Abstract: A prefabricated building panel, sometimes referred to as a stress skin panel, having a core which may be comprised of a single layer or may have multiple layers of material and into which core is incorporated, or encapsulated, borates in the form of borate compounds similar to TIM-BOR.RTM. in an amount (typically between about 2 weight percent and about 10 weight percent) which results in a core material which deters the entry of and the infestation of ants and other insects thereby enhancing and improving the usefulness of such prefabricated building panels. The addition of the borate compound has also been found to act as a fungicide and further flame retardant properties of the building panel are improved. Borate may be added, if possible, into the core material of any known prefabricated construction/building panel. However, it is most advantageous and effective if the borate is added during the fabrication of the core of the panel.

Abstract: The present invention, in its most simple embodiment, is directed to an improved shingle or shake which has a strapping member affixed to the underside thereof and positioned across the narrow dimension of the shingle a distance from the tip end toward the butt end about equal to the exposure width. The strapping member may have at least one slot through the outer surface directed along the height dimension, substantially perpendicular to the lower facing surface and having a depth less than the strapping depth. The strapping member serves, at least, the functions of consistently positioning shingle in successive courses to result in a constant exposure width and allowing the circulation and flow of air under and around the shingles so that they will dry out and thus remain functional for a long period of time.

Abstract: A unique bowed prefabricated structural building panel and a bowed roof for a building using the panel. The panel preferably having a light weight rigid highly insulative foam bore bonded to inner and outer skins and having a bowed configuration which when assembled with similar panels creates a bowed structural wall and/or a bowed structural roof. A method for building a bowed roof for a building such as a cap house by assembling a plurality of bowed structural prefabricated panels in edge-to-edge relationship to create the bowed configuration on the roof.

Abstract: A tapered dovetail mortise and tenon joint is formed within typically a post and beam or within two joists which intersect perpendicular to each other. The tapered dovetail shaped mortise portion cavity is shaped to interfit with a dovetail shaped tenon portion. The tenon portion has incorporated therein a plurality of acute angles which permit easy assembly, cause precise alignment and cause forces to be created when components are connected using the joint which forces tend to bring the mated components into very rigid tightly interfitted assembled relationship. The joint, when assembled, is not visible because of the unique configuration of the mortise and tenon portions. A very large load bearing capability of inherent in the joint partly because of the large mating surface incorporated into the side surfaces and the bottom surfaces and also partly becuase the integrity of the chords and the web of the "I-Beam" cross section of the components is not violated.

Abstract: A unique prefabricated panel having joints on at least the vertical edges of the panel is provided which can be easily and effectively assembled into a wall by gluing the panels together at the edges without the need for splines or stud posts thereby creating a joint, preferably a captured scarf joint, which is strong and which joint provides for a large bonding surface ans is effective to capture, align and rigidly secure the panels together and inmportantly maintain the skin strength through the joint. When a joint, preferably a captured scarf joint, is provided on the horizontal edges and the vertical edges, larger panels can be assembled from smaller panels while maintaining the skin strength of the larger panel. The panels can be also be effectively assembled as a floor or a roof. There is no buckling of the shingles of the roof when the panels of the instant invention are used.