A truss hinge that allows hinging between truss parts, and also allows configuration into a different size, and spreads the angle of the truss open ends. One embodiment uses a first plate, having a connection part to a first truss, where the connection part is adapted for connection to a first truss. A second plate is movable relative to the first plate. The second plate also has a second connection part adapted for connection to a second truss. An angle setting part forms a connection between the first plate and the second plate, that holds the first plate relative to the second plate at any of a number of different relative locations between the first plate and the second plate. The plates include angle markings to set the connections.

A connector assembly, which in one embodiment has an upper connector and in another embodiment has a lower connector. The assembly can have 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. Also, a system for coupling adjacent modular frame units for forming a modular building and a method for coupling modular frame units for forming a modular building are provided.

A lower connector includes a lower connector hollow body, a pair of lower connector bosses coupled to the lower connector hollow body, and a pair of lower connector arms coupled to the lower connector bosses. A connector assembly includes an upper connector coupled to a lower connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the upper and lower connectors.

A shelter system is shown and described. A hub for a shelter system is shown and described. A frame for a shelter system is shown and described. In one embodiment, the shelter system includes a frame, a cover and a hub. The frame may be collapsible. The cover is configured to fit with the frame. The hub may include a receiver slot, a receiver sleeve and an attachment projection. The result is a shelter system with reduced set up time, effort and requirements and improved strength and ease of use. The inventions may also be considered a shelter kit and/or a shelter and hub method.

A truss element to form a structural support system. The truss element includes at least one wall forming a void space extending along a first dimension of the truss element. The void space includes a geometry to receive at least a portion of a connecting member of a connecting element. At least one corner element extends along the first dimension of the truss element adjacent the wall. A slot opening formed by selective removal of a portion of the corner element provides access to the void space of the wall. The access permits at least partial insertion of the connecting member into the void space of the wall. A method of assembling a structural support system is also disclosed.

A shelter system is shown and described. A hub for a shelter system is shown and described. A frame for a shelter system is shown and described. In one embodiment, the shelter system includes a frame, a cover and a hub. The frame may be collapsible. The cover is configured to fit with the frame. The hub may include a receiver slot, a receiver sleeve and an attachment projection. The result is a shelter system with reduced set up time, effort and requirements and improved strength and ease of use. The inventions may also be considered a shelter kit and/or a shelter and hub method.

Connectors for a framing system, wherein each of the connectors includes pairs of flanges that extend in parallel away from a base.

A seismic resilient precast concrete frame structure includes precast solid columns, precast composite beams, T-shaped shear connectors having notches, and anti-buckling energy-dissipation connecting plates, wherein the precast composite beams are connected to the precast solid columns and each include a precast composite middle beam and precast composite cantilever beams arranged at two sides of each of the precast composite middle beams; tops of the precast composite cantilever beams and the precast composite middle beams are connected by the T-shaped shear connectors having notches, and the notches in the T-shaped shear connectors having notches are located at a neutral bending moment point of the frame structure under the action of a vertical load; and side surfaces of the precast composite cantilever beams and the precast composite middle beams are connected by means of the anti-buckling energy-dissipation connecting plates.

A lightweight modular shelter, and method for assembling a shelter. The shelter includes first and second panels and first and second panel connectors. The panel connectors have a panel edge channel operatively connected to sides of the first and second panels, and have a connector plug and a connector socket. The connector plug of the first panel connector is inserted into the connector socket of the second panel connector, such that the first panel and the second panel are operatively connected. The shelter may also include a bottom track, where the first panel, the second panel, the first panel connector, and the second panel connector are mated to the bottom track. Methods include attaching the panels and connectors, along with corner connectors, to the bottom track to form a freestanding structure. Roof panels and connectors and gable panels and connectors may be attached thereto.

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.