Abstract: Variable planform shelving systems include a variable support platform and a support surface assembly that is supported by the variable support platform. The variable support platform includes frames that can be repositioned relative to each other to vary the planform of the variable support platform. The support surface assembly provides a support surface for supported items. The support surface assembly is flexible and/or comprised of a plurality of linked panels so that the support surface provided varies in response to variation in the planform of the variable support platform.

Abstract: A drainage and ventilation mat for use in building exterior walls, roofs and basement assemblies that addresses all three of the following major concerns: drainage, cross ventilation/air flow, and compressive strength. The drainage and ventilation mat includes two layers of parallel, square strands that are overlaid at angles to create a diamond-shaped netting of two layers which provides an air space for horizontal and vertical air movement and protects the drainage plane behind it. The mat features a high compressive strength that creates an air space that can withstand extreme construction and environmental forces. The netting is configured with or without a scrim to accommodate a variety of exterior wall, roof and basement assemblies drainage and ventilation needs.

Abstract: A prefabricated shearwall including a central diaphragm having a height generally defined by top and bottom edges, and a width generally defined by a pair of end sections. The diaphragm further includes at least one corrugation extending in the height direction at least partially between the top and bottom edges. The corrugation increases the ductility and ability of the shearwall to withstand lateral forces such as those generated in earthquakes, high winds, floods and snow loads.

Abstract: Expandable surfaces made from sheet materials with slits distributed on the surface of sheet material where the surfaces expand by application of force along or/and across the surface of sheet material. The unexpanded surfaces are flat sheets, or closed surfaces like cylinders, spheres, tubes, or custom-designed organic shapes marked with pre-formed or post-formed slit designs. The expanded surfaces can be single units or modules which can be attached to one another through various means. The sheet materials range from hard surfaces like metals, to softer materials like papers and plastics, or pliable materials like fabrics, rubbers, synthetic surfaces or bio-surfaces. The slits are arranged in patterns ranging from periodic, non-periodic to irregular designs. The slits can be straight, bent, curved or irregularly shaped with even or uneven spacing. Slitting can be achieved by digital cutting or punching devices like laser-cutting, water-jet cutting, digital punching, automated dies, etc.

Abstract: The invention includes a corrugated decking flooring system. The corrugated decking flooring system can include a corrugated deck having at least two flutes and a trough between the flutes. A sound insulation layer generally conformal with both the flutes and the troughs of the corrugated deck can be provided. An underlayment layer can be provided over the sound insulation layer.

Abstract: An areal metal element is described having a surface which extends from a first outside edge to a second outside edge lying opposite the first out-side edge. The region of the metal element adjoining the first outside edge forms a first edge region and the region of the metal element adjoining the second outside edge forms a second side region. Both side regions are connected to one another by a central region lying therebetween, with at least one completely bordered aperture being formed at least in one of the side regions, with its border being formed in one part by this side region and in another part by the central region. The central region includes at least two sections which each consist of two outwardly disposed part sections and a central part section lying therebetween. The outwardly disposed part sections are folded over with respect to the central section to produce the aperture.

Abstract: A metal band inlay for trim strips or sealing strips of flexible material that is bent to form a section. The metal band includes a plurality of edge slots in the longitudinal direction, which are guided inwardly from an edge of the metal band transversely to the longitudinal direction. The edge slots are wedge shaped. Central slots run to a tip toward their respective two ends and are arranged between the sequential edge slots. The central slots extend transversely to the longitudinal direction, but do not extend up to the edge. To simplify the cutting, the metal band further includes throughcuts that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the metal band, that correspond to at least some of the central slots and that extend from at least one edge of the metal band in the direction toward the tip of the respective central slot disposed opposite to the edge.

Abstract: A metal band as an inlay for trim strips or sealing strips of flexible material, in particular of rubber or plastic, which is in particular bent to form a shape, having a plurality of slots, in particular periodically sequential slots in the longitudinal direction of the band which are directed inwardly from an edge of the metal band transversely to its longitudinal direction, which are wedge shaped or which run out inwardly in wedge shape, and also having central slots which run out to a tip at their two ends, which are arranged between sequential edge slots in the longitudinal direction and which likewise extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the metal band, but do not extend up to the edge, wherein at least two sequential central slots in the longitudinal direction of the metal band are arranged between two sequential edge slots to improve the band properties.

Abstract: A core metal insert for use in a sealing assembly is disclosed. The core metal insert is manufactured by a process which includes the step of cutting a plurality of left lateral outermost inboard slits and a plurality of right lateral outermost inboard slits in a metal blank so as to create a slitted metal blank.

Abstract: A tubular main frame (2) for an aeroplane, bridge, or pressure vessel, for example, comprises a honeycomb structure with cells (4) thereof distributed round the periphery of the frame and along the frame, the cells each being at least pentagonal, preferably largely hexagonal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for fastening a first structure to a second structure comprising a fastener having a head disposed at a proximal end of a shaft and a pointed tip disposed at a distal end of that shaft, and a plastic sleeve surrounding a portion of the shaft in coaxial-relation thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the first structure is a metal floor panel having means for receiving the fastener and the sleeve. The receiving means keeps the sleeve in substantially perpendicular-relation to a support portion of the second structure, with the pointed tip of the shaft disposed adjacent to the support portion. In this arrangement, when a driving force is applied to the head of the fastener, the fastener moves axially relative to the sleeve through the first structure into engagement with the second structure.

Abstract: An assembly of parts which form a stud for construction use. This stud assembly greatly reduces the material content of the stud assembly and reduces heat transfer and noise transmission over the known prior art and comprises two parallely arranged U-shaped channels interconnected by a novel mesh connector which interconnects the channels at one or more points along their length and is expandable only in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axes of the channels.

Abstract: A metal construction blocking for wood frame wall stud construction comprising an elongated metal piece having a pair of parallel marginally folded edges having sufficient strength to prevent the blocking from bending, and a longitudinally corrugated body sufficiently thick to allow metal self-tapping screws to pass through the body so that when the blocking is put in place on the wall studs, the blocking holds a fixture with the screws fastening to unsupported portions of the blocking between adjacent wall studs.

Abstract: The underfloor assembly for a building comprises corrugated metal flooring units preferably side-by-side with cable distribution ducts, over which is mounted cable trenches. Each distribution duct has a bottom plate and a plurality of closed cells with less than all of the cells having portions cut away to thus leave free areas under the trenches. An opening is provided in the bottom plate at a desired free area, and an open pan extends through the opening and below the bottom plate. The bottoms of the trenches are open where they intersect the ducts to provide access to the pans as well as to provide access between the trenches and the ducts and additional space below the trench to accommodate splices and bends in the cables. The pans can also be accessed from the floor below via the ceiling suspended below the pans.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing a self-framing metal riblath structural wall assembly by providing an upright metal riblath having a first face facing the exterior of the structure for which the wall is being provided and a second face facing the interior of the structure. The riblath is comprised of a plurality of adjacent, substantially coplanar panels, the panels being made up of ribbed sections joined by solid, substantially v-shaped portions projecting out of the plane of the panels and being directed towards the interior of the structure. The successive panels are joined by substantially triangular offsets projecting out of the plane of the panel for joining adjacent panels, the triangular offsets being formed by bending out of the plane of the panels the section of each panel which adjoins another panel to form the triangular offset. Exterior wall material, such as stucco, is applied to the exterior wall of the riblath to provide an exterior wall therefor and for filling the triangular offset.

Abstract: The underfloor assembly for a building comprises corrugated metal flooring units preferably side-by-side with cable distribution ducts, over which is mounted cable trenches. Each distribution duct has a bottom plate and a plurality of inverted U-shaped members with less than all of the members having portions cut away to thus leave the members open under the trenches. The bottoms of the trenches are open where they intersect the ducts, thereby providing easy access between the trenches and the ducts and additional space below the trench to accommodate splices and bends in the cables.

Abstract: A material for use as a core in panels or structural members includes a longitudinal and transverse axis which lie in a common plane. The material includes alternating first and second strips that are interconnected at spaced intervals along the longitudinal axis by lands lying in the common plane. Each of the first strips is formed to have portions lying to one side of the common plane and each of the second strips has portions lying to the other side of the common plane. The interconnected lands define webs extending along the transverse axis to provide inherent stiffness to the material.

Abstract: A shoring system provides trapezoidal pockets in modular plating units. The junction of planes in the trapezoids provides mechanical strength and deformation sites at which deformation can be seen.