Abstract:
A prefabricated paving slab includes specialized combinations of substantially vertical passages and cavities to enable “drop in” installation. The paving slab may include retractable coupling rods aligned using spacers having seating surfaces and alignment surfaces. Cavities of the paving slab, each configured for receiving a coupling rod, preferably are arranged in orientation(s) and pattern(s) selected for receiving and transferring the stresses of loads travelling in a pre-determined direction.
Abstract:
A movable mat is formed from a plurality of elongate beams arranged in side-by-side relationship. The mat features a recessed area formed from a pair of adjacent notched beams. An elongate connector passes through both of the adjacent notched beams at the recessed area. A portion of the connector within the notch is surrounded by a rigid sleeve. At least one pocket is formed in an upper surface of one of the beams. A rotatable coupler is situated within the pocket. The mat may be moved by attaching lifting equipment to the connector at one of the recesses or to the coupler. To form a flooring system, a plurality of mats may be arranged adjacent each other on a surface of the ground.
Abstract:
Modular landscape devices, systems, and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a modular landscape device can include a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material, where each molded structure has a display surface and a buried surface. The device also includes at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. In one aspect, each of the plurality of molded structures are not in contact with another of the plurality of molded structures.
Abstract:
A support mat includes a plurality of vertically oriented individual wood members adhesively bonded to each other, each of the individual wood members having wide faces oriented parallel to a direction of a load applied to the support mat, the support mat having outboard wood members, the outwardly facing wide faces of the outboard wood members defining a wide face of the support mat. The support mat also includes least two protective edge members, each protective edge member having an inboard wide face, each of the at least two protective edge members positioned against one the wide faces of the support mat. At least two substantially rigid fasteners extend through and connect each of the protective edge members and adjacent wood members. The wood members, protective edge members, and fasteners define a substantially rigid support mat having a substantially planar wide face.
Abstract:
An interlocking construction block has opposed ends each having a plurality of substantially planar bearing surfaces. The planar surfaces include perpendicular surfaces joined by surfaces at obtuse angles. The block is arranged to be complementary to other blocks in several different configurations.
Abstract:
Modular landscape devices, systems, and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a modular landscape device can include a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material, where each molded structure has a display surface and a buried surface. The device also includes at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. In one aspect, each of the plurality of molded structures are not in contact with another of the plurality of molded structures.
Abstract:
A structurally integrated modular system for energy recovery from vehicular traffic as further disclosed. The system comprises an “X” & “Y” axis horizontal array of Linear Electromagnetic Generators, (LEGs), in a close packed hexagonal or other shaped structural grid, as further disclosed. Each LEG is spring-less, using a high strength main core magnet, and a fixed lower magnet to repel the main core magnet at a designed coercive restoring force. The plurality of LEGs are contained within Modular Prefabricated Structural Sandwich Composite Panels, (MPSSCPs), designed to be placed upon a roadway surface, (whose upper surfaces are flexible and lower surfaces semi-rigid). The resultant energy recovery is thereby converted to electric power and heat. The MPSSCPs, and their accessory panels are thereby installed upon a roadway bearing surface to generate clean electric power and heat, which thaws ice and snow, when and where necessary.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for a porous pavement system are described. The porous pavement system includes paver blocks designed to facilitate water seepage between the paver blocks and to permit water storage within the blocks. The paver blocks may be cabled together to create paving units that facilitate installation and maintenance of the pavement system. The porous pavement system provides improved management of stormwater, reducing runoff and facilitating infiltration of stormwater into the subgrade below the paving system.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating and forming a continuous covered area, such as a sidewalk or patio, employing vertically interlocking tessellated components. One embodiment, termed PORTAPAVE™, achieves this interlocking via an array of uniquely configured two-sectioned pavers. Each paver has a first section of a first shape and a second section of a second shape impressed upon the first section and bonded together. In one embodiment, first sections of pavers are installed in a bottom layer to form a cavity between them having the same shape as the second section of a paver that is inverted onto the pavers of the bottom layer, thus providing a top layer. Each inverted paver in this top layer is fitted to interlock in that cavity formed between the un-inverted pavers in the bottom layer.
Abstract:
A pre-fabricated concrete slab system and method have matching rectangular slabs with cooperatively fitting male and female type connectors which fit adjacent to each other in a checkerboard fashion. The slabs include spaced reinforcing rods extending longitudinally and transversely therethrough. In at least some of the slabs, the rods' distal ends protrude outwardly away from one or more side edges of the slabs to form a plurality of male connectors. Correspondingly, at least some of the slabs include a plurality of corresponding female sockets on one or more sides thereof, each female socket receiving a corresponding male connector when dropped therein. Through interconnection of corresponding female sockets and male connectors by steel reinforcing bars extending in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, a continuous tension reinforcement is established between adjacent slabs in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.