Abstract: An insulating unit for an electrical box for insulating an electrical box. The insulating unit for an electrical box includes a rear portion, a lower portion extending from the rear portion, an upper portion extending from the rear portion opposite of the lower portion, and a side portion extending from the rear portion defining a rectangular cavity for receiving the electrical box within. A cutout may be made within the upper portion, side portion or lower portion for receiving a wire. Sealants are preferably utilized for sealing and securing to a wall stud. The rear portion, lower portion, upper portion and side portion are preferably comprised of an insulating material.

Abstract: A metal stud and clip assembly is designed for use in a non-load-bearing wall to allow a horizontal ceiling to vertically float thereon. This is accomplished by an elongated receiving channel on the stud spaced inwardly from its edges. A clip member has an elongated stabilizing bar slidably inserted into the channel, and the stabilizing bar itself then is secured to a horizontal ceiling or a track system mounted to the ceiling. Thus, relative movement of the ceiling with respect to the wall allows the stabilizing bar to move up and down in the receiving channel on the stud member.

Abstract: A device for surface-treating, coating or producing construction elements in a continuous process has production chambers arranged successively closely adjacent to one another in a direction of transport of the construction elements through the device. Each production chamber has opposed ends with through openings and is connectable to a vacuum source. Each production chamber has a stationary chamber part of reinforced concrete and a detachable chamber part of reinforced concrete connected to the stationary chamber part, wherein the stationary chamber parts have first edge areas and the detachable chamber parts have second edge areas, wherein the first and second edge areas have sealing surfaces sealing the stationary and detachable chamber parts relative to one another. Each production chamber has walls defining a hollow interior, wherein the walls consist of a metallic skin anchored in the stationary and detachable chamber parts, respectively.

Abstract: A prefabricated sealed composite insulating panel for use in commercial and residential buildings. The panel has an insulating core sandwiched between an outer board layer and a skin material that is capable of radiating heat. The insulating core and the skin material are positioned so that they are offset with respect to the outer board layer such that the insulating core and the skin material extend beyond the outer board layer on one lateral side and on one transverse end. The insulating core and the skin material are recessed, with respect to the outer board by equivalent dimensions, on an opposite lateral side and on an opposite transverse end. The insulating core is completely surrounded and encapsulated by a plastic channel that protects the insulating core during transportation and installation. The composite panel, according to the present invention, provides a completely sealed panel that can be easily and efficiently installed on-site.

Abstract: For designing a balanced stair comprising steps with treads (1-15) showing front edges (26), a line of travel (22) is determined on the stair and a reference line is determined onto each step in a predetermined position with respect to the front edge (26) thereof. In contrast to the prior art methods wherein the reference lines, more particularly the front edges (26) or the risers (25) of the steps, are divided along the line of travel (22) on constant mutual distances measured on the line of travel itself, the substantially constant mutual distances (d) between the reference lines is determined according to the invention near the line of travel (22) along a measuring line (27) which is determined for each pair of adjoining reference lines so as to form a substantially constant angle (?) with at least one of the adjoining reference lines thereof. In this way, a stair which is easier to walk on and which automatically shows a more regular nosing line at the outer string (21) is obtained FIG. 8.

Abstract: A connection, and a method of forming a connection, that adhesively fixes and bonds a fastening element or anchor in bore hole, particularly in a soft substrate or substrate with an interior cavity or void where the anchor is to be set in vertical wall or set upwardly into a ceiling. To make the connection, an accessory is used that has the form of a sleeve having a closed or partially blocked insertion end and an open anchor receiving end and apertures running along its length. The accessory helps to ensure that the anchor is surrounded with mortar or adhesive, and the mortar or adhesive contacts the wall of the bore. The cylindrical wall of the sleeve has apertures along its length. The sleeve can be formed with larger apertures formed near the anchor receiving end of the sleeve and smaller apertures formed near the insertion end of the sleeve. The sleeve is formed by inserting an open-ended cylindrical mesh tube into a frame that holds the tube along its length at a select location.

Abstract: A barrier implement intended for obstructing a route of travel of crawling arthropods along a passageway comprises a sheet configured to circumscribe a passageway along which arthropods crawl. A dimension of the sheet is sized or molded relative to said passageway. An arthropod deterring component associated with said sheet for deterring said crawling arthropods and impeding their route of travel along said passageway. In a method of impeding a route of travel of crawling arthropods from moving along a passageway from a location A to a location B, an arthropod deterring component is associated with a sheet. The sheet separates location A from location B and creates a vermin-impervious barrier therebetween. A route of travel of crawling arthropods from moving from location A to location B is impeded.

Abstract: A vehicle window assembly including a protective transparent plastic window liner covering the inner side of the glass pane and held removably in place by flexible liner-retaining strips having quarter-round molding portions overlying the margins of the liner and anchor portions that are releasably secured in mounting grooves along the edge portions of the window pane. The anchor portions are integral with the molding portions and are pressed into the grooves past detent ribs that lock the strips releasably in place, to secure the window liner against easy removal by a passenger but permitting removal by service personnel for replacement. The mounting grooves are in elongated window-retaining bars that are positioned against the inner side of the paneand also are removably secured in place for ease of reglazing, having enlarged deformable anchors pressed into locking grooves with restricted open sides forming releasable tongue-and-groove connections for removal by tilting of the bars.

Abstract: A retaining wall block is provided. The retaining wall block includes top, bottom, front, back, first side and second side surfaces. A tongue set is provided on the top surface of the block and a groove in the bottom surface of the block. The tongue set includes a rear-facing surface set that includes first and second curved sections. A block form for forming retaining wall blocks is also provided. A face form for placement on the bottom surface of a block form is also provided. A method of molding retaining wall blocks with a form having hinged doors is also provided. A method of using a face form for forming two blocks of reversed front surface ornamentation is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exterior window shutter that is made of thermoplastic resin, has functional louvers, but is still hurricane resistant. The shutter includes a perimeter framework that is adapted to receive a transparent impact resistant member. This impact resistant member is permanently affixed to the perimeter framework to increase structural stability. Additionally, this invention provides a method to make a high strength and structurally stable hurricane resistant louvered shutter.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for positioning and fixing beams, in particular made from wood, in particular for the construction of ground foundations, by means of at least one ground dowel. The ground dowel receives, in a retaining part, a ground dowel insert part which can be fixed therein and which possesses a retaining means, attached to a baseplate, for determining the position of the beam relative to the ground dowel insert part, the ground dowel insert part being fixed at least adhesively on the pressed-on beam. After the ground dowel, placed at the desired position and provided with the ground dowel insert part, has been adjusted to the desired height, the beam is pressed on to the retaining means in the desired position. The ground dowel insert part is fixed on the removed beam in accordance with the position determined by the retaining means, and the beam thus positioned, with the ground dowel insert part fixed thereon, is inserted into the retaining section of the ground dowel.

Abstract: A fire protection system that covers and protects a structure from fire and other hazards. The system, which is electronically actuated, comprises primarily poles located on opposite sides of the structure, and a flexible fire retardant cover stored on a reel. Cables attached to the flexible fire retardant cover pull it over the structure, when the system is actuated, to form a protective tent.

Abstract: A combination partition screen includes at least two upright supports, each upright support having a plurality of longitudinal coupling portions in corners thereof and a plurality of spacers respectively mounted between each two adjacent upright supports to support partition panels, each spacer having a flat base wall, a flat bearing wall and a flat supporting wall respectively extended from the base wall, an upward stop flange extended from the flat bearing wall and adapted to hold with the flat base wall a partition panel on the flat bearing wall, a downward stop flange extended from the flat supporting wall and adapted to hold with the flat base wall a partition panel below the flat supporting wall, a downward locating flange extended from the flat bearing wall and defining with the flat supporting wall an elongated coupling chamber for hanging things, a flat positioning wall perpendicularly extended from an opposite side of the flat base wall on the middle, an elongated clamping wall extended from the fla

Abstract: Assembling window frame assemblies often requires skilled labor at a construction site. Various aspects of the invention provide frame assemblies and methods of installing that may reduce the need of skilled carpenters on-site in some circumstances. In one particular example, the invention provides a window frame assembly that includes a cover, a main frame, and a glazing pane. The cover has a transverse member that includes a mating projection. The main frame has a window opening and a confronting periphery. The confronting periphery includes a peripheral recess and a guide, with the peripheral recess being sized to telescopically receive a portion of the cover mating projection. The guide may include an outwardly flared guide surface that is adapted to guide the leading edge of the mating projection into the recess. The presence of the guide can greatly facilitate assembly of the cover and the main frame in a window housing.

Abstract: A plastic cap is securable to a tubular fence picket or like construction component by a strong frictional fit when a tubular attachment portion of the cap is pressed into an open end of the construction component. An attachment portion of the cap is tapered to facilitate insertion of the cap, and lines of flexure permit a pair of walls forming the attachment portion to partially collapse without loss of structural integrity in order to allow the attachment portion of the cap to fit tightly inside the corresponding construction component. The lines of flexure include grooves formed in walls of the attachment portion and thinned and rounded corner regions of the attachment portion. Slit-like gaps separate the deformable walls from a decorative top portion of the cap, in order to allow walls of the attachment portion to partially collapse independently of the top portion.

Abstract: A deflection clip comprising a planar base plate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, and a guide depending from the base plate. The guide comprises a first arm extending along a longitudinal axis substantially transverse to the base plate from a proximal end adjacent the second surface. The guide further comprises a second arm extending away from the base plate oriented in the same direction as the first arm defining a channel between the arms.

Abstract: A boxable corner bead for finishing drywall corners that is made from two flanges with a protruding nose section. This bead can be made in regular, bullnose, or flex trim type arrangements. Once the bead is attached to a drywall corner, it can be mudded on both sides of the corner without waiting for the mud on the first side to dry. This is because of the shape of the nose which allows a mud dispensing box to apply mud on one side without getting mud on the nose. The box can then be immediately moved to the other side, where that side can be mudded. The nose itself is prepared to directly receive paint or texture, and hence does not need any mud. The flex-trim version has a raised trapezoidal section with a V-groove cut in the back. The bead hinges around the V-groove to match any corner angle. Both sides can be mudded as with the fixed bead. The beads can be used with both interior and exterior corners.

Abstract: A modular wall or fence construction system includes at least first and second I-profile blocks, each having an I-shape in planform. The I-shape defines a parallel pair of flanges across opposite ends of a web extending between the flanges. The I-profile blocks have generally planar and parallel upper and lower surfaces and a uniform vertical height. Each of the flanges of the first and second I-profile blocks have radiused rib keys formed in opposite parallel edges of the flanges. The edges are distal on the flanges relative to the web. A first pair of the radiused rib keys are a pair of convex rails along the parallel edges on a first side of the web. A second pair of the radiused rib keys are a pair of concave channels along the parallel edges on a second side of the web opposite the first side of the web. Each flange has oppositely disposed, on opposite edges, one convex rail and one concave channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out work on an object of shipbuilding or building construction or industrial installations by means of hanging stages or cradles, which are connected to the object by means of a plurality of U-shaped fixtures. For a long time this method has suffered from the disadvantage that subsequent welding, flexing, breaking away and similar work led to damage to adjacent surfaces. It was also necessary to dispose of the separated U-fixtures or irons. This problem is obviated by the invention in that waterproof, stainless base plates (10) are fixed in spaced manner to the object so as to remain permanently thereon and the fixtures (16) are fixed to the base plate (10) by means of a redetachable screw or plug-in connection (14) and following the detachment and removal of the reusable fixtures (16) from the base plate (10), the screw or plug-in connection (14) is closed.

Abstract: An intumescent firestopping apparatus used in poke-through applications for selectively sealing an opening through a construction barrier such as a wall, floor or ceiling having cables or other penetrating members extending therethrough. The apparatus effectively seals this barrier responsive to a fire to prevent unwanted transmission of fire through conventional construction barrier areas. The apparatus includes a sleeve with two intumescent pads positioned therein. At least one of the pads has an arcuate curved central section to be biased against the other intumescent pad to define therebetween a confinement area for holding of cables centrally located therein in a dynamically adjustable sealing throat defined therebetween. These pads can be variously mounted with respect to the adjacent wall structures and one or both of the pads can be arched toward the other pad to facilitate defining of the dynamic throat for receiving cables extending therethrough.