Abstract: A container assembly comprises a container having a peripheral side wall defining a rectangular interior space and having top flap and bottom flaps folded inwardly to selectively enclose the interior space. The bottom flaps include notched edges for interlocking to maintain corners of the peripheral side wall square. An insert is removably receivable in the rectangular interior space. The insert comprises first and second panels of sheet material selectively folded to define a plurality of rectangular mold cavities in the interior space. Distal edges of the panels are notched wherein the notched edges interlock at the corners of the peripheral side wall to maintain the mold cavities square.

Abstract: A perpendicularity verification device is provided for verifying perpendicularity of a concrete test specimen in a testing machine. The device comprises a unitary planar sheet. The sheet has an elongate vertical straight side edge and a horizontal straight bottom edge. The side and bottom edges are perpendicular to one another. A corner notch is provided between the side and bottom edges. In use, the bottom edge rests on a platen of the testing machine so that the notch circumvents a retaining cup of the testing machine and the vertical edge rests against the test specimen.

Abstract: A container assembly comprises a container having a peripheral side wall defining a rectangular interior space and having top flap and bottom flaps folded inwardly to selectively enclose the interior space. The bottom flaps include notched edges for interlocking to maintain corners of the peripheral side wall square. An insert is removably receivable in the rectangular interior space. The insert comprises first and second panels of sheet material selectively folded to define a plurality of rectangular mold cavities in the interior space. Distal edges of the panels are notched wherein the notched edges interlock at the corners of the peripheral side wall to maintain the mold cavities square.

Abstract: A concrete accessory for use with a ready mix chute comprises a funnel shaped hopper. The hopper has a wide upper opening of a size corresponding to that of a ready mix chute and tapering to a narrow lower opening. The hopper has a seamless inner surface and a pair of hollow aligned receptacles on opposite sides of the hopper and extending outwardly therefrom proximate the upper opening. An elongate rod has a length greater than the spacing between the aligned hollow receptacles to be received therein. A hanger assembly removably attaches the rod to a ready mix chute, in use, to support the hopper below the chute.

Abstract: A concrete accessory for use with a ready mix chute comprises a funnel shaped hopper. The hopper has a wide upper opening of a size corresponding to that of a ready mix chute and tapering to a narrow lower opening. The hopper has a seamless inner surface and a pair of hollow aligned receptacles on opposite sides of the hopper and extending outwardly therefrom proximate the upper opening. An elongate rod has a length greater than the spacing between the aligned hollow receptacles to be received therein. A hanger assembly removably attaches the rod to a ready mix chute, in use, to support the hopper below the chute.

Abstract: A biodegradable test cylinder mold is used for testing concrete specimens. The mold comprises a cylindrical wall connected to a bottom wall to define a hollow, unitary cylindrical container for receiving concrete to form a test specimen. The cylindrical container is formed of a biodegradable material comprising corn starch or a blend of corn starch and plastic.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system for strength testing of concrete masonry units (CMUs) comprises a rigid, rectangular foam board of a size to be received on a face of a CMU. A plastic sheet is laminated to the rigid foam board and is engagable by a test apparatus, in use, with the rigid foam board engaging the face of the CMU to provide even load distribution during testing.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system for compression testing of concrete cylinders comprises first and second retaining cups comprising metal blocks each having opposite parallel planar surfaces. A first of the planar surfaces is engageable by a test apparatus, in use. A second of the planar surfaces has a cylindrical cavity of a first select diameter for receiving one end of the concrete cylinder. First and second cylindrical compression pads are each to be received in one of the retaining cup cavities to abut an end of the concrete cylinder, in use. The compression pads are of a second select diameter smaller than the first select diameter of the cavity to define a circumferential space therebetween. Nubs are provided for gripping the cavity to prevent the compression pads from falling out of the cavities.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system is provided for compression testing of grout samples in the form of rectangular prisms. The capping system comprises first and second retaining cups comprising metal blocks each having opposite parallel planar surfaces. A first of the planar surfaces is engagable by a test platen, in use. A second of the planar surfaces has a rectangular cavity for receiving one end of the grout sample. First and second rectangular compression pads each have a hardness in the range of about 50-70 durometer. The compression pads are of a size slightly smaller than a size of the rectangular cavities to be received therein to distribute a test load from the test platens to the grout sample.

Abstract: Broadly, there is disclosed herein in accordance with a first aspect of the invention a safety system for use with linearly arranged reinforcement bars. The safety system includes a plurality of safety covers and a plurality of adapters. Each safety cover includes a cover plate and a collar operatively associated with and extending downwardly from the cover plate for mounting to an upper end of a reinforcement bar. Each adapter has a center section and opposite upwardly turned side sections defining a channel. The center section is adapted to removably receive one of the safety covers to secure the adapter to the reinforcement bar. The channel receives an elongate body extending between two or more of the adapters on linearly arranged reinforcement bars.

Abstract: A shim assembly comprises a first shim piece having a generally planar body and a plurality of spaced apart projections extending upwardly therefrom. A second shim piece has a generally planar body and a plurality of spaced recesses. The recesses are slightly larger than the projections and spaced apart similar to the spacing of the projections to receive the projections and maintain the first and second shim pieces in an assembled condition.

Abstract: A safety system is provided for use with a concrete reinforcing bar or rebar. The system includes a cover having a cover base plate with a first, force-receiving surface and a second surface and a collar having a collar wall attached to the second surface of the cover base plate and having an inner surface defining a bore. A mechanism is attached to the collar wall for maintaining the system in an operative position relative to an end of a rebar. A plate is disposed in the bore spaced from the second surface of the cover to define an interior space and having an engagement surface abuttable against the rebar end. One of the plate and the collar is deformable to resist movement of the rebar end through the interior space and the cover.

Abstract: A guard rail for use with linearly-arranged reinforcement bars is provided, the guard rail including a housing for guarding reinforcement bars with the housing including structure for capturing the reinforcement bars therein, and structure on the capturing structure for guiding movement of the capturing structure between a non-secured position and a position wherein the housing is securely maintained in a guarding position over the reinforcement bars extending into the housing.

Abstract: A concrete column form includes a plurality of half-round sections secured together by a plurality of bolts. Each section comprises a semi-cylindrical wall having a top edge, a bottom edge and opposite side edges. A semi-circular top flange is connected to and extends radially outwardly from the top edge, including a semi-circular raised ridge extending upwardly therefrom and a plurality of apertures therethrough. A semi-circular bottom flange is connected to and extends radially outwardly from the bottom edge and includes a semicircular indented notch opening downwardly therefrom for receiving the raised ridge from the top flange of a subjacent section for aligning the same and a plurality of apertures therethrough circumferentially aligned with the top flange apertures for receiving the bolts to fasten the same to the top flange of a subjacent section.

Abstract: A plastic slump cone includes a unitary frusto-conical mold formed of a synthetic resin defining an open base at one axial end and a smaller open top at an opposite axial end for receiving a sample of freshly mixed concrete, in use. A pair of foot pieces formed of synthetic resin are secured to the mold and extend radially outwardly therefrom at the base on opposite sides thereof for holding the mold firmly in place while filling with a sample of concrete. A pair of handles formed of synthetic resin are secured to the mold and extend radially outwardly therefrom intermediate the base and the top and opposite sides thereof for lifting the mold when filled with a sample of concrete.

Abstract: A packaging assembly is provided for facilitating shipment and use of articles contained therein. The packaging assembly includes a pair of identical cartons, one positioned atop the other, and suitable connectors for maintaining the cartons in assembled relation. The connector elements may comprise staples, an adhesive strap, or connector elements disposed partially within each container for maintaining the cartons in assembled relation during shipment. When in use, the connector elements can be removed to separate the containers.

Abstract: A mold for forming concrete having a bottom, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, all of plastic, and with the side walls and bottom being of integral one-piece construction and hinged together by living hinges defined by reduced thickness of the plastic panel. The ends walls are shaped with generally U-shaped channels dimensioned to lock onto the ends of the bottom and side walls whereby a watertight concrete mold is formed. The concrete mold is assembled by pivoting the side walls to an upright position relative to the bottom by means of the living hinges and the end walls are then secured to the bottom and side walls. The mold can be disassembled for removal of a formed concrete specimen by removal of the end walls and pivoting the side walls downwardly to a generally coplanar relation with the bottom to expose the test specimen for removal.

Abstract: A multiple use shim product having plural rows of spaced-apart shims, with the shims being integrally-connected to adjacent shims in the same row as well as adjacent rows by relatively thin and narrow fracturable hinge sections. The shim product is of a one-piece construction formed as a molded sheet of plastic material. Each shim is of generally a horseshoe shape with a space between separated legs. The shims are arranged in adjacent rows wherein separation of two particular rows of shims from the sheet can have the shim spaces opening outwardly from each row of shims and another selection of rows of shims can have the shim leg sections abutting to form an elongate enclosed opening by the combined spaces.

Abstract: A reinforced fiberboard box for creating a void in and under concrete formations. A single piece of double faced, corrugated fiberboard is defined by a face, a bottom, a pair of end flaps, and a pair of side flaps. The end flaps are folded into at least four uniformly shaped partitions which are subsequently folded onto the face of the fiberboard and are aligned along the longitudinal axis to create a box-like structure. Pairs of side flaps are then wrapped around the sides and top of the partitions to form a completely closed, internally reinforced, box-like structure. A portion of the side flaps are tucked inwardly, intersecting the partitions so that slots in the side flaps interlock with slots in the partitions which prevents the box void from unfolding during use.