Flexural digital materials are discrete parts that can be assembled into a lattice structure to produce an actuatable structure capable of coordinated reversible spatially-distributed deformation. The structure comprises a set of discrete flexural digital material units assembled according to a lattice geometry, with a majority of the discrete units being connected, or adapted to be connected, to at least two other units according to the geometry. In response to certain types of loading of the structure, a coordinated reversible spatially-distributed deformation of at least part of the structure occurs. The deformation of the structure is due to the shape or material composition of the discrete units, the configuration of connections between the units, and/or the configuration of the lattice geometry. Exemplary types of such actuatable structures include airplane wing sections and robotic leg structures. An automated process may be employed for constructing an actuatable structure from flexural digital materials.

Flexural digital materials are discrete parts that can be assembled into a lattice structure to produce an actuatable structure capable of coordinated reversible spatially-distributed deformation. The structure comprises a set of discrete flexural digital material units assembled according to a lattice geometry, with a majority of the discrete units being connected, or adapted to be connected, to at least two other units according to the geometry. In response to certain types of loading of the structure, a coordinated reversible spatially-distributed deformation of at least part of the structure occurs. The deformation of the structure is due to the shape or material composition of the discrete units, the configuration of connections between the units, and/or the configuration of the lattice geometry. Exemplary types of such actuatable structures include airplane wing sections and robotic leg structures. An automated process may be employed for constructing an actuatable structure from flexural digital materials.

A floor may include a substrate having a top side and a bottom side. A top layer may be provided on the substrate. The top layer may consist of a printed thermoplastic film and a thermoplastic transparent or translucent layer provided on the printed thermoplastic film. The top layer may be directly adhered to the substrate by heat welding the printed thermoplastic film and the top side of the substrate, in the absence of a glue layer. The substrate may be a synthetic material board including a filler. The substrate at least at two opposite edges may include coupling means provided in the synthetic material board. The thermoplastic transparent or translucent layer may be provided with a structure.

The disclosed subject matter concerns earth based mixtures, methods of preparing mixtures, and a process of forming articles of manufacture, as well as a process of manufacturing articles in molds configured for compression molding of earth based mixtures in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, including mixtures containing one or more of, e.g., sand, silt, clay, minerals, or any combination thereof.

The disclosed subject matter concerns earth based mixtures, methods of preparing mixtures, and a process of forming articles of manufacture, as well as a process of manufacturing articles in molds configured for compression molding of earth based mixtures in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, including mixtures containing one or more of, e.g., sand, silt, clay, minerals, or any combination thereof.

A floor panel has a rectangular and oblong shape, and includes a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate and forming a decorative side of the floor panel. The top layer is composed of a print provided on a carrier sheet and a transparent thermoplastic layer situated above the print. The substrate has a thickness from 2 to 10 millimeter and forms at least half of the thickness of the floor panel. The substrate is a polyurethane-based substrate and the transparent thermoplastic layer is polyurethane-based. The floor panel has a length of more than 1.1 meters and has a plurality of reinforcing layers situated outside the center line of the substrate. A reinforcing layer may be provided in combination with the substrate and the top layer.

A system and method of masonry construction using masonry blocks and anchors, wherein the blocks are laid end to end, and an anchor is inserted between them. The anchor both spaces and secures the blocks, even before mortar is applied. The anchors contain legs recess between the walls of the masonry construction, and create a space for the walls to recess in to on the anchor, thereby providing multi-directional securement of the system. Embodiments of the system also contain grooves for additional securement and complemental engagement of the anchors.

A system and method of masonry construction using masonry blocks and anchors, wherein the blocks are laid end to end, and an anchor is inserted between them. The anchor both spaces and secures the blocks, even before mortar is applied. The anchors contain legs recess between the walls of the masonry construction, and create a space for the walls to recess in to on the anchor, thereby providing multi-directional securement of the system. Embodiments of the system also contain grooves for additional securement and complemental engagement of the anchors.

A construction block unit includes a construction block including a bottom plate having a rectangular shape, sidewalls attached to each side of the bottom plate via hinges, wherein the sidewalls rotate on the hinges from a position planar with the bottom plate for storage to a position perpendicular to the bottom plate to form a receptacle configured to receive and contain a weight, and a pair of interlocking portions, each at opposite sides of the construction block to fasten the sidewalls in the position perpendicular to the bottom plate. Each of the pair of interlocking portions is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion.

A construction block unit includes a construction block including a bottom plate having a rectangular shape, sidewalls attached to each side of the bottom plate via hinges, wherein the sidewalls rotate on the hinges from a position planar with the bottom plate for storage to a position perpendicular to the bottom plate to form a receptacle configured to receive and contain a weight, and a pair of interlocking portions, each at opposite sides of the construction block to fasten the sidewalls in the position perpendicular to the bottom plate. Each of the pair of interlocking portions is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion.