A uni-directional and multi-directional mechanical bearing suitable for supporting structures such as bridges comprises a removable cassette comprising a sliding layer composed of a low friction material such as PTFE. The removable cassette allows for the replacement of the sliding layer without needing to remove or replace the entire bearing. The bearing can be part of a kit that includes a replacement cassette having a varying thickness that corresponds to the uneven wear on the sliding layer of the removable cassette and compensates for an eccentric pressure on the bearing when under load.

Provided is an architectural bracket that has an improved strength, and is suitable for realizing a high degree of freedom in terms of the arrangement relationship with a fixation object in construction, as well as a building wall structure and a plank member construction method that use the architectural bracket. An architectural bracket X1 includes a first fixing portion 10 that includes a surface 11 for coming into contact with a building frame, and a second fixing portion 20 that extends from an end of the first fixing portion 10 to a side opposite to the surface 11, so as to intersects with the first fixing portion 10. The second fixing portion 20 includes a base portion 21 that includes a surface 21A, a rib portion 22, a first side-wall portion 23, and a second side-wall portion 24. The rib portion 22 protrudes from the base portion 21, and includes, at a protruding end thereof, a surface 22A. The first side-wall portion 23 protrudes from an end of the base portion 21 in the width direction W of the base portion 21 to the same side as the side to which the rib portion 22 protrudes. The second side-wall portion 24 protrudes from the other end of the base portion 21 in the width direction W to the same side as the side to which the rib portion 22 protrudes.

A gutter debris preclusion device for use with a gutter having a support structure being substantially rigid; a screen having a plurality of apertures and being disposed on the support structure; and, a fastener member disposed on the support structure and having a barrier member and a protective film removably attached to the barrier member.

An angled coupling to receive multiple pieces of threaded rod in order to adjust the location of the threaded rod, that can also be used for seismic restraints and/or storm surge restraints. The angled coupling includes a first internally threaded coupler and a second internally threaded coupler connected to the first coupler and extending from the first coupler at a defined angle from an axis thereof. The angled coupling may include additional couplings extending from the first coupler at the defined angle that may be spaced apart around the axis of the first coupling. The first coupler may be a passthrough coupler to either have a threaded rod pass therethrough or to receive a first threaded rod in a first side and a second threaded rod in a second side. The angled coupling is made of a high strength material (e.g., steel, cast iron, composites, high strength plastics, combinations thereof).

A metal joint adapted to be fitted into a hole formed in a building component and fixed to the hole with an adhesive includes: a small diameter portion having an elongated shape and an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the hole; and two large diameter portions fixed to the small diameter portion individually at two locations spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the small diameter portion, each large diameter portion having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the hole. Furthermore, irregularities are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion in a section between the two large diameter portions.

A self-locking connection system for modular construction (e.g., MiC and PPVC) is provided for interlocking an upper module column to a lower module column. A horizontal load transfer plate has first and second inner sleeve portions positioned beneath and above the plate. The sleeves are configured and dimensioned to be received within the respective module columns. Spring-loaded latches in both sleeve portions engage respective column receiving apertures. Each latch may include a latch plate having a wedge-shaped latch protrusion connecting to a vertical latch surface. The latch plate has one or more latch plate apertures for receiving a rod within a coil spring. An optional second reversible self-locking mechanism interlocks the connected modules to a building load-bearing support such as a core wall. The second self-locking mechanism includes an angled protrusion extending from the horizontal load transfer plate to mate with a protrusion-receiving structure embedded in the load-bearing support.

A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.

Watertight anchoring (2) for securely fastening elements (3, 4) to a building (1), comprising abase or support {6) anchored in a supporting structure (7) of the building (1); a heat-insulating layer (17}; a first watertight layer (25) applied over the heat-insulating layer (17} and the base or support (6); a bearing structure (28) fixed to the base or support (6) and a second watertight layer (38) applied over parts of the aforementioned bearing profiles (29) and over parts (39) of the first watertight layer (25) that, are adjacent to the respective bearing profiles (29).

A new Super High Tensile Strength Tape (SHTST) which delivers super high performance in strength and low elongation which can be used in a roof reinforcing and attaching system to aid in securing the roofing members and supporting walls to the building's foundation, so as to supplement and unify the roofing assembly and wall sections in resistance to lift-off, failure and destruction in high-wind, seismic and other destructive events. Said SHTST can also be used in applications for automotive and vehicular, for packaging, for industrial uses, for military applications and for any other application where significant reinforcing and unifying resistance to destructive forces is desired.

A connector and a method of providing a framing component for building construction are disclosed, the connector including a first member having opposite plate members with a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion is pivotally connected to the bottom portion, and a second member having a base member with attachment members, wherein the second member is attached at an angle of 14-50 degrees to the first member. The method is a method of providing a framing component for building construction, the method including the steps of providing the connector, connecting a top chord to the top portion of the connector, and connecting a bottom chord of a wooden joist to the bottom portion of the connector, wherein the connector connects the top chord and the bottom chord in such a way to allow for the top chord and bottom chord to stay in intact.