Abstract: A connector for assembling and sealing laminate flooring panels which are separate from the connector, the connector comprising: a base; an extension attached to the base and having a mating member for mating with a flooring panel; and a seal attached to a member selected from the base and the extension. A method for manufacturing a connector for assembling and sealing laminate flooring panels which are separate from the connector, the method comprising: extruding a connector having a base and an extension attached to the base, wherein the extension has a mating member for mating with a flooring panel; and attaching a seal to the connector.

Abstract: A panel for a portable floor system comprising a rectangular core defining an upper surface and a lower surface extending parallel to the upper surface and lateral side surfaces extending from edges of the upper surface to edges of the lower surface. Frame members are connected to the lateral side surfaces and define outwardly projecting channels. The frame members have opposed spaced parallel horizontal walls defining an upper wall and a lower wall, and further have a transverse connecting end wall for connection to the lateral side surfaces. A laminated graphic layer is integrally joined to the upper surface of the rectangular core and extends over the upper walls of the frame members to conceal the frame members. The channels of the frame members have flanges for releasably securing connecting members for joining a panel to other panels in side-by-side aligned relationship.

Abstract: The invention relates to flat and/or elongated building components (1, 2), preferably wooden, and a structure connecting these components (1, 2) in accordance with the groove and tongue principle. Two legs (3, 4) forming a groove (5) branch off from a front face of one of the components (1), and a tongue (6) branching off from a front face of the other component (2) can be inserted into the groove (5). Locking elements (7, 8) hold the components (1, 2) in an assembled position. In accordance with the invention, the locking elements are configured as triangular projections (7) and cavities (8) in facing or adjacent surfaces of the groove and/or tongue.

Abstract: The invention relates to flat and/or elongated building components (1, 2), preferably wooden, and a structure connecting these components (1, 2) in accordance with the groove and tongue principle. Two legs (3, 4) forming a groove (5) branch off from a front face of one of the components (1), and a tongue (6) branching off from a front face of the other component (2) can be inserted into the groove (5). Locking elements (7, 8) hold the components (1, 2) in an assembled position. In accordance with the invention, the locking elements are configured as triangular projections (7) and cavities (8) in facing or adjacent surfaces of the groove and/or tongue.

Abstract: A modular display panel and edge latching system therefor which employs concealed movable latching mechanism that can be actuated between adjacent panels set up, for example, on a floor to lock the panels into vertical alignment and against any tendency of floor unevenness to cause adjacent panels to become misaligned vertically. The components in the latching mechanism which create vertical position locking are actuated by the insertion of actuators typically carried as downward projections on other panels which rest on top of directly floor supported, underlying panels.

Abstract: A building member is formed from a pair of spaced apart boards connected between the opposed faces by narrow connecting members which extend the length thereof. The edges of the connecting members are preferably retained within channels in the opposed faces of the wooden boards. The boards and the connecting members enclose an insulation space which may be filled with an insulation material. A selection of advantageous connection profiles is disclosed for the connection between the edge of the connecting member and the channel of a board. One of the boards may instead comprise an extruded siding, for example of aluminium or plastic, with a leg extending perpendicularly from the siding forming the connecting member. The building member may be constructed in a simple process and reduces wastage of material which often occurs in forming laminated solid timber building products while offering enhanced insulative properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of laying and mechanically joining panels, especially floor panels. In a first step a first panel is already located in a first row. A second panel is positioned in a second row in a first position in relation to the first panel. A third panel is now brought into the second row and into the first position in relation to the first panel. In this position, there is a mutual distance between the adjacent edges of the second and third panel. In a second step the second and third panel are angled into the third mutual position in relation to the first panel. Thereby, the second and third panel each achieve the possibility of easy displacement in the third direction in relation to the first panel. In a third step one or both of the second and third panel are moved in relation to the first panel. By this displacement the second and third panel get in a second position in relation to each other.

Abstract: A splicing member for joining horizontally adjacent and abutting siding panels installed on a structure has a declination being substantially planar and extending downwardly and slightly outwardly, a top lock, and a bottom lock. In certain preferred embodiments, the top lock is a flange connected to an upper edge of the declination forming a downwardly opening U-shaped channel which receives a portion of horizontally adjacent siding panels to which the splicing member is attached. In certain preferred embodiments, the bottom lock is a shoulder extending inwardly and substantially horizontally from a lower edge of the declination. When installed, the splicing member is positioned behind two horizontally adjacent and abutting siding panels and a fastener or weld rigidly secures the siding panels and the splicing member to one another. A splicing member having multiple declinations to fixedly secure horizontally adjacent siding panels to one another and having multiple declinations is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disengageable interconnecting flooring system for use in forming a temporary or permanent flooring surface on top of a support structure from individual flooring panels. The system includes two or more flooring panels comprising a top wear surface and a bottom surface for contact with the support structure. The panels have at least three edges and all edges have recesses formed therein. The system further comprises a connector having a base and a projection extending vertically from the base. The projection extending from the base is shaped to be received in a disengageable vertical connected fashion into the recesses of the panels. Preferably the connector is comprised of a base having a projection extending the entire length thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the connector and panels further comprise means for connecting the panels in a disengageable horizontal fashion.

Abstract: A modular construction system utilizes building components or panels formed of high strength plasticized concrete. Panels are formed with two or more linear peripheral edges fitted with mortises. FRP pultruded tenons are used to connect aligned mortises for adjacent panels. Walls, crown beams and roof panels can be so formed and assembled. Hollow corrugated panels are suitable for forming beams and interior partitions. Beams can be rested on regularly spaced piles and then floor panels on the beams, walls on the floor panels, crown beams on the walls and roof panels on the crown beams, buildings can be erected with a minimum of tools or specialized knowledge. The resulting structure is substantially impervious to environmental hazards, particularly relevant in more primitive locations.

Abstract: A surface covering system is described which involves a series of interconnected tiles having a spline system located between the tiles to simulate the appearance of grout. Each tile has on its sides, at least one tongue section and at least two groove sections wherein the tongue section of one tile interconnects with the groove section of a second tile and further forms a gap at least at the upper surface between the two tiles. A first spline, having two tongue sections for interconnecting with the groove section(s) of at least one tile, is inserted between a series of tiles. A second spline capable of fitting into the gap formed between two or more tiles, which are interconnected at a tongue of a first tile and a groove of a second tile is further used. Methods of installing the surface covering system of the invention are further described.

Abstract: The tapered dovetail joint is a method of joining two boards, or other rigid materials such as particleboard, wafer board, etc., by a unique type of modified dovetail joint. The modification to the classic dovetail joint includes tapering the dovetail pins as well as the dovetail tails with the same angle of taper in the same direction. The mating of this tapered dovetail joint will be greatly facilitated due to these corresponding tapers. The tapered nature of this joint minimizes difficulties in assembly due to the wedging action that takes place as the two boards are brought into union to create the joint. This wedging action allows the joint to be assembled even when there is moderate damage to the tails or pins including swelling—due to moisture, from the time of manufacture to time of assembly, impact damage, as well as minor manufacturing tolerance deficiencies in cutting of the pins and tails.

Abstract: A method for constructing a reinforced concrete vessel at a construct site by assembling prefabricated panel type reinforced concrete members and fastening or connecting the members with an assembling and fixing means at a construction site in a short time and the reinforced concrete vessel obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels (1, 2). In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels (1, 2) and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.

Abstract: An adjustable shutter includes a substantially rectangular shutter frame having first and second pairs of opposed spaced apart frame members 3a, 3b defining a substantially rectangular opening between the frame members. A plurality of substantially parallel louvers 5 are operatively mounted within the shutter opening and extend between the opposed pair of first frame members. The louvers are capable of at least partially occluding the rectangular opening of the shutter frame. A respective frame cover 6a, 6b is operatively affixed to each one of the frame members. An adjustment mechanism is disposed between at least one frame member and its respective frame cover, and is operable to adjust a separation between the frame member and its respective same cover, such that a first overall dimension of the shutter can be adjusted. Finally, a respective corner cover member 7 is disposed in operative relation to each of the frame covers to visually occlude a gap between each adjacent frame cover.

Abstract: A modular building construction and components thereof. A foundation for a building includes anchor bolts extending around its periphery. A metal lower track is installed over the anchor bolts and secured thereto with nuts and rod couplers. Elongated connector rods are threaded onto the upper ends of the couplers. Pre-manufactured modular wall panels, integrally molded with a metal stud along a first lateral edge and a complementary recess along a second lateral edge, are successively installed in the track. A first panel is installed with an open side of the stud surrounding the connector rod. The second, adjacent panel is installed with its second lateral edge facing the stud. The two panels are slid together to surround and enclose the connector rod. The process continues until the entire peripheral wall is formed. A metal upper track is laid over the upper ends of the wall panels with the connector rods extending therethrough.

Abstract: A pre-cured caulk joint system including a joint having a width and opposite walls, an insert being formed of a flexible material and having a length and a width, and an adhesive. The width of the insert being greater than the width of the joint, the insert being received in the joint length-wise with the insert being compressed width-wise along its length, the insert having opposite walls, with one wall facing towards one wall of the joint, and the other wall of the insert facing towards the other wall of the joint, a channel being defined by each wall of the insert, and an adhesive being received in each wall of the insert for adhering the walls of the insert to the walls of the joint.

Abstract: A modular system that includes a plurality of modular elements that can be coupled together in a hidden manner with respect to the visible side. The modules are formed as areal, frame-like or three-dimensional shaped parts and are freely combinable with one another. At least substantially flat modular elements or flat modular element regions have a plurality of mutually spaced apart coupling and fixing members that project beyond a boundary edge of the module. Insert grooves are provided at a rear side of the module for the shape-locked and force-transmitting reception of coupling and fixing members of adjacent modules.

Abstract: A modular panel system having a plurality of panels connected together, each of the panels would normally be of a rectangular configuration, the panels being connected together by means of a vertically extending member which is secured to side walls of the panels and an elongated flexible interconnecting member having first and second longitudinally extending side marginal edges and an enlarged edge portion designed to be retained by the vertically extending member. A U-shaped raceway member which may be placed on either the top or bottom of a panel or between panels to provide for horizontal cables.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a block system including first and second blocks. Each block has an outer surface with a pair of locking channels formed within the outer surface. The locking channels are spaced apart from each other. Each locking channel has a narrower outer slot portion extending through the outer surface and a wider inner slot portion extending from the outer slot portion into its respective block. A first pair of locking members are provided for coupling the blocks together by insertion into the locking channels of the blocks with the locking channels of the first block being positioned to join with the locking channels of the second block. The locking members have a cross-section with wider outer edges dimensioned to fit in the inner slot portions and a narrower mid-section dimensioned to fit in the outer slot portions.