Abstract: Discarded utility poles may be recycles to form usable utility poles through a recycling process utilizing the good portions of the discarded utility pole to form pieces of lumber used in the construction of a composite beam. Discarded utility poles can be cut into pieces of lumber already treated with a wood preservative to be used form the laminated layers of a composite beam which may be used in the production of a new utility pole.

Abstract: A housing unit with wooden framing having a vertical rigid load supporting beam attached to the housing unit at each vertical corner thereof, and having legs telescopically extendable at each end of the beam with a fitting at the outer end of each leg, each fitting having a plurality of eyes to facilitate attachment to a lifting cable. The upper legs and fittings attached thereto may be removed and reattached spacedly downwardly along the unit, front and back, to provide additional foundation support. All the legs extending downwardly may be vertically adjusted so that the unit may be horizontally level on, for example, uneven ground.

Abstract: A tubular rubber structure is made from a plurality of tire sidewalls joined together in a stacked array over which a tire, being split or having a sidewall removed, is fitted and secured to it. A further structure is made from two tires and up to about 20 sidewalls. The structures have a variety of uses as energy attenuators, erosion stabilizers and as a means for tire disposal.

Abstract: A temporary sign panel is made by placing sheets of used newspaper on a flat surface to form a first layer, fixing two edges of the first layer to the surface, and covering the layer with a flour and water paste. A second layer of newspaper is placed on the first, with the sheets staggered so lines between sheets do not coincide. Two edges of the second layer are fixed to the surface, and the second layer is covered with flour and water paste. Next, a third layer of newspaper is placed over the second, staggered so no lines between sheets coincide. The paste is allowed to dry, then the panel is removed from the surface, and the entire panel is painted with an exterior grade of house paint. The resulting panel can be painted with the desired sign, and the panel is stiff enough for normal display.

Abstract: Rubber crumb reinforced cement-concrete structures provide resistance to cracking, improve shock wave absorption, lower heat conductivity and improve the acoustical environment. The structures are comprised of cement-like materials having a predetermined proportion (from about 1% to about 30% by weight of cement) of recycled scrap rubber crumbs undirectionally aligned in the cross section of said structures.

Abstract: An I-beam structure is made from discarded tire belts wherein the beam web is constructed from two car or truck tire belts joined centrally along their lengths tread to tread. Flange members are made of a two ply laminated structural material wherein each ply is a continuous car tire belt, and the two plies are bonded tread to tread along their lengths The two ply flange forming members are attached to the web by adhesive or vulcanization bonding.

Abstract: A container constructed of a used tire and a seal plate which is inserted in the wheel opening of the tire. The seal plate has a formed circumferential edge which snaps into place around the bead of the tire. When a sealant such as a cold vulcanizing agent is used to bind the circumferential edge of the seal plate to the tire, a water tight container is provided.

Abstract: A general purpose construction element such as a post, pole, or beam is constructed from discarded used tire casings. Tire casings are first cut open and laid flat to form a mat. Then they are spirally wound in the fashion of a jelly roll so as to form a laminated composite post. The properties of the rolled post can be adjusted by adjusting the properties of the adhesive which is applied to one surface of the mat prior to rolling. The laminated rubber posts may rolled to predetermined sizes by appropriately preconfiguring the mat by juxtaposing or superposing multiple single tire mats. The laminated rubber posts have excellent strength, impact and vibration absorption, and machinability. The recycling of such non-degradable waste material as well as the provision of a superior replacement for natural wood is a double edged boon to the ecology.

Abstract: The invention relates to building materials made from paper sludge, repulped waste paper, or virgin paper pulp, mixed with clay and portland cement, or animal protein adhesives, or manufactured resins or polymers. Specifically the invention relates to a building system using this material in the form of building blocks that are glued together during assembly and are intended to be used for above grade exterior and interior walls. A block design which increases the R-value and other building products made of this material are covered in this invention. The material of this invention has unusual compression strength properties such that; when an imposed load limit is reached which begins to compress the material, the material does not break apart, but rather compresses slightly and allows considerably more load to be imposed without failure of the material to hold the superimposed load.

Abstract: A construction block for use in building a variety of structures such as erwater reefs, bulkheads, bridge piers, highway dividers, highway and aircraft landing field subsurfaces, and the like is characterized by a used tire having a quantity of concrete filling the interior of the tire. The block includes at least one first connector member retained within the concrete and having an end which extends through the tread portion of the tire. A second connector is retained within the concrete perpendicular to the first connector, and has an end extending from a central opening in one of the sidewalls. A structural assembly is formed from a plurality of the blocks arranged and connected to define a structure having at least one layer of blocks. Preferably the first connectors include bent portions, and rings are provided for connecting the bent portions of adjacent blocks together.

Abstract: A concrete building block encapsulating a compacted bundle of tires is provided as a permanent environmentally safe container for used automobile tires. The cube of concrete with the tires in it forms an economically attractive light-weight building block that can be used for building fences, walls and other structures and/or disposed of in an efficient environmentally safe fashion to permanently encapsulate the tires and prevent contamination of the environment. A tapered central hole is provided in the block for material handling purposes and interlocking tapered recesses and pucks are provided for aligning multiple layers of blocks when used as a building material. Various sizes and shapes of blocks are disclosed.

Abstract: The method of treating a waste liquid or solid hydrocarbon to reduce risk of environmental contamination by the waste hydrocarbon, that includes forming a flowable cementitious paste of Portland cement and additives; introducing the hydrocarbon into the mix and distributing the hydrocarbon therein; forming the mix into a shape for curing, and allowing the formed mix to cure so as to encapsulate the hydrocarbon in the cured concrete mix.

Abstract: A building kit including lightweight, extruded components made of environmentally acceptable, i.e., organic and mineral, materials. The lightweight components are made of: a) untreated chopped straw, grain chaff, rice husks, rock fibers and/or glass fibers, b) binders, namely cement, lime and/or gypsum, and c) mineral additives. The components include air chambers and reinforcing members and are connected using I-beams, adhesives, nails, etc.

Abstract: A novel building construction including recycled or discarded tires uses compacted bales of such tires as a structural core material. Earth is graded or formed for a foundation in the usual manner, and the compacted bales are arranged either horizontally or vertically and secured together to form cores for floor or wall structures. The tire bale core is then covered with construction screen or reinforcement bar and finally with concrete. When such compacted bales include an axial hollow center, the bales may be concentrically arranged along the axial centers to form air passages for heating and cooling air flow through the floor and/or wall interior. The bales may be stacked to form floors more than one bale layer deep, if desired, and the walls may be constructed more than one bale in thickness in a similar manner.

Abstract: A traffic control marker and marker base is described taking the form of a dome-shaped resilient body member whose ends lie in a flat plane and whose sides are outwardly flared. The marker can be formed by cutting a used pneumatic tire into arcuate segments, each of which can be forcefully inverted to automatically provide such body member. In many circumstances, the bodies alone, colored with eye-catching fluorescent or reflective coatings, can be effectively used for traffic control markers. And in other circumstances they can serve as a resilient light-weight base whereon various visual indicators such as a flag, sign, reflector, or light can be removably mounted in various ways to rise therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to low-flammability structural elements, particularly boards, and to a process for constructing them. The low-flammability structural elements are constructed utilizing combustible plastics waste material. They contain in addition non-combustible inorganic additives and a flame-proofing agent mixture. The components are held together by at least one hardened adhesive. Because of this build-up the structural elements display, despite the combustible components, low-flammability.

Abstract: A concrete building block encapsulating a compacted bundle of tires is provided as a permanent environmentally safe container for used automobile tires. The cube of concrete with the tires in it forms an economically attractive light-weight building block that can be used for building fences, walls and other structures and/or disposed of in an efficient environmentally safe fashion to permanently encapsulate the tires and prevent contamination of the environment. A tapered central hole is provided in the block for material handling purposes and interlocking tapered recesses and pucks are provided for aligning multiple layers of blocks when used as a building material. Various sizes and shapes of blocks are disclosed.

Abstract: A house can be formed of tires by securing tires in a panel and using the panel to form a wall of a house or other structure.

Abstract: A method of recycling a vehicle tire comprises cutting the vehicle tire into separate pieces by radial cuts each extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the tire, and securing the thus-cut tire pieces in mutually overlapping relationship as shingles to form a rain-proof covering on a building.

Abstract: Structural elements formed from a plurality of different sizes in which tires are stacked adjacent to one another, with various surfaces of adjacent tires in contact with one another. The tires are affixed to one another by applying adhesive on respective contact surfaces of adjacent tires, or by using fasteners passing through the tire walls. The tires may be arranged in the form of a maze of a size sufficient to permit humans to pass therethrough. The individual tires forming the structural elements are configured to prevent water from accumulating inside the tires. Water may be prevented from accumulating inside the tires by providing an opening in a side wall of each of the tires. The tires may be stacked in staggering alignment, and may be configured to form a generally arcuate corner. The tires may also be stacked in descending size along ascending height.

Abstract: Soil amendment techniques are described utilizing solid rubber particles to be mixed with soil to improve porosity and reduce compaction. The rubber particles are preferably derived from shredded scrap tires. The size of the rubber particles may vary, and the amount of rubber mixed with the soil may also vary. The soil amendment techniques are especially useful for reducing compaction of soil under turf (e.g., football fields, soccer fields, golf courses, steeplechase courses, pathways, and the like). The soil amendment also improves soil porosity. Sod grown on soil including rubber particles, and later placed on soil which also includes rubber particles, will reduce certain types of athletic injuries to humans as well as horses. Also, the inclusion of rubber particles in soil improves the use efficiency of water and fertilizer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an upholstered article of furniture in the form of a pouffe (10) which comprises a base (11), a single scrap rubber tire, or a stack of rubber tires, mounted generally horizontally on the base, upholstery (13), and padding (14) arranged at predetermined locations between the tire and the upholstery.

Abstract: A wall board structure is formed of one of pulverized straw, pulverized chaff and pulverized palm material having a maximum dimension of from 1 to 3 mm. The pulverized material is mixed with a substantially equal quantity of clay. A fibrous material is added to the mixture, the fibrous material including one or more of palm material fibers, hemp fibers and shredded straw, the fibrous material having a length of from 3 to 5 cm. The mixture of pulverized material and clay and the added fibrous material is poured into a form and then dried. The form preferably includes means for forming one of recesses and through holes in the poured mixture.

Abstract: A power-plant clarifier sludge having the following dry composition:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 2 to 30 weight percent, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 2 to 20 weight percent, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.5 to 5 weight percent, CaO 15 to 50 weight percent, MgO 1 to 8 weight percent, MnO 0.01 to 0.5 weight percent, Na.sub.2 O 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent, K.sub.2 O 0.1 to 1 weight percent, SO.sub.3 in sulfate 0.1 to 2 weight percent, and CO.sub.2 in carbonate 5 to 40 weight percent; ______________________________________is used in the desulfurization of power-plant flue gas and the desulfurization slurry is dewatered and pressed into construction blocks.

Abstract: Method comprises mounting at least one standard steel shipping container on a weight-bearing foundation at the ends thereof. Where two or more containers are used, the containers may be in spaced and/or abutting side-by-side relationship; and/or may be mounted one upon another. Where containers are mounted side-by-side, portions of the inner sidewalls are removed leaving at least narrow flanges extending inwardly from the edges thereof. A roof is installed over the top walls of the containers; a raised floor is installed over the bottom walls of the containers enclosing flanges that extend inwardly from the bottom walls; and a dropped ceiling is installed under the top walls of the containers enclosing flanges that extend inwardly from the top walls. At least one window opening and one door opening are provided in the side and end walls, and a window and a door are installed therein. The invention includes the novel product of the method.

Abstract: A noise-absorbing greenery-carrying structure (12) makes use of worn tires (7), which are divided by cuts extending from the central opening to the tire into tiresectors (9) mutually connecting, the concave sides of which face towards a carrying frame (2), on which the tiresectors (9) are fixed in horizontal layers. The remaining hollow spaces inside the side walls of the tires, but also inside the central openings of the tires are filled with earth (13) suitable for the growth of greenery, which can preferably pass through openings (14) provided in the upper sidewalls of the tires (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A panel has a layer (1) of stems of reeds molded together with an appropriate glue. It includes a layer (2) formed of particles of reeds also molded together with glue. The layers (1 and 2) can be separated by a water repellant sheet (3) to permit, for example, the making of watertight roofs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for converting an expended, hollow article of thermoplastic material, the article having opposite end walls, an opening in one of the end walls and an annular wall extending between the opposite end walls establishing an original configuration, into a new article of a new configuration. Specifically, the expended article is a two-liter soda bottle and the new article is a building block.

Abstract: A method of making insulation wherein peanut hulls are screened successively through three screens providing a very coarse grade of hulls to be reground, a coarse grade and a medium grade for blown insulation, and a fine grade mixed with dust formed into building panels.

Abstract: Modular structural elements found by cutting, scoring and folding multiple layer corrugated paperboard sheets which can be used singly and in combination in the construction of a building structure.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer concrete block constructed of contaminated thermoplastic resin scrap, previously considered unusable and unrecyclable, and fill material produced by mixing the thermoplastic resin scrap and fill material, heating the mixed thermoplastic resin scrap and fill materials and placing them in molds having a desired shape, wherein they cool and set into the desired product.

Abstract: Particle board contains, as a fibrous material with good structural properties, at least a proportion of chicory root particles. Preferably the chicory is mixed with bagasse fibres to provide strength to the board, and a filler in the form of coffee grounds is included. The coffee and chicory constituents are conveniently obtained as wastes from the manufacture of instant coffee.

Abstract: For obtaining a roofing element of the slate type, a synthetic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride is mixed with a charge, such as chalk, kaolin, dolomite, talc, and with carbon black. The proportion by weight of synthetic material is between 30 and 60%, whereas that of the charge is between 20 and 60% and that of the carbon black is between 0.5 and 5%. The mixture is extruded and then calendered.

Abstract: In a novel method of manufacturing articles, primarily scrap plastic materials are collected and then melted. The melted scrap plastic materials are then formed into a semi-molten object which is placed between the male and female portions of a die set. The die set is then closed under a predetermined pressure and for a predetermined time to force the semi-molten object into the shape of the article to be manufactured. While the die set is closed under pressure, the article therein is cooled to effect stabilization, following which the die set is opened to allow removal of the article. Articles formed in accordance with the invention are inexpensive and exhibit good structural characteristics and finish.

Abstract: This building component includes a peripheral sidewall and upper and lower walls forming a casing; a core of shredded waste material and an exterior plastic skin covering the casing. The method of making the component includes the steps of filling a peripheral form with shredded waste material, closing the form at the upper and lower ends and incorporating it into the component by applying a reinforced plastic binder over the closed form.

Abstract: An insulation material comprised of multiple layers of treated newspaper in a compartmentalized air impervious resin container or use as side wall or ceiling insulation bats in homes or like structures.

Abstract: An inexpensive, insulated, upright wall, ceiling, floor or roof, made of panels fastened together at panel edges. Each panel has a can backing and supporting element (preferably masonite, but alternatively plywood, plastic, metal lath or the like), panel-reinforcing bars connected to edges of the can-backing element, a plurality of layers of randomly-placed cans on the can-backing element and within the bars, and a can supporting and stabilizing element on the side of the cans opposite to the can-backing element. Saving labor of more careful arrangement of the cans, and increasing the strength against breaking of the panel, they are heterogeneously dumped into the frame of the bars and the can-backing element; and preferably the frame is shaken to somewhat settle the cans in it. In further stabilization of the cans in place, preferably porous, insulating concrete material, or foamed concrete, or foamed polyolefin plastic material is placed on top of the assembled cans.

Abstract: An inexpensive, thoroughly insulated upright-wall, ceiling, floor or roof, made of panels fastened together along contacting panel edges. Each panel has a can-supporting, substantially planar element (a sheet of plywood, masonite, plastic, metal lath, or the like), reinforcing bars defining outer edges of the panel, layers of cans between the reinforcing bars, wire or plastic panel-reinforcing network on the cans; and optionally it may include molded matrix material (foamed, cellular, polyolefin plastic, or concrete of portland or other cement and sand or porous aggregate --for example, cinders, vermiculite, pumice, charred sawdust or the like) on the cans. The can-supporting element is placed in a mold or rack; a plurality of insulating layers of cans are put on this element, preferably with their axes parallel to it; reinforcing network is placed on the cans and fastened to the bars; and optionally moldable plastic material in fluent form may be poured or injected onto the network and cans.

Abstract: A bundle of three or more rows of end-joined cans (preferably in multiples of two rows) arranged around an axis of the group, clamped into a unit by flexible ties, such as: loops of adhesive strapping tape: apertured strips or tapes of thin metal, cloth or plastic, with tape ends fastened together by adhesive on the tape, or bolts, rivets or the like thru tape-end or network apertures, or snap fasteners with a stud on one end of each cloth or plastic tape loop and a crown on the other: loops of cord with bands; or the like. This bundle may be used on the tubular framework of a wall, ceiling or roof of a stationary building, mobile home, trailer or vehicle, the framework preferably stuccoed on one side and stuccoed, plastered or otherwise wall-finished on the other.

Abstract: A shelf apparatus includes at least one horizontal shelf and a plurality of hollow support means connected to said shelf by a compressible, expansible attaching means. According to the preferred embodiment the support means comprise bottles and the attaching means comprises a rubber-like plug which in its non-expanded state fits easily into the neck of the bottle. The plug is connected to the shelf by a bolt which passes through a hole in the shelf and also passes through a hole in the plug. An anchoring device such as a nut and washer combination is connected to the bolt just below the plug member. Rotation of the bolt causes the anchor device to pull up against the base of the rubber plug thereby causing it to expand against the inside of the neck of the bottle. The expanded rubber plug firmly connects the bottle support to the shelf above it. A variety of different devices can be constructed in this manner including ornamental shelving arrangements, bookcases, coffee tables, and like items.

Abstract: A device and system for use with a plurality of the same in constructing objects from empty beverage cans which device includes a disk adapted to be received in the cavity between the recessed end members of two abutting axially aligned beverage cans to maintain the alignment thereof. A threaded member projects from one side of the disk and a spindle projects from the other side. The outer end of the spindle is provided with a threaded bore adapted to receive the threaded member from another such device. The spindle passes down through an opening in the top end of the can, while the threaded member of another device passes up through an opening in the bottom of the can. The threaded member threads into the spindle disposed therein to "sandwich" the can between two disks and provide a threaded member and spindle with which to continue the process. In this manner, a series of cans with the devices disposed therein may then be connected, either directly or through a shelf member.

Abstract: A low-cost building, building section or wall, usable as a house, mobile home, vehicle, or part of these or other structures, having numerous parallel rows of end-joined used or new cans, each can preferably consisting of a tube and can-cover elements at ends of the tube and containing thermal insulation, which may be only dead air in the relatively small hollow can space but preferably includes loose small portions of low-cost insulating material, such as sawdust, vermiculite, cotton linters, dry sand or dust, ashes, cinders, ground bark, rice or other seed hulls. Abutting pairs of can cover elements are tightly held together by connecting means which may be bonding material (epoxy putty, solder or the like) or bands of slightly stretchable adhesive tape which encompass and adhere to portions of juxtaposed pairs of the end-joined cans. A layer of mesh sheathes one side of each group of the can rows, and the other side is sheathed with wall material which may be mesh or insulating solid panels.

Abstract: An insulated bar or panel, usable in walls, ceilings-floors or roofs, including new or used cans of metal, glass or plastic, preferably having lengths less than twelve times their diameters, containing insulation (preferably inexpensive insulation such as loose earth, pumice or crushed lava, tanbark, small lumps of pine or other bark, slightly charred sawdust, bits of charcoal or coke, preferably preservative treated cottonseed or rice hulls or the like, cotton linters or bolls, tufts of cotton or rockwool, or vermiculite). The cans, which for example may be of paint-containing or coffee-containing type, are end-joined in a line. They are imbedded in a shape-holding matrix of plastic material (preferably porous, foamed plastic or porous concrete of portland, epoxy or other cement, mixed with lightweight aggregate, thus forming a strong, elongated bar or panel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing stacks of various materials and mobile homes to the ground. In one embodiment, a plurality of cables, ground anchors, cover sheets and load distribution devices are utilized for shielding and securing a stack of materials to the ground. In a second embodiment, a system of cables, imbedded ground anchor plates and attachment means are utilized to secure a mobile home to the ground to resist movement and tipping from wind and to compensate for frost heave.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted for overland travel, having: a top (or optionally bottom) vehicle-bracing frame of four end-joined angular members, each being angular in cross section, having elongated sides at angles to each other; tubular members, each formed of end-joined cans (or optionally of pipes that preferably are of plastic) and having joints of additional thickness of the pipe or can material; exterior skin means, preferably of mesh, and stucco of portland cement, epoxy putty or other cement and light-weight aggregate on the mesh; interior skin means that optionally may be of stucco on mesh or panels of plywood or the like; and insulation adjacent to tubular members. This insulation preferably includes light-weight, economical insulating material inside the cans or pipes. Optional insulation may include in-situ-applied foam plastic or strips of foam rubber placed in V-shaped spaces between sidewalls of the tubular members.

Abstract: A construction member including a row of cans and a pair of channels of mesh or the like, housing and holding the cans together. Each of these channels includes an elongated middle piece of the mesh and an elongated lateral piece on each side of the middle piece, angularly and integrally joined to the middle piece. The pair of opposite lateral pieces on each side of the can row meet at middle portions of the cans, and one of this pair has elongated edge portions which overlap edge portions of the other lateral piece of the pair. Fastening means (screws or other rod-like elements and/or epoxy putty or the like) pass thru the lapped edge portions on each side of the can row, and when, as is preferable, screws are utilized these are screwed into material of at least the end cans of the can row, thus holding the mesh channels together and the cans within the channels. The cans preferably contain low-cost insulation.