Abstract: A connector apparatus for joining a plurality of structural members, comprising a brace having a web extending lengthwise along at least a portion of a connector axis, the web having laterally opposite first and second web side edges and opposed web front and web back faces extending between the first and second web side edges, a first arm extending forwardly from the first web side edge relative to the front face of the web, the first arm presenting a first arm face, and a second arm extending forwardly from the second web side edge relative to the front face of the web, the second arm presenting a second arm face, wherein the first and second arm faces are inclined outwardly from each other at a first angle. The web may include at least one web aperture therein configured for receiving a fastening device for fastening the brace to at least one of the structural members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of a plant at the flowering or fruiting stage with an effective amount of abscisic acid, its analogs or derivatives and salts thereof to reduce the number of fruits that the plant sets and grows to maturity.

Abstract: Soluble and stable liquid compositions containing a plant growth regulator selected from the group consisting of cytokinin and a gibberellin, an acid solubilizer such as citric acid, tartaric acid or glycolic acid and a solvent; as well as methods for making and using the composition are disclosed. The compositions improve solubility, handling, stability, safety, as well as activity improvements such as improved plant growth, yield, fruit thinning or sizing and quality. The compositions are soluble and stable by adding an ethoxylated alkyl alcohol wherein the growth regulator is 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) or forchlorfenuron (CPPU) and the ethoxylated alcohol surfactant is C12-15 alkyl alcohol in propylene glycol. The compositions may also contain a cytokinin such as 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) or forchlorfenuron (CPPU) that is increased in solubility and activity and by synergistically combined with GA3 or GA4A7 as well as in storage stability by adding an antioxidant.

Abstract: A support structure for a log wall includes a plurality of logs extending horizontally in an axial direction and stacked vertically to form a wall, vertically adjacent ones of the plurality of logs having generally aligned end faces defining an edge surface of the wall; and a plurality of connectors positioned within the wall adjacent the edge surface and extending between vertically adjacent pairs of the plurality of logs, each pair of logs including a respective lower log and upper log generally situated on top of the lower log, each connector having a connector body with a lower and an upper log engagement portion, each lower log engagement portion engaging the respective lower log, and each upper log engagement portion engaging the respective upper log.

Abstract: A butt-joint connection structure for joining two logs end-to-end in a log wall includes a first log having a first end face and a second log having a second end face for abutting the first end face and forming a seam therebetween, each log having a log height extending between top and bottom surfaces thereof, and a spline slot extending horizontally across the seam between a first closed edge in the first log and a second closed edge in the second log. The spline slot extends vertically through the log height of the first and second logs, and has generally planar, spaced apart inner and outer slot faces extending between the first and second closed edges. A spline is provided in the spline slot, the spline having a width spanning the seam and a first spline face in generally flush engagement with a respective one of the inner and outer slot faces.

Abstract: A connection structure for a log wall includes a plurality of logs extending horizontally in an axial direction and stacked vertically to form a wall, the logs each having an end face at one end thereof, the end faces of the logs being generally vertically aligned with each other and defining an edge surface of the wall; a plurality of connectors retained within the wall adjacent the edge surface of the wall; a plurality of fastener access passageways in the wall, each fastener access passageway extending between a respective connector and the edge surface of the wall; and a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through a respective fastener access passageway and having a first end coupled to a respective connector and a second end opposite the first end, the second end extending proud of the edge surface of the wall.

Abstract: A casing structure for an opening in a log wall includes a plurality of logs extending horizontally in an axial direction and stacked vertically to form a wall having opposing interior and exterior faces, at least selected vertically adjacent ones of the logs each having an end face at one end thereof, the end faces being generally vertically aligned with each other and defining a side surface of an opening in the wall, the opening having a height extending vertically along the adjacent end faces.

Abstract: A support structure for a log wall includes a plurality of logs extending horizontally in an axial direction and stacked vertically to form a wall, vertically adjacent ones of the plurality of logs having generally aligned end faces defining an edge surface of the wall; and a plurality of connectors positioned within the wall adjacent the edge surface and extending between vertically adjacent pairs of the plurality of logs, each pair of logs including a respective lower log and upper log generally situated on top of the lower log, each connector having a connector body with a lower and an upper log engagement portion, each lower log engagement portion engaging the respective lower log, and each upper log engagement portion engaging the respective upper log.

Abstract: A seam reinforcing bead for stretchable materials formed by cutting, extrusion, or casting is applied to a seam in conjunction with heat and/or ultrasonic energy. In a system for application the reinforcing bead is fed by a first pair of rollers past a heat source, thereby producing a non-equilibrium temperature distribution within the reinforcing bead. The reinforcing bead is then applied to a seam in a sheet of material and compressed by a second pair of rollers. The reinforcing bead may contain an excess of solvent/plasticizer to reduce viscosity during heating and to aid in the reduction of residual stresses.

Abstract: A system for constructing log structures includes a corner connection structure, a through-bolt clamping apparatus, an opening support structure, a butt joint connection structure, a log profile, and an exterior casing structure. The corner connection structure has logs with overlap portions shaped so that the overlap portions of the logs of a first wall overlap and alternately interlace the overlap portions of the logs of a second wall. A generally vertical slot extends through the overlap portions of the logs, and at least one spline is provided in the slot. The through-bolt clamping apparatus has a through-bolt extending along the height of the wall, a lower clamp arm coupled to the through-bolt and the bottom of the intersecting walls, and an upper clamp arm coupled to the through bolt and the top of the intersecting walls.

Abstract: A system for constructing log structures includes a corner connection structure, a through-bolt clamping apparatus, an opening support structure, a butt joint connection structure, a log profile, and an exterior casing structure. The corner connection structure has logs with overlap portions shaped so that the overlap portions of the logs of a first wall overlap and alternately interlace the overlap portions of the logs of a second wall. A generally vertical slot extends through the overlap portions of the logs, and at least one spline is provided in the slot. The through-bolt clamping apparatus has a through-bolt extending along the height of the wall, a lower clamp arm coupled to the through-bolt and the bottom of the intersecting walls, and an upper clamp arm coupled to the through bolt and the top of the intersecting walls.

Abstract: A track system for adjustably mounting objects to a structure, such as a wall having an uneven surface, includes a track, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced connectors. Each connector consists of an adjuster and a fastener. The adjuster preferably includes a threaded sleeve, and a foot having a flat bottom surface for bearing against the surface of the structure. Each threaded sleeve is dimensioned to fit within a corresponding threaded aperture in the back wall of the track. The adjuster preferably includes a pivoting foot which provides full wall surface contact notwithstanding local surface irregularities. The track may include a back wall assembly and a cover. The back wall assembly preferably includes a plurality of sliding wall sections which are tied to a footer and a header by means of a tie-bar. The cover preferably includes a magnetic metal plate which contacts a magnet located on the tie-bar, when the cover is fitted over the back wall assembly.

Abstract: A track system for suspending a wall hanging on a wall surface comprises a track, a plurality of longitudinally spaced connectors, and at least one carriage having a suspending device. Each connector consists of a threaded sleeve, a pair of nuts, a washer, a wood screw and a center point guide to protect the wall surface. Each threaded sleeve is dimensioned to fit within a corresponding aperture in the back wall of the track and to receive a pair of nuts on its threaded outer surface. The nuts are positioned on the threaded sleeve on either side of the track's back wall so that the back wall is securely gripped between the nuts. The lateral offset distance between the back wall of the track and the wall surface can be adjusted by changing the relative position of the nuts on the threaded sleeve so as to compensate for any irregularities in the wall surface.