Abstract: A barrier is formed from a framework of posts and rails. Infill sections cover openings in the framework. Post brackets connect posts to rails. Each post bracket includes a collar and an attached holder. The collar is positioned over a post and lowered to a level where a rail is to be attached. The rail is secured within the holder. The holder and the collar are relatively rotatable. Adjacent rails in the barrier are interconnected end-to-end by adapters plugged into the hollow end of each rail. The adapters overlap, and are pinned together, permitting relative rotation between rails. Relative rotation of components permits barrier slope adjustment. Exposed vertical lateral edges of infill sections are covered by an elongate edge protection band having a central ridge and a pair of side recesses. An exposed edge portion of an infill section is received within the recess and clamped against the framework.

Abstract: A support for installing facing materials such as ceramic tiles on a substrate such as floors, walls and ceilings wherein the support plate has a plurality of spaced apart recesses in the plate material, with the recesses being open at the top surface and have solid sidewalls and a base, and a plurality of slots in the non-recessed portions of the plate material extending through the top surface and bottom surface, the slots joining one or more adjacent recesses. The support plate of the invention is used for tile installations between the substrate and such tile. Thin-set mortar that is used to secure the tile to the support plate flows into the recesses and into the slots forming a continuous bond between the mortar and the adjacent slots providing for a strong bond between the support plate, mortar and the tiles.

Abstract: A panel and panel systems are described herein and can include a rigid panel that includes a plurality of apertures and an undulating pattern. The panel acts to block sunlight and may otherwise protect the area behind the panel. In an example, the panel is fixed in a spaced apart relation to a building. The panel or panels block a portion of the direct sunlight to assist in the environmental control of the building. The panel can be strong enough to further protect the building from weather damage or other damage.

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: 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: A method of constructing a wall of a building by casting in which formwork is erected and concrete is allowed to exude through perforations in the formwork, embedding the formwork in concrete and obscuring it from view. A panel for carrying out the method, a thin-walled sheet with multiple perforations for the escape of the concrete during casting, has brackets or clips to fasten it to the adjacent formwork creating a casting space between the panel and the supporting formwork. Floating the expressed concrete produces a smooth finish.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in forming a deck includes a platform having alternating elevated and depressed sections defining a plurality of troughs for receiving a hardenable fill material such as concrete, and at least one elongate cover segment positioned on a terminal edge of the platform. The cover segment includes a first side that covers the terminal edge of the platform, a second side angled in relation to the first side, and a plurality of outwardly extending flanges positioned on the first side such that the flanges contact the elevated sections. The flanges sit on top of the elevated sections, and the second side of the cover piece is positioned underneath the depressed sections. The cover segment is maintained on the platform by frictional engagement of the flanges and the elevated section and frictional engagement of the second side of the cover segment with the depressed sections.

Abstract: A sheet of material formed for bending along a bend line including a sheet of material (30) includes a plurality of dividing slits (37) and a plurality of strap slits (39) formed therethrough. The dividing slits extending substantially along a desired bend line (35) and divide the sheet of material into first and second planar regions (32, 33). The strap slits intersect the desired bend line and adjacent pairs of strap slits form a bending strap therebetween. The bending strap has a longitudinal strap axis intersecting the desired bend line. The sheet of material may be formed of composite materials. A method of forming and using the sheet of material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.

Abstract: A ribbed metal plate for a composite slab that includes a substantially planar plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of laterally-spaced, longitudinally-extending ribs that have a keystone profile and wherein the sidewalls are angled toward each other. Ends of the ribs are integrally formed. The rib plate is secured to bearing walls in a structure and concrete is poured on the ribs to form a composite deck. The ends of the ribs extend in the lateral direction to form a composite structure retarding movement of cured concrete in a longitudinal direction. The ribbed plate can also be used in composite beams.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a riser comprising an elongated web having one or more folds which form at least one ridge and slopes extending away from the ridge. When in use as a riser, the web is positioned on edge so that the edge surfaces of the ridges and the slopes engage the bottommost article being supported. The web preferably includes strengthening elements located at at least the ridges. A group of risers are nestable whereby they may be compactly stacked for storage and/or shipping. The edge surfaces have a surface area sufficient to avoid forming a substantial imprint in the article. The risers may be made of a recycled material, such as wood chips, plastic and gypsum, and the risers are reusable.

Abstract: A snow guard that may be secured to both flat tiled roofs and undulating tiled roofs comprises a corrugated base including a central arched portion flanked by a pair of synclines, with a wing member upstanding from the base. The arrangement is inherently stiff and may be secured to the roof by screws or the like passing through the arched portion or through the synclines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ribbed plate for a composite slab, the profile of which consists of protruding ribs formed in an essentially planar plate, the upper flanges of the ribs being surface profiled in order to achieve better adhesion between the ribbed plate and the concrete of the composite slab. According to the invention, the surface profiling of the upper flange of each rib consists of spaced apart corrugations extending essentially across the upper flange. Additionally, in the junction of the web between the sides of the rib and the upper flange there is formed a protruding longitudinal corrugation extending at least partly along a length of the rib.

Abstract: A fire barrier material for use in building construction comprising a sandwich structure have a first and second outer layers comprising a high temperature resistant material having corrugations therein and an intermediate layer comprising a flame retardant fibrous material wherein the corrugation are positioned in the outer layers in a manner which enables the barrier material to be rolled into a bundle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the corrugations.

Abstract: An acoustical ceiling roof panel assembly including a plurality of roof deck panels assembled in side-by-side relationship and secured to roof supports with each panel including a plurality of parallel and spaced apart perforated flat sections. Each flat section is separated from its adjacent flat section by a rib section, and has a width at least three times and preferably five times greater than the width of the rib section as measured in the plane of the flat section. Lengths of insulation are positioned between adjacent ribs so as to substantially fill the space formed by the adjacent ribs and the flat section. A wire mesh spacer is positioned within the space between each perforated flat section and the insulation to maintain the insulation in spaced relationship to the flat section.

Abstract: This invention relates to the provision of mechanical anchorage in composite steel and concrete structural members such as slabs and beams, and more particularly to anchors adaptable as end anchors, to decking panels fitted with end anchors, and to composite structural members incorporating concrete slabs on such decking panels. According to a first aspect, the invention provides an anchor for composite steel and concrete structural members including an element of substantially rigid sheet material defining a base portion and at least two flange portions upstanding from the base portion, which element is a length to fit across a pan of a ribbed metal sheet with the flange portion extending across said pan, and means on or co-operable with the base portion engageable with complementary holes in the metal sheet so to extend through said holes, said means being adapted for holding the element in the metal sheet.

Abstract: A fire barrier material for use in building construction comprising a sandwich structure have a first and second outer layers comprising a high temperature resistant material having corrugations therein and an intermediate layer comprising a flame retardant fibrous material wherein the corrugation are positioned in the outer layers in a manner which enables the barrier material to be rolled into a bundle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the corrugations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a modular fabrication panel unit comprising a horizontally-disposed corrugated gypsum board core, the corrugation forming a series of truncated crests and troughs, framed and braced by substantially U-shaped channel supports formed of structural steel, corrugated core and supports then being sandwiched between panel skin comprising either plywood or gypsum board, depending on whether the panel is to be used as a section of an interior wall, exterior wall or roof. The panel skin is attached to the flat outwardly-facing surfaces of the core formed by its truncated corrugation. The modular fabrication panel unit of the present invention may be manufactured utilizing inexpensive machinery and nonspecialized manual labor, either on-site or in a factory situation. The modular fabrication panel unit is a low-cost, low-maintenance, fire-retardant, structurally sound modular construction member having good insulating and acoustical properties.

Abstract: A modular panel which may be combined with others to constitute a mold for depositing concrete or the like is disclosed. Each modular panel is corrugated to have ridges and troughs which extend parallel to and alternating with each other. At least the troughs are provided with openings in the form of elongate slots with or without circular holes combined therewith such that the openings define nailing passages in alignment with those of another modular panel which is joined with that panel, with no regard to the relative position of the joined panels. An elastic transparent strip is adhered to the bottom of each trough to cover the openings while allowing nails to be driven therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manner of making a core by shearing and bending a strip (36) of sheet metal into ribbons. The ribbons thereby constitute a series of troughs (53) and crests (52). The core is sandwiched between two skins (64,65). The crest and troughs are presented as tubes (66) extending into the interior of the core from an edge of the panel. Polyurethane foam is injected into these tubes. The foam rises and sticks the cores to the skins. The resulting panel is strong, rigid, durable, inexpensive, and extremely versatile.

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: The grain floor system uses floor plates of substantially uniform size, for example, three feet in width and seven feet in length which are corrugated and which are nestable one within the other for storage and for transportation. The floor plates are mounted on an air frame system and have hooded openings to form air holes over an extensive portion of the floor plates such as, for example, about ten percent of the floor area. The hoods are formed to project outwardly of inclined corrugated sidewalls to limit the amount of grain which may fall therethrough. Upper and lower hoods are formed about the holes which are elongated to provide additional strength for the floor plates. The holes are located in the middle of the sidewalls forming the corrugations.

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 prefabricated panel and method for making same for use in the construction of a wall structure for a building. Each panel section is comprised of a rigid support structure for attachment to the building framework. A plurality of facia sheets, such as tiles, overlie the exterior surface of the support structure and are resiliently bonded thereto with a means which provides limited relative movement between the facia sheets and the supporting structure. A means for sealing the joints between adjacent edges of facia sheets on a single panel section is provided, and once the panels are installed on a building framework, means for sealing the joints between adjacent panels is also provided in order to form a contiguous weathertight wall surface.

Abstract: Thin sheet suitable for use as a mold and as a reinforcement in a compound structure with a poured component such as concrete or plastic has a set of punched-out adhesion projections or tongues for providing improved adhesion between said thin sheet and said poured component. Said sheet can serve as mold for said poured component and as reinforcement for said compound structure. Compound structures comprising such thin sheet with projecting tongues are disclosed.

Abstract: A surface decking or mat-like sheet material is provided having a lower surface with generally flat portions adapted to lie on a floor, ground or other generally flat surface, and an upper surface having a plurality of parallel spaced unidirectional recessed passageways separated by upwardly extending portions having spaced parallel unidirectional sides which also form the sides of said passageways, said recessed passageways having bottom portions extending between said parallel sides, the exterior sides of said bottom portions constituting said generally flat portions of said flat surface, said bottom portions containing a plurality of spaced openings extending through said lower surface, and said upper surface between said passageways containing a plurality of spaced openings having upwardly extending rims which act as bearing surfaces for animals, persons, or objects in contact therewith.

Abstract: A heat-insulating sandwich-like composite comprising a core of foamed resin based compound sandwiched between and adhering to single face corrugated board with a high wet strength. The single face corrugated board is perforated prior to foaming of the resin based compound so as to allow the excess of volatile matter to escape and some foaming mixture to penetrate inside the corrugated flute. The composite board further is provided with post-perforations made after foaming the resin compound between the corrugated board skins.

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.

Abstract: A metal cellular decking section comprising a fluted upper element and a lower element secured to the upper element along contiguous portions thereof. At least one longitudinally extended expanded metal zone is provided in the lower element. The upper element may include a formation defining a channel which extends parallel with the expanded metal zone and which presents an opening adjacent to the expanded metal zone. In the present metal cellular decking section, the expanded metal zone promotes mechanical bonding of subsequently applied fireproofing material to the underside of the lower element; increases the coverage width for a given steel girth; and provides access to the channel for attachment of hanger means. A method of fabricating the present metal cellular decking section is disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle sun-shade of the louvre type formed from plastic wherein sagging due to high temperature imparted to the plastic is reduced by the use of a spacer rod passing through bushes in which it is frictionally engaged, the bushes being in the louvres and between their ends.