Abstract: An independent pallet delivery system for transporting pallets through a block forming machine that forms concrete blocks on a pallet. The systems includes a pallet magazine for storing a plurality of pallets therein. A conveyor belt formed with a pulley system for transporting the pallets. A pallet pick-up position which receives a pallet from the pallet magazine and places the pallet in a holding position above the conveyor. A jacking assembly is provided to raise that conveyor to engage with the pallet and deliver the pallet to the block forming machine. The block forming machine lifts the empty pallet and forms a molded block thereon. As the block forming machine lowers the pallet towards the conveyor, the jacking assembly lowers the conveyor to cushion the return of the pallet having the molded cement blocks thereon. The pallet with the molded concrete blocks is placed on the conveyor and a takeaway conveyor which move at essentially the same speed and outputs the pallet to an automated conveyor.

Abstract: Fifteen prefabricated refractory concrete blocks, consisting of ten different sizes and/or shapes assemble to provide a replacement firebox of U-shape with facing side walls joined by a rear wall. In one embodiment a metal lintel is disposed at the front upper boundary of the structure produced from the fifteen blocks, the lintel resting on the side walls bridging the opening therebetween and defining the upper boundary of the hearth opening. A masonry transition cone is erected atop the side walls and lintel. In a second embodiment, trapezoidal sheet metal panels are assembled to form a transition cone above the U-shape structure. The bottom courses are produced from blocks that are in the form of oblique rectangular parallelepipeds. These are arranged so that the joints are staggered vertically. The upper portion of the rear wall below the transition cone is formed from oblique trapezoidal prismatic blocks. Certain of the blocks in addition are truncated.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a fireplace comprising a stacked plurality of courses of modular prismatic blocks laid upon a base to define a firebox region of opposed side walls and a rear wall contiguous thereto. In one embodiment the blocks are characterized by at least one horizontal surface having external horizontal channel formations and by limited vertically extending end passages such that one or more vertically serpentine continuous air-flow ducts are established through successive horizontal channels in the stacked plurality of courses of the walls. Above the firebox region, and surrounding an associated chimney region, the wall-block courses continue, providing extension of the air-flow duct system into additional heat-exchanging relation with the chimney.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a fireplace comprising a stacked plurality of courses of modular prismatic blocks laid upon a base to define a firebox region of opposed side walls and a rear wall contiguous thereto. The blocks are characterized by at least one horizontal surface having external horizontal channel formations and by limited vertically extending end passages such that one or more vertically serpentine continuous air-flow ducts are established through successive horizontal channels in the stacked plurality of courses of the walls. Above the firebox region, and surrounding an associated chimney region, the wall-block courses continue, providing extension of the air-flow duct system into additional heat-exchanging relation with the chimney.

Abstract: This invention relates to the collection of solar energy by use of a novel concrete block construction and to the construction of buildings from such blocks for supplying the hot water requirements for a structure and/or the total heat for the building as well as the hot water supply.