An assembly for converting motion comprises a first arm and a second arm rotatable about first and second fixed pivots; a third arm pivotably connected to the second arm; a first connecting arm pivotably connected to and extending between the first arm and the third arm; a second connecting arm pivotably connected to and extending between the first arm and the second arm; and a locking assembly comprising a first locking member and a second locking member, the first locking member connected to one of the arms and engaging with the second locking member at one or more positions from the retracted position to the extended position. The assembly may comprise the guide assembly comprising a guide member and an engagement member moveably engageable with the guide member.

A truss includes a plurality of truss members, each truss member formed from a unitary folded blank of sheet metal to create a main panel, and proximal and distal flanges and a horizontal panel each extending perpendicularly from the main panel, the proximal flange of a first truss member is connected to the distal flange of a second truss member to form a truss. In one embodiment employing trusses formed of folded sheet metal, a plurality of interconnected truss modules, each truss module including a plurality of truss members, forms a plurality of oppositely extending horizontal flanges that collectively present the top and bottom surfaces of a cantilevered canopy.

A bushing includes an upper collar with a lower sheath and an annular shoulder intermediate the collar and sheath. The collar has a plurality of spaced apart notches and the sheath has a plurality of spaced apart slits that may be circumferentially aligned with the notches. The sheath has a plurality of spaced apart ribs projecting outward circumferentially offset from the slit for assisting in maintaining the sheath within a hole in a fastener with the annular shoulder against the fastener. A securing member with an elongate shank extending from a head with a distal portion is maintained in the longitudinal opening in an upright position aligned with the hole. As the fastener is driven longitudinally through the opening and hole, force from the fastener causes the bushing to break away and yields direct contact between the securing member head against the top surface of the fastener.

The object of the invention is a rail structure and a balcony, which comprise two or more rail sections (5, 6) at an angle with respect to each other, at least some of which rail sections (5, 6) comprise a top profile (5a, 6a) a bottom profile (5b, 6b) and a wall section (7) connecting them, which wall section is fastened at its bottom edge to the bottom profile (5b, 6b) and at its top edge to the top profile (5a, 6a). At least some of the rail sections (5, 6) are arranged to transmit a load exerted on themselves to the bottom profile of the rail section next to themselves via the wall section (7) of the rail section next to themselves.

One or more hidden clips can be efficiently fastened and mounted to decking planks, e.g., with a tool or manually. A plurality of hidden clips can be included with a strip of clips and separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. Each hidden clip can include one or more compression tabs having a sloped or angled cross member transversely extending between first and second extending elements to improve decking fixation.

Various embodiments provide a post-to-beam fastener including a head, a tip, and a threaded shank connected to the head at a first end and the tip and a second end. In various embodiments, threaded shank includes a longitudinal axis extending from the head to the tip, and the tip includes a recess operable to removably receive a drill bit to the fastener.

Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a modular building structure. A plurality of structural truss modules are provided. Each one of the structural truss modules includes a spaced pair of elongated wood chords and a web connecting the elongated wood chords. The web including a plurality of metal support rods each having a pair of opposed threaded sections. The first of the pair of opposed threaded sections engaged to a first one of the elongated wood chords at an angle thereto. The second of the pair of opposed threaded sections engaged to the other one of the elongated wood chords at an angle thereto. The structural truss modules are cut to a predetermined length. A first member is connected between the spaced pairs of elongated wood chords. First ends of the plurality of structural truss modules are configured to connect to a ledger member.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for securing anchoring posts to a decking surface without the use of a metal plate or washer to redirect force from a single central fastener on an internally mounted anchor, or the use of an externally visible connector. An anchor member having a generally planar upper surface and vertical sidewalls has connection ridges extending out from those sidewalls that correspond to channels formed in the internal sidewalls of a hollow post member. Using a press, the anchor member is pressed into a secured position in the post. A plurality of attachment holes are disposed in a pattern around the anchor member, passing through the body thereof. For installation, a post with the fitted anchor is placed on a decking surface and a plurality of screws are attached to the decking surface to secure the anchor member and post thereto.

A deck system including hold-down devices for attaching deck boards to deck support structures and a siding system including attachment devices for mounting siding boards to wall structures. Hold-down devices are attached to deck support structures by horizontally-extending fasteners and attach the deck boards to the deck support structures without fasteners providing paths for water to pass through the deck boards into the support structures. Deck board engagement members of the hold-down device extend into slots in deck boards. Siding board attachment devices are mounted on upright surfaces of wall structures using horizontally extending fasteners. Siding boards are mounted with a standoff distance providing ventilation space behind and between siding boards.

A balcony includes a balcony assembly and a structural post and outrigger system. The structural posts provide structural support for buildings and include the outriggers that extend substantially perpendicularly from the structural posts to a location where the balcony assembly will be installed. The outriggers include a tube or beam and an end plate on an end of the beam distal from the structural post. The balcony assembly includes at least one long beam, a platform, and a locking mechanism on an end of the long beam. The locking mechanism includes a channel for receiving and securing the end plate of the outrigger. The balcony assembly is secured to the outrigger using fasteners.