Abstract: Sustainable composite materials for interior spaces and related methods of manufacture are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the sustainable composite materials include a load-bearing stud. The load-bearing stud includes a plurality of woven burlap layers impregnated with a magnesium oxide resin. The load-bearing stud is formed by creasing a woven burlap sheet to form multiple foldable panels, wetting the foldable panels with a curable resin, layering the foldable panels to achieve a multi-layered prepreg, pressing the multi-layered prepreg to distribute the resin therethrough, compacting the multi-layered prepreg within a mold cavity having the exterior shape of the load-bearing stud, and curing the multi-layered prepreg, wherein the resin includes a mixture of mono-potassium phosphate and magnesium oxide. The load-bearing stud provides a lightweight, dimensionally stable, and environmentally-friendly composite structure to replace lumber studs and metal studs in building constructions.

Abstract: Sustainable composite materials for interior spaces and related methods of manufacture are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the sustainable composite materials include a load-bearing stud. The load-bearing stud includes a plurality of woven burlap layers impregnated with a magnesium oxide resin. The load-bearing stud is formed by creasing a woven burlap sheet to form multiple foldable panels, wetting the foldable panels with a curable resin, layering the foldable panels to achieve a multi-layered prepreg, pressing the multi-layered prepreg to distribute the resin therethrough, compacting the multi-layered prepreg within a mold cavity having the exterior shape of the load-bearing stud, and curing the multi-layered prepreg, wherein the resin includes a mixture of mono-potassium phosphate and magnesium oxide. The load-bearing stud provides a lightweight, dimensionally stable, and environmentally-friendly composite structure to replace lumber studs and metal studs in building constructions.

Abstract: Sustainable composite materials for interior spaces and related methods of manufacture are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the sustainable composite materials include a load-bearing stud. The load-bearing stud includes a plurality of woven burlap layers impregnated with a magnesium oxide resin. The load-bearing stud is formed by creasing a woven burlap sheet to form multiple foldable panels, wetting the foldable panels with a curable resin, layering the foldable panels to achieve a multi-layered prepreg, pressing the multi-layered prepreg to distribute the resin therethrough, compacting the multi-layered prepreg within a mold cavity having the exterior shape of the load-bearing stud, and curing the multi-layered prepreg, wherein the resin includes a mixture of mono-potassium phosphate and magnesium oxide. The load-bearing stud provides a lightweight, dimensionally stable, and environmentally-friendly composite structure to replace lumber studs and metal studs in building constructions.

Abstract: A device that includes an insertion member, a shank, and a body having a through-hole and a post. The device can be part of a cellular confinement system. A method of transferring load from an expanded cellular confinement structure to a flexible tendon includes inserting an insertion member of a device through an open slot in the structure, inserting a tendon through a through-hole in the body of the device, and wrapping the tendon around a post of the body. A kit includes a first unitary section of cells, at least one device, and at least one tendon for securing the device and the section to allow transfer of load from the web to the tendon.

Abstract: A device that includes an insertion member, a shank, and a body having a through-hole and a post. The device can be part of a cellular confinement system. A method of transferring load from an expanded cellular confinement structure to a flexible tendon includes inserting an insertion member of a device through an open slot in the structure, inserting a tendon through a through-hole in the body of the device, and wrapping the tendon around a post of the body. A kit includes a first unitary section of cells, at least one device, and at least one tendon for securing the device and the section to allow transfer of load from the web to the tendon.

Abstract: A vehicle component or apparatus usable in a motor vehicle is described herein, along with one or more examples of methods of manufacturing the same. The vehicle component may function to provide the feature of blocking water entering from a grille opening from reaching the engine. In situations where flooding occurs and the water level rises, thus immersing portions of the car such as the wheels, the vehicle component may block some of the water from rising beyond a certain level and thus reduce the likelihood that water may reach and damage the engine. In addition or alternatively, the vehicle component may function to separate air flow entering from the lower grille and upper grille openings, respectively, thereby increasing the efficacy of engine cooling by the air flows.

Abstract: A vehicle component or apparatus usable in a motor vehicle is described herein, along with one or more examples of methods of manufacturing the same. The vehicle component may function to provide the feature of blocking water entering from a grill opening from reaching the engine. In situations where flooding occurs and the water level rises, thus immersing portions of the car such as the wheels, the vehicle component may block some of the water from rising beyond a certain level and thus reduce the likelihood that water may reach and damage the engine. In addition or alternatively, the vehicle component may function to separate air flow entering from the lower grill and upper grill openings, respectively, thereby increasing the efficacy of engine cooling by the air flows.

Abstract: A floor tile for a raised floor. The floor tile is defined by a shallow upwardly-opening metal pan defining a shallow compartment in which a main preformed one-piece concrete block is secured. The main concrete block is preferably formed from a plurality of one-piece preformed concrete sub-blocks which are adhesively adhered in sideward abutting relationship to define a plan profile corresponding to the main concrete block. The main concrete block is then adhesively secured within the compartment of the metal pan.

Abstract: A composite pedestal cabinet is provided which is formed of a foldable housing blank that defines a plurality of walls of the storage cabinet and has wall sections integrally joined together at fold lines. The cabinet blank is initially formed in an unfolded, flat condition and then the wall sections are folded about the fold lines and interlocked together to define a plurality of walls of a box-like housing. Additional support structures are provided on the cabinet housing for supporting door slides and their associated drawers, as well as a top wall and casters.

Abstract: A floor tile for a raised floor. The floor tile is defined by a shallow upwardly-opening metal pan defining a shallow compartment in which a main preformed one-piece concrete block is secured. The main concrete block is preferably formed from a plurality of one-piece preformed concrete sub-blocks which are adhesively adhered in sideward abutting relationship to define a plan profile corresponding to the main concrete block. The main concrete block is then adhesively secured within the compartment of the metal pan.

Abstract: A floor tile for a raised floor. The floor tile is defined by a shallow upwardly-opening metal pan defining a shallow compartment in which a main preformed one-piece concrete block is secured. The main concrete block is preferably formed from a plurality of one-piece preformed concrete sub-blocks which are adhesively adhered in sideward abutting relationship to define a plan profile corresponding to the main concrete block. The main concrete block is then adhesively secured within the compartment of the metal pan.

Abstract: Cover pads for use on upright walls, wherein the pad provides an improved internal support which is of simplified construction, for example the center support and the surrounding frame being made of a one-piece monolithic support structure which permits a flexible covering to be attached to the center support and the exterior side surfaces of the edge frame while the covering and support structure are in a flat and planar condition, following which the edge frame is folded and secured into position around the center support. The internal support structure for the pad, when in a flat condition, has voids at the corners so that the covering can be tucked into the corners prior to the edge frame being folded into its frame-defining position.

Abstract: A floor tile for a raised floor. The floor tile is defined by a shallow upwardly-opening metal pan defining a shallow compartment in which a main preformed one-piece concrete block is secured. The main concrete block is preferably formed from a plurality of one-piece preformed concrete sub-blocks which are adhesively adhered in sideward abutting relationship to define a plan profile corresponding to the main concrete block. The main concrete block is then adhesively secured within the compartment of the metal pan.

Abstract: A floor tile for a raised floor. The floor tile is defined by a shallow upwardly-opening metal pan defining a shallow compartment in which a main preformed one-piece concrete block is secured. The main concrete block is preferably formed from a plurality of one-piece preformed concrete sub-blocks which are adhesively adhered in sideward abutting relationship to define a plan profile corresponding to the main concrete block. The main concrete block is then adhesively secured within the compartment of the metal pan.

Abstract: A floor tile for a raised floor. The floor tile is defined by a shallow upwardly-opening metal pan defining a shallow compartment in which a main preformed one-piece concrete block is secured. The main concrete block is preferably formed from a plurality of one-piece preformed concrete sub-blocks which are adhesively adhered in sideward abutting relationship to define a plan profile corresponding to the main concrete block. The main concrete block is then adhesively secured within the compartment of the metal pan.

Abstract: A wall panel system having a wall panel frame and three-dimensional cover tiles is provided. Such cover tiles overlie an open interior frame region and demountably engage the panel frame. These cover tiles are provided with a relatively shallow thickness but are formed with various formations including storage pockets and the like which allow office items and other articles to be stored directly in the cover tile as opposed to add-on components which mount over the face of a conventional planar cover tile.

Abstract: A cover pad for an upright wall having an improved support for simplifying attachment of a flexible covering such as fabric. The support includes a flat substrate sized to closely conform to the assembled cover pad. A ringlike frame defined by frame elements extend along edges of the substrate. Each frame element has a first elongate part engaged with the respective edge of the substrate, and a second elongate part joined to the first part by a lengthwise hinge. The second part functions as a hinging flange which is initially in an open position generally aligned with a front face of the substrate so that a flexible covering can be secured, as by adhesive, to an exposed surface of the flange while maintaining the fabric positioned across the face of the substrate. The hinging flanges of the frame elements are folded inwardly to overlie respective edges of the substrate, thereby securing the fabric across the face of the substrate and wrapped around the edges thereof.

Abstract: Cover pads for use on upright walls, wherein the pad provides an improved internal support which is of simplified construction, for example the center support and the surrounding frame being made of a one-piece monolithic support structure which permits a flexible covering or fabric to be attached to the center support and the exterior side surfaces of the edge frame while the fabric and support structure are in a flat and planar condition, following which the edge frame is folded and secured into position around the center support. The internal support structure for the pad, when in a flat condition, has voids at the corners so that the fabric can be easily tucked into the corners prior to the edge frame being folded into its closing or frame-defining position.

Abstract: Cover pads for use on upright walls, wherein the pad provides an improved internal support which is of simplified construction, for example the center support and the surrounding frame being made of a one-piece monolithic support structure which permits a flexible covering to be attached to the center support and the exterior side surfaces of the edge frame while the covering and support structure are in a flat and planar condition, following which the edge frame is folded and secured into position around the center support. The internal support structure for the pad, when in a flat condition, has voids at the corners so that the covering can be tucked into the corners prior to the edge frame being folded into its frame-defining position.

Abstract: A cover pad for an upright wall having an improved support for simplifying attachment of a flexible covering such as fabric. The support includes a flat substrate sized to closely conform to the assembled cover pad. A ringlike frame defined by frame elements extend along edges of the substrate. Each frame element has a first elongate part engaged with the respective edge of the substrate, and a second elongate part joined to the first part by a lengthwise hinge. The second part functions as a hinging flange which is initially in an open position generally aligned with a front face of the substrate so that a flexible covering can be secured, as by adhesive, to an exposed surface of the flange while maintaining the fabric positioned across the face of the substrate. The hinging flanges of the frame elements are folded inwardly to overlie respective edges of the substrate, thereby securing the fabric across the face of the substrate and wrapped around the edges thereof.