Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

A construction structure of a geodesic dome-shaped house and a connection structure body thereof comprises: a plurality of triangular unit modules constituting a unit structure and a connection structure body of a geodesic dome-shaped house; a pair of inner beams which are disposed on both opposing sides of the triangular unit module; a connector which is disposed in a corner area between the pair of inner beams and connected to the pair of inner beams by a first coupling member; and a pair of outer beams which are disposed on outer surfaces of the pair of inner beams, respectively and connected to the connector and the inner beams by a second coupling member.

The disclosed invention is a housing apparatus comprised of foundation boxes, foundation box lids, in situ ballast material placed within the foundation boxes, floor panels, wall panels, binding strips, stackable trussed roof segments, roof gables, and load transferring batten strips.

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

A canopy for selectively covering an area, such as a sports field includes at least two beams which span the area, at least two cross beams which are displaceable along the beams, a cloth which is attached to the cross beams, a drive which is configured to displace the cross beams with the cloth attached thereto along the beams, and a substantially flexible tensioning member fastened between the cross beams.

A yoke for a ceiling suspension system is disclosed. For example, the yoke may include a yoke body having an upper end configured to be mounted only to another yoke, or to an extension mounted to the other yoke. The yoke body may have a lower end having a first mount configured to be mounted to a first ceiling support member (CSM), and a second mount configured to be mounted to a second CSM that differs from the first CSM. In one version, no portion of the yoke body extends through any portion of the first CSM and the second CSM.

A construction structure of a geodesic dome-shaped house and a connection structure body thereof comprises: a plurality of triangular unit modules constituting a unit structure and a connection structure body of a geodesic dome-shaped house; a pair of inner beams which are disposed on both opposing sides of the triangular unit module; a connector which is disposed in a corner area between the pair of inner beams and connected to the pair of inner beams by a first coupling member; and a pair of outer beams which are disposed on outer surfaces of the pair of inner beams, respectively and connected to the connector and the inner beams by a second coupling member.

A modular canopy system rests upon a solid surface of the earth. The modular canopy system includes a supporting structure including a plurality of pillars disposed on edges of the solid surface of the earth. The modular canopy system further includes a plurality of modules resting upon the supporting structure. Each of the plurality of modules includes: (i) a hollow frame; (ii) a first translucent plastic layer for shielding the solid surface of the earth from heat and allowing sunlight to enter through; (iii) a second translucent plastic layer for shielding the solid surface of the earth from heat and allowing sunlight to enter through; and (iv) a photovoltaic layer including a plurality of photovoltaic panels for receiving solar radiation and converting the solar radiation to electricity. The modular canopy system further includes a rainwater collection and harvesting module for receiving and collecting rainwater.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

An architectural building block system including a block having three side walls, each having an inside surface and an outside surface, the three side walls cooperate to form a triangular tube, the outside surface of each of the three side walls extending from the inner surface to the outer surface and the inside surface of each of the three walls is disposed substantially at right angle to each of the inner surface and the outer surface; and three channels, each channel disposed on one of the three side walls on the inner surface, wherein each channel extending from the inside surface to the outside surface of one of the three side walls and each pair of the three channels configured to receive a rebar.