Abstract: A new prefabricated wall panel is the basic unit of a new, more efficient and stronger wall system. The wall panel is manufactured from a plurality of foam sections sized to leave vertical and horizontal voids into which concrete is later poured, each foam section having an inner and outer surface and two sides; and a plurality of fastening strips. The fastening strips are longitudinal metal strips being situated between the sides of two foam sections. Each fastening strip has two longitudinal fastening strips projecting perpendicularly to the longitudinal fastening strip and the fastening strips being adjacent to the outer surface of the two foam sections.

Abstract: A break away connector system is provided for coupling together structural elements, such as a firewall and a floor or ceiling. The break away connector system comprises a support member and a fusible member. The support member is connectable to a firewall for securing a floor or ceiling to the firewall. The break away connector system further comprises at least one securing member for connecting the floor or ceiling to the support member. The fusible member has a lower melting point than the support member. The support member is configured such that when the fusible member is weakened by heat, the floor or ceiling is slidably releasable from the support member. In a further embodiment, a method is provided for constructing a firewall connection system.

Abstract: A process for providing emergency housing for a plurality of displaced people at a geographic location, said process including the steps of estimating the number of displaced people; determining a suitable combination of facilities to accommodate the displaced people; and transporting said facilities to said geographical location, wherein said suitable combination varies in accordance with the number of displaced people.

Abstract: A prefabricated alignment spacer is provided for use as a spacer and to aid with the installation of a siding outside corner. The alignment spacer comprises a body with at least two inner walls and at least two end walls, wherein each of the end walls define an aperture for receiving a fastener to attach the alignment spacer to the outside corner of the building. The alignment spacer is preferably formed to have an angle the corresponds with the angle of the outside corner.

Abstract: The end of a transversely extending beam mates to a wall structure by a self-releasing structural assembly. It has a first portion anchored to the wall. A second, fireproof and non-thermally degradable, portion sticks out from the wall. It defines a seat for receiving vertical shear loads from the beam. The assembly also includes a thermally degradable member keyed to the second portion. Both portions have slots for beam end fasteners. The beam fasteners squeeze the end of the beam, the support bracket seat, and the consumable, thermally degradable member in compression. When exposed to heat or flame the consumable, thermally degradable member softens, releasing the tension in the beam end fasteners, and releasing the compression in the parts. The end of the beam can then move away from the wall. The consumable member can be inspected, replaced, and the beam fasteners re-tensioned, without unseating the beam end.

Abstract: The end of a beam is joined to a wall structure by a self-releasing structural assembly. The self-releasing structural assembly has a first portion that is anchored to the wall. A second portion sticks out from the wall. This portion is fireproof and non-thermally degradable. It defines a seat for receiving the beam end. The assembly also includes a thermally degradable member mounted to the second portion. In normal use the beam fasteners squeeze the end of the beam, the support bracket seat, and the consumable, thermally degradable member in compression. When exposed to heat or flame the consumable, thermally degradable member softens, releasing the compression in the structural sandwich of parts. The end of the beam is then able to translate away from the wall structure. The consumable member can be inspected, replaced if necessary, and the beam fasteners re-tensioned, without removing the beam end from the seat.

Abstract: A support frame for supporting an intersection between a first wall section and a second wall section. The support frame including a first support panel having a top edge and a bottom edge, which are configured to be positioned between respective upper and lower plates of the first wall section. Moreover, the support frame has a pair of second support panels affixed to the first panel, and each second support panel has a top edge and a bottom edge configured to be positioned between respective upper and lower plates of the second wall section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of constructing a building, comprising the step of providing a skeleton for a building wall of the building. The skeleton includes at least upright building elements such as columns or dividing walls. At least one lightweight, heat insulating and fire retarding wall element is placed between each adjacent pair of said columns. The columns are covered to provide substantially closed wall surfaces. The wall surfaces are covered with a covering layer having properties so as to provide fire-resistance to the complete wall. The covering layer on the inside wall surface may include a base layer of modified resin mortar, and a top layer of plaster mortar. The covering layer on the outside wall surface may include a base layer of modified resin mortar and a top layer of mineral mortar.

Abstract: To provide an external corner member with excellent workability, which can be constructed on an external corner portion of a building without making a noticeable gap formed in abutting portion and without using any sealing material, a constructing structure of external corner portion using the external corner member, and a construction method of external corner portion. The present invention is an external corner wall material, which is obtained by disposing two plate material at substantially a right angle, and which has abutting portion that is obtained by abutting an inclined end surface of each plate material to an inclined end surface of the right or left external wall board disposed adjacent to the plate material, and a cutout portion that is provided behind the abutting portion.

Abstract: A building construction kit comprises a plurality of ground beams (10), for example of concrete, positionable and securable relative to one another to form a rigid foundation frame, a plurality of storey-height external wall panels (30) supportable on and securable to the beams of the foundation frame to form an external building shell and a plurality of floor units (70) which can be supported on and secured to the beams (10) or to the panels (30) to form a floor at, respectively, ground level or an upper level. Each external wall panel (30) comprises a galvanised steel frame (31) with a weatherproof cladding (35), for example of glass-reinforced concrete, at an intended outer side of the panel so that the shell formed by the panels provides a sturdy structure which is weatherproof without the need for a further weather-resistant finish.

Abstract: Siding trim including at least three trim elements each having at least two recesses associated therewith. The at least two recesses share a traversing frame element. The traversing frame element has at least two projecting elements projecting outwardly therefrom. The at least two recesses selectively receive and retain one or more panel elements. The at least two recesses bias against the one or more panel elements to firmly retain the one or more panel elements therein.

Abstract: Improved, modified flat wall insulating concrete forms similar to a “waffle grid” type for generating posts, beams, and interconnecting webs of concrete. The novel forms incorporate interlocking structure for a plural vertically stacked forms. The forms are provided as angled corner or straight forms having an overall length of four feet. Tie brackets connecting interior and exterior synthetic expanded foam walls of the form have flanges which are embedded within and concealed by the walls. Tie brackets are spaced apart from one another at one foot intervals, and from ends of the interior and exterior walls of the form by distance intervals of six inches. Interior and exterior walls are configured to enclose a void space therebetween. When filled with concrete, the space forms posts, beams, and webs filling openings which would otherwise occur among the posts and beams. The posts and beams, and webs are square or rectangular in cross section, presenting a uniform exterior panel thickness.

Abstract: Improvements in a stackable construction panel system are disclosed. The system includes stackable wall forms for receiving a flowable material, each form having a pair of foam panels tied together in a spaced and parallel relationship by connectors. In a first improvement, the connectors have head pieces with transversal terminal surfaces facilitating the stacking and handling of the wall forms on construction sites. In a second improvement, an end panel assembly is provided for mounting an end panel used as a wall stud for the construction of a window or door frame. The end panel assembly has first and second engaging members, each removably engageable with side end portions of the pair of foam panels. The end panel itself is mountable therebetween. In accordance with a third improvement, a corner connector is provided for reinforcing corner wall forms.

Abstract: A system for boarding up a store front window, and more specifically a corner bracket for use in removably supporting a panel respective an opening formed by a store front frame having corners. The panel temporarily closes the opening while avoiding damage to the frame, and preventing intrusion through the store front frame. The corner bracket has spaced parallel flanges connected by perpendicular load bearing wall members. One bracket is received at each corner of the store front frame and the load bearing wall members bear against adjacent frame members that form a corner. One of the flanges engage an interior surface of the frame while the opposed flange is attached to the panel. This causes the corner bracket to urge the panel against the exterior wall surface of the frame. The panel can be of an area greater than the area defined by the inner periphery of the frame to bring the marginal edge of the panel into engagement with the exterior frame face.

Abstract: A corner assembly for concrete form panels has a pair of rigid members. Each member has a bend therein to form a selected dihedral angle. The members are spaced apart by a selected distance and a removable bridge is disposed between the pair of rigid members. At least one concrete panel form is juxtapositioned to and connected to each of the rigid members. One of the rigid members is disposed exteriorly of the at least one concrete panel form. Concrete is disposed interiorly of the at least one concrete panel form. The corner assembly is adjustable to provide support for the corner of the construction.

Abstract: An external corner formative member which comprises an angled corner plate portion, and a pair of groove portions formed on the opposite sides of the corner plate, respectively, for receiving a side edge portion of a building board, wherein at least one rib which is adapted to be contacted with the building board so as to function as a weir for preventing rain water from penetrating (or for receiving the kinetic energy of rain water) is projected from the bottom of the groove portions. A broad space is formed between the rib and a back plate portion of the groove so as to interrupt the flow of rain water running toward the interior of building frame. A ridge functioning as a weir may be formed on the back plate portion of the groove portion.

Abstract: Components for a roof assembly include a glazing having a main support member and a cap engaging member. The cap engaging member has a detent portion extending from an edge region back towards an opposite edge region. The component also includes a beam member a main support member and a rafter support member for supporting a rafter assembly. The rafter support member has a securing portion extending from an edge region. A ridge end member is also disclosed which has a plurality of segment extending radially outwardly from a hub member. Each segment has an elongate mounting member on an edge opposite the hub member. There is also disclosed a wing member for a valley rafter assembly. The wing member has first and second elements secured together. Each of the elements comprises a portion of a mounting formation to which a glazing bar can be mounted.

Abstract: A building system and apparatus for forming a wall on a footing. U-shaped channels and H-shaped or T-shaped members coupled at their sides by rigid links hold foam panels in a desired spaced relationship. Vertically oriented panels aligned and connected by T-shaped members or horizontally oriented panels stacked with and connected by H-shaped members are inserted into the U-shaped channels to form a structure of the desired length. Concrete is poured between the panels and members where it hardens to form a structural wall. The planar surfaces of the U-shaped, H-shaped and T-shaped members enable the members to be extruded, thereby substantially reducing member production costs. Furthermore, widely available conventional foam panels can be used, reducing panel production costs.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for adaptation and use either as an exterior foundational base shroud or an interior decorative baseboard. In either case, the apparatus may be used to conceal and protect electrical, communications, or other conduit. The apparatus is suitable for use with a variety of standardized structural panels and may be manufactured through the extrusion process.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for an open truck bed having a plurality of panel members made of thin steel, fiberglass and foam assembled by h-shaped rail members and corner connectors. A hinge assembly is provided for pivoting or releasably attaching the cover to the truck bed.

Abstract: A system of components for constructing a wall or other portion of a building from insulated masonry blocks, and method steps of using the same. The blocks are sandwiches having outer masonry wall sections surrounding a core of rigid insulating material. External surfaces of the blocks are flush. Top and bottom edges of the masonry sections have holes for accepting ties which join the outer masonry wall sections of each block to one another. Ties may also span adjacent blocks and courses of blocks. Ties are provided in two types. H-shaped ties span both adjacent blocks and adjacent courses. U-shaped ties cooperate with blocks laid on a slab or foundation surface. A joist anchor is provided which enables a joist to be fastened directly to an exterior wall. Variations of configuration of the blocks offer wall pieces, corner pieces, and reinforced lintels.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for covering an opening in a structure, the opening having a periphery, the structure having a front shelf, side rails, and an end gate, and the cover including a fastening system for securing a frame to a flexible fabric web, the improvement wherein the frame employs a plurality of h-shaped rail members and L-shaped rail members connected by fastening members, for assembling an unlimited sized flexible fabric web to the frame.

Abstract: A structural assembly is used for producing walls. The assembly includes a plurality of structural elements, each element having at least one surface defining at least a portion of a dovetail joint. A first one of the elements is parallelepiped in shape and includes a first longitudinal side, the longitudinal side defining a half dovetail groove at each of its ends. The first element also includes a centrally disposed full dovetail groove and a full dovetail tongue separating the full groove from each half-groove. A second element of the assembly corresponds to one half of the first element. A securing element is also provided which includes at least one side defining a dovetail tongue member corresponding to the full groove in the first element. The securing element also includes an aperture extending therethrough. The structural assembly can be manufactured very economically on conventional machines and permits garden walls and the like to be easily produced and also to be secured firmly in position.

Abstract: A building block able to interlock with a similar building block. The block has a wall portion having a flat outer surface and an inner surface. At least one hollow spaced projection extends from the inner surface. Each projection comprises a narrow portion adjacent the inner surface and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion. The width of the wide portion is substantially equal to the distance between the neighboring narrow portions and the width of the narrow portion is substantially equal to the distance between the neighboring wider portions. The wall portion extends beyond the projections at at least one end of the block by an amount substantially equal to half the width of the block by an amount substantially equal to half the width of a wider portion.

Abstract: The dimensions of the blocks or bricks are, first, derived from the side lengths a, b of the tiles and, second, from the thickness d of the corner tiles, whereby an amount (a/2)-d, or (b/2)-d is obtained for the wall thickness of the blocks. The two-shell structure as well as the usual staggered arrangement by half the tile length provides a sequence of blocks of the following lengths: (a/2)-d, a/2, a-d, a, (3a/2)-d, 3a/2, 2a-d, 2a, etc. A further sequence of blocks of the following heights is obtained: (b/2)-d, b/2, b-d, b, (3b/2)-d, 3b/2, 2b-d, 2b, etc. Further sequences in respect of height and length are obtained from the two basic sequences, each smallest member being a member of a basic sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the tiles have a square visible face and the thickness a/4. Hence, the blocks have the same wall thickness and the length and heights a/4, a/2, 3a/4, a, 5a/4, 3a/2, 7a/4, 2a, etc.

Abstract: A footing is poured with an inner row and an outer row of upwardly projecting tie legs set therein. An inner course and an outer course of blocks having appropriate downwardly opening sockets are respectively placed on the footing, with the tie legs being received in those sockets. The blocks also have upwardly opening sockets. Downwardly projecting legs of H-shaped ties are mounted in those sockets, each tie uniting an inner block and an outer block in the same course. The upwardly projecting legs of these H-shaped ties then receive the downwardly opening sockets of the next upper inner and outer courses of blocks, and so on until the desired number of block courses are in place. No mortar is used in setting the first course on the foundation or in setting each succeeding course. However, when the courses are in place, concrete or equivalent settable composition is poured in the space between the inner and outer block rows to fill the space and thus create an integral wall.

Abstract: The interlocked building blocks, which normally require no mortar, have undercut grooves around their face edges, forming dove-tail-sectioned grooves at all the joints between adjacent blocks in a wall, which may be used to receive and hold sealing material for the joints, as well as to provide suitable support means for fixing attachment hooks or clips to the wall.