A support assembly for mounting masonry veneer to supporting wall structure has a first shelf angle, a second shelf angle, and a first shelf angle mounting bracket. Each shelf angle mounting bracket has an upwardly extending back that mounts to the supporting wall structure, and a web extending forwardly away from the wall structure. The web has at least a first shelf angle mounting seats formed in a lower region thereof that hangs downwardly of a vertical load shear transfer connection. A brace is mounted to the bracket. The brace underhangs the cantilevered supporting structure, and provides a moment reaction. The brace has a non-intrusive interface with the supporting structure. That interface may be in compression and the brace may act as a strut. The brace may be thermally isolated from the bracket. The brace may fit within the space envelope of a stud wall.

A protractible and retractable mast system for an autonomous mobile robot includes an elongate flexible member including a first lateral end and a second lateral end, and a fastener having a first portion extending along a length of the first lateral end and a second portion extending along a length of the second lateral end. The flexible member is configured to be at least partially coiled within a body of the robot, and a portion of the flexible member is vertically movable away from the body when the flexible member is being uncoiled. The fastener is configured to connect the first lateral end to the second lateral end when the flexible member is being uncoiled, and disconnect the first lateral end from the second lateral end when the flexible member is being coiled.

A mechanical utility invention that creates an expandable sustainable member beam with spikes with utility in its substantially different shape, mobility, multi-functional capabilities, and sustainability from its conventional counter part. It can be utilized independently, as a utility stand, in plurality, sharing a base(s) and platform(s), as a step, or in conjunction with other expandable sustainable member beams with spikes from which to build. Some embodiments may replace a conventional wood or metal 248 stud in many applications. Additional utilities include, but not limited to: a post, concrete form, assistive device for mobility challenged individuals, independent balance, self-leveling, varying angular degree manipulation, elevational deployment and retraction capabilities. It can be substantially shortened for transport and deploy to varying longitudinal values to regain its utility upon user demand. Thereafter, it can be uninstalled and used again for like or different utilities, making it largely sustainable.

The present invention relates to a structural element known in the technical field as tensairity, which introduces as distinctive elements with respect to the known art: (i) ropes in the shape-memory alloy (SMA) with superelastic (SE) and shape memory (ME) behavior; (ii) mechanical tensioners for the adjustment of the initial tension in the ropes; (iii) optionally a control apparatus (processor) is connected to electric circuits that induce flow of intensity variable current through the SMA wire ropes; (iv) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the temperature and the level of tension in the SMA ropes; (v) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the tensairity oscillations; (vi) optionally new structural geometries capable of sustaining static actions and multidirectional dynamics.

A hybrid truss assembly with a truss bay centrally deployed, and with half-bays deployed on either side. The configuration provides four panels (such as solar panels), with two chords connected by four transverse members. The half-bays are locked in a rigid position using a barrel lock hinge assembly. The half-bays fold compactly beside the folded center bay assembly when retracted. The truss assembly may be pivotally mounted on a mobile cart, and may then be manually or automatically tilted or rotated to a desired angle.

Systems for reinforcement of structural elements such as piles, posts, pillars, and pipes are disclosed. The present invention features reinforced structural elements. The reinforced structural elements may include a sleeve structure positioned around a length of the structural element such that there is a chamber between the structural element and the sleeve structure. This chamber may be filled with concrete or another core filler material so as to reinforce the structural element. The sleeve structures of the present invention may be formed by the assembly of multiple staggered segmented layers of coupled reinforcing shells such as rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible fiber-reinforced shells.

An architectural structure for constructing a variety of goods in a variety of configurations is provided. The architectural structure includes a plurality of paired slat-like members and a spine configured to hold the plurality of paired slat-like members in an expanded state. Each paired slat-like members includes joined upper ends, joined lower ends and an expandable central region joined to an adjacent paired slat-like members.

An access module for a modular access structure has a longitudinally and vertically extending first frame and a longitudinally and vertically extending second frame. The second frame laterally opposes the first frame. A deformable lower support structure laterally extends between the first and second frames. The lower support structure includes a deck spanning a longitudinal length of the access module. A deformable upper support structure laterally extends between the first and second frames. The upper support structure is spaced above the deck. The access module is configurable by deformation of the lower and upper support structures between an extended configuration in which the first and second frames are spaced apart a first distance and the deck is generally horizontal and a collapsed configuration in which a distance between the first and second frames is less than the first distance. The access module is adapted to be fastened end to end to a second access module.

An uplift-resisting assembly, connected to a top of a tubular member of a height adjustable structural column, acts to transfer load, particularly uplift loads imposed on the structure to which the column supports, therethrough and into the tubular member. The housing of the assembly is connected to the tubular member, which is connected to a base such as a footing. A threaded rod extends through the housing and into the tubular member. A top plate, connectable to a structure above is attached to the top of the threaded rod. An adjustment nut, threaded onto the threaded rod for adjusting the height of the column is sandwiched between the top of the housing and the top of the tubular member. The adjustment nut bears on the tubular member in compression and bears on the top of the housing during uplift, the uplift being transferred via the housing into the tubular member.

The present application relates to the structure of a load-bearing column and a factory using the same. The load-bearing columns comprise a first column, a second column and a third column. The first column is a reinforced concrete column and is arranged on the underground floor. The second column is a pre-fabricated reinforced concrete column on the ground floor and is fixed to the top of the first column. The third column is fixed to the top of the second column, wherein the third column comprises a steel column and a third reinforcing bar assembly which surrounds the circumference of the steel column and extends from the bottom of the steel column in an axial direction to a predetermined distance.