A modular connection device is provided. The modular connection device includes a base and a plurality of connection members. The base includes a plurality of connection surfaces, wherein each of the connection surfaces is connected with each other. Each of the connection members is detachably connected on each of the connection surfaces.

A novel system and related methods for sequentially deploying, in automated or semi-automated fashion, a strip of a plurality of truss bays with integral solar panels from a moving carrier onto a surface being traversed, resulting in a long, contiguous truss structure laid upon on the surface. The solar panels are angled at a predetermined orientation for solar operation at the deployment location. The carrier is easily and quickly reloaded with another set of truss bays for repeated deployment of a series of strips of solar truss structures in a solar array. The solar array thus is constructed in substantially less time and with substantially less labor that conventional support racking in the filed using prior art piece-wise assembly operations.

A strut channel support system including a first brace, a second brace, and a fastening mechanism connects at least two channel struts in a multi-orientable fashion. The first brace and the second brace both possess a U-shaped channel, a base, a fastener-engagement point, and a strut-engagement point. The base is terminally connected to the U-shaped channel, the fastener-engagement point is centrally integrated into the base, and the strut-attachment feature is integrated into the U-shaped channel. This permits the base to retain the rear portion of a strut channel. The U-shaped channel perimetrically braces the lateral sides of the strut channel. The first brace and the second brace attach to each other via the fastener-engagement point. The fastener-engagement point of the first brace and the fastener-engagement point of the second brace are mechanically coupled to each other. This enables a user to adjust the orientation between at least two strut channels.

A shape-morphing space frame (SMSF) utilizing the linear bistable compliant crank-slider mechanism (LBCCSM). The frame's initial shape is constructed from a single-layer grid of flexures, rigid links and LBCCSMs. The grid is bent into the space frame's initial cylindrical shape, which can morph because of the inclusion of LBCCSMs in its structure. The design parameters include the frame's initial height, its tessellation pattern (including the unit cell bistable elements' placement), its initial diameter, and the resulting desired shape. The method used in placing the unit cell bistable elements considers the principle stress trajectories. Two different examples of shape-morphing space frames are presented herein, each starting from a cylindrical-shell space frame and morphing, one to a hyperbolic-shell space frame and the other to a spherical-shell space frame, both morphing by applying moments, which shear the cylindrical shell, and forces, which change the cylinder's radius using Poisson's effect.

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.

A fitting for channel framing includes a first clip arm configured to extend into a first external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing, and a second clip arm configured to extend into a second external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing. An outer portion connected to and extending between the first and second clip arms is configured to span across the continuous slot when the first and second clip arms extend into the respective first and second external fitting grooves and are clipped onto the channel framing.

Structures and protocols are presented for providing enhanced assembly tolerances (for thermal or manufacturing variations, e.g.) in constructing gazebos or other standalone decking systems, decks adjoining a house or other primary structure, or other such structures for walkways or human occupancy.

A rotary joint includes a socket rod having a socket rod flange with a basically spheroid con-cave bearing surface at a first end, a housing nut encircling the socket rod and having a threaded wrenching head, a ball rod having a basically spheroid convex bearing surface and threaded side walls around the convex bearing surface, and a joint actuator configured to actuate relative movement of the socket rod flange and the ball rod. A diameter of the threaded side walls of the ball rod corresponds to a diameter of the threaded wrenching head of the housing nut.

A connector assembly, having an upper connector coupled to a lower connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the upper and lower connectors. Also, disclosed is a hoistable connector assembly, a lifting frame assembly, a coupling system for modular frame units, a method for assembling a module unit using the connector assembly, and a modular frame unit and building having the connector assembly.

A system and method for constructing a modular frame structure is provided. The system includes brackets to which structural members can be fastened to form a building frame. Each bracket has between three and six attachment elements positioned at right angles to an adjacent attachment element. A structural member, such as a beam or post, can be fastened to each attachment element to form a moment resisting connection. The brackets are manufactured in standard sizes and configurations so that a set of brackets can be used to construct a modular frame structure of a desired size and configuration.