Abstract: The closure strip having a pair of longitudinal side walls with undulating top edges configured to mate with the corrugations of corrugated sheet material. The side walls are interconnected by a plurality of support ribs. The side walls are also angled outward toward the bottom edges. A hollow nesting volume is formed between the side and below the support ribs in the region of each of the undulation peaks of the closure strip. This configuration allows successive closure strips to be nested one into another by inserting the undulation peaks of one closure strip into the hollow nesting volume under corresponding undulation peaks in another closure strip.

Abstract: A concrete anchor float that, in one embodiment, facilitates the placement of anchor bolts that protrude from concrete constructions, such as foundations. The concrete anchor float of the present invention can be used with nearly any conventional anchor bolt to insure the correct placement and alignment of the anchor bolt and to promote a strong bond between the anchor bolt and the concrete. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the concrete anchor float generally comprises a base plate with a hole, and a cap extending from the base plate over the hole. The cap includes a cavity configured to releasably secure the anchor bolt, and a top against which the anchor bolt rests upon insertion. According to an implementation of the present invention, the base plate includes features that minimize voids and air pockets between the anchor bolt and the concrete to promote a strong bond.

Abstract: A concrete anchor. The concrete anchor can be embedded within a concrete member to enhance lifting of the concrete member. The concrete anchor of the present invention can include a bar having a first end, a second end positioned adjacent the first end, and an intermediate portion curved to at least partially define an aperture. The aperture can be adapted to engage lifting hardware. The concrete anchor can further include a stem and a foot. The stem can include a first end coupled to the first end and the second end of the bar, and a second end coupled to the foot.

Abstract: A holder for use in building construction to hold anchor bolts, rebar, in-concrete plumbing, and the like elements, in predetermined positions during the pouring of concrete therearound. The holder includes an elongated base plate having front and rear ends, opposite side edges, a top surface and a bottom surface, the front end of the base plate having an end hole therethrough; a sleeve extending from the base plate over the end hole for receiving such an element; and reinforcing members projecting from the base plate and extending lengthwise and transversely of the plate. The holder preferably is molded in one piece from a suitable brightly colored plastic so that it can be more easily seen after the concrete has been poured, thereby partially covering it. The integration of the base plate, the sleeve, and the reinforcing members in one-piece and out of plastic provides a lightweight, durable, low cost holder for the purposes described.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides an anchor for providing an attachment point on a surface. In one embodiment, the anchor includes a center shaft having a first member and a second member pivotally coupled thereto. The center shaft has an attachment end and a piercing end. The piecing end is driven through the surface allowing the first and second members to pass therethrough. Once through the surface, the first and second members rotate away from the center shaft to an open position, thus preventing the anchor from disengaging the roof. A collar may be slidably disposed on the center shaft. The collar may be slid against the surface to lock the members in the open position.

Abstract: A concrete embedding anchor includes. An anchor including an anchor body having a head at one end of the shank and a stopper at the other end, a fitment concentrically mounted to said head and having an external thread and easy breaking portion formed on the round bar portion thereof, and a hemispherical shell-shaped former fitted with the middle portion of said anchor shank. A retainer is secured to the concrete form in advance, said anchor fitment is inserted into and screwed up to said retainer, said anchor is combined with the concrete form, then concrete is poured, and said concrete form is taken away after the concrete has hardened.

Abstract: An adjustable height corner fitting for a shipping container including a substantially hollow rectangularly shaped block having a bottom wall, end walls and side walls is disclosed. An elongated aperture is located in the bottom wall and is adapted to cooperate with a locking mechanism in order to lock the shipping container to the platform of a vehicle. Also provided is a substantially rectangularly shaped plate that is complementary to the bottom wall and is adapted to be temporarily attached thereto in order to increase the height of the block. The plate also has an elongated aperture therein which is complementary to the aperture in the bottom wall. When the plate is attached, the apertures in the plate and in the bottom wall are in alignment, but the plate causes the corner fitting to extend downwardly approximately a half an inch below the container for shipment on a truck, boat or rail car.

Abstract: A pinch clamp for clamping or drawing together building materials is disclosed having an elongated connecting bar having first and second ends, and first and second pyramidal prongs. Each prong has a triangular base, a distal tip, an inner flat tapered side and two outer sides defining a wedge shape, the base of the first prong connected at the base to the first end of the connecting bar the base of the second prong connected at the base to the second end of the connecting bar with the inner tapered sides facing each other.

Abstract: Support apparatus for supporting one or more objects from a concrete structure includes an insert for embedment in the concrete structure and a hanger rod connected to, extending downwardly from and supported by the insert. The hanger rod includes an end that extends over a top member of the insert and the insert and hanger rod include structure cooperating to maintain the hanger rod at a desired location relative to the insert.

Abstract: A device to inexpensively repair a wooden post that has rotted or failed. The device comprises a plate which has a plurality of holes drilled or punched in it for attaching above ground level to a side of a wooden post and at least two rods depending out from the face of the plate. At least one of the rods depends near the top of the plate and at least one of the rods depends near the bottom of the plate. This location of the rods allows them to work cooperatively in push-pull to counteract a moment tending to overturn the post. The rods extend into a hole dug in the soil adjacent to the existing post footing. After the fence has been aligned as desired, the hole is filled with concrete surrounding the rods.

Abstract: An anchoring device for components made of concrete comprises an elongated section which is associable with a concrete component so as to protrude from the component with at least one of its longitudinal sides and with at least one portion of its lateral faces, which extend from the longitudinal side. Engagement regions are provided in this portion of the lateral faces of the section and form a plurality of possible engagement positions, mutually spaced along the longitudinal extension of the section, for a coupling element which is detachably associable with the portion of the section that protrudes from the component. The coupling element has at least one engagement region which forms a plurality of possible engagement positions, mutually spaced parallel to the longitudinal extension of the section, for an element for connecting the coupling element to another component or another element to be rigidly coupled to the component.

Abstract: An expendable concrete dowel placement apparatus comprising a concrete form and a dowel holder capable of quickly positioning a dowel perpendicular to the surface of the concrete form, thereby allowing the finished concrete slab to expand and contract relative to a control joint without the dowel causing the concrete to yield. The concrete form maintains a plurality of square or rectangular apertures which receive the dowel bar holders. Each dowel bar holder maintains a plurality of retention clips and a flange located at its open proximal end which positively positions the dowel bar holder within the apertures of the concrete form in a position perpendicular to the front surface of the central vertical member of the concrete form. The concrete form is composed of a non-typical shape which allows the control joint to transfer loads to adjoining concrete slabs through the length of the control joint.

Abstract: A releasable jig for positioning and stabilizing while properly orienting an anchor bolt during construction where such a bolt is placed in wet, curing concrete. The jig includes a tube-like portion which is slightly tapered to effect a friction grip on such a bolt, and this tube-like portion includes a slot-like opening which exposes the outer, upper end extremity of a bolt so that the position of this end extremity can clearly be seen during installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in concrete construction is characterized by a body having a first portion configured to be set into concrete during the casting of that concrete, and which can be removed from the concrete after the concrete has set, and thereby may be reused in a similar manner with other concrete castings. The body of the apparatus is preferably generally cylindrical and preferably includes a serrated exterior surface. The body also preferably includes a second portion configured to facilitate removal of the apparatus from the concrete, and further includes an engagement member with which other devices may be engaged. The second portion may also be engageable with an alignment member to facilitate the accuracy of insertion and removal of the apparatus from the concrete. The serrated exterior preferably interferingly engages with at least one reinforcing element formed in the concrete, to assist in positioning of the concrete.

Abstract: A sealing plate for use with a building, the building having an inner wall structure, an air impermeable sheet material for covering the inner wall structure and defining an air impermeable barrier, an insulation material on top of the sheet material and an outer wall structure outside of the insulation material uses a wall tie mounted on the inner wall structure and to attached to the outer wall structure for support. The wall tie has a first plate portion which is vertically mounted on the inner wall structure, a second plate portion connected to the first plate portion and extending therefrom inserted vertically through a slit on the sheet material, through a second slit on the insulation material, the second portion has at least one hole in which a suitable mount means is inserted and attached to the outer wall structure connecting the inner wall structure and the outer wall structure.

Abstract: A floor tile or wall tile in the form of a panel has a frame and a filling. The frame and the filling are nondetachably connected in a utility state to form an integral part. The connection between frame and filling interlocks tongue and groovc-like. The frame extends beyond the filling in the plane of the tile at least the thickness of the frame. The filling is of the same thickness as the frame.

Abstract: An improved mounting for attaching an outer and inner facing material to a wall. The wall comprises a plurality of interlocking foam blocks with each of the plurality of interlocking foam blocks having an inner and an outer block surface for defining an outer and inner wall surface. Each of the plurality of interlocking foam blocks has a vertical aperture for filling with a curable material. A plurality of grooves are defined in the outer and inner block surface of the plurality of interlocking blocks. The plurality of grooves are aligned with the plurality of grooves in an adjacent layer for providing a plurality of continuous wall grooves. A plurality of outer and inner mounting strips are insertable within the plurality of outer and inner continuous wall grooves.

Abstract: A tie includes an elongated strap with an end plate pivotally connected at each end of the strap, permitting the end plate to be pivoted from a position generally orthogonal to the strap, to a position generally parallel to the strap. Once an end plate is pivoted to a position parallel to the strap, the end plate can be pushed through a polystyrene form panel to project therefrom. The end plate is then pivoted to the position orthogonal to the strap, and pulled into engagement with the outward face of the form panel. The second end plate on the tie is pivoted, pushed through a second form panel, pivoted to the orthogonal position, and thence the second form panel is pulled outwardly into contact with the second end plate. In this way, the tie will interconnect a pair of parallel form panels in spaced apart position, to receive poured concrete therebetween.

Abstract: A rectangular dowel bar sleeve is disclosed for receiving dowel bars and tie-bars that allows opening and closing of joints between adjacent cast-in-place slabs and pavements while allowing differential lateral movement of adjacent cast-in-place slabs in either direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint and while preventing differential vertical movement of the slabs on either side of the joint. A form panel having an alignment ridge and spaced apart holes for attaching blockout bars to the form panel is disclosed. The blockout bars can be used to accurately create voids extending perpendicularly from the form panel and having upper and lower surfaces that are parallel to the intended upper surface of the cast-in-place slab.

Abstract: An adjustable concrete form comprises at least one tube and an adjustable stake having a post and a tube cradle. A bracket is removably connected to the tube for supporting rebar in spaced-apart relation to the excavation bottom. The bracket includes a tube engaging portion and a rebar supporting portion. The tube engaging portion is configured for connecting the bracket to the tube. The rebar supporting portion extends laterally from a proximal end connected to the tube engaging portion to a distal end spaced from the tube engaging portion.

Abstract: An insulated wall includes first and second spaced apart layers of concrete having a layer of insulating material sandwiched therebetween. Extending through the insulative layer are a plurality of spike connectors having their opposite ends protruding into the two concrete layers and having their central portions extending through the insulating material. On of the opposite ends of the spike connectors is pointed so as to permit it to be punched through the insulative layer. The opposite ends of the spikes each include a holding surface facing at least partially toward the central insulative layer and holding the concrete layers against movement away from the insulative layer. C-shaped connectors may also be used in a similar fashion with hook ends hooked over elongated cables extending within the two concrete layers so as to tie them together.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing highly insulating connector rods and highly insulating composite wall structures using such connector rods. The connector rods are highly insulating and are injection molded in a single step from an appropriate resinous material or moldable plastic. Discontinuous fibers may be impregnated within the resinous material or other moldable plastic. The single-step molding method yields connector rods having pointed ends for facilitating entry through an insulating layer and a first structural layer not yet cured, and also an enlarged head for receiving an impact from a hammer or mallet or for facilitating gripping by the installer. The enlarged head also provides an anchoring effect within a second structural layer upon curing. The connector rods are manufactured to include a ridge or flange to limit the depth of penetration by the connector rod when inserted into the insulating material when forming the composite wall structure.

Abstract: A system for insulating only the interior surface of a concrete wall to be poured between a pair of interior and exterior wall forms. The system includes horizontally extending elongated tie strips which connect to each of the wall forms to hold the wall forms spaced apart, a single layer of insulation positioned in contact with the interior wall form, and a plurality of connectors for securing the single layer of insulation to only the interior surface of the concrete wall. The connectors include an enlarged head portion which engages the insulation and a web portion of smaller cross section which extends through apertures in the insulation and into the space between the wall forms, the web portion including openings for the passage of concrete therethrough.

Abstract: An improved mounting for attaching a facing material to a wall. The wall comprises a plurality of interlocking foam blocks with each of the plurality of interlocking foam blocks having an inner and an outer block surface for defining an inner and outer wall surface. Each of the plurality of interlocking foam blocks has a vertical aperture being filled with a curable material. A plurality of grooves are defined in the one of the inner and outer block surface of each of the plurality of interlocking blocks. The plurality of grooves are aligned with the plurality of grooves in an adjacent layer for providing a plurality of continuous wall grooves. A plurality of mounting strips are insertable within the plurality of continuous wall grooves. Fastening devices fix the plurality of mounting strip within the plurality of continuous wall grooves to provide a mounting for attaching the facing material to the wall.

Abstract: A concrete insert with a C-shape and having a flat bottom plate and a top plate connected by a side plate with the planes of the top and bottom plates being parallel, each of the top plate and bottom plate containing a hole with centers of those holes lying on the same axis, and means associated with the top and bottom holes to engage a threaded support rod.

Abstract: An adjustable concrete form comprises at least one tube and an adjustable stake having a post and a tube cradle. The tube has at least one drainage aperture providing the form with drainage. The adjustable stake is configured for adjustably supporting the tube in spaced-apart relation to an excavation bottom. The post has at least one slender end to facilitate driving the post partially into the excavation bottom. The tube cradle is configured for releasable engagement with the tube to thereby secure the tube relative to the post and to support the tube in spaced-apart relation to the excavation bottom. The tube cradle is adjustably connected to the post so that adjustment of the post relative to the cradle effectuates adjustment of the tube relative to the excavation bottom.

Abstract: A formwork comprising a metal panel 11 having an upper portion 12, a lower portion 13 and a intermediate portion 14 displaced laterally out of the line of the panel 11, the portions 12 and 13 have spaced holes 15 through which reinforcing rods 16 project so that the ends of the reinforcing rods can be tied to similar rods in an adjacent slab to be poured in order to occupy the space at 17. A slab poured upon a timber deck 18 and the metal form provided by the panel 11 is retained in place by upright bracing rods 19 located at spaced intervals along the form 11 and passing through pairs of holes 20 and 21 in the intermediate section 14.

Abstract: A holder for use in building construction for holding anchor bolts, rebar, in-concrete plumbing, and the like, in predetermined positions during the pouring of concrete therearound. The holder is molded in one piece from a suitable plastic and includes an elongated base plate, the front end of which has an end hole therethrough; a sleeve upstanding from the base plate over the end hole; elongated first and second side ribs upstanding from the top surface of the base plate along the side edges thereof and connected to the sleeve; an end rib partially wrapped around the sleeve and connected to the side ribs; a center rib upstanding from the base plate between the side ribs and also connected to the sleeve; webs upstanding from the base plate, interconnecting the side and center ribs, and having nail holes therethrough. The holder preferably also has an end plate.

Abstract: Multi-pronged insulating connectors used in manufacturing insulative composite wall structures. At least a substantial portion of the connector is injection molded in a single step from an appropriate resinous material or moldable plastic. One or more prongs of the connector have a substantially pointed end for facilitating penetration of the connector through an insulating layer and an unhardened structural material, such as concrete. The opposite end, or gripping segment, includes a bridging structure for connecting the multiple prongs together and structure for facilitating gripping of the connector during placement in the insulating layer and first unhardened structural layer. The connectors include structures for helping to anchor the connectors within the structural layers upon hardening.

Abstract: An anchoring sleeve for receiving a screw in a concrete building element, consists of a tubular body (1) made of synthetic material and surrounded by a metal shell (8) which only partially covers the synthetic body (1) so that at least the lower end thereof is exposed and can be destroyed by dissolving or perforating it so that water can flow through.

Abstract: A reusable coupler for accurately setting a threaded anchor in a concrete foundation to be poured having an attachment member for releasable attachment to a supporting structure and a tongue member that is formed with means for releasably gripping the threaded portion of the anchor. The releasable mechanical grip of the reusable coupler on the anchor is strong enough to insure that the orientation and the placement of the anchor will be maintained when the lower portion of the anchor is subjected to laterel forces during the concrete pour. The reusable coupler utilizes a one-piece design, wherein the mechanical gripping means works independantly from the attachment member. The reusable coupler can attach to a single form member for a concrete structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining precast concrete units. A precast concrete unit, such as a section of pipe, decking and pavement includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned tubular members. The ends of each concrete unit are flush and are bounded by rounded edges to prevent chipping. The ends of the tubular members are flush with the end of the concrete unit. When two of such units are to be joined together, a guide member is inserted in one end of each tubular member on one concrete unit while an internally threaded insert member is inserted into each end of the tubular member in a second concrete unit. The guide members and insert members have axial apertures with the aperture in the insert member being internally threaded. The two precast concrete units are brought together so that the guide member on one concrete unit enters into the ends of the tubular members containing the inserts in the second concrete unit.

Abstract: A method of sealing a concrete joint formed between a pair of concrete castings by creating an injection hole wherein a removable frame member can be attached to the bottom surface of the first concrete casting so as to form obtuse angles with the concrete casting surface. The other concrete casting is then cast around the frame member. The frame member is then removed to form the injection hole of the desired configuration, and sealing material can then be inserted into the injection hole for feeding into, and sealing of, the joint.

Abstract: An anchor is formed in a wall or ceiling composed of friable asbestos containing material by placing a plate member having a seal member around its peripheral edge against the wall or ceiling and then driving a fastener through the plate member and into the wall or ceiling. The plate member is of a size to permanently contain between the plate member and the ceiling any friable asbestos containing material which is dislodged by the fastener. Preferably, the seal, which comprises a sealing strip with an adhesive coating, or a sealing adhesive, temporarily secures the plate member to the wall while the fastener is being driven through the plate member to assure that the plate remains in place; however, it is the fastener which permanently secures the plate member to the wall or ceiling.

Abstract: A beam or the like, substantially manufactured from rather thin sheet metal either by bending or some other suitable technique and comprising at least one side as well as a fastening strip joining with its edge and positioned at a straight or inclined angle relative to said side. The beam fastening strips and in some cases intermediate strips are provided with studs having a rather dense spacing in longitudinal direction. As the bearing member of a jointing structure, said beam is intended to be secured to a building panel or the like made of wood or a similar material, such as woodboard, boarding chipboard, gypsum board or concrete slab by pressing it against such a panel, so that said studs penetrate into a panel and secure the beam, or by placing said beam on top of a just cast, fresh concrete slab, whereby the studs effect the securing as the concrete sets.

Abstract: An anchor and stress plate assembly adapted to secure an insulation layer to the deck of a roof without penetrating the lower surface of the deck which is formed either of relatively soft or hard decking material. The anchor is provided with a flanged head and a shank whose leading section takes the form of an auger screw having a root which tapers toward the tip and a threading about the root whose crests are of approximately uniform diameter. When the anchor is turned into soft decking material, the tapered root of the auger screw then acts to pack this material into a dense mass in the region surrounding the screw to enhance the holding power of the anchor. In hard decking material, a hole must first be drilled therein to receive the auger screw whose root when the anchor is turned in fits within the hole and whose crests then cut a thread in the hole wall to securely retain the anchor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and positioning a plurality of anchor bolts in concrete to provide a tie down apparatus for columns and posts. The apparatus includes two or more anchor bolts passing through and welded to a locator plate. The anchor bolts are turned at the lower end and are threaded at the upper end. The anchor bolts are positioned, aligned and set in relationship to one another with the longitudinal center lines of the anchor bolts positioned parallel to one another in a predetermined spaced apart relationship to the locator plate that is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal center lines of the anchor bolts. The locator plate is adjustably connected to removable cross members which are supported by forms in a final position during the pouring of support concrete around and beneath the tie down apparatus.

Abstract: A mount for a construction bolt to be embedded in poured concrete includes:(a) a standard having a supportable base, and defining a support for the lower end of a bolt, so that the bolt shank projects upwardly,(b) the standard having surfaces and openings whereby the poured concrete can flow onto and through the standard, and below the support and the bolt lower end, to anchor the standard with the bolt held in upright position.

Abstract: An improved reinforced structural member and method of fabricating the member. The structural member is a truss slab of a type embodying a lower concrete slab having reinforcement embedded therein; means providing a network of passages overlying the base slab; and an overlying concrete slab with reinforcement therein, including concrete columns extending between the overlying slab and the base slab. Additional reinforcing members or struts are provided connected between the reinforcing members in the lower slab and the reinforcing members in the upper slab. These members are of improved construction embodying a lower section and a separable upper section. The lower section extends to the height of the top surface of the lower slab permitting improvements in the method in that the lower slab can be poured without the reinforcing struts or members being in the way. The upper section of the reinforcing strut is then joined to the lower section, after which the upper slab is poured.

Abstract: An anchor which is embedded in a concrete ceiling for suspension of a ceiling panel, electrical wiring pipe or air conditioning duct or the like comprises a metallic suspension member and a support member formed of a synthetic resin material. The suspension member includes a cylindrical body which is open at its lower end and having an axial threaded bore, a circular head flange on the top end of the body, and a plurality of needles having their one end secured to said flange and extending downwardly in parallel and spaced relationship with the body. The support member includes a sleeve surrounding the body and a pedestal extending from the lower end of the sleeve in radially outward direction. The pedestal is formed with a plurality of openings which receive the needles, the needles passing through the corresponding openings to the lower side thereof.

Abstract: A building structural system having a plurality of preformed elongate structural elements each with a plurality of angularly-related planar surfaces and provided with integral fastener-receiving and locking devices and a plurality of connecting members for interconnecting said elongate elements in a desired angular relation and securing the elements with the addition of strength to the structural system.