Abstract: Methods for fastening or holding down tar or felt paper on a roof and the laying down of shingles on a roof are particularly adaptable in the use of a construction strap wherein the construction strap is made from a flexible, durable, substantially non-stretchable material and has a high breaking load.

Abstract: A water resistant door assembly includes a door frame, a door hingedly mounted with the frame, and a threshold. The threshold has a height selected to be equal to or greater than a water head at a preselected design wind load pressure as a primary means to resist water intrusion. A series of gaskets, internal gutter troughs, and weep holes to the exterior of the door assembly provide a secondary means to resist water intrusion.

Abstract: A wall construction includes a plurality of shaped bricks for dry attachment to one another. Each said brick has a first bearing surface which includes a groove formed with a recess, and a second bearing surface in substantially parallel relationship to the first bearing surface and provided with a key which is formed with a projection, wherein the projection and the recess are complementarily shaped and positioned such that the projection of a first brick is engageable with the recess of a second brick when the second brick is stacked on the first brick for restraining displacement in a longitudinal direction of the second brick relative to the first brick. The bricks are formed with chases extending perpendicular to the first and second bearing surfaces and including a central channel and semitubular channels formed at opposing end faces of the brick.

Abstract: An insert is provided for a metal stud, the insert being sized and configured to be snugly but slidably received within the stud. The insert further includes an elongate slot in each side wall, located so as to allow fasteners to secure a sheet of covering material to the stud without interfering with the ability of the insert to move longitudinally with respect to the stud, in the event of overloading, earthquake, etc.

Abstract: A modular building system comprising one or more wall panels having a top edge defining one of a male or female configuration and a bottom edge defining the other one of a male or female configuration such that the top edge of one wall panel can mate with the bottom edge of an upper wall panel. The wall panels also have a first side edge defining one of a male or female triangular interlock and a second side edge defining the other one of a male or female triangular interlock such that the first side edge of one wall panel can interlock with the second side edge of another wall panel. Additionally, the wall panels have a clip extending from one wall panel to another to secure the first side edge of the one wall panel in position with the second side edge of another wall panel.

Abstract: A lifting and shoring jack assembly includes a main support assembly having a main column, a jack screw slidably mounted within the main column, and a jack nut engaged with the jack screw and bearing on the end of the main column. A load plate mounted at the free end of the jack screw facilitates engagement of the jack assembly with a load to be supported. Extensible side braces are pivotally mounted on the main column, and also include load engaging plates for load-bearing attachment to the load to be supported.

Abstract: A building framework comprises a plurality of steel girders, steel columns, and steel connecting members for joining at least one girder with at least one column to form the building framework. Further provided is a plurality of substantially flat coupling elements, each having opening therein, wherein at least one column and at least one connecting member each terminate with at least one coupling element. The coupling elements substantially match each other and extend outward beyond the outer wall of the column and of the connecting member for providing attachment therebetween. The girders, columns and coupling elements are reinforced with concrete extending through the coupling elements via the openings.

Abstract: A portable soldier fighting cover having a pair of adjacent relatively rigid frames attached to an underlying waterproof flexible anchorage sheet, and defining a structure resistant to bending for spanning a military trench or foxhole, and further having a load bearing sheet attached to and overlying each frame for transmitting loads to the frame resulting from the weight of protective material such as sandbags or timber placed on the cover, and also from ballistic fragments and blast overpressure from near misses, and further having a pair of elongated straps attached to each frame and extending beyond the ends of the frames for securement to the ground for transmitting loads from the frame to the ground and for supporting the cover in the event of collapse of the foxhole side walls. Curtain sheets can be attached to the straps for service as revetments.

Abstract: A portable barrier system including a portable post support device having a base member with a handle and an attachment mechanism for supporting a post, the post in turn supporting a barrier material.

Abstract: An improved rainwater diverter for use as the terminal portion of roof flashing is disclosed for covering the abutment of a vertical wall and a sloped roof. The flashing comprises essentially twin, bilaterally symmetrical flanges of which either is adaptable for use as a vertical wall flange that lies in a plane which is essentially normal to the plane of the sloped roof flange. There is provided at the lower portion of the flashing, as an integral part thereof, a diverter part which spans the part of the flashing which lies along the vertical wall above the abutment and the part which lies along the sloped roof and lies at an obtuse angle to each of the said flanges.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an antiseismic connector of limited vibration for safe isolation of structures from earthquakes and other ground excitations, and for safe vertical interconnection of the superstructure to the foundation. The antiseismic connector is situated at the horizontal gap that separates the superstructure from the foundation at the pillars or walls of the superstructure. It connects the superstructure to the foundation through prestressed tendons from special material which not only permit the relative movement of the foundation to the superstructure but also create horizontal recentering forces and receive tensile forces that may be encountered at the isolation system due to overturning moments of the superstructure, thus creating a safe seismic isolation of the structure.

Abstract: An openable skylight apparatus covering a roof opening having a raised curb around its perimeter. The skylight including glazing that substantially covers the opening. A frame assembly surrounds the glazing and has a depending skirt that opposes outer surfaces of the curb. A hinge, joining one side of the frame to the curb includes a bearing within a cradle that allows the frame assembly to pivot to open the skylight. The cradle has a lower and a higher end and extends by an arc greater than 180 degrees and less that a full circle between the ends. The bearing has a periphery that includes a convex surface, two chordal flat surfaces converging toward a lower convex surface and a higher convex surface diametrically opposite the other. When the bearing is rotated to a position in which the lower convex surface is at a higher elevation than the lower end of the cradle, the bearing may be pulled out of the cradle to separate the frame assembly from its hinged connection with the curb.

Abstract: A system for constructing a building is disclosed which employs various side wall, corner and roof forming elements adapted to be joined in interlocked sealed relation without need for nails or skilled craftsman. The various elements may be made from relatively inexpensive materials, such as reclaimed materials indigenous to the site of construction, generally lighter than conventional building materials such as brick and mortar, and are therefore particularly suitable for use in countries of relatively low economic wealth. Furring clips may be formed on the internal surfaces of the wall and corner forming elements to facilitate attachment of interior wallboards and the like, while the external surfaces of the various elements may be textured to simulate a desired exterior appearance.

Abstract: A vacuum insulation panel is comprised from a base and a cover member joined together to define an inner cavity. The cover is provided with a planar fastening surface for bonding the vacuum panel to a target surface to be insulated. A peripheral rounded corner around the fastening surface is configured to eliminate deformation of the fastening surface due to atmospheric forces arising from the evacuation of the inner cavity. The rounded peripheral corner of the cover is configured to permit lateral expansion of the cover member to accommodate lateral expansion of the base member during evacuation. The corner also adds strength to the panel cover, permitting the inner fiber glass mat to be formed with a void near the flange weld and eliminating the risk of weld contamination by the fiber glass material during assembly. The fastening surface remains planar and disposed above the outer flange after evacuation of the panel, thus providing an improved fastening surface compared to prior art vacuum panels.

Abstract: A track assembly for mounting storm panels on the outside of a house or a building to protectively cover windows includes an elongate, extruded rail having a rear surface, a front face, top and bottom edges, an elongate channel formed through the length of the rail between the rear surface and front face, and an elongate exposed slot extending along the front face and communicating with the channel. The channel is structured to receive an enlarged head portion of a bolt with the bolt stud extending outwardly through the slot for receipt through an aperture in the storm panel. A wing nut is fastened to the bolt stud to secure the storm panel against the track assembly.

Abstract: A frame for improved moisture, decay and insect resistance. The frame preferably includes a plurality of members of which certain members are comprised of materials resistant to moisture, decay and insects. The resistant members are integrally connected to provide a single, low cost structure.

Abstract: A loading dock bumper assembly includes at least one bracket for mounting the assembly on a surface of a loading dock. At least one resilient bumper component is attached to the bracket, the bumper component formed of a block of resilient recycled plastic material is positioned to receive the impact of a motor vehicle backed into abutment with the dock. The block is preferably formed of extruded high density polyethylene. A side of the block adapted to receive contact with a motor vehicle may be provided with a slot along its length. The slot is adapted to have secured therein a wear bar substantially of equal length with the bumper component. The preferred wear bar is a steel bar of rectangular cross section fitted into the slot with a surface thereof substantially flush with the surface of the resilient component. At least one corner of the block preferably is provided with a chamfer cut at approximately 45.degree. whereby lodging of a truck bumper on the assembly is obviated.

Abstract: A device for securing insulation material (7) to a base material (8) includes a receptacle (1) fixable to the base material and a large area head (2) arranged to abut against the insulation material with flexible elastic retaining strips (3, 4) extending from the receptacle to the head. Each strip has a sawtooth-like profiled surface (5, 6). The head (2) has through aperture (9, 10) for receiving the strips (3, 4) with locking members in the through aperture with profiled surfaces similar to the profiled surfaces on the strips arranged to provide an interlock between the head (2) and the retaining strips (3, 4).

Abstract: A refrigerated cooler having a moisture proof, fungus proof floor disposed over an existing metal subfloor. The floor includes a plurality of rigid panels each coated to provide moisture resistance. The plurality of panels are precut and butted together to entirely cover the metal subfloor. A baseboard is disposed on the panels flush with the walls of the cooler. At least one coating of a sealant covers the baseboard and the panels. A layer of granular aggregate covers the coating on the baseboard and on the panels. A method for installing the floor sealing structure is disclosed.

Abstract: Operator enclosures or cabs in many cases have rear windows which are disposed in a generally upright or vertical position. The vertical position of the window reflects the instruments and dash as well as elements disposed forwardly of the cab during operation at night. The enclosure of the present invention includes a rear wall having lower wall portion and a upper wall portion. The upper wall portion is angled rearwardly from its lower edge to its upper edge and includes an opening for a window. A transparent window is sealably mounted in the opening and is thus also angled rearwardly at an angle sufficient to direct the reflection downward out of the operator's line of vision. This permits improved vision for the operator when operating in the dark.