The present approaches are in the in the field of vacuum (or pneumatic) elevators, where the elevator cabin is brought into motion in a vertically situated or vertically inclined and hermetically sealed elevator shaft by means of aerial pressure differential above and below the elevator cabin. Such approaches do not require having any ropes, pulleys, chains, gears, or hydraulics that are traditionally used in conventional elevator systems. More specifically, the present approaches are in the field of panoramic vacuum elevators, where the elevator hoistway is built of panoramic glass panels running from floor to ceiling of every floor and the elevator cabin is built of panoramic glass panels running from floor to the ceiling of the cabin, and that this type of elevator does not incorporate any metal constructive structures—frames, mesh, guides or rails that are traditionally used in every conventional elevator product.

The present approaches are in the in the field of vacuum (or pneumatic) elevators, where the elevator cabin is brought into motion in a vertically situated or vertically inclined and hermetically sealed elevator shaft by means of aerial pressure differential above and below the elevator cabin. Such approaches do not require having any ropes, pulleys, chains, gears, or hydraulics that are traditionally used in conventional elevator systems. More specifically, the present approaches are in the field of panoramic vacuum elevators, where the elevator hoistway is built of panoramic glass panels running from floor to ceiling of every floor and the elevator cabin is built of panoramic glass panels running from floor to the ceiling of the cabin, and that this type of elevator does not incorporate any metal constructive structures—frames, mesh, guides or rails that are traditionally used in every conventional elevator product.

A composite structure joining system and method comprises a structural panel, preferably but not necessarily fabricated from structural composite materials, that further comprises a nesting C-joint feature that facilitates assembly of a plurality of panels of the invention to form a planar structure such as a wall. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of the panels of the invention, joined together using the C joint of the invention, captured in a frame. The frame structural elements may comprise metals such as aluminum or steel, or may be hand laid or extruded fiberglass as described in more detail below. The invention further comprises methods of manufacturing a plurality of structural panels of the invention. The method of the invention may be used to fabricate intermodal shipping containers that have superior structural and thermal characteristics, are lightweight, resulting in lower transportation costs and lower container costs.

A composite structure joining system and method comprises a structural panel, preferably but not necessarily fabricated from structural composite materials, that further comprises a nesting C-joint feature that facilitates assembly of a plurality of panels of the invention to form a planar structure such as a wall. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of the panels of the invention, joined together using the C joint of the invention, captured in a frame. The frame structural elements may comprise metals such as aluminum or steel, or may be hand laid or extruded fiberglass as described in more detail below. The invention further comprises methods of manufacturing a plurality of structural panels of the invention. The method of the invention may be used to fabricate intermodal shipping containers that have superior structural and thermal characteristics, are lightweight, resulting in lower transportation costs and lower container costs.

The panel includes a water resistant barrier layer secured atop its outward facing surface. The water resistant barrier layer includes a skid resistant surface. The panels are made of lignocellulosic material. The water resistant and skid resistant surface may include indicia for aligning strips of tape or for aligning fasteners. A method for manufacturing the water resistant building panels is also disclosed and includes the steps of feeding paper onto a forming belt, depositing lignocellulosic material and the binding agent onto the forming belt so as to form a lignocellulosic mat, applying heat and pressure so as to impart the skid resistant surface on the paper, and cutting panels to predetermined sizes.

The panel includes a water resistant barrier layer secured atop its outward facing surface. The water resistant barrier layer includes a skid resistant surface. The panels are made of lignocellulosic material. The water resistant and skid resistant surface may include indicia for aligning strips of tape or for aligning fasteners. A method for manufacturing the water resistant building panels is also disclosed and includes the steps of feeding paper onto a forming belt, depositing lignocellulosic material and the binding agent onto the forming belt so as to form a lignocellulosic mat, applying heat and pressure so as to impart the skid resistant surface on the paper, and cutting panels to predetermined sizes.

A composite structure joining system and method comprises a structural panel, preferably but not necessarily fabricated from structural composite materials, that further comprises a nesting C-joint feature that facilitates assembly of a plurality of panels of the invention to form a planar structure such as a wall. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of the panels of the invention, joined together using the C joint of the invention, captured in a frame. The frame structural elements may comprise metals such as aluminum or steel, or may be hand laid or extruded fiberglass as described in more detail below. The invention further comprises methods of manufacturing a plurality of structural panels of the invention. The method of the invention may be used to fabricate intermodal shipping containers that have superior structural and thermal characteristics, are lightweight, resulting in lower transportation costs and lower container costs.

A composite structure joining system and method comprises a structural panel, preferably but not necessarily fabricated from structural composite materials, that further comprises a nesting C-joint feature that facilitates assembly of a plurality of panels of the invention to form a planar structure such as a wall. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of the panels of the invention, joined together using the C joint of the invention, captured in a frame. The frame structural elements may comprise metals such as aluminum or steel, or may be hand laid or extruded fiberglass as described in more detail below. The invention further comprises methods of manufacturing a plurality of structural panels of the invention. The method of the invention may be used to fabricate intermodal shipping containers that have superior structural and thermal characteristics, are lightweight, resulting in lower transportation costs and lower container costs.

A wall panel includes a first and second planar skins and a core disposed therebetween. A first and second lateral edge extends between the skins. The second lateral edge comprises a female receiver. The first lateral edge comprises a male extension extending therefrom. The female receiver is formed in the core and has a depth equal to or greater than a length of the male extension. The male extension is formed from the core comprises a first parallel surface extending parallel to and offset from the first planar skin and a second parallel surface extending parallel to and offset from the second planar skin. A first tapered portion comprises a first tapered surface extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis from the first parallel surface to a rounded end, and a second tapered surface extending at the angle from the second parallel surface to the rounded end.

A wall panel includes a first and second planar skins and a core disposed therebetween. A first and second lateral edge extends between the skins. The second lateral edge comprises a female receiver. The first lateral edge comprises a male extension extending therefrom. The female receiver is formed in the core and has a depth equal to or greater than a length of the male extension. The male extension is formed from the core comprises a first parallel surface extending parallel to and offset from the first planar skin and a second parallel surface extending parallel to and offset from the second planar skin. A first tapered portion comprises a first tapered surface extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis from the first parallel surface to a rounded end, and a second tapered surface extending at the angle from the second parallel surface to the rounded end.