Abstract: The present disclosure describes modular blocks configured to give the appearance of natural or cut stone. An aesthetic coating composition may be applied to one or more surfaces of a block having a low-density, such as an insulating concrete form (ICF), to form an modular block having the appearance of cut stone. The aesthetic coating composition includes a binder component, such as a cementitious binder made from white Portland cement, or a polymer binder such as an acrylic binder, an aggregate component, such as a limestone aggregate component, and optionally an adhesive component. The aggregate component includes a fine sand portion and a coarse sand portion that effectively enable the appearance of cut stone after finishing of the aesthetic coating surface via sanding, polishing, sandblasting, acid etching, acid finishing, or exposed aggregate finishing.

Abstract: Foam insulation boards having an improved shiplap edge for interfacing with one another are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a decorative panel, comprising at least one substrate comprising an upper surface and a bottom surface and two pairs of opposing side edges, wherein the substrate comprises at least one core layer and at least one decorative layer and the panel comprising at least one coating layer, wherein the coating layer is provided upon the upper surface of the substrate, wherein both the upper surface of the substrate and the upper coating surface of the coating layer have a predetermined Shore D hardness.

Abstract: A ground site for a building is prepared for construction of a portland cement concrete slab-on-grade (PCC SoG). Using a computerized weather application, weather conditions for a geographic locale that includes the ground site are monitored to identify a window-of-time during which the weather application indicates there is a less than 50% chance of precipitation at the geographic locale. The surface of the ground site is proof rolled during the window-of-time. Using concrete emplacement equipment during the window-of-time and only after the ground site passes proof rolling, wet concrete is emplaced on the ground site to a nominal thickness that does not exceed 7 inches and that is at least one inch less than a PCC SoG design for the ground site having a design thickness based on design guidelines set forth by the American Concrete Institute. Emplacing must be completed with at least 4 hours remaining in the window-of-time.

Abstract: Disclosed and described herein are embodiments of an articulated utility pole that facilitates repair and/or reinstallation in the event of damage to the pole caused by wind loading (e.g., storms), trees or other items striking the utility lines, collisions with the poles, and the like. Also disclosed herein are methods of repairing and/or re-installing the articulated utility pole. Further disclosed herein are components for fabricating an articulated utility pole.

Abstract: A releasable locking mechanism for attaching a vertical panel to a support member comprises a first component attached to the back of the panel and a second component attached to the top of the support member. The first component includes an engagement tab that projects outward from the rear surface of the panel. The second component includes a tensioned lever arm comprising a locking edge that may be positioned over the engagement tab and hold it in place. An opposing tail of the lever arm may be moved by an individual, which then rotates the locking edge away from engagement tab and allows the panel to lifted away from the support structure.

Abstract: A unique carbon fiber structure that achieves the strength and durability of steel tower alternatives at 90% less weight and a lower total installed cost, providing affordable carbon fiber telecommunication towers that are engineered for peak strength to weight performance wherein the carbon fiber structure is a vertical elongated tower body of decreasing area with an internal installation shaft provided therein to house one or more radio base stations wherein the tower may be made of multiple cylindrical or cone shaped hollow segments with a shaved upper portion whereby the segments are created with carbon fiber and fiberglass hoop windings.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for manufacturing a tower structure. Accordingly, one or more layers of a wall element are deposited with a printhead assembly. At least one recess is defined in the wall element. The recess(es) has a single, circumferential opening positioned along an inner reference curve or an outer reference curve of the wall element. The recess(es) also has a depth which extends in a radial direction and intersects a midline reference curve. A reinforcing element is placed entirely within the recess(es) at the midline reference curve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving a screen and securing the screen relative to a frame are described. A device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, an adapter body defining a channel configured to receive a rigid screen support supporting a screen, and an extension offset from the channel, the extension configured to be inserted into a groove of a frame for an opening to hold the screen relative to the opening when the channel receives the rigid screen support.

Abstract: An anti-seismic reinforcement structure using a panel zone reinforcing fixture, according to the present invention, comprises: panel zone reinforcing fixtures which are coupled, to reinforce an existing frame consisting of a column and a beam as existing members, to one side of the frame and which are respectively fixed to sides of the column and the beam at a panel zone where the existing column and the existing beam are joined to each other; a reinforcing column which is installed at one side of the column and has opposite ends thereof fixed to the panel zone reinforcing fixtures; and a reinforcing beam which is installed at one side of the beam and has opposite ends thereof fixed to the panel zone reinforcing fixtures.

Abstract: A coupling system for mounting a tile to an outer surface of a building is disclosed. In one embodiment, the coupling system includes support tracks arranged and configured to couple the tile to the building. The support tracks may include integrally formed clips for coupling with the tiles. The clips may be arranged and configured to couple to a top portion of a lower tile and a bottom portion of an upper tile. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the coupling system may include a gasket coupled to the support tracks. The gasket may include first and second arms. The support tracks may include integrally formed, first and second inwardly extending legs for receiving the first and second arms, respectively, of the gasket. In use, the coupling system facilitates faster and easier manufacturability and assembly as compared to other known systems thus providing a more cost-effective solution, particularly when used with smaller tiles.

Abstract: A brace assembly can include a structural member including a sidewall; and a bracket including a baseplate defining a slot extending from an open end to a closed end, the baseplate defining at least one baseplate hinge hole at the open end; a clamp including a jaw member and a tightening member, the jaw member and the tightening member engaging the sidewall to couple the structural member to the bracket, the jaw member defining a clamp hinge hole; and a hinge pin engaging the at least one baseplate hinge hole and the clamp hinge hole.

Abstract: A system for distributing wireless networking components in a venue. The system includes panels that define a floor surface. The panels each have a planar configuration with an upper surface opposite a lower surface. The panels include a material that is transparent to radio waves, and the panels define a storage space below the panels and the storage space may be used to store and distribute wireless networking component.

Abstract: Fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, including but not limited to intumescent material. The fire-retardant material can be attached to compressible backer rods inserted within deflection gaps in the wall systems such that the fire-retardant material expands and seals gaps and/or areas between the tracks and wall components such as ceilings, floors, and drywall. Various assemblies and methods can be used to cover the deflection gap.

Abstract: A lighting tower system is provided. The lighting tower system includes a tower positioned in an upright orientation within a bed of a vehicle. The tower includes a base tube section and an upper tube section. The base and upper tube sections include a common longitudinal axis and are arranged to slide relative to one another in a telescoping relationship to move each tower between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The lighting tower system includes a light assembly coupled to and extending from the upper tube section of the tower. The light assembly is configured to rotate with respect to the common longitudinal axis and to tilt with respect to an axis perpendicular to the common longitudinal axis. The lighting tower system includes a mounting configuration configured to attach and detach the tower to the bed of the vehicle in the upright orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods of installing and retaining insulation relative to at least one of a mullion and a transom having a given width. The methods comprise: using a fastener to attach to a side surface of the mullion or transom a side plate of each of a plurality of spaced apart L-brackets, each said L-bracket having a first receiving slot formed in the side plate; positioning the insulation in a space adjacent to at least one of the mullion and the transom; and engaging with each L-bracket a clip having a pair of clip legs with a first of the pair of clip legs extending through the first receiving slot of the L-bracket and a second of the pair of clip legs penetrating into the insulation. At least one of the clip legs has a tapered free end.

Abstract: Embodiments of an expansion joint are provided. The expansion joint is configured to cover a gap between a first architectural surface and a second architectural surface. The expansion joint includes a panel having a first surface and a second surface in which the second surface is opposite the first surface. When the panel covers the gap, the panel is magnetically connected to both of the first architectural surface or the second architectural surface. In specific embodiments, at least one of the magnetic structures that magnetically connect the panel to both of the first architectural surface or the second architectural surface is allowed to move in response to movement of the panel. In more specific embodiments, the movement of the magnetic structure is a tilting movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor panel and to a floor. The floor panel according to the invention includes a core provided with an upper and lower surface, and a first and second core flank at a first and second side of the core, respectively. The floor panel includes a first coupling part and a second coupling part provided at the first side and the second side of the core, respectively. Each of the coupling parts includes an inner side flank, an outer side flank, and an upper portion flank connecting the inner side flank to the outer side flank. According to the invention, a portion of the first core flank and an upper portion of the outer side flank of the second coupling part are inclined such that when the floor panel is coupled to an adjacently arranged further floor panel these upper portions lie against each other for the purpose of providing a locking in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensory flooring system. The flooring system comprises a plurality of flooring segments and, for each flooring segment, one or more electrode portions. Each electrode portion is responsive to a force applied to the flooring segment and at least one electrode portion of a said flooring segment forms an electrode with at least one electrode portion of another said flooring segment. Moreover, each flooring segment comprises a unique encoding of the one or more electrode portions. Also disclosed is a sensory floor such a sensory flooring system, a receiver for receiving an electrical output from the one or more electrodes formed by said one or more electrode portions of the flooring segments, and a processor for analysing the electrical output and identifying the flooring segment by which the electrical output was produced.

Abstract: A profiled rail assembly for casting into concrete. The profiled rail assembly includes a profiled rail including a rail body having a rail slot extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the profiled rail, and a reinforcing body including a head element and at least one tension element protruding from the head element, the head element opposite the at least one tension element having a head element major face defining a contact surface for a formwork element. The at least one tension element is connected to the profiled rail.