Abstract: An inflatable lifejacket has two lobes connected by a neck portion. The lobes are arranged, in use, to lie over a wearer's chest with opposed edges of the lobes abutting each other. At least one lobe has a first, inflatable, portion towards a free end of the lobe and a second portion. When the lifejacket is inflated, the second portion is less thick than the first portion so as to create a space below the wearer's chin, whilst forming a barrier to water.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for connecting the head track (282) of a partition wall (280) to an overhead structural component (298) of the building has a shaft (102) connected at right angles to a base plate (106), which in turn is connectable to the head track (282) so that the shaft extends substantially vertically upwards. A pair of upwardly extending wings (118) and an apertured intermediate portion (116) allowing the bracket to be slidingly disposed about the shaft. The wings (118) are connectable to arm portions (288), which in turn are connectable to linking flanges (292), connectable to the overhead structure 298. Springs (130, 132) bias the bracket towards a neutral position. The bracket (110) is retained on the shaft by an upper stop (108) and the base plate 106. Apertured stabilising means (122,124) disposed about the bracket (110) form a collar that guides and stabilises the bracket (110) as it slides relative to the shaft (102) during seismic activities.

Abstract: A life preserver includes first and second buoyancy sections 3, 4 arranged such that, in use, the first and second buoyancy sections lie on opposite sides respectively of a wearer's chest, wherein said first and second buoyancy sections include respective inner facing regions that face one another above the wearer's chest, each of the facing regions having a chin support portion 11A, 11B and being configured to abut each other in use to form a chin support.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a functionally reinforced concrete slab including a concrete substrate having a first substrate area with a first reinforcement level and a second substrate area having a different second reinforcement level. The functionally reinforced concrete slab further includes a concrete substrate reinforcement apparatus enclosed within the concrete substrate. The concrete substrate reinforcement apparatus is positioned based on the first substrate area and the second substrate area to provide a non-uniform reinforcement of the concrete substrate.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for connecting the head track (282) of a partition wall (280) to an overhead structural component (298) of the building has a shaft (102) connected at right angles to a base plate (106), which in turn is connectable to the head track (282) so that the shaft extends substantially vertically upwards. A pair of upwardly extending wings (118) and an apertured intermediate portion (116) allowing the bracket to be slidingly disposed about the shaft. The wings (118) are connectable to arm portions (288), which in turn are connectable to linking flanges (292), connectable to the overhead structure 298. Springs (130, 132) bias the bracket towards a neutral position. The bracket (110) is retained on the shaft by an upper stop (108) and the base plate 106. Apertured stabilising means (122,124) disposed about the bracket (110) form a collar that guides and stabilises the bracket (110) as it slides relative to the shaft (102) during seismic activities.

Abstract: A personal survival system for use in water includes an inflatable chamber (9) and in inflation system (31) operable to inflate the inflatable chamber (9), wherein the inflation system (31) is mounted separately from and remotely from the inflatable chamber (9). Also disclosed are: a survival system for use in water includes an inflatable chamber including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer is separate from the outer layer; an inflation control system for use with an in-water survival system, the inflation control system comprises a selectively sealable chamber configured to contain water-triggered automatic inflation device of the survival system; and a personal survival system including an inflatable bladder and a moulded cover constructed from a flexible polymer.

Abstract: A personal survival system for use in water includes an inflatable chamber (9) and in inflation system (31) operable to inflate the inflatable chamber (9), wherein the inflation system (31) is mounted separately from and remotely from the inflatable chamber (9). Also disclosed are: a survival system for use in water includes an inflatable chamber including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer is separate from the outer layer; an inflation control system for use with an in-water survival system, the inflation control system comprises a selectively sealable chamber configured to contain water-triggered automatic inflation device of the survival system; and a personal survival system including an inflatable bladder and a moulded cover constructed from a flexible polymer.

Abstract: A template for positioning a pocket former wherein the template positions the pocket former at a fixed depth with respect to the top of concrete formwork. The template comprises a support and a body. The support positions the template; the body comprises a positioner for locating a pocket former. A spacer that connects to the support according to the desired depth of the pocket former can also be included. The template thus provides a reliable and efficient way of ensuring that a pocket former is placed at the appropriate depth.

Abstract: A generally rectangular load plate for transferring loads between a first cast-in-place slab and a second cast-in-place slab separated by a joint. The load plate being adapted to transfer load between the first and second slabs directed essentially perpendicular to the intended upper surface of the first slab, and allowing relative movement between adjacent concrete slabs along the joint between the slabs with minimal joint opening between the slabs. A pocket former embedded within the first slab may also be included to position the load plate and create void space on the sides of the load plate to permit the relative movement. A compressible material along the side of the load plate may also be used to permit the relative movement. Neither the void space created by the pocket former nor the compressible material are dependent upon the existence of a significant gap in the joint between the concrete slabs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an on-grade joint-stability system for on-grade concrete slabs. Embodiments of the system may include: a first on-grade concrete-slab portion; a second on-grade concrete-slab portion that is separated from the first on-grade concrete-slab portion by a joint; a first on-grade plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first on-grade plate being positioned underneath, and connected to, the first concrete-slab portion, and the second portion of the first on-grade plate being positioned underneath the second concrete-slab portion; and a second on-grade plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second on-grade plate being positioned underneath the first concrete-slab portion, and the second portion of the second on-grade plate being positioned underneath, and connected to, the second concrete-slab portion, such that height differentials across the joint are substantially prevented.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete curing blanket includes a layer of nonwoven fabric that is hydrophilic and that has a thickness of less than about 0.020 inches. A layer of film (e.g., polyethylene film) is bonded to the layer of nonwoven fabric, and has a thickness less than or equal to about 0.001 inch. The layer of film has a moisture vapor transport rate of less than about 0.0016 grams per square foot per twenty-four hours. A combined weight of the layer of nonwoven fabric and the layer of film is less than about 100 grams per square meter.

Abstract: A template for positioning a pocket former wherein the template positions the pocket former at a fixed depth with respect to the top of concrete formwork. The template comprises a support and a body. The support positions the template; the body comprises a positioner for locating a pocket former. A spacer that connects to the support according to the desired depth of the pocket former can also be included. The template thus provides a reliable and efficient way of ensuring that a pocket former is placed at the appropriate depth.

Abstract: A generally rectangular load plate for transferring loads between a first cast-in-place slab and a second cast-in-place slab separated by a joint. The load plate being adapted to transfer load between the first and second slabs directed essentially perpendicular to the intended upper surface of the first slab, and allowing relative movement between adjacent concrete slabs along the joint between the slabs with minimal joint opening between the slabs. A pocket former embedded within the first slab may also be included to position the load plate and create void space on the sides of the load plate to permit the relative movement. A compressible material along the side of the load plate may also be used to permit the relative movement. Neither the void space created by the pocket former nor the compressible material are dependent upon the existence of a significant gap in the joint between the concrete slabs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an on-grade joint-stability system for on-grade concrete slabs. Embodiments of the system may include: a first on-grade concrete-slab portion; a second on-grade concrete-slab portion that is separated from the first on-grade concrete-slab portion by a joint; a first on-grade plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first on-grade plate being positioned underneath, and connected to, the first concrete-slab portion, and the second portion of the first on-grade plate being positioned underneath the second concrete-slab portion; and a second on-grade plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second on-grade plate being positioned underneath the first concrete-slab portion, and the second portion of the second on-grade plate being positioned underneath, and connected to, the second concrete-slab portion, such that height differentials across the joint are substantially prevented.

Abstract: An improved joint edge assembly, of the type used in the construction of concrete slabs, is disclosed. The assembly comprises a longitudinal joint rail, preferably of steel, which is supported off the ground by formwork. The joint rail comprises first and second joint edge members that are connected to each other by interference-type connectors with self-release elements. A plurality of studs extends downward and outward from each of the joint edge members into the concrete slabs provide a positive mechanical connection between the slab and the joint rail. As the concrete shrinks during hardening, the self-release elements of the interference-type connectors allow the joint to freely open. The joint edge assembly thus provides a self-releasing joint between adjacent slab sections, and protects the edges of the adjacent slab sections from damage. A dowel aligner may also be integrated into the assembly, to allow proper positioning of dowels within the slab.