Abstract: A framing unit used with a plurality of replaceable panels that form a vertical retaining wall or a rigid enclosure to make raised planting beds. The framing unit includes two vertical end connectors, two horizontal top rails, at least one bottom rail, and a plurality of vertical panels. Each end connector includes two side flanges joined to form a vertical channel. Each end connector includes at least one hinge sleeve offset from the hinge sleeve on the opposite end connector adjacent framing units to be joined with a single anchor pin. The bottom and the two top rails are parallel and extend between the two end connectors. The top rails are separated by an upper gap that allow a plurality of vertical panels to be inserted into and supported by a channel formed on the bottom rail. The top edges of the panels are captured by the two top rails.

Abstract: The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a composite panel comprising a foam insulating panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, and a first layer of a polymeric elastomeric material on the first primary surface such that at least a portion of a first layer of reinforcing material is at least partially embedded in the polymeric elastomeric material. The composite panel also comprises a fastener for attaching the composite panel to a framing structure, wherein the fastener comprises a washer and wherein at least a portion of the first layer of a polymeric elastomeric material and the first layer of reinforcing material are disposed between the washer and the first primary surface. A method of making and using the composite panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: Walkable photovoltaic floor, constituted of pieces of laminated glass composed of at least two layers of glass (1 and 2), joined together by an encapsulant (6), by an intermediate layer of photovoltaic material (3), and by a peripheral sealed frame (4).

Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing an existing structure to cover at least a portion of the existing structure with a repair structure. Such methods comprise mounting one or more standoff retainers to the existing structure; coupling one or more standoffs to the standoff retainers such that the standoffs extend away from the existing structure; coupling one or more cladding panels to the standoffs such that the panels are spaced apart from the structure to provide a space therebetween; and introducing a curable material to the space between the panels and the existing structure, the panels acting as at least a portion of a formwork for containing the curable material until the curable material cures to provide a repair structure cladded, at least in part, by the panels. Corresponding apparatus for effecting such methods are also provided.

Abstract: A machine for aligning items in a pattern and a method of using the machine. The machine includes a robotic assembly having four spaced apart joints. The joints including a base joint which is mounted to a stationary surface and a wrist joint onto which an effector is secured. A suction cup is mounted on the effector and is connected to a vacuum source. The suction cup is capable to picking up, positioning and releasing a new item relative to a first laid item and a second laid item. The first and second laid items each have an upper surface and each is aligned perpendicular to one another. The machine further includes three edge sensors and three height sensor.

Abstract: A multidimensional structures that is formed of thirty six interconnecting members in such a manner as to form eight (8) tetrahedrons and six (6) octahedrons thereby providing a structure that is both light weight and strong, the interconnecting members variously intersecting at a central point in the middle of the multidimensional structure and at twelve (12) external connecting points.

Abstract: A ceiling-mounting baffle system including vertical panels. In one embodiment, the system includes a suspension bar mountable from a ceiling or other overhead structure and a vertical panel mountable to the suspension bar. The suspension bar includes a plurality of mounting segments spaced axially along the bar. To mount the panels to the suspension bar, the panel includes a hook element which may be disposed proximate to a top of the panel. The hook is configured to detachably engage a mounting segment to secure the panel to the suspension bar. In one embodiment, the hook element is associated with a recurved mounting slot integrally formed in the panel which receives the mounting segment of the suspension bar. The mounting segment is movable through the slot to hook the panel to the suspension bar.

Abstract: Movable partition systems include an elongated, fixed drive member extending along a track, a partition that is automatically and manually movable along the track, and a motor carried by the movable partition configured to drive a rotatable drive member that is engagable with the elongated, fixed drive member. The rotatable drive member may be engaged with, and disengaged from, the fixed drive member. Methods of moving a partition along a track include actuating a motor carried by a movable partition to drive rotation of a drive member while the drive member is engaged with an elongated, fixed drive member, and manually moving the partition along the track while the rotatable drive member is disengaged from the fixed drive member. Methods of installing a movable partition system include configuring a rotatable drive member to be capable of engagement with, and disengagement from, an elongated, fixed drive member.

Abstract: A lifting and leveling assembly configured to be embedded in a precast concrete slab for lifting a leveling a precast concrete slab includes a base plate, a threaded sleeve, an anchor plate, a thread protecting sleeve, a threaded lifting bolt and an end cap. Rotating the threaded lifting bolt in a first direction positions a bolt head on the threaded lifting bolt above a top surface of a precast concrete slab to accommodate the attachment of a lifting device. Rotating the threaded lifting bolt in a second direction positions the bolt head beneath the top surface of the concrete slab and causes the threaded shaft to exert a force on the base plate to level the precast concrete slab.

Abstract: A modular ceiling comprising first and second main runners defining an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining a longitudinal retaining cavity along the first main runner and two grooves disposed parallel to and, respectively, on each side from the longitudinal retaining cavity; a cross member installable at an angle from the main runners and adapted to connect the first main runner with the second main runner, the cross member being secured to the main runners by a cross member fastener having a cross runner anchor adapted to engage the groove defined in main runners; and a panel adapted to be disposed between main runners and being supported, at least in part, by main runners.

Abstract: A building system comprising: a building panel comprising first and second outer sheet members, an inner sheet member disposed between the first and second outer sheet members, and solid insulating material disposed between the first and second outer sheet members and the inner sheet member; a first track member, the first track member and the building panel being arranged such that the panel is engagable along a first side with the first track member and the first track member is connectable to the first and second outer sheet members; a second track member, the second track member and the building panel being arranged such that the panel is engagable along a second side with the second track member and the second track member is connectable to the first and second outer sheet members and the inner sheet member.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for connecting one or more divider walls to structural components of a building. Particularly, at least one implementation includes a flexible connection that can allow at least a portion of the divider wall to move relative to the building's structural components. Consequently, such movement can help the divider wall to withstand seismic events, such as earthquakes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an outside wall cladding element for cladding an outside wall (6). The outside wall cladding element includes a structure (1) of a panel-shaped material and fastening elements to be mounted on the outside wall, in which the panel-shaped material includes a zigzag or wave-shaped element (1), and is provided with a bottom side (4) and a top side (5), in which the bottom side and the top side of the zigzag-shaped element make an angle ? (delta) with one another which is in a range between 50 to 130 degrees, and in which a side (4) includes a light-absorbing layer and another side (5) includes a light-reflecting layer.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a cardboard building construction material, said cardboard building construction material comprising a plurality of glued cardboard plies, wherein the cardboard plies are rolled on a drum (122) into a roll (114) and wherein glue (134) is circumferentially applied in spaced apart strips (238) thereby defining a non-glued region between the strips, in which region a cutter (246) cuts the cardboard plies from an outer diameter toward an inner diameter of the roll (114).

Abstract: Described is a lightweight shingle assembly (LSA). The LSA is formed of a fastening portion that is secured with a shingle portion. The shingle portion is any weather resistant shingle material, such as slate, granite, limestone, etc., while the fastening portion is a lightweight and weather resistant material, such as aluminum sheet metal. Further, an insulating support can be positioned within the fastening portion to further support and insulate the LSA. Thus, the LSA provides lower roofing weight loads than solid material shingles with the same appearance and function.

Abstract: Flooring material including 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: A support assembly is provided for supporting external veneer. It has a mounting bracket that is fixedly mounted to a load bearing wall support structure, and a shelf angle. The shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the external facing members. The mounting bracket may be a channel. The legs of the channel may each be formed to have a seat. The seat includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket, such that the vertical load is transferred from the web of the shelf bracket to the toes. The toes do not extend below the horizontal leg of the shelf angle, and do not protrude downwardly of it. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The finger is also relieved, at an angle of relief greater than the slot.

Abstract: A flexible roofing fastener is provided for securing water resistant material to a substrate such as wood and preventing leaks through holes created in the material by the roofing fastener. The roofing fastener includes a resilient disk having a flat lower surface, a thick central region and an annular region having a thickness that tapers downwardly from a central area toward a periphery. The disk central region has a plurality of evenly spaced apart flat-headed nails extending downwardly there through. The annular region having plurality of holes through which sealing material can flow. A flexible disk, when upload flexes in a cup shape causing wedge effect on the anchoring points in the substrate, allowing this fastener to perform better when under a simulated wind uplift testing of various modified bitumen Roof Systems.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a first connector attached to a first hollow metal log of a building superstructure; a latch; and a second connector attached to a second hollow metal log of the superstructure. The first connector comprises a slot for receiving a projecting flange of the latch, and the second connector comprises an opening adapted to receive a cam portion of the latch. The projecting flange can be pre-engaged with the slot to form a preassembly. The engagement of the cam with the opening formed in the second connector then forms a final assembly wherein the first connector, the latch, and the second connector are latched together so that the first and second logs are interconnected and made resistant to wind uplift.

Abstract: A siding product may include a panel having a substantially rectangular structure with a simulated pattern on a front face thereof. The panel may be formed from a polymer and may include color variegation. The panel may have a hollow back and be a single shake configuration that does not simulate more than one shake or more than one course of siding. The siding product may include a panel having a front face with a simulated pattern. The panel can include a hollow back, a longitudinal length extending in an x-direction, a lateral width extending in a y-direction, and a transverse depth extending in a z-direction. The panel can have a plurality of reinforcement ribs on the hollow back that extend longitudinally in the x-direction and transversely in the z-direction. In a version, none of the reinforcement ribs extend laterally in the y-direction.