Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchange conduit formed between pre-fabricated building panels and a daylighting section integral within pre-fabricated, structural panels. The daylighting section has the capability to take ceiling air (or air below free-standing arrays) and either return it to the building during heating months, reject the heat, or shunt it for other uses after being warmed through a dual pane glazing assembly with infrared rejection. During summer days, this allows for dramatic reduction in building cooling demand. Heat exchange surfaces within the conduit are thermally tied to the exterior components of the panels to allow heating by solar insolation or cooling to night sky or air. An advanced insulation system adds to thermal performance and sealed insulation cavities prevent moisture degradation of R-Values. Passage through the heat exchange conduit allows for active whole roof solar collection in spring/fall and night cooling capability during summer night operation.

Abstract: The invention consists of an improved heat exchange conduit formed between pre-fabricated building panels and a daylighting section integral within pre-fabricated, structural panels. The daylighting section has the capability to take ceiling air (or air below free-standing arrays) and either return it to the building during heating months, reject the heat, or shunt it for other uses after being warmed through a dual pane glazing assembly with infrared rejection. During summer days, this allows for dramatic reduction in building cooling demand. Heat exchange surfaces within the conduit are thermally tied to the exterior components of the panels to allow heating by solar insolation or cooling to night sky or air. An advanced insulation system adds to thermal performance and sealed insulation cavities prevent moisture degradation of R-Values. Passage through the heat exchange conduit allows for active whole roof solar collection in spring/fall and night cooling capability during summer night operation.

Abstract: An improved building panel and attachment system for the production of structures with improved energy efficiency and fire safety characteristics. Panels are formed from a structural angle I™ beam with angles emerging from a web and forming dovetail shaped channels. The dovetail channels provide anchorage points for cross members within the panels as well as weather-stripping and mechanical joints between panels and a building frame. Fiberglass can be combined with Argon gas in the panels to significantly improve R-Values in commercial buildings. A fire safety system allows heat and smoke to be vented from the building during a fire, and for improved safety and effectiveness of fire fighting personnel. Improved insulating panels, daylighting panels with light attenuation and heat dissipation means, as well as solar panels for heating and cooling are shown. These can be assembled into a roof decks and walls to reduce building operating costs and create more attractive retail and commercial buildings.

Abstract: An improved building panel and attachment system for the production of structures with improved energy efficiency and fire safety characteristics. Panels are formed from a structural angle I™ beam with angles emerging from a web and forming dovetail shaped channels. The dovetail channels provide anchorage points for cross members within the panels as well as weather-stripping and mechanical joints between panels and a building frame. Fiberglass can be combined with Argon gas in the panels to significantly improve R-Values in commercial buildings. A fire safety system allows heat and smoke to be vented from the building during a fire, and for improved safety and effectiveness of fire fighting personnel. Improved insulating panels, daylighting panels with light attenuation and heat dissipation means, as well as solar panels for heating and cooling are shown. These can be assembled into a roof decks and walls to reduce building operating costs and create more attractive retail and commercial buildings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handle with a biconcave-shaped cross-section that is suitable for a hand tool, a hand tool extension, a tool connector, a wheelbarrow handle, or any of a variety of devices that are to be gripped by the human hand. The biconcave-shaped handle of the present invention conforms to the contours of the human hand to provide a more ergonomic and comfortable handle for a wide variety of applications. The biconcave shape may also be used for connecting tubular members to assemble various structures such as a dome.

Abstract: An improved building panel and attachment system for the production of structures with improved energy efficiency and fire safety characteristics. Panels are formed from a structural angle I beam with angles emerging from a web and forming dovetail shaped channels. The dovetail channels provide anchorage points for cross members within the panels as well as weather-stripping and mechanical joints between panels and a building frame. The unique assembly method allows the insulation value and fire safety of the building to be radically improved over conventional commercial structures. Fiberglass can be combined with low thermal conductivity gases such as Argon to improve R-Values by about 40% over existing building stock. Heat and smoke can be vented from the building during a fire to slow the onset of flashover and the safety of fire fighting personnel can be enhanced when they reach the fire scene.

Abstract: A connector system for the attachment of component panels along the line of a joint. The panel to be joined has a dovetail shaped channel on the edge to be joined. A flexible connector has a curvilinear cross section containing a major arched portion and a minor arched portion inverted to it. Flattening the major arched portion by exerting a normal force on it drives the minor arched portion into the dovetail shaped channel, forming the joint. Removing the force releases the joint.In the preferred form; a pair of connectors opposed to one another joint two solar/structural building panels. Slots on the inside surfaces of the connectors distribute air to the dovetail channels, and through a corrugated film bonded to the outer panel skin. Air returning to the dovetail channel on the opposite side of the panel is heated by sunlight.

Abstract: Adjoining strata of pressure-sensitive adhesive are transferred to a package substrate. The two outermost adhesive strata have different adhesion to the substrate. The adhesive strata are used as a reclosable fastener and are intermixed in the course of reclosing and reopening the package, the action being such as to advantageously compensate for contamination occurring at the reseal interface while maintaining the status quo at the permanent interface.