Abstract: A combination of versatile and inexpensive elements are combined on site to create an impermeable assembly which collects water falling through a grating or cracks between adjacent boards of a deck and completely drains it to one or more points at a selected edge. The impermeable assembly is comprised of a plurality of peaks and valleys configured to simplify installation, conserve headroom and provide an aesthetically pleasing finished surface. In a first embodiment, a collector collects the water falling through cracks between boards spanning the space between adjacent joists from which it drains transversely to a gutter positioned beneath the joists. The gutter drains the water longitudinally to the perimeter of the deck.

Abstract: End portions of face plates 111 and 112 of a frame member 110 are connected by a rib 116A. To protrusion chips 117b1 and 117b2 end portions of face plates 101 and 102 of another frame member 100 are overlapped. The corners between the rib 116A and the rear face of the face plates 111 and 112 are in the form of the corners circular arc 131 which protrudes into a hollow portion 119 of the frame member 110. Both end portions of the circular arc 131b1 are connected to the rib 116A and the face plates 111 and 112 by two smooth recessed circular arcs 132b1 and 133b1. Accordingly, since a flow-out of metal does not occur from this portion, the cross-section can be small and a light weight structure can be obtained. A structural body formed of hollow frame members which are joined by friction stir welding provides a light weight structure.

Abstract: A modular office system incorporating a frame construction with improved stability to support components of the office system. The frame construction generally includes upright supports and crossbeams. The uprights and crossbeams have a tubular configuration to allow the passing of utility wiring. The crossbeams include triangular gussets to improve the support connection between the uprights and crossbeams.

Abstract: A lattice girder generally including a top rail, a bottom rail, vertical end posts and slanted crossbeams, wherein all of the members consist of uniform hollow sections that may be fitted into one another and thereby rigidly interconnected. The girder rail consists of two half-sections (18,19) internally provided with longitudinal flanges (20, 21) having transverse serrations so that the two half-sections may be permanently secured to one another by pressing them together with the serrations in mutual engagement. The end of a slanted crossbeam (24) having notches (at 25 and 26) is inserted into openings (22,23) in the half-sections to lock and engage the rail. Weldless lattice girders may thus be produced, in particular for forming a walkway guardrail.

Abstract: An undercover system for decks and the like which comprises at least a pair of spaced apart support assemblies and a plurality of cover members supported on the support assemblies to keep the area under the deck dry.

Abstract: A modular decking system for use in constructing a deck of the type normally attached to a house or cottage includes a plurality of square, typically one meter by one meter, frames which are mounted on posts; deck or floor panels which are mounted on the frames; finishing planks for mounting on the outside edges of the frames to finish the base of the deck; and a railing assembly including posts for mounting on the corners of the base and at the junction between finishing planks, and rectangular fence panels which are connected to the posts, mainly by sliding the panels into longitudinally extending grooves in the posts.

Abstract: An elongate modular decking plank is provided for assembly on a supporting subfloor together with a plurality of like planks to form a decking structure. The decking plank has a top wall spaced-apart from a bottom wall, and opposing laterally spaced downwardly converging side walls interconnecting the top and bottom walls. An integrally-formed flange extends outwardly from the bottom wall on one of said sides of the decoding plank. The flange includes a fastening portion for receiving fasteners therethrough to the supporting subfloor to mount the decking plank on the supporting subfloor, and a connecting portion for connecting the plank to an adjacent like plank in a manner which permits limited lateral and angular adjustment between adjacent planks. The plank is preferably extruded from high-impact polymeric material, such as PVC plastic.

Abstract: A framed structure includes a plurality of base units each formed of three elongate compression members disposed so as to cross one another. Tension members are arranged to be interconnected with respective compression members forming a triangular planar units. The triangular planar units being arranged to form a self-supporting structure or base unit. A plurality of base units being interconnected in a continuous fashion such that one of the compression members in one of the base units serves as one of the compression members in an adjacent base unit.