Abstract: A system and method for reinforcing a spa shell includes a structural support layer on an underside of the spa shell. The structural support layer may include an inner layer of rigidizer, a central foam layer, and an outer layer of rigidizer. The structural support layer may extend from a bottom side of the underside of the spa shell, across at least one sidewall of the underside of the spa shell to a lip of the spa shell, the structural support layer forming at least one rib along the sidewall of the underside of the spa shell.

Abstract: A method of anchoring multiple tie-downs of a pool cover of an in-ground swimming pool, which is surrounded by stone or concrete pavers, uses a tubular footing member with multiple flange plates laterally extending along its length. The flange plates include a base flange plate which enclosed the distal end of the footing member and one or more medial flange plates surrounding the tubular circumference of the footing member between its proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the footing member is open and this proximal opening has interior threading which conjugately mates with the threaded shank of a coupling screw to which a tie-down is anchored.

Abstract: A water bonding device for electrically grounding a swimming pool is described. Embodiments include a bonding electrode installed in a pool skimmer or pump strainer. The bonding electrode typically resides in a skimmer or strainer cavity, and a ground conductor coupled directly to the electrode extends out of the skimmer or strainer through a port. A plug assembly forms a water tight seal against the port and the ground conductor, providing a water tight access point for the ground conductor to enter the pool skimmer or pump strainer. The ground conductor is typically electrically connected to both the bonding electrode and a ground pole residing at ground potential.

Abstract: A method of constructing an inhabitable underground structure is disclosed that comprises the steps: creating a cutout in the earth at a desired location to generally match a desired shape of an interior of the underground structure; applying a reinforcement structure to an outer perimeter of the cutout; and applying shotcrete over the reinforcement structure to create a monolithic underground structure.

Abstract: A procedure for making swimming pools and artificial lakes in general includes the following steps: excavation of a tank; preparation of a subgrade by spreading the bottom of the excavation with a layer of sand; then spreading one or more sheets of nonwoven fabric on the inside surface of the excavation, over the layer of the subgrade; placement of a waterproofing layer over the sheet(s) of nonwoven fabric; installation of the equipment needed for proper functioning of the tank, swimming pool, etc; and application of a coating on the inside walls and/or on the bottom and/or around the edge of the tank, with holes or interstitial spaces such to enable water contained inside the tank to come into contact with the sheets, wherein the thrust of the water contained in the tank thus comes to bear on the sheets.

Abstract: It is provided an underground structure, usable at least as a shelter, having a light weight substantially cylindrical portion, of a cylindrical casing having a weight to area ratio in the range of 8 to 30 kg/m2. The casing has a strength level and an impermeability level high enough for serving as part a sealable underground liquid storage tank and at least one sealable opening connecting it to external spaces. The cylindrical portion includes openings for entering and exiting the interior of the portion, and passageways communicate the structure with outside spaces. The surrounding ground provides a geo-thermal reservoir which is used to regulate by a flowing fluid the temperature of the shelter space, modules inside the shelter or above ground structures. The structure includes provisions for receiving of variety of auxiliary systems like an air-treatment system, communication system water and power supply.

Abstract: An LNG system generally comprises a primary container, and a secondary container positioned around the primary container. The secondary container generally comprises a first end wall, a second end wall, and at least two side walls. At least one of the walls is fabricated from a plurality of prefabricated wall panels. Each of the wall panels is fabricated from a combination of concrete and steel. The wall panels are preferably prefabricated offsite, and then transported to the construction site where they are adjoined together in end-to-end fashion to form walls. A method for constructing a full containment LNG system is also provided. In one embodiment, walls and a roof for a secondary container are assembled, but leaving an end open. At least one primary tank is brought into the secondary container. A second end wall is then erected to form the enclosure for the secondary container.

Abstract: A concrete container including a concrete footing including a shear key; a concrete wall inserted in the shear key; a plurality of footing reinforcing members inserted in the concrete footing on a support side of the shear key and extending above the concrete footing; a plurality of wall reinforcing members inserted in the concrete wall on a support side of the concrete wall and extending diagonally towards the concrete footing; a poured concrete moment connection substantially covering the plurality of footing reinforcing members extending from the pre-cast concrete footing and the plurality of wall reinforcing members extending from the wall.

Abstract: A method of using liner-like cores or core assemblies for creating in-ground concrete spas or swim pools. For larger projects, that is for enlarged scale spas or swim pools, the inventive liner-like core comprises an assembly of sections. The cores or core assemblies are re-usable at least for several projects if reasonably maintained and cleaned. The core assembly comprises two long walls and two short wall defining the perimeter around a split level bottom with a shallow end, a deep end, and an intermediate transition slope. The liner-like core is constructed from a suitable rigid material like fiberglass for stiffening purposes and is an assembly of sections and also comprises: leveling blocks, transverse support beams, and hangers that attach to the walls of the core assembly and stiffens the long walls against being warped inward during the concrete pour.

Abstract: A procedure for making swimming pools and artificial lakes in general includes the following steps: excavation of a tank; preparation of a subgrade by spreading the bottom of the excavation with a layer of sand; then spreading one or more sheets of nonwoven fabric on the inside surface of the excavation, over the layer of the subgrade; placement of a waterproofing layer over sheet(s) of nonwoven fabric; installation of the equipment needed for proper functioning of the tank, swimming pool, etc; and application of a coating on the inside walls and/or on the bottom and/or around the edge of the tank, with holes or interstitial spaces such to enable water contained inside the tank to come into contact with the sheets, wherein the thrust of the water contained in the tank thus comes to bear on the sheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a two-dimensional panel (1) for floor coverings, wall and ceiling coverings, preferably for moisture-prone rooms, comprising the following steps: milling one upper longitudinal groove (6) into a base panel, starting from its useful side (5), the longitudinal groove (6) is filled with an elastic water-repellent plastics or sealing mass (9); and after hardening of the plastics or sealing mass (9), at least one lower longitudinal groove (11) is milled, starting from its rear side (10), the depth of which groove reaching as far as to the sealing mass (9) or into the sealing mass of one of the upper longitudinal grooves (6), thus forming an elastic expansion joint (12) of the panel (1).

Abstract: A process for constructing water receptacles such as swimming pools, fountains and artificial ponds, comprising in one embodiments the following steps: excavating the receptacle; preparing the foundation by laying a layer of sand on the bottom of the excavation; laying of one or more sheets of a non-woven fabric on the internal surface of the excavation and on the foundation layer; laying a waterproofing layer on top of said sheet of non-woven fabric; disposing modular elements for stabilizing the lining to be applied; adding all equipment necessary for a proper functioning of said basin, swimming pool, etc.; lining the internal walls of the receptacle and/or of the bottom of the receptacle and/or of the edge of the receptacle with smoothed natural stones disposed on top of said waterproofing layer; and applying a binding resin on said lining.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a housing partially above and below the ground containing a fuel cell beneath ground level and a fuel tank disposed above the fuel cell.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide adjustable pit liners for use in conjunction with pipelines installed underground. The pit liners provide surface access to devices in fluid communication with the pipeline. The adjustability of the pit liners facilitates installation of the pit liners before the final grade surrounding the pit is known. In various embodiments, a tubular structure having an upper section and a lower section is provided, wherein the upper section and the lower section are slideably connected in a telescoping relationship. A locking mechanism is also provided to releaseably lock the overall height of the tubular structure as desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aquarium with a water tank (2), filled with water (3) when in operation and containing objects for investigation (4, 19), in particularly biological organisms, said water tank (2) being at least partly located below ground in the earth (5). According to the invention, the water tank (2) runs so deep into the earth (5) that, at least the bottom of the water tank (2) is at the pressure of the deep sea. The invention further relates to a corresponding method of operation.

Abstract: This method includes the steps consisting in creating an excavation; installing a watertight membrane (11) over the entire excavation and over the area (5) intended to receive the coping; installing grids (21) along the lateral walls of the excavation, at a specific distance from the watertight membrane (11); connecting these grids (21) together pouring concrete (30) into the excavation and immobilizing the grids (21) with respect to the excavation; holding the upper portion of the grids (21) in relation to the ground filling the space between the grids (21) and the watertight membrane (11) with a decorative filling material, in particular pebbles (39); and building the coping so as to permanently immobilize the grids (21).

Abstract: A drywall repair tool for repairing a localized defect in drywall, and the method of using same, the tool having a conical abrading surface, a circular cutting rim and an annular abutment collar, whereby rotation of the tool creates a hole having a conical wall, where the inner diameter of the hole is smaller than the outer diameter, such that a replacement plug having a conical wall corresponding to the size and configuration of the conical wall of the hole can be readily positioned within the hole and adhesively secured.

Abstract: A crypt arrangement (10) for a cemetery comprises upright hollow cells (11) and upright angled sections (12, 13, 14) arranged in a layer. Burial crypts are formed by spaces within the cells (11), and by spaces between the cells and the angled sections (12, 13, 14). At least one planting zone (22) is formed by a space at least partially defined by some of the cells (11) and the angled sections (12, 13, 14). Each cell (11) is generally rectangular when viewed from above, and comprises a continuous upright wall formed from a pair of generally parallel side walls, and a pair of generally parallel end walls. The angled sections (12, 13, 14) each comprise two orthogonal wall portions. Each wall portion has a free end which abuts a corner of a respective cell. Each angled section also has a corner portion which abuts with a corner of another cell. The cells (11) and the angled sections (12, 13, 14) can be arranged in modules placed in a repeating pattern, with each module having at least one planting zone (22).

Abstract: An attached sump collar for an underground storage tank (UST) provides a flat surface for a connection with a fixture from the UST. Connecting the fixture at a flat surface of the sump collar advantageously improves the efficiency of the seal between the collar and the fixture. The connection may be made at a nearly right angle. In one embodiment, the seal is liquidtight, and the collar is used in combination with a liquidtight riser.

Abstract: A method of removing a predetermined area and depth of formable material from an expanse of the formable material having a top surface. The method makes use of a volume indicating tool that includes a depth indicator that has a material surface indicator and a depth guide. The material surface indicator is at a height above the depth guide substantially equal to the predetermined depth. The volume indicating also includes an area indicator, indicating an area equal to the predetermined area. The volume indicating tool is pushed into the formable material until the material surface indicator is level with the top surface of the formable material, thereby pushing the depth guide to the predetermined depth. Then a shovel is pushed into the deformable material until it reaches the depth of the depth guide and is used to gather formable material. The shovel is emptied at a location away from the shovel guide tool.

Abstract: A unitary or modular, pre-cast, drive-down pit system suitable for use in a heavy equipment wash installation. The completed pit collects runoff generated by the washing of heavy equipment such as construction, industrial, farming, or road-building equipment. The pre-cast concrete separation unit and separate wall sections have tongue and groove mating ends that facilitate assembling the pit and provide for sealing against leakage of water. The wall sections have built-in rebar attachment and water block elements at an angle so as to provide for a strong and waterproof bond with the ramp floor. The ramp floor is concrete, poured after installation of the separation unit and the wall sections to complete the finished drive-down pit. The separation unit has up to four chambers: a primary solids collection section; a secondary solids settling chamber; a free oil separating section; and a pump water holding section.

Abstract: A method of preparing a smooth watertight concrete in-ground pool surface that eliminates the use of a plaster outer surface layer that includes allowing the concrete pool body to cure for at least thirty days at which time a grinder is used to grind the surface to a smoothness and depth that is watertight and that exposes aggregates within the pool surface resulting in an aesthetically desirable permanently finished pool surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact, environmentally benign onsite waste water treatment and disposal system installed secondary to conventional primary treatment process. It is a method and apparatus for the biological purification and natural disposal of liquid wastes using a secondary single pass trickling filter in conjunction with an evapotranspiration absorption (ETA) tertiary disposal bed.

Abstract: The method for building an underground structure capable of utilizing a part of a permanent structure as a strut for earth construction, comprises the steps of: driving in an H-section steel pile on a boundary line at which a building is installed; driving a center pile on a position where the pillar of the building is installed; carrying out a primary excavating work; coupling the H-section steel pile with a concrete retaining wall by means of a fixing shear connecting means, thereby constructing an underground composite retaining wall; installing a girder to be used as a part of a permanent structure on the composite retaining wall by means of an embedded plate an assembling and disposing the girder to the center pile; and carrying out a secondary excavating work and repeating the steps after the primary excavating work until the earth is excavated up to the lowermost part of the building.

Abstract: A swimming pool construction is of the type using metal fabricated walls and a plastics liner covering the walls and a rigid excavated pool base. The metal fabricated walls include spaced inner and outer panels defining therebetween a crawl space. The inner panels define the inner surface of the pool. The outer panels engage the surrounding soil. The panels are mounted on support members and rails supported on pairs of piles at spaced positions around the periphery of the pool. The panels are supported initially on bottom rails which are used as forms to cast a concrete layer therebetween. The panels are supported in spaced positions temporarily by a rigid arch form into which is cast a cast concrete arch allowing the rails and the arch form to be removed for re-use. The arch is cast integrally with a concrete floor which sits on supporting panels bridging the rails and resting on flat top supporting surfaces of the concrete piles.

Abstract: A protective shelter for installation above and in the ground including a superstructure style frame, a composite wall structure for absorbing energy from missile impacts, and a tub encased in a foundation. The invention also discloses a method for constructing a protective shelter including a tub form and a superstructure which includes utilizing the availability of the tub form to provide a downward force such that the superstructure is not floated out of the excavation when the encasement is poured and removing the downward force after the concrete encasement has reached initial set stage. A further disclosure of the invention includes an energy absorbing compound wall structure for dissipating, transferring, and converting to potential energy the kinetic energy of a missile impact.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming a small building includes a continuous curved wall forming a semi-arcuate arch, the wall comprised of lightweight cellular material such as foamed blocks. The blocks may be identical and interchangeably secured in place by adhesive to form the wall, so that the arch is easily constructed. The arched wall comprises both the longitudinal sides and the top of the structure. In addition, the structure includes an outer skin which covers the entire exterior of the arched wall. The outer skin is both a weatherproof layer and a tension member to apply a compressive force uniformly to the outer surface of the arched wall and significantly augment the load strength of the arch, resulting in a structure that is made very strong with a minimum mass of material.

Abstract: An ice skating rink structure comprising a plurality of boards and a plurality of brackets is provided. Each of the brackets has a U-shaped support for holding one or more of the boards and has at least one downward projection for insertion into the ground. The downward projection of the bracket is inserted into the ground and boards are placed within the U-shaped support such that the boards define the shape of an ice skating rink. A liner is placed inside of the ice skating rink and water is poured onto the liner and allowed to freeze and form an ice skating rink. By using boards with different heights, the present invention allows for the quick assembly of an ice skating rink on level or unlevel ground.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed, insulated, fiberglass and/or polymeric burial vault. The burial vault may include inner and outer layers with an insulation material there between. Additionally, an anchor or other device may be utilized to hold the burial vault in the ground.