Abstract: A nuclear steam supply containment system employing prefabricated component supports that are surrounded by steel concrete forms and anchored to the floor liner of a nuclear containment. The prefabricated component supports extend through the concrete forms and a reinforce concrete slab cap to a support elevation for the component. A second inner steel concrete form can be employed to form an annular concrete channel through which the supports extend. The center of the inner form can be filled with a sand-like substance, radiation absorber material or concrete grout.

Abstract: An easily-constructed foundation for an antenna support tower is provided that requires no fabricated support surface at the installation site. The foundation is a radial array of prefabricated buildings connected near their inner corners to each other. In a first embodiment, one leg of a multi-legged tower rests on each building, the buildings transferring forces from the tower to the support surface below the buildings. In a second embodiment, a tapered monopole tower is located in the center of the array of buildings. The monopole tower may rest on a prepared surface or may be supported above the support surface. Support structures, each having a central ring and radially extending arms, are attached at the building connection points, one support structure above the other. The monopole tower is positioned within the central ring, transferring lateral loads through the ring and arms to the buildings, negating the need for a moment base.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a roller seal rotatably mounted to a support for rotation about an axis. The roller seal is movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area, to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle. Preferably, a curtain is suspended distally of the roller seal such that, when the roller seal is in the second position, the curtain forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal forms a second seal with the top of the vehicle. The curtain is semi-rigid and, in some instances, defines a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the roller seal over the leading edge of a vehicle approaching the loading dock.

Abstract: A structurally integrated solar collector. Roof and wall covering components are integrated with solar collectors to permit solar energy to be converted to heat, electricity and hot water for use within a building. A roof truss is described that additionally captures sunlight for illuminating a building. The roof and wall components are adaptable to heating and cooling seasons so as to minimize the loss of air-conditioned air in the summer time and to maximize solar heating during cold months. Solar energy captured by a structurally integrated solar collector can be directly converted to electricity through use of photovoltaic materials or by harnessing airflow through structurally integrated solar collector to obtain electricity through mechanical conversion.

Abstract: A fixing member for fixing a solar cell module or a roofing member with no solar cell onto an installation face, said fixing member comprising a meshing portion to mesh at least a solar cell module or a part of a roofing member with no solar cell; a fixing portion to fix said fixing member to said installation face; and a raised portion to connect said meshing portion and said fixing portion, wherein said raised portion has a height which is greater than the thickness of a portion of said solar cell module or said roofing member which is engaged in the meshing by said meshing portion.

Abstract: A blast resistant window system includes a reinforced window pane defining an in-side and an out-side and being supported by a window framework for mounting at an opening in a wall. The window system further includes at least one pane-engaging member transversally extending adjacent an in-side surface of the window pane and secured at respective ends thereof to opposite framework elements or to opposite wall portions. Each of the pane-engaging member is fitted with at least one energy dispensing device for converting axial force within the pane-engaging member into mechanical work.

Abstract: A blast resistant window system comprising a reinforced window pane defining an in-side and an out-side and being supported by a window framework for mounting at an opening in a wall. The window system further comprises at least one pane-engaging member transversally extending adjacent an in-side surface of the window pane and secured at respective ends thereof to opposite construction elements. Each of the pane-engaging member is fitted with at least one energy dispensing device for converting axial force within the pane-engaging member into mechanical work.

Abstract: A tile comprises a fire resistant ceramic, which is obtained by mixing and kneading defatted bran obtained from rice bran and a thermosetting resin, primarily baking the resulting mixture in an inert gas at 700° C. to 1000° C., crushing the resulting product into carbonized powder, mixing and kneading the carbonized powder with a ceramic powder, a solvent and, optionally, a binder to provide a plasticized mixture (ceramic-solvent mixture), pressure forming the mixture at a compression pressure of 10 MPa to 100 MPa, and heat treating the resulting compact again in an atmosphere of an inert gas at 500 to 1400° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a loading dock door seal for sealing the space between a loading dock door opening and a vehicle backing up to the opening and an elongated longitudinal pad member for use in the loading dock door seal. The elongated longitudinal pad member comprises a mounting face for mounting said pad member to a surface; a sealing face for sealingly engaging the rear edge of a vehicle which backs up to and abuts against the pad member; whereby the pad member is formed of a first compressible resilient material, having a first predetermined degree of flexibility and having at least one flexing zone therein, the at least one flexing zone permitting the forced movement of the sealing face relative to the mounting face and thus the surface, to accommodate the movement of a vehicle in abutting and sealing engagement with the pad member.

Abstract: An aircraft engine run-up hangar comprises a building defining a test chamber capable of receiving an aircraft therein, an air inlet structure, and an exhaust structure. The air inlet structure is formed in a front end part of a roof structure corresponding to a front end part of the building, the exhaust structure is connected to a rear end part of the building and defines an exhaust passage extending obliquely upward from the back end of the building, and one or a plurality of current deflecting members are disposed near a lower end of the air inlet structure to deflect air currents flowing through the air inlet structure into the building toward an aircraft housed in the building. A current-straightening structure is incorporated into the air inlet structure. A current-straightening space is defined under the air inlet structure.

Abstract: An aircraft engine run-up hangar comprises a building defining a test chamber capable of receiving an aircraft therein, an air inlet structure, and an exhaust structure. The air inlet structure is formed in a front end part of a roof structure corresponding to a front end part of the building. The exhaust structure is connected to a rear end part of the building and defines an exhaust passage extending obliquely upward from the back end of the building. A ceiling included in the building has an inclined section sloping down backward to straighten air currents, and a groove is formed in a middle part, with respect to width, of the inclined section to permit a vertical tail fin of an aircraft to pass when the aircraft is carried into or out of the test chamber.

Abstract: A portable motor-vehicle workshop has a plurality of rigid rectangular I-beam reinforced floor panels, bolts securing the floor panels together to form a planar horizontal floor, and a plurality of portals each having a pair of spaced vertical lower posts having lower ends secured to the floor, respective angled connector beams extending inward and upward at acute angles from upper ends of the lower posts, respective upper posts extending vertically from upper ends of the angled beams, and a horizontal connector beam extending between upper ends of the respective upper posts. A plurality of panels are bolted to the posts and beams of the portals and enclose a space above the floor. A lift on the floor can raise a vehicle up between the upper posts.

Abstract: A workspace display for open plan spaces includes a partition with a plurality of freestanding partition walls configured to divide a building space into at least one workspace. The workspace has an opening permitting user ingress and egress, and the partition has a height lower than a ceiling height to form a gap between a top edge of the partition and a ceiling. The workspace display includes a dry erasable whiteboard secured to the partition, and a video device is mounted to the partition in a generally overhead position in optical communication with the whiteboard, such that an occupant of the workspace can electronically manipulate images on the whiteboard.

Abstract: A dock leveler, for bridging the gap between a loading dock platform and a vehicle at the dock, includes an adjustably overlapping lip and ramp that provide a traffic surface of variable length to accommodate situations where there is only a limited amount of space for the lip to rest on the rear of the vehicle. The lip pivots and translates from a stored, pendant orientation to an operative orientation with a range of extended positions. In the stored position, one edge of the lip protrudes above the deck to inhibit material handling equipment from accidentally driving over the edge of the deck when a vehicle is not parked adjacent the dock leveler.

Abstract: A main structure that can be constructed using either solid steel assembly (32) or reinforced concrete assembly (33) acts as the main structural component for new and remodel construction. The main structure whether it uses assembly (33) or assembly (32) is comprised of cells of equilateral size and each cell has a passage between inner and outer wall created using this method of construction. The inner wall uses the passages to secure accompanying structures and systems to a wall that use this structural system. The outer wall uses the passages to secure retaining assembly (34) to the structure. Retaining assembly (34) holds a strata of soil to the wall and creates plateaus along face of outer wall. The plateaus created by securing retaining assembly (34) to main assembly's (32) or (33) give vegetation a place to be planted and secured to a wall that incorporate the construction method of this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (and devices) for controlling the moisture in wood frame building walls by controlled forced ventilation. The object of the invention is to improve the long term structural performance of the wall by keeping the moisture in the wall cavity below acceptable levels. The invention can also be used to help identify possible water related breaches or defects in the wall at specific locations.

Abstract: A modified stress skin panel includes a stress skin panel and at least two substantially vertical studs which are molded into the stress skin panel during manufacture or inserted after manufacture. An opening is formed between two substantially vertical studs for insertion of a window, door, or other item. A header stud may also be attached to two of the at two substantially vertical studs to support a load above the opening. A stress skin panel stud inserter includes a stud guide assembly, a heater element, a heater controller, a pair of rails, and a pair of clamps. A second embodiment of a stress skin panel stud inserter utilizes a stud heater element which is attached to a bottom of the stud. A third embodiment of a stress skin panel stud inserter includes a hot air shroud and an alignment jig. The hot air shroud is attached to a bottom of the stud and the alignment jig is used to guide the stud during insertion thereof into the stress skin panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible frame for a loading dock shelter. The flexible frame utilizes open channels that are clinched together to serve as supports. The supports are used in side frames that form part of the flexible frame. Each side frame includes a back support, a front support, and in a preferred form, one or more lateral supports that are pivotally connected to both the front and back supports. At least one of said supports is formed from open channels which are secured together, preferably by clinching. The back supports of the flexible frame are mounted to a loading dock wall. The pivotal connection between the lateral support and the front and back supports allows the front support to move relative to the back support when a vehicle comes into contact with the side frame as the vehicle enters the loading dock shelter. The present invention also provides an improved method of making a flexible frame for a vehicle shelter and mounting the flexible frame to a loading dock.

Abstract: A dwelling system having a housing for enclosing an oversized vehicle where the oversized vehicle is generally an oversized vehicle such as a large truck, a recreational vehicle or a mobile home, for example. In one embodiment, the housing uses oversized doors with mock doors and windows such that the oversized garage enclosure is externally concealed. In another embodiment, the garage includes components that are vertically actuable so as to accommodate ingress and egress of an oversized vehicle.

Abstract: A combined bed and shelter device is disclosed. The device is anchored through a plurality of parallel spaced joists to a base for protecting a user in the event of a natural disaster or the like. The device includes a housing defining an enclosure of generally rectangular configuration, the housing including a container having a floor defining a peripheral edge and a wall extending angularly relative to the peripheral edge. A lid is pivotally secured to the container and cooperates with the wall such that the container and the lid define therebetween the enclosure for occupancy by the user in the event of the disaster. A mattress is supported by the lid such that when the lid is disposed in a first location thereof, the mattress supported by the lid serves as the bed for the user thereof and when the lid is disposed in a second location thereof with the lid pivoted about the container, access to the enclosure is permitted so that protection of the user within the enclosure is afforded.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a roller seal rotatably mounted to a support for rotation about an axis. The roller seal is movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area, to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle. Preferably, a curtain is suspended distally of the roller seal such that, when the roller seal is in the second position, the curtain forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal forms a second seal with the top of the vehicle. The curtain is semi-rigid and, in some instances, defines a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the roller seal over the leading edge of a vehicle approaching the loading dock.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a roller seal rotatably mounted to a support for rotation about an axis. The roller seal is movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area, to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle. Preferably, a curtain is suspended distally of the roller seal such that, when the roller seal is in the second position, the curtain forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal forms a second seal with the top of the vehicle. The curtain is semi-rigid and, in some instances, defines a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the roller seal over the leading edge of a vehicle approaching the loading dock.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention for minimizing the floor-to-ceiling temperature gradient of a room containing a ceiling, a floor, walls and at least one door and one window, includes the utilization of a phase change material adjacent the ceiling surface and a phase change material adjacent the floor surface. In order to effectively minimize the floor-to-ceiling temperature gradient of the room, first and second phase change materials may be either the same or different, or may be blends of phase change materials. Most preferably, the melting temperature of the first phase change material adjacent the ceiling is greater than the crystallization temperature of the second phase change material adjacent the floor. Preferably, the melting temperature of the first phase change material is 25° C. plus or minus 1° C. and the crystallization temperature of the second phase change material is 22° C. plus or minus 1° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bumper device which is to be mounted on a stationary object to absorb a shock in the case a vehicle collides against the object, comprising at least one body of resilient material; and, at least on the front part of the body, a closed and flat front element of material with a low coefficient of friction in the case of contact with material of the vehicle.

Abstract: A storage system for a building such as a house. Specially sized containers are kept in the unused space under the raised floor of a building. An opening in the floor provides access, and is closeable by a cover. A translation means supports the containers, and moves them from exactly under the opening to a space for stowage. The preferred translation means includes a rail system supporting a train of serially coupled wagons. Each wagon has a guard sized to receive matingly one container. The train is moveable to align one of the wagons with the floor opening, for access of its container. A dust cover protects the contents. Being transparent, the cover allows quick inspection of the contents. A jack includes moving arms that push the container upwards through an opening in the wagon, and then also through the floor opening. The rail system includes rails that are closed loop, and are either attached to the underside of the floor, or supported by the grade.

Abstract: A door construction for a magnetically shielded room including a door having interior and exterior sections corresponding to the interior and exterior shells of the magnetically shielded room which provides electric and magnetic continuity between the interior and exterior sections of a door and the interior and exterior shells when the door is in the closed position.