Abstract: A precursor to form an impaling clip, and an impaling clip formed therefrom. The impaling clip is configured for mounting an acoustic panel on a structural component, e.g., a wall stud, of a building. The impaling clip includes a base member from which a pair of prongs project upward perpendicular to the plane of the base member. The base member includes at least one hole for receipt of a fastener, e.g., a screw, to fixedly secure the base member of the clip to the structural component. Each prong includes a leg portion terminating in pointed head and outwardly projecting under-cut barbs configured to pierce through the back surface of the panel to lock the prong within the panel so that it is resistant to removal.

Abstract: A support structure for installing planar rows of thin bricks on a wall may include a panel that may be mounted to a front surface of the wall, a plurality of tabs that may extend from a front surface of the panel and may be arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows of spaced-apart tabs, and a plurality of elongated support members, where each of the plurality of elongated support members may be removably attached to a corresponding horizontal row of spaced-apart tabs. Each of the plurality of elongated support members may include an upper support edge and a lower support edge, where the upper support edge may be configured to support lower surfaces of thin bricks that are placed immediately above each elongated support member and the lower support edge may be placed above and in contact with upper surfaces of thin bricks that are placed immediately below each elongated support member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilated wall for buildings comprising a thin coating or first layer (1) comprised of porcelain or ceramic stoneware, of marble, of travertine or of volcanic stone or of cement compounds, suitable for being provided at a distance from said building to realize an interspace for air circulation, said ventilated wall comprising a reinforcement system (10) for said first layer (1) comprising, on the side faced toward said building, a second fiberglass layer (2), coupled with said first layer (1), a third layer (3) comprised of foamed material, and a fourth layer (4), the coupling of said layers (1, 2, 3, 4) being realized by gluing material having flexibility properties.

Abstract: A spacer for use in spacing a cladding component from a building component has a support member, a base spaced apart from the support member, the base having a contact surface facing away from the support member, a web connected between the support member and the base, and a guide configured to locate the cladding component on the support member. A plurality of the spacers can be used by resiliently deforming them to accommodate and retain by restorative bias force a corresponding plurality of portions of the cladding component. Thereafter, the spacers are secured to the building component.

Abstract: An improved panel system and installation process for maintaining panel contact on all four edges of its perimeter, while simultaneously maintaining full planar bearing suspension of the panel weight. A plurality of moldings are provided in varying combinations, and in particular for engaging each of the installed panels upon its outside edge corners, as opposed to by the panel ends, in order to provide engagement through a compressive force which does not pull the panel apart, rather acts to keep the panel together while under stress.

Abstract: An underlayment for use between a veneer material and a foundation surface comprises a base layer and a series of supports extending upwardly from the base layer. The supports are configured to create voids in a layer of bonding material used to adhere the veneer material to the underlayment. Each of the supports includes at least one outer wall extending upwardly from the base layer and terminating at an upper lip, a bowl area defined adjacent a center of the support; and an internal wall extending downwardly from the upper lip toward the center of the support to at least partially define the bowl area within each of the supports.

Abstract: A decorative wall system comprises a supporting wall, a thin brick element with a mortice formed therein and a dovetail tenon clip with fastening means for insertion and retention in the mortice whereby the brick element is attached to the supporting wall. The dovetail tenon clip has a longitudinal space to enable the sidewalls to be pressed inwardly to collapse the space.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated tile system includes modular backing boards comprising a plurality of tile backing board units including male/female edges for mating with an adjacent unit and a protruding bump serving as a grout spacer.

Abstract: A wall surfacing system for providing a secondary ceiling or wall covering structure adjacent a primary structure. The system provides a plurality of elongated structural support rails, each of these support rails have a coupling web with a bearing surface for attachment to the primary structure, a coupling mechanism, and a stringer portion integrally formed with and connecting the coupling web to the coupling mechanism. A plurality of generally planar surface panels are provided. Each panel has an integral interlocking member configured to mate with the coupling mechanism on the support rail. The elongated support rails are secured to primary structures, thereby extending the surface panels to form an aesthetically pleasing covered surface.

Abstract: A support for installing facing materials such as ceramic tiles on a substrate such as floors, walls and ceilings wherein the support plate has a plurality of spaced apart recesses in the plate material, with the recesses being open at the top surface and have solid sidewalls and a base, and a plurality of slots in the non-recessed portions of the plate material extending through the top surface and bottom surface, the slots joining one or more adjacent recesses. The support plate of the invention is used for tile installations between the substrate and such tile. Thin-set mortar that is used to secure the tile to the support plate flows into the recesses and into the slots forming a continuous bond between the mortar and the adjacent slots providing for a strong bond between the support plate, mortar and the tiles.

Abstract: An architectural finish element operable to be placed adjacent similar architectural finish elements to form a finished surface on an architectural structure includes a body formed of a rock-based composite material comprising a low density solid particle additive, a plurality of unitary real stone veneer elements bonded to the body in courses extending in a first direction and in a random non-repetitive pattern, the real stone veneer elements having respective face surfaces generally lying in a plane to form an overall face surface of the architectural finish element. The low density solid particle additive is provided in an amount suitable to cause the architectural finish element to have a density of between about 10 to 15 pounds per square foot. The architectural finishing element may be mounted by mounting a portion of a body of at least one dual architectural finish element support to a surface of an architectural structure.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated tile system includes modular backing boards comprising a plurality of tile backing board units including male/female edges for mating with an adjacent unit and a protuding bump serving as a grout spacer.

Abstract: A modular plastic floor tile has a body of a first polymer compound and features overmolded onto the body from a second polymer compound. The compounds may be different from each other in hardness and/or color. The features may include skins on support member cores disposed below the tile lower surface. The skins adhere to the bottom and at least a portion of the sidewall of the support member core.

Abstract: A veneer panel system is used with a wall or a retaining wall to provide a natural stone appearance and/or to improve the appearance of an existing wall. Panels can be interlocked to form a stable veneer structure. The structure is attached to a wall by various attachment devices.

Abstract: An insulating siding system contains two components: a sheathing panel and a siding panel. The sheathing panel contains slots or grooves, while the siding panel contains connectors that fit into the slots or grooves. The siding panels are fit or attached to the sheathing panel without the need for fasteners, such as nails or staples, to penetrate the siding panel, creating a uniform exterior.

Abstract: An eco-friendly wall panel system may comprise a plurality of panels, horizontal joints and panel clips which are all fabricated from the same sheet of material. For example, the panels may initially be fabricated from the phenolic sheets. After the maximum quantity of panels has been fabricated from any one sheet, the remaining portion of the phenolic sheet may be used to fabricate the horizontal runners and the panel clips which may be smaller than the panels. As such, as much of the phenolic sheet is being used to fabricate the system. Hence, the process and the product are both eco-friendly.

Abstract: Veneers for walls, retaining walls, retaining wall blocks, gabions, wire faces, and other structures are provided. Various methods of attaching the veneers are also described. A combination of a wall block and a veneer is provided. The wall block has a front face with a block connection space, and the veneer has a front face with a veneer connection portion. The veneer is attached to the front face of the wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed in the block connection space.

Abstract: The pet door of this invention is mounted at the outer side of an opening formed in a door or wall. The pet door includes an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The second side edge of the pet door includes a laterally and outwardly extending portion. The first side edge of the pet door is pivotally secured to the door or wall by a pair of vertically disposed and vertically spaced spring-loaded hinges which yieldably maintain the pet door in a closed position.

Abstract: A floor support structure is disclosed. According to an example of the disclosure, the support structure may include a surface, protrusions extending from the surface to form cavities between the protrusions, and openings adjacent to the protrusions to form pathways to the cavities. The support structure provides the openings and cavities to lay a cable in any desired configuration, in addition to the structure's established function to prevent a main floor from fracture or failure when an underlying subfloor shifts or settles. As such, the need for separate heating and support structures is eliminated.

Abstract: It is disclosed a floor covering on a substrate with wooden floors, a method for covering a substrate with a wooden floor, and the use of a studded plate for covering of a substrate with a wooden floor, wherein: a substrate is covered with a bonding adhesive, the substrate and bonding adhesive is covered with studded plates, the studded plates covered with an adhesive on which a wooden floor is fixed.

Abstract: A support panel for thin brick, comprising a metal sheet, an array of groove retaining tabs having first tab edges, said first tab edges protruding from said sheet having at an upward angle of less than about 45 degrees, for a distance of less than about one quarter inch, and an array of mortar lock tabs having second tab edges, said second tab edges protruding from said sheet at a downward angle of greater than about 45 degrees, said array of mortar lock tabs being offset vertically from said array of groove retaining tabs, wherein, said array of groove retaining tabs are adapted to engage shallow dovetail grooves formed in the rear of thin bricks, and said mortar lock tabs are adapted, when embedded within a cured mortar matrix, to exert, in response to a tensile force away from said metal sheet, a force along a vertical axis, on the brick, in an opposite direction to a force applied to the brick along a vertical axis by said groove retaining tab, to thereby retain the brick against the panel.

Abstract: A modular architectural precast cladding system that is completely mortarless, and not subject to the inherent deficiencies of masonry materials and practice. Simple, rapid and uniform installation, with automatic alignment and self leveling features. A multi-purpose mechanical connector that is either cast-in-place at point of manufacture, or alternatively can be anchored later on the jobsite.

Abstract: An insulating siding system contains two components: a sheathing panel and a siding panel. The sheathing panel contains slots or grooves, while the siding panel contains connectors that fit into the slots or grooves. The siding panels are fit or attached to the sheathing panel without the need for fasteners, such as nails or staples, to penetrate the siding panel, creating a uniform exterior.

Abstract: The principles described herein provide floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles include inserts that increase traction. The inserts may be removable and protrude from a top surface of the floor tiles. The tiles may include a locking system that allows adjacent tiles to interlock, while also permitting a predetermined amount of lateral sliding relative to one another. The modular tiles may be injection molded and the inserts may comprise an elastomer. The floor tiles may also provide four layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems.

Abstract: A tile system includes a tile and at least one removable tile insert. One of the tile and the at least one tile insert has securing means for removably retaining the at least one insert within or to the tile. The tile is configured to be installed on a surface through conventional means. The insert may incorporate both decorative and/or functional features and may be removed, replaced and/or reused to change the appearance of a single tile, multiple tiles, mural, liner or decorative scheme.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced pultruded planks serve as underlayment for tile, stone or terrazzo. In one embodiment, the planks have a thin base surface with a plurality of elongated ridges. The planks have interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with the thin base resting on the support. Tile can be adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area, creating a very rigid support structure. If the planks are reversed with the ridges resting on the support, tile or stone can be adhered to the relatively smooth thin base with an epoxy adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plane structure, such as a wall, floor, ceiling or roof, comprising profiles (3A) extending mutually parallel in a first direction, elements (1) which can be coupled releasably to the profiles, wherein a profile extends on both sides of an element and wherein the elements are coupled to both adjacent profiles. The invention also relate to the elements and profiles for use in this structure, as well as to the method for building such a structure. An automatic positioning of the elements is created as a result of these measures; this then no longer depends on the skill of the builder. Owing to the releasability of the coupling the elements can simply be stacked on the profiles.

Abstract: A method of constructing a building façade comprising, casting at least one plate member; coupling at least one load member to the plate member; aligning a first façade assembly levelly prior to attachment to the substrate; aligning a second and third façade assembly horizontally adjacent and vertically adjacent the first façade assembly, respectively, by interface with the first façade assembly, and repeating the steps of aligning additional façade assemblies to form a facade.

Abstract: A wall surfacing system for providing a secondary ceiling or wall covering structure adjacent a primary structure. The system provides a plurality of elongated structural support rails, each of these support rails have a coupling web with a bearing surface for attachment to the primary structure, a coupling mechanism, and a stringer portion integrally formed with and connecting the coupling web to the coupling mechanism. A plurality of generally planar surface panels are provided. Each panel has an integral interlocking member configured to mate with the coupling mechanism on the support rail. The elongated support rails are secured to primary structures, thereby extending the surface panels to form an aesthetically pleasing covered surface.

Abstract: Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. The connectors include a base or film and one or more attachment members. As an exemplary use of a connector to install tiles, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that an attachment member faces upward and attaches to the first tile. One or more other tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that the same or other attachment members of the connector attach to the adjacent tiles. In certain embodiments, an attachment member comprises projections that form a mechanical connection with the undersides of the tiles. For example, a connector may comprise a plastic unit with raised ridges that interact with corresponding indentations on the undersides of the tiles. A connector can also or alternatively form a connection with tiles and/or the underlying floor surface by having a high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The invention provides a wall panel system including a supporting structure; and a plurality of plates (3), each plate having a first pair of edges (6) for engaging with the support structure and a second pair of edges (9), each plate being shaped such that the second pair of edges (9) conceal the engagement of corresponding adjacent plates with the support structure. In one preferred embodiment the supporting structure includes a mounting board (1) including a plurality of retaining elements (2) adapted for engagement with the first pair of edges (6) of each plate. Preferably each retaining element (2) includes a supporting lip (5), wherein the support edge (6) of a plate is engagable with a supporting lip (5) of a retaining element. The retaining elements may, for example, be arranged in a rectangular or square grid on the mounting board (1).

Abstract: Apparatus and processes that include tiles having an extending member that is disposed within a concavity on the bottom side of the tile and that extends a distance therefrom. The extending member may additionally be coupled to an anchor member disposed within the concavity on the bottom side of the tile. The extending member is set within a substrate such that it is held fast, thereby improving the bonding of the tile to the substrate.

Abstract: A removable floor includes a support piece (1) having a floor tile (15) affixed to the upper surface thereof, with the support piece being equipped to be secured to other support pieces, in order to facilitate the installation and removal of the floor by the user and to enable the supports to be installed in an aligned and/or out of phase manner such as to produce different decorative patterns.

Abstract: A tile system includes a tile and at least one removable tile insert. One of the tile and the at least one tile insert has securing means for removably retaining the at least one insert within or to the tile. The tile is configured to be installed on a surface through conventional means. The insert may incorporate both decorative and/or functional features and may be removed, replaced and/or reused to change the appearance of a single tile, multiple tiles, mural, liner or decorative scheme.

Abstract: A support panel for thin brick, comprising a metal sheet, an array of groove retaining tabs having first tab edges, said first tab edges protruding from said sheet having at an upward angle of less than about 45 degrees, for a distance of less than about one quarter inch, and an array of mortar lock tabs having second tab edges, said second tab edges protruding from said sheet at a downward angle of greater than about 45 degrees, said array of mortar lock tabs being offset vertically from said array of groove retaining tabs, wherein, said array of groove retaining tabs are adapted to engage shallow dovetail grooves formed in the rear of thin bricks, and said mortar lock tabs are adapted, when embedded within a cured mortar matrix, to exert, in response to a tensile force away from said metal sheet, a force along a vertical axis, on the brick, in an opposite direction to a force applied to the brick along a vertical axis by said groove retaining tab, to thereby retain the brick against the panel.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes that include a detectable warning tile having a top side with a plurality of protuberances forming a pattern or array and a second tile member disposed perpendicular to an edge of the detectable warning tile. The bottom side of both the detectable warning tile and the second tile member have at least one anchoring member embedded within a concavity in the bottom side, making the tile and tile member especially durable on platform edges.

Abstract: A removable surface covering comprises a combination of lower supports with plastic support legs and upper ceramic parts which are joined to the supports by contact faces and with the aid of an adhesive material, such as to form covering modules which are interconnected using tongue-and-groove anchoring elements. The plastic supports and the ceramic parts are joined using a thick layer of adhesive which covers almost all of the contact surfaces thereof. In addition, the ceramic parts are equipped with channels and a peripheral notch which house respectively ribs and a frame belonging to the plastic support. The thickness of the adhesive extends over at least part of the thickness of the ribs and the frame of the plastic support. In another embodiment of the invention, the parts are joined at strategic points with a chemical-mechanical connection.

Abstract: The device to hang an architectural panel on a wall preferably comprises a support structure having first and second surfaces and a circumferential surface therebetween, a hole between the first and second surfaces, and a screw having a head, shaft and plurality of threads about the shaft. The screw is located in the hole and connected to the support structure such that the head is at or below the first surface of the support structure and the shaft is perpendicular thereto. The device can be driven into a wall and will support an architectural panel locatable thereon. Specifically, a panel clip, attached to the back of the architectural panel, can be placed on the support structure and the device will support the panel placed thereon. The circumferential surface of the support structure preferably includes a bevel to facilitate the placement of the panel clip onto the support structure.

Abstract: A snap-on attachment structure for attaching a side skin to an upright frame of a wall system. The attachment structure includes resilient attachment strips secured to the rear of the skin and extending along upright edges thereof. Each strip cooperates with a projection formed on an upright frame member and extending vertically therealong. The snap-on strip has a pair of cantilevered spring legs which protrude outwardly in angled relationship. The spring legs adjacent outer ends are provided with coil-shaped head parts which protrude inwardly toward one another. The head parts have hollow arcuate configurations and move into gripping engagement with shallow arcuate recesses formed on opposite sides of the projection.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced pultruded planks serve as underlayment for tile, stone or terrazzo. In one embodiment, the planks have a thin base surface with a plurality of elongated ridges. The planks have interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with the thin base resting on the support. Tile can be adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area, creating a very rigid support structure. If the planks are reversed with the ridges resting on the support, tile or stone can be adhered to the relatively smooth thin base with an epoxy adhesive.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced pultruded underlayment for ceramic tile includes a thin base with a plurality of elongated ridges. The underlayment is in the form of planks having interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration. Tile is adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious or epoxy adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area creating a very rigid support structure for the ceramic tile.

Abstract: A tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.

Abstract: Veneers for walls, retaining walls, retaining wall blocks, gabions, wire faces, and other structures are provided. Various methods of attaching the veneers are also described. A combination of a wall block and a veneer is provided. The wall block has a front face with a block connection space, and the veneer has a front face with a veneer connection portion. The veneer is attached to the front face of the wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed in the block connection space.

Abstract: Structures are described that create spaces while installing anchor sheet and attachment piece subfloors, but which allow for the expansion and contraction of anchor sheets after installation. The structures may be used on either the attachment pieces, anchor sheets or both. In one embodiment, the structure is a deformable margin; in another embodiment, the structure is a pull-away strip.

Abstract: A cast veneer wall panel includes a facing panel having at least one design element. The facing panel is made from a cast material. In addition the wall panel includes a backing panel including a series of spaced apertures. The series of spaced apertures receive a portion of the cast material in order to key the facing panel and the backing panel together.

Abstract: A cast veneer wall panel includes a backing panel having a rear face and a front face. The front face includes a boundary wall and a continuous abutment extending around a perimeter of a casting field. The cast veneer wall panel further includes a facing panel formed from a cast material that is received and held within the casting field. The facing panel includes at least one design element.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least one of providing a decorative shelf, decorative framing, decorative shelving, decorative paneling and a decorative member for supporting and hanging preselected articles. The apparatus comprises a panel member formed with a brick like design adjacent an outer surface thereof and having each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined thickness and at least one of an opening, having a second predetermined shape, formed in the panel member to provide a frame like member for at least one of a mirror and a picture and a means formed in the brick like design for supporting at least one of a shelf and a bracket for supporting and hanging such preselected articles.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide durable and substantially smooth surfaces comprised of a number of smaller pieces of surfacing material. For example, tiles of natural materials, such as marble or granite, are formed into larger unitary structures, wherein the surfaces of the tiles are substantially dead flat and the seams therebetween are diminished in size so as to minimize their visual impact. These unitary structures are preferably adapted to interconnection to thereby allow formation of substantially larger surfaces. Jig apparatus and methods for there use are disclosed for casting unitary structures of various shapes and configurations in such a manner that a dead flat surface with very little to zero lippage is provided.

Abstract: A thin brick panel assembly having improved water drainage and integral brick retention. A substratum includes horizontal rows of dovetail-shaped projections with interruptions therein. Mortar ties having a flat plate portion, a substratum engagement extension, and mortar engagement extension are fastened to the substratum such that the mortar engagement extensions align with the interruptions in the projections. Bricks are snap-fit to the substratum over the mortar ties and between the projections. The bricks crush portions of the dovetail-shaped projections and lie flat against the mortar ties. Mortar is applied between the bricks and flows through apertures in the mortar engagement extensions of the mortar ties to interlock the mortar ties, the substratum and the bricks.

Abstract: A tile and backing assembly for creating a walkway, pathway and a driveway atop ground. Each assembly used in constructing the walkway preferably includes a backing member formed from a single sheet having elongated tile support members positioned side-by-side one to another. Each tile support member is defined by spaced apart transverse slits or cuts through the backing member, each having complete and incomplete segments and extending in zigzag fashion thereacross. Each of the incomplete segments is defined by overlapping unconnected spaced slit segments to define a slender elongated expansion link connecting adjacent tile support members together. Each of the tile support members have evenly spaced tile attachment areas, each of which supportively receive one of a plurality of tiles. Each tile is attached to one tile attachment area in a desired design array with adjacent tiles abutting one another when the assembly is in the contracted orientation.