Abstract: An airflow-controlling valve is described for a soffit vent in which a one-piece valve member normally lies below a housing, both parts being deeply hill-and-valley deformed to give ample surface area for apertures essentially equal to the full area of the vent opening itself, allowing two-way venting flow unless and until inward-acting pressure reaches a certain strength, wherewith the valve is pushed up to close quietly against the housing to block flow; the valve falling opening again if the pressure differential reverses or simply subsides below that certain strength.

Abstract: A valved cover is described for controlling air flow through perforated-strip-type soffit vents surrounding houses. The narrow, continuous vents are completely enclosed except for valved portholes in the cover, the flap valves being stiffly hinged to stay open (and quiet) in most weather to allow two-way ventilating air flow between outdoors and attic/roof space. The valved covers “harness” very strong winds: those on the the windward have their valves blown closed, blocking potentially destructive wind/rain entry into the attic/roof space, while those facing lee sides remain open so that the attic/roofspace is connected only to the wind-depressurized lee-side air and is therefore itself depressurized, helping hold the roof envelope together. The valved covers can be factory-mounted on the soffit panels and flat-folded for compact shipping and handling.

Abstract: A post mounting and stabilization assembly for securing hollow posts to a foundation surface. The mounting assembly provides for wedging retainment of a hollow post thereover by the progressive engagement and deployment of opposing finger pairs extending from an integral base by a sliding deployment wedge fitting there within.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrofit connection of a roof frame to a support member therebelow includes a claw member having a load bearing flange to be driven into an interface between a roof sheathing and a top edge of the roof frame, and a tie-down member to be mounted to a vertical surface of the support member. The tie-down member is connected to the claw member to allow various angular positions of the load bearing flange depending on roof slopes.

Abstract: A fencing system typically includes hollow posts with rail structures extending therebetween. A post mount assembly is configured to mount on a foundation and is slidably received within each hollow post to provide suitable support for the posts. In one embodiment, each post mount assembly includes a wedge which is wedged against the post mount assembly typically to force the post mount assembly against an inner surface of the post. The post mount assembly may include a post mount and a post insert which is vertically adjustable relative to the post mount and against which the wedge is wedged.

Abstract: A fencing system typically includes hollow posts with rail structures extending therebetween. A post mount assembly is configured to mount on a foundation and is slidably received within each hollow post to provide suitable support for the posts. In one embodiment, each post mount assembly includes a wedge which is wedged against the post mount assembly typically to force the post mount assembly against an inner surface of the post. The post mount assembly may include a post mount and a post insert which is vertically adjustable relative to the post mount and against which the wedge is wedged.

Abstract: A method for securing a roof sheathing and shingles in a retrofitting reinforcement of an existing roof structure, the shingles being laid on the roof sheathing in a partially overlapping pattern, comprises (a) driving a plurality of fasteners down through selected shingles and the roof sheathing in a selected area of the roof structure into at least one of underlying roof frames; and (b) applying a water-resistant coating to the roof structure to seamlessly cover exposed surfaces with exposed ends and sides of all shingles in the selected area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for tying down an existing roof frame to resist windstorm uplift forces, in which an elongate connector is inserted slantingly upward through a hole through the roof frame, allowing an upper end of the connector to protrude from the roof frame to receive a head member which is detachably attached thereto in order to prevent the roof frame from moving upward relative to the connector under an uplift force. The lower end of the connector is secured to an underlying wall such that the connector applies a restraining force against wind uplift forces.

Abstract: A method of using a rail clip assembly to connect a horizontal fence rail to a vertical fence post. The rail clip assembly includes a housing that is slidably engaged with at least one mounting spacer and a first leg of an L-shaped mounting bracket until a second leg of the bracket abuts the underside of the housing. A first fastener is screwed through the first leg and mounting spacer and into the side wall of the fence post. An end of the rail is inserted into the housing and a second fastener is screwed through the second leg, the housing and the end of the rail. The rail clip assembly aids in preventing the rail from disengaging from the housing when a lateral force is applied to the rail.

Abstract: A fencing system includes a post mount typically mountable on a foundation and having an outer surface extending upwardly therefrom. A post insert mounted adjacent the top of the post mount has an outer surface disposed outwardly of the post mount outer surface to abut an inner surface of a post which defines a cavity in which the post mount and post insert are slidably received. The post insert provides stability to the post such that a rail may be mounted on the post via a rail mounting bracket or otherwise.

Abstract: A rail clip assembly for connecting a fence rail to a fence post. The assembly comprises a housing slidably engaged with a L-shaped connector bracket that is securable to the post. The bracket has a first leg with a second leg extending outwardly therefrom, and a detent integral with the first leg and extending outwardly therefrom in the opposite direction to the second leg. The first leg is received through a slot in a perimeter wall of the housing and the detent engages in a recessed area in the housing's rear wall. The second leg abuts an exterior surface of the perimeter wall and a fastener secures the second leg to both the perimeter wall and the rail retained within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrofit connection of a roof frame to a support member therebelow includes a claw member having a load bearing flange to be driven into an interface between a roof sheathing and a top edge of the roof frame, and a tie-down member to be mounted to a vertical surface of the support member. The tie-down member is connected to the claw member to allow various angular positions of the load bearing flange depending on roof slopes.

Abstract: A fencing system typically includes hollow posts with rail structures extending therebetween. Post mount assemblies are configured to mount on a foundation and are slidably received within the hollow posts to provide suitable support for the posts. In one embodiment, each post mount assembly includes a wedge which is wedged in a wedged position against the post mount assembly adjacent its upper end to apply an outward force thereon and/or move a portion of the post mount assembly outwardly within the hollow post. The wedged position typically forces the post mount assembly adjacent its upper end to frictionally engage an inner surface of the post in order to brace and secure the post adjacent its upper end. The hollow post may include strengthening ribs to provide additional structural integrity.

Abstract: A method of using a rail clip assembly to connect a horizontal fence rail to a vertical fence post. The rail clip assembly includes a housing that is slidably engaged with at least one mounting spacer and a first leg of an L-shaped mounting bracket until a second leg of the bracket abuts the underside of the housing. A first fastener is screwed through the first leg and mounting spacer and into the side wall of the fence post. An end of the rail is inserted into the housing and a second fastener is screwed through the second leg, the housing and the end of the rail. The rail clip assembly aids in preventing the rail from disengaging from the housing when a lateral force is applied to the rail.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for tying down an existing roof frame to resist windstorm uplift forces, in which an elongate connector is inserted slantingly upward through a hole through the roof frame, allowing an upper end of the connector to protrude from the roof frame to receive a head member which is detachably attached thereto in order to prevent the roof frame from moving upward relative to the connector under an uplift force. The lower end of the connector is secured to an underlying wall such that the connector applies a restraining force against wind uplift forces.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a rail to a vertical post. The bracket includes a base with an arcuate front wall and a housing that is selectively movable along that front wall. The housing itself has an arcuate front wall that is oriented at right angles to the arcuate front wall of the base. The bracket further includes a rail connector that is selectively movable along the front wall of the housing. The rail connector engages an end of the rail and holds the rail at both a vertical and a horizontal angle relative the post. The vertical and horizontal angle of the rail to the post can be changed by selectively moving the rail connector along the front wall of the housing and moving the housing along the front wall of the base.

Abstract: A racking assembly for adjustably mounting a spindle to a rail. The racking assembly includes a first member which engages the rail and a second member pivotally secured to the first member. The second member retains the spindle at an angle relative to the first member and therefore relative to the rail. As the second member pivots, the angle of the spindle relative to the rail is changed. In a fence rail assembly, each spindle is secured between a pair of rails by a pair of racking assemblies. Each racking assembly is mounted on one of the rails and is individually adjustable so as to set the angle of the spindle relative to the rails. The rails are secured between a pair of vertical posts. Each rail is secured to one of the posts by a bracket that is adjustable to set the angle of the rail relative to the posts.

Abstract: A rail clip assembly for connecting a horizontal fence rail to a vertical fence post. The rail clip assembly comprises a housing that is slidably engaged with at least one mounting spacer and a first leg of an L-shaped mounting bracket. The second leg of the mounting bracket abuts the underside of the housing and supports the same. An end of the rail is inserted into a chamber formed in the housing and a fastener is used to secure the second leg of the mounting bracket, the housing and the end of the rail together. The rail clip assembly aids in preventing the rail from disengaging from the housing when a lateral force is applied to the rail.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for tying down an existing roof frame to resist windstorm uplift forces, in which an elongate connector is inserted slantingly upward through a hole through the roof frame, allowing an upper end of the connector to protrude from the roof frame to receive a head member which is detachably attached thereto in order to prevent the roof frame from moving upward relative to the connector under an uplift force. The lower end of the connector is secured to an underlying wall such that the connector applies a restraining force against wind uplift forces.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a post on a planar surface such as a deck. The mounting bracket is used with posts which include an inner support integrally formed with an adjustment plate and having a vinyl sleeve slipped thereover. The mounting bracket comprises a trim assembly which includes a peripheral wall and a movable portion disposed inwardly of the peripheral wall. The movable portion may be one or more flexible tabs formed in a floor of the trim assembly, a base plate inserted into abutting contact with the floor of the trim assembly or one or more flexible tabs formed in a base plate which is then inserted into a recessed area in the trim assembly. The movable portion is moved relative to the peripheral wall of the trim assembly by an adjustment device. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustment devices comprise a plurality of bolts that are selectively rotatable in one or more of a first and a second direction.