Abstract: An improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete and method of making the improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete is disclosed. Small particulate is sprayed over the upper surface of the concrete. The particulate may be sprayed using a material sprayer. The particulate may be uniformly sprayed to distances exceeding twenty feet. The particulate is mixed into a cement paste derived from the concrete mixture using floats. A surface retarder is then applied to cover the concrete surface. Subsequently, any surface film is washed from the surface of the concrete and the concrete is cured. The result is a surface seeded particulate with an exposed surface that is flat and is suitable for high traffic areas. The resultant surface may resemble stone, granite or marble.

Abstract: An improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete and method of making the improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete is disclosed. Small particulate is sprayed over the upper surface of the concrete. The particulate may be sprayed using a material sprayer. The particulate may be uniformly sprayed to distances exceeding twenty feet. The particulate is mixed into a cement paste derived from the concrete mixture using floats. A surface retarder is then applied to cover the concrete surface. Subsequently, any surface film is washed from the surface of the concrete and the concrete is cured. The result is a surface seeded particulate with an exposed surface that is flat and is suitable for high traffic areas. The resultant surface may resemble stone, granite or marble.

Abstract: A vibrating screed with rollers for use in leveling a concrete pour. The screed comprises an elongate screed member defining opposed first and second ends and extensible between a pair of screed rails. A first and second roller are rotatably mounted to the screed member and protrude from respective ones of the first and second ends thereof. The rollers are rotatably movable along respective ones of the first and second screed rails. The screed additionally may comprise a motor to rotate the rollers and/or vibrate the screed member.

Abstract: A tape dispenser folds over an edge portion of a strip of masking tape while the masking tape is being dispensed therefrom. The masking tape may then be used to effect feathering or blending of paint sprayed on a desired surface, such as an automobile body or the like. The tape dispenser has a holder for holding at least one roll of masking tape and also has a tape guide configured to cause the masking tape dispensed from the tape holder to fold over and to adhere to itself when the masking tape is manually pulled against the tape guide.

Abstract: A concrete dowel placement apparatus for use with continuous pour concrete slabs comprising at least one slip tube, a concrete support dowel insertable into a respective slip tube and a wire mesh supporting structure. The slip tube comprises an elongate tubular sheath with a closed end, and an open end for slidable insertion of the concrete support dowel. Additionally, attached to an exterior surface of the sheath is a clip which is engagable to the wire mesh support structure. Therefore, the slip tube is attachable to the wire mesh structure such that the dowel is positionable within a continuous pour concrete slab at a prescribed location. The slip tube provides lateral movement of the dowel within the slab to thereby prevent fracturing of the slab in areas near sawcuts. The support structure may be formed from different configurations to facilitate positioning of the slip tubes and respective concrete support dowels supported therein.

Abstract: A method of seismically strengthening a structure having a concrete beam mechanically coupled to a concrete deck. The method comprises forming a continuous, substantially linear bore through the deck and the beam and then attaching the deck to the beam via a threaded fastener. The deck and the beam are compressed between an enlarged head and a nut of the threaded fastener. Additionally, the method comprises placing a fireproof cap on an end of the threaded fastener protruding from the nut.

Abstract: A constructed wall structure and method of fabrication that replicates a wall formed by nature. The structure has a plurality of discrete layers, with each layer constructed of concrete and a decorative additive. Every layer has an interface with an adjacent layer to thereby form a plurality of interfaces wherein at least one, and preferably most or all, of the interfaces are non-level. Non-limiting examples of decorative additives are rocks, sea shells, colorants, and mixtures thereof. Methodology for fabricating the wall structure includes pouring a first concrete mixture into a substantially vertical form and permitting a top surface to assume a non-level configuration. Preferably, a joint forming material is placed on the top surface of this first concrete mixture to thereby form a first layer of the wall. In like manner, a second concrete mixture is poured on top of the first layer and a joint forming material is included.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a formed wall structure having a plurality of discrete layers. The method includes pouring a first layer of a first concrete mixture into a first vertical form whose depth is equal to that of the first layer; pouring a second layer of a second such mixture on top of the first layer and into a second vertical form whose depth is equal to the depth of the second layer and where at least one of the walls of the second form is not in alignment with an adjacent vertical wall of the first form; and pouring at least one additional layer into a respective at least one additional vertical form situated on top of a next lower vertical form and having a vertical depth equal to the at least one additional layer and where at least one of the interior walls is not in alignment with at least a portion of a vertically adjacent interior wall of the next lower vertical form. The concrete mixtures are permitted to cure sufficiently to retain their respective shapes, and thereafter the forms are removed.

Abstract: A surface seeded exposed particulate concrete method of use includes use of small particulates, the particulates not necessarily chemically inert in the concrete mixture. The particulates are broadcast over the upper surface of the concrete, and mixed into the cement paste derived from the concrete matrix by floats and finished by hand sponging. A surface retarder and vapor barrier are applied, and washing and curing operations follow. The present invention adds a chemical treatment of hydrolyzed alkali silica solution, preferably lithium quartz, penetrating the upper surface of the concrete mixture with minerals and silicates within the concrete mix. The resultant exposed particulate concrete has extreme flatness and high wear resistance suitable for high-traffic flooring applications, aesthetics resembling terrazzo or ceramic tile at a fraction of the price, and the strength and resistance to corrosion expected of concrete surfaces.

Abstract: An improved method of producing surface seeded exposed aggregate concrete upon a subgrade. The method comprises the initial step of pouring a concrete mixture over the subgrade, which is followed by the step of finishing the exposed surface defined by the concrete mixture with a vibrating metal bull float to dispose a quantity of cement/fines paste derived from the concrete mixture at the exposed surface thereof. Thereafter, a quantity of aggregate is broadcast upon the exposed surface of the concrete mixture and subsequently mixed into the quantity of cement/fines paste thereof via the vibrating metal bull float. The exposed surface of the concrete mixture is then finished with a power trowel to facilitate an even distribution of the quantity of aggregate within the quantity of cement/fines paste, which is followed by the application of a surface retarder to the exposed surface of the concrete mixture.

Abstract: A constructed wall structure and method of fabrication that replicates a wall formed by nature. The structure has a plurality of discrete layers, with each layer constructed of concrete and a decorative additive. Every layer has an interface with an adjacent layer to thereby form a plurality of interfaces wherein at least one, and preferably most or all, of the interfaces are non-level. Non-limiting examples of decorative additives are rocks, sea shells, colorants, and mixtures thereof. Methodology for fabricating the wall structure includes pouring a first concrete mixture into a substantially vertical form which can be constructed as a channel within a generally elongate mound of a naturally occurring material and thereafter permitting a top surface of the concrete mixture to assume a non-level configuration. Preferably, a joint forming material is placed on the top surface of this first concrete mixture.

Abstract: A concrete dowel placement apparatus comprising a base member and an elongate, tubular dowel receiving sheath which is connectible to the base member. The base member comprises an outer sleeve having first and second ends and a flange portion which extends about the first end of the outer sleeve and defines front and back surfaces and a peripheral edge. The base member further comprises an inner sleeve which is disposed within the outer sleeve and defines an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough to the back surface of the flange portion. Extending between the inner and outer sleeves is at least one reinforcement wall. The sheath has an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and a hollow interior compartment extending longitudinally therein. The open proximal end of the sheath is extensible over the outer sleeve such that at least a portion of the outer sleeve resides within the interior compartment.

Abstract: A constructed wall structure and method of fabrication that replicates a wall formed by nature. The structure has a plurality of discrete layers, with each layer constructed of concrete and a decorative additive. Every layer has an interface with an adjacent layer to thereby form a plurality of interfaces wherein at least one, and preferably most or all, of the interfaces are non-level. Non-limiting examples of decorative additives are rocks, sea shells, colorants, and mixtures thereof. Methodology for fabricating the wall structure includes pouring a first concrete mixture into a substantially vertical form and permitting a top surface to assume a non-level configuration. Preferably, a joint forming material is placed on the top surface of this first concrete mixture to thereby form a first layer of the wall. In like manner, a second concrete mixture is poured on top of the first layer and a joint forming material is included.

Abstract: An architectural flooring and method of producing the same. The method of producing the architectural flooring comprises the steps of preparing a substrate upon which the flooring is to be fabricated. Thereafter, there is applied a self-leveling topping upon said substrate to a thickness of approximately 1 inch or less. The topping is then seeded with a plurality of selectively chosen stones, such as granite or marble, to thus achieve a desired appearance. Alternatively, the seed material may be integrally mixed with the self-leveling topping prior to the application of the topping. The self-leveling topping having the seed material embedded therewithin is then allowed to dry and thereafter may be ground, via a surface grinder, so that the surface of the flooring has a smooth finish. A seal may then be applied to give the flooring a polished look. A resultant floor is exceptionally durable and may withstand substantial pedestrian traffic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bed for persons at risk of falling out of bed, and more particularly to a safety bed with dual purpose side panels which can be used as barriers for physical restraint, or which can alternatively allow the user to roll safely from the bed to the floor.

Abstract: A concrete dowel placement apparatus comprising a base member and an elongate, tubular dowel receiving sheath which is connectible to the base member. The base member comprises an outer sleeve having first and second ends, and an inner sleeve which is disposed within the outer sleeve. Extending between the inner and outer sleeves is at least one reinforcement wall. Extending about the first end of the outer sleeve is a flange portion which defines a generally flat back surface. The inner sleeve defines an aperture which extends from the second end of the outer sleeve to the back surface of the flange portion, and is sized to accommodate a fastener such as a nail to facilitate the attachment of the base member to a concrete form subsequent to the abutment of the back surface of the flange portion thereagainst.

Abstract: A concrete dowel placement apparatus comprising a base member which is rigidly attachable to a concrete form. Connected to the base member is an elongate, tubular dowel receiving sheath which defines an interior compartment extending axially therein. The dowel receiving sheath is connected to the base member in a manner wherein a dowel rod of predetermined size is extensible into and longitudinally slidable within the interior compartment thereof.

Abstract: A screed post assembly which may be easily and quickly interfaced to a Nelson stud extending upwardly from a horizontal support beam used in the construction of a building framework. The screed post serves as a support for a screed support system which is used to conduct a leveling operation for a concrete pour during the formation of a composite deck. The screed post assembly is also adapted to be extendable over a rebar member and used in the assembly of a protection device which covers the top, exposed ends of a plurality of linearly aligned, upwardly extending rebar members.