Abstract: An examples includes storing a cover for a motorcycle while providing back support for a rider. The example can include a backrest cushion housing to be mounted behind a motorcycle seat of the motorcycle, against a fixed backrest of the motorcycle, the backrest cushion housing sized to extend away from the motorcycle, above the motorcycle seat extending to at least a lumbar height of the rider, the backrest cushion housing defining an inner cavity and an opening. The example can include a cover stowable in the backrest cushion housing. The example can include a configuration wherein in a stowed mode of operation the backrest cushion housing defines a backrest cushion with padding including the cover.

Abstract: Protective barriers are commonly installed beneath ceilings when construction work is performed either on these ceilings or on the roofs located above them. These protective barriers can be comprised entirely of one material or of different materials connected by seams. Some or all of these materials can be designed to fail when subjected to temperatures above a certain temperature range causing melting or some other destructive process to occur to these materials. These failures can create access points from the ceiling through the protective barrier to areas below being protected by the barrier, which can allow water from a fire suppression system, typically located near the ceiling, to reach a fire located below the protective barrier.

Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a vertical locking system on short edges including a displaceable tongue that is displaced in one direction into a tongue groove during vertical displacement of two panels. Building panels provided with a locking system for vertical locking of a first and a second building panel by a vertical displacement of the panels relative each other, a displaceable tongue is in a sidewardly open displacement groove provided at an edge of a first panel, said tongue cooperates with a tongue groove provided at an adjacent edge of a second panel for locking the edge and the adjacent edge vertically.

Abstract: A method of controlling a steam heating system on a zone by zone, and radiator by radiator basis, through the electromechanically controlled release of air from radiators. A programmable set of target temperatures for each zone is stored in a microprocessor module. The microprocessor monitors the air temperature of each zone through probes. The microprocessor can selectively open and close the electromechanical air vent valves installed on each radiator's vent port. When one of the vent valves is caused to be opened, the steam boiler is triggered to start producing steam pressure; steam displaces the air in the radiators, out the vent valves, heating them up. Each zone's temperature is achieved and maintained by controlling the associated radiators' output through modulating their air vent valves. Through the microprocessor's adjustment of the vent valves' temperatures and cycle timing, optimal energy efficiency across multiple zone control is achieved.

Abstract: The window assembly uses a releasable press fit frame connection. The window assembly includes a window pane sandwiched between a pair of frame halves that are press fit together by the engagement of a plurality of corresponding male and female connectors integrally formed into the frame halves. The corresponding male and female connectors are spaced apart around the perimeter of frame halves and hold the window assembly within the window openings cut in the wall or door panels. The window assembly of this invention also includes a release key that allows the frame halves to be taken apart. The release key is manually inserted through thin slots formed in the frame halves to disengage the connection between corresponding male connectors and female connectors.

Abstract: A system and method providing a facade for portable toilets and other structures includes a plurality of panels that mimic or emulate a more aesthetically pleasings structure. The facade may provide the appearance of a house or other structure to disguise the less appealing form of a portable toilet. One, two, three or more panels connect about a portable toilet structure and may partially or completely connect to the portable toilet structure itself. The facade is optionally comprised of lightweight and easily transportable material.

Abstract: A demountable modular wall system including a series of individual wall panels that can be positioned adjacent to each other. The demountable wall system includes a doorway defined by a pair of spaced vertical posts and a horizontal header. In one embodiment, a sliding glass door is movable along a sliding door track mounted to the horizontal header. A lower trim assembly mounted to the bottom end of the sliding glass door adjusts the overall height of the door. The doorway can also include a pivoting glass door. The pivoting glass door includes a bottom pivot assembly having a bottom clamp adjustably positioned along a bottom end of the pivoting glass door. The adjustable bottom clamp can be moved along the bottom end of the pivoting glass door and receives a pivot pin supported on the floor. A top pivot assembly includes a movable plunger that defines a portion of the pivot axis for the pivoting glass door.

Abstract: Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system having small local protrusions which reduce displacement along the joint when the panels are laying flat on the sub floor and locked vertically and horizontally.

Abstract: Substrates such as sheet metal components may be kept spaced apart from each other using a molded polymeric spacing device. The spacing device has a main body with a thickness corresponding to the desired minimum spacing between the substrates and, extending from the main body or a base connected to said main body, an attachment member capable of being inserted into an opening in one of the substrates, but resistant to being easily withdrawn from such opening. Noise and vibration that might otherwise be generated or propagated by closely proximate substrates are reduced through the use of such molded polymeric spacing devices, which may be integrally fashioned from a rubber.

Abstract: The system described herein consists of an isolator and a damping device. The isolator and damping device are used to isolate structures and thus to mitigate earthquake effects on structures. These devices extremely reduce transmitted energy to an isolated superstructure, so that protected structures by means of the devices described herein, may have small or no damages. The isolator has a spherical base fixed to ground via a footing, middle part that responds to the moving base by rotating around the center of a small concave or convex, causing the superstructure to move upwards and downwards vertically, and a top part connected to a superstructure. The damping device consists of a base receives vertical displacement from the superstructure, dampers and springs to dissipate more energy, restrict maximum horizontal displacements and might help returning the superstructure to its stationary position in smooth way.

Abstract: A protective cover for an exposed end of a rebar has a collar with a closed end and an open end and a cap disposed within the collar. The cap has a closed end and an open end that is exposed to the open end of the collar such that an end of a rebar that is introduced into the open end of the collar will extend into the open end of the cap.

Abstract: Embodiments provide apparatus for supporting at least one utility cable for spanning above ground, the apparatus comprising a centrifugally cast prestressed concrete pole, a structural adapter, and a cable support structure including an open lattice frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a structural member made of composite material, characterized by comprising a body which is made of a composite material with at least one type of fiber and at least one type of resin; and at least one connection member which is one piece with said body in order to provide connection to another structural member with the same characteristics. The present invention also relates to modular structures like buildings produced using said structural members.

Abstract: A modular fire prevention flooring system includes a plurality of fire prevention flooring planks. Each plank is generally tubular and forms a drain channel. Fluids spilled onto the upper surface of the flooring system may drain through a plurality of drain holes formed in the upper surface of the planks. The planks may further include a metal filler positioned within the drain channels to stop combustion of burning fluids spilled into the drain channels. The metal filler may break up burning liquids and remove heat therefrom. In some embodiments, a purging fluid may be flowed through the planks to purge any spilled fluids therefrom.

Abstract: A prefabricated rain screen wall panel is provided comprising inner and outer concrete panels secured together by shear connectors. Intermediate members provide insulation, a drainage channel and a vapor barrier.

Abstract: Improvements in a fire escape having a structure of a Helix/Spiral Cylinder shape. It's a building within a building. It provides a quick and safe evacuation for all fire victims, including the A.D.A., the injured and the elderly. Its spiral design can accommodate a large number of floor levels. It eliminates the hazards acquainted with stairs and elevators. It has the capability of removing some of the smoke from the high-rise fire by way of a metal Ducting System. It draws the smoke into the center smoke shaft. The spiral is a two-way traffic pathway, which offers Fire Department personnel and their equipment a method of upward transportation to any floor-level they need for fighting this fire incident. My design can be retrofitted to any existing building.

Abstract: A plant container assembly, method, and kit include a plant container with a sidewall having first and second sidewall portions, an open top, and an open bottom. A hinge member is on the sidewall between the open top and the open bottom and pivotally connects the first and second sidewall portions for movement between an open position of the plant container, and a closed position of the plant container forming an interior space capable of containing plant growing medium. A closure portion extends along the sidewall between the open top and the open bottom. A plant support cooperatively engages the closure portion and selectively holds the plant container in the closed position. A planar member is configured to be selectively placed within the plant container and supported on a ledge member on each of the first and second sidewall portions to selectively form a bottom closure for the plant container.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a modular shelter that is suited for use as a safety chamber in an underground working environment. The shelter includes at least two wall units connected along a substantially sealed seam, a base unit that extends substantially throughout a floor plan of the shelter, and a roll cage that surrounds an outer extent of the shelter above the floor plan. The shelter may be configured to maintain a pressurized state in a closed condition. Each of the at least two wall units may share a substantially common shape and substantially common dimension, and may form a part of a wall, ceiling, and floor of the shelter. The shelter can also include various atmospheric control, circulation, and purge systems, and exterior and soft seal doors to assist in maintaining a livable atmosphere in the safety chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an elongated C-shaped backing stud having a plurality of receiving notches positioned along its outer flanges. The backing stud is fastened to the studs of a sheet metal wall assembly by means of a plurality of fasteners, and such that the plurality of studs of the wall assembly abuts a planar web portion of the backing stud. The backing stud may be characterized in that (i) the ratio of the width of the web portion to the width of the backing stud flanges ranges from about 8 to 16, (ii) the ratio of the width of the backing stud flanges to width of the outer returns is at least about one, and (iii) the ratio of the width of the plurality of studs to the width of the outer returns ranges from about 6 to 8. The backing stud is configured to support wall hung grab bars, hand rails, cabinets, shelves, and the like.

Abstract: Stay in place molds for the construction of concrete structures having fiber cement panels held together by multiple holding units is described. The holding units requires a flat rectangular main body; an indentation substantially located at the center of the upper side of the flat rectangular main body; left and right lateral edges perpendicularly located at the lateral sides of the rectangular body and a lower edge perpendicularly positioned at the lower side of the bottom side of the flat rectangular main body. They are selectively distributed at the internal cavity of the molds as a series of columns and rows separated from each other at predetermined distance. The particular structure and its distribution pattern facilitate the uniform contact of the liquid cement mixture and increase the strength and resistance of the structure prepared using the molds.