Abstract: The invention is a reconfigurable workspace. The workspace is compact in order to keep components of the workspace within an arm's reach while standing in a fixed location. The workspace is made up of two rectangular housings, preferably of the same compact size and shape. The first housing has at least a sink and a counter space, though it could have other appliances. The second housing has a circulating storage system, preferably an automated storage and retrieval system that delivers items to a convenient access point. The two housings are repositionable in relation to each other along a fixed path. An apparatus such as a hinge or a set of tracks repositions the housings in relation to each other along the fixed path.

Abstract: The invention is a rack and chain lifting device. The purpose is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to a rack and pinion device because, first, it allows for more points of contact with the rack through the use of a silent chain in place of a pinion, and, second, because it can be used in corners since the motor can be distanced from the rack by means of the silent chain. The invention comprises a silent chain with link plates that are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, allowing the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both gears and racks. The invention also comprises a rack that can be placed in corners. Some embodiments include a system of gears, a motor, and a mounting platform.

Abstract: The invention is a silent chain with a profile capable of corresponding with the profiles of both sprockets and racks. The purpose of the invention is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to the traditional rack and pinion device by allowing for more surface area contact with the rack through the use of, rather than a pinion, a silent chain that is capable of engaging with a rack. The invented silent chain comprises link plates of a particular shape stacked in alternating rows and joined together by connecting pins in such a way as to be bendable. The link plates are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, which allows the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both sprockets and racks.

Abstract: The invention is an automated storage and retrieval system. Positionable objects are stored in columns within a frame. When a user requests an object, the objects are selectively relocated until the requested object is brought to an access point. The objects are relocated by planar motion mechanisms attached to the walls of the frame. When not moving, the objects are suspended from mountings that extend from the same walls that the planar motion mechanisms are attached to. The mountings are controlled by actuators within the walls. The mountings are retractable to allow the planar motion mechanisms to pass. Each of the objects is supported by more than one mounting so that support is not withdrawn when any one mounting is retracted to allow a planar motion mechanism to pass. The design allows objects to be arranged in more than two columns within an automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: The invention is a corner rack with one front face that has teeth. A corner rack is a linear gear interface that can be placed in corners, such that the teeth face out from the corner at an angle, rather than running parallel with the walls. The teeth of the corner rack have a profile that can engage with the profile of a silent chain. The combination of the corner rack and silent chain allows an attached motor to be distanced from the corner rack, so that a lifting device driven by the corner rack and silent chain can be placed in and utilized in corners. This leads to increased versatility and efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is an elevator car, with a door system, for with a bottom-driven elevator, where it does not play a structural role in lifting, but provides aesthetics and safety to the passengers. The elevator car comprises lightweight materials. The car comprises a frame and a door system. The door system comprises at least one elevator door and at least one pulley system. The pulley system is attached to the frame and the elevator door is attached to the pulley system, such that the elevator door rotates horizontally around the frame when the pulley system is engaged. The elevator door comprises a pliable material, such as ballistic nylon. The elevator car can have one, two, three, or four door openings, including two adjacent door openings. Finally, the system may also include at least one light curtain that transmits signals to an elevator control system.

Abstract: The invention is an elevator. The elevator is driven by a rack and a chain. The elevator also comprises a transportable frame, a floor, and an elevator shaft. The purpose of the invention is, by using a rack and chain lifting device to drive the elevator, to allow the elevator to be driven from the bottom. Driving the elevator from the bottom makes the structural integrity of the elevator box unnecessary, so that the elevator box can be replaced with an elevator box façade and a fabric door, making the elevator lighter and more economical. In addition, the design of the elevator allows for adjacent doors, battery power, and voice control.

Abstract: A green or sustainable building infrastructure comprising conjoining modular building segments. The purpose of the invention is to increase the precision, quality, and timing of building projects by allowing modular building segments to be constructed in an off-site controlled environment, transported, and quickly assembled on site. The conjoining modular building segments are prismatic box-like structures conjoined in a variety of configurations, each having at least three walls. The prismatic box-like structures are arranged and attached horizontally to create ceilings and floors, and they are arranged and attached vertically to create walls for the infrastructure. Some of the walls may be removed and the space inside each prismatic box-like structure is available for storage. The prismatic box-like structures may have certain dimensions, comprise specific materials, or be constructed or conjoined in specific ways.

Abstract: The invention is a reconfigurable workspace. The workspace is compact in order to keep components of the workspace within an arm's reach while standing in a fixed location. The workspace is made up of two rectangular housings, preferably of the same compact size and shape. The first housing has at least a sink and a counter space, though it could have other appliances. The second housing has a circulating storage system, preferably an automated storage and retrieval system that delivers items to a convenient access point. The two housings are repositionable in relation to each other along a fixed path. An apparatus such as a hinge or a set of tracks repositions the housings in relation to each other along the fixed path.

Abstract: The invention is an automated storage and retrieval system. Positionable objects are stored in columns within a frame. When a user requests an object, the objects are selectively relocated until the requested object is brought to an access point. The objects are relocated by planar motion mechanisms attached to the walls of the frame. When not moving, the objects are suspended from mountings that extend from the same walls that the planar motion mechanisms are attached to. The mountings are controlled by actuators within the walls. The mountings are retractable to allow the planar motion mechanisms to pass. Each of the objects is supported by more than one mounting so that support is not withdrawn when any one mounting is retracted to allow a planar motion mechanism to pass. The design allows objects to be arranged in more than two columns within an automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: The invention is an elevator car, with a door system, for with a bottom-driven elevator, where it does not play a structural role in lifting, but provides aesthetics and safety to the passengers. The elevator car comprises lightweight materials. The car comprises a frame and a door system. The door system comprises at least one elevator door and at least one pulley system. The pulley system is attached to the frame and the elevator door is attached to the pulley system, such that the elevator door rotates horizontally around the frame when the pulley system is engaged. The elevator door comprises a pliable material, such as ballistic nylon. The elevator car can have one, two, three, or four door openings, including two adjacent door openings. Finally, the system may also include at least one light curtain that transmits signals to an elevator control system.

Abstract: The invention is an elevator. The elevator is driven by a rack and a chain. The elevator also comprises a transportable frame, a floor, and an elevator shaft. The purpose of the invention is, by using a rack and chain lifting device to drive the elevator, to allow the elevator to be driven from the bottom. Driving the elevator from the bottom makes the structural integrity of the elevator box unnecessary, so that the elevator box can be replaced with an elevator box façade and a fabric door, making the elevator lighter and more economical. In addition, the design of the elevator allows for adjacent doors, battery power, and voice control.

Abstract: The invention is a corner rack with one front face that has teeth. A corner rack is a linear gear interface that can be placed in corners, such that the teeth face out from the corner at an angle, rather than running parallel with the walls. The teeth of the corner rack have a profile that can engage with the profile of a silent chain. The combination of the corner rack and silent chain allows an attached motor to be distanced from the corner rack, so that a lifting device driven by the corner rack and silent chain can be placed in and utilized in corners. This leads to increased versatility and efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is a rack and chain lifting device. The purpose is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to a rack and pinion device because, first, it allows for more points of contact with the rack through the use of a silent chain in place of a pinion, and, second, because it can be used in corners since the motor can be distanced from the rack by means of the silent chain. The invention comprises a silent chain with link plates that are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, allowing the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both gears and racks. The invention also comprises a rack that can be placed in corners. Some embodiments include a system of gears, a motor, and a mounting platform.

Abstract: The invention is a silent chain with a profile capable of corresponding with the profiles of both sprockets and racks. The purpose of the invention is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to the traditional rack and pinion device by allowing for more surface area contact with the rack through the use of, rather than a pinion, a silent chain that is capable of engaging with a rack. The invented silent chain comprises link plates of a particular shape stacked in alternating rows and joined together by connecting pins in such a way as to be bendable. The link plates are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, which allows the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both sprockets and racks.

Abstract: A green or sustainable building infrastructure comprising conjoining modular building segments. The purpose of the invention is to increase the precision, quality, and timing of building projects by allowing modular building segments to be constructed in an off-site controlled environment, transported, and quickly assembled on site. The conjoining modular building segments are prismatic box-like structures conjoined in a variety of configurations, each having at least three walls. The prismatic box-like structures are arranged and attached horizontally to create ceilings and floors, and they are arranged and attached vertically to create walls for the infrastructure. Some of the walls may be removed and the space inside each prismatic box-like structure is available for storage. The prismatic box-like structures may have certain dimensions, comprise specific materials, or be constructed or conjoined in specific ways.

Abstract: A rooftop greenhouse built into a roof infrastructure is disclosed. The roof infrastructure is constructed from conjoining modular building segments. The conjoining modular building segments are prismatic box-like structures, each having at least three walls, and the prismatic box-like structures are arranged and attached horizontally to create the roof of a building infrastructure. Inside each prismatic box-like structure is a displaceable garden box and a mechanism for lifting the garden box out of the prismatic box-like structure. The prismatic box-like structures and garden boxes may also be equipped with glass ceilings, thin insulation, mirrors, a growing medium, a grid system, an automated water supply system, an automated gas supply system, an automated temperature control system, an automated shading and light control device, and artificial lighting.

Abstract: The invention is an automated storage and retrieval system in which objects within the system may be repositioned one at a time in a circular or non-circular sequence. The system comprises a frame with one or more walls, one or more movable objects arranged in columns within the frame, one or more connectors mounted to the walls to which the movable objects are attached, and one or more planar motion mechanisms mounted to the frame. The system further comprises suspending the objects from the planar motion mechanisms to reposition the objects within the frame. Preferably, the planar motion mechanism is an H-bot. The objects can be storage bins or appliances. Advantages of the system are that it objects can be retrieved more quickly, the system can operate at less than full capacity, and the objects do not stack and therefore do not have strict structural requirements.

Abstract: The invention is a method for repositioning objects in an automated storage and retrieval system. The method allows objects to move one at a time in an optimally efficient non-revolving sequence, so that often-used storage items can be retrieved more quickly. The method includes arranging positionable objects, such as storage bins or appliances, within a frame with one or more walls. The objects are attached removably to the walls by connectors, such as hooks. One or more planar motion mechanisms, such as H-bots, are mounted on the walls next to the objects. The planar motion mechanisms lift the objects from the connectors to reposition the objects. When a target object is designated, a microcontroller teaches the planar motion mechanisms a sequence for moving the objects into vacant spaces such that the target object can travel to a target access position by the most direct path.