Abstract: This invention deals with an improved adhesive additive, adhesion compositions, articles, and structures manufactured utilizing such adhesive compositions. More specifically, this invention deals with an adhesive additive which is a combination of cement, water, calcium chloride and a curable polyvinylacetate latex which when used to bond cementitous substrates, gives bonds with enhanced tensile strengths.

Abstract: This invention deals with novel sound collecting blocks and their use, in conjunction with novel connector blocks, to build inexpensive, decorative sound walls. This invention also deals with retaining walls which are constructed from the novel connector block, and other non-sound absorbing solid blocks.

Abstract: Novel building blocks are used to build inexpensive, decorative walls and building, and the like. The blocks are multi-faceted such that all of the outside faces of the blocks will match each of the faces of other blocks and allow the construction of walls having unique decorative effects, while overcoming the problems associated with standard rectangular building blocks.

Abstract: This invention deals with certain specific building blocks that can be used to build stable retaining walls and stable decorative walls having novel features such as convenience in manufacturing, handling, and using.

Abstract: This invention deals with certain specific building blocks that when used in combination, are essentially the only required building blocks to construct an entire building including foundations, if required, floors, bonding beams, supporting and non-supporting walls supporting and non-supporting partitions, and roofs.

Abstract: An intermeshable construction unit for constructing structures, such as walls, paving, screens, embankments and the like without mortar is disclosed. The intermeshable construction unit has a body portion which is block-like in shape. The body portion has a top, a bottom, a front end, a back end, and two opposed sides. A central spine having two sides runs along the central axis of the body portion between the front end and the back end. A plurality of teeth protrude from both sides of the central spine to form a web with each of the teeth terminating along the opposed sides. The teeth are separated by notches which have a width greater than the width of each of the teeth so that the units may be aligned, whereby one intermeshable construction unit may be meshed with another intermeshable construction unit to interlock the units. The intermediate construction units may be adapted within three planes during construction, namely the vertical, horizontal and diagonal planes.

Abstract: An erosion control structure having a plurality of undivided flow passages. The structure may be constructed from concrete block bonded together, a single cast module, a plurality of pipes bonded together or other suitable construction materials.

Abstract: A container, which may be a burial casket or a toxic waste container, is protectively sealed by enclosing it in an initially open-topped receptacle, which may be a burial vault or similar outer container or a grave, spacing the container from the bottom of the receptacle, partially filling the receptacle with a foamable plastic still in its liquid form, and, following completion of the foaming of such initial charge, supplying sufficient additional foamable plastic in one or more additional steps to completely cover and surround the container with the resulting plastic foam. In the preferred method, a film-like plastic sheet is placed over the open-topped receptacle after the final charge of liquid foamable plastic is applied, and held in place around the edges of the opening by a collar which permits the sheet to yield upwardly as the foam expands, thereby partially confining the expanding foam to assure full filling of all voids in the receptacle.

Abstract: A series of modules for initiating the creation of a sandbar to halt the erosion of a beach along a body of water. Each module has a heavy concrete base, formed in a ring with a central vertical aperture, which is placed beneath the water near the shore. A series of boards which extend parallel to the shore line are maintained one above the other by a pair of attached flexible belts each of which is also attached to the base at either end. The boards, bound by the belts, form a web which is permitted to drop downwardly during water flow toward the shore line. During water flow from the shore line, the web of spaced boards rises upwardly to form a pocket which is held in a slightly curved position by the belts. The apertured board arrangement retards the water flow sufficiently to cause the deposit of sand onto and adjacent to the base of the module. When arrayed in a row, generally paralleling the shore line, the modules serve in time to create a sandbar and eventually become fully buried.

Abstract: A motor vehicle traction aid device including a plastic bag containing a sand mixture for insertion under a tire on a drive wheel of a motor vehicle for improving traction on ice, snow or the like. The bag is partially filled with the sand material and includes a foam or sponge rubber tab on one side. The bag is inserted between the driving surface and the tire of the motor vehicle such that the tab engages the tire. Rotation of the wheel toward the driving surface causes the tire to engage the tab, drawing the bag and the sand material under the tire in a rolling action, bursting the bag and dispensing the sand beneath the tire.

Abstract: A cane apparatus adaptable for use as an ordinary walking cane and also having the capability of assisting a person in walking on stairs. A support structure having a foot support platform is releasably mounted adjacent the lower portion of the cane to assist a person in walking up and down steps which might otherwise be too high. The height of the foot-bearing platform surface is designed to be about one-half the height of an average step to reduce the maximum necessary vertical distance between the feet of a person walking on steps to approximately one-half of what it would otherwise be. When the platform is in its lowered position for walking on stairs, the cane shaft is free for limited rotation from the vertical in all directions.