Abstract: The present is a containment enclosure made from refractory material. The enclosure contains a plurality of panels and a plurality of columns made from refractory material. The enclosure has an interior portion and an exterior portion, and wherein the enclosure contains the effects of extreme fire as well as contains the effects of explosions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a column for a post frame building. The method including providing a plurality of elongate members arranged side by side. Each elongate member having first and second ends, and first, second, third and fourth faces. The plurality of elongate members may include a first side member, one or more center members, and a second side member. The method further including providing a spacer formed by a first spacer portion, a second spacer portion and a third spacer portion, the second spacer portion being at about a 90 degree angle to the first and third spacer portions. Inserting the first spacer portion between the second face of the first side member and the first face of one of the one or more center members. Inserting the third spacer portion between the second face of the one of the one or more center members and the first face of the second side member, and joining the first side member, the one or more center members, the second side member and the spacer together.

Abstract: A multi-heel connector for securing a rafter, a ceiling joist and blocking, and supporting building roof structural members in a single bracket connection to withstand enhanced load forces such as hurricane forces. The multi-heel connector combines a loop portion for securing a joist, a rafter contact surface adjacent the loop portion, having a slope which provides for a selected, predetermined roof pitch, mounting tabs for securing the multi-heel connector to a top wall plate, tabs to fasten blocking and a tie down for securing the multi-heel connector to exterior wall stud. The multi-heel connector is adaptable for accommodating a riser key to adjust the rafter contact surface pitch, and a joist spacer to accommodate a joist having a cross-section smaller than the multi-heel connector loop portion cross-section.

Abstract: A building frame resistant to earthquakes, gale-force wind loads, fire, insects and rot includes a peripheral frame wall constructed of rectangular steel tubing. Side wall frame modules and end wall modules bolted together along adjacent edges form the peripheral frame wall. Diagonal bracing is built into selected side and end wall modules as required for the desired degree of wind resistance. Trusses made of various size tube such as 2×3 inch rectangular steel tubing for supporting a roof, including a hip roof, on the peripheral wall, are assembled and welded in a welding shop and the prefabricated trusses and wall modules are trucked to the building site. Multiple stories may be erected and fastened together by anchor brackets arranged bottom-to-bottom above and below the second and higher floors. The building frame is secured to a foundation by attaching the anchor brackets to anchor bolts set in the foundation.

Abstract: Various novel roofing brackets and roofing systems are disclosed. A first embodiment can be considered a roofing bracket to be coupled to a vertical post and a horizontal purlin of a roofing system whereby the horizontal purlin is positioned to support roof panels at a requisite pitch. The roofing bracket includes a reference brace and a clip. The reference brace includes a first brace face positioned planarly parallel with the vertical post and a second brace face extending at an angle angle from the first brace face and positioned planarly parallel with the vertical post. The clip includes a first clip face positioned to be fastened generally flush with the horizontal purlin and a second clip face extending at an angle from the first clip face and positioned to be fastened planarly parallel with the vertical post. The second clip face is coupled to the first brace face at a pivot point such that the clip can be rotated a particular angle relative to the reference brace.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an infinitely adjustable anchoring system for attaching structural members to a support member. The system comprises a continuous, elongated, removable retaining track secured to the outer surface of a support member and configured to receive at least one adjustable connector plate therein. The adjustable connector plates are capable of attaching to structural members having various dimensions and pitches relative to the track. The invention includes a reusable centering bracket assembly used to install a retaining track assembly along an upper portion of a support member.

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 a step of coupling at least two of the plurality of eave blocks with a side of the structure. The method may additionally 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.

Abstract: A roof boundary connection uses a clip that eases installation of the clip to blocking members both in the field by a carpenter and at a factory by one such as a truss manufacturer. The clip is formed with two indexing tabs that are set against the blocking for correct spacing and alignment. In one form, the clip is attached to wood members with nails and to masonry with masonry screws. In one form, the clip employs nail prongs as integral connectors for attachment to blocking members, allowing truss manufacturers to install connectors on blocking members with the same hydraulic presses that are used to assemble trusses with nail prong plates.

Abstract: A retainer assembly for securing one of a girt and a purlin is provided. In one embodiment, the retainer assembly includes at least one retainer and is configured to be attached to a connecting member. The retainer is further configured to receive and retain a cross-beam, such as a girt or a purlin. The connecting member is configured to be attached to a support member.

Abstract: A roof boundary connection uses a clip that eases installation of the clip to blocking members both in the field by a carpenter and at a factory by one such as a truss manufacturer. The clip is formed with two indexing tabs that are set against the blocking for correct spacing and alignment. In one form, the clip is attached to wood members with nails and to masonry with masonry screws. In one form, the clip employs nail prongs as integral connectors for attachment to blocking members, allowing truss manufacturers to install connectors on blocking members with the same hydraulic presses that are used to assemble trusses with nail prong plates.

Abstract: An engineered perimeter rim board with machined or otherwise-formed modular recessed receptacles receives and secures I-joists and other manufactured joists at pre-designated spaces along the length of the rim board. The rim board provides pre-measured joist securement locations and structural enhancements by “locking” the joists into position. Receptacles machined/cut into the rim board may be of various shapes, such as a rectangular recess with a flat planar back wall, a profiled recess with curved top and bottom compartments, and/or an angled recess wherein two sidewalls converge to create a recess without a back wall for receiving joists at positions other than perpendicular to the rim board. The preferred 90-degree receptacle profile provides an I-joist web receiving slot for additional lateral support to help prevent joists from buckling, twisting or rolling over.

Abstract: A system and method for securing the wall framing and roof of a building structure against wind. A cable tensioner, located between two uprights of the wall framing and below the top plate, is attached to an anchor secured in the foundation. A cable extends over the first roofing member, under the top plate, over a second roofing member, through the cable tensioner, and over a third roofing member. In another embodiment, a cable tensioner has a vertical sleeve, a hollow tube affixed to the vertical sleeve, a rod extending through the vertical sleeve, and a nut threaded onto the nut for tensioning the cable.

Abstract: A modified A-frame shell building 10 with a cementitious foundation having a pair of upstanding opposing stub walls 16, 18 that engage and support a plurality of trusses 50 disposed in spaced-apart relation for supporting a roof 58. Each truss comprises a pair of rafter beams with 45° beveled corners at opposing distal ends. The rafter beams 52 rigidly join together at a 90° angle at abutted corners 75 at distal ends 72, which defines a notch 106 that receives a ridge beam 62 extending across the trusses 50. The trusses include a collar beam 56 oppositely beveled at opposing distal ends 83, 85 and connected to the rafter beams 52 intermediate the distal ends 70, 72 of the rafter beams. Base plates 84 attached to the distal end 70 of the rafters 52 receive fasteners to engage the trusses 50 to the stub walls 16, 18. A roof 58 is defined by a deck 92 of tongue and groove boards covered by a insulative panel 93 and roofing materials such as shingles 94.

Abstract: A Lightweight Pre-engineered prefabricated modular Building System comprised of prefabricated structural members and three prefabricated spacer plates which create the entire building main frame system. A multiple use principal structural member is utilized as top and bottom cords as well as end rungs for trusses and truss legs. The spacer plates are used to construct steep pitch building frames. Trusses are interchangeable anywhere in system. Eave peak members, purlins and girts are used to attach sheathing to the structural frame.

Abstract: In an arcuate roof section including a series of rafters which each define an exposed end of the prescribed height, a device positionable along the exposed ends of the series of rafters to define an arcuate facia. The device comprises at least one facia member having an arcuate inner surface, an arcuate outer surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The inner surface of the facia member is configured to abut the exposed ends of the rafters such that the outer surface defines the arcuate facia. Additionally, the width between the top edge and the bottom edge of the facia member exceeds the height of the exposed ends. The facia member may be formed from a plurality of laminated wood members or formed from bonded particulate matter. Additionally, the facia member may be formed from a plastic material.

Abstract: A Lightweight Pre-engineered prefabricated modular Building System comprised of nine pre-fabricated structural members and two prefabricated connectors which create the entire building main frame system. A multiple use principal structural member is utilized as columns. The connectors are right angle connectors; each employing a configuration of holes and slots for securing structural members to create a rigid attachment of rafters to columns. The same connectors can be employed to establish a shallow pitch or a steep pitch roof pitch through selection of the holes and slot positions used to bolt the structural frame together. Eave struts, purlins and girts are attached to mainframes and used to attach sheathing to the structural frame. Alternatively, a “V” shaped stiffener can be employed with the columns.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a portable building with a plurality of interconnected walls defining an interior space therebetween, a floor on which the walls are positioned, a roof structure connected on top of the walls, and at least one bay area for servicing an automobile. In one aspect there are a pluralities of bay areas. In one aspect the building is removably mounted on a trailer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof construction, assembled from aluminium alloy extrusions and sections which may be cut on site to the appropriate dimensions. There is a ring beam, made from a channel and a ridge member in the form of a central extruded aluminium alloy central box member, the channel and member being essentially of the same section. Thus a relatively small number of different extrusions are required.

Abstract: A truss, having an integral hold down strap, which can be attached to a wall of a structure. The truss contains an upper and lower chord and typically contains web members that extend between the upper and lower chords to provide strength and rigidity. The lower and upper chord converge at the heel of the truss and are connected by at least one nailing plate. The hold down strap is an elongate piece of sheet metal which is smooth and free of teeth, and has a first portion which contains two opposing flanges that are bent such that the first portion has a generally U-shaped cross section. The hold down strap also has a second portion sized to extend from the first portion and into engagement with one of the other structural components of a wall. The first portion of the hold down strap is sized to engage the end surface of the lower chord with the two opposing flanges engaging the side surfaces of the lower chord.

Abstract: This invention provides an overhang support system for gable roofs which eliminates any need to put a notch in the gable end truss top chord member. It utilizes a novel unitary connector device for improved support of overhang structures in a gable roof of the type including an overhang member, a gable end truss top chord member, and a first adjacent truss (to the end truss) top chord member. The rigid connector provides some holes for nailing to an intermediate support member, situated between the first adjacent truss top chord member and the gable end truss top chord member, or, optionally, in one preferred embodiment, if no intermediate support member is used, these holes are used for nailing to an overhang support member; and it provides some holes for nailing to an overhang support member, situated between the gable end truss top chord member and the overhang member; and also holes for nailing to the gable end truss top chord member. The connector is channel-shaped to fit snugly over, e.g.