Auburn University
Auburn University
For Inventors For Industry Life Sciences Physical Sciences Contact Us
Auburn University
 
AU Home > OVPR Home > Office of Technology Transfer > Available Construction Industry Technologies

Available Construction Industry Technologies

 

Construction Industry Technologies

Please note that many of these products have potential applications in the "do-it-yourself" market as well as in construction
Screed Grip

“Screeding” is a method for smoothing poured concrete, such as a sidewalk. Traditionally, screeds are nothing more than a piece of wood. However, using these boards can be tiring and inefficient. The Screed Grip is a metal attachment that easily fits onto a piece of wood, improving the grip and thus the performance of the worker. Overview

Hybrid Scaffold / Pushcart System

Traditional scaffolding systems are heavy and difficult to manage, typically requiring at least two people for assembly and adjustment. The Hybrid Scaffolding System is a sturdy, lightweight, and easily expandable unit that requires only a single person to set-up or adjust. The scaffolding also collapses into a pushcart to help transport materials or move the product into storage. Overview | Video Demonstration

Articulating Scaffold

Mobile scaffolds are bulky, expensive and not easily transported. Simpler scaffolds lack mobility and require the worker to repeatedly stop and then climb down in order to reposition. To avoid these inconveniences, safety is often compromised by the worker by overreaching. The Articulating Scaffold utilizes a natural walking motion to reposition,  providing a safe work environment without losing portability or simplicity. Overview

Magnetic Drill Attachment

Drilling into metal requires precision and drill stability, both traditionally lacking when using handheld cordless drills. The EZ-Mobile Magnetic Drill Attachment eliminates undesirable drill movement when drilling into metals while providing the precision, stability, and alignment of a drill press. The attachment is designed to be compatible with standard drill assemblies. Overview

Arc Pole

This ergonomic pole extension can serve as an attachment to existing items such as a push broom, sander, or paint roller. With its arced design, the Arc Pole allows for a more comfortable position while working. It both expands and contracts, adding to its convenience. Overview

Adjustable Multi-line Laser Level

Most laser levels currently used in the construction industry work by projecting a single dot or line on a wall or floor to assist in the layout of construction elements. Each time an additional line or mark is required, the laser must be readjusted or relocated. By placing up to three laser levels on a single mast, the adjustable height laser level can reduce labor time by providing multiple laser lines at once. Overview

Tape Measure Anchor (Plus Laser Square)

Holding the end of a measuring tape in a specific position can be difficult for a person working alone, resulting in increased labor costs and/or potentially expensive decreased measurement accuracy. These devices provide simple and versatile solutions for holding a tape measure hook at the desired location for precise measurements. Follow-on work has produced a system that can ensure measurement is performed at precise angles (a laser square). Overview | Video Demonstration of laser-enhanced system
U.S. Patent Application

Portable Sawhorse Workstation

Traditional sawhorses are only made to last during the construction job for which they are built, and require hours of time to construct on each job site. The QuickHorse portable sawhorse workstation provides an efficient, mobile, and light weight alternative to traditional sawhorses while providing increased convenience and flexibility. This easy to assemble and easy to use invention has potential applications for construction professionals and do-it-your-selfers alike. Overview | U.S. Patent Application

Pipe HeatWrap

The solvents used to join PVC pipes are temperature sensitive, resulting in longer setting times as the temperature drops. This can become detrimental to the productivity and quality of plumbing work performed in winter conditions. Current methods to heat pipe joints are crude, labor intensive and ineffective. The Pipe HeatWrap is designed to hold commercially available heat packs in place around the PVC joint to decrease the time and labor required for the solvent to set. Overview

Construction Solutions (CSI) Business Plan

Construction Solutions, Inc. (CSI) is a proposed start-up company that will leverage an existing Product Innovation PipEline (PIPE) as a source for new product concepts that will be further developed and then commercialized into the trillion dollar construction industry. This PIPE has consistently produced 2-3 viable product concepts per year, two of which have been licensed. These concepts have addressed known problems of potential customers, have been at least initially vetted by industry feedback, and are typically taken to the functional prototype stage. The linked Executive Summary is a representation of what could be done with a start-up company based on this opportunity. Other variations, including incorporating some of the above inventions, can be explored. CSI Business Plan Executive Summary
Other business plan summaries