Abstract: Pneumatically supported towers for low gravity applications are disclosed herein. In one aspect, an inflatable tower for use in vacuum environments can have a membrane configured to support a load when inflated with an inflation gas to a pressures less than 100,000 pascals and greater than 0.01 pascal. The inflation gas can be chosen to have a sufficiently low boiling temperature at the inflation pressure of the membrane that the gas will not condense to a liquid or solid within a defined range of temperatures in which the tower is designed to operate. The membrane can be configured to be packaged for transport in deflated condition and rolled onto cylinders from which the membrane can be later unfurled and inflated as part of the tower inflation process. The membrane can be further configured to progressively inflate beginning at a bottom or lowest level of the membrane during the tower inflation process.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a plurality of inflatable walls arranged to form a room having an interior and one or more lockable compartments integrated into the plurality of inflatable walls. The lockable compartments can include a non-inflated recess formed within an inflatable wall and at least one flap configured to close an opening of the recess of the first lockable compartment. The inflatable structure can be themed, e.g., by installing themed skins on interior surfaces of the room to provide a user experience. The inflatable structure may also include integrated virtual reality components, including a virtual reality headset supported by the structure.

Abstract: Conduit through which at least one pipe or cable extends, wherein the conduit has an inner wall and is provided with a system for sealing in the conduit that is unoccupied by the at least one pipe or cable, wherein the system comprises: at least one rubber element for providing in the conduit a support-structure which is clamped-in between the inner wall and the at least one pipe or cable; and a sealant layer against the support-structure and for sealing off at least one end of the conduit between the inner wall and the at least one pipe or cable, wherein each rubber element is made of a fire-resistant vulcanized rubber of a thermally substantially non-expandable type, and wherein the sealant is made of a fire-resistant polymer which is vulcanizable at room temperature under exposure to humidity and which is also of the thermally substantially non-expandable type.

Abstract: A tile lippage control and tile spacing system provides a spacer post having a base member, a shaft, and a breakaway connection between the base member and the shaft; and a leveler that releasably and adjustably engages with the spacer post shaft, the leveler having a friction plate, a foot ring and an engager; and the leveler is both axially and rotatably engageable with the spacer post shaft.

Abstract: A liquid dispersing system includes a plate having a plurality of spaced holes passing through the plate. The plate has a thickness, a top portion, and a bottom portion, and each hole comprises a first opening at the top portion of the plate and a second opening at the bottom of the plate. The first opening and the second opening of each hole are differently-sized, so that the holes divide and disperse drops of the liquid into smaller droplets.

Abstract: A double plate floor panel is provided. The double plate floor panel includes a first panel, a second panel, and a plurality of connectors. The first panel has a first plurality of recesses on a first surface, and the second panel has a second plurality of recesses on a second surface. Each connector of the plurality of connectors inserts into a recess of the first plurality of recess and a recess of the second plurality of recesses. The connectors are sandwiched between the first surface of the first panel and the second surface of the second panel. A method of assembling the double plate floor panel is also provided.

Abstract: A support assembly for mounting photovoltaic modules on a support surface and a mounting system including the same are disclosed herein. The support assembly may comprise a the body portion including a base portion and at least one upright support member coupled to the base portion, the at least one upright support member comprising an integrally formed ballast tray slot in one side thereof for receiving an upturned edge of a ballast tray; and at least one clamp subassembly coupled to the at least one upright support member of the body portion, the at least one clamp subassembly configured to be coupled to one or more photovoltaic modules. In addition to a plurality of support assemblies, the mounting system may further comprise at least one ballast tray support bracket, the ballast tray support bracket supporting a portion of a ballast tray on the support surface.

Abstract: A system for the levelling of floor tiles, comprising: a separation post incorporating: a base component, a separator component and a threaded shaft; and a threaded cap with: a hollow dome-shaped body, a lower cylindrical component, an upper hub with a central female thread for the assembly thereof on said threaded shaft, and a number of lateral openings separated by a plurality of ribs with a substantially U-shaped structural cross-section, and comprising: —a smooth external web, with no protruding wings or extensions, of increasing width in a downward direction toward a first lateral end with a curved concave profile, —a first wing and a second wing that extend toward the interior of the cap from lateral ends of the web of the ribs and forming ergonomical surfaces for exerting pressure on the cap in the direction of tightening and loosening of the cap.

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: 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: 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: 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 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 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).