Abstract: A housing structure includes a first plurality of wall panels which form a lower course and a second plurality of wall panels which form an upper course. Each of the wall portions is generally rectangular and includes integrally formed interlocking portions which facilitate attachment of adjacent lateral edges of the wall portions of the first plurality to each other. Integrally formed interlocking portions facilitate attachment of the panels in the lower course to the panels in the upper course. In addition, rectangular roof panels are provided to enclose the housing structure. The interlocking portions enable the panels to slide into an interlocked engagement configuration thereby forming a rigid structure without the need for tools.

Abstract: A two-ply flooring plank is disclosed having two layers or “plies” with a bottom layer having a grain that runs generally transverse to a top layer (i.e., “cross-ply”) to provide dimensional stability to the plank. The bottom layer includes a number of strips secured to the bottom of the top layer. The bottom layer strips are also placed with gaps between the individual strips of the second layer to allow flexibility of the flooring plank, which allows the flooring to more easily conform to irregularities in a subfloor upon which the flooring plank is mounted.

Abstract: A modular step system for in-ground swimming comprising a bottom central hub, a brace assembly, a top central hub, a tread support assembly, a step form and a liner. The components of the modular step system interlock and snap together without fasteners. Also, the components of the modular step system are obtained by molding plastic material or curing of a curable material. The modular step system is installed on a level concrete floor of a swimming pool and designed to be rigidly fixed from behind to adjacent pool walls. The modular step system is adaptable to a pool having a vinyl liner, structurally sound regardless of size, easy to assemble, consistent in size, and cost-effective.

Abstract: A vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block for use in wall construction includes a spectrally selective film laminate disposed therein to define two compartments within the plastic block and to establish an U-factor of 0.35 or less with a S.H.G.C. of 0.39 or less. A vent is disposed in a side wall of the plastic block in fluid communication with each of the compartments to alleviate any pressure increase/decrease within the plastic block and for discharging any condensation within the plastic block that may occur.

Abstract: A unitary frame carries a primary window and a secondary window. The view area of the primary window is substantially the same as the view area of the secondary window. Two windows can be installed, to close an opening, at the same time using the frame. A frame, a secondary window and a casing can be installed as a unitary structure over an existing primary window.

Abstract: A structure for forming a vertically orientated wall comprises a flexible front panel having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and substantially continuous front surface; a flexible rear panel positioned rearwardly and parallel to the front panel; and a plurality of cross members connecting the front and rear panels. The front and rear panels define an upwardly opening cavity therebetween for accepting filler material, such as concrete therein. The rear panel includes at least one longitudinally disposed laterally deformable portion, such as a channel or zig zag pattern, which allows for the associated expanding and contracting of the rear panel during adjusting of the arcuate configuration of the wall structure.

Abstract: In one implementation of the present invention, corrugated metal deck panels are attached to concrete structural beams to form a precast panel.

Abstract: A cover assembly includes an elongated resilient cover for bridging a gap between horizontal structural members. The upper face surface of the resilient cover has spaced apart ribs extending transverse to the flow of traffic and an opposite surface formed with load bearing edge portions engaged for support with opposite lateral margins to the expansion joint. Between the load bearing edge portions the cover supports at least one rigid metal plate. In one embodiment, a central plate bridges the gap between two structural members and the at least two additional plates serve to urge the opposite lateral edges of the cover into supporting engagement with structural members. The cover has a thickness and sufficient elasticity to elastically deform for establishing supporting contact between the marginal support areas and underlying horizontal structural members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reinforced panel that includes a face sheet having an interior side and an exterior side, a plurality of integral and intersecting ribs having distal ends and projecting from the interior side of the face sheet to form contiguous cells, and a reinforcing member positioned in a channel and secured thereto for increasing bending resistance of the panel.

Abstract: A structural vent assembly comprising a back member having a forward surface and a rear surface; a mount member adapted to be secured to the support structure between the roof deck and the support structure, the mount member having a proximal end fixedly attached to the rear surface; a front member having an outer surface and an inner surface; and means for connecting the forward surface to the inner surface in spaced apart relationship to form a passage for air flow therebetween, the passage having an upper end and a lower end communicating with the air space of the roof deck.

Abstract: An improved building structure that eliminates condensation at exterior building walls, thereby preventing mold growth and avoiding the damage, environmental degradation and health problems associated with mold growth includes enveloping spaces that allow natural convection of air in exterior wall structures and roof structures. An embodiment of the building structure includes an exterior wall structure defining an air gap between insulation and exterior sheathing, a roof structure defining an air gap between thermal insulation and a roof deck, the wall air gap and roof air gap being in fluid communication, a roof vent to allow air to flow to an outside space, and an air ventilation grid at the lower end of the wall air gap. The air ventilation grid includes openings that allow air to freely enter the wall air gap and flow upwardly by natural convection into the roof air gap and out of the roof vent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coated synthetic shingle that exhibits increased resistance to ultra-violet radiation. The shingle is useable for roofing applications and includes a substrate having a substrate surface and a base coat that is applied to the substrate surface. The base coat preferably includes a first fluoropolymer component. The shingle can also include a top coat that is applied to the base coat. The top coat preferably includes a clear acrylic coating. A method for manufacturing the shingle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drywall joint assembly strip device comprised of an elongate core having a cover bonded to its exterior surface and extending beyond its longitudinal edges to form flexible flaps in which longitudinal, parallel grooves and ridges and/or spaced-apart perforations are formed for flow of joint compound during the installation process.

Abstract: A protective cover for a column base connector having a lower portion set in a body of concrete and an upper portion in the form of spaced-apart, upstanding, first and second flanges extending upwardly from an upper surface of the body of concrete, each one of the first and second flanges defining a respective one of first and second flange bolt holes for use in bolting a column to the column base connector. The protective cover takes the form of an inverted pot having a lower edge and a size such that the inverted pot fits over the upper portion of the column base connector with the lower edge atop an upper surface of the body of concrete. The inverted pot includes a first side that defines a first cover bolt hole disposed in a position to align with the first flange bolt hole, and a second side of the inverted pot opposite the first side that defines a second cover bolt hole disposed in a position to align with the second flange bolt hole.

Abstract: A stabilized window structure and method for stabilizing a window structure having a window frame entirely or substantially entirely devoid of glass includes a patch removably secured over the window frame to cover the opening in its entirety and a body of unifying material disposed over and bonded to the patch to form a cohesive mass therewith. Alternatively, a pre-formed, polymeric foam panel is removably secured over the window frame to cover the entirety of the opening. A method of removing a shattered window pane involves using pre-existing cracks in the pane to define the formation of separately removable, disconnected cohesive masses. A method of removing shards from a track of a window structure involves removing the shards as part of a single cohesive mass, as pieces of a single cohesive mass or as separate, disconnected cohesive masses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-cast panel form insert used in precast construction. The insert comprises a substantially planar portion defining dimensions suitable to complement dimensions of a pre-cast panel form and a fluid diverting portion. The fluid diverting portion is configured to define a fluid-diverting recess in an edge face of a pre-cast panel bounded by a form including the form insert. The fluid diverting portion is configured such that said fluid diverting recess defines, a circular cross-sectional profile, or a multi-angular cross-sectional profile, that impedes the flow of water along said pre-cast panel edge face when said edge face assumes a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: There is described a profiled sash section for a window sash holding a window pane and intended for being installed in an outer frame of a blast resistant window. The sash section includes a main member enabling inter-engagement between the profiled sash member and the outer frame a window pane holding member for accommodating and securing an end portion of said window pane in the profiled sash member, and a reinforcing member designed to support the end portion of the window pane and to transmit blast pressure, if incidentally applied to the window pane, to the main member. For at least partially absorbing blast pressure energy applied to the window pane, the sash section is provided with damping means for deforming up to predetermined limit. Also described is a blast-resistant framework for a casement window, including the window sash assembled from the mentioned profiled sash sections and adapted for rigidly and air-tightly securing the window pane in the holders of the profiled sash members.

Abstract: A metallic receptacle is embedded in the concrete material of a burial vault. The receptacle contains archival quality paper that records information identifying the person interred in the burial vault and the precise location at which the vault was buried. The receptacle is sealed by a cap that may be removed to access the archival information without opening the vault.

Abstract: A novel system for constructing smooth-faced metal framing and novel connectors therefore. The system and connectors of the present invention utilize known metal framing or wall studs that demonstrate a U-channel configuration having a base, sidewalls and marginal lips that extend inward from the sidewalls. A variety structurally related connectors, comprising at least a connector body, base flange, and two lip receiving grooves, are described. These connectors are capable of interconnecting metal framing performing all framing functions including, without limitation, floor and ceiling joists, top and bottom plates, roof rafters, roof rims, window sills, trusses, headers and wall studs. The connectors lock into place within the stud and are secured from the inside using fasteners applied into the non-surface aspects of the stud. The stud connectors demonstrate three dimensional rigidity and a box-like fit within the metal framing studs to form joints that are strong, durable and precise.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.