Abstract: A facade panel conditioning system for installation on a new or existing building is disclosed. The system includes modular panels, a structural anchor, hydronic piping, and ductwork. The panels attach to each other around the exterior of the building forming an insulated shell. The anchor attaches the panels to the building structure forming an air cavity between each individual panel and the exterior. The hydronic piping transfers heat to the air cavity and individual units of the building. The ductwork delivers ventilated air and exhaust air to the air cavity and individual units. The hydronic piping of a panel connects to the hydronic piping of an adjacent panel forming a hydronic piping system that distributes heat or cool throughout the shell. The air duct of a panel connects to the air duct of an adjacent panel forming an air duct ventilation system that distributes air throughout the shell.

Abstract: A tower (1) having equipment (3) mounted thereon is disclosed. The tower (1) has an ice shield assembly (2) for protection to of the equipment (3) against falling ice mounted thereon. The ice shield assembly (2) comprises a tower fixture arrangement (5) being secured to the tower (1) and an ice shield (4) connected 5 to the tower fixture arrangement (5) via a hinge (6). The ice shield (4) is configured for vertically overlapping the horizontal extends of the equipment (3). The ice shield assembly (2) further comprises at least one spring element (7), e.g. in the form of a curved rod, connected at one end to the ice shield (4) and at an opposite end to the tower (1), the at least one spring element (7) 10 being configured to allow the ice shield (4) to pivot relative to the tower (1) at the hinge (6) in order to ensure a gradual transfer of energy from falling ice, which collides with the ice shield (4).

Abstract: A flooring element suitable for connection to other elements in a flooring system. The flooring element comprises a body, a female connector and a retainer. The body defines a connector surface that is horizontal when in use. The female connector comprises a connector recess which is suitable for receiving a male connector and also which defines a connector opening in the connector surface. The retainer is connectable to the body such that, while it is connected to the body, the retainer is movable between and open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the retainer is arranged to restrict movement of the male connector to guard against the male connector exiting the connector recess through the connector opening. When in the open position, the retainer does not restrict movement of the male connector thereby permitting the male connector to exit the connector recess through the connector opening.

Abstract: An anchor bolt fastener assembly with specialized connection capabilities and features for attaching building components to concrete slabs, walls, ceilings, and/or structural surfaces. Compression force can be established and maintained over time using a compression washer in combination with a specialized fastener stud that is designed to exploit the compression washer benefits. Methods of using exemplary embodiments include installing the anchor bolt fastener assembly relatively flush with the surface of the concrete slurry by direct insertion in the slurry using a specialized threaded anchor bolt float. Once the slurry hardens, the anchor bolt and anchor bolt float embedded in the concrete slurry cooperate with the specialized fastener stud to secure the building component to the concrete.

Abstract: A set of essentially identical panels, such as building panels, provided with a mechanical locking system including a displaceable tongue, which is arranged in a displacement groove with a first opening at a first edge of a first panel. The displaceable tongue is configured to cooperate with a first tongue groove, with a second opening at a second edge of an adjacent second panel, for vertical locking of the first and the second edge. The height of the first opening is greater than a second height of the second opening.

Abstract: Wall bases and methods for utilizing the same are provided. A rear surface of the wall base is configured to be secured to an adjacent forward surface of a wall. An extension member extends outward and downward from the base member, and a protrusion extends downward from the extension member. A channel for sealant is defined, at least in part, by the extension member and the protrusion. The protrusion may be separately formed from the extension member and base member.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.

Abstract: An urban transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at vacant and/or abandoned sites. The transformation includes demolishing at least part of the vacant or abandoned site, excavating material from within the site; forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2, and constructing water containment walls on a first section of the basin to form a waterfront perimeter. The shape of the waterfront perimeter is mainly curved, the basin has a maximum width of 300 meters, and the bottom is covered with a non-permeable material. A sloped access area is constructed in a second section of the basin to form a beach. A barrier is constructed to control access into the area including the beach. At least one recreational facility is constructed including restaurants, bars, kiosks, stores, and/or cafes about the waterfront perimeter.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structural truss module that employs a fastener web to interconnect elongated wood chords includes spacing a pair of elongated chords in a parallel spaced relationship, followed by driving fasteners through a first of the chords and into the second of the chords at oblique angled. The fasteners may converge toward each other. The chords may optionally be cut at an intermediate position between longitudinal ends. The chords may be spaced with use of a jig assembly. A matrix of quasi-convergent adjacent pairs of fasteners may be employed. The structural truss modules may form part of a roof for a header or a structural wall. The fasteners may be threaded.

Abstract: A system including a door, a fastener, and a fastener retaining assembly is provided. The fastener is extending at least partially through an aperture in the door. The fastener retaining assembly includes a bracket and a retainer washer. The fastener retaining assembly is attached to the door and retains the fastener to the door. The retainer washer is disposed around the fastener and disposed between the bracket and the door.

Abstract: A capsule pod sleeping chamber with a ceiling and walls adjacent to the ceiling sealing an interior space to prevent a mixture of air between the interior space and a communal space exterior to the portable enclosure. The capsule pod sleeping chamber has first duct to route supply air into the interior space from a first area that is separated from the communal space and a second duct to route exhaust air out from the interior space to a second area separated from the communal space. Lastly, the capsule pod sleeping chamber has a plurality of apertures located in at least one wall of the plurality of walls that include the first aperture opening into the first duct and the second aperture opening into the second duct.

Abstract: Structural support apparatus, system, and installation method, comprising a base member adapted for being mounted to an existing building structure, an attachment bracket mounted to the base member at a pivot point adapted to be set securely to an angle selected during installation, the attachment bracket also adapted for mounting to a wood riser having openings therein to match the attachment bracket.

Abstract: A structural reinforced composite construction mat includes a plurality of composite plastic beams that are ganged together to define the mat, with a plurality of flitch plates disposed between at least some of the plastic beams to provide additional strength and rigidity to the mat. The plastic beams may be made of a composite material have a generally rectangular cross-section. The flitch plates have a width (vertical height) when disposed between adjacent beams that is less than the width (vertical height) of the beams, such that the flitch plates may be recessed below and above the top and bottom surfaces of the mat, respectively. A plurality of rods extend in the lateral direction through the beams and plates to compress the beams and plates against each. The flitch plates may be metal or fiber-reinforced resin and may further include slotted holes to allow the beams to retract lengthwise in response to environmental changes.

Abstract: A rebar anchoring system and method are provided. The system includes: a rebar, with an external thread formed on the periphery of at least one end; an anchoring head, with a first perforation and a second perforation disposed respectively at both ends extending axially into the anchoring head and communicating with each other, the inner sides of the first and second perforations being formed respectively with a first internal thread matching with the external thread of the rebar and a second internal thread, and the anchoring head being mounted on the end of the rebar through the first internal thread and the external thread of the rebar; and a bolt, having a screw rod matching with the second internal thread, the screw rod being locked into the second perforation of the anchoring head, and the end of the screw rod pressing against the end of the rebar.

Abstract: The present invention provides deterrent devices for birds and other animals. The device includes a plurality of wires/spikes insertion molded into an elongated plastic base. Each of the wires extends out left and right sides of the base, with alternating angles between 50 and 90°. The bends of at least three sequential wires on the left side of the base are substantially colinear, and the bends of at least three sequential wires on the right side of the base are substantially colinear.

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 public bathroom door gap cover includes a bathroom assembly, a strip assembly, a cylinder assembly and a clip assembly. The bathroom assembly includes a bathroom door and a stall wall. The strip assembly includes a strip having an elongated shape. The strip is portable and made of a flexible material. The clip assembly is attached to the strip and allows to removably attach the strip to the stall wall. The cylinder assembly includes a power spring that allows retracting the strip to store the strip in the cylinder.

Abstract: Building panels including a first and a second panel and including a locking device. The locking device includes a tongue and an edge groove provided in the second panel and the first panel, respectively, wherein the tongue and the edge groove are configured to cooperate with each other for locking a first edge portion of the first panel to a second edge portion of the second panel in a first direction. The locking device further includes a separate tongue provided in an insertion groove and a tongue groove configured to cooperate with each other for locking the first edge portion to the second edge portion in a second direction. A length of the tongue groove along an edge portion may be smaller than a length of the edge portion. A length of the insertion groove along an edge portion may be smaller than the length of the edge portion.

Abstract: There is provided a door hatch assembly for an aperture in a screen door, the assembly including a substantially round rim mountable on a periphery of the aperture; a static member mounted in the rim and configured to cover at least a first portion of the aperture; and a hatch engaged with the static member and movable over the static member to reversibly cover at least a second portion of the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lintel or angle iron cover, and specifically a cover for an L-shaped lintel having a rise portion and a run portion. The cover is also L-shaped and is a continuous wall made up of an upper wall joined to a top wall which is joined to a side wall. The side wall is also joined to a bottom wall which is joined to a back wall. Further, the upper wall is at least as high as the rise portion of the lintel. The top wall and bottom wall form a U-shaped opening closed by the side wall, and the U-shaped opening is the size of the run portion. Whereas the back wall forms a lip at the end of the bottom wall.