Abstract: Non-masonry building block components, including a standard hollow-bodied block component with horizontal and vertical locking capabilities which removes the need for bonding material such as glue, mortar or other adhesives. Modified dovetails on the upper and lower surface of the building components prevent vertical movement while resistance locks on each end of the block prevent horizontal movement. Typically, use of the non-masonry building components would allow for constructing permanent or temporary structures having vertical and horizontal channels in which to allow plumbing or electrical conduit. The incorporation of materials, such as sand or similar substance, would form a bullet-resistant barrier for use in military operations. Additionally, structures formed from the block components could easily be assembled or disassembled on site without the need for skilled labor, specialized tools, demolition and clean up.

Abstract: A self-drilling and thread forming fastener for fasting a first softer workpiece, such as wood, to a second harder workpiece, such as metal, is described. The fastener features wings of improved configuration including positive angle of attrack, positive cutting edge relief angles, teardrop-like crescent shape across section and knife-like cutting edge which exhibit faster drill times through wood.