Abstract: Buckling restrained braces may include a core rod and a buckling restraining tube concentrically surrounding at least a majority of a longitudinal length of the core rod. The buckling restraining tube may be configured to inhibit buckling of the core rod upon compressive loading of the core rod. An end plate assembly may be attached, and longitudinally movable with respect, to an end of the core rod, the end plate assembly being located at a longitudinal end of the buckling restrained brace. A sleeve member may concentrically surround an end of the buckling restraining tube, the sleeve member affixed to the end plate assembly. A spring may be located laterally between the core rod and the sleeve member of the end plate assembly and longitudinally between, and in contact with, an end of the buckling restraining tube and a portion of the end plate assembly.

Abstract: Stucco cracks at doors and windows are reduced or eliminated by use of a corner element fastened at a corner juncture before stucco coats are applied. The disclosed corner element spreads out or evenly dissipates differential movement or buckling often occurring at exterior corner junctures. The corner element may comprise various concentric circle attributes useful in stopping or reducing cracks in stucco and related building materials. The corner element embodiments may be secured at window and door corner areas and then integrated with traditional stucco applications.

Abstract: An existing concrete structure is repaired by covering at least a portion of the existing structure with a repair structure. Standoff retainers (each comprising an elongated member, fastener-receiving features and standoff-engaging curves) are mounted to the existing structure. Fasteners extend through the one or more fastener-receiving features and into the existing structure. Standoffs are coupled to the standoff retainers and extend away from the existing structure by extending the elongated members through apertures in the standoffs and locating each of the standoffs at a location of one of the standoff-engaging curves. Panels are coupled to the standoffs at locations spaced apart from the existing structure. Curable material is introduced to the space between the panels and the existing structure. The panels act as a formwork for containing the curable material until the curable material cures to provide a repair structure cladded by the panels.

Abstract: A ventilated facade comprising horizontal rails (4) and covering pieces (3-3?) mounted on the horizontal rails by means of anchoring elements (5), either wires or plates, which hang from the rails through openings (13) that said rails have on a horizontal section (6) of the same.

Abstract: A photovoltaic array mounting system for a low-slope roof having interchangeable first and second bases, with a short leg extending from the first base at a non-vertical angle and a long leg extending from the second base at a non-vertical angle, wherein the short and long legs support opposite sides of a photovoltaic module such that the module is held at a non-horizontal angle, and wherein rock-in connectors are provided on top of the short and long legs permitting fast and easy system installation.

Abstract: A walkway pad is provided for placement on a flat roof to protect the roof from foot traffic, tools, and/or equipment. The walkway pad includes a body and at least one expansion joint that absorbs thermal movement of the body. A method of manufacturing the walkway pad is also provided.

Abstract: In a column end joint structure for joining an end of a column made of flat wooden material having a rectangular cross-section to a joining member, splitting generation at the end of the column is controlled. An expansion of crack is controlled when splitting generated. A cutout portion is provided in each of ends in a longitudinal direction of a column end face, and a joint fitting is coupled inside the cutout portion by a joint bolt. The joint fitting is coupled to a foundation by an anchor bolt. Joint fittings are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the end face inside each cutout portion. One joint fitting is located contacting or close to a surface of the column inside the cutout portion such that the joint fitting side face and the surface of the column inside the cutout portion restrain a displacement orthogonal to the column axis.

Abstract: It is known for balustrades and partitions to be formed from a flat panel, such as glass, and for such panels to be anchored along a lower edge and substantially unsupported at an upper edge. Vertical alignment of such panels has been achieved by ensuring that the trough in which they are anchored is itself precisely aligned on a horizontal, such that any flat panel inserted therein stands in a vertical plane. According to the invention, a panel may be aligned with its major face in a substantially vertical plane, even when the trough is located with its base substantially not horizontal. In addition, the panel may be held in the base of the trough by the force of an adjustment part on a first joint surface, thereby increasing stability of the panel.

Abstract: A tray mechanism for a device housing includes a tray bed having a planar surface with first and second opposing sides that form a boundary around the planar surface, wherein the first opposing sides include a front side and a back side, wherein the front side is configured with dimensions for closing an opening of a cavity within the device housing, and wherein the second opposing sides are configured for a slideable attachment within the cavity of the device housing. The tray mechanism further includes a lever positioned on the planar surface of the tray bed and a hinge mechanism that pivotally connects the lever to the planar surface of the tray bed. A method for operating the tray mechanism includes a convex side of the lever rolling against the device housing as the lever rotates to eject the tray bed pivotally connected to lever from the device housing.

Abstract: A roof system that includes a roof covering in the form of planting areas, a water storage, a wind turbine, a water turbine, a solar panel, and a water heater. The roof system includes a plurality of ceramic chambers each including a wind turbine and a recess for housing a planter area.

Abstract: An improved handrail for a staircase or ramp. In one embodiment, the handrail includes an elongated member such as a cylinder or bar that spans the length of the staircase or ramp and a riser barrier. The riser barrier has an extender portion and a riser portion. The extender portion of the riser barrier keeps the elongated member a sufficient distance horizontally from the riser portion that a person can slide his or her hand on the rail without interference. The riser portion projects vertically a sufficient distance above the elongated member to deter sliding down the elongated member. Thus, sliding on the member is deterred, while the function of the cylinder as a handrail is preserved.

Abstract: A protective structure for tables comprises an external frame placed around the table defining a security distance between the external frame and the table, and the protective structure further comprises protecting means including at least one beam blocker, said at least one beam blocker being preferably placed vertically on said external frame. The protective structure permits isolation of the optical table from vibrations, heat and/or air flow produced by other equipment used during the experiments.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a merchandise display system having a modular wall assembly configured to provide electrical power to one or more shelf assemblies. The wall assembly can include a vertically oriented back panel, a cross bar horizontally and detachably mounted to the back panel, a pair of vertical uprights and a top cap. The pair of vertical uprights can be detachably mounted to the cross bar with each of the vertical uprights having an electrically non-conductive portion and an electrically conductive portion. The electrically conductive portion can be electrically isolated from the cross bar by the electrically non-conductive portion. The top cap can be disposed along an upper edge of the back panel and in electrical contact with electrically conductive portion of each of the vertical uprights.

Abstract: The window arrangement comprises a plurality of neighboring window systems, each window system comprising a frame structure (1, 101) including a plurality of frame members including a pair of opposed side frame members (3, 105), and at least one accessory element (200). Each side frame member comprises a groove such that two grooves of juxtaposed side frame members of two neighboring window systems form a track (100). The accessory element or elements (200) is connected to the window systems by means of the track.

Abstract: An ultra-clean transportation and storage system includes a product storage container with a base having product supports and a segmented lid enclosing the product supports. Rollers on the base have grooved sidewalls receiving a rail to support the product storage container and rolling along the rail edges. Lift-off hinges allow lid removal only after a predetermined rotation. Seals, a one-way breather valve, and a gas inlet allow the interior of the enclosure to be purged. A friction brake on the product storage container has an integrated O-ring contact surface and a housing enclosing complementary acme threads for moving the brake. A transfer cart includes a rail on the lift arm to support the product storage container during movement, and alignment and docking mechanisms on a transfer end effector of the lift are for docking with either a storage spaced on a storage rack or a transfer space on a pass-through.

Abstract: A pedestal for supporting a partition and a method for a partition. The pedestal includes a base for mounting onto a floor, the base having a peripheral outer surface. The pedestal also includes a body having a first end opposite a second end and an inner surface proximate the first end interfacing with the base peripheral outer surface. A cap is coupled to the body proximate the second end, and a bracket is coupled to the cap for coupling with a partition. The method includes connecting a base to a floor, coupling a body of to the base, coupling a sleeve to the base on which is coupled a bracket, and coupling the partition to the bracket.

Abstract: An extendable structure which may be used in space-based applications, for example forming the body of a telescope. The structure is movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and comprises a plurality of walls arranged to give a polygonal cross-section in the extended configuration. Each wall comprises a plurality of repeating units which are connected by a plurality of hinges. Each repeating unit itself comprises a plurality of sections connected by pluralities of first and second hinges, and in the extended configuration, each of the first hinges lies between two second hinges with the second hinges having axes which are inclined with respect to the first hinge axis.

Abstract: An offset laminate seam system for storage bins for increasing the capacity of bolts in a seam of a storage bin. The offset laminate seam system for storage bins generally includes three or more panels connected together with two or more vertical rows of end fasteners to form a vertical seam. The interconnection of three or more panels continues to form a ring structure. A plurality of the ring structures are stacked upon one another and attached together with fasteners to form the wall of the storage bin and a roof is attached to the uppermost ring structure.

Abstract: A floor assembly includes a plurality of transverse stringers spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the floor assembly. The assembly also includes a plurality of transverse bottom flanges, each transverse bottom flange being coupled to a lower portion of a respective transverse stringer and to a neighboring transverse bottom flange along respective transversely extending side edges thereof. A top flange comprising a supporting sheet is coupled to an upper portion of each transverse stringer. A plurality of longitudinal panels are supported by the supporting sheet and coupled to one another along respective longitudinally extending edges thereof to form a floor surface, each longitudinal panel in the plurality of longitudinal panels having at least one longitudinally extending rib depending substantially perpendicularly from a bottom surface thereof. The at least one rib is coupled to a top surface of the supporting sheet.

Abstract: A truss for incorporation into a building structure includes a fundamental component with at least one necked-down portion which changes the width or depth of the component. The fundamental component can be employed in joists, heels, and/or other joints for a roof truss.