selectively securable to the either the base or the skirt second end, and the skirt first end is selectively securable to the base, such that the column assembly is selectively assemblable with or without the skirt.

Abstract: A high-frequency measuring enclosure for measuring large test objects is formed by an air-supported membrane or textile construction of a spherical or ellipsoidal contour, which is substantially pervious to electromagnetic radiation. For absorption of residual electromagnetic radiation that may be reflected by the interior of the surface, the floor is covered with absorber material.

Abstract: A column borne building construction according to the present invention comprises a building and one substantially vertical column for bearing the load of said building construction. The building has a polyhedron shape, this polyhedron shape having a top face defining a polygon shape by means of N1 top edges and N1 top vertices. The polyhedron shape comprises additional faces other than said top face, which additional faces are defined by additional edges and additional vertices. The top face is substantially perpendicular to the column and encircling the column. Each of the N1 top vertices join two top edges and at least one additional edge of the polyhedron. The column has a top coupling point and at least 3 of the N1 top vertices are connected to the column by means of a tension member. The extensions of these tension members coincide in the top coupling point.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a nacelle with any manner of associated power generation equipment. The nacelle is mounted atop a tower having a base end configured for support on a ground level foundation. A tower support system provides support to the tower and includes an axially extending circumferential sleeve mounted around the tower at a location between the base end and the nacelle. A plurality of support legs are disposed around the sleeve, with each support leg having a first end rigidly affixed to the sleeve and an opposite foot end configured for mounting to a ground level footing. The support legs extend from the sleeve with a length and at an acute extension angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tower so as to provide a designed degree of vertical and lateral support around the circumference of the tower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roof system for installation on an existing roof. The existing roof has a plurality of open web steel joists with an existing metal deck thereon. The roof system includes a plurality of deck straps, a roof deck and roofing and insulation. The plurality of deck straps are attached to the open web steel joist through the existing metal deck. The deck straps have a plurality of alternating lower portions and upper portions. The lower portions are attached to the open web steel joist. The upper portions extend upwardly of the existing metal deck. The roof deck is attached to the upper portions of the continuous deck strap. The roofing and insulation is attached to the roof deck.

Abstract: A noise-reducing substrate for use in a flooring system which ha a subfloor and a floating floor upper layer. The substrate comprises a series of edge butted panels, each having a bottom surface, a top surface and side surfaces. A profile in the bottom surface of the substrate changes the substrate's effective stiffness improving the noise isolation of the substrate compared to the stiffness and noise isolation of the panel without the profile. Additionally, the profile reduces the weight of the panel, thereby reducing manufacturing and installation costs. Material hardness and profile flatness of the upper surface provide the strength and texture required to allow for installation of the floating floor layer without the need for an additional rigid backing material. Such a system greatly improves the impact noise reduction on floor/ceiling systems while keeping the installation cost low and adding little to the total system thickness.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a foundation for a wind turbine. The foundation includes a section which is partly embedded in a concrete section and a cover which is arranged across an intersection between the embedded section and the concrete section. In that way, intrusion of water between the sections can be prevented effectively, and the lifetime of the foundation can be increased and/or the maintenance costs can be reduced. A method of making a foundation for a wind turbine and a wind turbine with the foundation are also disclosed.