Abstract: A wall panel is configured as a load-bearing structure for supporting vertical loading in a building. The wall panel forms a frame with first and second faces configured to receive sheathing and has thickness defined between the first and second faces. The wall panel includes a plurality of vertical load-bearing columns centrally disposed between the first and second faces of the wall panel frame. A load distribution member is disposed at the top of the wall panel and is coupled to the load-bearing columns, which are supported at the bottom of the wall panel by a lower member. A plurality of sheathing supports are disposed on opposite sides of the load bearing columns, and each includes an attachment surface disposed at a distance from the load-bearing column. The attachment surfaces define the respective faces of the wall panel frame and are configured to hold the sheathing.

Abstract: A thermal solar system having a fire rating of at least A. In a specific embodiment, the system includes a thermal solar module having an aperture region and a backside region. The system has a shaped thickness of material having a first side and a second side. In a preferred embodiment, the shaped thickness of material is characterized by a fire rating of at least A. The material has a thickness suitable to be free from penetration of moisture according to one or more embodiments. The thickness of material also has a structural characteristic capable of maintaining a shape and coupling to the backside region of the thermal solar module according to one or more embodiments. The system also has an air plenum provided between the thermal solar module and the thickness shaped thickness of material. In a preferred embodiment, the system further has a frame assembly operably coupled to the shaped thickness of material to support the shaped thickness of material and the thermal solar module.

Abstract: The portable modular tornado and hurricane survival shelter kit can be quickly constructed, even by a single individual, or left assembled. The shelter provides for shielding people and animals from flying debris, the most frequently injurious danger in severe storms. The shelter's construction is understandable quickly, even to the novice, therein further providing for quick construction. The base slots that hold the flexed arcs differ one to the next so that no confusion between arc A members and overlapping arc B members exists in assembly. Modularity is key element, as various sizes are needed to accommodate varying numbers of occupants. Only differing bases need be used to alter overall human capacity as arc A members and arc B members can continue innumerably by varying only the base length. The shelter is inexpensive in order to be deployed to a plurality of imaginable application sites. Schools are but one example.

Abstract: A hotel room that serves as guest accommodations and provides a fitness area for a guest. The hotel room includes different zones, at least one of which is a sleeping zone, and at least the other of which can serve a fitness function. The fitness zone may be convertible between living spaces and fitness, or may serve only a fitness function.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing fire protection of curtain wall anchors mounted on the undersides of the building floors including a fire protective housing surrounding the anchor and attached to the floor for enhancing protection from exposure to fire as well as flames and heat. The apparatus can include a housing defining a containment chamber with a upper opening formed of molded mineral wool with an intumescent paper insert positioned therewithin, and a wire frame backing and a molded plastic cover extending therearound. The apparatus is attachable to a floor underside with the protective chamber thereof surrounding a curtain wall anchor assembly attached to the floor underside for fire protection thereof.

Abstract: A mortarless retaining wall constructed of a plurality of segmental retaining wall (SRW) blocks stacked in an array of superimposed rows. Each SRW block includes a face unit having connectors and one or more anchoring units each having connectors. The anchoring unit connectors are of complementary shape to interlock with respective face unit connectors. The face unit and each anchoring unit forming the SRW block when interlocked, each anchoring unit for confronting soil being retained by the retaining wall. The face units have first and second load bearing surfaces and first and second end surfaces forming front edges which are non-linear along the entire edge. The first and second load bearing surfaces are non-planar across the entire load bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A system for a floor covering that includes covering panels (10A, 10B) made of a hard material, having relatively little thickness (e), with upper and lower surfaces (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b), perimetral edges (3a, 3b) and recesses (4a, 4b), and attachment parts (20) made of a relatively flexible material and having projecting members (21a, 21b) and spacing members (22a, 22b). In practice, the projecting members (21a, 21b) of the attachment parts are introduced in the recesses (4a, 4b) of the covering panels (10A, 10B) assuring the link between covering panels (10A, 10B), and the spacing members (22a, 22b) of the attachment parts (20) remain between the facing edges (3a, 3b) of the covering panels (10A, 10B) filling a gap (G) between them in the form of a joint.

Abstract: A trim assembly having a trim element and a first concealing element extending away from the trim element and being movable relative to the trim element. The trim assembly further includes at least one second rigid concealing element, extending from the trim element to the first concealing element and designed to conceal the space between the trim element and the first concealing element. The second concealing element is secured to the trim element and is biased against part of the first concealing element so as to bear against that part of the first concealing element in all positions of the first concealing element with respect to the trim element.

Abstract: A ceiling panel clip to engage the grid structure of a drop ceiling and thereby hold panels of a drop ceiling in place.

Abstract: Provided are stone-like or brick-like veneer systems for covering walls. Specifically provided in embodiments are facade panels comprising: (i) a molded brick-like or stone-like panel; and (ii) a suspension rail partially embedded in the panel comprising: a first four-sided frame with horizontally and vertically disposed sides; one or more cross bar joining two or more sides of the first frame; a plurality of posts extending perpendicularly from the first frame or cross bars; a second four-sided frame in communication with the plurality of posts; a tab in communication with the frame for connecting the suspension rail to a surface.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems are provided herein for spacing an outer skin of a roof from the supporting structure of the roof such that the roof shields against weather elements, admits light, and allows advantageous air circulation. In one embodiment, a wedge-shaped device for spacing panels on a roof includes a bottom surface, a top surface inclined at an angle relative to the bottom surface, and an integral support structure connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, the support structure including a plurality of ribs and a plurality of nail boxes.

Abstract: A wall corner strip (1) comprises a longer board and a shorter board (18, 17) forming an inner angle (15). The lengths of two boards are unequal, and the inner angle (15) is less than 90°. A solid protruding edge (13) is provided at the inner angle (15), and two inflexed hooks (11) are provided on the second ends (182, 172) of the longer board and the shorter board (18, 17), respectively.

Abstract: The present invention includes a baluster assembly system comprising: (a) a first baluster portion comprising a first tubular section and having a first attachment adapted to be attached to a surface, and a first engagement end; (b) a second baluster portion comprising a second tubular section and having a second attachment adapted to be attached to a surface, and a second engagement end; the first tubular section adapted to slidingly engage the second tubular section, and (c) a locking fixture adapted to fix the position of the first baluster portion with respect to the second baluster portion after the first tubular section and the second tubular section have been engaged.

Abstract: The invention describes a flange assistant for connecting adjacent tower sections, whereby each tower section comprises a tower section shell, a tower section flange, and a radius transition between the tower section shell and the tower section flange; wherein the flange assistant comprises an extension formed to complement the radius transition such that the flange assistant extends into a transition zone of a tower section. A tower section is disclosed for connecting adjacent tower sections, each comprising a tower section shell, a tower section flange, and a radius transition over a transition zone between the shell and flange, wherein the tower section connecting arrangement comprises at least one flange assistant and a number of fasteners to connect together the flanges and the flange assistants.

Abstract: An adjustable joist hanger including a mounting foot having a substantially planar lower abutment surface, the mounting foot having at least one attachment opening to attach the mounting foot relative to a surface and at least one, at least partially threaded member extending therefrom, a substantially U-shaped joist carrier adapted to receive a portion of a joist and mounted for movement relative to the at least one, at least partially threaded member and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the joist carrier relative to the mounting foot.

Abstract: A modular blind includes a left half and a right half that are constructed through a molding process where one half can be nested within the other half during transit and when displayed for sale. The left half and the right half of the blind include mating flanges that are positioned adjacent each other and secured together to form the blind. A retaining mechanism or plurality of retaining mechanisms is utilized to retain the mating ends proximate each other. Each half of the blind includes a plurality of slots through which a gun barrel can be inserted or through which an arrow can be shot. The blind can optionally include a door in either half or both halves for ingress into and egress from the blind. Because the halves of the blinds can nest within each other, the cost of transportation can be significantly reduced relative to a blind with a monolithic wall construction.

Abstract: A modular construction system is provided, wherein the components (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) thereof includes Chinese character shaped components and a number of fish-bone shaped components. The fish-bone shaped components are formed according to the shapes of multiple Chinese characters. Except the “” shaped pin components, the components (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are formed by assembling multiple identical cubes arranged according to the thickness of one cube and the shapes of the above Chinese characters. Since the concaves and convexes of the components are cube shaped, the components (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are locked to each other through the concaves and convexes between the components to assemble objects with stable structure composed of planes and standing column shaped structures.

Abstract: A granular material storage capacity increasing device and system includes a housing including a first and second side walls each having an upper edge. A roof structure is attached to and extends between the first and second side walls. The roof structure includes roof trusses each having an inner chord. A plurality of curtain assemblies is attached to the roof structure to define an auxiliary storage capacity. At least one of the curtain assemblies is mounted adjacent to and associated with the first side wall and at least one of the curtain assemblies is mounted adjacent to and associated with the second side wall. Each of the curtain assemblies a flexible panel extending between and is attached to two inner chords. A top edge attached to the inner chords and bottom edge attached to one of the first or second side walls.

Abstract: A cleat anchoring system is disclosed for anchoring a mobile equipment rig using the dead weight of the mobile equipment rig to assist with anchoring. In one embodiment, an anchoring method generally comprises providing front and rear cleat pad assemblies. The rear cleat pad assembly is laid on a ground surface at a first desired position so that cleats on the rear cleat assembly engage the ground surface. The mobile equipment rig is moved to stand on the rear cleat pad assembly. The front cleat pad assembly is then laid on the ground surface at a second desired position so that cleats on the front cleat assembly engage the ground surface. A thrust plate associated with the rig is positioned to stand on the front cleat assembly. The front and rear cleat pad assembles are then rigidly connected.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.