Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a vertical locking system on short edges including a displaceable tongue that is displaced in one direction into a tongue groove during vertical displacement of two panels. Building panels provided with a locking system for vertical locking of a first and a second building panel by a vertical displacement of the panels relative each other, a displaceable tongue is in a sidewardly open displacement groove provided at an edge of a first panel, said tongue cooperates with a tongue groove provided at an adjacent edge of a second panel for locking the edge and the adjacent edge vertically.

Abstract: An adjustable truss structure is provided and includes a truss member, a first channel having a first slot, the first channel being attached to the truss member, a rail having a second slot, and an anchor attached to the rail, the anchor having a member rotatable to a first position where the member is insertable into the first slot and rotatable to a second position to engage with a surface of the first channel, enabling the rail to be selectively moved relative to the first channel and locked into a selected fixed position relative to the first channel. A support member having a second channel with a U-shaped cross-section, the second channel being hooked into the second slot and being slidable in the second slot.

Abstract: A flooring substrate system that uses one of three substrate components upon which various types of finish flooring may be attached above a deck structure. The deck structure may be open lumber framed or may be a waterproofed planar surface. Affixation of the flooring system may be by direct connection or by gravitational placement. Height and slope adjustable components interlock through a plunge, twist and locking teeth arrangement to form supporting members beneath the substrate components. A base mounting plate acts as a pivotal point in the system, having recesses and engageable configurations on both its faces for other system components.

Abstract: A fire resistant and water resistant expansion joint system comprises a compressed lamination of fire retardant infused open celled foam, one coat of an elastomeric waterproofing or water resistant material on the lamination, and another coat of an intumescent material on an opposing surface of the lamination, thereby providing fire resistance in one direction and water resistance in the opposite direction. The intumescent material may be further coated with a similar elastomeric material, thereby providing fire resistance in one direction and water resistance in both directions. In the alternative, the compressed lamination may comprise first and second opposing layers of intumescent material thereon each having a respective layer of elastomeric material to provide both water resistance and fire resistance in both directions.

Abstract: A sliding seismic isolator includes a first plate attached to a building support, and an elongate element extending from the first plate. The seismic isolator also includes a second plate and a low-friction layer positioned between the first and second plates, the low-friction layer allowing the first and second plates to move freely relative to one another along a horizontal plane. The seismic isolator also includes a lower support member attached to the second plate, with a biasing arrangement, such as at least one spring member or at least one engineered elastomeric element, which can include one or more silicon inserts, positioned within the lower support member. The elongate element extends from the first plate at least partially into the lower support member and movement of the elongate element is influenced or controlled by the biasing arrangement.

Abstract: An irrigation device, comprising: a base portion and a liquid dispersal portion. The liquid dispersal portion attached to the top center of the base portion configured with channels and spillways to funnel water to a plurality of plant growth zones spaced about the base portion periphery.

Abstract: An expansion joint system includes foam; a fire retardant material included in the foam in an amount effective to pass testing mandated by UL 2079; and wherein the expansion joint system is configured to facilitate compression of the system when installed between substrates by repeatedly expanding and contracting to accommodate movement of the substrates; and the foam with the fire retardant material included therein is configured to pass the testing mandated by UL 2079.

Abstract: An expansion joint system comprises a core; and a fire retardant included in the core in an amount effective to pass testing mandated by UL 2079. The core with the fire retardant is configured to facilitate compression of the expansion joint system when installed between substrates by repeatedly expanding and contracting to accommodate movement of the substrates; and the core with the fire retardant included therein is configured to pass the testing mandated by UL 2079.

Abstract: One embodiment of submerged blades (101) that provide hydrodynamic force to a vessel or aircraft (117) that can lift it above the surface of the water (106) at high speed by creating thrust with a single wetted high pressure surface (111), the low pressure surface (112) being covered with a gas filled void in the liquid, thus preventing sudden loss of lift as speed increases due to cavitation or surface venting. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: A system includes a container to enclose vehicles within a chamber, an enclosed structure to house a canine to perform odor detection, and an air duct positioned therebetween. The container includes a first door, a second door, and a raised floor. The raised floor includes a first ramp leading to the first door, a second ramp leading to the second door, and sets of vent ducts defined between an outer wall and a top wall of the raised floor, the sets of vent ducts to direct air flow upwardly into the chamber of the container. The air duct includes a proximal end located proximate to an opening within the top wall of the container, a distal end fed through the enclosed structure to a canine-sniffing location, and one or more fan to pull air out of the chamber and deliver the air to the canine-sniffing location within the enclosed structure.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a thermostat obtains real-time energy prices from a electricity grid. It may also obtain additional data from external data sources, such as predicted energy prices or weather predictions. The thermostat attempts to find a control strategy for when to switch available aggregates that may include furnaces and air conditioners on and off. In order to solve this integer programming problem, the thermostat uses a random search algorithm. According to some embodiments, various data sources, such as day-ahead prices and real-time prices, are combined into forecasts of electricity prices for the present and future time periods. In some embodiments, a thermostat selects predictively between heating or cooling by letting outside air in or by using heating and cooling aggregates. Additional embodiments are discussed and shown.

Abstract: A wall surfacing system for providing a secondary ceiling or wall covering structure adjacent a primary structure. The system provides a plurality of elongated structural support rails, each of these support rails have a coupling web with a bearing surface for attachment to the primary structure, a coupling mechanism, and a portion integrally formed with and connecting the coupling web to the coupling mechanism. A plurality of generally planar surface panels are provided. Each panel has an integral interlocking member configured to mate with the coupling mechanism on the support rail. The elongated support rails are secured to primary structures, thereby extending the surface panels to form an aesthetically pleasing covered surface.

Abstract: The PB-DSR tool is a lightweight tool weighing approximately two pounds that construction workers who hang drywall (or plywood) can use to roll the heavy material from the ground to the workers on a scaffold instead of lifting it by himself using his back, arms and legs, which causes injuries. The worker on the ground stands the drywall or other material on end, leans it against the roller, and rolls it upwards to the person on the scaffold instead of lifting the drywall up to the worker on the scaffold. Currently, a drywaller on the ground physically lifts a 100+ pound sheet of drywall, plywood or other heavy materials upwards as much as 20 feet to the person on the scaffold, who then has to lift and/or pull the materials up onto the scaffold. Both people must use their arms, knees, shoulders and back to lift the heavy material, and the worker on the scaffold sometimes uses his foot to slide the material up onto the scaffold.

Abstract: The goal of the METHOD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF SPATIAL AREAS as a continuation of “The Spatial Environmental Control Unit” is a method of logging multi-spectral, multi-pixel infrared radiation data of objects in a spatial area for the analysis and control of heat transfer dynamics in the spatial area that is responsive to feedback for controlling the thermal conditions in the spatial area. The METHOD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF SPATIAL AREAS further makes the current norm of an “absolute” temperature control approach for thermal control and human comfort obsolete. Ambient environmental conditions and user preference variables makes the current approach to thermal control time consuming, inaccurate and tedious. The Spatial Environmental Control Unit as one of our foundation patents disclosed the physical components make thermal control and analysis more responsive and user friendly.

Abstract: Methods of treating porous media, including methods of nondestructive removal of PFAS contaminants from soil, and apparatus for carrying out thermal decontamination of porous substrates. The thermal decontamination apparatus sinters and shapes the media to be remediated, and then provides sequential sectionalized treatment using treatment gases that are drawn through the sintered media, extracted, and then treated to remove contaminants extracted from the treated media.

Abstract: An emergency escape system is provided. The system comprises a quick release safety pin, a manual release box configured with a metal jacket that contains the pin, and a swing arm attached via a rod to a locking mechanism, the swing arm held immobile by the pin. Upon release of the pin, the arm is configured to move in a horizontal direction and cause the rod to pull and release the locking mechanism from an engaged position. The locking mechanism, when in engaged position, securely maintains at least one of a window, a door, and a panel. The safety pin, the metal jacket, and the swing arm are positioned on an outward facing surface of the manual release box. A load spring surrounding the rod is manipulated by action of the swing arm and causes release of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A system of structural interlocking panels for forming disaster-resistant buildings, comprising: a hollow, internally-braced, vacuum-insulated panel shell having at least two interlocking sides, the first side having a convex-inward single-curvature, the second side having a straight surface, the third side having a straight surface with at least one integral tongue with at least one head extending vertically-upward for receiving a complementary groove of a first side of an adjacent panel. Panels are thus vertically slide-locked along panel sides and faces, thereby triggering automatic snap joints that prevent backward movement of the panel. The system can assemble spheres, cylinders, toroids, tetrahedrons, flat shapes, and irregular shapes.

Abstract: This is a multi-level outdoor enclosure for cats that mounts through the window and allows the cats access to an outdoor environment. It is designed in such a way that it will fit any sash type window and installs in minutes with no tools needed. The system consists primarily of a frame and two wire cages commonly used for pets. The frame extends through the window and bends 180 degrees so the ends of the frame rest against the interior wall. The other end of the frame forms a “C” shape and the lower end rests against the exterior wall. It also serves to enclose the lower cage securely attached to the frame. Mounted on top of this base cage is a second cage that is level with the window opening and can be moved into the window opening. This upper cage has a “cat flap door” that allows the animals to enter the cage while sealing the HVAC conditions within the room. There is an opening in the upper cage floor that allows the animals to move from one level to the other.

Abstract: This invention is a specially designed fans that would feature adjustable blades that would Provide a way of easy cleaning and maintenance it is for all types of fans ceiling fans, box Fans, industrial fans, outdoor AC unit fans, oscillating fans, and individual hospital room fans. Hinged blades can be angled down for easy cleaning and maintenance this is a new improved Fans made up of five assemblies which is a set of blades, a hub, a set of latches, a set of Hinges, a set of latch studs. Fans get so filthy and have been difficult to clean for a century. Now the negative impact filth and dirt have on people with allergies, asthma, colds, emphysema And respiratory problems has been solved with the Break-Away/Easy Clean Non-Detachable Fans forever, history has changed for the new innovative industry of the Break-Away/Easy Clean Non-Detachable Fans.

Abstract: A flooring substrate system that uses one of three substrate components upon which various types of finish flooring may be attached above a deck structure. The deck structure may be open lumber framed or may be a waterproofed planar surface. Affixation of the flooring system may be by direct connection or by gravitational placement. Height and slope adjustable components interlock through a plunge, twist and locking teeth arrangement to form supporting members beneath the substrate components. A base mounting plate acts as a pivotal point in the system, having recesses and engageable configurations on both its faces for other system components.