Abstract: A construction block for use in the construction of elemental structures, including a body having a bottom surface, a top surface, end surfaces, an outer surface which forms part of an outer surface of a structure and an inner face. At least one formation on or in at least the inner face and/or at least one of the end faces receives and retains at least one insulating element. The insulating element provides thermal insulation for the structure formed from such construction blocks.

Abstract: A method for mitigating risk in issuing wind only roof insurance comprising: receiving a request for the wind only roof insurance; determining if a roofing system complies with a predetermined set of parameters; and issuing the wind only roof insurance

Abstract: A foam filling member having a foaming base material in sheet form which is simplified in structure so that it can be formed into a predetermined shape corresponding to a shape of a space of a structure with an improved working efficiency and can also be placed in a space of the structure with an improved working efficiency, without any need of the sticking to a wall surface of a partition wall defining the space of the structure. Incisions 4, 5, 6, 7, cut in partway along a thickness direction of the foaming base material 2 along a bending portion and cuts 9, 10 passing through in the thickness direction are formed in the foaming base material 2. By simply bending or folding the foaming base material 2 along the incisions 4, 5, 6, 7 and the cuts 9, 10, the foam filling member 1 can be formed in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to an interior space of a pillar and thus can be set in place in the interior space.

Abstract: A composite masonry building block (1) that has an inner core (20) of lighter density than an outer face and includes upper most protrusions (4, 73) and matching lowermost cavities (5, 76) to have an interlocking arrangement with other like blocks. Also disclosed is an inner lighter density material which includes an expanded plastic such as polystyrene with a cement binder. The upper (2) surface of the block (1) may include a plurality of protrusions and lower (3) may have a plurality of cavities (5). The arrangement of the protrusions (4) in relation to the upper surface (2) and the arrangement of cavities (5) in relation to lower surface (3) are such that the protrusions (4) will locate within and interlock with the consistently aligned and placed cavities of the adjacent block.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture, storage and final assembly of self-erecting structures constructed from a plurality of materials and or articles, some or all of which may be flexible and some or all may be impregnated with a curable polymer compound. The structure is folded to reduce its volume and stored in a vacuum sealed package to further reduce its volume and to prevent the impregnated curable polymer compound from curing until such time as curing is desired. When the structure is removed from the vacuum sealed packaging, it returns to its original geometry through the elastomeric memory properties of the materials used to construct the shelter. Once the shelter is removed from the vacuum sealed packaging, curing of the curable polymer compound is naturally or artificially initiated.

Abstract: A wall system is provided, comprising: a frame comprising at least one frame member; a cladding material disposed at an external side of the frame member; a drainage mat disposed between the frame member and the cladding material; and an insulation layer disposed at an internal side of the drainage mat.

Abstract: A door comprises a frame, first and second outer skins, and first and second stiffeners. The first and second outer skins are respectively connected to first and second sides of the frame, and the first and second stiffeners are positioned between the first and second outer skins and are attached to the frame. The first stiffener is connected to the first side of the frame, and the second stiffener is connected to the second side of the frame. The first and second outer skins are respectively connected to the first and second stiffeners at positions adjacent the frame. The first and second stiffeners are joined together within an area defined by the frame, and the first and second stiffeners are joined together along a plane approximately equidistant from the first and second outer skins. The door also includes a window.

Abstract: An insulated panel (1) comprises a first panel portion (2) and a second panel portion (3) which are identical. Each panel portion (2, 3) comprises an outer profiled sheet (5) and an inner backing tray with a foam core (7) therebetween. The panel portions (2, 3) each have external sheet overlap parts (10, 11) and backing sheet overlap parts (23, 24). The corresponding overlap parts (10, 11, 23, 24) of adjacent panel portions (2, 3) are bonded together at the overlap. The bonding may be by an adhesive (15).

Abstract: Methods of fabricating wall panels by generally continuously pultruding a wall panel profile comprising inner and outer layers, and spaced reinforcing webs and/or foam extending between the inner and outer layers, optionally studs extending inwardly from the inner layer, away from the outer layer. The so-continuously pultruded wall panel optionally has male and a female edges. The wall panel is periodically cut for wall panel height, thereby creating an ongoing stream of cut wall panels. The panels are advanced through a corner index station, and indexed at right angles while maintaining orientation of the panels. The wall panels leave the indexing station edge-to-edge. Resin is applied to facing edges of adjacent wall panels. Adjacent wall panels are joined to each other at the facing edges, to make a generally continuous wall panel. The so-joined wall panel is cut to desired lengths.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method of constructing walls or fence systems from panels. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing such walls or fence systems wherein a back face of one panel connects to a back face of another panel and further wherein the front faces of the panels have a desirable texture and further wherein a concrete footing of the wall or fence system is poured after courses of panels have been stacked one upon the other.

Abstract: A gymnastic floor structure includes an elastic collective floor substrate 30 having a given area formed by arranging a plurality of plywood unit floor panels 3 equipped with a plurality of elastically supporting leg members 2 provided on a bottom surface thereof on a floor surface of a building, and an elastic layer including a flat cushioning air mat 4 and a fiber mat 5 as essential structural elements provided on the floor substrate 30. The air mat 4 includes a linking body 41 in which a pair of textile inner sheets 41a and 41b are linked by a plurality of linking threads 43 and airtight external sheets 42 and 42a entirely covering the linking body 41, and has an airtight space 44 therein.

Abstract: A mortar and debris collection device for use within a cavity wall to prevent the blockage of weep holes at the base of the wall. The cavity wall assembly includes a masonry wall, an adjacent inner wall, a wall cavity therebetween, and a free-standing elongate strip of openwork material located within the cavity forming a debris collection surface a spaced distance above a base surface of the cavity. Preferably, the openwork material is inserted and positioned within the cavity after the inner wall and only a base portion of the outer masonry wall is constructed. Thereafter, the upper portion of the outer masonry wall is constructed and any mortar or debris falling into the cavity is caught and supported on the debris collection surface.

Abstract: The Structural Insulating Panel Finished (SIPF) has a finished external surface and internal surface ready for carrying out of immediate painting and decorating. Introduction of the stud inside a panel construction is with a result of creating a rigid special structure with other elements of the panel. The spray-foam technology is employed in constructing powerful connections between inner and outer layers. As a result of high adhesive qualities of spray-foam, we have strong connections between panels where all lacunas are filled by an insulation layer that provides a highly reliable connection. The innovations discussed above eliminate the need for exterior finish of the panel, reducing time and cost of construction while allowing build houses of two-three floor height. The SIPF panel has an insulation layer of 6? deep, making it possible to use the product in all climatic zones of the World.

Abstract: A roof/wall structure includes a substantially rigid substrate and a waterproof membrane adhesively joined to an outer surface of the substrate. The membrane includes a layer of thermoplastic or elastomeric waterproof material, a layer of cushion material bound to an inner surface of the layer of waterproof material, and a pressure sensitive adhesive bound to a side of the layer of cushion material remote from the layer of waterproof material and bound to the substrate.

Abstract: Structural insulation sheathing (SIS), preferably in the form of a panel, comprises a structural member and an insulation member. The structural member and insulation members are in intimate, planar contact with one another, and the SIS structure meets both the structural (that is, AC 269) and insulation (R>2) requirements for the North American residential market. The structural 23 member of the SIS structure is multi-layer laminated paperboard. The insulation member of the SIS is a foamed sheet of a thermoplastic material such as polyisocyanurate.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall system used in constructing a structure, the system including a wall segment configured to be lightweight and easily handled manually while constructing the structure, and a securing system configured to secure the wall segment in place on the structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved wall system where a wall form mold has a structural insulated core assembled to form a structural insulated panel (SIP) to form a concrete beam and concrete column to be poured anywhere within the wall as well as between building modules when placed together and erected vertically. The interlocking wall molds interlock within the wall as well as between panels and modules. The wall panels allow concrete columns and beams to be formed in any size and shape. The structural insulated core consists of interlocking foam spacers and support channels which can be glued or screwed together to form an independent wall or as part of a precast wall with columns and beams integrated within the wall panels. Insulated flanges within the wall forming mold separates the wall forming structure from the wall surfaces.

Abstract: A fire retardant thermally insulative, vandalism and damage resistant panel for the building exteriors includes a relatively low density foam layer having relatively high thermal resistivity, a relatively high density foam layer having relatively high impact strength and resistance to bending facingly contacting the low density foam layer, a porous fabric contacting the high density foam layer at a surface thereof facing oppositely from the low density foam, and a weather resistant, water impermeable exterior layer contacting the fabric at a surface facing in a direction opposite from where the high density foam contacts the fabric, where the high density foam substantially occupies at least parts of some of the pores of the fabric and the exterior layer material substantially occupies at least parts of at least some of the pores of the fabric such that sufficient pores of the fabric are filled with the high density foam, the exterior surface material and chemical reaction products thereof to create a bond be

Abstract: There is disclosed a furring strip system wherein furring strips serve to provide a space to promote drainage and drying between the exterior siding or cladding and the underlying construction. These furring strips may be pre-attached to at least one side of a water resistive barrier (WRB—sometimes referred to as “Housewrap”) Additionally, it has been found that the use of closed cell polyethylene foam furring strips significantly reduces the amount of water penetration and leakage that occurs along the fasteners through the furring strips and the WRB onto the unprotected sheathing therebeneath, i.e. the closed cell foam furring strips provide a “gasketing effect”, and “self-sealing” as the fastener, whether it be a staple or nail, penetrates the closed cell polyethylene foam furring strip. The usefulness of the invention is the same regardless of whether the furring strips are pre-attached to the WRB or are added before or after the WRB has been applied to the building structure.

Abstract: A building block for construction of a structure, such as house, is provided that is lightweight and portable. The building block has a first or lightweight portion that can be made from a thermally insulative material. The building block also has a second or rigid portion that can be made from a material having a high compressive strength. The first and second portions are affixed to each other to provide a preformed building block with a high compressive strength. The rigid portion can be a number of rigid sheets substantially embedded in the lightweight portion.

Abstract: A structural adhesive tape includes a closed cell silicone foam support and a structural adhesive composition on opposing sides of the closed cell silicone foam support. The structural adhesive composition may be a condensation reaction curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition. The structural adhesive tape is useful in structural glazing applications, such as curtain wall applications.

Abstract: A dock seal, such as a header, side seal or draft pad mounted alongside a doorway of a loading dock, comprises a compressible foam core that includes a plurality of slits of insignificant thickness, wherein the slits can be strategically arranged and sized to adjust the seal's compression characteristics at different areas of the seal. In some cases, the slits extend only partially into the foam core so that the core remains intact as a unitary piece.

Abstract: Simulated stone, masonry, and brick textured products such as siding having a foam backing or with the hollow parts injected with foam or molded with foam in one or more steps, obtained when specially selected materials are properly admixed and formed via molding techniques. The foam backing is applied to the product in either a one or two step process. The foam backing may be used on panels, wall structures, and other products that may have contoured and textured surfaces and may simulate the appearance of conventional building and construction materials including, but not limited to, stone, brick, masonry, concrete, stucco, wood, other conventional building materials, and combinations of any of these materials are disclosed. The foam backing provides improves thermal insulation, improved sound reduction, improved rigidity, and improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foam material upwardly adjacent and in air sealing contact with a roof deck, an insulation layer upwardly adjacent the foam material, and additional foam material upwardly adjacent the insulation layer. Further disclosed herein is a method for creating a roof system including air sealing a roof deck with a foam material, adhering insulation material to the foam material, and applying additional foam material upwardly adjacent the insulation layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wall or roof surface element (1) comprising a temperature barrier layer (3) and an extremely thin external insulating layer (5). Alternatively, an absorption layer (6) can also be provided on the external side. A building fitted with said type of elements (1) has a positive energy balance.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for a wall panel having a support element and an insulation element.

Abstract: The invention concerns a subfloor which is provided between a hard base (11) and a floor such as a laminate or parquet floor resting on the latter, whereby this subfloor is composed of laterally connecting mats (9, 10) having a core (1) made of a synthetic foam provided with an underlay (2) and a top layer (3) made of a synthetic foil, whereby this underlay (2) and top layer (3) represent a flap (4, 5) which extends over the side edge of said core (1), so that this flap (4, 5) overlaps with the mat (9, 10) connecting onto this side edge.

Abstract: A foamed resin knockdown house in which recesses are provided in opposite end surfaces of adjacent resin segment pieces, reinforcing members are accommodated in closed spaces defined by the opposite pairs of recesses to join together the adjacent segment pieces. Thus, the house is assembled, forming a living space inside. The foamed resin knockdown houses may have inside spaces of various forms depending on the purpose for which they are used.

Abstract: A foam panel concrete form is provided for using concrete reinforcement rods which extend on each side of a joint in the foam panel concrete form and into complementary shaped openings in ties which hold two adjacent panels in a spaced and parallel relationship. The concrete reinforcement rod can pass into the openings in adjacent ties with little resistance in a first rotary position of the concrete reinforcement rod. When the concrete reinforcement rod is rotated to a second rotational position within the openings the reinforcement rod is in a tight frictional fit in the openings for helping to hold adjacent ties and the adjacent foam panels in a fixed relationship with respect to each other during a time when concrete is poured between the foam panels, thereby also serving to re-enforce the concrete after the concrete has cured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fire retardant roof system with a roof deck, a sealant material applied to the roof deck to prevent fluid migration, a polystyrene insulation board upwardly adjacent the sealant material and a sealing material upwardly adjacent the polystyrene material. Further disclosed is a method for making a fire retardant roof structure. The method includes sealing all fluid passageways in a roof deck with a sealing material, applying a polystyrene material upwardly adjacent the roof deck and the sealing material and applying a further sealing material or cover board upwardly adjacent the polystyrene material.

Abstract: A decking plank (1) comprising a core (2) which acts as a support beam, one or more layers (3,4) bonded to said core without the use of releasable attachment means and one or the layer being an outer slip resistant covering layer with a relief; characterised in that at least one of said layers (3) is relatively soft compared to said core which is relatively hard; whereby the core acts as a support beam and said at least one layer has a cushioning effect.

Abstract: A kit containing all parts necessary for erecting a prefabricated building, or dwelling unit, suitable for normal human occupancy. The building is comprised of prefabricated panels that contain all the necessary cutouts to accommodate prefabricated plumbing and electrical assemblies. The kit also includes all necessary piping and wiring needed to connect such plumbing and electrical assemblies to external sources. The kit will also contain a plurality of adjustable supporting legs for supporting and leveling the building on location.

Abstract: Foamed plastic structures that include one or more foamed plastic bodies containing a polymer matrix that includes one or more polymers formed by polymerizing a monomer mixture formed by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing vinyl aromatic monomers using a polymerization initiator having a structure corresponding to: R(Y)n where R is a C2 to C32 linear, branched, and/or cyclic aliphatic and/or aromatic group that can also include one or more atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, halides, silicon and sulfur, Y is a group that can generate a free radical capable of initiating polymerization of the monomers in the monomer mixture; and n is from 2 to 6. The structures formed can include, as non-limiting examples, pallets, containers, stackable containers, produce boxes, seafood shipping containers, geofoam blocks, and insulated concrete forms.

Abstract: The invention relates to modular elements made of insulating materials for constructions, provided with at least one network element in the interior; to a network obtained by connecting modular elements; to a supporting structure achieved by casting a hardening material in the network achieved by connecting the modular elements and joining them through the supporting structure, as well as to the process for obtaining thereof. The modular element has an interior network element made up of at least two main half-joints and optionally it may have one or more secondary half-joints, connected through vertical and oblique channels. The network obtained by assembling the modular elements is made up of main and secondary joints, connected trough vertical, horizontal and oblique channels. The unitary supporting structure is obtained by casting a material that will be harden in the unitary network for the entire construction.

Abstract: Useful composites and methods of using such composites are provided. The composites include an outer layer containing a first polymeric material, an intermediate layer circumscribed by the outer layer and containing a second polymeric material, and an inner layer circumscribed by the intermediate layer and containing a third polymeric material. The inner layer, in combination with the intermediate layer, is structured and effective to reinforce the composite relative to a substantially identical composite without the inner layer. The present composites can be produced using co-extrusion processing.

Abstract: The invention provides an insulator for use in combination with a structural block having top and bottom surfaces that are connect by side surfaces. The side surfaces and the top and bottom surfaces define a continuous periphery that at least partially forms a mortar joint with adjacent blocks. The periphery has a generally vertical height bounded by the top and bottom surfaces, and a width bounded by the side surfaces. The insulator has a pre-formed portion of insulating material having top, bottom and side surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces define a height greater than the generally vertical height of the periphery of the block. The side surfaces define a width greater than the periphery of the block, so that the insulator extends into and insulates, on at least a portion of all surfaces forming the block periphery, the mortar joint between the block and adjacent blocks.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of insulating a structure. The method comprises providing a quantity of a foam-forming composition between structural elements and permitting the foam-forming composition to expand to form a foam. The foam-forming composition comprises an aqueous emulsion or solution of a natural or synthetic film-forming polymer, a surfactant, hydrogen peroxide and an activating agent which causes the hydrogen peroxide to release oxygen gas sufficient to produce a foam. An insulated structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: To install a wall, a placement area for a set of prefabricated wall sections is determined. The placement area includes a starting end and a terminating end. A wall section of the set of prefabricated wall sections includes a first layer of urethane foam, a second layer of urethane foam, an extension and depression to mate with a corresponding depression and extension of another wall section of the set of prefabricated wall sections, and a through bore extending from an upper face of the extension, passing through the extension and exiting a lower face of the extension. During installation, surface vegetation is removed from the placement area in response to surface vegetation being present on the placement area, the soil is compacted in the placement area, and a first wall section of the set of prefabricated wall sections is placed at the starting end.

Abstract: In a door constructed of spaced apart compression molded skins (11, 12) reinforced with fiber glass with a core space (18) between the skins (11, 12) filled with foam to construct the door (10), an improved skin (11 or 12) for such door is constructed by adding specific pigments to the raw materials for such skins before compression molding occurs to achieve a surface which is superior in appearance to the skins (11, 12) of such door (10) which is painted and/or stained after such skins (11, 12) are compression molded and converted into a door. The specific pigments employed are titanium oxide [TiO2], ferric oxide [Fe2O3], organic green pigment, organic blue pigment and carbon black and are blended in different percentages to achieve different colors without loss of the integrity of the skin (11 or 12).

Abstract: An insulation product having an integral air vent channel is disclosed for use in attic and cathedral ceiling applications. The product includes an insulation blanket having at least a pair of raised strips formed on one side thereof. When installed, the blanket is fit up between a pair of roof rafters until the raised strips contact the undersurface of the roof. The strips ensure that a predetermined offset exists between the insulation blanket and the roof, thus forming an unobstructed ventilation path running from the soffit to the roof peak. The raised strips can be foamed polyurethane or other polymer material that is dispensed or laminated onto the insulation blanket after the blanket exits the curing oven. The blanket may be a foamed polymer insulation that is extruded as a blanket at the proper insulation height for installation or may be cut to size from an overthick bun of insulation. The blanket and strips may be formed by a mold that shapes a pour in place foam.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention is a rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam board product. The board product is comprised of a castor oil based rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam. Preferably, the board product is based on a polyol mixture of a highly functional castor oil and a polyester and/or polyether polyol.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion between a masonry element at least partially defining a perimeter of an opening in an architectural structure and a frame surrounding the perimeter and having at least one surface includes a sponge structure adapted to rest against the frame and having at least one surface. The apparatus further includes a rigid member affixed to the sponge structure and adapted to rest against the masonry element and a coupling element affixed to the sponge structure and adapted to be coupled to a surface of the frame. In another aspect of this embodiment, the surface of the sponge structure is adapted to adhere to a sealant. The sponge structure may include closed cell blended EPDM neoprene.

Abstract: An article for use in securing a vapor retarder to a structure includes a support member having first and second major surfaces, the first major surface oriented for receiving fasteners for fastening the member and vapor retarder to the structure and a gasket disposed on the second major surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a building panel for forming walls, roofs and floors in a building constructed with a frame including an expanded foam plastic core rectangular in shape, circular voids extending through the thickness of said core, each of the plurality of circular voids spaced apart to receive tension members, a coating applied to at least one face providing added rigidity and a frame comprising elongated members having channels sized to fit on the end faces of the panels for joining a pair of said building panels together.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel roof system comprising a plurality of roof insulation panels (4) moulded from foamed polystyrene or the like material, the panels being mounted on a roof structure, which may comprise conventional purlins and rafters with roof battens or a closed roof decking of timber or the like material. In either case, the panels are supported by the roof structure and in turn provide location and support for a plurality of roof tiles (6, 6a). In order to enhance the location and support of the roof tiles on the panels, the panels are provided with upstanding walls having re-entrant angled surfaces (32) for engagement by hook-like protuberances (60a, 60b, 61a, 61b) provided towards lower ends, in use, of the roof tiles. The roof tiles may be made from cementitious compositions, ceramic compositions or reconstituted slate materials. The roof system may also include reinforcement for the panels, which may be provided with for mutual interlocking engagement with sideways adjacent panels in use.

Abstract: A structural insulated panel with a rigid foam core without thermal bridging is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved lightweight padding device for heavy equipment with improved corrosion protection and abrasion resistance wherein the padding device has a planar top, a planar bottom and four sides perpendicular to the planar top and planar bottom and the outer surface is composed of a two part elastomer of polyurea. The interior of the device is composed of expanded polystyrene.

Abstract: An underlayment with improved drainage is disclosed. Particularly, the invention relates to an underlayment board having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the board further includes a top edge and a bottom edge and includes at least one channel defined in the first surface with each of the at least one channel extending from the top edge to the bottom edge to form a drainage path therebetween. More particularly, the underlayment board can include at least one funnel defined proximate at least the top edge or the bottom edge, wherein the at least one funnel is in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the at least one channel. A method of finishing an exterior of a structural substrate and a building assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A panel assembly (40) that addresses oil canning when installed over a substrate or deck (72) is disclosed. The panel assembly (40) includes a panel (42). The panel (42) includes a first primary panel surface (44) that faces the substrate (72) in the installed configuration, as well as a second primary panel surface (46) that faces away from the substrate (72) in the installed configuration. Another component of the panel assembly (40) is a first structure (60) that is disposed between the panel (42) and the substrate (72). Typically, either a first surface (62) of the first structure (60) is chemically bonded directly to the first primary panel surface (44) such that an interface between the first surface (62) and the first primary panel surface (44) includes a chemical bond, or a second surface (64) is chemically bonded directly to the substrate (72) such that an interface between the second surface (64) and the substrate (72) includes a chemical bond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polymeric microparticles in hydraulically setting building material mixtures for the purpose of enhancing their frost resistance and cyclical freeze/thaw durability.