Abstract: Floor element (1), which is mainly in the form of a board with triangular, quadratic, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape as seen from above. The floor element (1) is provided with edges (2), a lower side (7) and a decorative upper layer (3). The floor elements (1), which are intended to be joined via tongue and groove are on at least two opposite edges (2), preferably on all edges (2) provided with holes (4). The holes (4) extends inwards from the edge (2) mainly parallel to the decorative upper layer (3). The holes (4) are arranged on a predetermined distance from the decorative upper layer (3) and on a predetermined distance from a closest corner between two adjacent edges (2), whereby the holes (4) are intended to receive each one part of a guiding means (6).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for installing an elevated batten system that includes a horizontal batten strip to which cylindrical-shaped pads are coupled. The pads elevate the horizontal batten strip above the roof deck surface, preventing water and debris from gathering on the roof deck surface and eliminating the need to install the vertical and horizontal battens in separate steps. Other various embodiments of the invention are directed to an elevated batten system that includes a horizontal batten strip to which pads are coupled that define a depressed portion. The depressed portion receives a fastener for coupling each pad to the horizontal batten strip, and in some embodiments, prevents irregularities in the height of the horizontal batten strip relative to the roof deck surface when installed on the roof deck surface.

Abstract: A locking system for a floor panel includes a first connecting device, a second connecting device, and a third connecting device. The first connecting device includes a combination lock including an upwardly directed locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove. The combination lock further including a flexible tongue in a displacement groove. The displacement groove and the flexible tongue of the combination lock are configured to cooperate with a tongue of a third connecting device.

Abstract: The method for laying and interlocking the panels uses panels with complementary, formfitting retaining profiles extending over the length of the sides. The complementary edges of the panels allow two adjacent panels to be positively joined such that displacement of the panels away from one another is prevented, while enabling articulation of the panels with respect to one another at the joint location. The method of installation provides for installing a new panel to a first row and a panel in a second row by first joining the new panel to the panel of the second row at its short side, followed by pivoting the new panel upwards out of the plane of the laid panels along its long side, along with at least the adjacent end of the first panel in the second row, into an inclined position, and sliding the new panel into the retaining profile of the panels in the first row. The new panel and the raised end of the panel in the second row are then pivoted down into the plane of the laid panels.

Abstract: A method comprises: providing a fiber cement substrate, and joining a porous, closed cell foam to a substantial portion of a major surface of the fiber cement substrate.

Abstract: Floor panels (2) are shown with a discontinuous surface (31) layer and core (30), which are mechanically connectable to each other along one pair of adjacent edges, said floor panels comprising at least two floor elements (1, 1?), which are connected with glue.

Abstract: A system and method for joining floor planks includes two or more planks wherein each plank includes a tongue, a groove, and optionally a shoulder, and optionally a protruding lip, that provide a mechanism for connecting two or more planks together. The tongue can be on the opposing side of each plank from the groove. The groove can be defined between a first flange extending along a first edge of the plank and from one side of the plank, and a second flange extending distally beyond a distal edge of the first flange from the first edge of the plank and from a second side of the plank opposite from the first side. The tongue can be S-shaped to form an interlocking relationship with the groove.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method of making an eave for a roof on a building is disclosed. The method may include providing a structure with at least two sides and a roof frame. The method may further include coupling at least two of a plurality of eave blocks with a first trim piece. The method may also include coupling at least two of the plurality of eave blocks with a second trim piece. The method may further include coupling a roof piece with a top of the roof frame and a top of at least two of the plurality of eave blocks. In some embodiments, the eave blocks may include lumber having a grain direction and the method may include coupling the eave blocks with the first trim piece such that the grain direction is substantially parallel to a length of the first trim piece.

Abstract: Floorboards for mechanical joining of floors in a herringbone pattern and in parallel rows with horizontal connectors which on the short sides have cooperating locking surfaces which are designed differently from the cooperating locking surfaces on the long sides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a building façade having an inner wall, an insulation layer, an outer cladding layer and profiles for securing the outer cladding to the inner wall. Air gab for ventilation is provided between the insulation layer and the outer cladding. The insulation layer comprises insulation panels having two major large surfaces and four minor edge surfaces and the insulation panels have layers of insulation of different densities extending parallel to the two major surfaces, where a layer with a density above an average density of the panel is facing the outer cladding.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for installing a penetration in a sheathing assembly and building structures. An opening can be formed at least partially through a sheathing assembly that includes a body; a barrier layer; and an adhesive disposed between at least a portion of the body and the barrier layer. At least a portion of the barrier layer adjacent the opening can be peeled back to expose at least a portion of the body. A penetration can be disposed at least partially within the opening. The penetration can include a contact member that at least partially contacts the exposed body, the barrier layer, or both. The penetration can be secured to at least a portion of the sheathing assembly, and the peeled back portion of the barrier layer can be repositioned such that the barrier layer covers at least a portion of the contact member.

Abstract: Protective clips for movable partitions include a guard portion that protrudes from a top major surface of a base portion. The guard portion extends along the top major surface proximate to a front side of the base portion. The guard portion also may extend along the top major surface proximate to at least one end side surface a longitudinal end of the base portion. Movable partitions include one or more such protective clips. The protective clips optionally may be used to attach a sweep strip to panels of a movable partition. Methods of forming such protective clips include molding the clips within a mold cavity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a roof support apparatus which may be used for securing a load to a tile-covered roof. The roof support apparatus comprises a mounting plate, a first and second attachment member, an upper support member, and a load. The mounting plate engages its base with an upper surface of the roof. A track of the mounting plate extends parallel to the base and has a width less than a width of said base. The first and second attachment members are adapted to extend downward through an exposed surface of the base on both sides of the track. The upper support member is adapted to pass vertically upward through an opening in a roof covering material, such as tile, and engage a screw which may slide along the tack until the screw and the upper support member are fully engaged.

Abstract: A method for forming a brick façade positioning assembly includes positioning a plurality of bricks in a specified wall pattern. A film is placed over the bricks, and the film is molded over the bricks to form a custom brick film tray. The custom brick film tray includes brick shaped tray recesses in the specified wall pattern. The plurality of bricks are positioned within the brick shaped tray recesses. Optionally, a liquid setting material is poured on the custom brick film tray and the plurality of bricks to form a brick façade wall. The brick façade wall includes the bricks in the specified wall pattern provided by the custom brick film tray.

Abstract: A floor structure unit, comprising: a tray, a flooring material, a rubber grommet, and a rubber matrix is provided. The tray includes an upper and lower horizontal surface, at least one retaining wall, a first and a second set of contrapositive interlocking members. The flooring material is disposed on the tray upper horizontal surface such that the first set of interlocking members is substantially flush with the flooring material and the second set of interlocking members extends beyond the flooring material. The rubber matrix is disposed in the tray lower horizontal surface, and the rubber grommet is disposed about the perimeter of the at least one retaining wall. The rubber grommet and the rubber matrix are a unitary piece. Methods of manufacture and use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A method of assembling molded forms of expanded closed cell polystyrene to receive poured concrete for foundations and walls for buildings, including a laid course of forms molded of expanded polystyrene having vertical spaces in the forms and a plastic or metal strip With claws attached to the plastic or metal strip, and the strip is placed in a groove channel in the form and the strip extending into a groove in next abutting form of expanded polystyrene, and the strip width extending into a groove in the next laid course of expanded polystyrene forms and reinforcing bars placed vertically in vertical spaces in the forms of expanded polystyrene, and the reinforcing bars placed vertically in the vertical spaces and held in position by an aperture guide wire having a bias cut on leg end of the aperture guide wire and spanner wires extending across from side to side of the forms of expanded polystyrene, and the spanner wires having bias cut leg ends to stab into the top edges of the forms of expanded polystyren

Abstract: A method for installing wall panels to an exterior building wall is provided. The method applies the rainscreen principle. Interlocking components are used to attach aluminum or other wall panels to an exterior wall. In one aspect, the method includes fastening a bracket assembly to the exterior building wall, fastening an attachment clip to the bracket assembly, providing a panel perimeter strip, providing a wall panel, fastening the wall panel to the panel perimeter strip along one side surface of the wall panel, providing a through-opening through the wall panel thereby permitting fluid communication from an atmosphere into the hollow interior portion of the wall panel, and sliding an infill strip into a slot of the panel perimeter strip between the attachment clip and the through opening so as to cover a fastener of the bracket assembly; The system is held together non-adhesively.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exterior covering capable of withstanding extreme wind loads. In one embodiment, a wind resistant exterior covering includes a first panel fastened to a substrate and a second panel fastened to the substrate. The second panel engages the first panel, and a clip fastened to the substrate is adapted and located to laterally restrain movement of the second panel with respect to the first panel. In another embodiment, a method of engaging panels of a modular exterior covering system includes coupling a protruding portion of a first panel with a respective receiving portion of a second panel. The coupling is such that the first panel is laterally restrained by the second panel and a clip, and the first panel is outwardly restrained by the receiving portion of the second panel.

Abstract: A removable arch form assembly for use in forming a masonry arch of a plurality of masonry elements on a substructure comprises a flexible arch form having a substantially rectangular shape, first and second end clips engaging an arched structure about which the masonry arch is to be formed, at least one intermediate clip positioned on the arched structure between the end clips and at an elevation differing from the end clips, the end clips and the at least one intermediate clip removably receiving the flexible arch form and retaining the form in an arched orientation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tactile warning panel inlay system and method. Such system is comprised of a panel formed with an exposed surface having a plurality of tactile warning protrusions and a support surface configured to contact a substrate matrix. The panel includes a plurality of apertures extending from the exposed surface to the support surface. Further, a plurality of fasteners are configured to extend individually through an aperture included in the plurality of panel apertures to secure the panel to the substrate matrix. Each fastener includes a head conformed to the shape of the tactile warning protrusion and a body for extending the fastener through the panel and into the substrate matrix.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to an elevated batten system that includes a horizontal batten strip to which cylindrical-shaped pads are coupled. The pads elevate the horizontal batten strip above the roof deck surface, preventing water and debris from gathering on the roof deck surface and eliminating the need to install the vertical and horizontal battens in separate steps. Other various embodiments of the invention are directed to an elevated batten system that includes a horizontal batten strip to which pads are coupled that define a depressed portion. The depressed portion receives a fastener for coupling each pad to the horizontal batten strip, and in some embodiments, prevents irregularities in the height of the horizontal batten strip relative to the roof deck surface when installed on the roof deck surface.

Abstract: A beaded soffit panel and related method for buildings and the like includes a plurality of generally flat, imperforate base portions shaped to enclose at least a portion of the soffit when the soffit panel is mounted in a generally horizontal orientation under the eave. A plurality of generally M-shaped, contoured beads extend between the base portions, and have oppositely inclined sidewalls with center walls therebetween to create a decorative appearance on the soffit panel. A plurality of narrow vent slits extend through the exterior faces of the bead sidewalls at a predetermined acute angle to define angled tabs that extend inwardly, whereby when the soffit panel is installed, vision through the vent slits from a position generally underneath the eave is substantially blocked by the angled tabs.

Abstract: A locking system for a floor panel includes a first connecting device, a second connecting device, and a third connecting device. The first connecting device includes a combination lock including an upwardly directed locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove. The combination lock further including a flexible tongue in a displacement groove. The displacement groove and the flexible tongue of the combination lock are configured to cooperate with a tongue of a third connecting device.

Abstract: A thin brick system and method for forming a thin brick wall includes a matrix in which channels are formed for receiving a plurality of thin brick units. The thin brick units are bonded to the matrix using mortar and the same mortar can be used to fill spaces between adjacent bricks. The matrix may be attached to a substrate using fasteners. The channels can be formed in the matrix on-site.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method that enables a single installer to attach panels, such as drywall sheets, to overhead surfaces without the help of a second person to support the sheet against a ceiling while the installer performs the fastening. Two components are included, a fixed shelf and a movable shelf. Each component is elongated to support approximately half of the edge of the panels, so that the installer need not manipulate multiple brackets before securing the panels to the ceiling.

Abstract: An athletic floor uses a panel-type subfloor to secure directly to a concrete base. The panel-type sections include upper and lower rigid layers which sandwich a resilient layer. The rigidity of the lower layer spans most uneven spots in the floor, while the resilient layer provides some degree of a compressibility and/or conformability, as needed, to provide a flat horizontal surface for supporting a layer of floorboards thereabove. The panel sections can be secured directly to the base, via anchors which secure the lower rigid layers to the base, the anchors residing in access openings formed along the perimeter of the upper rigid layer and in the resilient layer. This anchoring arrangement enables each anchor to hold at least two adjacently located panel sections, and it also eliminates precompression of the resilient layer. The subfloor panel sections are prefabricated, at the factory, and then shipped to the installation site.

Abstract: The invention provides technology for building houses and many other structures using logs. Log-positioning apparatuses are provided. Also provided are assemblies that include a plurality of logs and a plurality of log-positioning apparatuses. Finally, various log building methods are provided.

Abstract: A pressure joining method includes a hammer drill attachment device mountable within the chuck of a hand-held hammer drill. Using the hammer drill attachment, an operator installs flooring sheets onto a hook and loop flooring subfloor. The hammer drill attachment includes a shaft for mounting the attachment within the chuck. The hammer drill imparts vibration to the shaft when operated. An angled body member is attached to the shaft and extends downward toward a foot assembly having a foot pad means. The foot assembly vibrates when the hammer drill is actuated to cause the foot pad means to abut against the overlapping sheets of a flooring system and to press the sheets onto an underlying subfloor, thereby forming a seam between the edges of the floor sections.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating sidings and methods for securing those sidings to structures are disclosed. Additionally, this disclosure teaches embodiments of sidings that can be secured to structures. For some embodiments, the siding comprises an insulation and a panel. The insulation and the panel are coupled to each other prior to installation of the siding. This coupling is achieved by non-adhesive coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: A tile installation spacer includes a circular disk having opposed, parallel surfaces, and opposed cylindrical first and second spacers extend away from the respective surfaces of the disk. The disk, the first cylindrical spacer, and the second cylinder each have a diameter. The diameter of the disk is greater than the diameter of the first cylindrical spacer and the diameter of the second cylindrical spacer, and the diameter of the first cylindrical spacer is greater than the diameter of the second cylindrical spacer.

Abstract: A modular countertop includes a composite layer and a support layer. The composite layer includes a top surface and a bottom surface and is formed of a polymer matrix with a filler material dispersed there through. The support layer is bonded to the bottom surface of the composite layer, and the composite layer and the support layer have a combined thickness less than about 1.25 inches.

Abstract: A snow guard and a method of attaching a snow guard to a seam of a metal roof wherein the snow guard includes a base having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a top wall that define a seam receiving channel. The first side wall is provided with at least one opening. The second side wall has at least one fixed projection extending from the second side wall into the seam receiving channel and toward the opening. At least one moveable fastener extends through the opening into the seam receiving channel and toward the projection, and a blade is attached to a base receiving end of the base.

Abstract: A high impact, moisture resistant, wall panel system and methods for mounting a high impact, moisture resistant wall panel to an existing structure are disclosed herein. A high impact, moisture resistant wall panel includes an inert substrate composed of a high density inorganic material, wherein the substrate is dimensionally stable, a laminate composed of a substantially rigid polymeric material, and an adhesive for engaging the laminate to the substrate.

Abstract: A fabricated concrete foundation wall is provided with a plurality of insulation panels and reinforcing ribs to improve strength and reduce the density of the wall panel. The foundation wall panels are easily placed and interconnected together to quickly provide a foundation adapted to support the main walls of a home, for example. The foundation panels in one embodiment generally include a facewall that may have at least one carbon fiber band positioned horizontally therethrough to provide additional stiffness.

Abstract: A protective wall (1) for shielding against laser beams, in particular those stemming from welding machines, wherein the protective wall (1) contains light-alloy shaped sections (10-13) that are essentially rectangular and incorporates chambers that are formed by interior walls (2), and profilings that are formed on the front and/or side, wherein the light-alloy shaped sections (10-14) are lined up and connected side wall to side wall in an individually removable manner to form the protective wall (20, 22; 21, 23; 24, 25) in such a way that the profiling on the side is implemented step-like from a front wall (26) to a back wall (27).

Abstract: A siding system is arranged as individual interconnectable pieces, each representing an individual piece of natural building material, such as brick or stone. The individual pieces are preferably made of injection-molded plastic and include vertical interlocking mechanisms and horizontal alignment mechanisms which cooperate with the vertical interlocks. Good esthetics, as well as good weather proofing, are provided by maintaining a flat panel surface against a supporting wall or substrate.

Abstract: In a suspended ceiling segment known as a cloud, lengths of flat, flexible sheets form panels that are held in the grid of the segment by tracks on the panels that engage tracks on the main beams of the grid. The flexible sheets can bend to conform to the vertical contour of the segment as the tracks are engaged.

Abstract: A system for cladding roofs and facades of buildings includes elongated tracks. Each track has opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the track. Each of a plurality of elongated panels has opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the panel. Each panel is adapted to be interlocked between two spaced, parallel tracks. The system also includes fin components. Each fin component has two lengthwise edge portions defining a base of the fin component. A fin depends from the base of the fin component, which is adapted to be interlocked within a track with the fin extending away from the track with lengthwise edges of two proximate panels interlocked between the base of the fin component and the lengthwise edges of the track. Similar systems are provided for corners, overhangs, and jambs as may be encountered in a building.

Abstract: The invention relates to panels comprising coupling means which permit the panels to be interconnected by form fit. A first panel comprises a projecting edge positioned laterally on its underside as the coupling element. A second panel comprises a projecting edge positioned laterally on its upper side as the coupling element. One of the aforementioned edges has a first projecting locking element which engages in a corresponding first cavity or recess of the other edge when the two panels are joined together. The panels comprise additional coupling elements which lock the panels by form fit in a vertical direction, in relation to the surface of said panels. The coupling elements are configured in such a way that one panel can be connected to the other panel by form fit, by lowering the former in relation to the latter. Two panels of the aforementioned type can be interconnected without adhesive in a particularly rapid manner.

Abstract: A modular floor system employing shared loading between adjacent panels. The modular floor system is comprised of a plurality of lower panels with each panel having interlocking features and a plurality of upper panels with each panel having interlocking features. The lower panels are arranged in a pattern adjacent to each other. The upper panels are similarly arranged in a pattern adjacent to each other and positioned above the lower panels. The pattern of upper panels is arranged such that each upper panel interlocking features engages with the complementary interlocking features of a plurality of lower panels. The resulting unified structure forms a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: A roofing system includes at least one row of tiles extending across a surface in a row direction, a first tile of the at least one row of tiles including a rain lock adapted to interlock with a second tile adjacent to and within the same row as the first tile, wherein the rain lock has a lower end, an upper end, and a weakened portion proximate the lower end to allow for removal of a predetermined portion of the rain lock. The second tile of the roofing system includes a corner at the upper end of the rain lock of the first tile, the corner including a notch and a second weakened portion to allow for lengthening of the notch.

Abstract: A fastening device template for binding a plurality of mosaic units has a clip core comprising a pair of wings further comprising a leg unit resiliently flexible to allow for frictional insertion into a predetermined groove of one of the plurality of mosaic units, whereby the pair of wings and the leg unit are coupled in an engage disengage configuration to the clip core and a tip of the at least one leg of the twin leg unit is a protruding tip configured to fit into the predetermined groove to enable quick assembly and disassembly of fixation joints in the plurality of mosaic units.

Abstract: A floor covering system is described comprising at least two layers in which one of the layers is a base layer made from a multitude of interlocking base elements having a multitude of raised hollow tubes with tapering sides on the upper surface and the other layer is a top covering layer, preferably made from a vinyl material, preferably having a simulated wooden appearance, to which is adhered a fabric backing layer having a multitude of loops. In use the base elements are placed on a floor with the tubes uppermost and the top covering layer with the loops lowermost placed on the base elements such that the loops engage around the tapering side surfaces of the tubes to releasably attach the two layers together so that when required, such as for example, when the top covering layer is worn, the top covering layer can be removed from the base layer without having to also remove the base layer thereby allowing the floor covering layer to be readily replaced with a new floor covering layer.

Abstract: A simulated brick panel is made by applying a first layer of mortar on a base panel, applying a second layer of mortar over the first mortar layer, and then cutting grooves in the second layer to expose the first layer of mortar to view. The first layer of mortar is chosen to have a color of mortar and the second layer of mortar is chosen to have a color of brick so that the grooves will effect a simulation of mortar lines between bricks. A tool especially adapted for cutting the grooves is also provided.

Abstract: A flooring, for example for pitches for soccer, five-a-side football, American football, rugby, etc. which includes a polyolefin-based impermeable layer and an elastic mattress laid on top of the impermeable layer which includes a core layer having an agglomerate granular material and an envelope that envelops the core layer. A structure of synthetic-grass covering is laid on top of the elastic mattress and includes a sheetlike substrate with a plurality of filiform formations extending from the substrate to simulate the grassy sward of natural turf, as well as a particulate filling material or infill dispersed between the filiform formations to maintain the filiform formations themselves in a substantially upright condition. The flooring is suited to being laid directly on the previously flattened laying foundation so as to bestow a camber thereon to facilitate draining, such as a pitched camber.

Abstract: A ceiling panel installation bracket has first and second flanges, and is alternatively attachable to an overhead joist or to a vertical surface of a top plate spanning a set of wall studs. The bracket has a hinged flange to which an elongated, oblique, floor-engaging, panel support can be secured. Two assemblies, each consisting of a bracket and an elongated panel support are used in laterally space relationship to guide a ceiling panel into place. Retractable stops provided on the oblique supports are used to support a ceiling panel temporarily.

Abstract: A block (30) useful in creating, for example, a landscape edging, a patio framing for a patio is L-shaped and includes a first member (32) and a second member (34). The block (30) is adapted to be arranged in an interlocking or interfitting fashion with other similarly configured blocks (30).

Abstract: Reinforcing connector (10) for reinforcing attachment among components (110) of a structure (100); such as crossing beams (111), beam (111) supporting a slab deck (113), or masonry blocks (118). Reinforcing connector (10) includes a length of roving (20) composed of filaments (25). Roving (20) is disposed in borehole (50) piercing component (110). Free ends (21,23) of roving (20) protrude from borehole openings (51) and are splayed apart into individual filaments (25). Filaments (25) are attached to surfaces of components (110) with adhesive means (30). Reinforcing connector (10) increases ductility and resistance to lateral forces of structure (100).

Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system having tongue and grooves provided with protrusions and cavities which are displaceable in relation to each other and configured such that the protrusions can obtain a vertically unlocked position where they match the cavities and a vertically locked position where the protrusions overlap each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laying and mechanically connecting panels in rows parallel to one another. The method includes forming a super panel comprising a first plurality of panels in a first panel row, to be newly laid, the super panel being formed by connecting together second pairs of locking elements in adjacent panels of the first panel row. The method also includes connecting the super panel to a second plurality of panels in an already laid second panel row by working in sections, beginning at an end of the super panel, by utilizing a torsional flexibility of the super panel to engage the first pair of locking elements. During the connecting, the first plurality of panels do not move relative to each other along the second pair of edges.