Abstract: A robotics-assisted foundation installation system is provided in which data reporting the X, Y, and Z positions of foundation column tops are sent from a total surveying station to a grid control system. The grid control system receives the data and associates specific data with specific columns in an array—the “grid.” The grid control system compares the actual positions of the columns in the grid to target positions that were determined based on the requirements of the structure to be supported. After determining differences between the actual positions and the target positions, the grid control system sends instructions to column positioning tools associated with the individual columns. Actuators in a column positioning tool are directed by the grid control system to adjust the position of the associated column. Once the live streamed data confirms that each column is in the proper position, the columns are fixed in place.

Abstract: A robotics-assisted foundation installation system is provided in which data reporting the X, Y, and Z positions of foundation column tops are sent from a total surveying station to a grid control system. The grid control system receives the data and associates specific data with specific columns in an array—the “grid.” The grid control system compares the actual positions of the columns in the grid to target positions that were determined based on the requirements of the structure to be supported. After determining differences between the actual positions and the target positions, the grid control system sends instructions to column positioning tools associated with the individual columns. Actuators in a column positioning tool are directed by the grid control system to adjust the position of the associated column. Once the live streamed data confirms that each column is in the proper position, the columns are fixed in place.

Abstract: A robotics-assisted foundation installation system is provided in which data reporting the X, Y, and Z positions of foundation column tops are sent from a total surveying station to a grid control system. The grid control system receives the data and associates specific data with specific columns in an array - the “grid.” The grid control system compares the actual positions of the columns in the grid to target positions that were determined based on the requirements of the structure to be supported. After determining differences between the actual positions and the target positions, the grid control system sends instructions to column positioning tools associated with the individual columns. Actuators in a column positioning tool are directed by the grid control system to adjust the position of the associated column. Once the live streamed data confirms that each column is in the proper position, the columns are fixed in place.

Abstract: An adjustable furniture attachment clamp for attachment to the underside of a furniture item with two spaced apart arm fasteners, the clamp comprising a clamp body having oppositely disposed laterally extending forked arms, each arm having a fastener slot having a width greater than the shanks of the arm fasteners, the fastener slots including inner ends spaced apart a distance less than the arm fasteners, such that lateral and forward-to-back play is provided for adjustment of the clamp relative to the furniture item, the clamp also having a downwardly facing beam pocket including a beam capture surface for holding the right upper beam flange of a support I-beam and a cam having a binding face for pressing against the lower portion of the left upper beam flange when a cam fastener is tightened for attaching the clamp body to the I-beam.

Abstract: An adjustable furniture attachment clamp for attachment to the underside of a furniture item with two spaced apart arm fasteners, the clamp comprising a clamp body having oppositely disposed laterally extending forked arms, each arm having a fastener slot having a width greater than the shanks of the arm fasteners, the fastener slots including inner ends spaced apart a distance less than the arm fasteners, such that lateral and forward-to-back play is provided for adjustment of the clamp relative to the furniture item, the clamp also having a downwardly facing beam pocket including a beam capture surface for holding the right upper beam flange of a support I-beam and a cam having a binding face for pressing against the lower portion of the left upper beam flange when a cam fastener is tightened for attaching the clamp body to the I-beam.

Abstract: A cradle joint for customizing furniture comprises a recess in a horizontal support bracket, the recess defined by two opposing jaws forming a top opening, two angled support ribs, and a bottom bar, two rod cams disposed in the recess adjacent the side walls and movable between rod cam clearance pockets disposed below the jaws and lower corner regions adjacent the bottom bar, the bottom bars having inclined apertures for receiving threaded fasteners, the fasteners threadedly received in the rod cams, a cross beam have an I-shaped profile, two upper flanges and two lower flanges, the cross beam received in the recess perpendicularly to the support bracket and secured in the recess by tightening the rod cams into overlocking engagement with the oblique upper portions of the outer edges of the lower flanges.

Abstract: An adjustable shelf assembly having a plurality of ribs, a rib cam associated with each rib, and a support beam having a substantially I-shaped profile. The rib cam has a transversely extending slot including a floor. Each rib has a shelf-retaining surface, a T-shaped downwardly-opening aperture, and two inwardly extending opposing rib cam flanges. The beam has two upper beam flanges and two annular channels. The upper beam flanges slide into the upper recesses of the aperture such that the rib is captured on the beam, and each rib cam flange extends into a respective one of the channels. The rib cam slides into one of the channels with one of the rib cam flanges captured in the slot. In the channel, the rib cam is rotatable around its longitudinal axis between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the slot floor bears down on the rib cam flange thereby locking the flange to the support beam.

Abstract: An adjustable shelf assembly comprises a plurality of ribs, a rib cam associated with each rib, and a support beam having a substantially I-shaped profile. The rib cam has a transversely extending slot including a floor. Each rib has a shelf-retaining surface, a T-shaped downwardly-opening aperture, and two inwardly extending opposing rib cam flanges. The beam has two upper beam flanges and two annular channels. The upper beam flanges slide into the upper recesses of the aperture such that the rib is captured on the beam, and each rib cam flange extends into one of the channels. The rib cam slides into one of the channels with one of the rib cam flanges captured in the slot. In the channel, the rib cam is rotatable around its longitudinal axis between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the slot floor bears down on the rib cam flange.

Abstract: A cradle joint for customizing furniture comprises a recess in a horizontal support bracket, the recess defined by two opposing jaws forming a top opening, two angled support ribs, and a bottom bar, two rod cams disposed in the recess adjacent the side walls and movable between rod cam clearance pockets disposed below the jaws and lower corner regions adjacent the bottom bar, the bottom bars having inclined apertures for receiving threaded fasteners, the fasteners threadedly received in the rod cams, a cross beam have an I-shaped profile, two upper flanges and two lower flanges, the cross beam received in the recess perpendicularly to the support bracket and secured in the recess by tightening the rod cams into overlocking engagement with the oblique upper portions of the outer edges of the lower flanges.

Abstract: An adjustable furniture joint for customizing furniture comprises a vertically disposed support having a longitudinally extending channel and opposing jaws defining an opening to the channel, the jaws having forward surfaces, one or more rear surfaces of a horizontal bracket in abutting engagement with the forward surfaces, a key cam having a neck, a head extending from said neck, and a longitudinal dimension, the head having a cross-sectional profile having two laterally extending ears, each ear having an inner surface inclined at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal dimension, the head slidingly received in the channel, the jaws having out-turned surfaces generally in parallel alignment and in abutting engagement with the inner surfaces of the ears, and means for biasing the head towards the bracket, application of the biasing force causing the inner surfaces of the ears to impinge on the out-turned surfaces of the jaws and urging the jaws inwardly towards the neck.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) produced by direct esterification of a mixture containing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid in a mole ratio ranging from about 1.05 to about 1.35 dl/g, with at least about 325 parts of an antimony catalyst per million parts of polymer product, can be treated to reduce its acetaldehyde content and acetaldehyde generation rate and increase molecular weight to the levels required for the production of beverage bottles. After heat treatment to produce a crystallinity of at least about 10 percent, the PET can be used in molding after substantially conventional pre-drying and drying steps in air at the molding facility. The invention thus allows beverage bottle grade PET to be produced and prepared for molding without the conventional step of solid state polymerization or stabilization, saving energy, time, production costs and capital investment.