Abstract: A building facade system includes framework having shelf members secured to the floor slabs. The top terminal ends of vertical mullions are fastened to the shelf members, thereby hanging the mullions therefrom. Horizontal support embers fastened to the mullions support infill panels and are coupled to shelf members which are on the below floor slab. Intermediate support members fastened to the mullions support slab edge cover panels. Posts are fastened to the shelf members and are secured to the floor slabs within troughs formed with embedded channels. The posts are horizontally and vertically adjustably fastenable to the shelf members. The shelf members are thereby also horizontally and vertically adjustable relative to the floor slabs. Terminal edges of the floor slabs can project into mullion cutouts.

Abstract: A fluid transfer coupling is described that includes first and second connectable coupling members that together contain a sealed interior space when connected. A gas or steam purge inlet and a purge outlet are disposed in fluid communication with the sealed interior space for purging potential contaminants out of the interior space. The coupling also includes a vacuum port in fluid communication with the sealed interior space for drawing a vacuum on the sealed interior space and optionally testing the space for an adequate seal. The first coupling member includes a first fluid transfer conduit and the second coupling member includes a second fluid transfer conduit. The first and second fluid transfer conduits are positioned such that they can be connected together within the sealed interior space when the first and second coupling members are connected.

Abstract: A system for providing siding to a building is disclosed. The system utilizes components which have their own brackets with attachment flanges in order to connect directly to an exterior wall of the building. The brackets contain their own integrated water control systems, which co-act with those of other components to control and direct water into vertical channels and out from behind the siding system. These flanges double as self-contained flashing. In all the system presents a roof-to-foundation siding system that is self-contained and fully transitional from one piece to another.

Abstract: A transition body may be disposed between upper and lower tower sections of a tower for a wind power station. Some example transition bodies may include a substantially annular upper connection flange for connection to the upper tower section, and at least three substantially annular lower connection flanges, each of which may connect to a corner leg of the lower tower section. The transition body may have several segments disposed about a central tower axis, with the number of segments corresponding to the number of corner legs. Upper peripheral sections of the segments may form an annular circumferential connection envelope that supports the upper connection flange. Lower sections of the segments may form annular circumferential segment envelopes that support the lower connection flanges. The segments may be disposed at acute angles and converge into one another at or near the upper connection flange.

Abstract: A system for connecting a photovoltaic mounting rail onto a mounting post using a connection system with a pair of interlocking grasps having interdigitated fingers that can be locked into the mounting rail when moved by a fastening system.

Abstract: A solar rack for supporting a solar panel, said solar rack including a pair of support frames, each support frame including a front member, a bottom member, and a rear member, wherein the front member, the bottom member, and the rear member cooperate to form a triangularly shaped structure; and a trough including two ends and a base, each end of the trough is configured to be attached to a portion of each of the support frames to form a support upon which the solar panel is disposed, the support having bottom surfaces, wherein the base of the trough is configured to be offset with respect to the bottom surfaces of the support.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dual use coupling end including a pipe section having an annular recessed cam groove a distance from an annular endwardly facing surface of the pipe section, the cam groove defined by a curved or tapered cam groove surface extending gradually radially inwardly from an annular radial outer surface of the fitting adjacent toward the endwardly facing surface, to an annular clamp groove terminating on an opposite end by a radially outwardly extending annular clamp abutment surface located a distance from the endwardly facing surface. The clamp abutment surface extends a distance radially outwardly from the radial innermost portion to an annular beveled cam abutment surface at an acute angle to the clamp abutment surface and facing radially outwardly from the endwardly facing surface, the cam abutment surface disposed radially outwardly of the cam groove surface and including a radial outward discontinuous extension.

Abstract: A portable shelter that is convertible between a collapsed transport configuration and an expanded operational configuration. The shelter includes a container having a wing wall that is selectively pivotal between a closed position and an open position, and an inflatable tent having a flexible inflatable support structure and a flexible cover. When the wing wall is in the open position, the inflatable support structure is selectively inflatable from a collapsed configuration to an operational configuration to thereby support the cover in an expanded operational configuration above the wing wall, such that the cover forms a sheltered space. The inflatable support structure is selectively deflatable from the operational configuration to the collapsed configuration, whereupon the first wing wall may be pivoted to the closed position to store the tent within an internal space of the container, such that the shelter is in the transport configuration.

Abstract: A method of marketing an elevated prefabricated building includes the steps of: 1) offering to a customer for a quoted price, a building that has a precast concrete chain wall foundation and a prefabricated building that is to be supported by the precast concrete chain wall foundation; 2) the offer in step “a” including an offer to install the building at the site within a span of construction time on site of a week or less; 3) the precast concrete chain wall foundation offered for shipment to a selected site after it has been cast; and 4) the precast concrete chain wall foundation and prefabricated building being offered to be installed at the selected site with a lifting device that lifts each from the transport vehicle to the site.

Abstract: A thermally-broken ornamental door includes a thermally-broken door and a thermally-broken jamb through which thermal transfer is greatly minimized. The thermally-broken door includes an outer panel and an inner panel that are minimally connected through a plurality of door bridging strips. The thermally-broken jamb includes an outer jamb frame and an inner jamb frame that are minimally connected through a plurality of jamb bridging strips. An insulating foam panel is present between the outer panel and the inner panel while an insulating foam core is present between the outer jamb frame and the inner jamb frame. A window assembly is hingedly mounted into the thermally-broken door and includes a retaining spacer frame that minimizes thermal transfer from an exterior environment to an inner window frame through a glass panel of the window assembly. The retaining spacer frame additionally provides structural support to the glass panel.

Abstract: Structural systems having coated structural members with enhanced durability are provided, along with methods of making and using the same. Structural members including at least one coating material applied to a substrate that comprises at least one protrusion may exhibit increased strength and/or durability and may be less likely fail during use. For example, structural members as described herein exhibit an improved resistance to cracking when a force is applied to the protrusion. Structural systems according to embodiments of the present invention can be suitable for use in a variety of applications, including in ready-to-assemble furniture or cabinetry applications or as building and construction materials such as wall board, flooring, trim, and the like.

Abstract: A multi-piece storage tank pad is configured to support a storage tank used in oilfield operations. The multi-piece pad includes a plurality of pad pieces where each pad piece has a core coated with a polymeric coating. Each pad piece also defines at least two connector receiving contours. Two pad pieces of the multi-piece pad are joined by a connector. Each connector also has a core that is coated with the polymeric coating. Each connector is separate from the plurality of pad pieces, and each has a shape that corresponds to two adjacent connector receiving contours.

Abstract: A fence pipe plumb device having a platform with a bulls-eye spirit level atop the platform, and a magnetic attachment portion for snap to alignment with the fence pipe. The device permits mounting to the fence pipe and dismounting from the fence pipe without disturbing the alignment of the fence pipe, when the fence pipe is resting in wet concrete.

Abstract: A roof flashing and a combination of the roof flashing, a roof structure, and a conduit are provided. The roof flashing includes a base and a flexible tube. Both the base and the flexible tube include an elastic water barrier and a plastically deformable shaping material, allowing the base to be molded to the contours of the roof structure and the tube to be shaped to closely fit around the conduit.

Abstract: The anchoring element serves to anchor the bracket to a substrate, and the pressure element is intended to interact with the firestop collar. The pressure element can be moved relative to the anchoring element. An expansion element made of intumescent material is arranged between the anchoring element and the pressure element.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a sliding entry door assembly. The sliding door assembly has a frame, and a fixed lid attached to the frame. A rail is attached to the frame. A lid is selectively slidable upon the rail relative to the fixed lid to an opened position. A cam is selectively operable to raise the slidable lid to be flush with the fixed lid in a closed position.

Abstract: A building construction unit and a method of constructing a building using wall and ceiling panel assemblies that are made up of traditional framing materials, such as studs and interior walls, coated with insulating foam, except that the typical exterior sheathing is optional. Because the panel assembly is structurally sound and thermally insulated, the only reason to install an exterior sheath or additional roofing material is for aesthetic or practical purposes.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a workspace based on a central-themed geometric configuration, wherein a circular area is divided into pie segments that relate a first team of working associations, separated radially, from a second team of working associations, first and second teams of associations collocated circumferentially into teams of differing and similar tasked members.

Abstract: A fastening system for applying, over an opening and surrounding fascia of a structure, a covering material including either of a flexible or rigid outer reinforced extending perimeter within which is configured a plurality of receiving apertures. A plurality of rails are adapted to being secured to the fascia in extending fashion proximate the opening, each of the rails exhibiting a three dimensional cross sectional shape with a forwardly projecting support surface within which is configured an outwardly facing narrowed slot for receiving a plurality of fasteners for securing the edges of the covering. An insert secures together the elongated channels in perimeter defined fashion over the intake opening. The inserts each have compression fitting sides adapted to inter-engage within the interior channels of the rails.

Abstract: A magnetized fastening system for applying, over an opening and surrounding fascia of a structure, a covering material including either of a flexible or rigid outer reinforced extending perimeter within which is configured a plurality of receiving apertures. A plurality of rails are adapted to being secured to the fascia in extending fashion proximate the opening, each of the rails exhibiting a three dimensional cross sectional shape with a forwardly projecting support surface within which is configured an outwardly facing narrowed slot for receiving a plurality of fasteners for securing the edges of the covering. A magnetized insert secures together the elongated channels in perimeter defined fashion over the intake opening.