Abstract: Disclosed is a tile floor adhesive spreader device and method of spreading tile adhesive in a defined pathway, comprising a rectangular frame having a first and second set of roller wheels, removable side inserts, a rear trowel blade and a defined railway for guiding the second set of wheels along a straight pathway. The frame is one comprising four side panels having width adjustment, an open interior section for retaining pouring adhesive and upstanding posts for slideably retaining the frame side inserts and allowing the inserts to slide against and follow the subfloor surface. The rear trowel blade is adjustably mounted to the rear of the frame for defining the upper surface of the adhesive aft of the frame, while the first set of wheels rolls along a surface placed over installed tile and the second set of wheels travels along an upstanding portion of an L-shaped guide rail.

Abstract: A bolt holding device that has a seating platform for anchor bolts and support for it in an elevated position.

Abstract: Provided is a floor construction apparatus that includes a guide unit that is disposed on surface of a floor to be constructed, and a flattening unit that is guided by the guide unit, to then be transferred to flatten the surface of the floor to be constructed, and to thereby reduce a construction time and expense for flattening of the construction surface of the floor.

Abstract: A system for safe, efficient lifting of partially fabricated walls during light-frame construction. Such walls are built in a horizontal position and are manually rotated into a vertical position using a lifting apparatus mounted to one or more framing members of the wall. The lifting apparatus allows the wall to be positioned and held at an intermediate resting/safety point for protection of user during the lift. A method of use and kit comprising the lifting apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tool for changing a substantially level or unlevel floor to a sloped floor having a predetermined slope includes a float stick formed of a rigid, cuttable material so that it can be cut to length as required by the size of the floor. The float stick has a sloped top edge and a flat bottom edge. The sloped top edge slopes downwardly from a proximal end to a distal end of the float stick at a predetermined slope per linear unit. A spirit level is mounted to the float stick and is calibrated so that its bubble is centered when the flat bottom edge is level. At least one vertical bore is formed in the float stick and an adjustment peg is disposed within the bore. The adjustment peg is extended from the bore to level the flat bottom edge of the float stick on an uneven floor.

Abstract: A construction panel support tool includes a suspension frame having a mounting member to mount the tool to a ceiling joist adjacent a construction panel installation site and a guide member coupled thereto. An elongate support member movably supported on the guide member is movable relative thereto between a deployed position in which a distal portion of the support member extends beneath the panel installation site, and a standby position. The tool may include a locking member selectively engageable to retain the support member in a desired position, such as a deployed position, and may optionally include a biasing member selectively engageable to bias the distal portion of the support member toward the panel installation site.

Abstract: A construction panel positioning tool includes a ramp member having a support platform to support a panel edge, and a downwardly inclined ramp section configured to slidingly engage and guide a panel edge placed thereon toward the support platform. A stabilizing member coupled to the ramp member engages a structural building component to support the ramp member in position. A construction panel support tool includes a suspension frame having guides that slidably engage a ceiling joist, and a support member cantilevered thereto, which has a top surface spaced from the bottom of a ceiling joist to provide clearance for a construction panel. A system includes one or more of each tool. The positioning tool(s) is/are installed to position and support a first panel edge. The opposite panel edge is then lifted against the ceiling and then supported by the support member of a support tool that is moved into place.

Abstract: Interconnected and on-site severable deck clips with cooperating installation tool for joining two adjacent decking planks to an underlying support structure. The deck clips are interconnected and on-site severable, are attached to the underlying support structure, and engage the two adjacent decking planks so as to fasten the two adjacent decking planks to the underlying support structure without a need for nails or screws to pass through the two adjacent decking planks. The installation tool is hand-held, removably receives a number of the deck clips, and feeds the deck clips one at a time to fasten to the underlying support structure, and when a deck clip is fastened to the underlying support structure, the deck clip is severed from the other deck clips in the installation tool and a next deck clip is feed by way of the installation tool and attached to the underlying support structure to engage the two adjacent decking planks.

Abstract: A tool connects a stud in place to a longitudinal track in a metal stud wall system installation. The tool includes a tool head having an upright slot in which a track flange is received and a pair of rams mounted on the tool head for linear movement transversely of the track. The rams are spaced apart and straddle opposite sides of the stud. The rams have leading tips with cutting edges. An actuator moves the rams into cutting engagement with the track flange in the upright slot to cut hinged tabs in the track flange, and to bend the hinged tabs into frictional engagement with the opposite sides of the upright stud to connect the upright stud in place to the track.

Abstract: A method of framing a structure at a job site. The method of framing has a step of providing a framing material kit having framing components, the framing components being pre cut to length and size to form at least a portion of the structure, the framing components having mating pins and mating sockets that mate during assembly of the structure. A step of assembling mating framing components from the framing components to form the portion of the structure by mating the mating pins and the mating sockets and fastening the mating framing components together is provided.

Abstract: A construction fastening system adapted to fasten sheathing to framing with one or more fasteners. The fastening system has a frame and a fastening actuator coupled to the frame. The fastening actuator has a fastener reservoir portion and a fastener insertion portion. A position detector is coupled to the frame, the position detector connected to a controller, the position detector adapted to detect a position of the system. A trigger is coupled to the fastening actuator, the trigger coupled to the controller. The fastening actuator is adapted to insert a fastener from the reservoir into the sheathing upon actuation of the trigger. The controller is adapted to actuate the trigger upon detection of a predetermined change in the position of the system.

Abstract: A fascia board support device features a rafter bracket having a side member for placement against one vertical side of the rafter, and a movable member pivotally coupled to the side member for movement into and out of a deployed position in which at least a portion of the movable member depends downward on an opposing side of the roof rafter. A clamping mechanism forces the depending portion against this opposing side of the roof rafter to clamp the device thereon, at which point a fascia board support projecting from the front end of the rafter bracket can seat a fascia board. After fastening of the fascia board to the rafter, the device is easily removed by releasing the clamp, flipping the movable member over to same side of the rafter as the side member and lowering the device to withdraw the support from beneath the fastened fascia board.

Abstract: A multi-sided framing guide includes a stud side with stud pockets, a nail side with nailing windows, and an intermediate side adjoining the stud and nail sides.

Abstract: A site-assembled enclosure of the present invention includes a plurality of upstanding staves arranged side-by-side and held together by top and bottom rails. The enclosure is preferably a pool including a coping extending entirely around and in releasably secured relation to the rails that fasten the upper ends of the staves together and a flexible liner and cover releasably secured to the coping. The wooden staves include opposing vertical edges interconnecting the two staves. The leveling gauge for leveling a construction area preferably includes a threaded rod, a pivot bracket rotatably mounted on the threaded rod, a board extending from the pivot bracket, and a level mounted on the board. A method of assembling an enclosure is also described.

Abstract: An automated brick laying system (10) for constructing a building from a plurality of bricks (16) comprises a robot (12) provided with a brick laying and adhesive applying head (18), a measuring system (13), and a controller (14) that provides control data to the robot (12) to lay the bricks (16) at predetermined locations. The measuring system (13) measures in real time the position of the head (18) and produces position data for the controller (14). The controller (14) produces control data on the basis of a comparison between the position data and a predetermined or pre-programmed position of the head (18) to lay a brick (16) at a predetermined position for the building under construction. The controller (14) can control the robot (12) to construct the building in a course by course manner where the bricks (16) are laid sequentially at their respective predetermined positions and where a complete course of bricks for the entire building is laid prior to laying of the brick for the next course.

Abstract: A tool for assembling deck boards of a decking structure that uses pronged fasteners to secure the deck boards thereto, the pronged fasteners establishing an at least ?? gap between adjacent deck boards. The tool compresses an unsecured deck board into engagement with a set of pronged fasteners that are attached to an exposed edge of an installed deck board. The tool has a stationary jaw and a moveable jaw supported for movement relative to one another by a frame. Each jaw has a depending lip disposed on an outer edge thereof that is configured to engage one of the deck boards. The tool also has an actuating mechanism that moves the moveable jaw relative to the stationary jaw. The actuating mechanism is, preferably, manually powered, hydraulically powered, or screw driven.

Abstract: A multi-component spin hardware is provided for connecting structural framing members to other structural framing members while allowing desired portions of the framing members to pivot, selectively displacing the framing members to variable positions. The spin hardware generally includes a top bracket, bottom bracket and counter bracket assembly. The spin hardware bracket assemblies can be installed along a vertical axis in infinite locations providing maximum flexibility and creativity while connecting structural framing members in infinite configurations.

Abstract: An elongated strap member that is coiled in a box and is bent lengthwise as it is drawn out of the box, providing an economical, light, compact means of connecting multiple structural members without sagging or other disadvantageous deformations between the structural members. The structural members are bridged by strap member. The end of the strap member is bent over.

Abstract: A machine for constructing height adjustable stair steps with tread/riser unit, and riser bracket.

Abstract: A device and method for the proper installation of flexible flooring such as sheet flooring and more particularly the formation of flash coving and proper installation thereof comprising two complementary portions of a guide tool of proper angles and straightedges required to form mitered corner formation and installation.

Abstract: A rebar clip is provided for joining a larger diameter rebar to a smaller diameter rebar transverse to the larger diameter rebar. In a first embodiment the clip includes diameter reducing tabs extending into upper arches of the clip for engagement with smaller diameter bars crossed on top of larger diameter bars. In a second embodiment the clip includes diameter reducing tabs extending into lower arches of the clip so that the clip may hold larger diameter bars on top of smaller diameter bars. A guide track for a clip applying gun is provided which allows for use with either version of clips and with clips of the same nominal diameter for joining equal size bars.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing balusters are provided. A baluster insert according to an embodiment of the invention provides a round insert having an opening shaped to accommodate a baluster and ribs spaced equally around the outer perimeter of the insert. An angled insert is provided for facilitating installation of a handrail. Installation involved placing a baluster insert over a lower end of a baluster and then placing the baluster into a pre-drilled hole. The baluster insert is then pressed into the hole. A similar process occurs at the top of the baluster where the angled insert is pressed into a pre-drilled hole in the underside of a handrail.

Abstract: The present invention provide an apparatus, devices and/or systems for the installation of building material which allows one individual on his own to install building material. The device includes at least one resting surface spaced apart from a fastener.

Abstract: A portable jig used in light frame construction has a rigid body formed from a resilient material that is approximately rectangular in shape with a central planar web with a peripheral, perpendicular flange, and at least three saddles, attached to the central planar web. The jig also possesses a vertical framing flange that extends from one of the saddles and is parallel to the central planar web. The longitudinal axes of at least two of the saddles are parallel to each other and are spaced apart in conformity with standard building code spacing. The longitudinal axis of at least one of the remaining saddles is perpendicular to the aforementioned parallel saddles. These saddles are used to position the vertical framing elements at the desired spacing and at the same time ensure that they perpendicular to the horizontal framing elements.

Abstract: A ceiling grid beam cutting apparatus is provided. The ceiling grid beam cutting apparatus includes a base plate and a cutting instrument combined with two clamps and a guide plate. The clamps and guide plate secure the ceiling grid beam to the base plate. The clamps are positioned at opposite 45 degree angles from the cutting instrument. The guide plate is positioned to hold the ceiling grid beam securely on its side to allow for precise off-center cuts of the ceiling grid beam to form a connection tab.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for aligning doors and windows during installation, and methods of use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides devices for properly aligning a door and/or window with the interior surface of a wall during installation.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool including a guide that guides a fastener into a side of a work piece at an angle, while optionally restraining the fastener from wobbling due to rotation, even upon initial entry into the work piece. The guide can define an angled bore including a fastener entrance opening and a fastener exit opening which is adapted to be positioned immediately adjacent the work piece. The guide can include a material ejection port between the openings, through which material bored from the work piece can be evacuated from the angled bore to prevent binding of the material with the fastener. The tool can include a clamp assembly that clamps opposing sides of the work piece to precisely align and steadily hold the angled bore as a fastener is being installed in a side surface. Related methods of using the tool to install fasteners also are provided.

Abstract: Tab cutting apparatus designed to assist in floor leveling, the tab cutting apparatus including a base designed for movement along the surface of a floor. A framework is affixed to the base and supports a vertically movable portion above the base. The framework and vertically movable portion include height control apparatus capable of moving the movable portion vertically relative to the framework. Height sensing apparatus is affixed to the movable portion. A cutting element is affixed to the movable portion and positioned at a fixed distance below the height sensing apparatus. The cutting element is designed to cut an upright ribbon or rod portion of a leveling tab.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for foundation systems generally include a vertical support, a horizontal support configured to couple to the vertical support, and a composite material configured to couple to the horizontal support. The vertical support may be configured to resist fluctuation in soil elevation. The composite material may comprise a block material and a fibrous material.

Abstract: A rail securing system comprising at least one angle guide plate allows a perfect retention of the tension clamp in its pre-assembly position and facilitates final assembly. The angle guide plate has recess, which is designed as a seat for a free end section of a spring arm of a tension clamp to be mounted on the angle guide plate, wherein the recess engages around the end section by less than half of its circumference. The transition between the recess and the section of the angle guide plate which follows on from the recess in the direction of the rail is formed such as to be free of any abrupt change, so that the tension clamp can be pushed in a simple manner on the angle guide plate into its assembly position.

Abstract: A tool and a method for cutting an elongate runner piece used to support a ceiling tile and having an inverted T-shaped body and including: a) a crossbar having a downwardly facing surface with a width; and b) a stem. The method includes the steps of: providing a tool with a support assembly and cutting assembly; placing the runner piece in a cutting position upon the support assembly; with the rail piece in the cutting position, repositioning at least one cutting element on the cutting assembly to thereby cut into the crossbar on the body over substantially the full width of the downwardly facing surface of the crossbar at a first lengthwise location; and cutting the stem adjacent to the first lengthwise location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a two-dimensional panel (1) for floor coverings, wall and ceiling coverings, preferably for moisture-prone rooms, comprising the following steps: milling one upper longitudinal groove (6) into a base panel, starting from its useful side (5), the longitudinal groove (6) is filled with an elastic water-repellent plastics or sealing mass (9); and after hardening of the plastics or sealing mass (9), at least one lower longitudinal groove (11) is milled, starting from its rear side (10), the depth of which groove reaching as far as to the sealing mass (9) or into the sealing mass of one of the upper longitudinal grooves (6), thus forming an elastic expansion joint (12) of the panel (1).

Abstract: A material (1) for installation over a plurality of regularly spaced joists (12) to insulate a floor structure (10), the material (1) having a plurality of spaced apart sets of linearly arranged holes (3) extending across the width of the material (1), the holes (3) intended to overly the joists so that once the material (1) is in place, flooring material (90) can be adhered to the joists (12) through the holes (3), each set of linearly arranged holes (3) allowing access to 50 to 98 percent of the length of the joist (12) overlain by the set of holes (3).

Abstract: A container is provided having a periphery and a base, which enclose a cavity. The periphery and the base are connected together, the periphery upwardly extending from the base. The periphery has a first slot and a substantially opposing second slot. Each of the first and second slots is sized to permit a first end of a tape located on a roll to be slid through it. A tape holder may be connected to the container so that the tape holder lies outside of the cavity of the container. The roll of tape can be placed on the tape holder so when the tape is pulled through the “mud box”, the tape is thereby unwound. As the tape is manually pulled through the “mud box”, joint compound is thinly applied to one side of the tape. As this is done, the joint compound begins to “adhere” to the tape, conditioning the tape for excellent wall adhesion.

Abstract: A tool for guiding the fastening of building material to structural components is provided. The tool may include a longitudinal member, a lateral member and a positioning tab that, when properly positioned over the building material, provide stable guidance as to the proper placement of building material fasteners. The tool may include measurement markings and a level for added utility.

Abstract: An assembly for sealing such as a rooftop which can include at least one type of projecting conduit such as a projecting pipe or an HVAC duct. A plurality of thermoformed membranes are provided in sheet form and are configured for applying over an exterior of the rooftop. The membranes are heat welded to one another along overlapping edges. A further plurality of membranes are configured for applying about an extending length of the conduit and are likewise being directly heat welded to one another along overlapping edges. A boot shaped membrane is applied over and directly welded to an interfacing location established between a proximate rooftop membrane and a further conduit wrapped membrane, such that the assembly provides a sectionalized and continuous vapor barrier across the roof and conduit.

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: Floorboards are shown, which consist of a core and a surface layer and are provided with decorative joint edges which are formed by removing the surface layer.

Abstract: A cutting tool for laminate flooring and the like for removing some or all of the retaining lip on a flooring plank to facilitate sliding the plank into place under an obstruction such as a door frame. The cutting tool comprises a main housing with a recess to allow it to be positioned against a flooring plank. An adjustment screw allows the cutting blade to adjust vertically to remove material from varying sizes of planks. An alternate embodiment of the cutting tool positions the cutting edge of the razor blade at the same vertical position as the retaining lip of the flooring plank to remove all of the retaining lip.

Abstract: A screed machine is formed with a forwardly positioned screed assembly including a wedge portion and pivoted wing members. The frame is supported on two rollers spaced behind the screed assembly, which is mounted on a mast for vertical movement in conjunction with a laser receiver that provides a signal from a laser level indicating the final desired grade of the stone base. The machine can be turned at a corner by extension of a jack stand to elevate the machine for rotation about the axis defined by the centrally located jack stand so that the screed machine can be redirected into a different direction without disturbing the final grade of the stone base. The screed machine is manually moved along the stone base by an operator pulling on the handle pivotally connected to the frame. A sight line provides a monitor for the lateral orientation of the screed assembly.

Abstract: Machined structural members and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a structural member includes a web portion that extends in a first direction that includes a non-planar portion, and a first flange portion coupled to the web portion that extends in the first direction. A second flange portion is coupled to the web portion that also extends in the first direction. The first flange portion and the second flange portion are spaced apart in a second direction that is approximately perpendicular to the first direction. The web portion and the first and second flange portions are integrally formed as a unitary, monoblock component.

Abstract: A drywall anchor installation device comprising, inter alia, a main driver member configured to engage a Philips head screw top, a plunger member configured to engage a Philips head screw top, and a plunger member guiding mechanism including a compression spring and a guide pin. In operation, the main driver member engages a drywall anchor at the Philips head indentation and the plunger member extends inside the axial bore of the anchor until contacting the interior surface of the axial bore or the closed end of the anchor. Once contact is made with the closed end of the anchor, the compression spring of the plunger guiding mechanism is engaged, stabilizing the anchor as the anchor is driven into the wall. Once the anchor is driven into the wall, the plunger member is used to drive the anchor screw without having to adjust the driving device.

Abstract: A formwork clamp comprising: a lower elongate support member having a head portion and a tail portion, the head portion adapted for attachment to a lower portion of formwork, an upper elongate support member having a head portion and a tail portion, the lower elongate support member and the upper elongate support member being attached relative to each other and movable relative to each other between a collapsed position where the lower elongate member is more towards or against the upper elongate member, and an extended use position where the head portion of the upper elongate member is spaced away from the lower elongate member, a mounting member attached to or forming part of the head portion of the upper elongate support member, the mounting member being attachable to an upper portion of the formwork, the upper elongate support member being adjustable in length, and anchor means to enable the formwork clamp to be anchored to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool for forming aligned repeating pattern impressions in a deformable material. This tool comprises an upper support plate with at least one handle and a lower forming surface adjacent the upper support plate. The lower forming surface has raised elements designed to form pattern impressions in the deformable material. The raised elements are defined in part by four opposite edges forming a lower perimeter adjacent an upper perimeter of the upper support plate. One of two edges of the lower perimeter is designed to create a respective impression that will match only with an impression created by a respective one of two opposite edges. To ensure proper alignment of the impression, the tool also is provided with alignment indicia to align a first impression made by one continuous perimeter edge of the raised elements to a subsequent impression made by the opposite perimeter edge of the raised elements.

Abstract: A step nose is formed having a tread portion and a riser portion, formed initially as a flat strip, the tread portion having a receiving slot formed therein, and the riser portion having a hook formed as part thereof. The tread and riser portions are stretchable with respect to one another so as to enable the hook to interlockingly engage the slot when the tread and riser portions of the flat strip are bent towards one another to thereby form a step nose ready for installation. Machines are further disclosed for forming the flat step nose strip into an assembled state by bending the tread and riser portions and interlocking them together.

Abstract: A crown molding raising, positioning and holding jig (2). Attached to a handle meant to fit an adjustable extension pole (1). With a wall plate that has a thin fiberglass extension (5) to prevent the molding from falling, and a lip (9) to rest the bottom edge of the molding on. With shims and extensions to accommodate different size and shape moldings. With a non slip base to hold the extension pole.

Abstract: A safety stud setter includes a spacer bar along with a stud flange disposed at one end of the spacer bar for abutting a first stud disposed at a right angle to a transverse stud. A stud gripper is disposed at another end of a spacer bar for positioning a second stud disposed at a right angle to the transverse stud at a preselected distance from the stud and a lever mechanism is provided for forcing the second stud against the stud base to enable nailing of the second stud to the transverse stud through the stud base without movement of the second stud from the transverse stud. Safety guides are provided for positioning a nail gull head against the stud base and preventing escape of fired nails.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine frame (1) for a packaging machine being constructed in such a way that its manufacture is simple and flexible for the various widths and lengths of foil packaging material without having the need for an expensive and labor intensive intercoupling. This machine frame is also robust and interiorly good cleanable, so that hygienic risks may be substantially decreased. This machine-building element comprises a profile element (2) made of strong sheet material, like e.g. metal or plastic material, comprising a mainly straight horizontal part (2c) that tapers off on both sides over an angle of approximately 90° to two downwardly directed vertical parts (2a, 2b). These parts are longitudinally interconnected completely to a compact unit by means of a plurality of hollow functional sockets (7).

Abstract: A tool for straightening flooring material laid over floor joists having a thickness includes a square “U” shaped wedge having a pair of spaced apart legs running in parallel. The legs are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the floor joist. A wedge body has a planar bottom side and an upper side tapering with respect to the bottom planar side from a head end downwardly to the distal ends of the legs. A planar chisel plate shaped to conform with the shape of the bottom planar side of the wedge body includes a pair of legs spaced apart a distance slightly smaller than the thickness of the floor joist. The chisel plate includes a chisel edge on each of the distal ends of the legs and further includes a chisel edge along the inside spaced apart edges of the legs of the chisel plate.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for a solar power tower includes a track, a cable, and a winch. The track extends longitudinally from the tower top to the tower base. The winch is located at the tower top and anchors the cable that extends toward the tower bottom adjacent the track. A component attached to the track and to the cable is guided along the track by the winch spooling or unspooling the cable.