Abstract: A solar panel mounting anchor adapted for mounting a solar panel on a flat roof, the anchor comprising integral ballast, and edges comprising a resilient material and at least one engagement feature adapted to receive a solar panel and to space the panel from said roof, and a base adapted to inhibit slipping of the anchor on said roof. Preferably the integral ballast is such that the mass of the anchor is at least 15 kg.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved wall for resisting lateral forces imposed on a building that incorporates the wall. Specifically, this invention relates to a wall in a light-frame building having within it a sub-component specifically designed to resist lateral forces imposed on the building such as those caused by an earthquake or by wind loading. The wall is formed with a bottom plate that rests on the underlying structural component of the building. A plurality of vertically-disposed studs connect to the bottom plate, and a top plate is supported by and connects to the vertically-disposed studs. A shear-resisting assembly connects to the top plate and the underlying structural component. The shear-resisting assembly has top and bottom struts and first and second chords and a planar shear resisting element connected thereto.

Abstract: A method of categorizing fasteners and construction connectors by size and type using a color coding system. Each fastener receives a designated and distinct color contained on the surface that is exposed before and after installation. The colors are preselected to define one or more physical properties of the fasteners. A color key is provided to determine the physical properties of the fasteners based on the coloring of exposed portions of the inserted fasteners. Similarly, construction connectors receive a designated and distinct color contained on the surface that is exposed before and after installation. The color represented on the surface of the construction connector is such that the corresponding fastener is the same color.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prefabricated construction component for wooden architectures comprising at least one panel-shaped portion (23) and at least one panel support component (212) attached to the panel, and made of a single piece of high density wood by means of a moulding or extrusion type production process, enabling a quick assembly particularly by means of a plurality of support components forming ribs constituting side strips (212) each connected to a lower crossbeam (213) and an upper crossbeam (221), the prefabricated component (2) constituting a wall being closed at least partially by the panel (23), the prefabricated component resting on its lower crossbeam, the upper crossbeam, supported by side strips, being at a height corresponding to a floor-to-ceiling height.

Abstract: A tile bracket support system that has a tile side support bracket or clip and a tile bottom support bracket or clip attached to the tile without the use of screws or adhesives. The tile side support bracket or clip has tile side edge embedding members and vertical frame member engaging members. The tile bottom support bracket has tile bottom edge embedding members and horizontal frame member engaging members thereby holding the tile affixed to the horizontal and vertical frame members without the use of screws or adhesives.

Abstract: A connector that joins flat roof panels coplanarly together. The connector includes a body, a neck, a head, a pair of legs, a pair of feet, and a pair of toes. The neck extends upwardly from the body. The head extends transversely across the neck. The pair of legs depend from the body. The pair of feet extend outwardly from the pair of legs, respectively. The pair of toes extend upwardly from the pair of feet, respectively. The body, the neck, and the head together define a pair of opposing channels that coplanarly and slidingly receive the flat roof panels, respectively, so as to form a connection. The pair of legs, the pair of feet, and the pair of toes together define a pair of upwardly opening channels that provide a runoff for any water passing through the connection and running down the pair of legs.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching items such as solar shading to curtain walling mullions of the kind defined, comprises a bracket having a generally U-shaped formation at one end for fitting over the generally U-shaped formation of the glazing bar of a mullion, a substantially planar portion which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion, projects forwardly of the glazing bar and in use between two adjacent glazing units and a seal locating formation projecting laterally of the substantially planar portion. The generally U-shaped formation comprises a web portion and two parallel or substantially parallel side portions. The web portion has an aperture therein above and/or below the substantially planar portion for receiving a self-tapping screw which can, in use, extend through the aperture and engage with the groove in the U-shaped formation of the glazing bar.

Abstract: A connector that joins flat roof panels coplanarly together. The connector includes a body, a neck, a head, a pair of legs, a pair of feet, and a pair of toes. The neck extends upwardly from the body. The head extends transversely across the neck. The pair of legs depend from the body. The pair of feet extend outwardly from the pair of legs, respectively. The pair of toes extend upwardly from the pair of feet, respectively. The body, the neck, and the head together define a pair of opposing channels that coplanarly and slidingly receive the flat roof panels, respectively, so as to form a connection. The pair of legs, the pair of feet, and the pair of toes together define a pair of upwardly opening channels that provide a runoff for any water passing through the connection and running down the pair of legs.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like), for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. A central web board can have a length of approximately 8 feet or longer with metal forms running along each of the longitudinal side edges of the board. A first embodiment metal-wood stud member has adhesive pocket end configurations. A second embodiment is a metal-wood top and bottom track having an adhesive pocket configuration. A third embodiment is a metal-wood stud having P-shape end configurations.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like), for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. A central web board can have a length of approximately 8 feet or longer with metal forms running along each of the longitudinal side edges of the board. A first embodiment metal-wood stud member has adhesive pocket end configurations. A second embodiment is a metal-wood top and bottom track having an adhesive pocket configuration. A third embodiment is a metal-wood stud having P-shape end configurations.

Abstract: Lintels having metal side plates are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a lintel constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a generally rectangular frame of a height, length and thickness substantially corresponding to the dimensions of the opening in which the lintel is to be installed. The frame is formed by connected, first and second elongate chord members (e.g., nominal “2×N” members) that extend in spaced, substantially parallel, overlying relationship to each other. The subject lintel also includes at least one generally rectangular, metal side plate having at least first and second spaced groupings of integrally formed teeth extending from one side along opposite longitudinal edges thereof. The respective teeth groupings engage the first and second chords.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like), for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. A central web board can have a length of approximately 8 feet or longer with metal forms running along each of the longitudinal side edges of the board. A first embodiment metal-wood stud member has adhesive pocket end configurations. A second embodiment is a metal-wood top and bottom track having an adhesive pocket configuration. A third embodiment is a metal-wood stud having P-shape end configurations.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved wall for resisting lateral forces imposed on a building that incorporates the wall. Specifically, this invention relates to a wall in a light-frame building having within it a sub-component specifically designed to resist lateral forces imposed on the building such as those caused by an earthquake or by wind loading. The wall is formed with a bottom plate that rests on the underlying structural component of the building. A plurality of vertically-disposed studs connect to the bottom plate, and a top plate is supported by and connects to the vertically-disposed studs. A shear-resisting assembly connects to the top plate and the underlying structural component. The shear-resisting assembly has top and bottom struts and first and second chords and a planar shear resisting element connected thereto.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like.) for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break The invention connects J-shaped or triangular shaped metal forms to wood sections. The metal flange ends can have various J, C, L, right triangular, triangular, T and straight line cross-sectional shapes. The wood is fastened to the metal by machine pressing of the metal to wood. Alternatively the fastening includes nails, staples, screws, and the like, and also by adhesive glue.

Abstract: An enclosure for a room, patio, or the like is made of modular parts that hide from view all fasteners and other functional parts. The parts include upstanding regular posts, corner posts, open back posts, horizontal beams and chair rails, as well as door frames, door jambs, door sweeps, and other parts required for an enclosure construction. Aesthetic cover members are snap-fittingly engaged to the modular parts and confronting pairs of the cover members, in a first embodiment, are very closely spaced to one another to accommodate a screen between them. In second and third embodiments, the confronting cover members have larger spaces between them to accommodate opaque, translucent, or transparent panels of about one-half inch and three-quarter inches, respectively.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like.) for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. The invention connects J-shaped or triangular shaped metal forms to wood sections. The metal flange ends can have various J, C, L, right triangular, triangular, T and straight line cross-sectional shapes. The wood is fastened to the metal by machine pressing of the metal to wood. Alternatively the fastening includes nails, staples, screws, and the like, and also by adhesive glue.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like.) for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. The invention connects J-shaped or triangular shaped metal forms to wood sections. The metal flange ends can have various J, C, L, right triangular, triangular, T and straight line cross-sectional shapes. The wood is fastened to the metal by machine pressing of the metal to wood. Alternatively the fastening includes nails, staples, screws, and the like, and also by adhesive glue.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like.) for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. The invention connects J-shaped or triangular shaped metal forms to wood sections. The metal flange ends can have various J, C, L, right triangular, triangular, T and straight line cross-sectional shapes. The wood is fastened to the metal by machine pressing of the metal to wood. Alternatively the fastening includes nails, staples, screws, and the like, and also by adhesive glue.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like.) for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. The invention connects J-shaped or triangular shaped metal forms to wood sections. The metal flange ends can have various J, C, L, right triangular, triangular, T and straight line cross-sectional shapes. The wood is fastened to the metal by machine pressing of the metal to wood. Alternatively the fastening includes nails, staples, screws, and the like, and also by adhesive glue.

Abstract: Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like.) for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roil formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. The invention connects J-shaped or triangular shaped metal forms to wood sections. The metal flange ends can have various J, C, L, right triangular, triangular, T and straight line cross-sectional shapes. The wood is fastened to the metal by machine pressing of the metal to wood. Alternatively the fastening includes nails, staples, screws, and the like, and also by adhesive glue.

Abstract: A shear resistant structural panel assembly for use in framed buildings comprising a facing of finish material bonded and having a lower tensile strength to a usually thinner, structural membrane having a higher tensile strength and directly fastened to structural framing elements by a series of shouldered fasteners applied through the shear panel along both its edges and within the field of the panel, said fasteners securing said structural membrane to the face of the structural framing elements at the bearing face of the shoulder to resist shearing and separation forces on said assembly. The preferred embodiment is a nail with a cone shaped ridge located below the surface of the nail's head at a depth sufficient to pin the sheet metal to the supporting structural frame. The bevel indents the sheet metal providing a broad bearing surface sa as to increase the tearout strength as well as preventing the sheet metal from lifting free of the framing element.

Abstract: A riveted sidewall structure for a trailer body comprising a pair of upstanding side plate members and upstanding post members covering adjacent edges of the plate member. Rivets extend through aligned apertures in the plate members and the post member. The rivets have conical heads with an included angle for swaging the wall of the hole in the member through which the head extends for ensuring complete filling of the hole substantially at the sheer plane between the members.

Abstract: Wall construction, comprising a number of framework components, including uprights and horizontal beams, at a distance from each other, a number of wall components, including panels and casings, and coupling means composed of a number of couplings each designed for coupling a wall component to a framework component, a wall component coupled to a framework component having an essentially vertically running straight edge along which one or more couplings are fitted. A coupling comprises a guide means for the framework component, a sliding plate which is slidable vertically over or in the guide means, and a hook element fitted on a wall component with a lip extending essentially vertically, in such a way that after placing of the wall component against the framework component the sliding plate is slid by means of a pushing end of a tool from an uncoupled position in a vertical direction along the adjacent edge of the wall component to a coupled position over the lip.

Abstract: A panel jointing system comprises an alignment strip having locating surfaces to engage the adjacent margins of the faces of two coplanar panels, and engaging means being provided in association with the strip to retain the panels in position. The engaging means preferably acts by penetrating the edge of the panel material, and may comprise a pair of flexible barbed projections extending from the strip, which may be flexed to embed the barbs into the respective panel edges. The barbs may be flexed by inserting an expansion element between them to force them apart. Alternatively, the engaging means may be a plurality of blade elements which may be embedded into the panel edges and also be retained by the strip.

Abstract: A wall construction is provided which includes a wall upon which are located siding sections to which are fastened brick sections. The siding sections are arranged in coplanar end-to-end relationship and include abutting ends with nesting tongue and groove arrangements to resist relative transverse movement between the sections. The tongue defines a passage extending transversely across the same. A clip is provided which includes a central portion located between the ends of the siding sections. The central portion extends through the aforementioned passage in the tongue. The clip includes further portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion along opposite sides of the siding sections. A protruding flange is provided which extends outwardly from the first further portion and a settable material is provided adjacent the siding sections. The protruding portion is embedded in the settable material.

Abstract: A window frame member formed as a hollow extrusion of rigid plastics material has a hollow space partly defined by a wall portion including two opposed, undercut lips and a web interconnecting the lips. Internal grooves are provided along the junctions of the web with the lips to provide lines of severance allowing the web to be readily removed so as to provide a slot between the edges of the lips. Preferably, the web and adjoining parts of the lips have a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface. This invention allows the frame member to be used either with the web in place, in which case there is no slot or observable discontinuity in the exterior wall, or with the web removed where it is desired to provide a slot for weather stripping or attachment of adjacent pieces. The web may be readily removed with simple tools.

Abstract: A ceiling tile section support. A flat rectangular main body portion has a plurality of wedge-shaped prongs extending laterally thereform and at least two rectangular support members extending laterally from substantialy the central portion of the main body portion in a direction opposed to that of the prongs. The prongs are inserted into the cut edge of a ceiling tile. The rectangular support members rest on a wall runner to support the cut edge of the ceiling tile.

Abstract: A composite glass facade plate or panel has bores formed directly in an inner glass pane thereof through which fastening screws pass via the intermediary of sleeves or bushings. The bores are undercut and the screws have heads complementary to the undercut. Hangers, brackets or the like are affixed to the shanks of the screws projecting from the inner surfaces of the panels.

Abstract: A circuit board stiffener includes an elongated stiffening member adapted to extend over the board surface in spaced relation to that surface; the member has contact surfaces adapted to engage one side of the board, and bendable retainer structure to retain the member in position relative to the board. The retainer structure may comprise bendable arms that project through board openings to be bent at the opposite side of the board, and to be locked in position by solder at that opposite side. The member may have a zig-zag cross section to enhance its stiffness.

Abstract: The ceiling tile suspension system is composed of a runner structure and a clip structure. The runner structure is generally trapezoidal in cross section with two flanges spaced away from a ceiling structure. The clip structure includes a flat base portion with flanges that grasp the flanges of the runner. The clip structure has a serrated edge connected to the flat base portion and the serrated edge either digs into the edge of the ceiling tile or slips into a kerf in the edge of the ceiling tile to hold the ceiling tile in position against the clip flat base portion.

Abstract: A method of lining an interior surface of a furnace with roll-type insulation by attaching a plurality of hooks onto the interior surface to be lined, folding back portions of the roll-type insulation on themselves to create folds in the roll-type insulation, and pressing the folds onto the hooks to thereby attach the roll-type insulation to the interior surface. Each of the plurality of hooks includes a hook member for passage through portions of the roll-type insulation. Each hook member is fixedly attached to the interior surface of the furnace either by being welded directly thereto when the interior surface of the furnace is metal or by being fixedly attached to a plate member which is in turn bolted, riveted, or otherwise fixedly attached to the interior surface of the furnace. The hook member includes a leg portion having a pointed first end for passage through the roll-type insulation and having a second end.

Abstract: An elongated, hollow stud, or wall support member, is formed of sheet material, and has at least one longitudinally extending planar wall. The wall is formed with a longitudinally extending series of rectangularly formed holes, the holes being so aligned as to each receive a wall panel retainer so disposed therein as to effect an abutting relationship between the edges of two adjacent wall panels. The retainer has a spring tensioned clip portion removably insertable through the holes to project interiorly of the wall stud, and further has terminally formed, sharply pointed teeth, disposed exteriorly of the hole to engage an edge portion of a wall panel. Such imbed themselves in the material of the wall panel.

Abstract: A relocatable wall mounting system is disclosed making use of a half-clip which, when mounted adjacent to a like half-clip at the abutting edges of wallboard panels, forms a spring clip attachment for engaging a slot in a support member to attach the panels to the support member. The half-clip has: a first shoulder section adaptable to be driven into the end of the wallboard panel; a base section extending from the shoulder section; a second shoulder section connected to the base section and extending in the direction of the end to be driven into the panel; and a curved spring arm extending outwardly and curving arcuately in the direction of the end to be driven into the panel.