Abstract: A device for manipulating a board is provided, the device comprising: a body having an upper side and a lower side; the body having a proximal end comprising an angled face, wherein the angled face is formed on the upper side, and wherein the angled face includes an aperture extending into the angled face and through the body; the body having a distal end including a U-shaped board engagement member including a pair of legs; and the body having at least one joist alignment member extending downwardly from the lower side.

Abstract: An apparatus for resisting a gravity load is disclosed. The apparatus has a first end member, a second end member, and a plurality of elongated structural members, each of the plurality of elongated structural members including a first end portion attached to the first end member and a second end portion attached to the second end member. The plurality of elongated structural members is oriented to resist compressive stresses or tensile stresses induced by the gravity load. The plurality of elongated structural members is formed from plants with a harvest cycle of four years or fewer.

Abstract: A firestop collar (10) for sealing of openings, especially of line penetrations (12), that pass through walls (11) or ceilings has a frame (16) and a block (20) of optionally intumescent material disposed therein, and is characterized in that an intumescent inlay (22) is disposed between the block (20) and the frame (18).

Abstract: A wedge levelling system for aligning surface coverings includes a tab with a substantially flat base and a vertical member extending away from a central area of the top surface of the base. The base includes beveled feet portions on opposite sides for insertion under lower surfaces of adjacent surface coverings, with the vertical member extending between the tiles. The vertical member is attached to the base with frangible leg. The vertical member includes an opening spaced so as to be above two adjacent tiles. When a wedge is inserted and held in the opening and presses down, the tiles are pushed downwardly toward a surface upon which they are being laid to properly align the edges thereof until the tiles are set, the wedge removed and the vertical member broken off at the frangible leg portions.

Abstract: A variable acceleration curved surface spiral gear transmission mechanism for accelerated oscillator damper damping systems is disclosed. Through the orthogonal orbit planetary gear set moving along the parallel circular arc line guide rail, the concave surface spiral gear and the convex surface spiral gear are meshed at different radii, so as to realize the continuous changing of the speed ratio and changing of the acceleration of the additional mass block. The spiral curve limit guide groove is set on the surface of concave surface spiral gear and convex surface spiral gear, and the changing rate of speed changing ratio is adjusted by designing different spiral curves, and then the acceleration changing rate of additional mass block is controlled.

Abstract: A tile spacing device and accompanying system and method are disclosed for spacing a plurality of tiles having a contour. In one embodiment of the tile spacing device, the tile spacing device includes a U-shaped band having a body with two branches extending parallel therefrom and an opening therebetween. An arm having a lateral end extends proximally from one of the branches into the opening. Two interlocking connectors are respectively positioned on the body at the opening and on the arm. In one embodiment of the system, two tile spacing devices complimentarily releasably mate when the tile spacing devices are opposing and perpendicularly displaced to interlock the interlocking connectors.

Abstract: A column reinforced with two reinforcement sleeves provides a low-cost, simpler method to form strong concrete columns for constructing buildings and other structures. The column includes a multi-axially braided reinforcement outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, which together provide sufficient structural support so that rebar can be eliminated from the column. Elimination of rebar saves cost and prevents the possibility of rebar oxidation which might otherwise undermine the structural integrity of the column and lead to catastrophic structural failure. The reinforcement sleeve is lightweight, easy to transport, and can be greatly reduced in size to facilitate transportation. The reinforcement sleeve and construction method can be utilized in many implementations and can be particularly useful for constructing buildings or other structures in geographic areas that are subject to earthquakes and/or corrosion, and where low cost is important.

Abstract: An enclosure system may be formed of a lightweight panel with a thin non-porous membrane that enables the extraction and leak detection of hazardous gases from housing equipment such as vacuum pumps, valves, abatement equipment and the like. Additionally, the enclosure system includes a one or multiple layers of wire mesh which prevent projectiles with a high kinetic energy from escaping from the housing equipment thereby minimising the risk of an explosion causing parts or panels to be ejected from the enclosure system.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular wall including a base and a support structure. The support structure is secured to the base with retractable supports. The support structure may be removed from the base, allowing a user to easily move the wall in separate parts. Furthermore, the modular wall includes a decorative panel held up by the support structure. The decorative panel may have flowers attached creating a wall of flowers, or a painted-on decoration. More than one modular wall may be used together to create a wider decorative wall.

Abstract: A customizable facility for manufacturing at least one product has at least one modular unit in communication with at least one central unit configured to provide utilities to the at least one modular unit. In some embodiments, the central unit(s) and modular unit(s) are positioned at least partially within a shell. Each modular unit can be a fermentation unit, a pre-viral unit, a post-viral unit, a utility space, a warehouse, a media buffer facility, an office, a personnel unit, or another unit. The modular units can be arranged to maximize a number of modular units within the shell while minimizing a footprint of the shell. A method of assembling a facility for manufacturing at least one product includes providing at least one central unit and providing at least one modular unit in communication with the central unit(s) such that utilities are provided by the central unit(s) to the modular unit(s).

Abstract: A multi-story building (200) is described for manufactured homes (212) such as container homes. The building (200) includes a ground floor (202), a number of intermediate floors (204), and a top floor (206). The building (200) includes a throughway (208) on the ground floor (202) that allows passage of a transportation vehicle (210) such as a flatbed truck carrying a manufactured home (212). The transportation vehicle (210) can use the throughway (208) to position the manufactured home (212) in alignment with a hoistway (214). A hoist mounted on the roof (216) can then be used to hoist the home (212) to a desired floor (204 or 206).

Abstract: A wall is made with the aid of drywall panels and a background. The drywall panels are provided with edge coupling profiles on their edges, which are arranged to be secured to the background and, subsequently, coupled to each other. The drywall panels may also be provided with a rear coupling profile. The drywall panels can be hooked together or coupled to each other by means of transverse sliding. The edge coupling profiles may also comprise anti-adhesive extensions, forming anti-adhesive edge areas at the front side of the drywall panel on which stucco mass does not adhere. The measures according to the invention are intended to provide drywall panels which, after use, can be disassembled easily and cleanly so that the drywall panels can be reused as drywall panels, resulting in that the environment is not burdened with gypsum waste caused by damaged, broken and destroyed drywall panels.

Abstract: A tile system for covering a surface. The tile system comprises a first tile assembly connected to a second tile assembly by a connector. Each tile assembly comprises a first tile stacked on a second tile, the first tile and the second tile joined to a reinforcing material disposed therebetween. The connector comprises a first component and a second component that is complementary to the first component. The first component is mounted to the first tile assembly, and the second component is mounted to the second tile assembly.

Abstract: A partition assembly includes partitions hingedly connected in series. The partitions include a frame with a spaced upright member, a mounting assembly, and upper and lower cross members connecting the upright members. One or both cross members include power and/or data ports. Panels disposed on either side of the frame are movable between upper and lower positions, providing access to the ports. Upper and lower hinge assemblies connect the partitions. The hinge assemblies include gear arms fixed to the upright members with gear heads extending away from the partition that engage the gear head of an adjacent partition. The upright members include aligned apertures defining ports providing a cable passageway from the interior of adjacent partitions. End foot assemblies extend from the ends of the partition assembly and interior foot assemblies extends from between the geared connections of the partitions.

Abstract: A levelling spacer device for laying slab-shaped products including a base having a lower surface and an opposite upper surface defining a support plane for at least two tiles placed side by side, which is placed at a first distance from the lower surface, a spacer bridge provided with two legs placed side by side between each other along a flanking direction and each one rising from a portion of the opposite upper surface. Each leg is frangibly connected to the respective base portion by a predefined fracture line placed at a second distance from the lower surface greater than the first distance. A crosspiece, joins the top of the two legs, and a through opening peripherally delimited at the top by the crosspiece, laterally by the legs and at the bottom by a central portion of the upper surface coplanar with the support plane.

Abstract: A gutter cover, components thereof, and associated methods. The gutter cover is configured to be installed over a gutter to prevent debris from entering the gutter. The gutter cover can be made of a webbing material having openings through which water can pass. The gutter cover includes features that facilitate water penetration through the gutter cover for the water to enter the gutter.

Abstract: An end cap for a ceiling panel of a ceiling system. The end cap includes a face plate having an inner surface, a bottom edge, a top edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. A first insertion plate extends from the inner surface of the face plate at the top edge of the face plate. A second insertion plate extends from the inner surface of the face plate at the bottom edge of the face plate. A concealment portion extends from the inner surface of the face plate along the first and second side edges of the face plate. The concealment portion may include an upper section positioned above the first insertion plate and spaced from the first insertion plate by a first gap and a lower section of positioned below the second insertion plate and spaced from the second insertion plate by a second gap.

Abstract: A method and an article of manufacture are disclosed for constructing, reinforcing, and repairing various structural elements such as columns, piles and the like using formworks that are reusable. The reusable articles of manufacture employed in the disclosed methods are or, if desired, may be permanently left in place. Same or similar methods and articles of manufacture may be employed to easily construct pipes of any desired diameter in a very short time.

Abstract: A gutter assembly comprising: a gutter having a front gutter wall having a front inner lip; and a gutter cover comprising: a front cover mounting portion including: a rim abutting segment superposable to the front inner lip; and a lip retaining member resiliently and deflectably connected to the rim abutting segment, the lip retaining member extending downwardly and including a lip retaining segment extending forwardly from a rearward segment end of the rim abutting segment to define a lip receiving recess thereinbetween for receiving the front inner lip of the gutter, the lip retaining member further comprising a guiding member extending rearwardly and downwardly from the lip retaining segment, the lip retaining member being resiliently deflectable rearwardly by the guiding member abutting the front inner lip upon engagement of the gutter cover with the gutter.

Abstract: Described herein is a wall assembly for use in walls of energy efficient residential or commercial buildings which can provide improved thermal resistance, moisture resistance and structural capacity. The wall assembly includes a frame assembly; a laminated outer sheathing layer; and a closed cell inner foam layer for coupling the layer to the frame assembly. Also described herein is a method of manufacturing the wall assembly.