Abstract: A truss pitch break connector plate having a main body portion. A first stiffener flange projects generally perpendicular from one face of said main body portion along an arcuate first edge having an outer radius. A second stiffener flange projects generally perpendicular from the opposite face of the main body portion along a arcuate second edge having inner radius. The main body portion preferably is generally sector-shaped but alternatively it may be circular. The overall arrangement is such that the pitch break connector plate will accommodate top chords of different sizes; and is capable of maintaining the top chords at any one of a range of roof pitches.

Abstract: A tie-down strap frame connector (10) for use in a stabilizing foundation system (12) for a manufactured home (14) which comprises a frame including at least one flanged support beam (16). The tie-down strap frame connector comprises a hook portion (40) adapted to latch about a flange (58) of the manufactured home support beam, a strap slot (52) adapted to receive a tie-down strap (26) of the stabilizing foundation system, and means for altering the orientation of the strap slot relative to the hook portion so that the tie-down strap can be arranged in non-perpendicular orientations with respect to the manufactured home without creating a torsional stress concentration within the tie-down strap.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system for suspension from an overhead ceiling of a room is disclosed which includes a plurality of wall trim members secured to the room walls, a plurality of main runner members extending from the wall trim members in a horizontal plane for spanning the room, and a plurality of cross braces interlocking with the main runner members and forming a grid for receiving ceiling tiles, panels, fixtures, and the like. A plurality of clips are slidably disposed on the wall trim members, main runner members, and the cross braces to suspend those members from the ceiling and to support the main runner members and cross braces at intersection points in the grid.

Abstract: A composite reinforced roof is formed by applying to a roof deck a preformed membrane which has a tacky lower layer formed from rubberized asphalt. The second layer of the preformed membrane is a reinforcing mesh material embedded in the surface of the rubberized asphalt. This is applied to a roof deck and subsequently overcoated with a molten coating of rubberized asphalt. The self-adherent rubberized asphalt membrane prevents formation of bubbles and pinholes in the molten rubberized asphalt layer. This is particularly beneficial when the roof deck surface is lightweight structural concrete which releases gas when heated.

Abstract: A laundry dryer umbrella or like frame has between bracing arms and main arms, respective swing arms which form with each bracing and main arm a three link chain which can buckle inwardly at the swing arm so that the main arm assumes a slightly open positioning, thereby facilitating movement of the star-shaped parts to which the bracing arm and main arm are connected, toward one another for opening of the frame.

Abstract: A protective shield formed of sheet material is provided for placing between the wood-to-concrete foundation interface of a building. A portion of the shield positions the lower edge of a substrate siding and a finish layer. A sealant is provided between the sheet material and the concrete foundation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a seismic response control method for a structure, comprising the steps of installing a seismic response control device in a structural component of stiffness K.sub.f ; and controlling a characteristic of story restitutive force based of story restitutive force Q (=Q.sub.s +F) given as the sum of restitutive force Q.sub.s of the structural component installed with the seismic response control device and force F generated from the seismic response control device so as to maintain or vary the characteristic of story restitutive force, which is shown on a coordinate plane as the relation between amplitude D(t) and story restitutive force Q(t) of the structural component portion, in the specific form, in response to the kaleidoscopic state of vibration. The seismic response control device is controlled efficiently with a sensor for measuring a state value of a device part and a simple configuration on microprocessor level.

Abstract: A seismic isolator includes a lower guide rail 4 having grooves on the side surfaces thereof and fitted to an upper surface of a lower plate 1, an upper guide rail 6 having grooves on the side surfaces thereof and fitted to a lower surface of an upper plate in a direction criss-crossing the lower guide rail 4, a block body 9 clamping at its lower part the lower guide rail 4 and clamping at its upper part the upper guide rail 6, a large number of rollers interposed between the lower guide rail 4 and the block body 9 and between the upper guide rail 6 and the block body 9, a large number of balls interposed between grooves of the side surfaces of the lower guide rail 4 and the block body 9 and between grooves of the side surfaces of the upper guide rail 6 and the block body 9 and a flexible member 22 fitted between the lower surface of the upper plate and the upper surface of the lower plate 1.

Abstract: System for preventing the accumulation of water within exterior foundation areas, such as basement window wells, even under conditions of extreme groundwater flow. The system comprises a combination of an upper horizontal conduit section which extends out through a bore in a basement wall and opens into the dry well area within an exterior basement window well, and has an opposed end which opens at the interior surface of the basement wall, and an elongate, vertical stepped wall panel having a central stand-off conduit section and opposed vertical seat portions which sealingly-engage the interior surface of the basement wall and form therebetween the central, vertical, raised or stand-off water-conveying conduit section.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for assembling a planar surface for multiple sheets of building material connected by multiple retaining clips. Each of the retaining clips comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first receptacle defined by a central wall and an upper and lower flange. The second receptacle is defined by an opposite side of the central wall and a second lower flange. A first sheet is inserted into the first receptacle through the open side between the upper and lower flanges and opposite the central wall. A second sheet is pivoted through the open sides of the second receptacle, which are opposite the central wall and the second lower flange. The second portion comprises a T-shaped element having opposing tabs extending from a retaining tongue. The opposing tabs are received within a slot on the first portion such that the retaining tongue overlies the upper surface of a second sheet and closes one of the open sides of the second receptacle.

Abstract: A building frame structure has a plurality of frame members having tubular end portions, and a plurality of connectors of respective types having respective arrangements of lugs oriented and adapted for engagement with frame member tubular end portions for interconnection to assemble the frame structure.

Abstract: When installing vinyl siding on homes or other type buildings, a drawback to the trim pieces around windows, doors, etc., is the method of connecting two (2) retainer strips (J-Channels) together. The original method is to miter the horizontally and vertically placed retainer strips together. This method has proven to be too time consuming and is not neat in appearance. Since then, another way was invented. The new method being a corner piece that must be affixed to the structure having the siding installed. This, too, proved to be time consuming. Our invention is a corner siding piece having an L-shaped base plate with a first leg integral with a second leg, both of which have a first flange and a second flange extending inwardly at the bottom and a curved channel along the top of said first leg and second leg.

Abstract: A supporting shaft of a sunshade of the present invention includes plurality of supporting rods separately disposed together to form a main shaft, an upper connecting cap and a lower connecting cap separately connected to upper ends and lower ends of the main shaft respectively as the securing means, a sliding block movably fitted around the main shaft. Stretching ribs provided to stretch open or fold close the sunshade are pivoted to the sliding block. Plurality of bent pipes are separately coupled to corners of the sunshade so that the supporting rods, separated, can be coupled thereto to change the sunshade into a tent with the supporting rods supporting the sunshade from the corners.

Abstract: An improved wall-mounted storage unit system which uses a reversible mounting bracket and which places the majority of the unit's gravitational stress upon the bracket itself, rather than on the interlocking edges of the panel or rail members. A rail member having a small, upwardly protruding lip is mounted to a wall. The mounting bracket is then affixed within a cutout section of a vertical side panel in either of two desirable reversed positions such that the bracket may be attached to the mounting rail and the rear edge of the panel able to be placed flush against the wall. An adjacent panel may then be mounted using the same type of bracket. At no point does the vertical panel itself ever engage the mounting rail. Means are then provided to permanently secure the bracket and panel to the rail and to adjust the vertical height of a panel, if necessary, after it is attached to the mounting rail.

Abstract: A bridging means for joint gaps between building components with an expansion joint construction bridging the joint gap, which is mountable on both sides of the joint gap on the building parts, is characterized in that at least between one of said building components and the expansion joint construction a safety means is arranged which is of such construction that said expansion joint construction will be guided out of the joint gap, if a limiting force acting between said building components is exceeded. Said safety means preferably is formed as slide ramp means between said expansion joint construction and the building component.

Abstract: Blocks are provided which can be assembled to form a wall without the use of skilled labor. The blocks are assembled with an adhesive caulk, which forms a watertight gasket around the wall. This design can withstand winds and earthquakes better than a standard block wall. The standard block includes a rectangular block portion, a rear face portion, and a front face portion. The face portions are recessed from the top surface of the rectangular block portion and project down from the bottom surface of the rectangular block portion. Of course, the use of the terms bottom and top are relative, and the wall could be assembled with all the blocks upside-down.

Abstract: An improved gutter screen which includes a first screen having mesh openings, top and bottom surfaces, and first and second opposing edges. A second screen having top and bottom surfaces is positioned adjacent the first screen so that a top surface of a second screen faces the bottom surface of the first screen. The second screen also has mesh openings, and first and second opposing edges, with the first opposing edge of the second screen being fastened to the first opposing edge of the first screen to form a first edge portion and the second opposing edge of the second screen being fastened to the second opposing edge of the first screen to form a second edge portion. The first and second screens are elastically deformable to permit a user to apply hand pressure to the gutter screen and compress the first and second edge portions toward one another from an uncompressed state in order to provide a force which holds the gutter screen in place over a gutter.

Abstract: A slide-in building insulation system wherein a plurality of slide tracks are secured in spaced parallel relation to a plurality of secondary structural members which are extended longitudinally between oppositely situated primary structural members of the building roof structure and/or walls. An elongated suspension sheet, including a flexible fabric extended between thicker guide strips along each edge thereof, is slide-fit into place with the guide strips being received within and advanced through the slide tracks so that the suspension sheet covers the space between adjacent slide tracks. An edge suspension sheet covers the space between a primary structural member and an adjacent slide track, each edge suspension sheet having a guide strip along only one side edge thereof and an opposite side edge adapted to be secured to the primary structural member.

Abstract: A construction component for improved moisture, decay and insect resistance. The component preferably includes a plurality of members of which certain portions are comprised of materials resistant to moisture, decay and insects. The resistant member(s) are integrally connected to wood portion(s) to provide a single, low cost structure.

Abstract: A pair of splines each in the form of a thin metal strip are inserted into respective grooves or slots adjacent the opposed facings of a pair of structural panels. Each panel further includes an insulating foam core disposed between and attached to the opposed pair of facings. An adhesive applied to the metal splines bonds the splines to each panel and securely connects the two panels along respective abutting edges. In one embodiment, each metal strip is provided with opposed turned-in edges which function as hooks for engaging each panel's foam core and preventing separation of the two panels, particularly during curing of the adhesive. In another embodiment, each spline further includes a foam insulating strip about which the spline's metal strip is substantially wrapped for providing a thermal barrier at the panel juncture.