Abstract: A firestop collar for sealing of openings, especially of line penetrations, that pass through walls or ceilings, has a frame and a block of optionally intumescent material disposed therein.

Abstract: A fabric housing, a method of installing a fabric housing, and a method of manufacturing a fabric housing are provided. The fabric housing for stretching fabric on walls or ceilings includes a first exterior wall. The fabric housing also includes a second exterior wall. The fabric housing further includes a tensioning leg configured to tightly abut one of the first exterior wall or second exterior wall. The tensioning leg is configured to grip a fabric between the tensioning leg and the one of the first exterior wall or second exterior wall. The fabric housing still further includes a pair of opposing jaws configured to secure the fabric. The pair of opposing jaws are disposed along one of the first exterior wall or the second exterior wall. A corresponding method of manufacturing a fabric housing and installing a fabric housing are provided herein.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide for modular snow and ice retention and mounting systems. In various embodiments, a bracket may comprise a mounting strap, a hybrid pad, a bracket assembly and a rod. The hybrid pad may comprise a face portion and a support portion. The face portion and the support portion may be operatively coupled together. The hybrid pad may be operatively coupled to the mounting strap. The face portion may comprise a stiffening rib. The stiffening rib may be defined in a front surface of the face portion. The stiffening rib may define a first load plane. The face portion may also define a first rod notch. The first rod notch may be defined on a first side of the face portion. The face portion may also define a second rod notch. The rod may be mountable to the hybrid pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to a geothermal insulation system (10) for the insulation of an external surface (16) of a building (12), characterised by comprising: internal insulation panels (24), first internal spacers (22) attaching the internal insulation panels (24) onto the external surface (16) of a wall (14) of the building (12) in the mounted state such that an internal air chamber (20) is left between the internal insulation panels (24) and the external surface (16) of the wall (14), external insulation panels (34), second spacers (32) attaching the external insulation panels (34) onto an external side of the internal insulation panels (24) in the mounted state such that an external air chamber (30) is left between the external insulation panels (34) and the external side of the internal insulation panels (24) and an upper region (31) of the external air chamber (30) is in air communication with an upper region (21) of the internal air chamber (20), a soil-air heat exchanger (44) recessed into the soil,

Abstract: The Pixel Block builds a wide range of useful constructions such as tables, chairs, and houses, with the modularity in three-dimensional space to make a universe of objects with a versatility similar to that of a pixel on a computer screen. It has a basic cylindrical shape that is as long as it is wide and deep to occupy a basic cube space. It is a versatile and useful geometric building block comprised of snaps, screws, nobs, magnetic forces, and combinations of these interfaces to assemble into constructions comprised of multiple copies of the Invention. On one end of the cylinder is a protruding screw that is also a hook and a snap, that can fit into itself and into each of five other sides of the cylinder. Once assembled into a shape, the Invention can be locked in place with spheres or with cylinders inside the Invention.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to support members for ceiling systems, such as those that can be formed into an interconnected grid to be suspended from a ceiling and support ceiling tiles. One aspect of the disclosure is a linearly-extending support member for a ceiling tile.

Abstract: Systems and methods can include scoring a backing material of a luxury vinyl plank (“LVP”) to allow an otherwise rigid plank to flex within a scoring section. The scoring section can include multiple parallel grooves that reach a depth that partially scores the backing material. The LVP can be positioned on a stair tread such that the scoring section wraps around an edge of the tread nose. The LVP can be clamped on top and bottom of the stair tread nose to allow adhesives to take effect. A scoring device can include a blade assembly with multiple blades to create multiple scored grooves in one pass.

Abstract: A prefabricated post assembly is proposed. The prefabricated post assembly includes a vertical post having at least one assembly surface and a horizontal post having an assembly module mounted at an end thereof to be coupled to the assembly surface, in which at least one upper insertion hole is formed at an upper portion of the assembly surface and at least one lower insertion hole is formed at a lower portion of the assembly surface.

Abstract: A sheathed building uses corrugated hat-channel furring channels to attach metal panels to an underlying wall structure in a semi-floating manner. The corrugated furring channels are attached to backsides of the metal panels using high-bond-strength tape, and the corrugated furring channels are “hooked” onto corrugated flanges of rail brackets that have been attached to the wall structure to secure the metal panels to the building. Using tape instead of conventional fasteners (e.g., screws or nails) reduces penetrations through the panels and reduces moisture behind the panels. The corrugations facilitate drainage of moisture from behind the panels and drying air circulation. In other embodiments such as a clapboard arrangement of metal panels, rail brackets are not used, and the corrugated furring channels are used to mount the panels in overlapping fashion with no fasteners penetrating through the panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower damper adapted to be mounted in a wind turbine tower, the tower damper comprising a pendulum structure adapted to be suspended in the wind turbine tower; a plurality of springs arranged to dampen movements of the pendulum structure; a suspension arrangement for suspending the pendulum structure; and a chamber holding a damping liquid into which damping liquid the pendulum structure is at least partly immersed. The present invention further relates to a wind turbine comprising a tower damper.

Abstract: A foundation system for supporting a structure thereon comprising: a plurality of blocks, each block having at least three sides; at least two recesses formed in the at least three sides of each block; a plurality of connecting plates having a first end configured to be secured within a recess of a first block and a second end configured to be secured within a recess of an adjacent block such that the connecting plate extends between recesses of adjacent blocks to secure adjacent blocks together to form a foundation grid of said blocks; and enclosure panels mountable to said blocks along an edge thereof so as to form an enclosure about a perimeter of the foundation grid.

Abstract: A levelling structure for levelling a structure having supports for secondary support on fixed footings. A coupling mechanism extends between an access point on the structure and the footings. Adjustment of the coupling member from the structure alters the elevation of the structure and supports together towards or away from the footings. By providing the adjustment from the structure itself, the requirement for elevational adjustment beneath the structure is avoided as well as adjustment against the opposition of the load.

Abstract: An anchor platform assembly for anchoring an object to a raised, generally flat roof-like structure, has an anchor baseplate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and an internally threaded blindbore extending at least partially from the top surface generally towards the bottom surface and fasteners for fastening an object to the anchor baseplate via its blindbore and for fastening the anchor baseplate to a top surface of a roof-like structure. The assembly is especially intended for supporting, e.g., glass railings on balconies terraces and flat roofs and for mounted solar panels on both flat and pitched roofs which provides strength and affords watertight performance.

Abstract: This invention improves seismic resistance of structures by transition from stiff to non destructible flexible state at a threshold earthquake level higher than prior art maximum design earthquake level of stiff structures. Functional characteristics of the category of auto-reversing stiff-to-flexible seismic structures comprise: a limited six degree of freedom motion; a laterally-stable limited rising-twist-sway ascent; a self-centering diagonal-untwist auto-descent; a multidirectional flexibility; and a multi-phase split-force-impact seismic protection. Seismic construction technologies of the category of structures comprise: base split-force-impact technology; cluster split-force-impact technology; tuned segment split-force-impact technology; and tuned spine split-force-impact technology. The auto-reversing stiff-to-flexible seismic joints of the structures are low-cost, simple and easy to manufacture, and especially suitable for mass industrial application.

Abstract: A floor panel arranged to be installed according to the fold-down principle, with a first pair and a second pair of edges. The second pair of edges coupling parts are arranged to be coupled to each other by a downward movement with two contact zones at opposite sides of a male part which fits into a female part. The ratio between the horizontal distance between the middle of the first contact zone and the middle of the second contact zone, and the vertical distance between the middle of the first contact zone and the middle of the second contact zone is more than 5, and/or wherein well-defined support points are applied.

Abstract: Memorialization structures, niches, and methods for manufacturing niches having a recess or cavity that is accessible after installation of the memorialization structures and/or post-burial or post-entombment of a deceased are generally described. In some embodiments, a memorialization niche may include a recess and a door configured to enclose the recess. The door may include a lock configured to prevent public access to the recess. A patron associated with the niche may unlock the door and access the recess. The patron may remove objects from and/or insert objects into the recess post-burial or -entombment of the deceased without disturbing the memorialization structure and/or adjacent memorialization structures and/or requiring a memorial operator to unseal the recess.

Abstract: A structural steel member connecting assembly includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first connecting member is pivotally connected to a positioning portion of a first structural steel member and therefore can be swung. The second connecting member is pivotally connected to the first connecting member such that the two connecting members are rotatable with respect to each other. The second connecting member has a fixing portion coupled with a second structural steel member such that the longitudinal directions of the two structural steel members intersect. With the second connecting member rotatable with respect to the first connecting member, the installation angles of the two structural steel members can be easily changed in order to make a stable engineering structure. The structural steel member connecting assembly features convenience of, and flexibility in, use and has extensive applications.

Abstract: A suspended timber frame deck comprising a timber frame of interconnected timber beams. Tiles are located on top of the beams indirectly at at least two locations by a tile support pad located between the tile and an underlying timber beam. Each pad includes a protrusion located in a hole of the timber beam to register therewith to the timber beam and registered to the tile to help locate the tile to the timber beam and help prevent the tile from sliding over the timber beam.

Abstract: A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members.

Abstract: Angled shim stacks and methods of using the same, which can be used to support to a fenestration unit at those locations where the support is needed by providing a load bearing surface that matches the angle of the fenestration unit sill bottom regardless of the angle of the upper surface of the sill on which the fenestration unit is supported.