Laterally Related, Individually Assembled Courses Patents (Class 52/561)
  • Patent number: 11759973
    Abstract: A pallet forming concrete mold assembly includes a bottom wall having a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge. The perimeter wall has a rectangular shape and the bottom wall has a length and width each is between 40.0 inches and 60.0 inches. A perimeter wall is attached to and extends upwardly from the perimeter edge. The perimeter wall includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The top side of the bottom wall has a pair of raised sections extending from the front wall to the back wall. The raised sections form forklift slots in a concrete block formed by the bottom and perimeter walls. The raised sections are oriented parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Rod Johnson
  • Patent number: 11745465
    Abstract: External thermal insulation composite systems described herein include a concrete or masonry wall and a multilayer thermal insulation board disposed on the concrete or masonry wall. The multilayer thermal insulation board includes at least one closed cell foam layer comprising polyurethane and polyisocyanurate having an open cell volume of less than 20% by volume according to ASTM D 6226 and at least one open cell foam layer comprising polyurethane and polyisocyanurate having an open cell volume of greater than 80% by volume according to ASTM D 6226.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Giuseppe Vairo, Elena Ferrari, Luigi Bertucelli, Alberto Fangareggi
  • Patent number: 11530534
    Abstract: A dry-stack masonry wall supported on hollow piles includes a wall having a plurality of stacked rows of masonry blocks that form a hollow interior grid of horizontal and vertical channels. The wall is supported on piles having hollow interiors, each of which is in communication with one of the vertical channels of the wall. Hardened grout filling the grid of the wall and the interiors of the piles monolithically binds the blocks into a wall which is bonded to and supported by the piles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Daysh, Howard Perko, Troy Lyver
  • Patent number: 10947724
    Abstract: A ceiling system, comprising at least two elongate carriers, configured to support at least one ceiling panel; at least one elongate beam; and at least two connecting brackets; wherein each elongate carrier is supported at one or more suspension locations; each elongate beam is coupled to at least two elongate carriers by a respective connecting bracket; and the connecting brackets are coupled to the elongate carriers by a push-fit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Michiel Jacobus Johannes Langeveld, John Paulus Alfred Fick
  • Patent number: 8959865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for erecting a building structure with construction elements, wherein the construction elements comprise block-shaped bags filled with filling material and having an upper side, a lower side, a front side, a rear side, a right end surface and a left end surface, and wherein the block-shaped, bag-like construction elements of a first type are basic wall elements provided with connecting flaps at least close to the two end surfaces; the method comprising at least the steps of: —arranging at least two basic wall elements adjacently of each other on a ground surface, wherein the right end surface of the first basic wall element and the left end surface of the second basic wall element are placed close to each other; —placing against each other the connecting flaps of respectively the first and second basic wall elements situated close to the end surfaces placed closely together; and—mutually connecting the connecting flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventors: Marlon Roger Philip Kratz, Ricardus Josephus Johannus Maria van Oostrum
  • Patent number: 8931218
    Abstract: A modular brick or block outdoor structure includes an outdoor structure that is constructed in modular sections. Each modular section is fabricated from a plurality of paving bricks or retaining wall blocks that match the brick or block used to construct the patio. The bricks or blocks are preferably assembled to each other with adhesive. Each modular section includes means for transporting thereof with some type of equipment, if necessary. It is preferable that each modular section include channels to receive lifting forks of an end loader or other suitable transport device, if necessary. However, other methods of transporting the modular section may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Oldcastle Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Raboine
  • Patent number: 8893450
    Abstract: The invention discloses devices and methods for using building blocks for construction that does not require mortar, internal columns or additional internal or external finishing. A building block includes joining elements for attaching blocks from top to bottom as well as from side to side. Additionally, blocks have internal and external finishes that are complete. The block includes a removable face for allowing access to space for infrastructural elements like wires and pipes. Thus, after construction of a structure, there is no additional need to paint, hang wallpaper or otherwise treat the outer and inner walls of the final structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Ron Zohar
  • Publication number: 20140260050
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a panel comprises a body portion comprising a front side, a back side and a plurality of cavities. The front side comprises a plurality of face portions and cavity openings arranged on a first plane, and a plurality of guide members. Each guide member comprises a front edge arranged on a second plane, wherein the second plane is offset from the first plane. The guide members define a plurality of spaces of predetermined volume between said first plane and said second plane. A method comprises providing the panel, applying mortar to the panel in the predetermined volumes, skimming the mortar using the guide members to guide an edge to form metered mortar pans, and pressing objects into the mortar pans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Advanced Formliners, LLC
    Inventor: Shane Calmes
  • Publication number: 20140260029
    Abstract: A insulated masonry wall system having insulation blocks between structural and face blocks to provide structures that are strong, inexpensive, avoid thermal bridges, and resist transmission of heat. The walls are attractive and versatile, and an enormous variety of decorative face members may be utilized. The face blocks are attached to the structural blocks to prevent facing materials from falling even if fire destroys the insulation blocks between the structural blocks and the facing. The system resists water penetration and effectively drains water that does penetrate any portion of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Oldcastle Architectural, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Browning, Robert J. Lundell, Stephane Beliveau
  • Patent number: 8820024
    Abstract: The wall building system and method uses a block for building walls and other structures. The block is formed with an external face member and an internal face member connected by an inner core, which has an outer surface formed with a concave profile. The block is fabricated in one piece to enhance strength and stability. Each face is provided with a continuous groove therearound. The continuous grooves are adapted to receive locking elements therein to interlock the blocks. Utilizing a locking element eliminates the need for binding compounds, such as mortar, thereby greatly reducing labor and material costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventors: Mohammad A. H. S. H. Abdullah, Hamad S. H. S. Husain
  • Patent number: 8800235
    Abstract: A wall block having at least one weight bearing pad on an upper or lower surface of the block and a compression head and methods of making the block and making walls with the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventor: David M. LaCroix
  • Patent number: 8789325
    Abstract: A wall assembly (1) for the construction of a wall element (14), wherein accumulation of the shrinkage heights of the different beams to form a major shrinkage for every wall element (14) is avoided, having two profiles (3) extending substantially vertically, two beams (2), stacked one on top of the other and extending substantially horizontally between the two profiles (3) and that have at each end a positioning end (6) that has a smaller height than the respective beam (2), and two positioning elements (4) for very two beams (2) that can be secured to a profile (3) such that each positioning element (4) extends substantially between the positioning ends (6) of two beams (2) stacked one on top of the other and the upper one of these beams (2) stacked one on top of the other is supported on this positioning element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Verhaeghe Chalets & Sauna NV
    Inventor: Thomas Daniel Antoon Verhaeghe
  • Patent number: 8752353
    Abstract: A stackable surface module is provided for a wall surface that can be both erected and dismantled. The stackable surface module is especially useful in certain applications, such as for earthquake-resistant walls, a cupola, a bridge, a site fence, a noise protection wall, an upwind power station, a heat exchanger or a coastal protection wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Klaus Zinser
  • Publication number: 20140083033
    Abstract: An architectural finish element operable to be placed adjacent similar architectural finish elements to form a finished surface on an architectural structure includes a body formed of a rock-based composite material comprising a low density solid particle additive, a plurality of unitary real stone veneer elements bonded to the body in courses extending in a first direction and in a random non-repetitive pattern, the real stone veneer elements having respective face surfaces generally lying in a plane to form an overall face surface of the architectural finish element. The low density solid particle additive is provided in an amount suitable to cause the architectural finish element to have a density of between about 10 to 15 pounds per square foot. The architectural finishing element may be mounted by mounting a portion of a body of at least one dual architectural finish element support to a surface of an architectural structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: PACIFIC PREBENCHED LTD.
    Inventors: Robert Gordon McIntosh, Brian Philip Nemez
  • Publication number: 20140083041
    Abstract: Faux brick and faux brick or masonry system are disclosed. An example system includes a plurality of low-density faux bricks (or blocks) and one or more couplings or faux joints configured to engage one or more of the plurality of faux bricks. To assemble a structure, a plurality of modular faux bricks and faux joints are provided, and the modular faux bricks are combined with faux joint to assemble a faux brick structure in which a plurality of faux joints are interspersed between the plurality of faux bricks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Kyle Fairchild
  • Patent number: 8677711
    Abstract: A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joel Wolter, Robert B. Burnquist, Harrison John Brown, Dale A. Buker, Jay J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140075854
    Abstract: The present invention is a block having an elongated and hexagonal shape. A central void runs through the block. The block is formed of an elastomeric and water-repellant material. The hexagonal shape facilitates stacking of blocks having identical hexagon dimensions, although the elongated dimension, or length, of the blocks may be different. The central void of the block may be filled with one or more materials that impart additional characteristics to the block and the resulting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald E. Cox
  • Patent number: 8596010
    Abstract: A wall anchor for use in an insulated cavity wall has an elongated body extending from a driven end to a driving end. A threaded portion at the driven end is adapted to be mounted on an inner wythe of a cavity wall structure. A drive head at the driving end has a surface facing the driven end of the wall anchor, with teeth formed on the surface. A collar with at least one aperture for a veneer tie is located near the driving end. The collar has teeth formed on a top surface generally facing the drive head. The teeth of the drive head and the collar are interengaging ratchet teeth, and a spring washer biases the collar against the drive head. The collar can only be rotated relative to the wall anchor in a single direction, with the interengaging ratchet teeth preventing rotation in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: MiTek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald P. Hohmann, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130291466
    Abstract: A glass block including an insulating material disposed with an interior chamber. The block includes a first block half, a second block half, and a frame. The frame is positioned between and aligns the first block half and the second block half so that the block halves and the frame define a complete enclosure. The frame holds at least two partitions inside the block. The partitions divide the interior of the block into a plurality of chambers including at least one interior chamber disposed between the partitions. An insulating material is disposed in the interior chamber between the partitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Pittsburgh Corning Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Robert BADGER
  • Publication number: 20130283718
    Abstract: A wall block includes two finished wall material layers attached to a frame where the tops of the wall blocks are configured to support other wall blocks. Exterior wall blocks for constructing exterior walls include an interior wall material layer and an exterior wall material layer. Interior wall blocks include interior wall material layers on both vertical sides of the frame. Walls are formed by stacking and gluing the prefabricated wall blocks and vertically aligning the wall blocks in an offset or in a vertical configuration to form a stack bond, running bond, or offset running bond wall configuration. The interior wall material layers and exterior wall material layers do not require further finishing after a wall is assembled thereby greatly reducing labor costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Michael M. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20130227905
    Abstract: A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Joel Wolter, Robert B. Burnquist, Harrison John Brown, Dale A. Buker, Jay J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130227901
    Abstract: The invention discloses devices and methods for using building blocks for construction that does not require mortar, internal columns or additional internal or external finishing. A building block includes joining elements for attaching blocks from top to bottom as well as from side to side. Additionally, blocks have internal and external finishes that are complete. The block includes a removable face for allowing access to space for infrastructural elements like wires and pipes. Thus, after construction of a structure, there is no additional need to paint, hang wallpaper or otherwise treat the outer and inner walls of the final structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Ron Zohar
  • Publication number: 20130212970
    Abstract: A method of making a structural component (and such a structural component) comprising mixing together wood pulp, water, bentonite clay, and calcium chloride and forming the mixture into the structural component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Santoro
  • Patent number: 8490354
    Abstract: A wall block includes two finished wall material layers attached to a frame where the tops of the wall blocks are configured to support other wall blocks. Exterior wall blocks for constructing exterior walls include an interior wall material layer and an exterior wall material layer. Interior wall blocks include interior wall material layers on both vertical sides of the frame. Walls are formed by stacking and gluing the prefabricated wall blocks and vertically aligning the wall blocks in an offset or in a vertical configuration to form a stack bond, running bond, or offset running bond wall configuration. The interior wall material layers and exterior wall material layers do not require further finishing after a wall is assembled thereby greatly reducing labor costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Supreme Wall Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20130167466
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for erecting a building structure with construction elements, wherein the construction elements comprise block-shaped bags filled with filling material and having an upper side, a lower side, a front side, a rear side, a right end surface and a left end surface, and wherein the block-shaped, bag-like construction elements of a first type are basic wall elements provided with connecting flaps at least close to the two end surfaces; the method comprising at least the steps of:—arranging at least two basic wall elements adjacently of each other on a ground surface, wherein the right end surface of the first basic wall element and the left end surface of the second basic wall element are placed close to each other;—placing against each other the connecting flaps of respectively the first and second basic wall elements situated close to the end surfaces placed closely together; and—mutually connecting the connecting flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Marlon Roger Philipp Kratz, Ricardus Josephus Johannus Maria van Oostrum
  • Publication number: 20130118092
    Abstract: A prefabricated building includes a sheet folded to form a structural member defining an interior space. The structural member defines an upper guide hole that extends from the interior space of the structural member to the exterior of the structural member, and a lower guide hole that extends from the interior space of the structural member to the exterior of the structural member. The prefabricated building also includes a guide member that is fixed relative to a foundation. The structural member is aligned so that the guide member passes through the upper guide hole and the lower guide hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Richard H. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20130091798
    Abstract: A block for construction of foundation systems retaining walls and gabions and to methods to build walls or gabions from said block. The block is comprised by at least two sides or faces of rectangular and flat configuration (1 and 2); at least one side or face (3) which has at least one of the ends in convex form; at least two sides or faces (4 and 5) which have at least one of its ends in convex form and that together with the convex end of the side or face (3) can provide said block with an apex (6) and respective geodynamic form. The present block is intended for the civil construction sector, more specifically for the construction of retaining walls by means of blocks or applying formwork with the form of the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: António José Vieira Da Cunha
  • Publication number: 20130074437
    Abstract: A segmental wall block system including one or more a face units and one or more anchoring units. The face units each have a front face and a rear face and one or more channels formed in the rear face, the channels extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the face unit along a face unit height. The anchoring units each have a first connector on a first end and a second connector on a second end. The first and second connectors are sized to slide into and be interlocked with the channels of the face unit. The distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the anchoring unit forms its height, which is approximately uniform and is approximately one half of the height of the face unit. The anchoring units may also include one or more grooves on the connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: ALLAN BLOCK, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bott
  • Publication number: 20130067845
    Abstract: A wall block comprises an upper surface and an opposed lower surface. A front face and an opposed back face, and a first side face and an opposed second side face, are disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first side face and the second side face generally extend from the front face to the back face. The block includes one or more features that define a horizontal alignment direction. The front face extends from the first side face to the second side face generally along a direction that is slanted with respect to the horizontal alignment direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
  • Publication number: 20130025227
    Abstract: A corner block and a wall block system with a corner block for forming in multiple courses a wall which includes first and second visible wall portions which meet at a corner and where the corner block has a front face and at least one side surface having a texture or pattern matching the texture or pattern of a front face of a first block of the wall system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
  • Patent number: 8297012
    Abstract: A prefabricated building module made of multiple layers of plastic blocks or hollow plastic forms aligned between upper and lower sheet steel channels which are held together with circular steel bars extending vertically between and connected to the top and bottom channels, through guide conduit orifices in the plastic blocks or the hollow plastic forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Mariano Nuñez-Vargas
  • Patent number: 8272812
    Abstract: Retaining wall building blocks for receiving fill material during construction of a retaining wall, retaining walls constructed with the building blocks and methods of manufacture of the building block wherein the block comprises a cast cement body having a base, a generally upright face wall extending upward from the base, two generally upright side walls extending upward from the base and generally rearward of the face wall, the base, upright face wall, and side walls each having an inner and an outer surface, the side walls each having a top and a rearward most end, and a fill receiving cavity defined by base inner surface, side wall inner surfaces and face wall inner surface for receiving fill material, the fill receiving cavity having a volume wherein a ratio of the volume of the fill receiving cavity to the volume of the retaining wall building block is at least 0.75:1, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Smart Slope LLC
    Inventor: Mark Woolbright
  • Patent number: 8256182
    Abstract: A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joel Wolter, Robert B. Burnquist, Harrison John Brown, Dale A. Buker, Jay J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120183362
    Abstract: Single and multiple retaining wall blocks and block systems in which the blocks are provided with a face connection system which includes at least one front lip extending from a top surface of the block and a bottom channel formed into a front face and bottom surface of the block. The front lips have a length which is equal to the width of the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: William B. Dawson, Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8205395
    Abstract: A wall panel system, which may be either a slat wall system or a smooth wall system, is provided. The system employs tongue and groove attachment means to conveniently attach the parts of the wall panel system to one another. A method of installing such a wall panel system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Gary G. Jakiel
  • Patent number: 8166722
    Abstract: The present invention provides a modular flooring system including a ramp to facilitate entry and exit from the flooring system. The ramp may be modular and interconnect with all or parts of a perimeter of the flooring system, and the ramp may also interconnect with adjacent ramp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Snap Lock Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorgen J. Moller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120063853
    Abstract: A multi-component segmented retaining wall (SRW) block that may form a mortarless retaining wall. Each SRW block includes an interlocking face unit and an anchor unit that may be interlocked by complementary connector elements. The face units each have a front face that has one or more coplanar stacking surfaces to provide greater stability when the face units are stacked for shipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ALLAN BLOCK, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bott
  • Patent number: 8122657
    Abstract: Hollow metal “logs” each extending usually horizontally are arranged in adjacent, parallel, spaced-apart relation to form, or be part of, a wall or roof. Rigid insulating members are inserted between the logs. Each insulating member is shaped to fit around a log on either side of the insulating member. Each insulating member has a pair of outer faces respectively on either side of the wall or roof and lying substantially in respective planes parallel to the axes of the logs. The insulating members abut one another and collectively surround the logs and insulate the wall or roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Alejandro Stein
  • Patent number: 8079195
    Abstract: A modular block apparatus includes first and second blocks, each block having a generally upwardly protruding locking member and an internal recess sized to receive the locking member of the other block, such that the blocks can be assembled with one block above the other. The blocks are secured together in a vertical direction by relative lateral movement of the locking member and the internal recess. A locking device is provided to prevent relative lateral movement of the locking member and the internal recess so as to retain the blocks in a connected condition. The locking member may be an integral hook, a separate hook, or a cylindrical locking rod. If a hook is used, its orientation relative to the block may be varied. A variety of structures may be built up from the modular blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond Walter Cables
  • Publication number: 20110289877
    Abstract: Modular block structures and assemblies thereof for building wall facades comprise a plurality of interconnected preformed blocks with spacers allowing the user to position the modular block structures in even rows and columns. The modular block structures include panels with block forms on their front faces. The top and bottom edges of lower and upper panels in an assembly are complementarily configured to be mated. The lateral sides of adjacent panels of an assembly are complementarily configured to be mated. The modular block structures also include offset ends or lateral sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Horacio CORREIA
  • Publication number: 20110265418
    Abstract: A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Joel Wolter, Robert B. Burnquist, Harrison John Brown, Dale A. Buker, Jay J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110247289
    Abstract: Various systems are provided for building blocks having the appearance of wood shake. In one embodiment, a building block includes first side body portion including a protrusion, a second side body portion including a recess configured to engage the protrusion of an adjacent building block, and a front body portion including a front exterior surface having vertical striated grooved lines configured to resemble a plurality of wood shakes; and a lower lip extending across the front exterior surface and extending below a lower surface. In another embodiment, a building block includes a front exterior surface having vertical striated grooved lines configured to resemble a plurality of wood shakes and a first side body portion including a side exterior surface having vertical striated grooved lines configured to resemble at least one wood shake and a lower lip extending across the front and side exterior surfaces and extending below a lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Malcolm Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8015772
    Abstract: A stackable masonry unit having male and female elements that cooperate with complementary female and male elements on identical, opposing, adjoining units to create an interlocking two- or three-unit module from single design element. Each interlocking module comprises a portion of a course in a block wall made of cementitious material, e.g., a concrete masonry unit or insulating concrete foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: David Jensen
  • Patent number: 8011154
    Abstract: A building block arrangement comprises a first layer of building blocks and a second layer of building blocks. The first layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the first layer. The second layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the second layer. The space includes communicative vertical portions such that that the space at least partially isolates an interior wall portion from an exterior wall portion. The second layer of building blocks is positioned on top of the first layer of building blocks. The second layer of building blocks spans across at least a portion of the space in the first layer of building blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Eugene Everett
  • Patent number: 8006455
    Abstract: A backed panel comprising a facing panel and a backing panel. The backing panel has a groove, recessed portion, or any other suitable type of relief channel adapted to receive a side edge portion of a facing panel of an adjacent backed panel. By providing a space to receive a side edge portion of an adjacent facing panel, the relief channel may enable an improved lap joint to be established between adjacent backed panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Exterior Portfolio, LLC
    Inventors: Paul J. Mollinger, Paul R. Pelfrey, Larry R. Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20110203211
    Abstract: A masonry system having masonry elements which can be laid one on top of the other. Each masonry element has at least one spacer to which two panels are fastened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Hans Josef Metten
  • Patent number: 7997027
    Abstract: A roof system includes modular trays placed side-by-side on a roof, and a border along the boundaries of the system. The border includes side members with walls that extend from the roof to the top of the modules, along the length of the outer sides of the modules, to conceal the otherwise exposed sides of the modules. The side members include feet that extend along the roof line, from the base of the sidewalls to below the outer perimeter of the modules such that the weight of the trays holds the feet against the roof. The feet are formed with upward projections that are gravitationally engaged into voids formed in the bottoms of the modules to lock the side members in position at the sides of the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Mischo
  • Publication number: 20110090693
    Abstract: A building material whereinside an accommodating space is formed is disclosed. The building material includes a first area whereon at least one protruding part and at least one sunken part are formed alternately in a first direction, and a second area whereon at least one protruding part and at least one sunken part are formed alternately in the first direction. The protruding part of the second area aligns with the corresponding sunken part of the first area in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the sunken part of the second area aligns with the corresponding protruding part of the first area in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Tzu-Wei Liu, Chian-Chi Huang, Min-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 7882674
    Abstract: Molded concrete building blocks consisting of three block walls and block webs so located as to provide an increased path through the width of the block to reduce transmission of thermal and acoustic energy. The blocks may incorporate features, e.g., male projections and female recesses or an offset inner wall, so that mortar may not be required for assembly. The blocks may be configured so that interior apertures may be vertically aligned when the blocks are assembled in courses, providing adaptability to structure enhancing reinforcement and insulation materials, and to interior wall installation of wiring and plumbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Joseh H. Craven, Sara Craven, Frank L. McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20110023402
    Abstract: A building element for use in construction of buildings and the like comprises a flat body portion and first and second connecting members. The connecting members can be attached to the body portion following manufacture or else they can be integrally formed with the body portion. The body portion and connecting members are divided by fold lines in order that they may be folded into particular shapes for use, e.g. a building block. Each end of the body portion has a means for engaging the other end of the body portion once the element has been folded into shape in order that the building element shape is retained. The connecting members also include attachment means that can attach the formed building element to other adjacent elements. The elements are formed from punched or cut sheet steel and/or plastics materials and are formed into the desired shapes on site by hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Hugh FISHER