Abstract: A pallet includes an upper deck, a support material disposed within the upper deck, an upper frame member supporting the upper deck, a plurality of foot members disposed on the upper frame member, and a lower frame member disposed on the plurality of foot members. The upper deck includes a first half and a second half disposed in communication with a major face of the first half. Numerous variations in which the pallet is collapsible or includes reinforcement members are within the scope of the pallet disclosed.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications. Methods of constructing a support structure utilizing the modular structural section and support members are also provided.

Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower is provided with an improved deck lifting system. The operator can efficiently lift the cutter deck (and optionally the engine deck as well) in an efficient manner by pulling upward/backward on a deck-lifting lever. Moreover, a latch system is provided for enabling the deck to be lowered and/or adjusted in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Elongated composite deck sections or panels are formed by pultruding a plastics resin material with multiple layers or mats of glass fibers and longitudinally extending unidirectional fibers to form a base wall integrally connecting upwardly projecting and longitudinally extending tubular ribs. Each rib has opposite side surfaces converging towards the base wall, and longitudinally extending ears project laterally outwardly from the side surfaces. The top surface of each panel is coated with epoxy adhesive, and the top surface of the base wall is also coated with an aggregate of crushed stone. The deck panels are assembled in laterally adjacent overlapping relation to form a permanent composite deck form. A mat of fiber reinforced composite rods are spaced above the deck panels which are surrounded by border forms, and concrete is poured onto the deck panels which positively bond with the concrete. Vertical steel studs are welded to steel frame members which support the composite deck panels and project upwardly into the concrete to tie the concrete to the frame members. Angle support strips are attached to center support beams to provide a bridge deck system with a crown.

Abstract: An extendable cargo deck for pickup trucks having a rearwardly opening cargo bed bounded by side walls having inwardly projecting rails spaced above the floor of the cargo bed The cargo deck includes a base and a carriage mounted to the base for movement between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the base The cargo deck is equipped with one or more upwardly extending holding devices connected to the base for engaging the side wall rails

Abstract: A cushioned treadmill deck with a cushioning member coupled to the upper surface of a support deck is disclosed. The cushioning member cushions the impact to a user exercising on the treadmill. One cushioning member extends to the edges of the support deck such that the user can stand thereon. Examples of the cushioning member include a member having a plurality of cushioning layers, each having different cushioning properties, and a member having a cushioning layer and a protective layer.

Abstract: A treadmill comprising a frame for supporting the treadmill on a supporting surface, a deck, secured to the frame to be supported thereby, the deck having a front, a rear, a right and left side, and a tread surface extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear for supporting the weight of a user thereabove. A first roller, may be connected proximate the front of the deck to rotate with respect to the deck, a second roller, may be connected proximate the rear of the deck to rotate with respect to the deck. A belt may be connected to pass continuously over the tread surface and around the first and second rollers, to provide a fully exposed top surface, for unobstructed walking thereon by a user. A motor may be configured to drive the belt, the motor being positioned laterally between the right and left sides of the deck, and below the deck at a location longitudinally between the first and second rollers.

Abstract: An analytical study was carried out to determine whether and how much the performance of continuity connections for precast, prestressed concrete girders with cast in place decks is affected by positive moment reinforcement in continuity diaphragms. A flexibility based analytical tool is developed that predicts time dependent restraint moments and the effectiveness of the continuity connection under service live loads. The model considers the different nonlinear stress-strain responses of the continuity diaphragm and the girder/deck composite sections, and the change in the stiffness of the structure under time-dependent effects. The study confirms previous findings that total midspan moments are virtually independent of the amount of positive moment reinforcement provided.

Abstract: A deck plank ( 12 ) readily attaches to an engagement clip ( 46 ) when force is applied over the plank. When a plurality of clips are attached to underlying joists in parallel with the joists, and a plurality of deck planks are oriented to the clip perpendicular to the joist and pushed down over clips, a secure deck structure is provided. Each clip has a pair of horizontal flanges ( 52 and 54 ), which snap over a plurality of ledges ( 42 and 44 ) in a channel under each plank. The deck planks ( 12 ) are embossed ( 14 ) so as to form a slip resistant surface to be walked upon. The plastic extruded deck plank ( 12 ) resists rot, deterioration and insect infection found in current wood products. The deck plank assembly is simple enough so that a homeowner or do-it-yourselfer can install or alter it with minimal effort and direction.

Abstract: New York State has constructed a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge deck as an experimental project. The goal of the project was to improve the load rating of a 50-yr old truss bridge located in Wellsburg, New York. The FRP deck weighs approximately 80-percent less than the deteriorated concrete bridge deck it replaced. Reducing the dead load increased the allowable live load capacity of the bridge without significant repair work to the existing superstructure, thus lengthening its service life. Load testing was conducted after installation of the FRP deck to study the conservativeness of the design, ascertain the assumptions made on composite action between the deck and the superstructure, and examine the effectiveness of joints in load transfer. This report describes the testing and discusses the results. The results indicate that the design was conservative. The design assumed no composite action between the deck and the superstructure, and the experimental data confirms that assumption. The study also shows that the joints are only partially-effective in load transfer between panels. Peak strains under the test loads were only a very small fraction of the ultimate strength of the FRP deck.

Abstract: A mid-level deck is provided as part of a main passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft and includes an elevated platform between the cabin floor and ceiling to provide additional storage space and areas for use by crew members. The mid-level deck also facilitates access to overhead modules. The storage space is provided under the elevated platform for storing galley carts, bins or similar storage items. A plurality of different articles may be provided in conjunction with the mid-level deck and/or connected to the elevated platform, including extra seats, storage members and sleeping units. More than one mid-level deck may be provided within a single main passenger cabin and and/on different levels of an aircraft.

Abstract: This report presents the background, test set-up, specimens, test procedures and the test results of “column-drop” tests of a one story steel structure. The specimen was a 60ft by 20ft one story typical steel structure with steel deck and concrete slab floor and wide flange beams and columns. The connections were either standard shear tab or bolted seat angle under bottom flange and a bolted single angle on one side of web. The main objectives of these studies were to explore the strength of a typical steel structure and floor system to resist progressive collapse in the event of removal of a column by a blast and to establish failure modes. An added objective was using the test results to provide the AISC with design-oriented information on what is the potential of existing typical steel structures to resist progressive collapse and what are the possible research needs in this particular field. The tests indicated that after removal of the middle perimeter column, due to catenary action of steel deck and girders, the design dead load and live load of the floor could be resisted and the floor is not expected to collapse in the event of removal of one such column.

Abstract: An above-grade decking system having a plurality of deck members overlying a plurality of joists with clip member connectors connecting the deck members to the joists. The present decking system is particularly adapted for use with concrete composite materials that are shaped into construction materials and textured to resemble wood or stone products. The clip members are shaped to hold the deck members onto the joists. The clip members fit into slots in the deck members and are attached to the joists using commonly available connectors. The deck members can be shaped and configured to fit together with the clip members therebetween.

Abstract: A foliage mower and height adjustment assembly for a foliage mower are provided. This is a foot-operated adjustment assembly which has a plurality of pivot lugs from which a cutter deck assembly is suspended. Each pivot lug pivots in unison in order to thereby raise or lower the cutter deck. Movement of a foot pedal raises the cutter deck to a transport height, at which the foot pedal is latched in place and the deck height is maintained. A stop mechanism has an adjustable component by which the extent of downward movement of the suspended cutter deck is selected upon release of the latched foot pedal.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture adapted to be installed from the top side of a sink deck through a sink deck opening includes a housing having a body portion which is adapted to extend through the sink deck opening and below the sink deck when mounted. The housing has a shoulder which is adapted to seat on the sink deck when mounted. There is a collar slidably movable on the body portion and of a size to pass through the sink deck opening. A threaded bore is in the collar and an unthreaded bore is in the housing shoulder, and a threaded member extends through these bores, with rotation of the threaded member from above the sink deck moving the collar axially along the housing body portion. Outwardly- biased yielding members are associated with the collar and extend outwardly therefrom such that when so extended the collar will not pass through the sink deck opening. The fixture is mounted to the sink deck by first compressing the outwardly extending yielding members to pass the body portion and collar through the sink deck opening from above the sink deck until the shoulder portion is seated on the sink deck and the yielding members have extended after passing through the sink deck opening. The threaded member is then rotated until the collar has moved axially along the body portion and is in contact with the underside of the sink deck.

Abstract: For the construction of composite steel-concrete decks of cable-stayed bridges, methods of erection and analysis have to be applied that, upon completion of the deck, accurately yield the prescribed dead load configuration of the deck regarding geometry and forces. During deck erection, no unwanted bending moments should be locked into the composite sections when the concrete slab is connected to the steel substructure. Such locked-in moments would bend the deck, cause concrete creep that is difficult to predict, and introduce the risk of deviations from the desired deck alignment and the corresponding distribution of forces. This paper presents a simple and practical method of erection and erection analysis for composite decks with precast concrete slabs. A two-step tensioning procedure of the stay cables is proposed that minimizes the effects of unwanted locked-in moments, making it easy to predict the geometry of the erection stages and to yield the desired dead load configuration of the deck. The method was successfully applied for the erection of the Ting Kau bridge in Hong Kong, a cable-stayed bridge of 1,200 m in length having a composite deck with a precast deck slab.

Abstract: A precast concrete slab for forming a deck in a bridge superstructure has a chamfer on forward and trailing edges so that adjacent slabs can mate The slab is reinforced with bars which protrude laterally from the slab on opposite sides and which, in use, extend over support beams Selected bars are formed in a castellated shape of which inverted U-shaped portions extend above the surface of the precast concrete slab Conveniently, the U-shaped portions anchor a concrete topping which is poured over the slabs at a bridge site and also provide locations for hooking a crane used to transport the slab at a site

Abstract: This paper presents a theoretical study on an aerodynamic control method for suppression of the wind-induced instabilities of a very long span bridge. The control system consists of additional control flaps attached to the edges of the bridge deck. Their rotational movement, commanded via feedback control law, is used to modify the aerodynamic forces acting on the deck and provides aerodynamic forces on the flaps used to stabilize the bridge. A time domain formulation of self-excited and buffeting forces is obtained through the rational function approximation of the generalized Theodorsen function. The optimal configuration of the deck-flaps system is found with respect to the performance index based on stability robustness of the system. A control system with the rotational center of the flaps that is located on the edges of the deck was found to be the most effective. It is also shown that this control system can provide sufficient aerodynamic damping and satisfactory stability robustness of the system with a relatively small flap size for the considered range of wind speed.

Abstract: A pedestal support for an elevated paver deck assembly including a cylindrical tower, a cap slidably mountable on the upper end of the tower for supporting a plurality of pavers, and a base slidably mountable on the lower end of the tower. Interlocking spacers for adjusting the height of the pedestal support and the relative heights of the pavers are also provided. A method for constructing an elevated paver deck assembly including the pedestal supports is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material for use as a skateboard deck or other sports board. The composite skateboard deck of the preferred embodiment is comprised of two structural layers bonded to and on either side of a light, flexible core. The structural layers made of a strong, resilient material comprised of a natural fiber-embedded-matrix, this class of materials including grasses such as bamboo, hemp and kanaf. The composite skateboard deck of the present invention is strong, light, durable, resilient, environmentally friendly, and derived from a more renewable resource with no loss of pop or memory.

Abstract: A gang-type rotary lawn mower including a frame supported by wheels for movement over the ground, a power source which is mounted on the frame and which drives at least two of the wheels, an operator's seat mounted on the frame, a steering system enabling the operator to steer the lawn mower, at least two side-by-side front rotary cutting deck assemblies mounted on the frame, the front deck assemblies defining a gap between adjacent front deck assemblies, and at least one rear rotary cutting deck assembly mounted on the frame behind the front deck assemblies, each rear deck assembly being aligned with a respective gap between adjacent front deck assemblies, each of the front and rear deck assemblies including a single-spindle mulching deck defining a downwardly opening space, a single spindle mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis within the space, and at least one cutting blade mounted on the spindle for rotation therewith.

Abstract: Five examples of the system for waterproofing an outside deck, thereby improving the usefulness of the space below the deck, are disclosed. Both inflexible and flexible panels are used. All panels may be made of fire retardant materials. Examples of both types of panels are installed at the time the deck is constructed and fit between the joists. They consist of panels which may be used in conjunction with each other in order to protect decks of varying widths. The other examples are added to previously constructed decks. One example includes a clip strip which is attached to the bottom of the joists and panels which are attached to the clip strip. A trim piece completes the installation. A second example involves the flexible panel with provisions for connection to a mounting bracket installed between the joists. Another example involves a flexible panel which may be installed by the homeowner along the bottoms of the joists. In each system there are provisions for insuring that the system remains waterproof.