Abstract: An insulating system for retrofitting the roof and/or walls of a building. The retrofit system includes a first layer of insulating material extending transverse to the purlins, girts and chords and atop the existing roof or wall structure as well as a plurality of longitudinally extending bridge members each with an upper and a lower surface. The system also includes a plurality of orthogonally extending spacer members that compresses the first layer of insulating material proximate to the spacer members and allowing an otherwise uncompressed first insulation layer to span between the spacer members. The system further includes a second layer of insulation extending across the upper surface of the bridge members wherein a plurality of panel clips each with a panel clip tab are disposed atop the second layer of insulation and are fastened to the bridge member and the clip tabs engage with the lateral edges of the roof or wall panels in the formation of a water resistant seam.

Abstract: A floor underlayment for positioning and mounting a heating element beneath a finished floor is described. The floor underlayment comprises a plurality of studs extending upwardly from a base layer, where the outer wall of the studs forms an acute angle with the base layer and a smooth inner wall defines a cavity within each stud. Mounting corridors formed by rows or columns of adjacent studs are sized to receive and retain a heating element.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering or sealing Storz-type outlets is shown and described. The apparatus includes an outer cap portion having a continuous sidewall, a connector portion for connecting the outer cap portion to the water supply assembly and a sealing cap portion rotatably coupled to the outer cap portion and located at least partially within a void defined by the continuous sidewall, the sealing cap portion including a pliable sealing portion for forming a seal about the water supply outlet. The connector portion includes a pair of lugs and a pair of ramped lug guides associated with an inner surface of the continuous sidewall. The pair of ramped lug guides are provided for receiving a pair of lugs of the water supply assembly. A nut portion extends from an outer face of outer cap portion for engagement by a tool such as a wrench or socket for rotating the outer cap portion about the water supply outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering or sealing Storz-type outlets is shown and described. The apparatus includes an outer cap portion having a continuous sidewall, a connector portion for connecting the outer cap portion to the water supply assembly and a sealing cap portion rotatably coupled to the outer cap portion and located at least partially within a void defined by the continuous sidewall, the sealing cap portion including a pliable sealing portion for forming a seal about the water supply outlet. The connector portion includes a pair of lugs and a pair of ramped lug guides associated with an inner surface of the continuous sidewall. The pair of ramped lug guides are provided for receiving a pair of lugs of the water supply assembly. A nut portion extends from an outer face of outer cap portion for engagement by a tool such as a wrench or socket for rotating the outer cap portion about the water supply outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing wall covering. The apparatus may include a traveling support for a wall covering panel. The support may include a bracket. The bracket may include a projection that extends into a generally U- or C-shaped channel. The apparatus may include one or more standards for each panel. The apparatus may include one or more brackets for each panel for each standard. The bracket or brackets may be arranged so that when the panel is engaged to the standard or standards, the standards are parallel to each other and perpendicular to an edge of the panel. The standard or standards and the panel will thus be squared. When the edge is set on a horizontal floor, the standard or standards will be plumb.

Abstract: A method for producing a precast concrete tower segment of a wind turbine tower is provided. An inner formwork having at least one bore and at least one holding unit on an inner side of the inner formwork in the region of the bore is placed. A first end of a concrete anchor or a first end of a removable element at the first end of the concrete anchor is introduced from the outer side of the inner formwork through the bore into the holding unit in order to hold the concrete anchor. An outer formwork is placed. Concrete is introduced between the inner and outer formwork. The removable element in the first end or the first end of the concrete anchor is removed and the precast concrete segment is removed.

Abstract: An interlocking panel system for top-down installation on an underlying structure including a plurality of panels, with an uphill course and a downhill course where each panel is generally rectangular, having an uphill edge and opposing downhill edge. An interlocking member is disposed along the uphill edge, and a receiving member adapted to receive the interlocking member and a joining flange are disposed along the downhill edge. A panel of the uphill course is affixed to an underlying structure via fasteners through the joining flange. The interlocking member of a panel of the downhill course is insertable into the receiving member of the uphill course, and the position of the panel of the downhill course is adjustable within the span of the receiving member.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The prefabricated wall assembly comprises a frame assembly and an outer foam layer. The outer foam layer is coupled to the frame assembly. The outer foam layer extends from the frame assembly to an exterior surface of the outer foam layer. The exterior surface of the outer foam layer is configured to receive the exterior covering of the building. The outer foam layer comprises a plurality of particles and a binder that define a plurality of pathways. The pathways extend vertically through the prefabricated wall assembly from the top member to the bottom member of the frame assembly for allowing airflow and drainage between the frame assembly and the exterior covering.

Abstract: A tower is constructed by erecting an upright former 6; assembling a first section 31 of the tower around the former 6; raising the first tower section 31; assembling a second tower section 32 around the former 6; connecting the first and second tower sections 31, 32, and repeating the steps to add further tower sections. Disassembly is the reverse process. The method of assembly is particularly suitable to mobile towers that are transported on road trailers and may be used with advantage with amusement rides.

Abstract: A flood barrier shield system for installation in a building opening such as a door frame includes a water impervious panel having a base edge and at least two side edges generally complementary in shape to the base and side edges of the opening into which it is to be installed. Channel shaped seal housings are mounted on the panels adjacent its base and side edges which contain seal bars consisting of a relatively rigid bar having a flexible seal mounted thereon and extending the length of the housing. The seal is located to face the opposing surface of the opening and the bar is connected to the housing by selectively operable devices which move the bar and seal between retracted and extended position for ease of positioning the flood barrier in the opening and then forming a water tight seal along the base and sides of the system.

Abstract: Retrofitting a horizontal building roof having a pre-existing, composite-strength concrete roof having a corrugated steel deck with concrete poured over the deck top. Replacing the pre-existing roof with a dry-installed composite-strength roof having a rigid sheet installed over a corrugated steel deck, the rigid sheet attached to the deck by mechanical fasteners extending through the rigid sheet and the upper ribs of the corrugated deck. The newly installed roof restrains the upper ribs against lateral distortion under loading, thus forcing the corrugated deck to maintain shape and operate to composite capacities in excess of predictable flexural load capabilities of its components considered alone.

Abstract: A roof attachment system has a stud for retaining a fixture to a roof and is mountable to and sealable with a roof. The attachment system includes a base and a retaining stud which projects upwardly from the base. A membrane is disposed over the base. Cooperative upper and lower mount plates include peripheral oppositely projecting teeth which form an intermediate axial gap. A retainer ring is disposed in into the gap and alternately engages against the teeth of the upper and lower mount plates to axially tighten the attachment components to provide a seal.

Abstract: A method of forming an architectural concrete structure having a desired look (i.e., color) and texture, wherein the method generally includes pouring a base concrete layer using conventional concrete. A surface concrete mixture is prepared and includes a mixture of sand and small aggregates to give the surface concrete mixture the desired color and texture for the architectural concrete structure. The base concrete layer provides strength and durability to the concrete structure, while the surface concrete layer provides the desired look and texture of the concrete surface. The surface concrete mixture preferably includes small aggregates to create a smooth and uniform texture.

Abstract: A blanket enclosure for a metallic piece of equipment and a method of fabrication, comprising at least one blanket panel and at least one magnetic support supporting the blanket panel, the magnetic support comprising at least one magnet, the at least one magnet connecting the blanket panel to a surface of the metallic piece of equipment. The method of fabrication comprises providing at least one blanket panel, providing at least one support comprising at least one magnet, supporting the blanket panel by the support, and contacting the magnet of the support supporting the blanket panel to a surface of the metallic piece of equipment.

Abstract: A movable wall panel system induces a plurality of movable wall panels. A first electrical connector of one panel is automatically coupled to a second electrical connector of an adjacent panel as the panels are moved from a folded storage position to an extended use position to electrically couple the adjacent panels together automatically. At least one of the plurality of panels has an electrical receptacle coupled to its associated first and second electrical connectors to provide an electrical power outlet.

Abstract: Flooring material comprising sheet-shaped floor elements with a mainly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a lower side and an upper decorative layer. The floor elements are intended to be joined by means of joining members. The floor elements are provided with male joining members on a first edge while a second edge of the floor elements are provided with a female joining member. The male joining member is provided with a tongue and a lower side groove while the female joining member is provided with a groove and a cheek, the cheek being provided with a lip. The floor elements are provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge is provided with female vertical assembly joining member.

Abstract: An isolator system for preventing the conduction of thermal energy between the metal components of a wall assembly comprising isolator plates adapted to be placed between the metal components of a wall assembly and made of an insulating material. The isolator plates include at least one opening for receiving a fastener, said opening has an annular shoulder adapted to extend into an opening for receiving said fastener in a metal component of a wall assembly. Also disclosed herein is a thermal isolation washer and a girt for use with polymer panel construction.

Abstract: A concrete unit includes a six sided body having three pairs of opposed rectangular faces. Two opposed faces each has an irregular three dimensional pattern extending across the entire face to provide two aesthetic faces on the unit. The two opposed faces have patterns that are mirror images of each other such that when two of the units are placed with their patterned faces aligned and in contact, the three dimensional patterns on the opposed faces nest to minimize the space between the adjacent edges of the units. The concrete units may be used as steps or in other applications.

Abstract: A threaded connection having a straight central axis, the connection including a plurality of pin threads, each pin thread having a root and a crest, and a box having a plurality of box threads, each box thread having a root and a crest. The crests of at least a portion of the box threads are curved so that when the pin threads are fully engaged with the box threads, there is a void between the roots of the pin threads and the corresponding curved crests of the box threads to reduce standoff caused by lubricant or other fluids becoming trapped between the threads as the connection is made up.

Abstract: A panel for forming a covering, more particularly a floor panel for forming a floor covering, which at least at two opposite edges, comprises coupling parts arranged to couple two of such panels to each other by means of a downward movement of one panel in respect to the other. The coupling parts form a first locking system arranged to lock in the plane of the panels and perpendicularly to the edges, as well as form a second locking system, which effects a locking perpendicularly to the plane of the panels. At least one of the coupling parts is formed at least partially in soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride), as well as at least partially formed from a milled profiled part of this soft PVC.