Tie (e.g., Dowel) Placed In Preformed Opposed Openings Patents (Class 52/585.1)
  • Patent number: 11090575
    Abstract: A building block set having a series of blocks and screws for connecting blocks. The blocks are provided with screw holes to receive screws. The screws insert into a block and extend into a neighboring block. Some of the screws are provided with screw heads having threaded channels that are configured to receive terminal ends of other screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: BJ TRADING LLC
    Inventor: Boruch Landau
  • Patent number: 10364569
    Abstract: A retention tie system for pre- or post-construction installation to stabilize masonry or composite walls. The system comprises a tie member anchored in an anchor hole bored into the existing foundation and a tensioned against a base plate and a cover plate seated along the top of the wall. A bracing member is used to provide lateral stability to the respective plate members. A tension washer is used to ensure that the tie members are tensioned to the appropriate load. A guide member is installed within the masonry wall to brace the tie members against lateral deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Harvel K. Crumley
  • Patent number: 10183380
    Abstract: A modular fixture plate system comprising: at least one interlocking fixture plate comprising at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein the male end comprises at least one male projection and the female end comprises at least one female recess; and a docking plate comprising at least one of at least one male projection and at least one female recess; wherein at least one male projection or female recess of the at least one interlocking fixture plate is interlocked with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of the docking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Steven E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9371641
    Abstract: A construction-unit (23) that is adapted for being combined with one more similar units (23) to constitute a self-carrying structure (40) to use for shelter or dwelling wherein each construction-unit (23) make up for both one sidewall and half a roof in one segment. A plurality of construction-units (23) are adapted for constructing a static functional self-carrying structure (40) where the shape has a curved design related to the mathematical expression The Hyperbolic Cosine or part of an Ellipse in the traverse direction and a linear design in the longitudinal direction when placed as a part of an assembled shelter (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: EverShelter ApS
    Inventors: Jakob Christensen, Claus Ove Heding
  • Patent number: 9175705
    Abstract: A connector is used to secure a concrete panel to a structural member. The connector is formed of a composite material and thermally insulates the concrete panel from the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Composite Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Clark, Jr., Brian J. Blonski
  • Patent number: 9010059
    Abstract: A building block (100) comprises a first mating portion and a second mating portion which are complementary. The first mating portion comprises a mating protrusion (140) which defines an axially extending through bore (144) and the second mating portion comprises an axially extending mating receptacle (180) which is complementary to the mating protrusion (140). The mating protrusion (140) and the mating receptacle (180) are in communication via the through bore (144), and a fastener anchoring device (146) adapted for engaging with an engagement means (920) of a fastener (900) is formed inside the through bore (144). The through bore (144) is adapted to permit axial insertion of the engagement means (920) of the fastener (900) into the mating protrusion (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Value Chain Network (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Chi Kin Lin
  • Patent number: 9010067
    Abstract: A method of mechanically joining wood panels side edge to side edge by providing a panel with a groove between a top and bottom surfaces of the panel having two holding ramps with an angle of between 25 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the groove insertion axis which is parallel to the top surface; providing a connector adapted to mate with the groove of the panel having two right-side sub-tongues extending from right side and two left-side sub-tongues extending from the left side of a rectangular base support, and outward extending distal catches on the sub-tongues in a direction substantially normal to the groove insertion axis; and inserting the sub-tongues with distal catches into the groove along the groove insertion axis allowing the distal catches on the two right-side or two left-side sub-tongues to touch the two holding ramps causing the sub-tongues to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Geoffrey Alan Baker, Nicholas Gerrard Vitale
  • Patent number: 8985888
    Abstract: A modular connector and modular bolt can be adapted to connect first and second prefabricated building components together. The modular connector can include a recess having a multistage notch structure that can be coupled with protrusions of a modular bolt. The chamber can also include a moveable butting element that is operably coupled with the multistage notch structure, where the moveable butting element can be adapted to move further into the chamber when the modular bolt is received by the multistage recess structure such that a relative position of the second prefabricated building component is adjustable with respect to the first prefabricated building component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Hideki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8966858
    Abstract: Floor profile arrangement, in particular for securing floor coverings (10), comprising at least one profiled strip (1) which has at least one retaining means (2) which holds a first segment (4) of a joining means (15), wherein a second segment (14) of the joining means (15) projects over a peripheral region (5) of the profiled strip (1) in the longitudinal direction (L) to join with a further profiled strip (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Küberit Profile Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Sondermann
  • Patent number: 8966854
    Abstract: A modular construction system is provided, wherein the components (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) thereof includes Chinese character shaped components and a number of fish-bone shaped components. The fish-bone shaped components are formed according to the shapes of multiple Chinese characters. Except the “” shaped pin components, the components (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are formed by assembling multiple identical cubes arranged according to the thickness of one cube and the shapes of the above Chinese characters. Since the concaves and convexes of the components are cube shaped, the components (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are locked to each other through the concaves and convexes between the components to assemble objects with stable structure composed of planes and standing column shaped structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Xian Li
  • Patent number: 8955282
    Abstract: The invention relates to the Soloarmar construction system comprising an original wall construction method, in which the cavities in the blocks are precisely aligned in the vertical axis. According to the invention, the blocks are assembled using an inner engagement device such that resistant masonry can be produced quickly and specially adapted for clay or concrete blocks using specific industrial templates, machines, nozzles and dies designed by Soloarmar. The appearance and characteristics obtained are similar to those obtained with standard masonry techniques, but with the mixture only being used to lay the first course instead of between all of the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Mixza Yap Ching
  • Patent number: 8863476
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Summers
  • Patent number: 8844243
    Abstract: An arbitrary structural insulated panel and an adjoining structural insulated panel, which include magnesium oxide boards as the exterior panels, can be connected together by a first spline and a second spline. The arbitrary structural insulated panel is first connected to a building floor foundation. Then the first spline and the second spline are adhered into the arbitrary structural insulated panel. The adjoining structural insulated panel is then secured to the arbitrary structural insulated panel as the first spline and the second spline engage with the adjoining structural insulated panel. A plurality of fasteners is used as the final step to further secure the arbitrary structural insulated panel and the adjoining structural insulated panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Jerry Gillman
  • Patent number: 8813442
    Abstract: A window frame assembly to secure a glass pane within a window opening in a door slab. The assembly preferably includes two identical frame halves carrying bosses on which modular clip members are secure. The clip members each carry a male post member and a female socket member. Each clip member on a half frame engages a corresponding clip member on the other half frame with their female and male socket members engaging the outer surface of the clip member carrying a key member complementary to the keying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Garry Edwards, Timothy Ryan Krokos, Kenneth Karl Kussen, Edgar Grant Eckenswiller
  • Patent number: 8806829
    Abstract: An anchoring device of highly resilient material of varying thicknesses, to accommodate the irregularly cut slots into which the anchors fit, is additionally embedded with one or more layers of high-strength material of solid or particulate form. The high-strength material, metal, for example, is notched to accommodate buckling, extension, and compression of planks secured by the anchor and has folds for increased strength. Multiple attachment apertures through the anchor allow use of a single anchor to secure two adjacent planks. The anchor is designed to keep planks separated from joists so that water can evaporate and not cause rot and to keep attached planks evenly spaced. The high-strength material is embedded into the anchor during the manufacturing molding process. Small openings within a layer of high-strength material provide for molten plastic of the molding process to reach all high-strength material surfaces creating a strong bond between plastic and high-strength material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Ipé Clip Fastener Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Pelc, James Dean Upchurch
  • Patent number: 8756898
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method by which a plurality of connecting rods are located within and slidable through a first concrete panel so that the connecting rods extend outwardly from the first panel for receipt inwardly of a second concrete panel at mating channels formed therewithin, whereby the first and second concrete panels are joined together such as, for example, in the case of roadway construction. A plurality of slots which are formed through the top of the first panel communicate with respective ones of the plurality of connecting rods. A tool is moved into contact with the connecting rods by way of respective ones of the slots. The tool applies a pushing force to each of the connecting rods to cause the rods to slide through the first panel and into receipt by the mating channels of the second panel to establish a reliable joint therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas J. Backhaus, Baltazar Siqueiros
  • Publication number: 20140150368
    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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8701358
    Abstract: A system for setting and securing metal plate on an outer wall of concrete masonry, includes upper and lower masonry blocks with side walls and end walls forming an inner grout cavity. The metal plate has Nelson studs extending from it, each having a head on its outer end The studs extend from the plate, through a masonry side wall, into the grout cavity. A spring clip in the grout cavity compressed between a masonry block side wall and the stud head urges the stud and plate inward to secure the plate against the masonry as the grout cavity is filled with grout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: George Bethlendy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8689511
    Abstract: Building or structural panels may be joined, such as to form walls or floors. The panels may be connected in various orientations via one or more connectors. The connectors may mount to anchors associated with the panels. The panels may have outer skins located over an expanded core comprising a matrix of supporting elongate members and voids or openings, with the anchors located at edges of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph C. Fleming, III
  • Patent number: 8671640
    Abstract: A plurality of adjacent, aligned, shaped hollow uniform building components, each having four separate distinct key channels are assembled together with a plurality of friction fitting locking keys to accomplish at least three separate distinct locks which become uniform whole friction fitting structural buildings upon alignment of like side surfaces or like end surfaces of uniform building components, together with friction fitting insertion and alignment of one of four separate and distinct shaped uniform bridge keys, then friction fit insertion of the primary locking keys into and through the primary key channels of adjacent and/or abutting uniform building components and uniform bridge keys, thereby rapidly achieving the primary lock and key joint, being the primary finished bonded joint and the primary lock of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8667750
    Abstract: A system and method for forming a wall is disclosed. In some embodiments, the wall comprises blocks having internal couplers configured for use with rods which can be inserted through and which are configured to securely lock blocks together. In some embodiments, the rods which are inserted into internal couplers may be threaded or have another locking features such that the blocks in a wall can be securely fastened together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tie-Cast Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry G. Speer
  • Patent number: 8662120
    Abstract: A method for assembling massive parts that are useful for building wooden chalets or houses including timbers that are built in two by two, three by three, or four by four, connected through dovetailing, and, optionally, by gluing them together, to obtain massive laminated timber blocks. These massive laminated timber blocks can be filled to form panels. This method improves a process for forming massive wood parts, where assembling the timbers in the form of dove-tails allows the production of several depths without any limitation of length, since the additions are achieved according to an arrangement in quincunx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jim Riviere, Alain Florentin Mandoce
  • Patent number: 8627623
    Abstract: A modular foundation system comprising prefabricated foundation sections each comprising stems and bases. In some embodiments, the base of each section is configured to have complimentary ends adapted to selectively engage in a desired configuration. In some embodiments, each base and/or each stem of each section can include coupling openings adapted to receive engagement reinforcing adapted to engage adjacent sections. Each section includes a clamping bracket adapted to selectively couple with an alignment rod adapted to draw adjacent sections together and align said adjacent sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Leonard
  • Patent number: 8627626
    Abstract: Novel dowel structures and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a unitary dowel structure is formed from a plurality of laminates. In certain embodiments, a first dowel laminate may be placed substantially above or below one or more other dowel laminates. At least one laminate may include a first material that is substantially devoid in another laminate. Upon being in communication, the laminates may form a unitary dowel structure having a first end and a second end that are configured to flex in a vertical direction without breaking to transfer stress loads from a concrete slab in communication with the first end of the unitary dowel structure and a concrete slab in communication with the second end of the unitary dowel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: Russell Boxall, Nigel K Parkes
  • Patent number: 8590215
    Abstract: This invention relates to a prefabricated element (1) for a dwelling unit that is notable in that it comprises: a vertical wall (2) of approximately constant thickness comprising a front face (3), a rear face (4) and a peripheral face (5); a first lip (6) along each horizontal edge of said front face (3); a second lip (7) down each vertical edge of said front face (3); first and second ribs (8, 9) forming with the first and second lips (6, 7) a grid of cells (10) suitable for filling with insulating materials (11) and accepting an interior trim (14) to mask the entire grid; a peripheral edging (23) creating at least one bearing face and a barrier buffer; and at least first and second fixing members (20, 21) for connecting the prefabricated elements (1) to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: David Damichey
  • Patent number: 8567148
    Abstract: A device is provided for joining pre-cast concrete sections, the device including a cable loop, wherein the cable sections forming bent portions of the cable loop have sleeves for keeping the cable sections in a bent-over position. The sleeves are plastically deformable before bending and surround the bent portions of the cable sections, but the material of the sleeves is such that the sleeves break under return deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Peikko Group Oy
    Inventor: Hugo Gentil
  • Patent number: 8568187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction set made of a plurality of different members interacting together for assembly, characterized in that one so-called connector member (100) among said members has an essentially cylindrical body with a cylindrical surface (110) that is preformed in order to interact for assembly with the correspondingly preformed bases (120, 130) of other connector members (100). The construction set includes a plurality of other constitutive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Robosynthesis Limited
    Inventor: Philip Norman
  • Patent number: 8490337
    Abstract: A structural flange connection system and method that utilizes structural flanges having a standard bolted connection and a mechanical bond to effectively manage and assist the retention of bolt preloads and substantially eliminate movement between the flange faces due to a reduction in the need for friction load being generated by the bolt clamping force in the flange connection. The structural flanges of the structural flange connection system and method each include an outer rim and a flange lip having a face and a shoulder. The structural flange connection system and method may be utilized in the manufacture and installation of a wind turbine tower, which may be made up of one or more tower sections, and each tower section may terminate in structural flanges of the structural flange connection system and method. When properly aligned, the structural flanges may be bolted together. When each tower section is properly aligned and bolted, the mechanical bond of the structural flanges is also joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Nott Word, III, Cecil Leon Hartman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130081348
    Abstract: A temporary plastic barrier section includes a plastic shell having first and second plastic connection portions integrally formed on opposite ends thereof; and a rigid straight elongate member, wherein the rigid straight elongate member lies substantially adjacent to at least a portion of each of the first and second connection portions, and wherein the rigid straight elongate member includes connection points at the distal ends thereof which are configured to align substantially with the first and second connection portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: AXIP LIMITED
    Inventor: AXIP Limited
  • Patent number: 8402708
    Abstract: A modular block apparatus including a block having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a generally cylindrical core passage extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and a locking assembly received in the core passage including a core having a through-bore extending therethrough defining alternating core grooves and lands, a locking rod having an array of alternating rod grooves and lands complementary to the core grooves and lands, and a rod key positioned between the locking rod and the core for retaining the locking rod in engagement with the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond Walter Cables
  • Patent number: 8387327
    Abstract: Floor panels (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system consisting of a flexible locking element 15 in a locking groove 14 which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8381470
    Abstract: A tapered load plate transfers loads across a joint between adjacent concrete floor slabs. The top and bottom surfaces may taper from approximately 4 inches wide to a narrow substantially pointed end over a length of approximately 12 inches. The tapered load plate accommodates differential shrinkage of cast-in-place concrete slabs. The tapered load plate may comprise a main plate and at least one extension. When adjacent slabs move away from each other, the narrow end of the tapered load plate moves out of the void that it created in the slab thus allowing the slabs to move relative to one another in a direction parallel to the joint. Tapered load plates may be assembled into a load-plate basket with the direction of the taper alternating from one tapered load plate to the next to account for off-center saw cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Russell Boxall, Nigel K. Parkes
  • Patent number: 8371089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of modular building systems. Embodiments of the invention include, a modular building system comprising planar sheets of material and moment connections, which are combined with tool-less or limited tool assembly mechanisms and can be used, for example, as spatial partitions, platforms, structural supports, or supports for articles. Specific embodiments of the invention provide structures having a seemingly homogenous, flowing ribbon structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan King, David B. Clark, Robert Dunay, Joseph Wheeler
  • Patent number: 8337112
    Abstract: A joint and method for connecting elongated members end to end in which outer sleeves are anchored in blind holes extending in from each end face and a threaded rod is advanced into threaded nut receptacles affixed to the inside end of each sleeve to draw the end faces into abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Kauppila
  • Patent number: 8322104
    Abstract: Building or structural panels may be joined, such as to form walls or floors. The panels have edge anchors with mounts. The anchors may comprise elongate members defining a trough having spaced cross-pins. A connector is positioned between adjacent panels. The connector engages the mounts of the anchors, such by having the cross-pins slide into slots of the connector. The panels may have outer skins located over an expanded core comprising a matrix of supporting elongate members and voids or openings, with the anchors located slots formed in the edges of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph C. Fleming, III
  • Patent number: 8302359
    Abstract: An improved joint edge assembly, of the type used in the construction of concrete slabs, is disclosed. The assembly comprises a longitudinal joint rail, preferably of steel, which is supported off the ground by formwork. The joint rail comprises first and second joint edge members that are connected to each other by interference-type connectors with self-release elements. A plurality of studs extends downward and outward from each of the joint edge members into the concrete slabs provide a positive mechanical connection between the slab and the joint rail. As the concrete shrinks during hardening, the self-release elements of the interference-type connectors allow the joint to freely open. The joint edge assembly thus provides a self-releasing joint between adjacent slab sections, and protects the edges of the adjacent slab sections from damage. A dowel aligner may also be integrated into the assembly, to allow proper positioning of dowels within the slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Russell Boxall, Nigel A. Parkes, Patrick Harrison
  • Patent number: 8266862
    Abstract: A prefabricated wall or floor panel includes a rectangular concrete section comprising a projection along one side, a recess along the other side, the recessing being complementary to the projection, a protrusion along one end, a trough along the other end, the trough being complementary to the protrusion, channels each having one end terminated at one end and the other end terminated at the other end, a first groove on each of one end and the other end extending from one side to the other side by passing the mouths of the channels, and a second groove on either side extending from one end to the other end; a rectangular surface board formed integrally with an outer surface of the concrete section; and an interconnection comprising a transverse part of and spaced longitudinal tubes each adapted to fit into the channel to connect two adjacent prefabricated components together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Chien-Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 8256168
    Abstract: A structure comprising a plurality of regular hexagonal tubes and a plurality of rhomboid inserts is disclosed. At least one of the tubes can be placed end-to-end relative to another of the tubes in a configuration where the central axes of the tubes are parallel. These central axes can be either collinear or not collinear depending upon the overall configuration of the structure chosen. Each rhomboid insert fits inside at least one section of a hexagonal tube. Those rhomboid inserts that fit into more than one hexagonal tube provide a means for interlocking the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: George S. Bigger
  • Patent number: 8240104
    Abstract: A building component for a structure, the building component including a component body which includes two spaced apart and generally parallel interconnected side walls having opposed ends and opposed longitudinally extending sides, the building component being adapted to join with a second building component or to a connector for joining the building component to the second building component, the building component further including a plurality of coupling elements arranged at spaced-apart intervals along a length of the sidewalls from one of the longitudinal sides to the other and arranged such that in use the side walls can be cut or otherwise separated along the length thereof so as to provide a coupling element at the cut or separated end which is adapted to cooperate with a coupling element on said connector for securement of the component to the second building component or connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Nick Koikas, Cleo Koikas
  • Publication number: 20120186172
    Abstract: A building block for constructing a wall comprises a main body. The main body has an insulating core with concrete inner and outer shell members. The inner and outer shell members respectively cover inner and outer lateral surfaces of the insulating core. A vertical throughbore in the main body receives a vertical structural member. Top and bottom surfaces of the main body have complementary shapes for mating engagement when blocks are assembled one on top of the other. A female connector at a first end of the main body defines a retaining cavity. A male connector at a second end of the main body has a captive portion of shape complementary to the retaining cavity of the female connector, and blocks engagement in vertical and longitudinal directions when the blocks are assembled end to end. A construction system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: André Bouchard
  • Patent number: 8209933
    Abstract: A connector comprising a guide tube, and a dowel, the guide tube being arranged to receive an end of the dowel, characterized by the end of the dowel passing through the guide tube into a fixing chamber via an orifice, 5 the fixing chamber being arranged to receive a fixing means, the fixing means being arranged to restrict the motion of the dowel within the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ancon Limited
    Inventor: Graham Law
  • Publication number: 20120160087
    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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: BALLISTICS TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: James E. SIGURDSON, John T. SUTTON
  • Patent number: 8205407
    Abstract: An apparatus forming a assembly includes at least two panels. Each panel has a top surface and a plurality of perimetric edges. Each edge of one panel is adapted for joining any edge of another panel or to rounded edge pieces that connect is a complementary manner to the panels similar to other panels. The apparatus includes at least one connector adapted to secure two panels in adjoined relation. The connector has a first end adapted for engagement with the two adjoined panels, and a second end adapted to be swung into a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Michael C. Genova
  • Patent number: 8186124
    Abstract: Connection device having at least one receiving building component, in particular a wooden body (1), which comprises at least a retention recess (2), in particular a continuous retention recess, and having a composite body (3) which is inserted into the retention recess (2) in the wooden body (1), wherein a composite mass (4) is curably inserted in an interstice (7) in the retention recess (2) between the wooden body (1) and the inserted composite body (3) such that the composite body is substantially frictionally secured in said retention recess (2), wherein an intermediate layer (5), in particular as a formation of the surface of the composite body and/or the composite mass, is at least partially provided between the composite body and the composite mass, providing at least partial decoupling of the composite mass from the composite body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Tobias Bathon
  • Publication number: 20120090259
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of prefabricated compound masonry units and methods of producing the same. One embodiment of a prefabricated compound masonry unit comprises at least one course comprising a plurality of blocks mortared to form a layer, the at least one course having a top surface and a bottom surface each having a first side and a second side. Longitudinal tension reinforcement is provided along at least a portion of a length of the at least one course and held with bonding material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: CONSTRUCTIVE, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dave Muirhead, Jim Gendron
  • Publication number: 20120090260
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of prefabricated compound masonry units and methods of producing the same. One embodiment of a prefabricated compound masonry unit comprises at least one course comprising a plurality of blocks mortared to form a layer, the at least one course having a top surface and a bottom surface each having a first side and a second side. Longitudinal tension reinforcement is provided along at least a portion of a length of the at least one course and held with bonding material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: CONSTRUCTIVE, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dave Muirhead, Jim Gendron
  • Patent number: 8157991
    Abstract: A retention basin enclosure includes a plurality of prefabricated concrete vertical wall segments, a baffle unit and at least one steel connecting dowel. Each wall segment includes a horizontal top end that defines a notch and two vertical edges that define at least one cylindrical bore. The baffle segment includes a vertical edge surface that defines a plurality of cylindrical bores and a horizontal planar member from which a plurality of protrusions extend upwardly therefrom so that the baffle segment reduces water flow velocity. Two baffle vertical wall members each have a planar vertical surface that defines a plurality of cylindrical bores disposed so that at least one of the cylindrical bores defined by concrete baffle segment can be placed in alignment with at least one of the cylindrical bores defined by the planar vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: HOK Product Design, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Wilhelms, Matt Snelling, Jim Fetterman
  • Patent number: 8127505
    Abstract: An assembly type wall structure is disclosed. The assembly type wall structure may be used as a vertical wall in an interior space and includes a plurality of wall units. Each wall units together to form a wall and may connect this wall with the corresponding ceiling, walls and floor of the interior space. Hence, the assembly type wall structure may be used as a vertical wall in an interior space and has the advantages of fast and simple implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Chen-Yin Lu, Ying-Chung Lan
  • Publication number: 20120000157
    Abstract: A device for connecting sheets of a grain bin together having an inner plate that fits over a vertical seam formed at the ends of two abutting sheets. The inner plate has a plurality of holes that generally align with holes in the ends of the sheets. An outer plate is positioned to cover the vertical seam and has a plurality of holes that generally align with the holes on the ends of the sheets. Bolts extend through the holes to secure the inner plate, sheets, and outer plate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SUKUP MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventor: John A. Hanig
  • Patent number: 8079196
    Abstract: Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan