Abstract: A method of including the selection of cementitious fiber wallboard panels coated on the exterior surface by a coating of water based acrylic to control the fluid absorption rate therethrough. Such wallboards are installed on a building frame with the adjacent edges of the panels forming narrow gaps for receipt of suitable caulk to such gaps and applying a high build flexible resinous latex emulsion over the coating and joints and allowing it to cure at a rate dictated by atmospheric conditions and the fluid absorption rate of such coating and tape.

Abstract: A method for building a floor in a structure, such as a house, that is designed to utilize the heat stored in the earth is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for leveling or aligning adjacent prestressed hollowcore concrete planks includes an insert member that is received between the planks at a grout joint. One end of the insert member supports a first alignment member that is received against one side of the planks. The other end of the insert member cooperates with a second alignment member that is received against an opposite side of the planks. An adjustment member adjusts the spacing between the first and second alignment members to provide a desired alignment between the planks.

Abstract: A framing template for use in the framing of a building structure. The template has a plurality of groups of printed measuring indicia, each measuring indicia comprising a centering mark. The centering marks for each group have a predetermined spacing therebetween. The centering marks of each group may include numbers, colors or shaped symbols indicative of a repetitive measured distance from a zero reference point of the template. The centering marks also include indicia indicating the total distance the centering mark is from the zero reference point. The numbers are readable regardless if the template is secured on a horizontal or a vertical surface. In another broad aspect, the present invention contemplates permanently affixing the template, such as with printing, on building materials requiring measurements for integrating into the building structure.

Abstract: A method of making terrazzo floors with design inlays. The method utilizes pre-molded inserts as inlays in the finished floor, and generally includes four steps. First, inserts are pre-molded, which has design elements in terms of their color, nature of inclusions (chips, glass fragments, etc. and their colors), shape and/or a pattern of grooves in their upper surfaces. Second, the pre-molded inserts are placed on and affixed to the sub-flooring in a predetermined arrangement. Third, epoxy flooring mixture is poured to a height that fills the grooves in the inserts' upper surfaces and preferably cover the inserts. Fourth, the floor, after cured and hardened, is ground and polished to expose the upper surfaces of the inserts, which now become seamlessly integrated inlays within the overall finished floor.

Abstract: A draft block joist system for preventing an airflow circulation therethrough. The system comprises a first and second elongated I-beams each having continuous upper and lower flange sections with a panel member disposed therebetween. The upper and lower flange sections of the first elongated I-beam are respectively connected with the upper and lower flange sections of the second elongated I-beam. An air gap is formed between the panel members of the first and second elongated I-beams thereby. By forming the air gap, an insulation member is removably insertable therein for preventing the airflow circulation therethrough.

Abstract: A modular temporary barrier system includes a plurality of panel members having adjoining edges. Each panel member comprises a foam core and exterior sheathing disposed thereon. Connecting structure associated with the panels is constructed and arranged to removably connect adjoining edges of adjacent panel members to one another. Each panel member includes joint structure forming an aperture extending vertically between an upper periphery of each panel member and a lower periphery of each panel member that is configured to receive the connecting structure.

Abstract: An easily constructed and highly durable structure, and method of making the same. The structure is constructed of lightweight foam panels assembled into walls and a roof, and therefore requires no framework. The entire structure is then sprayed with a cementitious coating. The cementitious coating is applied directly to the foam panels, and dries with sufficient strength and durability to make the structure load-bearing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying down floors or linings and for their quick removal and replacement by glueing or fixing them onto a support, removable with respect to a support sheeting (9). The method includes providing fixed support (8) and movable support (7), which have a substantially similar shape. The fixed support (8) being immovably fixed into the support sheeting (9) and the second movable support (7) being movably fitted with the first fixed support (8) and being intended for laying down floors or linings (5).

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for positioning frame members for fabricating a wood frame. Each device includes an elongated flexible member and wood blocks that are removably attached to the flexible member. The length of the wood blocks equals the required distance between the frame members. The blocks are separated by slots wherein the frame members are snugly fitted in order to properly position the frame members for fabricating a wood frame structure. The wood blocks can be removed from the device for subsequent use in frame structures, thus reducing lumber waste.

Abstract: Dual fiber carpet and matting fabrics are made of tufted ends of yarn with one end being made from standard carpet denier yarns ranging from about 10 to 30 denier per filament and total denier ranging from about 600 to 5000 denier and the second end being made from heavy monofilament fibers with a denier per filament ranging from about 100 to 500 denier and a total denier ranging from about 300 to 5000 denier per yarn bundle. Both fibers can be made from a variety of synthetic and/or natural materials. Also, a combination of at least three floor or ground covering articles, A, B, and C, for placement in and around the entryway of a building is disclosed which provides more effective cleaning ability for pedestrians' footwear, thus better ensuring the inside of the building itself remains clean.

Abstract: A resilient floor includes a plurality of parallel spaced rows of sleeper assemblies, or substructure members, supported by pads over a base, with a wear layer of floorboards secured to the rows of substructure members. The substructure members include an elongated lower panel with a pair of spaced rows of pads secured along the bottom surface of the panel, and corresponding rows of nailing strips secured to the top surface of the panel, to which the wear layer is secured. The panel may also include an middle row of designations, such as holes, for locating anchors to anchor the panel to the base, if it is desired to anchor the floor. Compared to other resilient floors the substructure members of this invention simplify and reduce installation and handling time, resulting in reduced labor costs. The structure itself also provides high strength and durability, but with reduced quantity and cost of material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining wall block that is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment it is placed into. The deterioration resistant block is generally a hollowed frame or shell of a deterioration resistant material that is lightweight and is configured to accept and retain any type of filling material. The filling material provides weight and stability to the retaining wall block and also provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such blocks.

Abstract: A structural panel for building structures such as residential houses or the like comprises a honeycomb or other cellular core sandwiched between two metal face sheets and surrounded by a metal frame. Frame members of the frame form mechanical interlocking connections with the face sheets of the panel. Side frame members of the panel define interlocking protrusions and channels for making interlocking joints between panels. A building structure employing the panels for forming floor and roofs includes brackets that extend into a gap between the side frame members of the panel at the panel joints and attach to the side frame members. The brackets are used for attaching the panels to other parts of the structure.

Abstract: A cylinder possessing an externally threaded lower end mating an internally threaded drain collar bore seated in the top end of an upright hub drain is threaded into the bore and the elevation of the top end of the cylinder elevationally adjusted with respect to the hub drain. A gasket is compressed between the top face of the drain collar and the bottom surface of a rigid plate which is then secured to the top of the upright cylinder. An annular interior corner of the bottom surface of the plate inside the periphery of the plate locates an annular gasket in the desired disposition. Location of the plate upon the top of the cylinder may be assisted by matching sets of locating pins and holes utilizing a cylinder with a closed top end and the plate may be secured to the top of the cylinder by a bolt passed through an aperture through the plate and threaded into a tapped cavity of the closed top end of a cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for field erection of structures, particularly residential buildings, adapted to utilization of locally available labor and having a significant content of locally available materials. A rectangular floor covering sheet serves both as a waterproof sub-floor and as a layout template for erection of the building framework and the tools used serve as the measuring means required for all dimensions to be determined on-site. Temporary horizontal side beams and permanently installed roof beams are positioned and braced by diagonal and horizontal wire members, while vertically folded, expanded metal mesh reinforcing members provide lath surfaces for application of hardening filler material for walls, so as to provide a substantially monolithic steel-reinforced basic building structure.

Abstract: A resilient floor includes a plurality of parallel spaced rows of sleeper assemblies, or substructure members, supported by pads over a base, with a wear layer of floorboards secured to the rows of substructure members. The substructure members include an elongated lower panel with a pair of spaced rows of pads secured along the bottom surface of the panel, and corresponding rows of nailing strips secured to the top surface of the panel, to which the wear layer is secured. The panel may also include an middle row of designations, such as holes, for locating anchors to anchor the panel to the base, if it is desired to anchor the floor. Compared to other resilient floors the substructure members of this invention simplify and reduce installation and handling time, resulting in reduced labor costs. The structure itself also provides high strength and durability, but with reduced quantity and cost of material.

Abstract: An adjustable support piece is provided which can selectively raise or lower the level of a building surface or industrial component such as a mechanical pump, etc. A base member, crown member, and threaded tubular stem which can be cut with a hand saw are provided and which can be selectively adjusted in height to raise or lower the height of the building surface. In one embodiment, a coupling may be used to interconnect two tubular stems together. Further, a crown coupling spacer may be used to moderately increase the total length of the adjustable support piece.

Abstract: Cementitious building panels are connected together using a connector plate made of a composite material of carbon fibers embedded in an organic matrix. The interconnection is made by removing cementitious material to form recesses in the building panels, applying an adhesive material into the recesses prior to placing the connector plate into the recesses, and thereafter affixing the connector plate to the first-panel face and to the second-panel face in the recesses and extending across the gap between the first-panel edge and the second-panel edge.

Abstract: A construction method in which wall panel (2) receives studs (12) in apertures (8) or grooves (10). The studs (12) may be inserted through the wall panel after the wall panel is positioned. The studs (12) engage a bottom plate (20) in a snap fit.

Abstract: Pre-cast concrete panels bodies for constructions in building industry and a method of construction of structure using the pre-cast panel bodies is disclosed. The pre-cast concrete panels bodies includes pre-cast beams (3) at an upper edge and at least one bore (6) extending longitudinally from one end to the other. The bore is adapted to receive starter bars (16) reinforcement steel bars (19), wires, pipes or concrete. The upper edges of the panel bodies include cornices (4) casted simultaneously with the casting of the panel body. All the pre-cast concrete panels and pre-cast concrete slabs (26) are interlocked together by the introduction of steel bars (28) through links (8) extending from the pre-cast concrete panels, adding wires mesh (38) and top bars (40) on the pre-cast concrete slab and pouring concrete over the steel bars, wire mesh and top bars to provide a sturdy structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for adjustably suspending and positioning eight post anchors at a time for an octagonal structure regardless of a shape and size of a floor form. The apparatus includes eight trapezoid template panels to form an octagonal template, sixteen “wing” post anchor holders attached to along the anti-parallel sides of said trapezoid template panels, and screws to firmly assemble eight template panels. For a large structure, the apparatus may also include braces which diagonally hold and stabilize each of the template panels to prevent them from shifting. The device facilitates placements of post anchors in octagonal position and the process of permanently securing the post anchors by pouring cement. The device can be easily removed after concrete has hardened, this speeds the construction process of finishing an entire floor.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved power generation facility and method of construction. The improved power generation facility of the present invention provides a low impact implementation suitable for placement in or near a developed, populated area comprising ultimate consumers. The improved power generation facility comprises a foundation; a plurality of legs which form a support structure capable of supporting a plurality of condenser modules with cooling fans of predetermined size; and a housing for containing predetermined power generation equipment, the housing fitting inside the support structure and having a facade which can be made to blend into a surrounding environment's architecture. In a preferred mode, the legs are tricolumn legs that may be removably fastened to each other and to the foundation. Further, the housing may be suspended from the support structure and the plurality of cooling fans situated to minimize noise from the cooling fans.

Abstract: Autoclaved aerated concrete panels, and method of making and using such panels, specifically for the construction of residential homes, where the panels feature first and second faces having widths of at least two feet.

Abstract: An improved waterproofing system for concrete slab of a flat roof on a building is disclosed. The invention concerns a construction method for installing on the concrete substrate a waterproofing layer comprising hollow plastic panels of designed size, different thickness, and the groove and the tongue joint, and installing a supplementary waterproofing layer using sheet membrane materials such as asphalt sheet, metal sheet and other sheets on the vertical surface, especially the parapet of roof. The invention further concerns a construction method for applying fluid-applied materials after reinforcement with fiber mesh on their joint line to connect plastic panels on substrate with sheet membrane layer on the vertical surface. The waterproofing layer of sloped step type, hollow plastic panels of different thickness permits fast drainage of stagnant water, which inhibits weather damage to the waterproofing layer.

Abstract: A temporary joist hanger for use in the construction of a deck extending outwardly from the side of a building comprising a generally flat, horizontally disposed upper end portion having a generally flat, vertically disposed base portion extending downwardly from the outer end thereof. A generally flat side wall portion extends transversely from one of the side edges of the base portion. A joist support extends from the side wall portion for temporarily supporting one end of a joist therein. The joist support is selectively vertically adjustably mounted on the side wall portion to accommodate joists of different widths. The method of constructing a deck utilizing the temporary joist hanger is also described.

Abstract: An enclosure door for an insulated space includes an insulated door member that is hingedly mountable to a door frame of an insulated enclosure. A release latch is attached to the door frame for opening the door member. Further, a protective member is affixed in covering relation to at least a portion of an inner face of the door member and is operable to open the door member upon experiencing an impact thereupon. In a particular embodiment, the protective member is affixed to each of a pair of facing door members, each operable to open both door members upon experiencing an impact thereupon.

Abstract: Devices and methods for protecting weepholes in brick veneer structures against insects and other pests while still allowing drainage and for helping prevent mortar portions and other objects from blocking the weepholes. A weephole device is described that includes a substantially vertical spacer portion having a pair of side walls that are maintained in a spaced relation to one another to define a gap for the passage of water or other fluids. The spacer portion is shaped and sized to be inserted into a weephole space between a pair of bricks. A tray is affixed to the spacer portion and includes a substantially horizontally disposed tray portion that is shaped and sized to capture falling mortar portions or other objects that might block the weephole were they to fall behind it within the air gap between the brick veneer wall and the structural inner wall. The rear edge of the tray portion has an edge that is intended to contact the inner wall when the weephole device is emplaced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerated flooring system for use in athletic arenas or gymnasiums. The flooring system includes a top layer that provides a surface for the activities to be conducted on the floor. The system also includes at least one ventilation device. The ventilation device covers an air flow shaft within the flooring system, helping to prevent debris from falling in the air flow shaft, but allowing air to flow through the ventilation device. The ventilation device allows air to ventilate out of the flooring system. A support layer below the top layer provides support to the flooring system. A ventilation layer below the flooring is sized to allow air movement through the layer. The air flow shafts allow air to travel from the ventilation layer to the ventilation device. A base is below the ventilation layer and provides support for the flooring system above. A blowing device is controlled by a computer system that monitors the system using sensors.

Abstract: A deck plank comprising a substantially flat top surface made preferably from a wood replacement material having a first edge and a second edge, and may also have a tongue attached to the first edge and a groove attached to the second edge, the tongue and the groove each extending in a plane below the top surface, the tongue being adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent plank. The tongue and the groove are shaped so that a space is maintained between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove of the adjacent plank when the tongue is placed adjacent to the groove of the adjacent plank. A number of the deck planks can be used to make a deck.

Abstract: A method of construction which produces an air tight structure which is capable of being insulated to high R values. The method comprises the following steps: erecting an inner wall having a footer, a top plate, and spaced upright studs, along an inner edge portion of the supporting structure; covering the exterior side portion of the inner wall with a vapor barrier so that electrical wiring and plumbing may be run within the interior wall without penetrating the vapor barrier; erecting an outer wall having a footer, a top plate, and spaced upright studs along an outer edge portion of the supporting structure parallel to and spaced from the inner wall, said outer wall used to carry an exterior building wall covering after insulation which is positioned between the walls and between the studs of the outer wall; and, erecting a supported structure on top of the top side portion of the walls.

Abstract: Composite products comprising or incorporating compression moldings of waste or filler particles (16) encapsulated and bound together by a thermoplastic binder (15) into a compacted mass of a shape selected for its end use, the compression molding being prepared by intensely mixing together particles of thermoplastic and waste or filler material to raise their temperature to bring the thermoplastic particles to a molten state where they coat the waste or filler particles (16), then compression molding the hot coated waste or filler particles.

Abstract: A method of assembling a large-size plant and an assembling method for reducing a term of work are disclosed. Each of a crane operator in a crane operation room and site workers in a plant construction site is equipped with a picture I/O device and a voice I/O device. The crane operator and the site workers assemble the plant while sharing picture information of the picture I/O device and voice information of the voice I/O device with each other. A site remote control room vicinal to the plant construction site is connected via a radio transmission path to a host control center. The plant si assembled while the site workers, the crane operator room, the site remote control room and the central control room share the picture information and the voice information of their own with each other.

Abstract: A cementitious wall is externally reinforced against out-of-plane or in-plane seismic forces using an overlying layer of composite material, preferably a carbon-fiber/polymer matrix composite material. To externally reinforce the wall against out-of-plane forces, the composite material is applied to the wall as an overlay with the fibers extending vertically. At the base of the wall, the composite overlay is tied to the horizontal building structure using right-angle ties spaced-apart along the foot of the wall. The composite overlay may either be structurally tied to intervening floor structures using right-angle ties, or it may be structurally isolated from the intervening floor structures using flat-tie pass throughs. To externally reinforce the wall against in-plane horizontal forces, the composite material is applied to the wall as an overlay with the fibers running only horizontally.

Abstract: A joint is formed between adjacent sheets of wall board, particularly in the fabrication of ceiling assemblies in manufactured housing, by applying a pressure-sensitive imperforate paper tape, burnishing it, wetting it, and then applying flexible joint compound over the tape. The flexible joint compound rapidly forms a skin which will receive paint, texture coating, or other finish prior to the complete curing of the flexible joint compound. The retained flexibility of the flexible joint compound, which lasts for at least twenty-four hours, permits the joint to be tolerant of displacement, such as the racking and twisting imposed on a ceiling assembly in transportation.

Abstract: A telescopic turret crane (126) is detachably connectable to a pedestal (118) that is incorporated into a concrete building structure that is under construction. The telescopic turret crane is provided with a base (122) that is detachably connected to the pedestal (118). The same pedestal (118) is sometimes used for supporting an articulated concrete placement boom (126). This boom (126) includes the similar base that is detachably connectable to the same pedestal (118). The concrete placement boom (126) is attached to the pedestal (118) and is used to pour a new upper floor in the building. Following this use, the articulated concrete placement boom (126) is detached from the pedestal (118) and is moved away from the pedestal (118). Then, the telescopic turret crane is brought to the pedestal (118) and is connected to the pedestal (118). The telescopic turret crane is used during the performance of tasks on or above the newly poured floor, in the vicinity of the pedestal (118).

Abstract: A locking connection used to join the cross runners and main runners of a suspended grid ceiling system. The main runners are provided with periodic openings through which the cross runner ends are inserted and thereby locked together. Each cross tee end connector contains a resilient finger which engages the main runner upon insertion. Further, each connector has apertures and raised detents which will mate with those of a like opposing cross tee end connector when both are inserted through the same main runner opening. A locked grid intersection can be disengaged by depressing the resilient finger holding the main runner, rotating the main runner over the cross runner end connector, and pushing the cross tee end vertically free.