Abstract: The invention relates to the field of satisfaction of vital human needs. A transformable platform, which is intended for creation of installations arranged both horizontally and vertically or slantwise, represents the unidirectionally oriented rod-shaped elements with a flat end face each, located close to each other in the form of cells, which form the flat horizontal platform in the initial position due to the flat end faces located at the same level. Each rod-shaped element is equipped with an individual drive to move linearly and lift the flat end face above the level of the surface of the transformable platform or lower the flat end face below this level.

Abstract: A method of configuring a modular wall having a plurality of different types of interchangeable wall modules with different types of compatible connection components, each connection component being configured to align with another connection component at an interface to form an interface connection for securing the connection components together with one or more universal connection interface members. The modular wall system is configured for on-demand reconfiguration without laborious alteration to aspects of the walls system, modules, and components thereof. Reconfiguration of modules is facilitated by removing the universal connection interface member from the interface connection, thereby releasing the attachment mechanism and allowing rearrangement of the module(s). Replacement of the universal connection interface member secures the reconfigured modules in place in the rearranged wall system.

Abstract: A backing device useful in repairing a hole. In some embodiments, the hole is in a wall, for example a relatively large hole in a wall (e.g., vertical wall, ceiling, etc.) of, for example, a home or building structure. The backing device includes a collapsible backing member and adhesive strips. The backing member defines a front face opposite a rear face, and includes first and second panels connected at a hinge segment. The adhesive strips are disposed on the front face. The backing member is foldable from a flat state to a collapsed state for insertion through the wall hole. Once deployed “behind” the wall, the backing member is transitioned to the flat state, and the adhesive strips utilized to secure the backing device to a back surface of the wall. In some embodiments, the backing device, while in the flat state, is relatively rigid in one direction and collapsible in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a window frame comprising a rigid framework cross-section comprising a truss structure.

Abstract: It is provided an underground structure, usable at least as a shelter, having a light weight substantially cylindrical portion, of a cylindrical casing having a weight to area ratio in the range of 8 to 30 kg/m2. The casing has a strength level and an impermeability level high enough for serving as part a sealable underground liquid storage tank and at least one sealable opening connecting it to external spaces. The cylindrical portion includes openings for entering and exiting the interior of the portion, and passageways communicate the structure with outside spaces. The surrounding ground provides a geo-thermal reservoir which is used to regulate by a flowing fluid the temperature of the shelter space, modules inside the shelter or above ground structures. The structure includes provisions for receiving of variety of auxiliary systems like an air-treatment system, communication system water and power supply.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated construction panel (100) for use on an external surface and/or as part of a building or construction is provided. The panel comprises at least a first layer (110) which is at least partially provided from thermally insulating material having a first surface, said panel comprising at least a second layer (120), said at least second layer being provided from fiber cement board said second layer having a second surface facing said first surface, said first and second layers being connected one to the other by a spacing means located between and adhering to said first and said second surface, which spacing means provides at least one interspace (140) between the first and second surface, said at least one interspace having at least two openings to the external of said panel for enabling air to flow into and out of the interspace towards the external of said panel. The thermally insulating material means material has a thermal conductivity (lambda) less than or equal to 0.05 W/mK.

Abstract: Solar panel installation systems are disclosed that reduce or eliminate the need for large, costly rails for mounting solar panels on an installation surface. The systems may include an array of framed solar modules supported above an installation surface using a number of height-adjustable base members. Adjacent solar modules in the array may be coupled to one another at or near their corners using module links that can structurally couple the frames of the adjacent solar modules together.

Abstract: A floor panel may include a substrate having a top side and a bottom side. A top layer may be provided on the substrate. The top layer may consist of a printed thermoplastic film and a thermoplastic transparent or translucent layer provided on the printed thermoplastic film. The top layer may be directly applied to the substrate using a glue layer available between the printed thermoplastic film and the top side of the substrate. The substrate may be an extruded synthetic material board including a filler selected from the group consisting of chalk, wood and sand. The substrate at least at two opposite edges may include coupling means provided in the extruded synthetic material board. The floor panel may have a thickness of 5 to 10 millimeters.

Abstract: Floor tiles, systems and methods of interconnecting floor tiles in which the tile(s) have a base substrate and a laminate layer. The substrate can have upstanding edges on a top surface where the edges define a rim at a perimeter of the substrate for aligning the laminate layer on the top surface of the substrate. The substrate can have connecting means for engaging with connecting means of a substrate of another tile to form an interconnected floor system. By engaging the connecting means of a tile with another tile aligns and positions a side edge of the tile with the side edge of the another file in a side by side arrangement to provide a grout effect for the tiles when they are connected.

Abstract: A bracket for a building module. The bracket has a platform bearing a substantially planar surface, first and second sides appending from the platform away from the planar surface, and a bottom panel extending from the first side to the second side. Each of the first and second sides defines a proximal portion and a distal portion therealong. The distal portion of the first side is inwardly directed toward the distal portion of the second side. There is also a building module, a method for making a building module, and a method for constructing a building.

Abstract: A heat panel system for preventing ice formation about a roof or gutter includes at least two heat panels that are connected using a fastener. The heat panels each include a body including at least one channel configured to accept a heating element. Tongues and grooves or other mating arrangements on the panels and the fastener permit two panels to be joined by a fastener so as to inhibit relative lateral movement and enhance heat transfer between panels. A single panel or a multi-panel system can be mounted directly on the roof, and/or a single panel system can be mounted in a gutter. By using these heat panels and fasteners, heat panel systems of varying widths can be made using the same supplies.

Abstract: A stair system with freedom of movement between landings associated therewith includes a connection system configured to connect stairs to a landing associated with a construction, wherein the connection system structurally supports the stairs for safe egress over the stairs while concurrently supporting movement between the landing and a second landing associated with the construction by the stairs in at least one dimension, and wherein the movement supports inter-story drift between the landing and the second landing and removes some force translation between the landing and the second landing.

Abstract: A light-weight metal framing member includes a metal stud and reinforcement plate(s), and method to produce a light-weight metal framing member may include forming a pair of channel members each having a respective major face having a respective first edge, and reinforcing such with one or more reinforcement plates, preferably at opposed ends thereof. Each member includes first and second flanges extending along the respective major face. A wire matrix includes a pair of wires each having apexes alternatively physically attached to the pair of channel members. The wire matrix forms longitudinal passages to support utility lines and position the lines away from the pair of channel members. The apexes are secured to flanges of the pair of channel members to strengthen the stud and reduce weight.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for dock shelters and dock seals at a loading dock are disclosed herein. An example seal assembly includes a foam pad, a pliable cover to couple to the foam pad, and a shield to attach to the foam pad. The shield has a first end and a second end. The first end is to couple to at least one of the foam pad or the pliable cover and the second end is to project adjacent a vehicle-engaging surface of the foam pad. The shield is to move relative to the foam pad between a standby position when a vehicle is in a non-engaging relationship with the vehicle-engaging surface and a deflected position when the vehicle is in engagement with the vehicle-engaging surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable bolt-on brace attachment for strengthening standard field irrigation towers and tapered sections of field irrigations towers to stabilize a tower. In one aspect of the present invention, an attachment for stabilizing field irrigation towers allows the user to easily assemble the adjustable bolt-on brace in the field wherein three threaded ¾ inch rods span between the each of the three weight bearing poles of the field irrigation system. Each ¾ inch threaded rod is spanned between each pair of weight-bearing poles of a tower attaching at each pole by a galvanized steel two-sided clamp which is double bolted-on to each pole. The adjustable threaded rods may span from 15 inches to 49 inches of each of three tower faces and adjustable double sided steel clamps fit field irrigations tower legs sizes from ? inch to 2½ inches diameter.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional modular construction system using only two, generally U-shaped prefabricated room size modules is used to form scalable, modular construction for schools, apartments, hotels, houses and the like. The modules may be formed of reinforced concrete. By using the above described modules, double walls within the buildings are eliminated thus, simplifying construction and reducing material and costs, while becoming a container for the pre-finishing of the spaces.

Abstract: An IV pole base is configured to couple in a tessellating manner to at least one other like IV pole base. The IV pole base can comprise a horizontal rectangular plate having four side edges and a given thickness (at least along the aforementioned side edges). This plate has a plurality of tessellating elements comprising each of a blank and a tab formed at each of the four side edges. The IV pole base further comprises a stabilizing thickening element disposed at a periphery of at least one of the tessellating elements to locally increase the thickness of the IV pole base beyond the thickness of the plate to thereby increase tessellation stability. The plate also includes an IV pole coupler formed centrally thereto, the IV pole coupler being configured to receive and hold an IV pole such that the IV pole extends outwardly perpendicularly to the plate.

Abstract: A ceiling system in one embodiment includes a support grid including intersecting grid support members and grid openings formed between the grid support members. A vertical baffle is positioned in a grid opening and is attached to the support grid. The baffle includes opposing front and rear faces extending between opposing lateral sides of the baffle. First and second mounting grooves formed in the baffle engage and support the baffle from the grid. In one embodiment, one of the mounting grooves is disposed in each lateral side to support the baffle from opposite sides. The baffle may further include a third mounting groove formed in the rear face which engages the support grid to help align and squarely register the baffle with respect to the grid for clean linear visuals. In one embodiment, the grid support members may have a standard T-shaped cross section.

Abstract: Structural members having enhanced load bearing capacity per unit mass include a skeleton structure formed from strips of material. Notches may be placed on the strips and a weave of tensile material placed in the notches and woven around the skeleton structure. At least one pair of structural members can be jointed together to provide very strong joints due to a weave patterns of tensile material, such as Kevlar, that distributes stress throughout the structure, preventing stress from concentrating in one area. Methods of manufacturing such structural members include molding material into skeletons of desired cross section using a matrix of molding segments. Total catastrophic failures in composite materials are substantially avoided and the strength to weight ratio of structures can be increased.

Abstract: A moveable wall system and components therefore, including: 1. A flexible power connector configured to flex in only one direction whereby it can be pushed without buckling; 2. at least one wireless power transmission receiving station in one or more of the moveable wall and modular units mounted thereon, for receiving the wireless transmission of power and enable one to charge electronic devices and provide power to power receiving lamps or the like, without the need for plug-in electrical wiring; 3. an overhead track system for supporting the moveable wall laterally below at least two spaced parallel tracks, the wall including a core support member having at least two spaced frame members secured to the top of said core support and projecting laterally to either or both sides of core support, each including a pair of trolleys for suspending said moveable wall in said parallel overhead tracks, projecting upwardly from its respective frame member and engaging their respective track.