Abstract: A corner protector is provided for protecting a corner of an object. The corner protector includes first and second spaced sidewalls. Each sidewall includes an outer edge having a notch formed therein in order to allow sidewalls to flex. A connection element interconnects the first and second sidewalls such that the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls define an object receiving cavity therebetween. Support shoulders are provided within the object receiving cavity of the corner protector to support the corner of the object when inserted therein.

Abstract: An improved bracket assembly that provides support and repair when connected to sides of a structural member installed in a support structure. The bracket assembly includes one or a pair of brackets that are composed of angle iron base portions having flanges thereon, and having opposed base end sections extending along a longitudinal axis from a centrally positioned and outwardly displaced mid-segment. The outwardly displaced mid-segment of each bracket is positioned adjacent to, and spans across, an open section of the structural member through which one or more conduits pass, thereby providing structural support while allowing passage of conduits through the structural member. The opposed base end sections include a plurality of equally spaced apart holes drilled therethrough, for connection of each bracket with wood screws to each structural member without requiring the pre-drilling of holes into each structural member.

Abstract: A cable support apparatus for a raised floor system comprising at least one support member. The at least one support member is configured to be mounted to a pedestal of the raised floor system and connect with portions of cable trays. The support member, in one preferred embodiment includes a first member and a second member, each defining a slot for positioning on the support pedestal. The support member also includes a plurality of holes for the securing of the first member and the second member together as well as for connecting with cable trays. The cable trays are attached to the support member with an attachment mechanism such as a threaded stud.

Abstract: A bracket support for a ledger in order to secure the ledger to a wall in which a plate is temporarily attached to the wall, the plate including a shelf upon which the ledger is supported and a clamp removably presses the ledger to the wall until the ledger can be anchored to the wall by means of anchor bolts and grout.

Abstract: A fixture having a lateral width which is larger than an interval between a couple of neighboring studs is to be fixedly attached to the neighboring studs so as to bridge the couple of neighboring studs, when a joint portion between the vertical sides of neighboring siding boards arranged horizontally does not coincide with the position of any of said studs, thereby fastening the joint portion of a couple of neighboring siding boards by making use of the second fixture.

Abstract: A skirt assembly system for use on a mobile home. The skirt assembly system includes a plurality of telescoping studs. The skirt assembly system also includes a plurality of tracks wherein the stud are secured within the tracks with an edged of the stud facing out. The skirt assembly system also includes studs fastened to a side wall of the tracks. The skirt assembly system also includes a brace connected to the telescoping studs on one side thereof and connected to a bottom of the mobile home on an opposite end of the brace.

Abstract: A shelf extends inwardly to the gutter trough from the front containment wall of a gutter trough to cooperate with a lip of a cavity structure of a hanger to provide structural stability and optional deflector attachment facility in a rain collection and diversion system. The hanger cavity structure has a containment lip a portion of which extends over a portion of the inwardly extending shelf of the front containment wall to allow functional water bearing capacity of the trough and a lengthened back trough wall to accommodate hanger placement and deflector inclination. The hanger can include deflector-mating cavities that open toward each other to allow compression attachment of the deflector. In a preferred embodiment, the deflector may be attached to a formed trough in which hangers are positioned to allow movement of the trough-deflector combination as a unit from the machine-site to the installation location on the structure. Associated installation methods are provided.

Abstract: The intrusion of insects into a home or similar building is controlled by utilizing insect controlling plastic materials in the construction of the building. The insect controlling plastic building materials are manufactured by first blending one or more plastic resins with one or more insect controlling chemical agents to form a blended plastic resin/insect controlling chemical agent material. The blended plastic resin/insect controlling chemical agent material is then utilized to manufacture plastic films, sheets, non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, insulating foams, flooring materials, wall covering materials, and the like utilizing conventional manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A wind protection system for covering a structure. The system, which is electronically activated, comprises primarily a pair of extendable poles located on opposite sides of the structure, and a sheet of flexible netting stored on a reel. Cables attached to the netting pull it up and over the tops of the extended poles when the system is activated and when the poles are retracted, pull the netting down and over the structure to form a protective tent.

Abstract: In a panel ceiling, a grid that supports panels has main beams and cross beams. In assembly, the main beams are directly attached to an overhead structure and the cross beams and panels are assembled onto the main beams. Stepped slots in the main beams enable the cross beams to be locked to the main beams to keep the cross beams and panels aligned.

Abstract: A safe room for protecting an occupant against tornado and other extremely high winds, where at least one wall member and roof member of the safe room are constructed from at least one metallic-skinned foam panels having an impact-absorbing sheathing attached to at least one side of the metallic-skinned foamed panel as a cladding layer. The safe room also includes at least one securable door, and is further fixedly anchored to a foundation. The safe room using this construction is lightweight yet strong enough to withstand killer tornado and hurricane wind loads and airborne debris impact loads. The safe room can therefore be pre-assembled and shipped to the installation site with only the need to be secured to a foundation. Or, the safe room can be easily assembled at the installation site from a kit. In either case, installation of the safe room is easy, inexpensive, and, apart from the foundation and anchorage thereto, requires no structural additions.

Abstract: A method is provided for specifying parameters for modular formworks from construction documents which define an original structure, in which the construction documents are either scanned or a CAD version is read out. From the scanned drawings or the CAD information, various elements of the structure to be built are identified and selected in an order specific to a particular modular construction system. After identification and selection, reference numerals are assigned for the selected parts or components, with the numbers representing a component of the building such as what floor is intended, walls, ceilings, and other structural components down to the placement of light switches, HVAC vents, drainage, sinks, and plumbing valves.

Abstract: A heating assembly is provided which includes a metal stair tread member having an upper horizontal surface and a bottom surface for mounting on a stair tread of a staircase. A strip heating element is attached to the bottom surface of the stair tread member. A first covering of synthetic material encapsulates the horizontal surface of the metal stair tread member and the strip heating element on bottom surface of the stair tread member. The strip heating element is contiguous with the bottom surface and is attached thereto by a gasket extending around the peripheral edge of the strip heating element. A thermostat is electrically connected to the strip heater and to a power source for selectively supplying electric current to the strip heater in response to changes ambient temperatures. A temperature sensing element is in electrical communication with the thermostat wherein the thermostat selectively supplies the current to the strip heating element.

Abstract: A fastened structure wherein flat siding boards such as ceramic siding boards are fastened to the side of a building by making use of a fastening member. A first engaging members each having an engaging groove and an engaging hook are attached to the side of a building at predetermined intervals “d”. On the other hand, the siding board is provided on the rear surface thereof with a number of a second engaging members each having an engaging projection which is adapted to be engaged with the engaging hook of the first engaging member. The siding boards can be fastened in multistage vertically to the side of the building by pressing the siding board onto the side of a building so as to cause the first engaging member to engage with the second engaging member.

Abstract: A building structure having a plurality of alternating siding boards and corner blocks that simulate a hewn log building with dovetail notches and the method of application are disclosed. The corner blocks and siding boards are preformed to fit snugly together at the structure's corner and are attached by wood splines and exterior wood glue. A three legged fastener or “h” clip attaches the siding units to the sheathing in the chink joint. The siding can be speedily erected at the site with a minimum of field cutting on either new or existing buildings.

Abstract: A bumper and supporting frame assembly for protecting a column or a corner, or any object which may come in contact with the column or corner. The invention includes tires having hubs or wheels rotatably mounted on a sleeve, i.e. a hollow tube. A pair of frames for mounting around a column, one above the tires and the other below the tires, support the tires in their position as bumpers to protect the column. The frames have tubular protrusions, e.g. pipes, extending towards one another and telescopically engaged. The sleeve is rotatably mounted on the pipes. Energy from an object which strikes the column is dissipated by this rotation of the sleeve relative to the pipes, as well as the rotation of the tires relative to the sleeve. Each frame includes two portions, which are removably attached to one another, allowing for the easy adjustment of the frames along a column. The adjustment of both frames allows for the height of the bumper to be varied on the column.

Abstract: A stud form and system for forming a preformed concrete wall panel having a solid portion and a plurality of vertical concrete studs joined to the solid portion. The stud form includes a substantially U-shaped channel having a face portion that defines an elongated plane and leg portions extending along side of and away from the elongated plane to define a predetermined channel depth. The stud form further includes means for integrally connecting the stud form to the solid portion of the wall panel with the channel opened toward the solid portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching roof membranes to roof decks. A bridge is placed on flaps created by overlapping portions of roofing material. The bridge is comprised of two end portions which engage the roofing material. A screw is preferably installed through the bridge and into the roof deck. When wind applies force to the roofing membrane, the bridge creates a fulcrum-like effect which helps secure the roof membrane to the roof deck.

Abstract: A method for fabricating muntin grid pieces includes steps that attach a pair of material strips to opposed edges of the muntin bar element. The material strips may be provided in side-by-side strips that may be separated an simultaneously applied to the opposite sides of the muntin bar element. The connection between the material strips and the muntin bar element may be made with an adhesive or a mechanical connection. The method allows the material strips to be connected to the muntin grid pieces before the muntin grid pieces are assembled into a muntin bar grid for a window.

Abstract: A sealing device for engaging the surface of a vehicle parked adjacent a structure and which is automatically actuated in response to the approach or departure of the vehicle. A seal member is supported by a pivoting frame which is mountable to the structure. The pivoting frame is moveable between an engaged position in which the seal is positioned to engage the vehicle surface and a released position in which the seal is spaced away from the vehicle surface. A pivoting actuating member is mountable to the structure and engages the frame. The actuating member is adapted to be responsive to movement of the vehicle, so that the frame having the attached seal member moves toward the engaged position as the vehicle approaches the structure. Accordingly, the seal member seals the interior of the cargo vehicle as well as the interior of the structure from the ingress of wind, water and other contaminants in order to maintain a safer work environment.