Abstract: A device for preventing a door with an automatic locking mechanism from locking and for propping a door in an open position is provided. The device includes a bar with a first surface and an opposing second surface. One or more magnets are connected to the first surface by glue. A foam layer is also connected to the first surface.

Abstract: A magnetic lock assembly includes an electromagnetic mounted to a fixed portion strike plate mounted to a movable closure member. The electromagnet is constantly powered to maintain a closed and locked position and therefore requires a constant flow of energy. The example magnetic lock assembly includes features for conserving energy while maintaining a desired holding force to hold against an applied force.

Abstract: A hold-down nail includes two portions, a stake and a washer, that function in combination to secure a sheet or cover over some type of material, such as an earthen material, and thereby protects the material from the elements and prevents movement of the material due to wind, rain, snow, etc. or foot or other type of traffic over the material.

Abstract: An adapter for facilitating the installation of finished walls around bathing units, such as bathtubs, shower basins, or one-piece shower units, where the bathing units have a vertical water-retaining flange around at least part of their perimeter. The adapter includes an elongated channel and a sealing strip extending down from the channel. The adapter may be applied to the bottom edge of a section of wall board, so that the wall board enters the channel and the sealing strip points down. The wall board can then be secured to a wall adjacent the bathing unit with the sealing strip extending over the flange and abutting against a surface of the bathing unit, such as a tub deck, where it forms a water-resistant seal. The adapter forms a substantially planar surface to which finished walling materials may be applied without requiring the use of furring strips.

Abstract: An exterior siding mounting bracket used in conjunction with siding placed over sheathing of an exterior wall has a base member having a base flange fastened to the sheathing. A wall arrangement projects laterally outward from the base flange and away from the sheathing. A trim member of the bracket has a partition arrangement that preferably snap fits to the wall arrangement and a trim flange constructed and arranged to cover cut edges of the siding that cover in-part the base flange. Integrated at least into the trim member is a water diversion device that diverts water away from the base flange and sheathing. Preferably, the water diversion device has an elongated trough supported by the trim member and projecting laterally inward from the trim flange and toward the base flange and above the wall and partition arrangements.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing a modular building having pre-fabricated panel wall components are easily assembled to form a predetermined structure including energy efficient corner modular components that provide for seamless, energy-efficient corners with structural strength.

Abstract: A method, a system and a device for insulating a conditioned crawlspace beneath a building and protecting the building from termite infestation.

Abstract: A method and designs of underground buildings for any purpose that do not introduce any element above ground level, thus allow agricultural use of the land by any agricultural machine or technology or using the land for recreational park.

Abstract: An environmental protection apparatus for protecting an opening such as windows, doors, airbricks, cat flaps, tumble dryer vents, meter cupboards, etc. against flood water. The apparatus includes a removable envelope arranged to surround the opening, a seal for sealing the envelope to the opening, and an attachment for releasably securing the envelope to the opening. The envelope is a box having a open side, positioned adjacent to the opening. The seal peripherally surrounds the open side of the box. The seal is a compressible material arranged to be compressed between the box and the opening. The attachment is an apertured plate securable to the opening. The releasable attachment is a hook arranged to be secured to the opening and an inter-engageable aperture in a portion of the box structure.

Abstract: A ballast system for roof membranes includes connected modules filled with loose-fill ballast and adapted to hold a predetermined volume of water for at least a predetermined period of time on the roof to control runoff.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an asphalt roofing shingle with integrated thin film solar cells that is easy to install and scalable to each particular application. The system of the present invention comprises a standard asphalt roofing shingle manufactured with an integrated thin film solar cell connected to two electrodes configured on opposing sides of the shingle. The shingle is dimensioned to that of a standard asphalt shingle. Roofing nails, which are used to install the shingle to the roof, physically attach the shingle to the roof, may also establish an electrical connection between the electrodes of the respective shingles creating a unified electrical circuit amongst the attached solar shingles.

Abstract: Element to prevent slipping on surfaces, where the surfaces are provided with a plurality of apertures, characterised in that the element comprises a base plate, and that a plurality of towers extend upwards from said base plate, where the towers have a cross section at least at an upper part, corresponding to the shape of the apertures in the surface, and that the towers are arranged on the base plate in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the apertures in the surface.

Abstract: A system for venting enclosed spaces between a roof and an attic space of a building may comprise an opening in a roof deck; wherein exterior roofing material overlies the roof deck and completely overlies the opening; wherein the roofing material comprises roof material segments; and wherein the roof material segments are in spaces between segments through which air flow can pass.

Abstract: A skylight cover has an upper dome portion formed with plural prism elements and a lower cylindrical portion extending from the open periphery of the dome portion down to terminate in an open lower end through which light can pass. A cylindrical prism ring is positioned against a surface of the cylindrical portion and bears prisms configured to refract light.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a door adapted to be supported for movement from one of an open position and a closed position to the other of the open and closed positions without moving in a first direction in which earth gravitational force acts upon the door. A sensor is positioned on the door for sensing presence of a force other than earth gravitational force acting on the door in the first direction, and providing signaling indicative of that presence.

Abstract: A mounting device is provided for holding a glazing panel against a supporting structure. The mounting device consists of a base having a plurality of spaced-apart support members. The base and support members defining a base plane. A restricting structure spaced from the base extends within a restricting plane transversely to the supporting plane. The glazing panel is disposed within the base plane and is supported by the base and support members.

Abstract: A handicap accessible doorway includes a frame having side jambs and a low profile sill extending between the bottom portions of the jambs. A flexible fin extends along the length of the sill and projects upwardly therefrom to form a water dam. The flexible fin is sealingly attached at each end to a jamb. During a blowing rainstorm, water is contained by the dam and directed to a contain-and-drain water management system, which directs the water away from the doorway to an exterior weep hole or other drain port. The fin, being flexible, yields to the weight of a footstep or a wheelchair thereby maintaining the handicap accessible designation of the sill and the doorway.

Abstract: An exterior trim assembly for use with a window or door surround in a building structure comprises at least one mantle for affixing above the window or door, and first and second pilaster assemblies for affixing on the sides of the window or door. The mantle comprises a mantle base and a corresponding mantle cover to affix to and cover the mantle base. Each pilaster assembly comprises a base and a cover element affixed to the base wherein each of the bases has a plurality of regularly repeating reinforced structural sections. At least two pilaster cover plates are provided, each pilaster cover plate is affixed to and covering one of the first and second pilaster bases.

Abstract: A stay-in-place buck for defining an opening in a cast concrete structure has a plurality of frame members arrangeable in an abutting relationship. Each of the frame members has a panel extending transversely between outer opposed panels of a stay-in-place form-work. Flanges extend from opposed edges of the frame member panel for abutment against outer surfaces of the outer opposed panels. Each flange has opposed mitered end edges for abutment against adjacent mitered end edges of flanges of adjacent frame members. The buck also includes fastener-receivers connectable to the panels of the frame members to form one or more fastener-receiving frames extending at least partially about a perimeter of the buck. Each fastener-receiver has mitered edge portions for abutment against adjacent mitered edge portions of adjacent fastener-receivers.

Abstract: A temperature and humidity controlled building houses sensitive telecommunications equipment in operation. A secure outdoor shelter within a closed perimeter abutting the building utilizes the exterior of one wall of the building as a portion of its perimeter. The outdoor shelter contains outdoor-hardened telecommunications equipment, also in operation, which dissipates large quantities of heat to the atmosphere. There are coax cable and waveguide operative interconnections between the sensitive telecommunications equipment and the outdoor-hardened telecommunications equipment, the interconnection being made through the one wall without affecting control of the temperature and humidity in the building. There is a further coax cable and waveguide connection from the outdoor equipment to a cell tower where wireless transmission takes place. The outdoor shelter can be expanded modularly.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for joining a gondola to the concrete tower of an aerogenerator, wherein the concrete tower is formed by a lower annular section, one or several intermediate annular sections and an upper annular section, including a flat annular support which is inserted between an upper surface of the upper annular section of the tower and the lower surface of a yaw bearing that supports the gondola, the flat annular support comprising orifices wherethrough a plurality of joining means pass, each of which is fixed to the bottom of the upper annular section of the tower and to the bottom of the yaw bearing.

Abstract: A multi-story tall building structure consisting plurality of three or more towers which are the primary structure enclosing a space longitudinally and transversely therein which are multiple floor/ceiling assemblies for multiple use occupied spaces including condos, military areas, observation, hotels, restaurants, retail, and offices. Each of the three towers has three or more vertical structural elements such as solid or hollow columns, or steel, concrete, or masonry constructs vertically extending. As an alternative occupied space including an aircraft landing deck or platform is attached to the top of the structure.

Abstract: A modular structure is disclosed for creating a substantially airtight, well insulated building envelope in a multilevel building that reduces air or moisture infiltration. The modular structure comprises a plurality of joists separated by a predetermined distance and aligned along a first direction; a plurality of nailing strips located proximate each of the plurality of joists and aligned along a second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a band joist aligned along a third direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction or the second direction; an exterior sheathing; and a block, wherein at least two of the band joist, the exterior sheathing and the block are configured to form a cavity for receiving an insulating material.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing a modular building having pre-fabricated panel wall components are easily assembled to form a predetermined structure that provides for mating alignment and securement of the modular panels with each other along their adjoining seams, without requiring additional locking mechanisms for stabilizing the panels.

Abstract: A structural flooring panel comprises an upper sheet, a lower sheet and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs between the sheets. The ribs are laterally spaced to define at least one longitudinally extending, internal channel within the panel.

Abstract: A building panel having a hollow elongate structure with a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile. The elongate structure has first and second outer skins joined by parallel first and second side walls. A connection device of first and second ribs is on each side wall to connect to adjacent panels to form a segment of a wall or roof. The elongate structure includes two inner web skins extending between the first and second side walls to divide the interior of the elongate structure into three chambers. The triple chamber profile provides the panel with additional structural strength and rigidity, as well as improved thermal and sound insulation properties. The lower chamber may be fitted with a polycarbonate sheet to increase thermal and acoustic performance. The panel is polycarbonate.

Abstract: An access floor and the installation method therefor includes a plurality of basic structural units (1) usually made from a lightweight plastic material, each unit including at least one surface (2), at least one lower cavity (8) defined by the upper surface (2), at least one lower unit-supporting edge (3) in contact with the supporting floor (13) and at least one opening (10) provided in the aforementioned surface (2). A method for installing the access floor, includes the following steps: pre-positioning the pipes, assembling the units (1) and positioning the pipes in the cavities (8), forming the cavities for the pillars (12), positioning a grating (11) on the surface (2) of the units (1), sealing the openings (10) using the corresponding cover, pouring concrete (14) or another resistant material, and positioning the coating (15) and/or the final floor (17).

Abstract: A prefabricated composite wall panel has a desired exterior finish defined by thin finish elements of brick, stone or any other suitable material and is adapted for mounting to the wall structure of a building framework by screws or other suitable fasteners. During panel manufacture thin wall finish elements are positioned at predetermined sites within the mold and aligned by alignment members in a pattern defining grout spaces. A grout placement screed having multiple holes arranged in a desired mortar pattern is positioned on the thin finish elements and pulverulent grout is deposited through the holes of the screed and into spaces between the finish elements.

Abstract: A foam filling member that can hold a foam sheet in a looped shape stably, without increasing the number of components, to provide improved vibration suppression and sound insulation. The strip-like foam sheet is formed in a looped shape by bending round it, so that both end portions of the foam sheet are overlapped with each other in a thickness direction thereof to form an overlapped portion therein. Then, insertion shafts of a clip are inserted through the overlapped portion, so that the overlapped portion is held in sandwich relation between a base portion and a head portion to form a foam filling member. Then, a supporting portion of the fixing portion of the clip is inserted in a fixing hole of an inner panel and fixed to the inner panel.

Abstract: Expansion joint system of a concrete slab arrangement, comprising an expan-sion joint reinforcement to be arranged between a first and a second concrete slab (1, 2), the expansion joint reinforcement comprising at least two local dowels (3)transferring loads perpendicular to the slab plane. The dowels com-prise a dowel plate (4) and a casing part (5). The dowel plate (4) and the cas-ing part (5) are attached to the concrete slabs on different sides of the joint. The casing part (5) prevents the dowel plate from adhering to the concrete slab and allows the dowel plate (4) to move inside the casing part and thus allows the movements of the slabs (1, 2) in the horizontal direction. The dowels (3) are installed alternately relative to the joint so that the casing parts (5) of the adjacent dowels (3) are always installed on different sides of the joint.

Abstract: An expansion joint system of a concrete slab arrangement, comprising an expansion joint reinforcement to be arranged between a first and a second concrete slab the expansion joint reinforcement comprising at least one lo-cal or continuous dowel which is arranged to transfer loads perpendicular to the slab plane. The expansion joint reinforcement comprises an additional reinforcement comprising at least one clenching pin and to be arranged in the vicinity of the dowel in concrete, the additional reinforcement being arranged to adhere to the concrete above and below the dowel by means of a widening forming the clench point.

Abstract: It comprises a series of vertical profiles (1, 20, 21) anchored to cogged brackets (3) and previously fixed to the slabs or resistant structure of the building. It also comprises horizontal profiles (15) which are fastened to said vertical profiles and to which retention clamps (27, 28, 29, 32, 33) are connected in the flagstones (24), which have grooves on their horizontal edges. The vertical profile (1, 20, 21) has a frontal “C” rail (18) which is fixed to one of the U-shaped parts (16) that interconnect with other parts (17) mounted on a C-rail (19) of the horizontal profile (15). The horizontal profile (15) includes frontal upwards flanges (25, 26) for anchoring clamps (27, 28, 29, 32, 33) with flanges (31) to be inserted in the grooving of the flagstones (24).

Abstract: A masonry infill in a load bearing structure (18), comprises courses of hollow masonry units (1) arranged to define a cavity (3) extending therethrough filled with reinforced cementitious material e.g. reinforced concrete. A lower end of the concrete reinforcement (2) is secured to a load bearing support (16, FIG. 3). A body (6) is secured to the load bearing structure and receives an upper end of the concrete reinforcement so as to permit longitudinal sliding movement of the reinforcement upper end in the body, whilst constraining movement of the concrete reinforcement in a direction transversely of the infill The lower end of the reinforcement (2) may be built into the support, or slidably received in a further body (5, FIG. 3). Alternatively one or both ends of the reinforcement (2) may terminate in a bond beam. Brackets (9, 9a) may be embedded in the concrete in the cavity (3) to transfer shear forces between the adjacent blockwork and the concrete.

Abstract: A building wall construction for walls having framing members includes an insulating panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface substantially parallel to the interior surface. The interior surface includes three or more substantially linear, substantially parallel, spaced apart recesses. The wall construction also includes a fastener configured to fix the panel relative to a wall framing member.

Abstract: Disclosed are elongate roof clips for fixedly attaching standing seam roof panels to a roof. The elongate roof clips provide improved resistance to uplift. Also provided are methods for securing roof panels in a standing seam roof, kits comprising the elongate roof clips, and an improved roof system.

Abstract: A construction block includes a pair of base members and a pair of side wall assemblies. Each base member defines first and second upper channels and comprises a first plurality of ribs positioned within the first upper channel and a second plurality of ribs positioned within the second upper channel. Each side wall assembly defines a hollow load chamber having an open top and an open bottom and includes a plurality of hingedly interconnected panels, each including a thermoplastic material. A first side wall assembly is releasably engaged with at least some of the first plurality of ribs of a lower one of the base members, and a second side wall assembly is releasably engaged with at least some of the second plurality of ribs of the lower one of the base members. Each side wall assembly is releasably engaged with an upper one of the base members.

Abstract: A wall structure is provided, which, despite having a surface that is covered with elastic coating material and that is jointless, has an uneven pattern in the surface, and which does not require any great effort in the coating process and exhibit little variation in the finished design. The wall structure has a wall material, an elastic joint material, a mesh-shaped material and an elastic coating material. The surface of the wall material bears an uneven pattern in which the height difference between deepest portions and highest portions is 2.0 to 4.0 mm and a pattern loss ratio is 15% or less, and furthermore, the wall material is fixed in a state where a side end portion of the wall material is abutted against a side end portion of another wall material. The elastic joint material covers the surface of the abutting portion of the side end portions of the wall materials, and the elastic coating material covers the entire surfaces of the wall materials and of the elastic joint material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable modular roof truss system for creating a symmetric roof. In one embodiment, the portable modular roof truss system comprises a collar, a crossbar, two arms, two connecting members, and a locking mechanism. The arms are elongated hollow cylinders coupled to opposing sides of the hollow cylindrical collar at a predetermined slope. The crossbar is also an elongated cylinder residing parallel to the ground and is coupled to both arms. Each hollow cylindrical connecting member is coupled to the end of an arm, respectively. Finally, the locking mechanism is coupled to the bottom portion of the collar and prevents a roof pole residing therein from moving back and forth. Each connecting member further comprises two apertures residing on opposite sides of the member used to couple the truss system to a variety of truss components (e.g., spacers, clamps, hinges, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lattice support structure having longitudinally extending supports which are connected to one another by obliquely extending struts and are also connected to one another in the state of the lattice support structure ready for operation by transversely extending struts provided with a joint, with the struts being pivotably connected to two respective preferably adjacent supports, with at least one connection strut being provided which connects two supports to one another which are not adjacent to one another and which are preferably disposed opposite one another, and with the at least one connection strut and/or at least one component of the lattice support structure connected thereto having fastening means or being connected or connectable thereto, with the fastening means being made such that they prevent a folding together of the lattice support structure in at least one position.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a truss and a method for selecting components to construct a truss. The truss includes three or more chord elements (two or more upper chord elements and one or more lower chord elements) and one or more web elements. Embodiments of methods according to the disclosure include estimating a first change in length for each of the two or more upper chord elements and estimating a second change in length of each of the one or more lower chord elements, the first change in length and the second change in conditions to which the truss is exposed. The method may also include selecting the one or more web elements from the plurality of wood members such that it compensates for deformation caused by the first change in length and the second change in length.

Abstract: An attachment plate for securing a roof membrane to a roof deck includes a generally planar contact surface and at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for securing the plate to the deck with the membrane therebetween. An integrally formed, rolled collar surrounds the aperture to enhance the strength of the plate in the area adjacent the fastener. One or more stress relievers may also be formed at selected locations on the plate to provide sites for controlled deformation of the plate in the event extreme forces are exerted on the plate and the membrane, such as by heavy wind loads.

Abstract: A series of alternative related methods for reinforcing an existing lattice frame steel structure, having substantially vertical Hollow Primary Elements, offering the option to choose between improving only compressive load-bearing capacity of said hollow primary elements, or improving both their compressive and the tensile load-bearing capacities. The compressive load-bearing capacity of said primary elements is increased by filling their internal cavities with non-shrink cement-based grout, in a slow and low-pressure procedure, hence ensuring the applicability of the present invention to practically any existing steel structure with hollow primary elements, regardless of their capacity to withstand internal pressure.

Abstract: A device for securing cable to a structural support, such as a rafter or joist. The device is characterized as having two U-shaped members, each U-shaped member having a base portion and two arm portions. Each arm portion has a proximal end and a distal end, each proximal end extending from said base portion. The distal ends are spaced from one another a distance to capture the structural support and to frictionally secure the device thereto.

Abstract: An insulating block for lining an interior surface of a furnace wall. The block is comprised of at least two insulating module sections. Each module section is formed from two or more layers of a ceramic (material) blanket. The layers of the ceramic blanket are held together by one or more plastic fasteners, each plastic fastener comprised of an elongated fiber portion that is dimensioned to extend at least partially through at least two of the layers and enlarged end sections dimensioned to engage the layers. The layers of the blanket are held together side-by-side by the plastic fasteners. A support member has at least one anchor rod (tube) affixed thereto. The insulating module sections are mounted on the anchor rod.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a masonry wall system consisting of a plurality of panels and artificial masonry units. The panels are provided with channels sized to receive the artificial masonry units and delimited by protruding ribs. The protruding ribs have a predetermined width w and also have notches uniformly spaced along the ribs. The artificial masonry units have protuberances devised and positioned on the masonry units to be fitted in the notches of the protruding ribs so that the masonry units are equally spaced-apart from each other by a predetermined gap (g).

Abstract: A multi-ply platform suitable for the manufacture of decorative panels and decorative panels incorporating such multi-ply platforms, which has improved resistance to deformation caused by changes in relative humidity and/or temperature of, or around, such decorative panels. This multi-ply platform includes a plurality of plies which are arranged so that the platform is substantially unbalanced around its central plane. The unbalanced platform is achieved by, arranging the plies such that at least two adjacent plies have substantially the same main grain direction and/or that two plies having substantially the same main grain direction are separated only by one or more neutral plies. These unbalanced platforms are intended to be bonded to a further ply to form a substantially balanced decorative panel.

Abstract: The device (1) for the assembly of pocket spring strings (3) comprises a rack (15), on which a drum (13) having receptacles (19) for pocket spring strings (3) is rotatably supported. An operator B manually places the pocket spring strings (3) into the receptacles (19) and rotates, or initiates the rotation of, the drum (13) about a predetermined angle, for example 60°. Now, the operator B places a further pocket spring string (3) into the subsequent receptacle (19), and at the same time an adhesive is applied to the advanced pocket spring string (3). Following a further rotational movement of the drum (13), the next pocket spring string (3) is inserted, an adhesive is applied to the previously inserted pocket spring string (3), and at the same time the pocket spring string (3) to which the adhesive was applied and which is now located in front of the assembly device (25) is ejected.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a lower portion and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a pot. The floral sleeve has a lower end having an angular arcuate portion for improving the conformation of the sleeve to the shape of a pot.

Abstract: Apparatus, flight bar assemblies, and methods are disclosed for nesting objects into a substantially staggered arrangement. Such nesting may be done in a nesting zone of a machine, for example, just upstream of a shrink wrapping machine. The nested arrangement allows the grouping of nested objects to be shrink-wrapped without use of trays or cardboard blanks if desired. The flight bar assemblies may include movable spacers for orienting rows of objects before, during, and after nesting. Lane dividers may be provided having lengths corresponding to a contour of an outer guide and cam surface, cooperating with the lane dividers to selectively urging the rows of objects inward in an organized fashion to allow efficient and reliable nesting.