Abstract: A transportation system for rider propelled vehicles, zero-emission vehicles, and pedestrians is disclosed. The system includes pathways (517, 317, 717, 519, 119, 319, 719, 919, 523, 123, 323, 723, 923, 525, 325, 725) that are integrated into a building structure (101) or a series of building structures (100, 300, 500, 700, 900) connected by bridges (34, 35, 36, 37, 30, 31, 32, 33) which have an overall downward sloping grade. Elevators (515, 520, 522, 527, 115, 120, 122, 127, 315, 320, 322, 327, 715, 720, 722, 727, 915, 920, 922, 927) are utilized to transport riders, vehicles, and pedestrians to the integrated pathway.

Abstract: A solar panel roof surface effectively uses solar panels supported by an open roof support substructure having a series of parallel hollow support beams. These hollow beams support the solar panels on a top surface and accommodate drainage along the beams. The solar panels are secured to an upper surface of the hollow support beams and in combination therewith define a closed sloped roof surface. The series of solar panels are positioned on the beams to define elongate segments of abutting panels. The abutting panels include a sealing arrangement between panels to allow flow of water along the length of the elongate segments. The hollow support beams include a top surface with a central securing slot positioned between panel segments and panel segment support surfaces either side of said securing slot for supporting edges of the solar panels. Fasteners engage the securing slot and the upper edge of the panels to secure the panels to the upper surface of the support beams.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: A mixed-use pedestrian-oriented parking structure, includes at least two sequential multi-level parking units; a series of one-directional parking access aisles; angled parking around a central atrium and parallel parking at the outer edge of the parking decks; a liner building surrounding the parking units on at least one side of each parking unit; and a multi-use buffer corridor defining an interface between the parking units and the liner building which includes at least one common wall with the buffer corridor, the wall including passages for access to and from the buffer corridor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive-in movie theater and/or events center preferably located on top of one or more parking garages located at a shopping mall or other similar complex. The drive-in theater preferably has a short range radio broadcast system that can send radio signals to cars on the parking garage, wherein movie-goers can listen to the movie sound tracks on their own car stereos/radios. When needed, the present system contemplates having more than one transmitter, each operating at the same or different frequency, so that the effective service range of each transmitter can be made within limited guidelines set by the FCC. The drive-in theater can be combined with an events center and connected to a shopping mall where access to restaurants and retail establishments can be provided.

Abstract: Barrier-free multiple level residential housing can be constructed by employing ramps between adjacent housing levels where the housing levels are offset by one half the normal full story height found in multiple story houses. The ramps are constructed in a stacked and side-by-side manner so that the full standard height between housing levels is maintained between the ramps that are stacked one above the other.

Abstract: A hub assembly for pivotally connecting the ends of support rods of a portable self-supporting display structure configured for a collapsed storage position and an expanded display position. The hub assembly may include first and second members and a connector. The first and second members are mated to provide bearing surfaces and to accommodate pivot pins affixed to the support rods. The connector secures the mated first and second members together by being extended through bores in the mated first and second members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cube-shaped profile element (1) provided with more than six identical side surfaces (2), wherein preferably eight slits (3 and 4) are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees to each other about an axis of symmetry of the side surface (2) and wherein a central bore is provided (7). Through the slits (3, 4) behind the side surface (2) Insertable closing elements can be inserted through the slits (3, 4) behind the side surface (2). The profile element (1) is preferably hollow and is constructed from six identical, side-surface forming plates (2). All plates (2) are provided with eight-cornered edges (5 and 6), whereby the plates (2) are connected via one edge (5) and the other edges (6) each form an opening (8) at the corners of the cube-shaped profile elements (1).

Abstract: A conveyor gallery lateral restraint system for a reticulated dome structure includes a pair of load transfer pads integrated into the conveyor gallery and dome structure. Only loads normal to the outer surfaces of the load transfer pads, and thus loads along the reticulated surface of the dome structure, are transferred to the dome structure by the load transfer pads. Because of characteristics of the load transfer pads and their orientation relative to the dome surface, substantially no loads that are normal to the surface of the dome structure are transferred to the dome structure by the conveyor gallery.

Abstract: A multi-story parking facility comprises a double helical descending ramp structure in the shape of a rectangle, a pair of ascending ramps located on each side and sandwiching the double helical descending ramp structure therebetween, and a pair of connecting passages provided on each floor for connecting the double helical descending ramp structure and the ascending ramps. The ascending ramps are provided with parking spaces on one or both sides thereof. The pair of connecting passages provided on each floor are positioned symmetrically about the center of the descending ramp structure. The above configuration permits speedy entry and exit of cars to realize a high turnover and accommodation efficiency.

Abstract: A multipurpose structure is disclosed as comprising a plurality of housing units, and a core support building of eliptical shape. The building has an exterior curved surface disposed forwardly for supporting the residential housing units and an essentially flat, exterior surface disposed rearwardly of the curved support surface. Inside the building, there is a plurality of floors for housing ancillary activities of the residents of the housing units. Access is provided from each of the floors to each of those housing units associated with the floor.

Abstract: The nodal point connection has a nodal body (10) having bearing grooves (11-13) and coupling parts (18) which are insertable into the bearing grooves in a positive-locking manner, and spreading springs (17.1-17.4) which are arranged between the nodal body disks (10.1-10.4) defining the individual bearing grooves (11-13). The spreading springs (17.1-17.4) press the nodal body disks (10.1-10.4) apart when the screw connection (15/16) holding together the nodal body disks is loosened. The bearing grooves (11-13) provided with narrowed openings (11.1, 12.1, 13.1) are accordingly widened so that the coupling heads (18) of the coupling parts can be inserted into the bearing grooves. The coupling heads advisably have a length which is greater than the greatest cross-sectional diameter of the coupling head (18) whose cross section is adapted to the cross section of the bearing grooves (11-13).

Abstract: There is disclosed a prefabricated, multi-story building, such as a garage, comprising two groups of sector-shaped floors which have adjacent ends providing a zone of access from one floor to another.

Abstract: A double helical earthquake and fire escape structure for multiple story buildings formed mainly of a plurality of prefabricated section of precast concrete. Two identically formed upper sectional units and two identically formed lower units are arranged in facing relationship to each other for each floor of the building. Complementary portions of the assembled units combine to form a pair of oppositely disposed entrances on each floor leading to two separate helical slides arranged about a separately formed central circular smokestack. The units are provided with steel members adjacent their edges which are connected together and secured to a surrounding supporting steel framework. Two additional smokestacks formed within the corners of the assembled units may also be used as shoe drops.