Abstract: A construction element is provided for forming a corner of a surface of a building, the surface including wall panels attached to framing studs. The construction element includes: a corner-forming surface that that is shaped to extend, in a cross-sectional view, between two separate wall panels, such that ends of the corner-forming surface, as viewed in the cross-sectional view, substantially match respective corners of the wall panels; and a fastener strip that, in a state in which the corner-forming surface is in its installed position with respect to the framing studs, is substantially parallel to one or more of the framing studs, such that a fastener can attach the fastener strip to one or more of the studs without passing through the wall panel.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may enable manufactured modular construction. The various embodiment manufactured modular construction systems, methods, and devices may offer a solution to the housing shortage worldwide that is less than half the cost of the cost of current modular buildings. Various embodiments may include interlocking vertical and horizontal elements. Various embodiments may include a locking system pulling upper horizontal elements of an embodiment modular building toward lower horizontal elements and/or a foundation or a lower floor of the embodiment modular building to thereby lock vertical elements and vertical panels in place between the upper horizontal elements and the lower horizontal elements, foundation, and/or lower floor. In various embodiments, the locking system may include a shock absorber.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for forming a monolithic surface in a ceiling system, the method comprising overlapping a first facing sheet and a second facing sheet to create an overlap region, each of the first and second facing sheets having a first major surface opposite a second major surface and side surface extending between the first and second major surfaces, wherein the lower surface of the first facing sheet contacts the upper surface of the second facing sheet within the overlap region, and running a blade of a cutting tool along the overlap region such that the blade extends through the first and second facing sheets at a cutting angle that is oblique to the first major surface of the first facing sheet within the overlap region.

Abstract: A gate assembly is formed from a gate attached by hinges to a jamb. A pair of L-shaped brackets are attached to the outer sides of the jamb. The brackets are in turn attached to a pair of gate posts in a barrier. Bolt holes formed in the header section of the jamb receive removable eye bolts that may be used as hoisting points as the jamb is being positioned within a barrier. To maintain the shape of the jamb during such positioning, a removable sill section is included in the base of the jamb. The first upright section of the jamb defines an unobstructed internal channel bounded by input and output portals. A cable may pass though the channel and into the gate by way of the output portal. Window openings in the gate may be fitted with removable window panels containing pickets and infill material. Dual gates may be positioned within an enlarged jamb, and a removable mullion post positioned between the gates and supported by the jamb.

Abstract: A fiber cement soffit comprising a first major face, a second major face, an intermediate portion positioned between the first and second faces and an edge portion surrounding the intermediate portion such that the first and second faces, intermediate portion and edge portion together form a panel of predetermined thickness; and a plurality of apertures extending between the first and second major faces of the soffit through the predetermined thickness forming a vented portion wherein the apertures comprise between approximately 8% and 28% of the total surface area per linear foot of each of the first major face and second major face of the vented portion such that the net free ventilation provided per linear foot of the fiber cement soffit is between 10 and 16 square inches.

Abstract: A collapsible pop-up structure for the rapid erection of buildings includes at least two portals forming two first parallel aspect facades of the shelter, the two other facades each comprising means for vertical articulation, on one hand with respect to the uprights of the portals that they connect, and on the other hand with respect to an axis positioned centrally between the portals. The portals are independent and the uprights of one portal each comprise an internal profile that can be made to slide so as to increase the height thereof in order to impart pitch to the roof, wherein said internal profiles are connected by an upper beam and form a secondary upper portal that can be made to slide into the portal. Means for controlling the sliding are provided in at least one of the uprights.

Abstract: A length-adjustable truss stiffener is intended to be used to strengthen truss systems at locations of localized over-stress to reduce the cost from the alternative solution which is to reduce truss spacings. The stiffener consists of two or more sleeves locking around two or more components of the main truss. The sleeves mounted on different truss components are connected to one another with a length-adjustable shank. The stiffener may be used in two-dimensional or three-dimensional trusses. Of a collection of prefabricated trusses necessary to erect a structure, only a subset of one or more trusses are customized with stiffeners according to loading calculations predicting failure of that subset under required loading conditions, while all other trusses are installed in their original prefabricated state.

Abstract: A system of connecting a stiffener to the sidewall of a grain bin using a stud bolt having a first threaded end, a second threaded end and a feature positioned between the first end and a second end. A sealing member is positioned over the first end of the stud bolt, which in one case is a metallic washer with an affixed compressible sealing member. The first end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the sidewall and an inner nut is placed over the first end inside the sidewall. As the inner nut is tightened, the feature is pulled toward the exterior surface of the grain bin thereby causing the sealing member to form a seal with the exterior surface of the grain bin. The second end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the stiffener which is tightened onto the stud bolt.

Abstract: A system for flashing a mount of a photovoltaic assembly on a surface includes a flashing with a lower surface and an upper surface. The flashing defines an opening to receive a fastener for securing the mount to the surface. The system also includes a seal extending around the fastener when the fastener is positioned in the opening. The seal provides a first barrier to inhibit water intrusion through the opening. The system further includes a pad attached to one of the lower surface and the upper surface, wherein the pad provides a second barrier to inhibit water intrusion through an interface of the flashing and the surface.

Abstract: A building system may include at least one diaphragm beam having opposite ends connected to an external structural frame of a building, at least one pre-assembled floor-ceiling panel adjacent to a vertical side of and coupled to the diaphragm beam, and at least one pre-assembled wall adjacent to a horizontal side of and coupled to the diaphragm beam. The diaphragm beam may be filled with a mineral-based material, such as concrete. The one or more pre-assembled floor-ceiling panels may each include a plurality of joists extending perpendicular to the diaphragm beam, a floor-panel including at least one metal layer attached to the joists on a floor side of the pre-assembled floor-ceiling panel, and a ceiling panel including at least one layer comprising mineral-based material attached to the joists on a ceiling side of the pre-assembled floor-ceiling panel. The one or more pre-assembled walls may include interior and/or exterior walls of a building.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal roofing material 1 that is arranged on an eave-side metal roofing material in an eave-ridge direction 6 of a roof so as to overlap the metal roofing material and the eave-side metal roofing material. The metal roofing material includes a front substrate 2 made of a metal sheet and including a body portion 20 formed in a box shape; a back substrate 3 arranged on the back side of the front substrate 2 so as to cover an opening of the body portion 20; a core material 4 filled between the body portion 20 and the back substrate 3; and at least one plate reinforcing member 5 that is embedded in the core material 4 at a position closer to the back substrate 3 than a top plate of the body portion 20 or that is disposed in contact with the outer surface of the back substrate 3.

Abstract: An escape pod includes a spherical survival chamber, a gimbal mechanism, and a spherical outer case body. The survival chamber is mounted on an inner side of the gimbal mechanism, and an outer side of the gimbal mechanism is mounted within the outer case body. Top and bottom ends of the outer case body are provided symmetrically with upper and lower connecting terminals. The outer case body includes a plurality of arc-shaped plates. Two ends of each arc-shaped plate are fixedly connected to the upper and lower connecting terminals respectively. An inner side of the arc-shaped plate is provided with a reinforcing framework. The reinforcing framework is formed of a plurality of arc-shaped steel pipes. Top and bottom ends of each arc-shaped steel pipe are connected to the upper and lower connecting terminals. One of the arc-shaped plates is provided with a pod door.

Abstract: Tiles 21 and 22 are laid up with other tiles in the usual way at and along the joint 18, the joint 18 comprises a female strip 23 and a male strip 24 each of which have fastening flanges 25 and 26 and respective 90° walls 27 and 28. A slot or rebate in the female section 29 holds an expandable seal, typically in this case a hydrophilic seal. The female part and the male parts are assembled for relative movement so that a small gap perhaps 2 mm at 31 may be accommodated while the the upper plate section 23 still provides a contiguous coplanar link between the parts.

Abstract: A building support column includes a lower assembly with a connection bracket that includes a bottom plate. A body that includes plastic defines an exterior perimeter about support rods that extend from the bottom plate of the connection bracket. An adjustment leg that includes a threaded portion is movable within a center hole of the body to define a distance between the foot and the bottom plate.

Abstract: Method of manufacture for panels usable as Tile backsplashes in showers or kitchen areas, to provide the surface with a desired appearance, durability, as well as water and air resistance. The proposed product of the method creates a “belly splash” panel specifically formed from a composite of epoxy and glass.

Abstract: A retractable docking platform and parcel receptacle apparatus for delivery drones, including one or more telescopic sliding platform panels; adapted to slide between an extended position and a retracted position wherein in operation, a parcel can be delivered by a drone to the extended platform and on completion of delivery, the platform and parcel are retracted into the building for collection from a secure receptacle. The operation can be coordinated through a wireless system via remote signals sent by the drone and/or a drone operation center which also records addresser and addressee details and information including time of delivery, mass and scanned information to verify delivery. The platform can also communicate with the drone to verify its identity for secure delivery. The platform may send delivery confirmation to the customer receiving a parcel.

Abstract: A floor panel comprises coupling parts in the form of a tongue and groove connection with locking elements; wherein the groove is bordered by an upper lip and a lower lip; and wherein the one locking element is provided on the lower side of the tongue and the other locking element is provided on the upper side of the lower lip; characterized in that the most upward-situated point of the locking element on the lower lip is situated at a distance of at least ? times the thickness of the floor panel from the underside of the floor panel; and that the minimum thickness of the lower lip is maximum ¼ times the thickness of the floor panel.

Abstract: A wind power plant includes a plurality of wind turbine systems arranged in rows and columns and includes a cable support system with at least one cable. The cable is coupled to the support structure above the first wind turbine and below the second wind turbine. The cable couples directly adjacent wind turbine system together. The cable may extend the entire length of at least one row or at least one column. A wind turbine system includes a plurality of wind turbines and a support structure including a tower and support arms. The cable support system that is coupled to the wind turbine system and that is configured to transfer loads on the wind turbine system to other wind turbine systems in the wind power plant.

Abstract: A sustainable building material and system comprising of panels with alternatively oriented spacers and with panel connectors, panel edges and composites thereof. It is manufactured from semi-material in two manufacturing operations; the first manufacturing the panels, panel connectors and edges and the second manufacturing sub-assembles or composite elements from these. The building material and system are suitable for manufacture and assembly at various levels of technology and investment, and are designed for efficiency in manufacture, transport and offsite and onsite assembly.

Abstract: Wall panels and methods of constructing a wall system for a building are described. In some embodiments, a pre-assembled wall panel may include a panel frame including a perimeter member defining a perimeter side of the panel frame, first and second wall boards attached to opposite sides of the panel frame to define first and second major sides of the wall panel, each of the first and second wall boards comprising non-combustible material, and a waterproofing assembly enclosing the perimeter side of the panel frame and extending along a full length of the perimeter side, wherein the waterproofing assembly includes a non-metallic elongate member comprising first and second opposing flanges disposed against respective exterior surfaces of the first and second wall boards, and wherein the first and second opposing flanges are attached to the perimeter member.