2869results about "Building roofs" patented technology

A cam-actuated connection device joins rail mounting members of a photovoltaic panel array. The connection device slides within channels of mounting members until the members are in a properly positioned grid. When in position, the connection device is rotated to lock the mounting members in a rigid grid network. The connecting device can be subsequently loosened, repositioned and locked into position. The rail-mounting members create a grid for installation of multiple PV panels. The mounting rail allows the unit to remain relatively compact in nature but still covers a wide range of PV panel thicknesses. The rail system has a hinged connection with the mounting rail that allows an installer to assemble the module in a near perpendicular fashion to the mounting rail, make the required electrical connections and then lower the PV module into its working position. The unit is then locked into its working position.

An improved moisture management system for installation over doors and windows in buildings that included exterior, stucco-covered, curtain walls comprising an integrally formed, three sided, elongated track including a base, an upright front wall that includes at its base weep holes for the removal of entrained moisture as well as a longitudinal forward extending finish stop above the weep holes, and an upright rear wall at opposing elongated edges of the base, and, extending angularly downward from the outside of the base, and integrally formed therewith, a drip plate that permits ready drainage of water exiting the moisture management system through the weep holes in the upright front wall. Preferably, elongated striations in the front faces of both the front and rear upright walls as well as holes in the upright front wall above the finish stop provide improved adherence of sealants and adhesives used in the installation process.

The invention is a novel moment-resistant building column insert system for distributing lateral and vertical loads between the column-beam and column-foundation connections. Loads are distributed between the column and beam using a column insert, nut plates and beam end plates incorporated to beam-ends. The column insert is hollow and similar cross-section shape to the building column for inserting there to. The column, column insert, nut plates and endplates have patterns of mounting holes for receiving mounting bolts tightened to nuts held by nut plates. Loads are distributed between the column and foundation using a base plate, column insert, and insert plates integrated with anchor bolts, nuts and washers in a concrete foundation. The base plate having mounting holes is incorporated to the building column bottom end to receive the plurality of anchor bolts there through for fixedly tightening as an exposed end of the column insert fits in the column.

A laminated composite building component, capable of sustained axial stress as a primary support structure and enclosure of a building structure, comprising a lamination of rigid and resilient material, said rigid material formed of sheets with continuous corrugations parallel to the supporting axis and which have opposite faces being bonded to and encapsulated by said resilient material, said resilient material being a cellular foam matrix, an adhesive or fusion that bonds the rigid and resilient material together in either a static or continuous laminating process, said resilient material forming two outer surfaces spaced from the rigid material, said rigid material having opposite lateral edges being exposed from said resilient material, said lateral edges of the rigid material having return flanges for interlocking said laminated composite building component with adjacent building component, and said building components capable of being supplied and distributed in generic lengths and custom field-cut like lumber.

A modular shade system with solar tracking panels includes a series of generally North-South oriented, spaced apart torque tubes, each torque tube having an axis, a series of panels mounted to at least some of the torque tubes to create spaced-apart rows of panels along the torque tubes, at least some of the panels being solar collector panels. The system also includes a shade structure, positioned at a selected location between selected ones of the torque tubes and above the support surface so to provide an enhanced shaded region thereunder, and a support structure. The support structure includes a first mounting assembly mounting each torque tube above the support surface for rotation about the axis of each torque tube and a second mounting assembly supporting the shade structure at the selected location. The system further comprises a tilting assembly selectively rotating each torque tube about its axis.

A foldable member in the shape of a tube with at least one predetermined hinge area along the length of the tube and opposing sets of elongated slots in the tube at the hinge area thereof forming separated longitudinal strips of tube material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces, each slot of each set of elongated slots separated longitudinally along the length of the tube from each adjacent slot by a bridge element of tube material. A collapsible structure constructed of such foldable members.

A floorboard system includes a plurality of floorboards, wherein each of the floorboards is a rectangular floorboard provided with long edges and short edges and having a floorboard body provided with an integrated long edge locking system and an integrated short edge locking system for mechanical joining, both vertically and horizontally, the floorboards, along the long edges thereof and along the short edges thereof. The long edge locking system differs from the short edge locking system in respect of at least one of material composition and material properties. And, at least one of the long edge locking system and the short edge locking system includes a separate element which is integrally connected with the floorboard body at the factory and is made of a material other than that included in the floorboard body.

A device for protection of property against high winds comprising a flexible material of predetermined strength and stretch characteristics, and in the form of a panel or several panels, utilized to protect the side of a structure including its windows and doors from the strong winds and debris impacts occurring during a hurricane. The device is anchored in a manner to space it out from the area being protected according to formula provided, and can safely dissipate substantial impacting energy. The preferred embodiment attaches to an overhanging eave and the ground below protecting in addition to the windows and doors, plantings, outdoor furniture, decorative shutters, downspouts, and such as are enclosed behind the barrier. Several methods of storage and deployment of said curtain are described including rolling, sliding, and converting to awning. The barrier has the added feature of acting as a tie down in certain applications.

In a first embodiment a framed solar panel is retained by a rod inserted through a hole in the panel frame. The rod is attached to the top of a bracket, which is mounted at its bottom to a substantially flat surface. In a second embodiment, a framed solar collector panel is retained by a clip which is designed to fit over the top edge of the frame. The clip is then attached to the top of a second bracket. In a fourth embodiment a tether is fastened between the through hole and the flat surface. These embodiments may be used at either or both ends of the frame. Each embodiment may include a safety tether that is connected between the frame and the bracket.

The present invention comprises a concrete building system with a method for fabricating composite panels using an improved design plastic connector and assembling them at the construction site to a structure which will be shotcreted on both sides to a concrete building which is highly insulated, is fire and termite proof, hurricane, earthquake and flood resistant and fulfills the requirement for flexible design. The Composite Panels are composed of two concrete layers, enclosing an insulative foam core. The skins are reinforced with wire mesh as structurally required and are connected through the foam core by structural highly insulative plastic connectors using the snap connection on both ends of the connectors so they form a tri-dimentional system and hold the wire mesh in place for the onsite shotcrete application, which includes an application of fiber for shrinkage and cracking. This replaces the welded wire fabric use for secondly reinforcing and let the wire mesh reinforcing only related to the structural strength of the composite panel. The plastic connector guarantees that no thermal bridging occurs like in other systems also the inside layer of the shotcrete panel.

A universal block made of concrete designed to be used with different size posts and beams. The pier block is a conical, six-sided structure and includes two concentrically aligned, post-receiving voids designed to receive the ends of a (4x4) or (6x6) inch post. The (6x6) inch void is positioned above the (4x4) inch void. Formed horizontally on the top surface of the pier block are two transversely aligned beam-receiving slots. Each beam-receiving slot includes a narrow and a wide slot longitudinally aligned. The wide slot is positioned above the narrow slot. A vertically aligned drain hole is formed through the pier block from the bottom surface of the (4x4) inch void to the bottom of the pier block, which allows water to drain from the post-receiving voids.

A ribbed metal plate for a composite slab that includes a substantially planar plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of laterally-spaced, longitudinally-extending ribs that have a keystone profile and wherein the sidewalls are angled toward each other. Ends of the ribs are integrally formed. The rib plate is secured to bearing walls in a structure and concrete is poured on the ribs to form a composite deck. The ends of the ribs extend in the lateral direction to form a composite structure retarding movement of cured concrete in a longitudinal direction. The ribbed plate can also be used in composite beams.

The present invention relates to a roof flashing assembly for use on a sloped roof surface having an elongate projection extending substantially upwardly therefrom in skewed relation thereto. The roof flashing assembly has a resilient, flexible, sleeve sized to fit over, and surround, the projection. The sleeve has a base portion, a neck portion and a passageway defined therebetween for receiving the projection therethrough. A bellows tube is formed on the neck portion to permit the sleeve to flex adaptively to accommodate for the skewed orientation of the projection relative to the sloped roof surface. The roof flashing assembly also includes a grommet which is positionable in surrounding relation with the projection. The grommet has three beveled lip members, which frictionally sealingly engage the exterior surface of the projection when urged in abutting relation therewith. An annular gasket positionable below the base portion of the sleeve, is also provided. The gasket frictionally sealingly engages the external surface of the projection. When urged in abutting relation with the sloped roof surface, flexible ring seal members formed on the underside of the gasket create a watertight seal with the roof surface. During installation, anchoring means are used to secure the sleeve and the gasket to the sloped roof surface.

A racking system for photovoltaic solar panels greatly reduces material, weight, labor and system profile as compared to previous mounting systems. Special pedestals are secured to a roof at far larger spacings and fewer number than required in previous systems. The pedestals are configured for efficient and dependable flashing for waterproofing the roof. In assembly the extruded aluminum components are fitted together quickly with efficient and strong connections, with the photovoltaic panels retained in a compact array and fully supported along the length of each panel. The fittings provide for field adjustment of the height of the uprights, helping accommodate uneven roof surfaces, such as flat roofs.

A raised access floor has panels suspended by pedestals. Each panel may have a top surface and a frame extending around the top surface. Each panel may have extruded aluminum components including four edge members, two intermediate members, and a center member. Each edge member may have a frame portion with a box beam configuration. The frame portions can be press-fitted with corner members to provide the frame. Two edge members, the intermediate members, and the center member may have top surface portions coupled together to form the top surface. The top surface may be supported by support ribs with enlarged bottom ends that resist bending. The ends of the support ribs are press-fitted against the frame. Components may be modified or removed to alter the panel geometry. A cover plate may be used to cover the top surface. The cover plate and/or top surface may be continuous or perforated.

A slope adjustable head for an adjustable pedestal (10) for supporting beams, panel members, typically pavers, in accurate edge aligned relation, in a level plane is disclosed. The pedestal (10) includes a base block (12) and a series of inter-engaging threaded annular elements (20, 30) which can be rotated relative to each other to adjust the height of the top of the pedestal in a screw jack fashion. A slope compensator is located at the top of the pedestal and comprises a slope compensation plate (100) and a head member (50). The head member (50) defines a concave surface having a defined radius of curvature. The slope compensation plate (100) defines a corresponding convex surface having the same radius of curvature and sits on top of the head member. The pedestal (10) is calibrated to allow adjustment for typically zero to five percent in one percent increments. The top member defines a central aperture (56) and a series of holes (72) arranged in a spiral around the central aperture. The adjustment member defines a depending central cylindrical portion (110) which locates in the central aperture (56) and two diametrically opposed depending pegs (132, 134) spaced either side of the central cylindrical portion which locate in the holes of the top member. Rotation of the slope compensation plate (100) about its centre of curvature causes the angle of the adjustment plate relative to the vertical axis to change thus allowing for compensation for the slope of the surface on which the pedestal is standing.

The invention is a collapsible structure comprising a plurality of panel elements, each having a coilable frame element and flexible material attached to the frame element. The panel elements are joined to define an enclosure having a roof portion and a bottom perimeter. The bottom perimeter rests on a supporting surface. The structure has at least one roof support rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the at least one roof support rod is attached to a first location on the bottom perimeter, and the second end of the at least one roof support rod is attached to a second location on the bottom perimeter. The at least one roof support rod is in supporting contact with the roof portion of the enclosure.

A resilient seal is mountable around the edge of an opening in a sidewall of a mobile living quarters through which a slide-out room travels. The seal includes two parts that slide together—a mounting portion and a-bulb seal portion—with the bulb seal portion being compressed when the slide-out room is closed. A wiper seal portion extending from the mounting portion is for contacting the adjacent wall of the slide-out room.

The present invention 10 discloses an elastomeric skylight membrane molded as a single piece comprising a planar element 18 for sealably engaging roof sheathing 26 and a centrally positioned collar element 20 for sealably engaging the rough opening framing members 34. The skylight collar membrane 20 is inserted over the framed rough opening for a skylight 16 having the elastomeric collar element tightly engaging the framing members 34 and of substantially the same height as the rough opening frame members. The planar element 18 engages the roof sheathing 26 and is fixedly attached thereto by any means well known within the art. Positioned across the up slope side 36 of the collar 20 is an angularly protruding edge 32 for preventing water from wicking between the skylight frame 34 and the skylight membrane 10. To prevent lateral flow from the up slope edge 36 of the skylight 16 there are two spaced apart ridges 22 transversely positioned to the turnback collar sides extending above and below the horizontal edge 30 of the up slope side 36. The diverter ridges 22 spaced away form the turnback side 32 obstruct lateral water flow returning it to a downhill flow. The planar element 18 further has a bead 38 on three sides near its periphery that will redirect any water that has accumulated between the skylight membrane and shingles to a downward flow.

A work environment providing a work area and a workstation including the information display system are also disclosed. A utility distribution system is also disclosed. An information display system is further disclosed. The work environment may provide a work space that can be arranged or divided to include at least one work area within the available floor space. The utility distribution system includes a utility threshold may be adapted for movement along a predefined path about the work area to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of the work area. The utility distribution system may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations relative to a track system. The information display system may include a track system adapted to attach to a mounting structure and a plurality of display panels coupled to the track system for movement with respect to the mounting structure.

A method and apparatus for making an rigid foam insulating panel is disclosed. The panel includes an rigid foam sheet with a plurality of grooves or recesses in which reinforcing strips are placed. Both sides of the sub-assembly are covered with a reinforcing sheet made of plastic, paper, foil, or a combination thereof. These reinforcing sheets are bonded to the surface of the rigid foam sheet and provide structural support to the sheet, as well as retaining the reinforcing strips in place. They also provide a vapor barrier on both sides of the sheet to prevent the migration of moisture through the sheet toward the wall covering, which will typically be attached to the side of the sheet in which the reinforcing strips are inserted.

A skylight having an arched main body, an apex, a base, and corrugations is described. The main body has two lengths, the first being at substantially the apex and the second at the base wherein the first length is less than the second length. The skylight also has a first end portion and a second end portion at opposing ends of the main body, each of which has a top and bottom section. The distance between the top sections define the first length and the distance between the bottom sections defines the second length. The corrugations disposed on the main body vary by orientation, method of manufacture, number, and shape.

A tracking solar collector assembly includes Southside supports, North side supports and support structures. Each support structure has pivotal support points defining a tilt axis and supports at least one solar collector. First support points of first and second support structures are pivotally connected to first and second Southside supports. A second support point of the first support structure is pivotally connected to first and second North side supports. A second support point of the second support structure is pivotally connected to second and third North side supports. A tilting assembly causes the solar collector support structures and the solar collectors tilt in unison. A tracking solar collector may comprise a torsion tube rotatable about a torsion tube axis; with the solar panels secured to the torsion tube at an angle with the solar panels located entirely above the torsion tube at noontime.

A structure stabilizing system that includes a length of cabling and a number of joist and rafter reinforcing cable guides. Each of the joist and rafter reinforcing cable guides includes an L-shaped joist securing plate assembly, a rafter securing plate, and a cable guide tube assembly. The structure stabilizing method includes the steps of a) providing a number of joist and rafter reinforcing cable guides as described above; b) attaching one each of the joist and rafter reinforcing cable guides to a number of sets of ceiling joists and rafters along each side of the building; c) threading a length of cabling through each of the cable guide tubes of each of the attached joist and rafter reinforcing cable guides; and d) anchoring the ends of the cable to the foundation of the structure to be stabilized.

A readily assembled and disassembled gazebo having a four sided upright portion made up of like sized pairs of panels at each of the four corners of said upright portion. Each pairs of panels is joined at right angles at one of their vertical edges. The pairs of panels are connected to adjacent pairs of panels at their upper extremities by tubular horizontal members spanning the space between the free vertical edges of the joined pairs of panels.At each of the upper corner extremities of each of the joined pair of panel members and slidably received on projections extending above the panels, a corner member having a tubular projection projecting upwardly toward the center of the gazebo. Each of the tubular projection being slidably connected to a tubular roof supporting member.All of the tubular roof supporting members are slidably connected to a raised central roof supporting member whereby the tubular roof supporting members and the central roof supporting member are adapted to support a sloping roof surface material covering the gazebo.

Trilithic Shell, Twin Shell, Multiple Shell, Curvilinear Shell as well as Free-formed Structures described herein each employ an inflatable membrane having a peripheral edge secured to an outer foundation base. An ultra-light membrane (air-form) having a network of internal cross connecting restraints is additionally secured to the inner foundation base to permit a novel and unique curvilinear surface. Pressurization then creates the backdrop upon which various urethane layers are applied which when laced with rigidifying tubes become the defining backdrop beneath which numerous cross connecting braces which when snapped into position effectively lock an inner framework to an outer framework thereby producing a self supporting truss like structure both compatible with either current dome construction and/or conventional construction practices. Shotcrete being then sprayed from the interior over said urethane coated backdrop forms highs at framework intersections and natural lows in between followed by the insertion of inflated cell tubes which span the created network of horizontal and vertical cavities are next over sprayed with urethane foam necessary to form the next natural backdrop over which two or more shotcrete/steel reinforced separate yet cross connected planes may be achieved. Such multiple yet independent rigid layers now having thousands of inner-connecting cross braces through which interior voids become natural chase-ways effectively displace 50% or more of what might otherwise be solid concrete as would be the case with all prior art thin shell structures and/or conventional stem wall construction practices. Such Free Formed curve-linear structures effectively reduce material and labor costs by as much as 50%, eliminate snap-through or oil-can buckling tendencies, enhance overall structural capacity, eliminate all height to diameter restraints, permit larger structures, facilitate floor suspension and attachment, and allow mechanical, electrical and HVAC distribution through interior chase-ways which cannot be achieved with prior art concrete thin shell single thickness structures and/or conventional stem wall, construction practices to date.

An improved acoustical damping wall (ceiling or floor) or door material comprises a laminar structure having as an integral part thereof one or more layers of viscoelastic material which also functions as a glue and one or more constraining layers, such as metal, cellulose, wood, or petroleum-based products such as plastic, vinyl, plastic or rubber. In one embodiment, standard wallboard, typically gypsum, comprises the external surfaces of the laminar structure; and one or more constraining layers are fabricated between the gypsum exterior. The resulting structure improves the attenuation of sound transmitted through the structure.

The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a foam insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the foam insulating panel defines at least one recessed channel in the first primary surface, the at least one recessed channel being sized and shaped to provide a mold for a structural reinforcing member. The product also comprises a concrete panel formed on the first primary surface and filling the at least one recessed channel so as to provide a structural reinforcing member for the concrete panel. The product further comprises an elongate anchor member in the foam insulating panel and extending from the first primary surface of the foam insulating panel into the concrete panel. A method of making a composite reinforced insulated concrete structure is also disclosed.

A sill pan system is provided for installation along the bottom plate of a framed-in window or door opening to prevent water leakage. The system includes end pieces that are fitted in the bottom corners of the opening and a central web that spans, partially overlaps, and is adhered to the end pieces. The central web is formed of a transparent or translucent plastic to allow visual confirmation that a good seal is formed between the overlapping portions of the web and end pieces. The web is formed with inside flanges and flashing strips that are connected with flexible hinges so that web material can be rolled into a roll. The components may be formed with an abrasion resistant upper surface cladding and the central web may be formed with longitudinally extending drain channels for directing water to the ends of the pan for drainage.

A cable tray support assembly for a raised floor system which has a plurality of support pedestals and a platform section. Each support pedestal has an elongated stringer member, a first upright channel member, and an opposing second upright channel member. The stringer member has an opposing pair of flanges depending from the proximal and distal ends of the stringer member. In use, the flanges of the stringer member may be releasably connected to the channel members so that the elongated stringer member is supported above the respective bottom ends of the channel members. At least one of the channel members of each support pedestal may be positioned adjacent to at least a portion of one column to aid in maintaining spatial orientation of the channel member with respect to an upright column. One platform section is suspended from the stringer members of a pair of opposing support pedestals.