Abstract: A modular assembly for creating formwork for casting vertical concrete structures is characterized by elongated elements having a generally concave interior surface which are disposed in edge to edge relationship in two facing rows, and which are simultaneously retained in edge to edge relationship and in facing relationship by connecting members. The connecting members comprise an elongated wall with a central portion between two outer portions. The elements have two extensions which extend laterally along the plane of the middle side of the elements. By engaging a connecting member to an element, the outer side of the element, the extension of the element and the outer portion of the connecting member form a triangular space providing structural rigidity to the formwork.

Abstract: The present invention is a fireproof and hurricane proof building having a concrete floor, a plurality of special wall assemblies, and a special roof assembly. Each special wall assembly comprises a reinforced cinder block wall, foam, stucco, fireproof coatings, steel studs, and fire retardant gypsum plaster. The special roof assembly comprises steel trusses, steel joists, metal sheets, and fireproof tiles. The windows and doors are fireproof and hurricane proof. The special wall assemblies, special roof assembly, and concrete floor are interconnected to form an air tight, fireproof and hurricane proof enclosure.

Abstract: A monolithic, reinforced concrete framework for a multilevel, multi-unit building results from the utilization of factory prefabricated and finished wall panels, floor/ceiling panels and utility core modules, the juxtaposition of which, without forms, defines volumetric beam voids. The beam voids are exterior to the wall panels, floor/ceiling panels and core modules. Wall panels include light gage studs, which are loadbearing studs, and light gage column frames. Beam voids and column frames for a building level are poured with concrete at one time. Each building level is erected and poured in one day; and the next level can commence the following morning, without need for exterior scaffolds. The beams and columns carry the weight of the building down into the foundation.

Abstract: A device for sealing concrete joints is provided. The sealing device includes an elongate section (8) having a larger width than thickness (t). The section (8) has longitudinal edge portions (12, 13) and is intended for casting into two concrete structures (1, 2) for sealing a concrete joint area between the two structures (1,2). A swellable material (7, 14) is provided at least at the longitudinal edge portions (12, 13) thereof. The section (8) is made of a substantially rigid material and is provided with an internal cavity extending over a major part of its width.

Abstract: The process includes the steps of removing a circle of ceiling sheet and cylinder of insulation material to create a work space under a portion of one of the I-beam-like roof bows and maneuvering in the space a U-shaped clamp having inward ribs at the upper end of its legs to straddle and hook over the bottom flange of the bow. A threaded rod extending through a threaded bore in the bight of the clamp is tightened to fix the clamp to the bow. A bearing nut with a wide plate is then screwed onto the lower end of the rod so that the plate engages and supports the sheet. Insulation is then injected into the space.

Abstract: A stack of expanded foam blocks form a wall and define interconnected vertical and horizontal internal cavities which receive reinforcing rods, and concrete is pumped into the cavities to form an internal grid of reinforced concrete posts and beams. A set of opposing frame sections or shells clamp the blocks around a rough window or door opening and cooperate to define a frame cavity which receives the concrete pumped into the internal cavities to form a concrete window or door frame integrally connected to the concrete grid. In one embodiment, the opposing window frame shells remain with the wall and form a smooth seat for a window unit, and in another embodiment, the window or door shells are removed from the wall to form a concrete seat for the window or door unit.

Abstract: A partition wall unit including a bottom rail, a plurality of unit panels detachably connected with one another and supported on the bottom rail, and a bottom cover channel covered on the bottom rail at the bottom, the unit panel including a first top sash, a second top sash detachably connected to the first transverse top sash at the bottom, a first intermediate sash, a second intermediate sash detachably connected to the first intermediate sash at the bottom, a bottom sash, a first front face panel and a first rear face panel detachably connected in parallel between the second top sash and the first intermediate sash, a second front face panel and a second rear face panel detachably connected in parallel between the second intermediate sash and the bottom sash, a first upper stile profile and a second upper stile profile bilaterally and detachably connected between the second top sash and the first intermediate sash to hold the first front face panel and the first rear face panel in place, and a first lower

Abstract: A roof drain arrangement and method for sealing a space between an existing drain opening, the roof drain arrangement, and a new roof membrane, is disclosed. The arrangement and method provide for sealing of an area between the roof drain arrangement and the roof structure. Sealing is provided by adhesive material disposed on a lower surface of an upper flange portion of the insert portion, or by adhesive disposed on an upper surface of a base plate, or by a roofing membrane located between the lower surface of the upper flange portion and the base plate, or by a combination thereof.

Abstract: A continuous vent in the form of a resilient apertured trough which fits into a bevel in the center of the soffit or at the fascia or the wall. The advantages of the vent is that its hold is based on its shape, its resilience and the angle of the bevel in the soffit. The vent is used in existing soffits or on new construction. The method involves the steps of venting a soffit by cutting two beveled ends a few inches apart and inserting a resilient apertured vent in the space between the bevels. For new construction, one beveled strip is temporarily adhered via an adhesive to hold the vent in place until the second bevel is completed and both beveled pieces are installed.

Abstract: To reduce undesirable scrap wastage in fabrication thereof, the rectangular metal frame section of a supply air register is formed from four separate side and end stampings having generally U-shaped cross sections along their lengths, and overlapping corner sections joined at both inner and outer peripheral portions of the frame structure to provide it with enhanced strength and rigidity. Side portions of the side and end stampings form in the frame structure an integral rectangular base section in which the flow rate adjustment damper blade and directional adjustment vane portions of the register are directly mounted to avoid the necessity of a separate support frame structure for these portions of the overall supply air register assembly.

Abstract: A concrete dowel slab joint system for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. It includes a sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. In this is way, the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve assembly comprises an elongate sleeve body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and defining a hollow interior compartment, (b) at least one closed end, and (c) at least one collapsible spacer member located within the hollow interior compartment. The collapsible spacer member engages and positions the dowel bar at a lateral distance from the inner surface of the elongate sleeve body and at a longitudinal distance from the closed end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to atmospheric control in commodity storage buildings and in particular to the air flow floor vents installed during construction of concrete floors and employed in the control of flow and or circulation of air or atmosphere from under-floor plenums via vents around fruits and or vegetables, including in particular fresh potatoes, stored on concrete or other floors following harvest and until sale and or processing.

Abstract: A building block for a wall enables the blocks to be mounted in offset and flush modes. The block has an extension portion on the bottom, making the bottom longer than the top. The rearward lug protrudes from the bottom at the extension portion. The forward lug protrudes from the bottom forward of the rearward lug. In the offset mode, the upper row of blocks rests on the lower row with the forward lug of the upper row engaging the rearward end of the lower row of blocks. In the flush mode, the forward lug is removed and the blocks positioned with the forward end substantially flush. The rearward lugs of the upper row will then engage the rearward ends of the lower row. Holes extend through the blocks for receiving pins for interlocking them together. Some of the holes are elongated. The pins have enlarged heads which locate in the elongated holes, but will not fit in the cylindrical holes.

Abstract: A generally vertical siding panel having an upper edge portion formed with at least two laterally spaced trim-engaging tabs and a generally horizontal soffit panel having a back edge portion are employed with a siding panel-trimming and soffit-panel mounting assembly comprising a supporting member and a retaining member. As extruded from a polymeric material, the supporting member has a generally vertical back panel and an upper front flange, which projects frontwardly from the back panel and overlies the back edge portion of the soffit panel. As extruded from a polymeric material, the retaining member is a separate member attached to the supporting member and has a lower front flange, which projects from the back panel and underlies the back edge portion of the soffit panel. One of the supporting and retaining members defines a hook behind the back panel.

Abstract: A circular thin metal or thermoplastic disc stress plate has an annular stiffening rim and groove and a central opening. Three equilateral and symmetrically oriented elongated nail-like members depend from the plate at the rib and groove inclined in diverging relation relative to a vertical axis normal to and central the plate on a conical surface of revolution. The members extend radially beyond the perimeter of the stress plate projected onto the members forming an annular attachment region to a cementitious substrate significantly greater than the area subtended by the stress plate. Two or more than three members may be used in the alternative. The nail-like members have conical tips which may be any shape and blunt. The members preferably are circular cylinder steel, may be other transverse sectional shapes, and are driven individually or simultaneously into the substrate either through holes in the plate or penetrate the plate material by a power operated nail driving tool.

Abstract: A universal fitment for use with polymer-coated roof membranes to cover areas on and around vertical protrusions in a roof. The universal fitment has a body with preferably three sides, a tab, and a neck connecting a corner of the body to the tab. The body is preferably either substantially square or substantially triangular. A universal boot is also disclosed. The universal boot has a generally rectangular section with a split extending vertically in a side, and a fitment with a body having at least three sides, a tab, and a neck connecting a corner of the body to the tab. The tab of the fitment is preferably welded to the back of the rectangular section above the split.

Abstract: A structural foam core panel for use in building construction, has inner and outer structural skins with interconnecting insulating foam core to form a structural building unit of standard building height and width such that when several panels are erected and interconnected in series, a load bearing wall is formed. The panel has a top load carrying header plate bridging and secured to the inner and outer structural skins with the foam core provided above and below the header plate. The top header plate spans the width of the panel and extends parallel to a bottom edge of the panel. header plate has an underside spaced from the panel bottom edge, a predetermined height for a top header plate to provide thereby load carrying support above a window opening or a door opening subsequently cut in the panel after interconnection of several panels in erecting a perimeter load bearing building wall.

Abstract: A lightning shield reduces the chance for a direct hit on a person by placing an inverted hemispherical dome over the person's head and shoulders. The dome has a conductive covering, preferably a wire mesh. The dome thwarts ground leaders from completing a circuit to a descending lightning streamer from a cloud. Embodiments include umbrellas, backpack models, balloons, and mini-shelters.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of forming a ceiling. The method comprises the steps of setting a tool for a desired length of crimp of a tee or main by adjusting a plate in a slot of the tool, Next there is the step of cutting the tee or main to a desired length. Then there is the step of inserting an end of tee or main into a slot in the tool to a desired length. Next there is the step of crimping tee or main about 90.degree. with the tool without removing any length from the tee or main. Then there is the step of removing the tool from the tee or main. The present invention also pertains to a tool to crimp a tee or main. The tool comprises a housing having an end, with a first slot disposed in the end. Additionally, the tool comprises a plate disposed in the first slot of the housing. The plate is adjustable in regard to position in the first slot so the tee or main can be inserted into the first slot a desired distance defined by where the plate is disposed in the first slot.

Abstract: A composite building unit comprising at least one volume element having an upper surface with at least one projection and a bottom surface with at least one cavity positioned and configured to accommodate a projection from another volume element and at least one support element positioned between said upper and bottom surface of said volume element.