Connected By Transverse Hidden Joining Member Patents (Class 52/568)
  • Patent number: 11712036
    Abstract: The present invention provides deterrent devices for birds and other animals. The device includes a plurality of wires/spikes insertion molded into an elongated plastic base. Each of the wires extends out left and right sides of the base, with alternating angles between 50 and 90°. The bends of at least three sequential wires on the left side of the base are substantially colinear, and the bends of at least three sequential wires on the right side of the base are substantially colinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Bird B Gone LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Donoho
  • Patent number: 11021889
    Abstract: A burial system comprising: one or more rectangular burial spaces, each confined by grave walls generated by cutting with a filament from a block of foamed polystyrene or other expanded polystyrene substance, thereby enabling reducing weight of burial elements of the burial system by at least 90% in comparison to concrete burial elements (the prior art), and providing ease of construction effort in comparison to concrete burial systems. The innovative saturated burial system is supposed to sustain for hundreds of years. The saturated burial system may be applied on a single burial arrangement, as well as on a double burial arrangement, and a multi-story crypt burial arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: R. PORTAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT LTD.
    Inventor: Ronen Portal
  • Patent number: 10486873
    Abstract: A pallet-less brick is provided that allows for materials to be transported without the use of straps or pallets, which makes the transportation and subsequent use of the materials more efficient and more environmentally friendly. The pallet-less brick can have a generally planar body with a series of protrusions and recesses extending in different directions. A protrusion extending in one direction can be received in a recess of an adjacent brick, such that the bricks are stackable without the use of straps or pallets. Similarly, a second protrusion and recess combination fulfill a similar function, and the multiple protrusions and recesses secure stacked pallets in at least two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel Gage
  • Patent number: 9279261
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a formwork element 10 for concrete structures, uses a formwork element having a base body 12 of hollow profile construction with an outer side 14 designed as a form lining. The base body 12 is formed by at least two interlocking sub-segments which are permanently connected to one another at their interlocking edge areas. The sub-segments, such as edge segment and intermediate segment 16, 18, which are advantageously produced through extrusion, are hooked to one another to form an inseparable unit in the connected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Peri GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Schneider, Andreas Meyer
  • Patent number: 9003734
    Abstract: A mortarless retaining wall constructed of a plurality of segmental retaining wall (SRW) blocks stacked in an array of superimposed rows. Each SRW block includes a face unit having connectors and one or more anchoring units each having connectors. The anchoring unit connectors are of complementary shape to interlock with respective face unit connectors. The face unit and each anchoring unit forming the SRW block when interlocked, each anchoring unit for confronting soil being retained by the retaining wall. The face units have first and second load bearing surfaces and first and second end surfaces forming front edges which are non-linear along the entire edge. The first and second load bearing surfaces are non-planar across the entire load bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Allan Block, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bott
  • Patent number: 8984837
    Abstract: A masonry wire reinforcement apparatus and system is disclosed for anchoring a veneer wall to a backup wall of Concrete Masonry Units using a masonry wire reinforcement product embedded into an inner support wall, along with clips and pintle ties, such that the clip is attached to the masonry wire reinforcement product and is configured to receive the pintle tie, which then is attached to the veneer wall. Also disclosed is a thermal attachment that can be attached to the clip and accept the pintle tie thereby reducing the transfer of energy from the outer veneer wall to the inner support wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Heckmann Building Products Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Curtis, David Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8925273
    Abstract: A decorative wall system comprises a supporting wall, a thin brick element with a mortice formed therein and a dovetail tenon clip with fastening means for insertion and retention in the mortice whereby the brick element is attached to the supporting wall. The dovetail tenon clip has a longitudinal space to enable the sidewalls to be pressed inwardly to collapse the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Quadrosera Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Huff
  • Patent number: 8863465
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Allan Block, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bott
  • Publication number: 20140215949
    Abstract: An assembly of at least two parts of blocks made of light weight concrete, wood, or rock separated by a channel void or filled with an insulating substance. Channels provide a sound barrier and insulation. Attachment of the blocks can be made by means of angular steel pins fixing blocks two by two, by means of adhesive fibre glass wrapping the blocks, by means of adhesive construction glue, or by means of crossed tie resisting to shear forces. Central channels in the blocks are dug to pass a metal rod to strengthen the whole assembly of blocks; a central passage pierced in a top face of a central block wherein a metal rod is inserted and continues through an end groove of an upper and a lower block. Or, channels are dug all along the periphery of the block, and horizontal and a vertical rods are affixed against the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Andre Cossette, Ly Hieryl P. Demegillo
  • Publication number: 20140202098
    Abstract: A binding element for a building wall structure, wherein said binding element comprises an elongated steel element coated with a thermoplastic material, and wherein the coated thermoplastic material has a uniform thickness on each straight portion of the elongated steel element. The building wall structure comprising an inner wall, an outer wall spaced from said inner wall and provided with at least one insulation layer(s) in between, at least one binding element comprising an elongated steel element coated with a thermoplastic material interconnecting said outer wall and inner wall through the insulation layer, wherein ends of said binding element is fixed to the said outer wall and said inner wall respectively and wherein middle portion of said binding element is in contact with the said insulation layer(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Anneleen De Smet, Frederik Ardies
  • Publication number: 20140196397
    Abstract: An innovative masonry block, such as a CMU, has a core of insulative material with masonry cladding, such as concrete, on lateral sides, and anchor elements, such as rigid bar members, may extend from the core to hold the cladding to the core. The core may also include a drain aperture extending from top to bottom, as well as a sloped top surface that serves to direct water to the drain. A plurality of such blocks can make a wall or other building structure having a pathway for water to travel through and out of the stacked blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Tom Sourlis, Gary R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140150361
    Abstract: An insulated core for a building block for a building wall, the block has spaced apart parallel face shells with the insulating core filling the space between the parallel face shells. The insulating core defines spaced apart parallel surfaces for engaging the respective face shells. The insulating core is provided with channels such that when the block forms part of a wall with other blocks, the channels form intersecting uninterrupted passageways for receiving elongated reinforcing members and grout to provide a reinforcing structure to the wall. A method of preparing a structural insulating wall for buildings and an insulating core including a metal connecting bar with lateral wings provided within at least one male interlocking member to provide a thermal break are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: 8168202 Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Charles CASTONGUAY, Julie CASTONGUAY, Jean-Luc GRONDIN
  • Patent number: 8739490
    Abstract: A wall construction system includes a plurality of leveling blocks arranged in a first course wherein each leveling block including an upper surface, a wall defining a leveling block void, and at least one leveling component having a leveling plate that engages the wall and at least one threaded adjuster extending through the plate. A plurality of field blocks is arranged in a second course atop the first course wherein each field block includes a lower surface that interfits with the upper surface of at least one of the leveling blocks and a wall defining a field block void aligned with the leveling block void of the one leveling block. A cementitious material is disposed in an aligned field block void and leveling block void of at least one of the field blocks and at least one of the leveling blocks, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Mark R. Weber
  • Patent number: 8696848
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure, such as inflatable cushions. The device includes an assembly configured for inflating a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of a film, and a sealing mechanism that preferably includes a rotary sealing drum, which can include a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul A. Selle, Mitchell J. Hein
  • Patent number: 8656678
    Abstract: Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8555588
    Abstract: An insulating concrete form foam block bi-directional system comprises a pair of opposed and parallel foam sidewall panels spaced using a plurality of plastic and metal band ties that act as a fire-break between the two exterior finished concrete wall surfaces. Each tie comprises nearly full sidewall height, plastic flanges which engage the sidewalls and a metal band cross-connecting vertical holders of the ties. The metal band forms a wide opening to enhance concrete flow. The tie results in a minimal downward stress impact on the tie during concrete placement. The top and bottom surfaces of each sidewall are formed with raised areas and non-raised areas which interlock with adjacent blocks. The side surfaces of each sidewall are formed with vertical tongues and grooves which interlock with like tongues and grooves of corner pieces which are adapted to form right or left-hand corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan D. Stokes
  • Patent number: 8468764
    Abstract: A load bearing wall formwork system and method are disclosed. The load bearing wall formwork system comprises a unique clip assembly for joining two or more substantially planar structures, such as a wall panel, in a spaced apart manner and providing a space there between for placement of a flowable material. The clip assembly comprises a first clip member having a first side for attachment to the wall panel, a second side and an opening positioned between the first and second sides, as well as a second clip member, engageable with the first clip member, having a first side for attachment to a second wall panel, a second side and an opening positioned between the first and second sides. The openings provided in the first and second clip members are aligned when the clip members are engaged. A connecting member is insertable into the aligned openings of the first and second clip members, connecting the first and second clip members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Plycem Company Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Jean Degen, Fausto Bejarano Castillo, Pablo Rodriguez Acosta, Humberto Trimino Vasquez
  • Patent number: 8443560
    Abstract: A concrete form block for construction of a building includes first and second panel devices, each having inner and outer faces separated by ribs. Projecting connectors are disposed on the inner faces and each has a pin-receiving aperture. U-shaped couplers are used to connect the two panel devices together so that their inner faces are parallel. Each connector has first and second connecting pins and these are received in the apertures of the connectors of the panel devices, with each pin being pivotable in its aperture after insertion. The panel devices can be moved from a collapsed configuration having at least a reduced space between the inner faces and an in-use configuration with more space between these faces. There is also disclosed a panel structure having upper and lower channel forming frames connected to an outer wall portion thereof. These form a channel for receiving equipment for utilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: 2158484 Ontario Inc
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Uhl, Wilhelm Knecht
  • Patent number: 8425288
    Abstract: A foundation vent assembly for a masonry foundation wall includes a metal frame mounted in an opening registering with a crawl space area. The frame orients and supports a series of spaced vertical grill blocks matching the foundation masonry and integrated with the surrounding mortar joints, thereby providing a continuous appealing exterior appearance. The spaces between the grill blocks register with ventilation slots in the rear of the frame. The ventilations slots are covered by a screen mesh to prevent pest infiltration, and optionally covered with a pivoting damper for selective opening and closing, having a rear wall covering the opening with spaced screen vents. The grill blocks are aligned by tabs on upper and lower flange walls between the vents and provide for extension of the foundation mortar joints thereby providing a consistent overall façade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Keith Wayne Snipes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8418422
    Abstract: A masonry anchor and method of use for connecting first and second spaced-apart walls defining a cavity therebetween, the anchor including an anchor bracket including a slot and a pintle engaging and carried by the anchor bracket and extending outwardly from the anchor bracket and bridging a cavity between the first and second walls. The pintle includes first and second laterally spaced-apart hooks for being positioned and locked in the slot of the anchor bracket. The hooks have a nominal spacing between them that is greater than a width of the slot, and are deformable into a position wherein the hooks are spaced apart by a distance that is less than the width of the slot for allowing the hooks to be inserted into the slot, and have sufficient positional memory to return from its deformed position to its nominal spacing when manual pressure is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Masonry Reinforcing Corporation of America
    Inventor: Ralph O. Johnson, III
  • Publication number: 20130074436
    Abstract: A mortarless retaining wall constructed of a plurality of segmental retaining wall (SRW) blocks stacked in an array of superimposed rows. Each SRW block includes a face unit having connectors and one or more anchoring units each having connectors. The anchoring unit connectors are of complementary shape to interlock with respective face unit connectors. The face unit and each anchoring unit forming the SRW block when interlocked, each anchoring unit for confronting soil being retained by the retaining wall. The face units have first and second load bearing surfaces and first and second end surfaces forming front edges which are non-linear along the entire edge. The first and second load bearing surfaces are non-planar across the entire load bearing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: ALLAN BLOCK, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bott
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8359799
    Abstract: A building module. The building module has a rigid inner construction panel defining a planar surface thereon; one or more rigid brackets each affixed by one or more mechanical fasteners to the planar surface of the inner construction panel; a rigid, closed-cell, spray foam or adhesive matrix contiguous to and substantially covering the planar surface of the construction panel and filling and surrounding and/or embedding at least a major portion of the one or more brackets. Each of the one or more brackets bears a planar surface facing substantially away from the planar surface of the inner construction panel. The surface area of the planar surface of each of the one or more brackets is substantially smaller than the surface area of the planar surface of the construction panel to which it is affixed. There is also a method for making a building module, a method for constructing a building using the building module, and brackets useful in the building module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Darek Shapiro, Victor Rolando Yanez Galindo
  • Patent number: 8333045
    Abstract: An architectural concrete structure and a wall system formed with a plurality of architectural concrete structure wherein each block has first and second cement sections spaced apart and joined together with steel reinforcing bars and tubular members filled with cement. The first and second sections have parallel outer wall surfaces and inner wall surfaces which taper outwardly in an upward direction. Foam insulation is secured to each of the tapering wall surfaces, which insulation members define a tapered passageway extending through the length of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce Lung
  • Patent number: 8316610
    Abstract: A plastic construction block for storage of water, food, medicine, staples, construction materials, or any other item that needs to be contained for storage and shipping. The construction block can also be used in the construction of a bunker, wall, or the like structure through conventional building construction by filling of the block with sand or dirt. The construction block is substantially rectangular in shape having an enlarged fill port on one end with a resealable cap. The interior of the block is hollow and sized to hold about 3.4 fluid gallons. Apertures extend through the block and are used for receipt of anchoring posts. Each aperture further having a raised protrusion formed integral along one surface and a receptacle placed around each aperture on the rear surface. The raised protrusion interlocking with a receptacle on a rear surface of an adjoining construction block for aligning similar shaped construction blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Wendell B. Adams
  • Patent number: 8297021
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method for constructing and reinforcing modular block construction comprising placing on one or more modular blocks a plurality of separators which are connected via one or more connectors, and aligning modular blocks placed in a layer above the connectors. Also a method and apparatus for constructing and reinforcing multiple concentric modular block walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Armando Quinones
  • 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: 8181414
    Abstract: An insulating concrete form block adapted to be interlocked with other insulating concrete blocks to form an insulating concrete form for casting concrete. The insulating concrete block including a first foam panel and a second foam panel supported in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to form a concrete receiving cavity. Each of the first panel and the second panel having a top end, a bottom end, a first end, and a second end. The top end and the bottom end of each of the first and second panels having an outside row of a plurality of projections and an inside row of a plurality of projections. The projections of the outside row being spaced apart to define a plurality of recesses and the projections of the inside row being spaced apart to define a plurality of recesses with the projections of the outside row being adjacent to the recesses of the inside row and the recesses of the outside row being adjacent projections of the inside row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: BuildBlock Building Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Michael Garrett
  • Patent number: 8122668
    Abstract: A brick assembly includes multiple bricks and each brick has at least one rib and at least one slot respectively on two sides thereof so as to be connected side-by-side. Each brick includes multiple passages defined through the top surface and the bottom surface thereof and multiple first recesses are defined in the top surface and multiple second recesses are defined in the bottom surface of the brick. Each of the first and second recesses communicates with two passages. A U-shaped reinforcement bar extends through the two passages and the connection portion connected between two ends of the two legs is engaged with the second recess and a plate is engaged with the first recess. The two legs extend through the plate and are securely connected with two nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Tsan-Tang Fang
  • Patent number: 8082710
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an attachment system for use in a building comprising a plurality of first wall sections, a plurality of horizontal planks resting on the first wall sections, and a plurality of second wall sections resting on the horizontal planks. The system includes a plurality of threaded rods holding the system together, and may be made of concrete or similar material. The system may be disassembled and reassembled without affecting the structural integrity of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ballistics Technology International Ltd.
    Inventors: James E. Sigurdson, John T. Sutton
  • Publication number: 20110239565
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a plurality of wall members together to define a wall. The apparatus includes a base portion having a stud extending upwardly therefrom, the base portion configured to engage a surface of a first wall member. The apparatus also includes a first securing member sized and shaped to engage with a surface of a second wall member stacked above the first wall member. The apparatus also includes a first coupling member configured to extend through a bore in the first and second wall members. The first coupling member has an elongate rod member having an upper end and a lower end, and a coupler on the lower end of the rod member, the coupler being sized and shaped to receive the stud member therein. The upper end of the rod member is configured to be coupled to the first securing member for biasing the first and second wall members together to inhibit the formation of undesired spaces therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Gregory A. Clarke
  • 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: 7971407
    Abstract: Wall blocks and methods of constructing walls from the wall blocks which have a side connection system interlocking adjacent blocks whereby a side of the block is provided with a channel or slot that is configured to engage a corresponding projection on the adjacent block. The side connection system may alternatively have a connection receiving cavity formed by channels or slots on the sides of the blocks which are configured to align with a channel or slot from adjacent blocks where a connector may be received to interlock the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20110146186
    Abstract: A mortar-less building block system including interlocking building blocks, joist hangers, truss brackets, and insulation member disposed exterior to the block; the block having a front face and a back face, a top face and a bottom face, and a protrusion side face and a recess side face all connected to form the building block; the front face and the back face each have a pair of longitudinal recesses, the top face having a pair of longitudinal recesses aligned with the longitudinal recesses of the front face and the back face, and the top face further having a transverse recess centrally located on the top face transversely intersecting the pair of longitudinal recesses, creating intersection points; the recess side face having a transverse recess aligned with the transverse recess of the top face, and the protrusion side face having a transverse protrusion designed to mate with the transverse recess of an other of the building block; the bottom face having at least one transverse protrusion for mating with
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Gary Summers
  • Patent number: 7841141
    Abstract: Cogging piece (1) for use when notching log constructional elements (2) to other log constructional elements (2) or to corresponding separate log constructional elements (9). The cogging piece is adapted to be attached to both ends of each log constructional element (2) and to the end of each end constructional element (9) that is adapted to face a cogged joint. The cogging piece (1) is provided with lateral (4at, 4bt, 7at, 7bt) and axial (5at, 5bt, 6at, 6bt) inclined surfaces that are adapted to rest against corresponding axial and lateral surfaces respectively of cogging pieces attached to below and/or above intersecting log constructional elements and end constructional elements. Thus an increasing vertical force on a wall leads to an increased axial contraction of the cogged joints in the same wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Isolaft AS C/O Spilka Industri AS
    Inventor: Bjarne Nordli
  • Patent number: 7805906
    Abstract: An insulating concrete block adapted to be interlocked with other insulating concrete blocks to form an insulating concrete form for casting concrete. The insulating concrete block including a first foam panel and a second foam panel arranged in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to form a concrete receiving cavity. At least two web structures extending between the first foam panel and the second foam panel. Each web structure includes a pair of elongated end plates joined by a pair of web members. One of the end plates is embedded in the first foam panel and the other end plate is embedded in the second foam panel. Each of the end plates has at least one attachment element formed by providing a thickened area on the end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Buildblock Building Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Michael Garrett
  • Publication number: 20100162650
    Abstract: Means for and a method of erecting block drywall wherein the blocks, or bricks, are, for the most part, rectangular in appearance and each provided, on their undersides, with a longitudinal and centrally oriented cavity extending the full length of each block and leaving longitudinal, horizontal, contact areas on each side of the cavity for seating on an underlying block in a wall construction, the upper sides of each block being provided with a horizontal and centrally located protuberance extending the full length of the block, there being longitudinal seating areas along the top side of each block situated to cooperate with the underside seating areas on each side of a similar block seated thereon, the cavities and protuberances of the blocks constituting symmetrically opposed mating surfaces facilitating the staking of blocks, one upon another and slideable longitudinally with respect to each other in a vertical drywall construction, the blocks of each row may be provided with centrally located and horizo
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Clifford E. Van Steinburg
  • Publication number: 20100107542
    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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Eugene Everett
  • Patent number: 7669375
    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 horizontal and 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 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Eugene Everett
  • Publication number: 20090260312
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reinforcing a block masonry wall of blocks by use of a fixture, fixture holder, and deformed steel wire. The fixture holder has a hollow pipe shape and includes six blade receptacles protruding outward from a periphery thereof by a predetermined distance. The blade receptacles are spirally formed in a longitudinal direction of the fixture holder by a predetermined pitch. The deformed steel wire has an approximately regular-polygonal longitudinal direction thereof by a constant pitch. The deformed steel wire includes an intersectional connecting portion and/or beam connection loop. A block used in the reinforcing method includes a center hole and a side surface groove, and further includes first and second side holes at opposite sides of the center hole. The side surface groove is formed only at one side surface or either side surface of the block. All the holes have a rounded rectangular shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Yan Sup Lee
  • Publication number: 20090223156
    Abstract: An architectural concrete structure and a wall system formed with a plurality of architectural concrete structure wherein each block has first and second cement sections spaced apart and joined together with steel reinforcing bars and tubular members filled with cement. The first and second sections have parallel outer wall surfaces and inner wall surfaces which taper outwardly in an upward direction. Foam insulation is secured to each of the tapering wall surfaces, which insulation members define a tapered passageway extending through the length of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Bruce Lung
  • Publication number: 20090094917
    Abstract: A construction apparatus including a body having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and first and second opposite sides. The front has a front surface having a plurality of block images configured to generally depict a plurality of courses of blocks, each of the courses having a respective course width. The first and second sides have generally complementary step shapes including at least two rises and at least one run between the rises, each rise being about equal to one of the course widths or a sum of a plurality of the course widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: PACIFIC FENCE-CRETE LTD.
    Inventor: Robert Gordon McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20080289282
    Abstract: Wall blocks and methods of constructing walls from the wall blocks which have a side connection system interlocking adjacent blocks whereby a side of the block is provided with a channel or slot that is configured to engage a corresponding projection on the adjacent block. The side connection system may alternatively have a connection receiving cavity formed by channels or slots on the sides of the blocks which are configured to align with a channel or slot from adjacent blocks where a connector may be received to interlock the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20080202054
    Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a system of brick and rod for the construction of inclined walls, with great rigidity and lateral resistance, and great resistance to extreme uniform, cyclic, and gravitational forces. The brick of this system is a block with horizontal and vertical protuberances and cavities which permits horizontal and vertical interlocks with the adjacent bricks of the wall. The brick is also perforated by holes that are aligned with the holes of the vertically adjacent bricks of the wall, thus forming continuous holes which go throughout the entire height of the wall. The rods of the system cross the bricks through the continuous holes of the wall. This system allows the construction of an inclined wall made of bricks reinforced with a skeleton of rods. The resulting wall is suitable for retaining walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Ricardo Enrique Abella
  • Patent number: 7320201
    Abstract: A kit for forming a hollow block assembly to be used to construct a wall, the kit consisting of two face panels and a plurality of fasteners, each face panel comprising a plurality of spaced apart flanges extending perpendicularly from and attached to each panel so that a hollow block structure is assembled when the flanges of the face panels are connected together, directly or indirectly, by the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Snap Block Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Kitchen, Duane Priddy, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7290377
    Abstract: A block connector for pre-cast building blocks comprising a top body portion to be fitted into the bottom surface groove of an upper block and a bottom body portion to be fitted into the top surface groove of a lower block. The top and bottom body portions define three pairs of lateral sides. When mounting the blocks about first pair of lateral sides no offset between the blocks is provided. When mounting the blocks about the second pair of lateral sides, an offset is provided. When mounting the blocks about the third pair of lateral sides, an offset is provided that is greater than the offset of the second pair of lateral sides. A kit for building walls including a plurality of these blocks and block connectors is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Rocvale Produits de Beton Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Dupuis
  • Patent number: 7152382
    Abstract: A masonry anchor system is disclosed for anchoring two spaced apart masonry walls together to form a single wall structure. The masonry anchor system includes a ladder or truss type support frame for positioning on top of a mortar joint in one wall, and a connecting bracket having a pair of elongate arms connected by a cross-member affixed to the support frame. The cross-member is curved to provide two spaced apart points on the cross-member for contacting the support frame and affixing the cross-member thereto. The elongate arms extend transversely from the support frame and are sized to extend into the space between the two walls. Each of the arms have an eye portion formed at the end opposite the cross-member to receive a connecting member connected to the second wall. The support frame and the bracket reside in the same horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Masonry Reinforcing Corp. of America
    Inventor: Ralph O. Johnson, III
  • Patent number: 7013612
    Abstract: A multi-piece clamp for installation on a standing seam is disclosed. One component of the clamp is a clamp body with a clamp body slot formed therein. This slot may be mounted on a standing seam without having to slide the clamp body onto an end of the seam. Another component of the clamp is an insert(s) that may be disposed within the clamp body slot between a clamp body slot wall and the standing seam. One or more seam fasteners may be directed through the clamp body and a clamp body slot wall to secure each of the inserts within the clamp body slot by a compression of the same, and further to secure the clamp to the standing seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Robert M. M. Haddock
  • Patent number: 6880304
    Abstract: A novel structural thermal framing and panel system for assembling finished or unfinished walls with multiple combinations for poured and nonpoured walls comprising of a permanent structural framing stud which can be adjusted to different wall thickness, a plurality of permanent forms, wherein the pluralities of permanent forms are interchangeable with various other permanent panel forms with or without defined spaces for receiving filler, and wherein the framing stud substantially conforms to a portion of the pluralities of panel forms and resists bending in the panel forms. The framing stud is the main structural element in the wall. A structural framing system in combination with insulated panel forms with various defined spaces for receiving filler, and wherein panels may not be prefinished to form a rigid substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: JenTec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. Budge
  • Patent number: 6877283
    Abstract: Earthquake resistant blocks or discrete structures are manufactured using pieces of low quality construction materials such as slag, concrete waste, chipped stone, Sirasu, etc. The pieces are placed in a mold and arranged in the mold so that they are in intimate contact with the mold sides and with each other throughout the mold. Once positioned, mortar or other concrete binding material is poured in to retain the low quality construction materials in contact with each other. When the blocks or discrete structures are placed adjacent to each other, such as when constructing arches, they absorb or dissipate the shock and vibration energies by having the sides of the blocks, and in particular the low quality materials within the blocks, in firm frictional contact. The amount of concrete used is greatly reduced and local and normally scrap material can be used and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Susumu Yoshiwara, Eisei Nigeme