Abstract: A handrail member is in a deployed state and at a so-called usable position when a tip portion of the handrail member is arranged between a sliding door and a lateral portion of a vehicle. Moreover, by making the handrail member usable, a passenger can place his or her hand on the handrail member when getting on or off the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to help the passenger get on/off the vehicle. In this manner, by turning the handrail member along a vehicle width direction around a bolt, the handrail member can be deployed and stored with a simple configuration.

Abstract: A roofing system including a cap shingle and a method of producing a cap shingle are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cap shingle is formed with a continuous or discontinuous self-sealing adhesive that is applied along a ridgeline direction and can provide high wind resistance, without the use of hand-sealed adhesive application. In an embodiment of the method, one or more layers of a shingle material can be oriented in a machine direction with the self-sealing adhesive applied adjacent side edges of the shingle material to form the cap shingles having self-seal strips and configured to bend in the machine direction for installation of the cap shingles along a ridge of a roof.

Abstract: Sinusoidal shaped member units and support member units are parts that form pre-stressed assemblies having flexural properties. Sinusoidal shaped members are relaxed material members that have been elastically deformed. Support members maintain the elastically deformed state of the sinusoidal shaped members. The sinusoidal shaped members and support members are organized into pre-stressed curvilinear assemblies containing stored elastic potential energy that is equal to the work done by the forces that deformed their pre-stressed structure. The assemblies' sinusoidal shaped members and support members are adapted to use materials having exceptional mechanical properties and flexural strength. This includes nano-composites. The assemblies' pre-stressed state enhances its mechanical, electrical and structural performance. The size, number, density and possible geometric configurations of the sinusoidal shaped member units and support member units within an assembly/structure is vast.

Abstract: A beam and bolting construction method and an example dwelling (10) according to the method are provided. The method involves preliminary steps of selecting a site and determining a bolt array (19) and selection of dimensions and materials. Actual construction steps include forming a foundation slab (14) having vertical bolts (18) embedded therein in accordance with the bolt array (19). Alternating layers of beams (B), having aligned bolt bores (52) for receiving the bolts, are successively laid down over the bolts (18), with sides meeting at corners (29) with alternating sides encompassing the corner bolt. Once a desired height is achieved, washers (72) and nuts (78) are placed on the bolts and are tightened to desired pressure levels. The dwelling (10) is formed with beams (42) compressed together by threaded bolts (18) in a bolt array (19).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for segmenting spaces. The system may provide an aluminum extrusion system for supporting rigid and flexible panels. The aluminum extrusion system may comprise a custom designed aluminum extrusion that may mount flexible or rigid substrates with interlocking bases and connectors. The system is constructed and arranged to be capable of temporary and permanent installation, and is structurally sound, and safe. The system is design to be capable of effectively blending with the existing décor. The aluminum extrusion system provides a method for segmenting space to maximize the functional space which may be utilized, in a way that is attractive, functional, temporary or permanent, and portable.

Abstract: A seating arrangement includes a rigid back frame, a flexible back shell coupled to the back frame and including a pair of vertical side portions and at least two strap portions extending laterally between the side portions and including a forwardly-facing surface configured to support a back of a seated user, the at least two strap portions including a lowermost strap portion, the lowermost strap portion configured to deflect a first distance when a rearwardly-directed force is exerted on the lowermost strap portion by a seated user, and a lumbar assembly supported from the back frame and configured to support the lumbar region of a back of a seated user, the lumbar assembly configured to deflect a second distance when the rearwardly-directed force is exerted on the lumbar assembly by a seated user, wherein the first distance and the second distance are substantially similar.

Abstract: A precursor to form an impaling clip, and an impaling clip formed therefrom. The impaling clip is configured for mounting an acoustic panel on a structural component, e.g., a wall stud, of a building. The impaling clip includes a base member from which a pair of prongs project upward perpendicular to the plane of the base member. The base member includes at least one hole for receipt of a fastener, e.g., a screw, to fixedly secure the base member of the clip to the structural component. Each prong includes a leg portion terminating in pointed head and outwardly projecting under-cut barbs configured to pierce through the back surface of the panel to lock the prong within the panel so that it is resistant to removal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing a grout space provided between a backing wall and a veneer layer. The grout space sealing apparatus includes a deflector that is installed at an intersection of a backing wall and a horizontal surface and a sealing member that is positionable over the deflector and extends onto the backing wall above the deflector and/or across the horizontal surface in front of the deflector. The grout space sealing apparatus causes water that has permeated the exterior veneer to run down an exterior surface of the sealing member. The water is directed along the exterior surface of the sealing member away from the backing wall and towards weep holes provided in the veneer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for fastening wall and ceiling panels, such as drywall sheets, to framing members. The back side of the panels comprise a first touch fastening component of a touch or hook and loop fastening system configured to removably couple with a second touch fastening component of the fastening system. The second touch fastening component is provided on an outer surface of framing members that are configured to physically support the panels. The second touch fastening component may be coupled to a framing member, or may formed integral by the framing member. Some framing members may comprise a stud/joist, a c-channel, a fixed furring strip or an adjustable furring. The disclosed systems and methods may form walls, ceiling, partitions and the like.

Abstract: A microbial inhibiting system for angled asphalt roofs. The system includes copper-based strips along the ridge of the roof, wherein the proximal edges of the copper-based strips are operatively associated between a ridge vent and a portion of the upper roof. A distal end of the copper-based strips may provide windshear bends to keep the whole system in place during high winds. Once installed onto an asphalt roof, the present invention is adapted so that rainwater is directed over the copper-base members of the system, causing a chemical reaction therewith, wherein the resulting chemical will wash away along the roofing membrane, removing any mold, algae, and moss as the chemically infused rainwater rolls down the roof.

Abstract: A modular precast concrete structure system to form a modular precast concrete structure as a portion of a subsurface storage basin is provided, the system including a concrete slab having a first edge and opposite second edge, and a first concrete side wall having an outer surface extending from the first edge substantially perpendicularly to the concrete slab, and a second concrete side wall having an outer surface extending from the second edge substantially perpendicularly to the concrete slab, the outer surfaces of the first and second concrete side walls being configured to be substantially parallel, each of the first and second side walls being configured with canted inner surfaces such that the first and second side walls taper in thickness away from the slab, and a plurality of footings each configured with a footing groove along an upper surface thereof, the footing grooves configured to receive a bottom edge of at least one of the first and second side walls therein.

Abstract: A method for levelling an anchoring system for a dropped ceiling, a floating floor, a pipe or a cable tray, having at least one support bracket for the pipe or a section bar of a support frame of a dropped ceiling, a floating floor or a cable tray, and an adjustment screw to adjust the distance of the section bar from a reference surface, wherein a laser receiver is placed in contact with the section bar or the support bracket, has an optical window to receive a laser beam emitted by a laser level, assumes two height states indicating the receiving position of the laser beam relative to a reference position, and transmits, in a wireless manner, two control signals corresponding to the two height states, and wherein an electric screwdriver receives, in a wireless manner, the control signals and switches the rotation of the adjustment screw between one direction and the opposite direction based on the control signal received.

Abstract: A weldment support for holding a weldment plate in a precast concrete form is provided. The weldment support holds the weldment plate at a predetermined position so that the weldment plate is exposed on one side of the finished precast concrete panel. Weldment plates have one or more studs extending into the form to anchor the plate in the precast concrete panel. The weldment support has multiple adjustment features to secure the weldment support to different sizes of studs and to set the weldment plate at different positions within the form. In some embodiments, one adjustment feature is a plurality of deflectable fingers that engage the stud of the weldment plate, and another adjustment feature is a plurality of segments that can be broken off of the support to set the position of the weldment plate in the form.

Abstract: A small modular building system and method for establishing a small scale retail business in an existing parking lot. The building system includes three building modules sized to fit on two trailers, which when assembled form a building with a one-story main service area and an attached tower with a lower story bathroom and an upper story mechanicals/utility room above the bathroom. A further component of the system is a rigid carport arch dimensioned to fit in complementary fashion with one or more of the building modules onto the delivery trailer. A method is also disclosed for delivering, assembling, and installing the modules in an existing parking lot to form a functional, well-anchored building with minimal disruption to the parking lot.

Abstract: A phase-change energy-storage structure for building insulation. The wall structure is provided with a wall base, an insulation layer, an oriented structural board, a shaped phase-change energy-storage insulation board, and an exterior decorative board in sequence from outdoor to indoor. The shaped phase-change energy-storage insulation board is composed of an inorganic composite phase-change material and a packaging sheet. The inorganic composite phase-change material has a phase-change temperature of 10 to 40° C., obtained by compounding an inorganic hydrated salt and a porous structural carrier. In the inorganic composite phase-change material, a mass percentage of the inorganic hydrated salt is 40 to 95%, and the inorganic composite phase-change material is coated with a fire resistant and corrosion resistant light-cured resin. The coldness in outdoor air in summer night can be stored in the phase-change energy-storage insulation board, which can be released into the indoor air during the day.

Abstract: A vertical column has a column body extending between a first end and a second end. The column body includes a main body, a conical portion extending from the main body, and a tip portion extending from the conical portion. The vertical column includes a first helical structure extending around a portion of the main body and a second helical structure extending around a portion the tip portion.

Abstract: A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system, The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.

Abstract: An automatic extension device for releasing a downspout extension from a raised position to a lowered position including a control board, a power source, a latch with the ability to connect to a downspout extension, and a release kickoff. The latch is controlled by the control board wherein the control board receives inputs from a data source, a moisture sensor, a calendar database, or other relevant source. The latch is connected to the downspout extension such that when the latch releases, the downspout and downspout extension become disconnected and the downspout extension can move to the lowered position. The release kickoff includes a device such as a spring to assist in initiating the downspout extension moving to the lowered position.

Abstract: In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, solar energy shade structures and methods of design and revenue generation are disclosed. These systems comprise structures capable of supporting solar panel at heights greater than 18 feet above their mounting surface. These systems may be installed in confined spaces. These systems also comprise structures that are customizable, allowing an installation to be configured with a desired lighting and environmental effect. The methods discussed herein describe processes for achieving desired design effects based on natural elements. Moreover, the methods discussed herein describe processes for reducing the costs of generating solar energy and/or reducing the costs of providing a solar structure.

Abstract: A shingle remover includes a fork riser, a pusher, and front and rear crank shafts. The fork riser includes forks separated by fork spacers. The forks are configured to push under shingles and separate them from roof structures. The fork spacers and forks pull out the nails associated with the shingles. Scoops on some of the forks urge pulled shingles away from the shingle remover for disposal. A fork carrier associated with the fork riser secures the forks to a front crank shaft while a cam associated with the front crank shaft periodically urges the forks forward under the shingles. A slot in the fork carrier engages with the rear crank shaft to limit movement of the forks to a substantially horizontal back-and-forth direction. The pusher includes tines that bite into the roof to oppose movement of the shingle remover as the forks push under and remove the shingles.