Abstract: A modular command post system comprised of removable interconnecting truss elements is provided. The modular command post system is configured to provide shelter and infrastructure to support various electronic equipment used by occupants of the command post.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gutter member (1) for collecting and channelling rainwater or snow-melt run-off at a periphery of a roof structure. The gutter member (1) includes: a channel portion (2) adapted to receive and carry away water flowing from the roof structure; and a cover portion (3) which extends above and at least partially covers the channel portion (2). The cover portion (3) is adapted to support sliding travel of solid or semi-solid material, such as snow and ice, from the roof structure over the channel portion (2) of the gutter member.

Abstract: A debris-filtering downspout and other water runoff conduits and receptacles are disclosed, and include a Coanda screen mounted within a conduit, a culvert, a storm water conveyance or secured to a water collection basin. The Coanda screen provides high water throughput and is self-cleaning while effectively filtering debris contained in an incoming water stream.

Abstract: A modular and dismantleable porch apparatus including a deck frame for supporting decking material, a handrail assembly attached about the circumference of the deck frame, an modular step assembly attached to the deck frame, and a modular handrail assembly attached to the step assembly. The deck frame is constructed of a plurality of support members having swedged ends that interlock to form a rectangular body. The step assembly is constructed of step frame members that may be added as needed to add additional steps. The handrail assembly also provides a modular design using handrail segments with swedged ends in which additional rail segments may be added to accommodate the length of the completed step assembly.

Abstract: A building structure (10 or 10′) has a wall (16) including a plurality of wall elements (12 or 12′). Each wall element is connected to a plurality of other wall elements so as to form the wall. Each wall element includes a connecting means for connecting the adjacent wall elements together to form the wall. The wall is formed at least three consecutively connected rings (15 or 15 and 17) of interlocking wall elements. Each of the wall elements in each ring being of the same size. Each of the wall elements in a first ring of the consecutively connecting rings being larger than the wall elements of a second ring of the consecutively connected rings and each of the elements in the second ring being larger than the wall elements of a third ring of the consecutively connected rings.

Abstract: A construction element such as a wall or roof panel for a building, the construction element being formed from a composite material comprising silica cenospheres and a resin, the resin binding the cenospheres into a solid mass and retains them Gin a desired shape defining the construction element A second composite material can be overlaid and bonded to at least a part of the surface of the construction element. The second composite material has a number of layers bonded together. Colouring agents and fire retardant materials can be included within the second composite material.

Abstract: A temporary gravesite marker for use in identifying a gravesite until a permanent gravestone is available includes a marker tablet which has a generally rectangular solid form with an upper surface to be marked with alphanumeric characters providing information regarding the deceased. The marker tablet is fabricated from a durable material and includes an upper surface and a substantially parallel bottom surface, both of which are substantially flat. The preferred marker tablet has a two-to-one (2:1) aspect ratio and measures 5½ inches by 11 inches with a 1{fraction (1/16)} inch thickness. The density of the material selected, based upon the overall volume, yields a weight for the marker tablet of approximately ten pounds. The alphanumeric characters are inscribed into the upper surface of the marker tablet by means of a prepared stencil and by sandblasting.

Abstract: Window well assembly of the type adapted for below soil grade attachment to a foundational structure adjacent a basement window or the like. The assembly includes a bottom member adapted to provide a drainage site, and an upstanding generally arcuately shaped wall surrounding said bottom member and having a pair of laterally opposed upstanding edge boundaries. The upstanding wall has an interior surface facing said basement window and exterior surface facing away from the window for anchoring the assembly in said soil. The exterior surface comprises at least one arcuately shaped gripping rib. Each gripping rib comprises an inclined protruding top wall sloping upwardly proceeding radially inwardly from the exterior surface toward the interior and a generally horizontal bottom wall.

Abstract: A metallic receptacle is embedded in the concrete material of a burial vault. The receptacle contains archival quality paper that records information identifying the person interred in the burial vault and the precise location at which the vault was buried. The receptacle is sealed by a cap that may be removed to access the archival information without opening the vault.

Abstract: An improvement in the structure of an anti-shock device utilized for buildings, important structures and bridge structures that is comprised of a base, a carrier, a slide block and a plurality of springs. A slip concavity of a sunken round curved recess is respectively formed in the base top surface and in the carrier bottom surface, and an upper slide block member and a lower slide block member are situated between the two slip concavities. One contact surface between the two slide block members and slip concavities is of a curved contour and the other surfaces are indented seating recesses. A spheroid coupling bearing is nested between the two seating recesses and the upper and lower slide block members are held together by the springs. As so assembled, the anti-shock device base is fastened under the columns of a building structure such that the building achieves the objectives of exceptional shock eliminating capability and greater building structure safety.

Abstract: An underground shelter having a seamless housing, a lid assembly, and a latch mechanism. The seamless housing is provided with a closed bottom, a sidewall, an open top, and a shelter cavity. The lid assembly is attached to the seamless housing and extends across the open top of the seamless housing. The lid assembly has a door frame and a door assembly attached to the door frame.

Abstract: Door and glazing frames include intumescent material positioned in a dado that is formed in a jamb side surface. Trim materials are positioned over the intumescent material to improve the appearance of the frame and to prevent tampering with and damage to the intumescent material. The jamb trim is preferably made of a cut hardwood panel having a thickness that allows heat to be transmitted to the intumescent material in the event of a fire so that the intumescent material will expand and fill a clearance space between the frame and the door or glazing. The expanded intumescent material inhibits the transmission of smoke and heat between the door and door frame. After expanding, the intumescent material will char and solidify, which may provide an added benefit of structural support for the door and or glazing.

Abstract: In the floor base panel (40), an area on the support board (33) of the vibration proof support leg (30) is formed solid, and in the other area, a plurality of cavities (41) extending in the parallel direction to the floor surface are formed. Thereby, because the vibration energy propagated from the impact point of the floor base panel (40) is reflected on the boundary between the cavity formation area and the sold area, and repeatedly passes the cavity formation area, it is attenuated in a short time, and the vibration energy or sound energy transmitted to a slab (20) can be reduced.

Abstract: A shear wall panel is utilized in building walls to reduce the tendency of the wall from moving relative to a foundation during periods of external forces (e.g. earthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes). The shear wall panel includes a top and a bottom horizontal support, a first and at least a second parallel and vertical support, and a third vertical support parallel to the first and second vertical supports. The top and bottom horizontal supports are parallel to one another and are located proximate the top and bottom of the wall respectively. The first and second vertical supports each have a first and a second end secured to the top and bottom horizontal supports respectively, and are perpendicular to the top and bottom horizontal supports. The third vertical support includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a connector. The first end portion passes through the bottom horizontal support and is secured to the foundation.

Abstract: A fire barrier device (10) which is moulded integrally from a material comprising a heat reactive expandable material. The device (10) has a main body (11) which is shaped to retain the device in a concrete slab and which may have a part spherical outer wall (13) and a mounting portion (12) for mounting the device (10) to formwork defining one side of the slab. The main body (11) may include an annular groove or groves (14) to assist in retaining the device (10) in the slab.

Abstract: A corner assembly for concrete form panels has a pair of rigid members. Each member has a bend therein to form a selected dihedral angle. Each member has horizontal slots formed therein and receiver plates which are received in the slots and extend through the concrete panel forms. The receiver plates are connected by a bridge member. The members are spaced apart by a selected distance and a removable bridge is disposed between the pair of rigid members. At least one concrete panel form is juxtapositioned to and connected to each of the rigid members. One of the rigid members is disposed exteriorly of the at least one concrete panel form. Concrete is disposed interiorly of the at least one concrete panel form. The corner assembly is adjustable to provide support for the corner of the construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a building, comprising sheets of wooden material with the external walls (10), internal walls (1), floor and/or roof boards (20) each made of wooden sheets and of a double- or multi-skinned form, thus comprising at least one inner sheet (2, 12, 22) and at least one outer sheet (3, 13, 23) which are separated by spacer elements (4, 14, 24) and connected to each other by the same. Cavities (5, 15, 25) are provided between the sheets (2, 3; 12, 13; 22; 23). The sheets forming the inner walls (1), the outer walls (10), the floor or roof boards (20) are, at least in one direction, in one piece throughout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to building panels used in the construction industry, and more specifically composite building panels comprised of an insulative core, concrete, and carbon fiber which are preformed, cast and transported to a building site for modular construction.

Abstract: An insulative panel with transverse fiber reinforcements is provided and which is adopted for use with a plurality of building materials such as concrete to create a lightweight, high strength building panel having superior insulative properties.

Abstract: Laminated flooring panels include decorative motifs, mechanically embossed-in-registration surface textures, recessed perimeters, and locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms facilitate the alignment of adjacent flooring panels. Adjacent flooring panels substantially aligned allow embossed-in-registration patterns to be substantially continuous across adjacent flooring panels. The recessed perimeter prevents the edges of the flooring panel from prematurely wearing.

Abstract: A heat block (28) is positioned between the upper lateral flange (24) of a purlin (14) and the roof panel (16) supported by the purlin. The heat block is in the shape of a barbell in that it includes opposed side portions (33 and 34) that are sized and shaped to extend laterally beyond the purlin (14) out into the hot zone adjacent the upper portion of the purlin and the roof panel (16). The heat block is of greater stiffness than the adjacent blanket insulation so that the heat block reliably occupies the space in the hot zone. Phase change material (64) can be incorporated in the opposed side portions (33 and 34) of the heat block.

Abstract: Heat insulation is positioned in a building structure that includes radiant heat reflective sheet material that is placed in spaced relationship with respect to an adjacent body, such as fibrous blanket heat insulation material. The reflective sheet is protected from intrusion of dust, fibers, etc. and faces a dead air space.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a furniture leg is provided which includes the steps of providing a substrate having a thin covering and routing the substrate to provide an outer peripheral configuration having a top side, a bottom side, a left side, and a right side, wherein the top side and the bottom side are each generally straight and converge. The method further includes the steps of routing v-shaped cut-out regions that extend through the substrate, but not into the thin covering, in a substantially straight line from the left side to the right side. Angled surfaces are mitered on the top side and the bottom side. Finally, the method includes the step of folding the substrate having the thin covering about the v-shaped cut-out regions into the elongate article.

Abstract: A system and related method for protecting a building frame from fire and heat to avoid catastrophic collapse, comprises a plurality of vertical structural members comprising substantially vacant interiors thereof; a plurality of horizontal structural members comprising substantially vacant interiors thereof; a plurality of attachments between ends of the horizontal structural members and side faces of the vertical structural members enabling a coolant to flow between the interiors of the vertical structural members and the interiors of the horizontal structural members; a plurality of coolant pumps for pumping the coolant into the vertical structural members; a plurality of heat release valves for emitting the coolant from the interiors of the vertical structural members and the interiors of the horizontal structural members when a temperature of the coolant reaches a predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: A versa-track structure and wall/floor joist assembly and method is provided which consists of an elongated versa-track member comprising a planar web and a first and second legs in perpendicular alignment defining generally a C-shape or J-shape in cross section. A plurality of horizontally elongated openings are spaced lengthwise on the planar web between the first and second ends of the versa-track and receive perpendicularly related vertical stud members or horizontal floor joist members in forming a wall or floor assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a joining system (1) for fixedly joining at least two elements (2, 3), in particular girders, comprising at least one first element (2) which is adjacent at one of its ends to the other element (3) on a contact surface (14) and is attached to this element with a joining means (11) and at least one connecting part (7), in particular a shear connector made of a high-strength material, preferably metal, which is connected to one of the elements (2), in particular by being integrated into it. To permit an improved possibility for fastening the two elements, it is provided according to this invention that the connecting part (7), in particular the shear connector, is provided with a continuous recess (9), in particular with a borehole, and the joining means (11) extends through the recess (9), whereby the element (2) receiving the connecting part (7) is designed as a wooden component.

Abstract: A spanning or beam member for use in construction having a pair of opposing C-shaped flanges and a corrugated web. Laterally extended protrusions of the web strengthens the beam member by stiffening the web and increasing the load bearing forces that may be carried by the beam member without crushing. The C-shape of the flanges allows welding of the flanges to the protrusions of the web to reduce the unbraced and unstiffened size of the compression elements to allow for construction of beam members of a given strength out of thinner sheet material. An end plate secures to the opposing flanges and to the corrugated web interposed therebetween, providing a superior means for interconnecting the beam members.

Abstract: A method for constructing a modular building subdivision includes the steps of planning a plurality of residences, selecting an area of land, selecting sites on the land to place residences, selecting a construction yard, building facilities on the construction yard to construct building structures, having the facilities authorized by a governmental authority, using the facilities to building permanent unitary modular building structures to construct over 10,000 square feet of livable space, constructing a foundation at each of the sites, and moving the permanent unitary modular building structures to the sites to be installed on foundations at the sites. The permanent unitary modular building structures are moved along paths excluding public thoroughfares.

Abstract: A blast fragment and oxygen fire safety barrier comprising a corrugated impact panel connected to and spanning a pair of columns designed by directly impacting the barrier with a fragment of specified weight at a specified velocity to obtain test values for use in determining whether the barrier is capable of absorbing impact kinetic energy (KE) without exceeding predetermined maximum allowable ductability and maximum allowable deflection to span ratios, and dissipating strain energy at such maximum allowable deflection, and whether connectors have sufficient shear strength considering the lesser of maximum dynamic shear capacity of said column and a maximum dynamic shear force based on measured peak reaction during direct fragment impact on the column, includes an oxygen fire resistant panel on the non-blast side of the impact panel spaced from said impact panel a distance in excess of the maximum allowable deflection of said impact panel.

Abstract: A building construction method includes the steps of forming pile holes, installing piles, installing pile connecting beams, forming a concrete ground floor structure, erecting a building framework, forming walls on the building framework, and forming floors on the building framework. The construction method facilitates the construction of low-rise buildings at a relatively low cost.

Abstract: Advanced masonry coring systems for coring and grouting masonry walls are disclosed in this patent. The systems include rotating machinery and a drill column in the form of a cylindrical double-piped string of pipe sections, rotating a cylindrical drill body. The drill body mounts cutting end faces having alternative means of employing carbide or diamond cutting and/or pulverizing elements. The double drill pipe weight is made workable through new aerospace composite fabrication. The double pipe permits more efficient routing of air and removal of drill cuttings. Advancement in various system components and means of placing reinforcement into walls is disclosed. Further disclosure is included of advanced means of optimizing resin grouting materials and procedures to fill the wall cavities created by the core drill, integrating the reinforcement into the walls.

Abstract: To provide a composite for a building material capable of manufacturing a building material that is harmless to living environment and global environment and can be recycled. The composite for a building material contains diatomaceous earth, waste lumber, and inorganic hardener, or further contains field earth, and, as necessary, contains used paper and/or crushed pieces of used tatami mat and used tile, and crushed earth. The composite for a building material is prepared by homogeneously mixing the components, and then the building material is manufactured by molding and curing the composite. The manufactured building material has a high humidity conditioning property as in the case of the conventional mud wall made of coarse clay, and is easily recycled by being crushed.

Abstract: Roof insulation applicator (10) for applying blanket insulation or other sheet material to the roof of an industrial building includes a carriage (12) for mounting on adjacent purlins (14 and 15) of a partially completed roof. Support roller (40) is applied by the carriage to the upper surfaces of the purlins (14 and 15) and the carriage is tiltable about the support roller (40). The center of gravity of the carriage (12) is applied rearwardly of the support roller (40), between the support roller (40) and the rear of the carriage. Purlin engager (60) is mounted to the front of the carriage and engages under the upper laterally extending flange (22) of the purlin (14). The purlin engager at the front of the carriage limits the downward pivoting of the rear end of the carriage so that a lever arm effect is applied by the weight of the rear portion of the structure to the support roller (40).

Abstract: A plurality of sheet supports 50 or 70 of approximate rectangular configuration are placed on adjacent purlins 14 of a partially completed roof of an industrial building, about the second row of roof insulation support carriages 10. When the carriages are advanced along the lengths of the purlins to apply the sheet material 34 to the purlins, the sheet supports 50 or 70 move in unison with the carriages of the second row of carriages and the rear segment 54 supports the sheet material in the spaces 60 over which the carriage is mounted and the side segments 56 and 58 support the sheet material extending from the first row of carriages in the next adjacent spaces between the purlins. This avoids the sagging of the sheet material between the purlins at the time when the hard roof panels 37 are fastened to the purlins.

Abstract: Roof insulation applicator (10) for applying sheet material to the roof of an industrial building includes a carriage (12) for mounting on adjacent purlins (14 and 15) of a partially completed roof. Support roller (40) is applied by the carriage to the upper surfaces of the purlins (14 and 15) and the carriage is tiltable about the support roller (40). The center of gravity of the carriage (12) is applied rearwardly of the support roller (40). Purlin engager (60) is mounted to the front of the carriage and engages under the upper laterally extending flange (22) of the purlin (14) and limits the downward pivoting of the rear end of the carriage applying a lever arm effect by the weight of the rear portion of the structure to the support roller (40). This firmly holds the sheet material in its stretched configuration extending from the roof panel (16) out to the support roller (40), reducing the tendency of the sheet material to sag in between the adjacent purlins.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

Abstract: A cover forming apparatus and method for forming and securing a sheet of material about a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface is provided. The cover forming apparatus includes a former. The former has a bowl shaped configuration and an open upper end, a lower end, a sidewall extending from the open upper end to the lower end, and a pot opening. The sidewall has an outer surface and an inner surface with the outer surface having an upper inwardly tapered portion. The pot opening is sized to receive at least a portion of the flower pot together with the sheet of material such that upon disposing the flower pot into the pot opening with the sheet of material positioned between the upper end of the former and the flower pot causes the sheet of material to be formed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.

Abstract: A method for storing nuclear fuel in a container (10) including a concrete body and a fuel receiver embedded in the concrete body, comprises the steps of: providing formwork (62) for the concrete body and supporting the fuel receiver within the formwork; placing the formwork in an immersed position in a pool (54) containing a body of water; placing concrete in the immersed formwork (62); and removing the formwork with the concrete body cast therein from the pool (52).

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping reams of paper in which the units for forming the first tube are adjacent to the devices for lateral folding of the first tube in order simultaneously to form lateral flaps.

Abstract: The invention refers to a packaging system (1) for a medical device, comprising a frame (2) for supporting the device (15) in a laid-down position, said frame being provided with means for assisting in positioning the device towards an essentially upright position during unpacking thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for slicing food products and for conveying portions (11) of a plurality of imbricated or stacked slices of the product (12), comprising a slicing device and an additional processing unit (14) arranged below the slicing device, especially a packaging machine, in addition to a transfer device (15) which is arranged between the slicing device and the processing unit whereby portions are transferred to the transfer device from the slicing machine and from there said portions are transported to the packaging machine. The transfer device comprises a product support with at least one substantially horizontally extending support area for at least one respective portion which is to be transported.

Abstract: A protective device 104 for hoofed and shod animals fabricated of a durable and flexible material is presented. The protective device 104 includes a base 106 and a wall 108, with the wall designed to enclose a hoof 100 of a bare or shod animal such as a horse or cow. The protective device 104 includes a means for size adjustment 216 such as a sizing opening 214 in combination with a plurality of tread grooves 304, which assists in the adjustment of the size and shape of the hoof to fit a variety of hoofs. The protective device 104 preferably includes a shear-relief portion 302 formed such that the front of a hoof has minimal contact with the device 104. Ease of installation, decreased impact, and improved traction are all benefits provided by the protective device 104 disclosed.

Abstract: An airborne particle removal system includes a vacuum assembly to introduce a flow of air into a housing. A cyclone dust collector is positioned in the housing downstream of the vacuum assembly with respect to the flow of air through the housing. A plurality of filter bags is positioned in the housing downstream of the cyclone dust collector with respect to the flow of air through the housing. A plurality of high efficiency particulate air filters is positioned in the housing downstream of the filter bags with respect to the flow of air through the housing. In certain preferred embodiments, a liquid distribution system introduces a liquid agent into the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel matter separation apparatus which utilized the combined effects of cylindrical and toroidal vortices. The combined effect provides better separation than either alone. Moreover, the present invention can effectively increase the efficiency of separation without limiting the amount throughput capacity of the system. Therefore, the present invention provides effective means for separating solid particles from fluid flow.

Abstract: A preferred filter media is provided. The media includes a fine fiber web secured to the surface of a coarse fiber support. A preferred filter media, comprising multiple layers of fine fiber media separated by coarse fiber support, is provided. Advantageous filter constructions result and are provided. Also according to the disclosure, methods for using such arrangements to filter are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device used to purify air and keep cleanly the duct of hot air system or central air exchanger, is made up of a filter having the shape of a cone, which can be installed into the round, square or rectangular duct inlet inhaling air of the indoor from the house, and which a fixing means is adapted to the shape of round, square or rectangular duct inlet.

Abstract: The Lawn Hog is an inexpensive two wheeled cart acting as a spreader bar which two inexpensive push lawn mowers may be attached to. The Lawn Hog attaches to and is pulled behind a riding lawn mower and itself pulls the attached push lawn mowers, thus effectively widening the mowing swath of the riding mower.

Abstract: The lawn striping assembly 10 includes a channel mechanism 14 having a plurality of attachment points 22, a pair of brackets 46, a roller apparatus 16 disposed on the channel mechanism 14 via a pair of fasteners 42. The roller apparatus 16 includes a plurality of rollers 74, an axle 76, and a pair of axle supports 78. The roller apparatus 16 is attached to the channel mechanism 14 via the pair of axle supports 78. Each bracket 46 is fixedly attached to a first pair of attachment points 48 and pivotally mounted on a lawn care device 12 via a rotatable fastener 62.

Abstract: A leaf stripper, more particularly for stripping vine leaves, includes a stripping head having an open-work rotary drum, a suction mechanism for generating a sucking air stream passing through the open-work cylindrical side wall of the drum, and mechanism for channeling the air stream through a portion modifying the wall. The invention is characterized in that a cutter is mounted proximate to the side wall portion of the rotary suction drum and oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the latter, a guide track including an open-work endless belt winding on the rotary suction drum and on a second drum arranged in front of the suction drum.

Abstract: A device for the pneumatic splicing of yarns, especially elastane yarns, has a splicing body (25) defining a splicing conduit (26) loadable with compressed air, as well as with pneumatic tubes (33, 34) for pneumatically preparing the yarn ends (31, 32) to be spliced, wherein the central axes of the pneumatic tubes intersect the central longitudinal plane of the splicing conduit. The pneumatic tubes (33, 34) are replaceably fixed in bores (46, 47) of the splicing body (25), with the inlet opening (48, 49) of the pneumatic tubes (33, 34) positioned in the immediate vicinity of one of the two outlets (50, 51) of the splicing conduit (26). The inlet opening (48, 49) of the pneumatic tube (33, 34) has a funnel-shaped contour (52) that promotes insertion of the cut ends of the upper and lower yarns (31, 32) into the pneumatic tubes (33, 34).