Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for making thermoformed structural elements and composites, including the use of composites, dissimilar or variable processing materials. The present invention avoids the expense and the technical issues of the present art on how difficult it is to ‘clean’ said ‘dirty’ recycled materials so that they are acceptable to the extrusion process and or the injection mold process. The end products can have the same outward appearance as those products made by the more demanding, more expensive extrusion process and or injection process, but the present invention's end products can be pre-engineered to have significantly, unexpectedly, improved physical and chemical properties.

Abstract: A reflecting plate material, comprises a urethane plate having first and second opposite major surfaces. The first major surface is planar and the second major surface is formed with a plurality of cube corners each one of which has a plurality of facets. The facets are clouded to provide degraded retro-reflecting characteristics at less than those with clear facets, thereby diffusing light across the surfaces.

Abstract: A structural support system consisting of a bridging structural element and two (2) or more frangible elements providing fatigue and/or shock load(s) capacities utilized as a structural jointing between a foundation and a superstructure.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes solid-state components'/devices' electrically-conductive elements as means for transport of thermal-energy via the application of the Thomson Effect through affecting a change in temperature, such as in the electrical power supply leads. Application may be at electrical current characteristics below that required to energize said solid-state components/devices to achieve intended solid-state utility output. The present invention applies Tesla's phase-change conductive/non-conductive, both of an electrical and/or thermal nature, to the present art of solid-state electronics' individual integrated circuit elements, printed wiring boards, insulating layer(s), and pillars for the optimizing of the thermal-energy-management of such.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire has a carcass and a tread. The carcass has at least one carcass reinforcing ply and opposing bead portions. Each bead portion has a bead core and a bead apex radially. The apexes in each bead portion having the same radial height (HA), as measured from a bead base line (B). The tire has a bead reinforcing ply comprising chopped carbon fiber in the amount of 0.5 to 30 parts per hundred rubber located in only one bead portion of the tire, with the bead reinforcing ply being adjacent to the carcass reinforcing ply.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Light Emitting Diode (LED) based lamps utilising thermoelectric modules improving the efficiency of the lamps. The present invention provides in a first aspect a light illuminating device that comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED), at least one thermoelectric module (TEM) having a first surface which is thermally connected to the LED, a heat sink thermally connected to a a second surface of the at least one TEM, a thermally insulating cover creating a chamber substantially insulating the LED from ambient air. The LED may be of any conventional type, the invention however is particularly useful for devices using hi-flux LEDs, including traffic lights, illuminated roadway and/or emergency signs, airport runway lights and such.

Abstract: An assembly of structural elements, having significant asymmetric engineering properties, such as iron and glass, providing fatigue resistant structural composites.

Abstract: A highway safety equipment system using solid catalyst crystal, such as titanium dioxide, targeted for the breakdown of fluid borne undesirable material, such as “smog” utilizing standard, commonly encountered, U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Cooperation Highway Research Program (NCHRP), and/or American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) Standard Specification items such as highway guiderail, highway signing, highway signal equipment, housings, toll booth, bridgework, bridgerails and/or such items' support structures.

Abstract: A space frame support structure for highway signs comprises upper and lower chord members; a plurality of weld-free, single-cast connectors attached to and spaced along the respective length of the chord members; a plurality of diagonal members disposed between the upper and lower chord members in a series of “V”-shaped configuration connected end-to-end, each diagonal member forming a leg of a respective “V”. Each leg including a bottom end portion and a top end portion. The bottom end portion is attached to a respective connector attached to the lower chord member. The top end portion is connected to another connector attached to the upper chord member. A plurality of pins are carried by each connector to secure each connector to the upper or lower chord member and to the respective bottom or top end portions of the diagonal members.

Abstract: An area lighting device comprises a plurality of panels arranged into a hollow box having interconnected side walls and open bottom; and at least one of the side wall panels comprising a light emitting panel having a lighted side facing inside the hollow box.

Abstract: A structural connector for connecting a horizontal member to a vertical member comprises an integral body from a single casting having a vertically oriented first sleeve portion and a horizontally oriented second sleeve portion. The first sleeve portion is integral with the second sleeve portion. The first sleeve portion has a tapered bore adapted to be slip fit around a tapered outside surface of the vertical member. The second sleeve has an outside diameter adapted to be slip fit within an interior bore of the horizontal member.

Abstract: An area lighting device comprises a plurality of panels arranged into a hollow box having interconnected side walls and open bottom; and at least one of the side wall panels comprising a light emitting panel having a lighted side facing inside the hollow box.

Abstract: A highway guardrail system comprises a plurality of posts; a plurality of spacers attached to respective posts; and a rail attached to the spacers. The post comprises a tube formed from sheet material, including overlapping portions facing toward the highway when installed; and a plurality of connectors to join said overlapping portions together. The spacer comprises a member formed from sheet metal blank including a rail attachment portion, a post attachment portion and a bridge portion connecting said rail and post attachment portions. The rail attachment portions and the bridge portion form an acute angle in plan view; and the bridge portion is tapered from wide to narrow toward the post attachment portion. The rail is tubular formed from sheet metal, including a U-shaped member and a sheet metal plate both having overlapping portions; and a plurality of connectors to join said overlapping portions together.

Abstract: An area lighting device comprises a plurality of panels arranged into a hollow box having interconnected side walls and open bottom; and at least one of the side wall panels comprising a light emitting panel having a lighted side facing inside the hollow box.

Abstract: A foundation pile has an innermost element, a structural tubular element surrounding the innermost element and composed of a non-metallic material, a tubular layer of a composite material surrounding the structural tubular element and connected with the later, and a friction coating applied on an outer surface of the layer of composite material.

Abstract: An area lighting device comprises a plurality of panels arranged into a hollow box having interconnected side walls and open bottom; and at least one of the side wall panels comprising a light emitting panel having a lighted side facing inside the hollow box.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system comprising a plurality of break-away post elements sequentially spaced to be sheared off by impact of a vehicle. Each post element individually absorbs and decelerates the impacting vehicle at a pre-determined rate that in multiple successive impacts slows the vehicle to a stop before the barrier or to an acceptable speed within the design requirements for impact with a barrier.

Abstract: An illuminated sign comprises a front lens having a sign legend; an electroluminescent panel disposed behind the lens to provide lighting to the sign legend; a power source operably connected to the electroluminescent panel; a first sensor responsive to the headlights of an approaching vehicle and connected to the electroluminescent panel to activate the electroluminescent panel upon detection of the headlights; and a second sensor responsive to ambient light and connected to the electroluminescent panel such that the electroluminescent panel is OFF during daylight.

Abstract: A highway guardrail system comprises a plurality of posts; a plurality of spacers attached to respective posts; and a rail attached to the spacers. The post comprises a tube formed from sheet material, including overlapping portions facing toward the highway when installed; and a plurality of connectors to join said overlapping portions together. The spacer comprises a member formed from sheet metal blank including a rail attachment portion, a post attachment portion and a bridge portion connecting said rail and post attachment portions. The rail attachment portions and the bridge portion form an acute angle in plan view; and the bridge portion is tapered from wide to narrow toward the post attachment portion. The rail is tubular formed from sheet metal, including a U-shaped member and a sheet metal plate both having overlapping portions; and a plurality of connectors to join said overlapping portions together.

Abstract: A foundation pile, has at least one tensioning tendon which is elongated. A tubular wall forms a hollow conduit located around the at least one tendon so that a space remains between the tensioning tendon and the hollow conduit. A structural tubular element is located around the hollow conduit and composed of a non-metallic material. A tubular layer of a composite material is located around the structural tubular element and connected with the latter. A friction coating applied on an outer surface of the layer of composite material.