Abstract: The present invention is a locker retrofit assembly which may be adapted for replacing the door and frame components of an existing locker system. An exemplary embodiment of the locker retrofit assembly may be comprised of plastic components for replacing the metallic components of the existing locker system. The locker retrofit assembly may be wholly or partially assembled off-site to facilitate expeditious installation on the existing locker system.

Abstract: A building manufacturing system is provided. The system includes a temporary assembly facility configured to substantially cover one or more permanent building locations. The temporary assembly facility is further configured to enable one or more buildings to be assembled up the one or more permanent building locations. The temporary assembly facility can include a manufacturing facility. The temporary assembly facility can include a transportation system. The transportation system can include an overhead rail system. The temporary assembly facility can include a roof configured to divert precipitation. The roof can be flexible. The roof can include a canvass portion. The roof can include a plastic portion. A method of building a building is also provided. The method can include covering a permanent building location with a portion of a temporary assembly facility, assembling the building upon the permanent building location and removing the portion from the permanent building location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a post-style poultry house to a clear span style poultry house. The apparatus includes a truss assembly including a center truss section adapted to be mounted to the roof beams and first and second outer truss sections adapted to be secured to the center truss section. The trusses are installed without the removal of the roof and without removal of the drinker and feeder equipment of the existing post-style poultry house. In installing the trusses, first the center sections of the trusses are attached to the roof beams and then the upper ends of the outer sections are attached to the center sections. Then the lower ends of the outer sections of the trusses are secured to the poultry house footers. Once the truss sections are all secured to each other and secured to the footers, the posts are cut away and removed.

Abstract: A gantry is constrained to move around the walls of a cylindrical, concrete tank. A rotating, high pressure water spray nozzle is mounted to a moveable platform on the gantry and connected to a source of water at a pressure of over 20,000 psi. The distance between the nozzle and an opposing surface of the wall of the tank is selected so the nozzle can remove the surface of the concrete and produce a selected surface roughness. The platform is moved vertically, with the gantry moving around the tank, so the surface of the concrete is systematically removed and roughened. A shotcrete or gunnite sprayer is then mounted to the platform, and the roughened surface sprayed with shotcrete or gunnite which sticks to the roughened surface. A tensioning head is then mounted to the platform, and wires or cables are tensioned as they are wrapped around the walls.

Abstract: A method of erecting a building ceiling in a structure having a floor plate and a circumferentially closed building wall erected on the floor plate, wherein a ceiling plate is manufactured on the floor plate, and wherein the circumferential contour of the ceiling plate corresponds to the inner contour of the building wall. Together with a circumferentially closed and water-tight side wall, the ceiling plate forms a floating body. Water is filled into the space defined by the inner side of the housing wall and the side wall, so that the floating body floats upwardly. When the ceiling height has been reached, the ceiling plate is connected to the building wall.

Abstract: A prefabricated pad for a pool and its associated method of installation under the liner of an above-ground pool. The prefabricated pad is interposed between the ground surface and the pool liner, wherein the prefabricated pad cushions the pool liner, reduces contact stresses against the pool liner and prevents the pool liner from being punctured by any object present below the pool. The prefabricated pad also supports the pool liner as the pool liner turns from the vertical walls of the pool to the flat bottom of the pool.

Abstract: A method of building a log structure using naturally-shaped logs is provided. The method involves stacking layers of the log structure upon one another in a rough approximation of the final desired positioning, determining the distance of the greatest gap existing between the pairs of logs at each layer, determining groove cuts to be made for every log in the same layer using the same vertical groove dimension, determining a dimension of a final notch cut to be made in the logs of the lowest layer stacked according to this invention, and determining the final notch cuts to be made at layers above according to a relationship among the vertical groove dimensions that were marked for each of the grooves in a single layer and the dimension of the final notch cut determined for the lowest layer of logs stacked according to the present invention.

Abstract: A self-contained, portable dwelling fabricated from a cargo container is described. The dwelling includes windows and a door in its walls and a plurality of solar panels on the roof. The solar panels collect solar power, which is transferred to storage batteries. The solar panels, storage batteries, and a power inverter make up a self-contained electrical system for the dwelling. The dwelling includes a self-contained sewage and water system including a black water tank, a gray water tank, a potable water storage tank, a toilet, a shower, and a sink. Various electrical appliances, such as an air conditioner, microwave, refrigerator, may be included. Further, a solar powered exhaust fan and a skylight may be included. The dwelling includes International Standards Organization (ISO) locking devices to allow transport on ISO compliant transporting vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a building construction system, the components thereof, and method therefore. More specifically, the present invention relates to a building construction system that utilizes specifically designed component parts that fit together, such as by male/female connections, and are permanently attached through the use of an adhesive, or bonding glue, to create an extra strong and uniformly tight structure. If effect, the end result is equivalent to a one-piece construction since all components are permanently “chemically welded” to each other with all components being made from the same type of materials.

Abstract: A container for a prefabricated building is disclosed. The container is formed from components of the prefabricated building. The container is built to substantially conform to standard shipping container sizes. Additional storage for some building components is preferably provided by attaching channel members to the top of the container. Supports and a covering for the additional storage space may be included. The additional storage space is preferably dimensioned to allow the container to substantially conform to standard shipping container sizes.

Abstract: Security vault panels and their method of manufacture are disclosed. Specifically, the invention comprises improved panels for manufacturing security vaults, with each panel comprising (a) a rectangular metal mold having opposing metal end caps and opposing metal side rails and (b) a concrete slab disposed within the rectangular mold and permanently affixed thereto, the concrete slab having an exterior face and an interior face substantially uncovered by the mold. At least one of the metal side rails is configured to engage a complementarily configured metal side rail of an adjacent panel. Three different configurations of metal side rails are disclosed for fabricating panels for subsequent installation as part of a wall, floor, or roof of the security vault.

Abstract: A containment system for particulate materials comprises a substantially vertical annular wall defining a substantially cylindrical storage area. A plurality of membrane supports are each attached near an outer end thereof to an upper edge of the wall and extend inwardly and upwardly to a central location above a central portion of the storage area where inner ends of each membrane support are secured to each other. An impermeable flexible membrane is attached at an outer edge thereof to the wall and extends over the membrane supports to enclose the storage area. Curved membrane supports are provided that reduce flapping of the membrane in the wind, and the supports may also be provided with a lower tensioner, thereby increasing strength.

Abstract: This invention comprises reinforced industrial vaults with segmented knock-outs having a variety of shapes and orientations. The invention also comprises vaults having cast-in cable racks. The cable racks can be electrically connected to the reinforcing elements during manufacture, providing electrical grounding of electronic equipment placed in the vault. Cable channels can be installed at desired locations by selecting a knock-out, removing the knock-out and installing a terminator plate having cable conduits. Cable conduits can have diaphragms that can be removed to provide additional choices for locating cable channels. Cable channels can be provided in a vault in the field, even if the vault has been already installed.

Abstract: A waste water collection arrangement for combining the waste water discharge of several different plumbing fixtures includes a water receiving trap having a chamber in which water is received to provide a gas-tight seal. At least two inlet assemblies deliver waste water to the chamber and at least one outlet assembly discharges water from the chamber. The chamber has a lid part through which the inlet assemblies pass at least substantially perpendicular to the lid part. The inlet assemblies are mounted on the lid part so as to be movable as required to desired positions for connection to waste water conduits. The chamber is essentially isolated from the ambient air.

Abstract: A guide rail system is used to erect towers, to place equipment on towers and for maintenance of towers. The guide rail may be added to existing towers, a climbing lifting platform is attached to the guide rails and is used to transport items up and down the tower. The platform may also be used to carry up tower sections during erection of the tower.

Abstract: A method of erecting the shell of an aboveground storage tank involves erection of the first shell ring; erecting the second and higher shell rings by using a mobile man lift to provide access for the construction personnel to the shell plates being erected; and anchoring the structure to reduce the risk of blow-ins from ambient wind.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a post-style poultry house to a clear span style poultry house. The apparatus includes a truss assembly including a center truss section adapted to be mounted to the roof beams and first and second outer truss sections adapted to be secured to the center truss section. The trusses are installed without the removal of the roof and without removal of the drinker and feeder equipment of the existing post-style poultry house. In installing the trusses, first the center sections of the trusses are attached to the roof beams and then the upper ends of the outer sections are attached to the center sections. Then the lower ends of the outer sections of the trusses are secured to the poultry house footers. Once the truss sections are all secured to each other and secured to the footers, the posts are cut away and removed.

Abstract: A grain storage safety net system and method is designed to reduce or prevent accidents involving grain carts and grain storage bins. The safety net system includes a strong and durable wide mesh netting which is secured to the inside periphery of either a grain cart or grain bin via a plurality of anchors. The netting thus blankets an upper ingress opening of the cart or bin, with the wide mesh netting allowing the ingress of grain while preventing human entry therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a post-style poultry house to a clear span style poultry house. The apparatus includes a truss assembly including a center truss section adapted to be mounted to the roof beams and first and second outer truss sections adapted to be secured to the center truss section. The out truss sections each comprise substantially upright portions and an inclined portion extending therefrom. The trusses are installed without the removal of the roof or beams of the existing post-style poultry house. In installing the trusses, first the center sections of the trusses are attached to the roof beams and then the upper ends of the outer sections are attached to the center sections. Then the lower ends of the outer sections of the trusses are secured to the poultry house footers. Once the truss sections are all secured to each other and secured to the footers, the posts are cut away and removed.

Abstract: A multi-level vehicle servicing system includes site-erectable units each with four levels, to facilitate vehicle repairs by several technicians at the same time. Each unit includes vertical structural members, horizontal supports, flooring, tool storage, parts storage, panels, stairs, ladders, ramps, lifting mechanisms to raise the vehicle off its wheels, and mechanisms to facilitate removal of heavy repair components to other levels below. Lighting, power, compressed air, fluid delivery and extraction, and fire suppression systems are integrated in the system of components. The system is erected on a conventional building floor and is free-standing, independent of the building structure itself. The modular apparatus is installed without major modifications to an existing building of appropriate size and structural compatibility. Several of the four-level units can be stacked and any number may be combined in any horizontal configuration.