Abstract: A temporary shelter that provides climate-controlled storage, workspace, living space, meeting rooms, equipment rooms and the like, which includes a number of floor panels, a number of which form one or more cubed enclosures, inside which are hard, ruggedized interlocking wall panels with recessed portions for the containment therein of desired components that can be housed and stored therein. The shelter when in the enclosed configuration is transportable through a specialized separate hauler. The hauler is a lift that is transportable and attaches to the rear of a vehicle via receivers mounted to the chassis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an insulating packaging for thermal insulation and/or shock absorption, and a packaging of this type. According to the invention, straw or hay or a mixture of the two is plasticized; the plasticized straw and/or hay is subjected to moulding; while maintaining the moulding, the plasticization is reversed and the straw and/or hay is hardened without material bonding between the individual stalks of straw and/or hay; and the straw and/or hay is provided with a coating on all sides.

Abstract: A device for deterring birds from nesting on a downspout of a home, building or other structure. The device includes a top edge configured to discourage birds from nesting and preferably perching thereon and a bottom edge adapted to be positioned on a downspout.

Abstract: A portable restroom includes a thermoformed plastic floor panel that includes integral perimeter side wall portions that can be fastened directly to the side panels of a portable restroom. The top edge of the floor panel side wall portions extends outwardly to fit into a corresponding groove molded into the side panels of the restroom, in a tongue and groove fashion. This tongue and groove arrangement can be angled slightly upward so that the weight of the side panels helps to lock the two parts together. Fasteners further secure the floor panel to the side panels and are located around the perimeter of the floor just below the tongue and groove feature. The floor and side panels can be made of polyethylene plastic, formed by the thermoforming process. The vertical side walls of the molded floor can incorporate gusset features to add structure and rigidity to the floor panel.

Abstract: A weather-resistant outdoor dryer is provided consisting essentially of: a simulated rock cabinet enclosure assembly; and a dryer appliance integrated within the enclosure. The simulated rock cabinet enclosure assembly is formed to provide an overall outer appearance consistent with that of a landscaping hardscape element such as a boulder. The boulder may be formed of a molded, hollow simulated stone cabinet or enclosure having an opening and a relatively large cavity or chamber forming an internal appliance containment well within which the dryer appliance is mounted. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Precast utility enclosure aprons for buried utility enclosures that have an angled top surface to direct water, ice and debris away from the center of the apron and to limit damage to the apron and utility enclosure caused by impacts to the apron.

Abstract: The invention relates to a module for an air handling unit, comprising at least one side surface formed by the assembly of several panels arranged next to one another, a connection post (12) between two adjacent panels, including two facing fins (122) for positioning the panels, and two bases (14) for attaching the post (12) to an upper surface and to a lower surface (2), respectively, of the module, these bases being mounted at the two ends of the post. Each base (14) comprises two facing strips (18) which carry, on the interior side of the module, a rectilinear sealing gasket (20) for sealing the space between the fins (122) of the post (12) and the upper surface or lower surface (2) of the module.

Abstract: A modular protective system (MPS) Expedient Guard Tower and Fighting Position meeting multiple criteria for deployment and re-deployment in austere combat environments is disclosed as well as methods of assembly. The MPS Expedient Guard Tower and Fighting Position is lightweight such that it can be easily deployed by helicopter, requires no tools or equipment to assemble, and can be assembled very quickly by a team of four to six soldiers. The Modular Protective System (MPS) Expedient Guard Tower and Fighting Position can be easily recovered, i.e., disassembled and redeployed to a different location and as the title of the invention suggests, it is capable of being constructed in a non-elevated position or an elevated position. Accordingly, it may be used either as a guard tower, a fighting position, or an inspection station, etc., depending upon the particular need.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a modular reconfigurable shielding system for one or more storage containers in temporary or long term storage. The system comprises shield panels which may be used to shield external faces of containers in a storage configuration to reduce the overall amount of shielding required in a storage facility. Reducing the amount of shielding reduces the storage footprint of each container thus increasing storage capacity and efficiency of the storage facility. The modularity of the shield panels allows storage containers to be easily added and removed from the storage configuration. Additionally, modular shielding allows the amount and type of shielding to be easily reconfigured for differing requirements and storage contents.

Abstract: Building or structural panels may be joined, such as to form walls or floors. The panels may be connected in various orientations via one or more connectors. The connectors may mount to anchors associated with the panels. The panels may have outer skins located over an expanded core comprising a matrix of supporting elongate members and voids or openings, with the anchors located at edges of the panels.

Abstract: A vertical corner joint for joining a first shower wall panel having a J-shaped channel integrally formed on an edge thereof and second shower wall panel having a resilient, elongate wedge member attached to the back side and along an edge thereof. The edge with the wedge is inserted into the channel of the first panel, thus compressing the wedge and forming a tight corner joint or seam. A multi-piece shower enclosure may include one or more such joints. A four-piece enclosure may include a shower base or bathtub, a back wall with channels on both vertical edges, and two side walls, each with an edge with a wedge for insertion into a respective channel. The channel may form a nailing flange. A sealing strip may be included between the front side of the second panel and the short side of the channel.

Abstract: A spacer for use in spacing a cladding component from a building component has a support member, a base spaced apart from the support member, the base having a contact surface facing away from the support member, a web connected between the support member and the base, and a guide configured to locate the cladding component on the support member. A plurality of the spacers can be used by resiliently deforming them to accommodate and retain by restorative bias force a corresponding plurality of portions of the cladding component. Thereafter, the spacers are secured to the building component.

Abstract: A method of constructing an inhabitable underground structure is disclosed that comprises the steps: creating a cutout in the earth at a desired location to generally match a desired shape of an interior of the underground structure; applying a reinforcement structure to an outer perimeter of the cutout; and applying shotcrete over the reinforcement structure to create a monolithic underground structure.

Abstract: An electrical generator has an internal combustion engine and an alternator mounted to the engine and operative to generate electrical power during running of the engine. The alternator and the engine are arranged vertically to reduce the footprint of the electrical generator. The components of the electrical generator are contained within an enclosure defined by a base panel, a set of upright side panels, and a roof panel. When the roof panel is removed, each of the side panels can be independently removed from engagement with the base panel, which allows for easier access to the components of the electrical generator, such as for maintenance, service, and repair. The components are arranged so that cooling and exhaust air flow paths are defined within the enclosure.

Abstract: A modular system for constructing flexible structures that maintain structural integrity through mostly direct frictional snap-lock engagements without requiring the modular components to slide against each other, or necessitating the need for fastening tools. The modular system may utilizes frictional channels that create a frictional snap-lock engagement to connect the modular components, and thus form the finished structure. The frictional channel connections use a direct lateral engagement to mate and hold components together. In this manner, an assortment of simple modular components can be interconnected without requiring extra space to slide the individual components against each other to interconnect. The panels have identically shaped projections and recessions that frictionally mate adjacent panels. A base frictionally interconnects with a wall panel and a floor panel. The panels take numerous shapes and orientations. A roof truss, roof base, and roof panel form the roof region for the structure.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid storage tank includes a base plate and side wall extending upwardly. The base plate and side wall include an outer leaf enveloping an inner leaf. The outer leaf part of the base plate includes a lower, outer leaf concrete bottom plate on a substrate. The bottom plate is continuous with an outer leaf reinforced concrete layer of the outer side wall. An inward surface of the bottom plate and concrete layer of the outer leaf are lined with a continuous outer leaf metallic membrane. A bottom insulation layer is arranged above the outer leaf metallic membrane on the bottom plate. The inner leaf includes an inner leaf concrete bottom layer on the bottom insulation portion. The inner leaf metal membrane is lined with an inner leaf inner concrete layer. The outer leaf hoop stress reinforced outer concrete wall supporting an insulated dome structure.

Abstract: A residential or light industrial cast-in-place building foundation system including a form insert made of polymer foam, wood or plastic meant to stand upright within a typical removable concrete form side by side with poured concrete. Once assembled for use, a series of channels and voids are formed on one side of the normally flat removable forms. Each channel is designed to flare toward the outside of the concrete form to transfer energy and pressure through the concrete to be placed within the forms. After the concrete cures and the form panels will be removed, the form insert can be left in place for thermal efficiency or remove and reused on another project.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is an enclosure for secondary distribution modular switchgears, applicable in protecting switchgears both against adverse weather conditions and against unauthorized inspections of high, medium and low voltage switch gear, and also against accidental access by unauthorized persons, or by wild animals and birds. The inventive enclosure containing a base-frame (3) to which the enclosure walls are attached and which is provided with a roof cover is characterized in that the base frame (3) is formed by a metal truss and contains two extreme base-frame modules, the left one (20) and the right one (23,) and at least one middle module (21 and/or (22) which are connected with one another by means of a pair of permanent connections formed by a socket (27a) and a prong (27b) and fastening and earthing plates (28a, 28b).

Abstract: A modular building is produced from base elements that include skeleton structural elements, from which a skeleton structure is formed, and planar elements with at least wall, floor, and ceiling elements attached to the skeleton structure. The skeleton structure elements are detachably connected to each other to form the skeleton structure and the planar elements are detachably connected to the skeleton structure and to each other. A method for producing a modular building that is produced from base elements, with a skeleton structure and planar elements, which include at least wall, floor, and ceiling elements being produced and/or provided as the base elements. The skeleton structure elements are detachably connected to each other to form the skeleton structure and the planar elements are detachably connected to the skeleton structure and/or to each other.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system, and methods of making the system elements and constructing buildings, which provides wall, ceiling, and floor structural panels and corresponding walls, ceilings, and floors. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions, such that no concrete need be used except for floor slabs. Panels have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members. Structurally-reinforcing members extend, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of a wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. Spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with rigid foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel.

Abstract: A blind structure with a base, a plurality of rails, a plurality of posts supporting the rails and a skidable member coupled to the base; wherein the skidable member supports the base above the ground. In certain configurations the plurality of posts includes retention means for a plurality of wire mesh sheets that form the walls of the blind structure. In further configurations, at least one wall of the blind structure comprises an automatically closing door.

Abstract: A method of constructing a building or building appurtenance, optionally without structural use of concrete except for floor slabs. The method contemplates excavating a hole to establish a natural base on which the structure is to be constructed, establishing layout locations where upright walls or other supports of the structure are to be erected, establishing a fabricated footer, optionally a fiber-reinforced polymeric footer, along the laid-out locations of the supports, placing pre-fabricated load-bearing fiber-reinforced polymeric building panels or other supports on the fabricated footer, and connecting the pre-fabricated wall panels or other supports to each other according to the structure plan thereby developing load-bearing walls or other supports, and erecting overlying structure on the load-bearing walls or other supports.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system provides wall, ceiling, and floor structures, as well as accessories. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. Walls have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members extending, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. The spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with insulating foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel/wall panel. A building floor can be supported from the load-bearing wall, at locations on the floor support members which are below the top of the load-bearing wall.

Abstract: A frame construction for a low rise building. In the construction, a wall frame panel is made of thin light-gauge section steel by bonding together a surface member, a lower frame member, vertical frame members and an upper frame member. Roof or floor support girders are made of heavyweight section steel having H-shape or channel shape. The girders are coupled to frame construction panels by bolts or hold-down fasteners.

Abstract: A frame construction for a low rise building. In the construction, a wall frame panel is made of thin light-gauge section steel by bonding together a surface member, a lower frame member, vertical frame members and an upper frame member. Roof or floor support girders are made of heavyweight section steel having H-shape or channel shape. The girders are coupled to frame construction panels by bolts or hold-down fasteners.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system which provides walls and wall sections for use on upright walls, ceilings, and floors, and appurtenances, as well as accessories which make such structures more versatile. The walls and wall sections can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. A wall section has inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members which extend, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall section, at spaced locations along the length of the wall section. The spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with rigid foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the wall or wall section.

Abstract: A modular containment system for forming a defined perimeter around liquid storage tanks or the like. The containment system generally includes a plurality of wall panels, a corner joint removably connecting adjacent corner wall panels in angular disposition, wherein the corner joint includes an anchor pad for placement beneath and for being connected to the corner wall panels, and a support unit comprised of a gusset and anchor pad for connecting and supporting the wall panels along a straight line. The wall panels, corner joint, and support unit are each preferably comprised of an integral one-piece structure and a galvanized steel material. The wall panels, corner joint, and support unit are removably connected via interlocking wedges. A liner is generally secured along an interior of the wall panels via a retaining cap. Various braces and brackets are also used to removably connect the components of the containment barrier.

Abstract: A shower cubicle panel comprises a main panel element (14) of composite construction with at least two layers of different material, and means for interconnecting the cubicle panel (10) to an adjacent panel (10) and a shower tray (80). A connector for adjacent shower cubicle panels comprises a first part (36), a second part (38). The first part (36) has a first elongate channel portion (22b) for receiving an edge of a first shower cubicle panel, and a male connector portion (42). The second part (38) has a second elongate channel portion (22b) for receiving an edge of a second shower cubicle panel, and a female connector portion (50) substantially complementarily shaped to receive the male connector portion (42). A sealing element (40) is interposable between the first and second parts (36, 38) for preventing their disengagement.

Abstract: A collapsible outdoor shower enclosure that folds up nearly flat to a wall surface when not in use is herein disclosed. The shower enclosure is intended for use in outdoor locations where a general floor drain or similar means exists for removal of waste water. The enclosure comprises a right wall assembly and a left wall assembly that have hinged connections allowing for the shower enclosure to fold up against the wall surface. The wall surface would also be the one containing a shower head and shower controls as well. When in a retracted orientation, the enclosure protrudes approximately thirteen (13) inches from the stationary wall surface. During use, each of the wall assemblies fold out ninety degrees (90°) from the wall surface and include a right door and a left door that form an entrance side for a user to enter the shower enclosure.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system provides wall, ceiling, and floor structures, as well as accessories. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. Walls have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members extending, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. The spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with insulating foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel/wall panel. A building floor can be supported from the load-bearing wall, at locations on the floor support members which are below the top of the load-bearing wall.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system, and methods of making the system elements and constructing buildings, which provides wall, ceiling, and floor structural panels and corresponding walls, ceilings, and floors. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions, such that no concrete need be used except for floor slabs. Panels have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members. Structurally-reinforcing members extend, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of a wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. Spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with rigid foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel.

Abstract: There are currently two major types of exterior building envelope finishing systems: window wall systems, and curtain wall systems. Window wall systems use panels which fit between concrete floor slaps, and hence, are prone to leakage and are not aesthetically appealing. Curtain wall systems are installed proud of the concrete slabs, so have better performance, but are expensive to install. The system of the invention has the high performance of a curtain wall system, with the ease of installation of a window wall system. The invention uses rigid panels which cover the face of a building like a curtain wall system, providing a complete gasketed seal without the need for caulking as in the case of window wall systems. The vertical mullions are notched, so that the mullions can be easily anchored to the upper and lower surfaces of the concrete slabs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for spacing, securing, and stabilizing I-joists at their ends, and insulating and structural enhancing I-joist assemblies, are provided around the perimeter, or in the interior, of a floor or ceiling where ends of I-joists are located. Insulated blocking panels may comprise an insulating portion that provides a high-R-value and a structural portion which may comprise vertical panel(s) and optional integral support blocks that provide a profiled end surface for extending to the web of the I-joists. Alternatively, insulated blocking panels with flat, vertical end surfaces may be used with field-installed support blocks, or insulated blocking panels with profiled end surfaces may be used without any support blocks. The support blocks or profiled end surfaces of the insulated blocking panels extend to the web of each I-joist, to fill in the space between the I-joists near the I-joist ends, including a substantial amount of the space immediately adjacent the web of each I-joist.

Abstract: A skin-panel sub-frame panel having spaced, upper, lower and lateral edges, designed to occupy an upright plane adjacent the outside of a plural-story building frame, with a vertical dimension which is substantially the same as inter-floor story-height in the frame. The sub-frame includes (a) an elongate beam component defining the sub-frame's upper edge, and (b) plural interconnect-accommodating site structure sets formed in and distributed along the length of that component organized with (1) a first, upwardly facing set, and (2) a second inwardly facing set, which sets define orthogonally intersecting interconnect planes. Each first set accommodates a position-stabilizing, load-transferring inter-sub-frame interconnection between a pair of vertically next-adjacent sub-frames, and each second set accommodates a similar interconnection between a sub-frame and building infrastructure which is located within the mentioned building frame.

Abstract: Prefabricated, lightweight, modular, concrete structures, such as columns and a variety of end caps, have a strong, chip resistant surface exhibiting ornamental designs that include projections and impressions. The high strength of the surface layer is due to reinforcement of the concrete with alkali resistant short length (0.125-0.25 inch) glass fibers that allow replication of fine surface details in the column surface. The surface layer is supported by a second glass fiber reinforced concrete layer that incorporates long length (0.5-1.5 inch) alkali resistant glass fibers. In combination, the first and second layers are about 0.25 to 0.5 inches thick, and the lightweight column is readily handled by forklift trucks or economically transported on flat bed trucks without surface chipping or breakage. The modular concrete structures include concrete columns, end caps and arches, as well as other geometrically decorative assemblies.

Abstract: An assembly and process to allow for stud walls to be erected prior to the concrete slab being placed and also used for tenant demising walls before the concrete slab is placed. The Easy Wall Track includes a light gauge channel with a leave in place metal keyway attached to the under side for vertical support. There are metal brackets that support this assembly with a smooth rod or rebar driven in the ground. This allows for the concrete slab to be poured at a later date with almost no formwork needing to be placed. This saves money on material, labor and time on the schedule for the retail development company. The Easy Wall Track is versatile in meeting the needs of retail and commercial construction. With walls being able to be erected prior to the placement of the concrete slab would avert delays related to the concrete work.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall panel has a top frame structure defining an upward-opening channel extending lengthwise along the upper edge of the panel. An elongate header member is normally disposed within this channel. The header member is vertically slidably supported on supports fixed to the top frame structure so that the header member, in a storage position, is retained in the space. When the panel has been swung upwardly so that the upper edge is aligned below a preinstalled ceiling track, then the header member is manually displaced upwardly until the header telescopes over the ceiling track. A fixed connection is then formed between the header and the ceiling track to provide lateral stability at the upper edge of the wall panel.

Abstract: There are currently two major types of exterior building envelope finishing systems: window wall systems, and curtain wall systems. Window wall systems use panels which fit between concrete floor slaps, and hence, are prone to leakage and are not aesthetically appealing. Curtain wall systems are installed proud of the concrete slabs, so have better performance, but are expensive to install. The system of the invention has the high performance of a curtain wall system, with the ease of installation of a window wall system. The invention uses rigid panels which cover the face of a building like a curtain wall system, providing a complete gasketed seal without the need for caulking as in the case of window wall systems. The vertical mullions are notched, so that the mullions can be easily anchored to the upper and lower surfaces of the concrete slabs.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for supporting a floor structure from a central structure is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of support members. Each of the receptacles may be located within a corner of an exterior perimeter of the central structure. Each of the receptacles may also at least partially define a cavity which may open to two different sides of the central structure. Each of the support members may be configured to pass through the cavity of at least one of the receptacles. Furthermore, each of the support members may be configured to be supported by at least one of the receptacles, and extend outward from two different sides of the central structure. The support members may further be configured to support the floor structure on two different sides of the central structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, or kit, of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting locking bosses for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The symmetry of the wall, roof, floor and door components also minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.

Abstract: Precast planar construction wall blocks are provided with various configurations of fingers. Structures are rapidly assembled by aligning the fingers and inserting a pin through vertical sleeves provided in the fingers. Finger joints are typically shimmed and grouted for additional strength. Openings for doors and windows are provided in some wall blocks. Floor blocks are supported on ledges at the top of wall blocks or by portions of the top edges of wall blocks. A concrete or other topping may be added to floor blocks, and conduit may be run in the topping.

Abstract: A modular building system wherein extruded, elongate, plastic building components can quickly, and with no special tools or skills, be snapped and slidably fit together to form a wide variety of different building structures. The proposed system produces frameless buildings wherein surface closure structures, like walls, windows, doors and roof panels are bound into stability through building-wrapping banding structures that include upright, perimeter stabilizer bars, roof trusses, and in most instances, the underlying ground. Within a finished building, the closure structures effectively float and react with relative motion responses to different applied building loads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, or kit, of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting locking posts for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The symmetry of the wall, roof, floor and door components also minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a plurality of joists. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a joist rim having a web and first and second rim legs extending substantially perpendicularly from the web. The apparatus may also include at least one opening through the web and a joist attachment tab integrally formed in the web adjacent each opening. Each of the joist attachment tabs may extend from the web at an angle relative to the web. The apparatus may include at least one reinforcing rib corresponding to each tab and provided in the web adjacent to the corresponding tab.

Abstract: A foundation assembly for use with expansive soils. The assembly includes a slab form, such as metal pan, for receiving poured concrete, a structural slab cast into the form, and structural members, e.g., piers, footing pads, and the like, contacting and/or extending into the soil. An elongate support member, e.g., a rectangular concrete beam, is positioned on an upper support surface of the structural members so as to contact a lower surface of the slab form. In this manner, the support member supports the slab form and structural slab and defines a void space between the soil and the slab form without the use of biodegradable materials.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, shaped, prefabricated, structurally-enhancing support block conforms to the side profiles of conventional I-joists. The support block is preferably installed by fastening it to the I-joist web, rather than to the I-joist flanges, thus preserving the integrity of the I-joist flanges. Further, support blocks may be used in mid-span where additional point-load support is needed, or at joist ends for additional load bearing and/or enhanced rim board, attachment and nailing capabilities. The preferred support block includes a load-jack portion for bearing compressive load and a web and flange support portion reinforcing the thin web of an I-joist to help prevent buckling, rolling, or twisting of the I-joist under peak load conditions.

Abstract: A structural foundation assembly for use with expansive and other soils. The foundation includes slab and wall assembly in which foundation walls are poured on an upper surface of a previously poured slab such that the slab supports the walls. The slab is poured in a slab form supported upon a center, elongate support beam that is supported by piers. The height of the piers and beam provide a void between the slab and soil to allow the soil to expand and contract. The wall is attached to the slab with angled connector members in the slab. The foundation includes a dam that has planar members positioned about the periphery of the slab contacting the soil and the slab to block soil from entering the void space. A sump pit is provided exterior to the slab and wall assembly with access provided by a window well in the foundation.

Abstract: Each panel of an interlocking construction system comprises: first and second sheathing members; at least one framing member secured between the sheathing members; a male and/or female panel side edge. The male panel side edge includes splines, each extending from between the sheathing members distally beyond the side edges, substantially perpendicular thereto. The female panel side edge includes a opposing pairs of parallel grooves, one on each sheathing member and extending proximally from the second side edge substantially perpendicular thereto. The female panel edge may engage a male panel edge of another similarly adapted panel with the splines of the other panel received within the grooves of the female panel edge. The male panel edge is adapted for engaging a female panel edge of another similarly adapted panel with the splines of the male panel edge inserted into grooves of the other panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steel structural system for erecting stories of buildings, especially stories containing dwelling rooms, work rooms or rooms for accommodating household appliances where at least one floor structure (3) and ceiling structure (30) are provided, that each ceiling structure (30) serves as a floor structure (3) for another story, that load-bearing story supports (2) are arranged on the floor structure (3), and the ceiling structure (30) rests on these story supports, that an elastically sound-dampening joining system (4) is provided, which joins each of the story supports (2) with the floor structure (3), that the joining system (4) has a securing element (5), which is provided for laterally fixing the story support (2) to the floor structure (3), and is joined to the floor structure (3), that the joining system (4) exhibits a separating layer made out of flexible material with a high degree of resilience when deformed and a low plastic long-term compression, and that the separating lay

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a storage shed that is strong, durable, low-maintenance, easy to assemble and use, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and ship, and can be mass produced. In one embodiment, an attachment device is provided for attaching a support post to a floor having a top, a bottom, a floor opening between the top and the bottom, and a side edge. The attachment device comprises a floor locking nut configured to be rotatably supported at the bottom of the floor. The floor locking nut includes a nut bearing surface disposed adjacent a nut aperture and facing downward from the bottom of the floor. The nut bearing surface includes an inclined surface leading to a raised surface.