Abstract: An exterior building member includes an outer shell that is extruded slightly oversize out of a plastic compound such as polystyrene containing wood fill. The shell is filled with a rigid plastic foam such as rigid high density, low pressure polyurethane foam, after which material is removed from the exterior profile of the shell to bring the exterior profile to within a desired dimensional tolerance.

Abstract: A sheet material attachment system including at least one longitudinal beam having a web, and at least one flange having first and second opposite sides, the web extending from the flange second side. A sheet material attachment element overlies the flange first side, the sheet material attachment element having a hardness which is less than the hardness of the flange. The sheet material attachment element is attached to the beam by a fastener, the fastener being substantially U-shaped and having a first leg which engages a side of the sheet material attachment element and a second leg which engages the flange second side. A piece of sheet material is anchored to the sheet material attachment element.

Abstract: A panel connector for connecting adjacent longitudinal ends of a pair of longitudinally-extending elongate panels, where each panel has a pair of upstanding inturned flanges on opposite lateral sides of a central web portion, the panel connector comprising a base member with a first central body having, on laterally opposite sides, a first pair of marginal edges adapted to be engaged between the opposite inturned flanges of each of the elongate panels when the first central body overlies the central web portion of each panel and a hold down member with a second central body having, on laterally opposite sides, a second pair of marginal edges adapted to be engaged between the opposite inturned flanges of each of the elongate panels when the second central body overlies the first central body and wherein the base member and the hold down member are movable relative to one another and a locking clip for use with a paneling assembly comprising a main locking clip for use in a paneling assembly comprising a main b

Abstract: A decking system for placement on a subassembly having at least two spaced apart joists. A plurality of elongated tubular elements for placement in lateral interlocking engagement with each other transversely of and spanning the distance between the joists. Each of said plurality of elements having a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side walls connecting said top and bottom portions. The top portion extends laterally beyond the first side wall and has formed thereon a downwardly extending longitudinal flange. The bottom portion extends laterally beyond the second side wall and has formed thereon an upwardly extending longitudinal wall defining an upwardly opening channel adjacent the second side wall adapted to receive therein in watertight relation the downwardly extending longitudinal flange.

Abstract: A deck system with a deck clip. The deck system includes deck boards in which receiving chambers are formed. The receiving chambers are formed in both opposing side edges of each deck board, and each chamber is defined in part by a lip edge. The deck boards are placed side by side during construction of a deck, closely spaced, such that the lip edges of adjacent deck boards define a narrow channel space therebetween in which a rotatable deck clip is placed. The clip has a first overhang member and an opposing second overhang member and is thereby wider in a first horizontal dimension and shorter in a second, perpendicular horizontal dimension, and is rotatably attached to the deck joists by a screw or other fastening device. When the clip is rotated into a first position, its first and second overhang members extend into the receiving chambers of adjacent deck boards and engage with the lip edges of each chamber to hold the deck boards securely in place upon the joists.

Abstract: Wall covering panels of the invention are fabricated from a corrugated cardboard material that is treated with a fire retardant. The panel may include scored edges that ease installation. In one embodiment, the panels are folded accordion-style so that the user may cut lengths as needed. A scoring tool is provided to score lines on the panels. Another embodiment includes two corrugation layers. In another embodiment, the panel includes an interior corrugation layer that is secured by an adhesive to liner boards. Each liner board is adhered to an aluminum layer. Each liner board may be treated with a fire proof treating on its outer surface. The treated boards and aluminum layers make the panel resistant to fire.

Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface.

Abstract: An assembly of panels and jointing elements, in particular for the technical field of building, wherein each panel (11, 12), taken in section, comprises an alveolar structure, determined by a plurality of ribs (14) and arranged between two main outside surfaces (10, 28, 29), extensions (15, 16) obtained at opposed ends of each panel (11, 12), and a jointing element (13, 113) adapted to receive an extension (15, 16) of each of two adjacent panels (11, 12) firmly engaging them, wherein both each extension (15, 16) and the jointing element (13, 113) are provided with reciprocally engaged inclined surfaces (20, 21, 24, 25) facing inwards and facing each other, and wherein the jointing element (13) is U-shaped and is provided with a pressing element (19) that centrally extends inside it and arranges in wedged engagement between outside facing walls (17, 18) of the two extensions (15, 16).

Abstract: A fibreboard, insulating, wall panel includes an integral air and vapor barrier of metal foil or metallized plastic film adhered to one surface of the panel. Panels are attached to a stud wall frame. Abutting panel joints are taped to provide a continuance vapor barrier. Increased thermal and acoustic insulation as well as structural integrity of the barrier is provided by the panel.

Abstract: A rectangular window opening in a structure is provided with four channel members that provide a decorative frame around the opening. Three of the channel members are permanently fastened to the structure through a flange on the channel. The fourth channel member is removably fastened in place. When the opening must be covered by a storm panel, the fourth channel is unfastened and removed. A rigid rectangular panel is mounted in the three channels. The fourth channel is then mounted on the fourth edge of the panel and then the fourth channel is removably fastened to the structure. All of the elements except the panel remain in place. The panels have no holes or accessories. All panels are interchangeable for the same size window. No tools are needed to mount or remove a panel.

Abstract: A wall panel supporting unit and system of constructing a wall utilizing a series of the wall panel supporting units in place of a traditional stud wall. The individual wall panel supporting units are of unitary construction and are generally rectangular. The units are corrugated and the resulting ridges function in the same manner as individual studs in a traditional wall, by creating a space within the wall for insulation, electrical wiring and similar uses. The individual units are fastened together, and attached to parallel tracks along the ceiling and floor to ensure a straight wall when panel sheathing such as drywall is applied. The individual units generally conform to each other when stacked together and offer a significant reduction in required shipping space.

Abstract: A floor joist system including at least one girder having an upper surface, a plurality of joists interconnected with the girder, each joist having an upper surface, the upper surfaces of the girder and the joist being substantially coplanar, a plurality of individual flooring attachment elements attached to the upper surfaces of the girder and joists, the flooring attachment elements having a hardness which is less than the hardness of both the girder and joists, and flooring supported by the upper surfaces of the girder and joists through their respective flooring attachment elements, the flooring attached to the flooring attachment elements.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an external wall construction improving workability, waterproof properties, durability and ventilating properties of a bearing wall.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger has structural members made of fiber reinforced resin material. These structural members include vertical columns and walls. The walls are bonded to the columns to create rigid joints. The bonded joints have large surface areas. The walls are defined by individual panels that may be bonded together along abutting horizontal box beam sections. The panels have additional box beam sections to strengthen the panels, and connecting webs extending between the box beam sections. Both the box beam sections and connecting webs are bonded to the columns. Mechanical fasteners are used to hold the walls and columns together until the bonding material cures. The heat exchanger is an evaporative heat exchanger with a basin with a sloping floor having a low point. The sloping floor may be made of panels bonded together. The panels are similar in structure to the wall panels, although the box beams may be of different sizes.

Abstract: An improved cladding board mounting system for mounting cladding boards (100) adjacent a surface to be concealed. Each cladding board (100) includes at least one support member (130) on the interior face (120) of the cladding board. The system further includes at least one mounting member (170) which includes an engaging formation (172) adapted for releasable engagement with a complementary engaging formation (132) of a respective support member. The mounting member also includes a second segment (174) for releasable connection to the surface to be concealed. Preferably a mounting bracket (70) extends between the surface to be clad and the mounting member (170).

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural element for ships' decks, ships' bulkheads, ships' loading ramps, shore-mounted loading ramps, ships' elevators, ships' doors, loading hatches or the like. The element comprises a frame structure and at least one support plane. The invention is particularly characterized by said support plane being constituted by a plurality of plate-like sandwich elements which are connected with said frame structure in such a way that they integrally contribute to the overall strength of the structural element. Said sandwich elements serve as flanges for beams with conventional webs which are included in the structural element. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sandwich element comprises a core consisting of a pyramidal framework structure, said core being positioned between two covering plates.

Abstract: A wall framework includes top and bottom tracks, a horizontal channel and vertical studs. A first vertical stud is secured to the top track and the bottom track and has a first opening sized and shaped to permit the horizontal channel to extend therethrough and a second opening vertically spaced from the first opening. A second vertical stud is secured to the top track and the bottom track and has a third opening sized and shaped to permit the channel to extend therethrough and a fourth opening vertically spaced from the fourth opening. At least one clip extends through the first opening and the second opening. A fastener connects the horizontal channel to the clip. The clip cooperates with the fastener to secure the horizontal channel in a fixed relationship to the first vertical stud.

Abstract: A mounting system comprises base structural supports and connecting structural supports which are fastened horizontally to vertical structural supports. The vertical structural supports are connected to a building wall. Each base structural support has a U-like cross section, in which the upwardly directed leg that is further away from the building wall is shorter than the leg fastened to the vertical structural supports. Each connecting structural support has a short, upwardly and downwardly directed leg that is further away from the building wall than a vertical leg that is connected to the vertical structural supports. A horizontal leg which has a flexible elastic insert at its open end, adjoins the lower end of the vertical leg.