An improved dimming apparatus is disclosed. Major economies are achieved by the ability to distribute groups of dimmers in proximity to the lamp loads that they control. Variations in the location and distance between the apparatus and lamp loads, as well as in the differing connector types installed on such loads, are addressed by terminating the six power stages contained in a common enclosure in a six-circuit multi-pole connector, such that a variety of prior art “break-out” adaptors between said multi-pole connector and individual circuit connectors can be selected among. The power input to the enclosure can be made re-configurable.

A trussed collapsible tubular mast includes a deformable beam having an extended state, a flattened state, and a rolled state, where a stiffness and strength of the deformable beam in the extended state is greater than a different stiffness and a different strength of the deformable beam in the flattened state. At least one collapsible tubular mast wall has a plurality of truss members of a first material having a first material thickness. At least one truss member is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the trussed collapsible tubular mast. Disposed between the truss members is a wall area of a second material thickness less thick than the first material thickness.

A deformable support apparatus includes a deformable body configured to transition between at least an extended state and a contracted state where a stiffness of the deformable body in the extended state is greater than a corresponding stiffness of the deformable body in the contracted state. The deformable body includes a first member and a second member coupled to and in opposition to the first member, and arranged about a longitudinal axis. In the extended state, the first member has at least a first curved portion and the second member has at least a second curved portion. The at least a first curved portion is a positive curved portion with respect to the longitudinal axis and the at least a second curved portion is a negative curved portion with respect to the longitudinal axis.

The present invention relates to a modular assembly, a site factory, for at least partially enclosing a site during construction of a structure. The modular assembly comprising: a plurality of portal frames, each portal frame comprising two columns and a roof beam, each column and roof beam comprising a plurality of pre-assembled units; a jack-up frame for each column; at least two first rails, each of the first rails being mounted to at least one of the roof beams; at least one second rail slidably mounted to the at least two first rails; and a plurality of panels of a flexible material configured to provide a full enclosure of the site and mounted above the roof beam. The or each second rail is configured to slidably receive at least one lifting device. The pre-assembled units are configured o be connected on site, and lifted using said jack-up frames, to form the portal frames, and wherein each first rail, and the or each second rail are configured to be mounted on the portal frames on site.

An improved apparatus for conditioning the temperature of the air in a substantially confined space, such as a room, is disclosed. The conditioning system is complete and integrated in a portable unit suitable for insertion in a wall opening, such as a window. The operative elements are divided between two separate enclosures, each attached to a common structure, the support capable of resting on the window sill, with one such enclosure on each side of the wall. At least the heat exchanger conditioning room air is disposed in the enclosure in the room side of the wall. At least the compressor is segregated in the other enclosure, on the other side of the wall of the conditioned space. And both enclosures sit substantially below the sill line. Obstruction of the window opening is much reduced over prior art units. Installation is easier and safer. And the segregation of the compressor, which can be improved by sound and vibration dampening treatments, drastically reduces the noise level in the room produced by the system's operation.

A truss connection apparatus is used to connect truss sections. A connection segment is mounted on each truss to be connected. Each connection segment has an opening, in alignment with each other to receive a fastener. The fastener is threaded on one end and can receive a nut. The other end of the fastener is a locking end having a radial protrusion. One of the connection segments has a securing means adapted to secure the locking end when the at least one protrusion of the locking end is rotated to a locking position. In the locking position the protrusion mates with the securing means and the fastener is prevented from rotational or axial movement and connection segments are fixed relative to each other as are the truss sections on which the connection sections are mounted.

A truss structure is suitable for supporting lighting fixtures or other loads both in use and in transport. The truss has at least four elongated chords defining between said chords a first volume generally rectangular in cross-section. In transport, the truss is supported substantially above a surface by castered carriages bearing upon that surface, the carriages connected to said truss and in a first position producing an additional volume between said first volume and said surface. The carriages are attached to the truss so as to permit their rotation between said first position and at least a second position suitable for use while remaining connected to said truss.

A system for stiffening a structure has at least one pair of tie rods (3), each tie rod (3) of the pair of tie rods (3) having a first end (4) fastened to the structure (2) and a second end (5), and at least one device (6) for tensioning the tie rods (3) having a deformable linking element (7) fastened to the second end (5) of each tie rod (3) so as to connect the tie rods (3). An actuator (10) is configured to deform the linking element (7) so as to make it pass from an inactive configuration in which the tie rods (3) are in a first state of tension to an active configuration in which the tie rods (3) are in a second state of tension, different than the first state of tension.

A columbarium and ossuary system includes a five side columbarium. An obelisk like section includes a vertically extending central frame member. The central frame member has frame assemblies radiating outward from the central frame member. A plurality of niches are disposed about the central hub and supported by the hub. Each of the niches has an outer opening and sides abutting adjacent ones of the frame assemblies and converging from the outer opening towards the central hub. The lower section having a plurality of niches surrounding a center ossuary. A delivery chute is detachably mountable to the columbarium for pivoting to tilt the chute and deliver flexible urns to the ossuary.