A lifting system for a concrete component comprises a void former incorporated into the component during casting and which provides within the component a void which receives a locking pin of a lifting anchor assembly which is locked within the void by rotation of a locking pin. The lifting anchor assembly has a visual indicator to indicate when the pin is in its locked condition within the void, and a pivotal lifting shackle of the assembly is prevented from movement into a position in which lifting can take place until the pin is in its locked condition. Preferably a base of the void former is configured to retain components of a jacking system by which a concrete slab used for road repair can be jacked into a level configuration with the remainder of the roadway when it has been positioned by use of the lifting system.

Fabrication of a multi-story building includes fabricating floor plates at or near ground level, and lifting them to a final position on a vertical support core. A method for assembling one of the floor plates assembling a floor plate frame near ground level. Cambers are imparted into framing members based upon expected deflections, and metal decking is installed onto the floor plate frame. A plurality of permanent support points for the floor plate are determined, wherein the floor plate is attachable to the vertical support core at the permanent support points. First pedestals are installed between ground level and the floor plate frame proximal to the permanent support points for the floor plate. Hardenable material is dispersed onto the metal decking of the floor plate frame while the floor plate frame is lifted at the permanent support points.

A method including placing on a surface a first beam having a first end with a first clevis component opposing a second clevis component. A second beam, including a second end having a third clevis component opposing a fourth clevis component, is placed adjacent the first end on the surface. The first clevis component is connected to the third clevis component. A lifter is connected to the first end and the second end, which are lifted simultaneously from the surface while rotating the first beam and the second beam about the connector until the second clevis component engages the fourth clevis component. Connection between the second clevis component and the fourth clevis component then may be completed.

A method including placing on a surface a first beam having a first end with a first clevis component opposing a second clevis component. A second beam, including a second end having a third clevis component opposing a fourth clevis component, is placed adjacent the first end on the surface. The first clevis component is connected to the third clevis component. A lifter is connected to the first end and the second end, which are lifted simultaneously from the surface while rotating the first beam and the second beam about the connector until the second clevis component engages the fourth clevis component. Connection between the second clevis component and the fourth clevis component then may be completed.

A manipulator configured for transferring a block having a core, the manipulator includes an end effector including an elongated member including a tip; and a resilient member configured for assuming a first state in which the resilient member has a first hardness and first size and a second state in which the resilient member is configured for assuming a second state in which the resilient member has a second hardness and second size, the resilient member is disposed on the tip, wherein the elongated member is configured to be disposed such that the tip is disposed within the core and the resilient member is disposed in the first state before the resilient member is disposed in the second state to engage the core and the elongated member is moved to transfer the block.

Fabrication of a multi-story building includes fabricating floor plates at or near ground level, and lifting them to a final position on a vertical support core. A method for assembling one of the floor plates assembling a floor plate frame near ground level. Cambers are imparted into framing members based upon expected deflections, and metal decking is installed onto the floor plate frame. A plurality of permanent support points for the floor plate are determined, wherein the floor plate is attachable to the vertical support core at the permanent support points. First pedestals are installed between ground level and the floor plate frame proximal to the permanent support points for the floor plate. Hardenable material is dispersed onto the metal decking of the floor plate frame while the floor plate frame is lifted at the permanent support points.

A frame system for a building structure includes beam members. Each beam member includes two opposed, parallel flanges. A web is interposed between the flanges. Spreader members include two opposed, parallel side flanges, a web interposed between the side flanges and two opposed end flanges bridging the side flanges at respective terminal ends of the web. The beam members and the spreader members are configured to be fastened to each other to form a frame assembly.

A roof assembly having a fully assembled support assembly that is hingedly coupled to a portion of the top members of the roof assembly. The support assembly can pivotably rotate downward around an edge of the roof assembly and under the roof assembly when the roof assembly is lifted from a first position to a second position. A removeable safety net system can be coupled to a plurality of support members. The columns have a hinge connection to the roof assembly. Upon the roof system being lifted, the hinged columns can fold under the roof system and then be coupled to one or more anchor points established in the ground. The roof system can be raised into position at a pre-determined height using a lifting apparatus, such as a hydraulic lift.

A device for fabricating structures of large dimensions, layer by layer. The invention relates to a device making use of positioning an extrusion head in three dimensions by means of cables in order to deposit a pasty material continuously in thin layers, e.g. a mortar comprising either a hydraulic binder or thermoplastic compounds or thermosetting compounds or curable compounds. The invention is for making industrial elements of very large dimensions, and more particularly for making buildings.

A method for laying a plurality of objects to form a polyhedron, the method including: determining a pattern for each of a plurality of courses constituting the polyhedron based on the type of the polyhedron and the frequency of the polyhedron; determining a unique group from each of the plurality of courses; determining members of the unique group and orientation of each the member of the unique group from the plurality of objects; and laying the plurality of objects as determined from the above steps to form the polyhedron.