Abstract: Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture.

Abstract: A tile leveller and spacer system that allows rapid and reliable spacing and levelling of tools is described. The tile spacer comprises a base for locating the spacer under the tiles, and a stem that includes an alignment cross which is used to correctly space the tiles. The stem tile spacer is placed over the stem and engages with teeth on the stem. The tile leveller is pushed down over the stem to level the tiles between the base and the bottom of the tile leveller. The stem further comprises a frangible portion located between the base and the tile alignment portion, and when the stem is pulled with sufficient force, the frangible portion breaks to allow removal of the stem. A hand tool may be used to assist in this process. The hand tool can have an adjustable stop which can be set to a first setting to level the tiles, and a second setting to cause the frangible portion to break, allowing removal of the stem and leveller.

Abstract: A system of for installing fence posts quickly, accurately, and easily for both side mounted fence panels and front mounted fence panels with one or two persons.

Abstract: A roof system includes a roof panel formed of concrete and an architectural surface such as a corrugated surface. A first layer of reinforcing material is disposed along and spaced inwardly from a first surface of the roof panel, and an optional second layer of reinforcing material is disposed along and spaced inwardly from a second surface of the roof panel. The first layer of reinforcing material is spaced from the second layer of reinforcing material. The reinforcing material may be formed of fiber-reinforced polymer mesh, made with carbon fibers or glass fibers. FRP rebar may be used in conjunction with FRP mesh to provide added structural strength. The roof panel may include one or more elongated ribs having a thickness greater than adjacent portions of the roof panel. In other aspects, concrete structures with reinforcing material may be used for either roof panels or wall applications.

Abstract: In a facade assembly (14) for a building (10), with at least one facade element (16), which may be fastened to a wall or an inter-story ceiling (12) of the building (10), and with at least one fire-protection element (18), which may be mounted between the facade element (16) and the wall or the inter-story ceiling (12), the fire-protection element (18) contains an insulating layer (19) and at least one angle profile (32) with two flanges (34, 36) disposed at an angle relative to one another, wherein one of the flanges (34) of the angle profile (32) is fastened to the facade element (16) and the other flange (36) of the angle profile (32) bears on the insulating layer (19).

Abstract: A folding chair includes a seat, a back, an interlinking device, a front leg, and a rear leg. The seat, the back, the interlinking device, the front leg, and the rear leg are interlinked. The seat includes at least one guiding portion, and the interlinking device includes at least one actuating member, which is movably coupled to the guiding portion. A user can fold or unfold the folding chair by a single-handed operation, such as pushing or pulling on the back or pulling a handle.

Abstract: A restraint system for an elevated building surface assembly including restraint members that are receivable in gaps adjacent outer edge segments of flooring units to secure the flooring units to an underlying support structure. The restraint members may be readily manipulated to allow for the selective removal of one or more of the flooring units for replacement thereof, access to the support structure, and/or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for installation of a power control module in a tower for a wind turbine. The method includes, providing a power control module (101) and providing a tower section (201). According to the invention the following steps are included in the mentioned sequence. a) providing a temporary support device (301), b) placing the power control module (101) on the temporary support device (301), c) placing the tower section (201) around the power control module (101), d) connecting the power control module (101) to the tower section (201), and e) removing the connected power control module (101) and tower section (201) from the temporary support device (301). The invention also relates to an aggregate component for a wind turbine. The component includes a power control module (101) and a tower section (201). The power control module (101) is connected to and supported by the tower section (201) in a state as a pre-fabricated and mobile component.

Abstract: Method and apparatus useful for the construction of exterior wall systems of buildings. The apparatus has an outer U-channel having a front formed lip thereon along with an inner wall together forming a base portion of the U-channel within which the bottom of the outer piece of siding is placed. The apparatus also includes a rear wall for supporting the inner piece of siding in an upright position along with a ledge upon which the bottom of the inner piece of siding rests. The rear wall of the apparatus may have apertures herein for receiving fasteners along with weep holes in the base of the U-channel.

Abstract: A method of fastening a wall panel to a wall, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises coupling a retaining body to a mounting body mounted on an outer surface of the wall adjacent a side edge of the wall panel. Coupling the retaining body to the mounting body may comprise coupling a first connector on an inner surface of the retaining body to a second connector on the mounting body, and positioning a retainer on the retaining body against a retaining surface on the wall panel to fasten the wall panel to the wall. Kits and wall assemblies according to other illustrative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members and for accommodating transverse movement. The expansion joint system includes a plurality of finger plates carrying a plurality of elongated fingers that are configured to at least partially extend across an expansion joint gap from opposing structural members. The finger plates are pivotably mounted to the underlying structural members to permit pivoting or rotating movement in the transverse direction. A torsion spring is engaged with the pivotable finger plates and provides a restoring force to the finger plate when the finger plate rotates relative to the spring. Also disclosed is an expansion joint including spaced-apart structural members and the expansion joint system installed in the joint.

Abstract: A concealable structural frame for mounting a hinged door flushed to a surface of a drywall structure. The concealable structural frame comprises a frame body including a stud facing wall, a door facing wall, a front surface wall, a rear surface wall, a stud engaging wall and a hinge engagement support. The door facing wall is spaced apart from the stud facing wall and includes a door receiving recess. The front surface wall and the rear surface walls are spaced apart and at least partially extend between the stud facing wall and the door facing wall. The stud engaging wall projects outwardly from the stud facing wall and defines a plasterboard receiving recess. The hinge engagement support is positioned between the stud facing wall and the door facing wall and extends along at least a portion of the door receiving recess.

Abstract: A fiber enforced sheet for use as a wall or floor covering which comprises of adhered thin bricks bonded to a fiber-reinforced, backing layer. Thin brick is adhered to the fiber enforced sheet. The fiber enforced backing increases strength and rigidity to the thin brick during handling, and installation permits the thin bricks to be adhered to proper specification and spacing to be cut using ordinary tile or thin brick tools.

Abstract: An entertainment venue comprising a performance area and a spectator area surrounding the performance area, wherein the spectator area includes a static spectator portion and a dynamic spectator portion, the dynamic spectator portion including a track substrate defining a continuous loop around the performance area, a plurality of spectator pods adapted for movement around the loop relative to the track substrate; and a platform located adjacent to the track substrate, wherein each pod is spaced from and not physically connected to a neighboring pod; and each pod includes at least one proximity sensor connected to a controller, the controller being adapted to maintain a predetermined minimum spacing between adjacent pods when the pods are in motion and/or detect a foreign object located between adjacent pods.

Abstract: A landscape bordering system is presented herein. In particular, the system is installed on the border or edges of lawn or grass, next to an adjacent sidewalk, walkway, paver, pavement, driveway, patio, fence, etc. The border includes a body defining a substantially flat top surface and an interior portion. A mounting assembly may be disposed on the interior of the body allowing for additional modules, such as sprinklers or lights, to be selectively installed therein. Additional features include a channel continuously disposed longitudinally along an outer exposed side of the top surface of the body. The channel may be disposed substantially proximate to a front edge of the top surface (e.g., adjacent to the edge of the grass or lawn). In this manner, a user may decide to spray, pour, or dispense an amount of herbicide or other chemical into the channel along the length of the border.

Abstract: A wall module for a modular wall structure integrates a wall panel portion with a post portion having bottom extensions and at least one groove for receiving a distal end portion of a wall panel portion of an adjacent module. The bottom post extension may be suspended in a post hole and anchored with a material such as concrete.

Abstract: A leveling spacer device, for laying slab-shaped products, includes: a base, positionable posteriorly of a laying surface of at least two slab-shaped products adjacent and flanked with respect to a flanking direction; a separator which rises from and is squared to the base, and is configured to contact, on opposite sides, lateral facing flanks of the two flanked slab-shaped products; a threaded shank which rises from the separator element with a screwing axis perpendicular to the base; a presser screwable to the threaded shank and a collar rotatably associated with respect to a rotation axis coinciding with the screwing axis, to an end of the presser facing towards the base, so that the collar is axially interposed between the end of the presser and the base. A constraint is defined between the collar and the presser, and is configured to axially constrain the collar and the presser.

Abstract: A shoring system for concrete slabs is disclosed. One such system includes a drop head with a beam support member which can be moved between lower and upper positions, and a wedge member which locks the beam support member in its upper position by a translational, sliding movement thereof. Wedge member includes a narrower toe portion and a wider heel portion, and the toe portion is insertable past corresponding engagement surfaces on the post of the drop head, to support the wedge member in its upper position. The beam support member has a lower surface engaged by the wedge member and such lower surface is longitudinally spaced from the upper surface of the beam support member, so that there is open space between the wedge member and the bottom surfaces of beam supported by the upper surface of the beam support member.

Abstract: A surround for an electrical box has a sheet of flexible, weatherproof material having a skirt portion, and a flange extending at least outward relative to the skirt portion, the flange defining an opening within the skirt portion sized to provide access to an inner cavity of the electrical box.

Abstract: A starting block lock having a clamp, top and bottom locking wedges, and a rod is provided. The clamp includes top and bottom portions each having an inside surface and a body between the top and bottom portions. The body includes a cylindrical bore extending on a longitudinal axis between the top and bottom portions. The top and bottom locking wedges each include an outer surface, an inner surface, a side surface, and an aperture extending between and through the outer and inner surfaces. At least a portion of each of the side surfaces slidably contact the inside surface of the clamp. The rod extends through the apertures and the cylindrical bore and is configured rotate in a first direction to linearly displace the top and bottom locking wedges toward each other thereby providing an outward force against the inside surfaces of the clamp to expand the clamp.