Abstract: Lighting method and devices can be used to treat a seedling in a growth chamber or greenhouse prior to the introduction of the seedling to outdoors. A light by which the plants can be prepared for the outdoors, by giving them certain wavelengths of light they do not currently receive from the light in the greenhouse or growth chambers. The light can be applied in smaller doses during the major part of nursing of the seedlings or as a “sun-shock” period in the end of the indoors nursing period. By giving the seedlings this light, they are prepared to Sun light and do not need to spend a few weeks under the sunshade curtains. Thus, the growth cycle of tree seedlings is shortened, the proportion of viable seedlings is enhanced, and one work phase in the growth process is eliminated, thereby improving the economics of seedling cultivation.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the quality and/or vigor of plants is described. Plants are planted in row sections and a cart is used to pass a radiometric sensor over the row sections. The cart has a radiometric sensor assembly positioned above the row section. Each sensor assembly generates a data signal and a computer receives and stores the data signals. The field cart is positioned above the row sections and measures the existence of plants in the row section and the quantity of vegetation in the row section.

Abstract: Provided is a sealing system for sealing of doors of transport vehicles comprising at least one door with at least one first electrical contact and a corresponding door frame with at least one second electrical contact, where the first and the second contact are arranged on the same side of the door and the door frame and are electrically connected to build an open electrical circuit, and a seal to be attached to the closed door and the door frame suitable to close the open electrical circuit between first and second electrical contact in order to indicate the closure of the door. Additionally provided is a portable logging device for recording the sealing of doors as used by the sealing system and to a method to operate such a sealing system.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a side door opening that can be closed off by way of a front side door. For opening the front side door from the vehicle interior, the front side door has an actuator on the side facing the vehicle interior for the opening of the front side door. In addition, a second actuator is arranged in the vehicle interior rearwardly of the first actuator, by which second actuator the closed front side door can also be opened. This provides a motor vehicle that permits comfortable entering and exiting of all vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A sliding panel system includes a door sill, an inner panel support, an inner sliding track, an outer panel support, and inner panel and an outer panel. The door sill has a left hand side and a right hand side. The inner panel support is connected to the door sill. The inner sliding track is connected to the inner panel support. The outer panel support is connectable to the door sill whereby the outer panel support is connectable to one of the left hand side and the right hand side of the door sill. The inner panel is slidingly supported on the inner sliding track and the outer panel supported on the outer panel support.

Abstract: A closure arrangement (1) is provided for an opening (2) of a cabinet, a refrigerator, a building or the like, having at least one closure element (4) which is guided in a moveable manner, in particular in or on at least one guide element (3), over the opening (2). At least one free end of the closure element (4) and/or one free end of the guide element (3) are operatively connected to one another by means of a magnetic attraction force, provided by at least one a magnet (5).

Abstract: A vitrified superabrasive product includes a superabrasive component and a vitrified bond component in which the superabrasive component is dispersed, wherein the vitrified bond component defines pores occupying greater than about 50% of the total volume of the vitrified superabrasive product. The vitrified superabrasive product can be in the form of a grinding tool, such as a grinding wheel. A superabrasive mixture includes a glass powder, a superabrasive grit, a binder and a silicon carbide. The mixture can be in the form of a green body, which is fired under an atmosphere and pressure, and at a temperature sufficient to form a porous vitrified superabrasive product.

Abstract: Aggregate abrasive grains (10) for use in the production of abrading or cutting tools are formed. Each aggregate abrasive grain comprises an abrasive core particle and a plurality of abrasive peripheral particles disposed around the core particle. The abrasive particles intended as the core particles (12) are provided with a coating containing a binder. These binder-coated core particles (26) are then surrounded with those particles that are intended to become the peripheral particles (28) of the aggregate grains. The binder-coated core particles surrounded with the peripheral particles are heated up to a temperature at which the binder softens so that the peripheral particles are caused to attach to the core particles.

Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include smaller and larger hard grains that are interbonded to form a polycrystalline hard material. The larger grains may be at least about 150 times larger than the smaller grains. An interstitial material comprising one or more of a boride, a carbide, a nitride, a metal carbonate, a metal bicarbonate, and a non-catalytic metal may be disposed between the grains. The compacts may be used as cutting elements for earth-boring tools such as drill bits, and may be disposed on a substrate.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement 10 for mounting a utility 26 to an end 16 of a post 17. The mounting arrangement 10 includes an attachment member 11 for attachment to the post 17 fixed against rotation when attached to the post 17. A rotatable member 12 is connected to the attachment member 11 and is rotatable relative to the attachment member 11 about the axis of the post 17. The rotatable member 12 includes a connection arrangement 13 for connecting a utility 26 to the rotatable member 12, so that the utility 26 can rotate with the rotatable member 12. The rotatable member 12 is rotatable between first and second positions. A cooperating arrangement comprising at least one abutment 35, 37, 38, 42 is provided for cooperation with the rotatable member 12 to facilitate accurate return of the rotatable member 12 from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A portable severe weather shelter for use in connecting to an existing housing structure supported by a ground surface is disclosed. The portable severe whether shelter comprises a shell, a connector and an anchor. The shell defines an interior cavity and an entrance opening in communication with the cavity, the cavity sized and oriented to temporarily accept at least one adult substantially surrounded by the shell. The connector has a release portion and is adapted to connect the shell to the housing structure wherein the release portion is configured to tear under a severe weather event to separate the shell from the housing structure. The anchor device adapted to removably secure the shell to the ground surface.

Abstract: A utility pole comprises a hollow elongate body (1) formed from a composite material including reinforcing fibres embedded in a matrix material and an energy-absorbing region comprising at least one elongate weakened zone (2, 4, 12) formed in the hollow elongate body (1), the at least one weakened zone promoting delamination of the fibres and the matrix material if a vehicle strikes the utility pole.

Abstract: A tower lifting stand system and method is provided for use in lifting a large structure such as a transmission tower that is used in our power grid. A lifting mechanism engages a structure connected to the tower which work together to lift the tower once the lifting mechanism has been activated. Once the tower is lifted, a vertical extension section can be installed thus lifting the tower, and its associated power lines, vertically a predetermined distance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a building including a facing, a backfill at the back of the facing, synthetic reinforcement strips distributed in the backfill, and a connection system between the reinforcement strips and the backfill. The connection system includes fasteners having the shape of a continuous closed loop, each including two first portions for hooking to the facing and, alternating with the first portions along the closed loop shape, two second portions extending towards the back of the facing where they are folded back to form two loops inside of which at least one reinforcement strip extends.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction system (101) for walls (102) situated above the ground and that comprise thermal insulation having an applied surface layer (105). According to the invention, an inner insulating panel (103), which is carried on the wall, has a thermal insulating function as well as a draining function. A surface layer in the form of render forms an external surface layer (105) outside said inner insulating panel (103).

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using sunlight to convert an atmospheric gas to an output product and capture that output product. A photocatalytic element is encapsulated within a chamber in which the chamber is light transmissive, and is substantially permeable to the atmospheric gas and substantially impermeable to the output product. The photocatalytic element may be composed of a photocatalytic composition, comprising a first constituent capable of capturing or binding an atmospheric gas, a second constituent capable of reducing the atmospheric gas using energy from the sunlight, and a third constituent adapted to absorb sunlight, all combined into a single polymer. A fourth constituent may be added that is hydrophobic or hydrophilic depending upon the nature of the other three combined constituents.

Abstract: A fenestration assembly is described. The fenestration assembly includes: (1) a layer of film; (2) a frame having a first surface and a second surface, which is opposite to the first surface, the first surface substantially surrounding and having secured thereon the film and the frame having a thickness such that when the second side is fitted onto a window or a window frame, the thickness of the frame defines a space between the film and the window; and (3) wherein said film is a low-emittance film having an emissivity equal to or less than 0.35.

Abstract: A device for fixing elements in the form of plates to a roof cover for a building, at a distance therefrom, the cover including, on the surface, a coating or a sealing layer attached to the essentially continuous support forming the roof, the device including blocks that can be height-adjustable or not, for supporting and holding the plate-shaped elements, each block having a base with a lower smaller plate to be applied to the surface of the cover and secured thereto, and a head or upper part for directly or indirectly supporting at least one plate-shaped element, the bottom face of the smaller plate (9) of the base (8) of each block (7) being provided with a part (11) of the plate, forming a protector, which is mechanically fixed to the smaller plate (9).

Abstract: The present invention provides a structural object mount that supports a structural object, including: a cross-piece (14) for mounting a structural object; a strut (11) that is connected to the cross-piece (14) and supports the cross-piece (14); two arms (12, 13) whose respective one end portions are connected to the cross-piece (14); and an arm bracket (51) that couples another end portions of the two arms (12, 13) to each other; wherein a location of connection between the cross-piece (14) and the strut (11) is between locations of connection between the cross-piece (14) and the two arms (12, 13), and the arm bracket (51) is structured to surround the perimeter of the strut (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a building construction (1) operating as a formwork for making transpirable walls and floors, and being characterized in that said building construction comprises a plurality of foamed plastics material transpirable panels (2,2?) therebetween are arranged perforated coupling elements (3) operating as spacer elements and adapted to join the panels with one another, while allowing air to pass therethrough, said panels including a plurality of cross notches (8) for engaging therein end portions of spacer elements coupling the panels (2 and 2?).

Abstract: A pre-stressed concrete storage apparatus includes a plurality of panels secured together to form a hollow interior space for storing items. An outer door panel is selectively movable for restricting access to the interior of the apparatus. A secondary metal door and cage assembly is located behind the primary outer door panel for further restricting access to the interior of the storage apparatus. A pulley system is provided for mechanically lifting and lowering the outer door panel.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for securely and insulatively maintaining a window or door and surrounding frame arrangement within an opening of a building wall. The sealing assembly comprises an elongated foam cell body member arranged within a channel of the surrounding frame arrangement of the window or door, wherein the elongated cell body member has a wall-opening-facing side. An elongated caulking band flange member is arranged in abutting relationship with a corner of the elongated foam cell body member. A thin flexible air fin is arranged in close environmental sealing relationship with the elongated foam cell body member and the opening in the wall of the building. A securement member is arranged to fasten the window or door surrounding frame arrangement, the elongated foam cell body member and the air fin, all to the building wall opening.

Abstract: A simulated log structure is provided. The simulated log structure is made up of a plurality of structural elements wherein each structural element is composed of a plurality of exterior simulated log elements and a plurality of interior log elements. The exterior simulated log elements simulate the appearance of wooden logs and are made from composite materials such as but not limited to concrete, plastic, wood fiber, resin, composite of fiberglass, polyurethane, polymer and/or polymer concrete, and so on, to withstand the natural elements. The interior log elements are made of real wood to provide owners the authentic feel of living in a real log structure.

Abstract: A bridge system is provided that utilizes foundation structures that are formed of the combination of precast and cast-in-place concrete. A method of constructing the combination precast and cast-in-place concrete foundation structures involves receiving at a construction site a precast concrete foundation unit having elongated upright wall members that define a channel therebetween, and multiple upright supports located within the channel; placing the precast concrete foundation unit at a desired use location; delivering concrete into the channel while the precast concrete foundation unit remains at the desired use location; and allowing the concrete to cure-in-place such that the elongated upright wall members are connected to the cured-in-place concrete by reinforcement embedded within both the cured-in-place concrete and the upright wall members. The bridge units may be placed before the pouring step to embed the bottoms of the bridge units in the cast-in-place concrete.

Abstract: Dynamic Insulation for a building or structure comprising an external surface and an internal surface; at least one heat transfer layer between the internal and external surface; a supply for supplying air to the heat transfer layer, and a collector for collecting air that has flowed through the heat transfer layer. Pressure is regulated through the dynamic insulation. Air is supplied to the dynamic insulation from the interior or the exterior of the building or structure and/or exhausted to the Interior or exterior of the building or structure.

Abstract: The insulated panel comprises exterior sheathing, studs, rigid foam panels and a spray-pour foam. The rigid foam panels are placed up against the sheathing between the studs, and the spray-pour foam is used to fill in the voids.

Abstract: A construction structure includes a substrate made of a concrete material and having an external surface, and an external reinforcement attachment. The attachment includes an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface and has a non-uniform cross-sectional area along the reinforcement attachment. The reinforcement attachment is secured to the substrate with the inwardly facing surface bonded to the external surface of the substrate. The reinforcement attachment has at least first portions and second portions, the two portions are treated such that the first portions have a greater cross-sectional area than the second portions for increasing yield strength of the first portions whereby when the construction structure is under stress the first portions block or reduce spreading of strain sustained by the reinforcement attachment to avoid or at least delay complete detachment of attachment from the substrate.

Abstract: The composite joist floor system includes joists supported by supporting members. Corrugated steel decking is positioned over the joists such that the corrugations are substantially perpendicular to the joists. Self-drilling, self-tapping, stand-off screws are spaced along the length of the joist, aligned with the deck corrugations. These stand-off screws provide the required shear transfer between the joist and concrete slab to form a composite floor system. The placed concrete encapsulates the upper non-threaded shank portions of the stand-off screws and the end of the joists. After the concrete has cured, the resultant system comprised of steel joists, steel decking, stand-off screws, and concrete, act together to form a composite system with greater load carrying capacity and less vertical deflection. The stand-off screws connect the joist upper chords to the concrete slab allowing the joist and concrete slab to act as a unit, by transferring shear between the two joined components.

Abstract: A foam roofing underlayment is provided with a reinforcement membrane having an array of fastener elements for engaging fastener elements on a flexible roof membrane. The underlayment is formed by molding foam between the reinforcement membrane and a carrier membrane. The underlayment in secured to the roof using washers having fastener elements for engaging the fastener elements of the flexible roof membrane. An anti-peel flap with fastener elements is provided around the periphery of the washers. A slip sheet is used between the underlayment and the flexible roof membrane to permit accurate positioning of the flexible roof membrane prior to engagement of the fastener elements. The interstices between the fastener elements provide lateral moisture paths to vents in the flexible roof membrane.

Abstract: Method and device for strengthening and lightening floor and roof framing, where the beams and the compression slab are firmly integrated, making it possible to easily recover the moulds or blocks lightening the framing. The method uses several devices, prefabricated beams, moulds, mesh, concrete laid on site and where necessary reinforcing rods. The devices comprise essentially: a section, two bolts and a pin. The section will be tensile-stress resistant and folded into a “U” shape to match the beams. The method involves affixing the device, wrapped transversally around the beam. Likewise, and several devices can be affixed along each beam. The beams are then placed on their walls or girders, parallel and separated depending on the moulds, then the moulds are seated in the protruding segments of the bolts of the device until the spans are covered, affixing reinforcing rods in the sides of the device where necessary. The mesh is then laid by attaching it to the ends of the devices.

Abstract: Sheathing composites can be employed in a building structure with framing members. Such a composite can comprise a substrate and a layer component, the latter comprising at least one flashing component with a directional indicator thereon.

Abstract: A stackable modular building enclosure assembly and system including in combination a plurality of prefabricated substructure frames superposed, one above the other, and a combined connection tie and frame reinforcing sustainer member for constructing straight, angled or arced building enclosures including walls and roofs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, prefabricated substructure frames include preinstalled interior and exterior facer members and utilize a hollow cavity to easily accommodate a hidden locating means for receiving a distinct tie and sustainer element.

Abstract: A tongue (1) is shown with edge sections (3) that are used to glue the tongue into a groove (2) of panel.

Abstract: Wood-based flooring systems with click-type interlocking joint systems include a protective film system covering the contact surfaces of the click system. The protective film system includes one or more sheets of a material with low moisture transmissivity and a low coefficient of friction. In this way, the contact surfaces of the click system are protected against undue humidity absorption and frictional rubbing to thereby avoid squeaking after installation. In some embodiments there are four film sheets covering the entirety of all four click surfaces, in others there is one film sheet covering the entirety of all four click surfaces, in others there is film covering the entirety of only the two longitudinal click surfaces, in others there is film covering the entirety of only the two tongue click surfaces, and in others there is film covering only the contact surfaces of the click surfaces.

Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes sheet-shaped floor panels joinable by joining members, each panel being provided on a first edge with a first joining member and, on a second edge, with a second joining member. The first and second joining members of two panels are configured to be joined by a movement of the panels towards to each other. The joining members lock the panels vertically and horizontally. The joining members are provided with a locking element which is deformable, during said joining, from a first position allowing the joining members to be joined, to a second position in which it locks the joining members to each other at least horizontally.

Abstract: A construction structure includes a substrate made of a concrete material and has an external surface, and a reinforcement attachment made of a metallic material having an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface. The attachment is secured to the substrate with the inwardly facing surface bonded to the external surface of the substrate, and has first portions and second portions. At least one of the surfaces of a first portion of the attachment is pre-treated and attached to the substrate such that when the construction structure is under loading the first portion(s) block(s) or reduce(s) spreading of strain sustained by the attachment along the attachment to avoid or at least delay complete detachment of reinforcement from substrate.

Abstract: There is described an improved multi-piece anchor body for use with masonry over stud back-up walls, the anchor body made up of an inner anchor body for connection to a back-up wall, a separate outer anchor body for connection to a masonry wall, and a separate intermediate membrane flange attachable to and between the outer anchor body and the inner anchor body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a vehicle trim part which comprises a substrate and at least one veneer layer disposed on the substrate. The method comprises the steps of extruding a paint layer onto a film and melting the film provided with the paint layer over the substrate and the at least one veneer layer disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: An end cap is attached to a molding main body and is attached to a vehicle body by pressing a clip via the molding main body to the vehicle body. The end cap includes a cap portion which covers an end portion of the molding main body when the end cap is attached to the molding main body, an insertion portion whose proximal end portion is continuous with the cap portion and which is inserted into the molding main body, and a rib which is provided on the insertion portion such that the rib projects from an opening of the molding main body and which receives a reaction force from the vehicle body when a forward end portion of the rib butts against the vehicle body due to a pressing force which is applied to the clip via the molding main body so as to lock the clip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waterproofing membrane that bonds to concrete cast against it (i.e., post-cast concrete). The membrane includes a flexible carrier sheet, a pressure sensitive adhesive and reflective particles on the surface of the adhesive. The reflective particles should have an average diameter equal to or greater than the thickness of the pressure sensitive adhesive. Preferably, the reflective particles are ground white cement, ground hydrated white cement, ground partially-hydrated white cement or a mixture of two or more of these. The membrane does not have a removable release sheet that is typically used to prevent the adhesive portion of the membrane from adhering to the carrier sheet or other portion of the membrane when the membrane is rolled up.

Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a construction method for a new underground structure, the method achieving reduction in the load imposition of a new underground framework on an existing underground concrete framework, and reduction in construction cost for constructing the new underground structure. [Solving Means] A new underground structure 100 having a basement available as a residential space, and an underground pit which is an underground facility for housing piping equipment, etc., is constructed with a fluidized soil wall 300 held between an existing underground concrete framework 200 and a new underground concrete framework 400.

Abstract: A barrier comprised of a collar defining the form factor of the barrier and a plurality of slidably connected and nested rods creating a continuous barrier conforming to the form factor of the collar. While the collar defines the form factor of the barrier, the slidable rods can be adjusted in their relative positions along the form factor to provide for a barrier that conforms to the contours of the application surface. The barrier may include means to attach the apparatus to the decking and caps to seal the apparatus during construction activities. The rods are interconnected one to another so that the rods can be connected into a continuous barrier. The rods are able to slide relative to each other along the interlocking structure. When the device is set into position, rods may be slid into a barrier structure that conforms to both planar and non-planar surfaces of the application surface. As such, the apparatus provides an effective barrier for further construction processes, e.g.

Abstract: A panel, in particular floor panel, with a core of wood material or a wood material/plastic mixture, a top side and a bottom side, which panel has on at least two opposite lateral edges a profiling corresponding to one another such that two identically embodied panels can be connected and locked to one another by an essentially vertical joining motion in the horizontal and vertical directions, wherein the locking in the vertical direction can be brought about by at least one tongue element movable in the horizontal direction, which element snaps into place during the joining motion behind a locking edge extending essentially in the horizontal direction, is characterized in that the tongue element is formed in one piece out of the core.

Abstract: A machine for cutting eavestrough into two segments. The machine has a guide plate and a pair of cutting wheels. The guide plate has an opening of a shape similar to that of the cross-section of the eavestrough but slightly larger so that as the eavestrough is fed through the opening, it is guided by the guide plate. The cutting wheels are positioned such that after the eavestrough exits from the opening, its bottom wall passes between the wheels where it is cut.

Abstract: A shrapnel containment system is provided which is adapted to be installed at an interior of a building wall to contain shrapnel from a blast, the system including a panel made of a layer of elastomeric material and fastener elements to fasten the layer to a wall of a structure, with the panel optionally including a fabric reinforcing layer. A method for producing the panel is also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum pump includes a case having a first discharge port in the lower membrane thereof, a piston coupled to the case to enable a vertical movement and having a second discharge port in the upper membrane thereof, a first opening/closing member and a second opening/closing member opening/closing the first discharge port and the second discharge port, respectively, based on the vertical movement of the piston, an elastic member placed between the case and the piston, a first separation preventing member coupled to the upper part of the case and preventing the piston from being separated, a second separation preventing member provided inside the case and preventing the first opening/closing member from being separated, a third separation preventing member coupled to the upper part of the piston and preventing the second opening/closing member from being separated, and a first packing member coupled to the lower part of the case.

Abstract: Refinements made to distributor units which serve to continuously transfer and position tablets or pills in organized alveoli in an advancing strip, the advancing strip presenting its alveoli on each occasion in correspondence with holes normally organized positioned radially in a distributor disk. The distributor disk has zero setting means, and is associated with means which supply the rotation motion by means of intermediate means. The intermediate connection means arc connected stably to the distributor disk and detachably to the means which supply the motion.

Abstract: A sonotrode comprising: a head defining a sealing surface elongated along a first direction; and a first and a second drive unit distinct from one another, each comprising at least one piezo-electric element; wherein first and second drive unit may be electrically fed by an unique generator to cause oscillation of head; the height of head measured along a second direction transversal to sealing surface being substantially equal to half the wavelength of wave oscillating in second direction; at least one slot extending through head transversally to first and second direction; a finite number of nodal points at which amplitude of oscillation of head is substantially equal to zero; and a plane on which at least some nodal points lie and which divides head in a first portion and second portion; the slot extends completely within one only between first and second portion and at a certain distance by plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tray sealer comprising conveyor belts that can be displaced in a direction transversely to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A straight-split pouch, a method for manufacturing the pouch, and a device for manufacturing the pouch. The pouch is based on a front synthetic resin sheet and a rear synthetic resin sheet, has a notch marking the tear starting point at the openable portion, and has a series of multiple grooves for splitting disposed at a predetermined distance from one another along a straight line at the openable portion starting from the notch. The method includes producing a base film; producing the grooves for splitting; applying an adhesive to the surface protection layer and drying the layer; adhering the base film to the surface protection layer; sealing a large-area sheet; and cutting the sealed large-area sheet and forming the notch. The device includes first and second winding portions; an adhesive application portion; a chamber; a shaping apparatus; a laminating treatment portion; and a heat seal and cutting portion.