Abstract: A vented and water control paneling has improved drainage and integrated ventilation air space. The water control paneling may be fabricated with an omnidirectional relief pattern formed on its back surface. The relief pattern spaces the vented and water control paneling away from a structure to which it is secured, thereby providing an omnidirectional drainage plane between the back surface of the paneling and the structure. The omnidirectional drainage plane provides an unimpeded ventilation and drainage path of water and/or water vapor.

Abstract: An insulated construction member has a first wooden rail and a second wooden rail. The second wooden rail is positioned in parallel spaced relation to the first wooden rail. This parallel spaced relation creates a thermal break between the first wooden rail and the second wooden rail. A series of planar wooden connectors are positioned at spaced intervals along the length of the first wooden rail and the length of the second wooden rail. Each of the planar wooden connectors extends across the thermal break between the first wooden rail and the second wooden rail. A polymer insulation is positioned between the first wooden rail and the second wooden rail completely filling the thermal break. The polymer insulation encapsulates the series of planar wooden connectors, with the polymer insulation being reinforced by the series of planar wooden connectors.

Abstract: A Z-shaped attachment element for use in building construction is disclosed. The Z-shaped attachment element is made from a single piece of sheet metal that is first cut and then bent to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile. The Z-shaped attachment element comprises: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends (wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile); and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section, but not into the upper bend or the upper flange, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for installing field-assembled flooring systems wherein the underlayment is a hybrid design that includes a combination of structural board and cementitious product. The hybrid design is configured to reduce or eliminate the curing time requirement after pouring the cementitious product (e.g., gypsum concrete). The field-assembled flooring systems can reduce or eliminate the chances of the onset of mold due to high moisture levels by removing the cementitious product from the prone areas and replacing it with structural boards. The structural boards (e.g., cellulose fiberboards) can be installed in non-critical areas such as underneath cabinets, around the perimeter of the floor, under bathtubs, in non-walk-in closets, anywhere drywall reaches the floor, or the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: Single-piece hinged-clamps employed used in assemblies used to mount solar power modules to surface installation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamp with a right portion with a right notch having a right platform, a left portion with a left notch having a left platform, and a base portion with a flexible hinge is disclosed. The left portion also includes a threaded aperture extending downwardly from the left platform. In some embodiments, a method of securing a component with the clamp is disclosed in which a right member of a component is inserted into a right notch of a clamp, an applied force imparts movement of a left notch away from the right notch, and a buildup of potential energy in the flexible hinge during the application of the force moves the left notch in the opposite direction to engage the left member of the component.

Abstract: A decorative and/or protective sleeve configured to cover a wooden beam includes a textured decorative surface, and an opening through which the beam may be inserted. The sleeve may have a faux wood surface texture to provide a fresh wood appearance and may further protect the beam from damage.

Abstract: A rafter bracket configured to connect a vertical post to a rafter and beam(s) is described herein. The rafter bracket may include lower vertical side plates, a horizontal plate, and upper vertical side plates. The horizontal plate may be perpendicular to the upper and lower vertical side plates and may separate the upper vertical side plates from the lower vertical side plates. The horizontal plate and lower vertical side plates may create a lower cavity that receives the vertical post. Meanwhile, the rafter may be positioned on one of the upper vertical side plates and positioned between two of the upper vertical side plates and may be angled at an acute angle relative to the vertical post as well as the upper and lower vertical side plates. One or more of the lower vertical side plates may receive lateral plates that define a lateral cavity receiving the beam.

Abstract: A modular perimeter frame system is described for forming a perimeter frame used in the construction of floors, walls and roofs of buildings. The modular perimeter frame system has a first modular sub-frame having one or two blunt end portions, and a second modular sub-frame having one or two overhang end portions. The blunt and overhang end portions are so dimensioned and shaped as to facilitate a continuous abutting engagement between at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the blunt end portion and at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the overhang end portion.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a siding system including a first panel having a first end and a second end, where the second end of the first panel includes a locking clip, and where the second end of the first panel forms a first portion of a channel. The siding system also includes a second panel having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the second panel includes a locking leg sized to engage the locking clip of the first panel, and where the first end of the second panel forms a second portion of the channel when the first panel and the second panel are engaged. The system also includes a batten sized to be removably engaged within the channel.

Abstract: A fire-rated receiver channel includes at least one intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The receiver channel can nest with a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. In other arrangements, a track assembly includes two nested tracks, an inner track and outer track. The assembly is designed so that the outside width of the outer track is equal to or less than the outside width of the inner track to present a substantially flush external surface for attachment of exterior sheathing elements when the assembly is used in an external wall.

Abstract: Devices, tools apparatus, kits, systems and methods for providing a gauge and tool for allowing a single installer to install siding boards, such as cedar and pine lap siding and Cementous boards on exterior walls. An installer can use two gauges to and install exterior wall siding on all sides of a building without a second installer. Each gauge can be cut from sheets of metal, such as aluminum having a thickness of approximately 0.09 inches. Each gauge can have a front generally rectangular panel with a left bent side with an upper left ledge and a lower left step, and a right bent side with an upper right ledge, and a lower right step, a first top middle panel extending upward from the rectangular panel between the left bent side and the right bent side, and a first mounting hole through the front generally rectangular panel. An installer can initially mount a bottom first siding panel on a wall. The gauges can allow siding such as 7.

Abstract: Anchors, clutches, and lifting systems are described herein that increase the size of a shear cone within a precast concrete panel without using multiple clutches and without increasing the complexity of the lift system. A shear cone is the volume within the panel that the anchor and clutch pull on when orienting and positioning the precast concrete panel. Anchors described herein encompass a larger volume of the panel in different ways to produce a larger shear cone. Similarly, the clutches described herein have features that allow a clutch to accommodate the improved anchors. As a result, the anchors, clutches, and lifting systems provide a larger shear cone in the panel to increase the load capacity of the lifting system and reduce the likelihood of failure.

Abstract: A joint assembly for a truss bottom plate, the truss bottom plate includes a first bottom plate and a second bottom plate adjacent to each other, and a gap exists at an adjacent position between the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate; the joint assembly includes a first barrier plate and a second barrier plate; the first barrier plate is connected with the first bottom plate; the second barrier plate is connected with the second bottom plate; a part of the first barrier plate is arranged to overlap a part of the second barrier plate and cover the gap. A truss of an escalator or a passenger conveyor, the truss of the escalator or the passenger conveyor includes the joint assembly as described above.

Abstract: A fire resistant construction block that comprises a core comprising a polygonal shape including a front face, a rear face, a right face, a left face, a bottom face, and a top face. The fire resistant construction block further comprises a fire resistant coating surrounding at least a portion of the core and an optional intermediate layer disposed between the core and the fire resistant coating. The fire resistant construction block can comprise a plurality of channels, and the top face of the fire resistant construction block comprises a sloped surface. The fire resistant construction block can be configured to be disposed above a window of a building and the placement of the fire resistant construction block can enable an exterior wall of a building to comply with a National Fire Protection Agency Code 285 standard fire test method and/or other fire test standards.

Abstract: A C-beam constructed to satisfy RMI and MHI standards for supporting two 2500 lb pallets over a 96 inch span and exhibit acceptable deflection, within industry safety specifications, that previously had only been satisfied by 4 inch C-beams of over 4 lb/ft, by optimizing the web thickness and the upper and lower flange dimensions. The beam is constructed, adapted, configured and dimensioned, such that it can weigh less than about 3.7 lb/ft, even less than about 3.55 lb/ft, and when supported at each end, will support an evenly distributed load of over 2400 lb, even 2500 lb, with a deflection of less than about 1/180 of its length.

Abstract: A frame using tubular columns and tubular rafters of generally rectangular cross section. Columns are arranged parallel, spaced apart, opposed pairs that are connected by bolted-on girts to form wall frames. Rafters are arranged parallel, spaced apart, opposed pairs that are connected by bolted-on purlins to form roof frames. Inwardly facing sides of columns and rafters have pluralities of castellated holes. Outwardly facing sides of columns and rafters have another plurality of castellated holes. All connections for braces and crane lifts are made in the inwardly facing sides of the columns and rafters. Joints have either a ridge plate or a haunch plates, each plate with two bolt holes that may be pivot holes and additional bolt holes for securing the plates. Base plates have two pairs of parallel vertical spaced-apart flanges, each pair fitting within and releasably attachable to a column. Pairs may be arranged parallel or perpendicular.

Abstract: Drill protection device (12) for an access member (10), the drill protection device (12) comprising an enclosure (26) defining an interior volume (50) and comprising a first side wall (32); at least one rigid first plate member (40) arranged within the interior volume (50), the at least one first plate member (40) being flexibly connected to the first side wall (32) and angled with respect to the first side wall (32); and fibers (52) arranged within the interior volume (50). A drill protection assembly (68) and an access member (10) are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method of masonry construction using masonry blocks and anchors, wherein the blocks are laid end to end, and an anchor is inserted between them. The anchor both spaces and secures the blocks, even before mortar is applied. The anchors contain legs recess between the walls of the masonry construction, and create a space for the walls to recess in to on the anchor, thereby providing multi-directional securement of the system. Embodiments of the system also contain grooves for additional securement and complemental engagement of the anchors.

Abstract: Technologies are described for a smoke baffle assembly and method of installation. The smoke baffle has a longitudinally extending base with an upper leg, a first leg, and a second leg. A first flange extends inward form the first leg and a second flange extends inward from the second leg. A smoke baffle holder holds an upper portion of a smoke baffle and has a first and second outward extending flange. Each of the outward extending flanges and inward extending flanges is configured and disposed for moving the outward extending flanges into the base and above the inward extending flanges and holding the smoke baffle in the base.