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 modular framework having a plurality of elongate structural members interconnected by brackets is provided. Each of the brackets includes at least one tubular socket to receive a structural member, and an array of holes is provided on a face of the socket to permit connection of an attachment to the bracket to support ancillary components.

A framework for modular furniture comprises a plurality of structural members interconnected by brackets. The brackets include at least one tubular socket to receive a respective one of the structural members. The sockets have at least one planar face, and an array of holes on the planar face of the socket to permit connection of an attachment to the bracket to support ancillary components. The array of holes is arranged as two parallel rows spaced apart to define a grid.

This invention provides connector assemblies comprising at least two connector elements pivotally joined to each other, wherein each connector element is configured for attachment to a natural tree pole such as bamboo. Useful connector elements include members configured to conform the surface of a natural tree pole. Useful connector elements include terminal connector elements configured for attachment to the terminal end of a natural tree pole and side connector elements configured for attachment to the side of a natural tree pole.

A connection device may include a first side support, a second side support opposite the first side support, a first guide and a second guide opposite the first side support. The first guide and second guide connect the first side support to the second side support. The first guide, second guide, first side support and second side support define at least one cavity shaped to accept an upright beam. A plate may extend between the first side support, the second side support, the first guide and the second guide, in which case the plate, first guide, second guide, first side support and second side support define two cavities shaped to accept two upright beams. One or more of the first guide, second guide, first side support and second side support may include a plurality of side attachments that define side connection area(s) shaped to accept a lateral beam(s).

A one-piece joint including a first member, a second member, and a third member is disclosed. Each member has a length and includes its own internal region. The second member is unitary with the first member and is disposed transverse to it. The third member, unitary with each of the first and second members, is disposed transverse to the other two members. Each member has an opening communicating with its interior region.

Two connectors are used to improve a system of wood framing commonly used to form roof and floor assemblies. The first, the end-to-end connector, allows end-to- end connection of secondary members. The joint thus formed acts as a structural hinge which, when properly located, significantly reduces maximum moment and deflection compared to current simple-span conditions. The second, the top mount connector, provides a secure connection between continuous secondary members and the tops of primary members. This connector provides support for the secondary members and, by resisting rotation between the primary and secondary members, provides superior bracing of the primary member. Used together, the connectors provide an new way of supporting members in a structure, that both reduces maximum moment and deflection and resists rotation between the primary members and the secondary members.

A roof structure is supported on legs and has a frame of interconnected structural members about the periphery. A flexible roof panel is connected to the structural members at a pair of opposed corners of the frame to lie in the plane of the structural members. A portion of the panel intermediate the opposed corners of the frame is connected to an adjacent leg below the plane of the structural members and tensioned to provide a curvature to the panel and thereby encourage shedding of water from the panel at the intermediate corner.

A connection device for supporting a plurality of beams comprising a plate, a first side support and a second side support, with each side support including a top portion extending from the plate in a first direction and a bottom portion extending from the plate in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. Included are a first guide and a second guide with each guide attaching to the plate and each side support. Each guide includes a top portion extending from the plate in the first direction and a bottom portion extending from the plate in the second direction. The plate, the top portion of each side support, and the top portion of each guide define a top cavity shaped to accept one of the beams. Further, the plate, the bottom portion of each side support, and the bottom portion of each guide define a bottom cavity shaped to accept one of the beams.

A connector assembly for structural members includes a support plate that has a primary portion and a first tab portion extending from the primary portion. A second tab portion also extends from the primary portion, and the primary portion defines at least one through hole that is configured to receive a fastener. A first stirrup plate defines a first slot that is configured to receive the first tab portion such that the first stirrup plate extends from the support plate in a first direction. The first stirrup plate further defines at least one through hole that is configured to receive a fastener. A second stirrup plate defines a second slot that is configured to receive the second tab portion such that the second stirrup plate extends from the support plate in a second direction opposite the first direction.