A gripping apparatus is disclosed, including a rigid housing having a slot with an engagement axis, and a shaft extending parallel to the engagement axis. The apparatus further includes a tab member on a distal end of the shaft and a rotational actuator on a proximal end of the shaft. The rotational actuator is configured to rotate the shaft, causing the tab member to move between a hooked position and an unhooked position.

Tensegrity structures and methods of constructing tensegrity structures of three-dimensional tensegrity lattices formed from truncated octahedron elementary cells. Space-tiling translational symmetry is achieved by performing recursive reflection operations on the elementary cells. This topology exhibiting unprecedented static and dynamic mechanical properties.

The present invention is a combination-type glass-greenhouse which comprises a plurality of base connectors, first connectors, second connectors, third connectors, fourth connectors, fifth connectors, combination-connection tubes, glass plates, pressing-tugging plates, and connection components; which can combine and set to form a glass-greenhouse according to the needs of users. And, it is a combination-type glass-greenhouse with simple structure, quick assembly and disassembly.

Structural member joints capable of easily reinforcing connecting portions of structural members and a structure using the structural member joints. Each structural member joint includes three tubular joint members into which end portions of the structural members can be inserted and fixed. The three tubular joint members are connected to each other at their proximal end portions and disposed at right angles to each other. Since the distal end portions of the joint members arranged at right angles to each other are connected by the reinforcing members, it is possible to use the reinforcing members to easily reinforce the connecting portions of the structural members.

A framework module for use in modular building construction comprises a plurality of elongate upright and cross beams, rigidly connected at or towards their ends to form a box frame with open side and end faces, and; at least one connection point on each of the upright beams which is configured to allow mutual connection with an equivalent connection point located on a substantially identical adjacent framework module, so that a plurality of framework modules can be connected together to form an open-web truss of vertically and horizontally aligned members.

A rafter bracket configured to connect a vertical post to a rafter and beam(s) is described herein. The rafter bracket may include lower vertical side plates, a horizontal plate, and upper vertical side plates. The horizontal plate may be perpendicular to the upper and lower vertical side plates and may separate the upper vertical side plates from the lower vertical side plates. The horizontal plate and lower vertical side plates may create a lower cavity that receives the vertical post. Meanwhile, the rafter may be positioned on one of the upper vertical side plates and positioned between two of the upper vertical side plates and may be angled at an acute angle relative to the vertical post as well as the upper and lower vertical side plates. One or more of the lower vertical side plates may receive lateral plates that define a lateral cavity receiving the beam.

A node for a solar frame including an elongate portion having a channel extending through it in which a structural element is disposed or a solid elongate portion on to which a structural element is disposed. The node comprises a fin extending radially outward from the elongate portion where at least 5% of the volume of the fin is replaced by at least a single void extending essentially in parallel with the channel or the extrusion direction of the solid elongate portion. An apparatus for transmitting torque in a solar frame having structural elements and a support. A system for solar mirrors. A node for a solar frame. A method for connecting a structural element with a strut having a strut end piece of a solar mirror support frame. A method for producing a node for solar mirror frame.

A clearspan structure including component systems, and methods of forming a clearspan structure including component systems, for mitigating hazards to personnel or equipment from explosions, fires, toxic material release, and other hazards in hazardous locations. The exemplary clearspan structure is also capable of withstanding environmental conditions such as snow loads and wind. The exemplary clearspan structure is, for example, a tent or fabric structure which includes a plurality of frame members forming a support system for the clearspan structure, and fabric roof portions and walls for enclosing the clearspan structure.

The present utility model provides a spherical tent frame, comprising a plurality of support rods and a plurality of connecting members, each of the connecting members is provided with at least two connectors and each of the connectors is axially embedded with a socket; wherein an annular groove is provided in a position of the inner wall of the socket close to the bottom, and a plurality of elastic pieces pointing to the center of the bottom of the socket are arranged along the upper edge of the annular groove; both ends of each of the support rods are inserted to the socket to form a hemispherical frame put up with triangles as a unit and the connecting member as a vertex. For the technical solution of this utility model, according to the principle of stability of the triangle, the support rods are set up to a hemispherical frame in a unit of triangle by various multi-head connecting members, with aesthetic appearance, and the frame structure is firm and not easily deformed, and with the elastic pieces in the socket, the support rod is not easily fallen off or loosen from the connecting member after stressed, which assists in enhancing the overall stability of the tent frame and is convenient and quick to install.

A structural frame for a building, comprising: adjacent first and second columns; at least one precast concrete floor slab having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners and a first elongated edge beam defined between the first and second corner indents, the first elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the first elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns; and a first tendon assembly extending between the first and second columns and adapted to be tensioned to compress the first elongated edge beam between the first and second columns, the first tendon assembly including at least one left cable and at least one right cable located symmetrically on either sides of a vertical center plane of the first and second columns.