Abstract: An aluminum-foam structural housing unit that is storm-proof, self-contained, and built to withstand natural disaster conditions resulting from hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and fire, and then assist its inhabitants immediately thereafter when interruptions in public utility system service can be experienced. The combined use of aluminum alloy and foam as its building materials gives the unit its great strength, as well as the versatility needed to face natural disaster conditions while providing absolute resistance to heavy winds, flooding, earthquake and fire. Since the unit is buoyant, during flooding conditions it lifts from the ground and is guided by vertical poles to maintain a horizontal orientation. The unit also automatically disconnects from public utility systems as lifting occurs, and it then provides its inhabitants with self-contained sources of water, electrical energy, and sewage management. Thus, the unit is designed to adjust to the flow of nature, instead of working against it.

Abstract: The present invention is related to spacers that can create fluid flow space at a variety of structural interfaces, particularly in building construction. The spacers of the present invention include unique hinges that can physically couple one panel of the spacer to another panel of the spacer in a manner that substantially distortionally separates the two panels. Preferred embodiments include a folded hinge having at least two folds. The spacers of the present invention also include unique panel dimples that help control the rigidity of the panel. In preferred embodiments, elongated dimples are used to help control rigidity.

Abstract: An observation shelter includes a plurality of generally upright walls including a first wall having a first window opening positioned therein and a second wall having a second wall positioned therein. First and second shutters are movable between respective raised and closed positions. The first and second shutters have respective shapes configured such that the shutters when in their respective raised positions meet at a joint extending from said corner to provide substantially continuous shelter from the sun for the first window opening and second window opening, and wherein with the first and second shutters in their respective closed positions, an extension portion of the first shutter is received in a pocket portion of the second shutter.

Abstract: An elastic space-deployable boom of carbon fiber reinforced plastic or other resilient material having an open substantially triangular cross-section when deployed and stowed with a flattened cross-section about a circular hub.

Abstract: A system for the deep racking storage of pallets includes at least one pair of rails which are intended for supporting pallets. The rails are of sufficient length to support several pallets. A carriage is positionable on a pair of rails and drivable therealong for moving the pallets. Each rail has an upper, longitudinal support surface and a lower, longitudinal rolling surface. The support surface is intended for supporting the pallets, while the rolling surface is intended for the carriage. On each rail, the support surface and the rolling surface are interconnected to one another by the intermediary of side walls. The side walls together form a space which tapers from above and downwards for aligning a carriage when this is lowered towards the rolling surface.

Abstract: For the horizontal positioning of serially supplied, flat objects (1) to be conveyed onward, the objects (1) are supplied suspended, one of their main surfaces (10) facing downstream and the other main surface (11) facing upstream. Prior to positioning, lower edge zones (13) of the objects (1) are selectively accelerated or retarded relative to the upper edge zones (12), so that the objects (1) are brought into a position inclined relative to the vertical. Thereafter, the upper edge zones (12) are released and the objects (1), under the influence of gravity, are positioned on an onward conveying device, selectively either the downstream or the upstream main surface (10 or 11) facing upwards. For retarding or accelerating the lower edge zones (13), for example, a conveyor belt or two conveyor belts adjoining one another are utilized. The speed (v.3) of the conveyor belts is adjustable to convert from accelerating operation to retarding operation.

Abstract: A height control mechanism for a strike-off plate of an asphalt paver screed assembly is disclosed. The screed assembly is pivotally connected to a pair of tow arms of an asphalt paver and has at least one main screed unit and at least one screed extension unit mounted in front of the main screed unit. The screed extension is laterally movable beyond one end of the main screed unit. The screed assembly also has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch angle of the screeds relative to the ground. The height control mechanism includes a support mechanism adapted to mount the strike-off plate in front of the main screed unit at a position ahead of the screed extension unit. The height control mechanism also includes a linkage arrangement adapted to automatically control the height of the strike-off plate upon the adjustment of the pitch angle of the screeds.

Abstract: A crash barrier that includes barrier sections that are overlappingly joined in assembly. Each section includes a concave center segment cojoined to upper and lower convex sections. Elongated longitudinally extended studs are punched out of one end of each section within the concave center segment. The studs are arranged to engage receiving slots in the other end of each section to facilitate assembly and alignment of the sections upon vertically disposed posts that are driven into the ground. A special machine for assembling and aligning the sections with the support posts is also disclosed.