Forming Structural Installations In Situ Patents (Class 264/31)
  • Publication number: 20030107141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of well equipment with permanently mounted ladder steps, and wherein the method uses mould parts for forming a mould cavity, which mould parts comprise mould elements that will, following discharge of the cast well equipment, leave a number of mounting apertures in the well equipment, which mounting apertures are located in such a manner that the anchoring parts of the ladder steps can be driven thereinto. The invention also relates to an apparatus for exercising the method, wherein the apparatus comprises a frame with a first arm on which a number of ladder-step grippers are configured, each of which being configured for receiving and securing at least one ladder step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: S?oslash;ren Brorsbl
  • Patent number: 6568140
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a sloped floor includes a plurality of elongate arms disposed in radial array relative to a drain. Each arm has a common height along its extent. The radially innermost end of each arm is positioned near or connected to the drain. In a first embodiment, the radially innermost end of each arm is pivotally connected to an adapter that is connected to a center ring that circumscribes the drain. In a second embodiment, each arm is positioned at an incline by an adapter that rigidly joins the arm to the center ring. In a third embodiment, the arms are of shallow construction and are removed after the concrete has been poured. A mounting strip secured to the shower wall may support the radially outermost end of each arm. In all embodiments, the concrete is worked so that it is flush with the uppermost edge of each elongate arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Mark E. Kirby
  • Publication number: 20030090016
    Abstract: A soy-based polyol is mixed with an isocyanate and aggregate to produce a soy-based polyurethane having superior mechanical properties. The aggregate composition may be varied to obtain different mechanical properties, as can the amount of resin. The resin may be crosslinked using a low molecular weight polyol, such as glycerine, to also improve structural performance. A catalyst may be added to accelerate curing time without reducing structural performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Zoran Petrovic, Wei Zhang, Ivan Javni, X. Andrew Guo
  • Publication number: 20030085481
    Abstract: A contoured wall and method is disclosed for creating the contour and appearance of a wall formed from individual assembled units such as stones. The wall is formed from a plurality of mating form liners each having a reciprocal contoured surface to that of the desired stone wall. The wall is formed from hardenable construction material such as concrete poured between two mold members with the form liners attached to at least one of the mold members. Each of the form liners has a lateral relief mold face adapted to provide a molded surface having the contour of a stone wall. Each lateral relief mold face of the form liners has a latticework non-linear mortar-forming interlocking portion surrounding stone-forming recessed portions. The form liners are positionable in a plurality of arrangements wherein the interlocking portions and recessed portions along the mating edge of each form liner mate along mating edge of the adjacent form liner to form a continuous lateral relief mold face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Concrete Design Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Anthony Nasvik, Paul Christian Nasvik
  • Patent number: 6530553
    Abstract: A method for making a poured-in-place concrete building having a plurality of rooms includes assembling an outer form around a periphery of a floor and positioning a plurality of unitary room forms within the periphery of the floor. Each unitary room form may include a plurality of rigid panels connected together along respective adjacent sides thereof defining a closed shape with an open bottom and an open top and having a draft thereto to facilitate removal as a unit. The method may also include pouring concrete between the outer form and adjacent unitary room forms and between adjacent unitary room forms to provide outer concrete walls and interior concrete walls, respectively, to define the rooms. Further, each of the unitary room forms may be removed as a unit from adjacent concrete walls, the outer form may be disassembled, and a roof may be provided over the rooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: Philip A. Diorio, Enrique Rodriguez Negrón
  • Patent number: 6503434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of reinforced concrete structures wherein plastic tie fasteners are used to secure the rebar structure within the concrete structure. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of securing rebar by using plastic tie fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley Mayer
  • Patent number: 6488872
    Abstract: Microfabricated devices and methods of manufacturing the devices are disclosed. The devices are manufactured from a substrate having microscale fluid channels, and polymerizing a polymerizable mixture in the channels to form stimuli-responsive operating components of the device. The operating components can be functional or structural components. The method of manufacture obviates the traditional assembly of microscale components to form a device because the microscale components are formed in situ on or within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Jeffrey S. Moore
  • Publication number: 20020175432
    Abstract: A method of forming a plastic lined tunnel including:
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Peabody Mining Services Pty Limited
    Inventor: Ross Howard Goulter
  • Patent number: 6458732
    Abstract: A dry refractory composition having superior insulating value. The dry refractory composition also may have excellent resistance to molten metals and slags. The composition includes filler lightweight material, which may be selected from perlite, vermiculite, expanded shale, expanded fireclay, expanded alumina silica hollow spheres, bubble alumina, sintered porous alumina, alumina spinel insulating aggregate, calcium alumina insulating aggregate, expanded mulllite, cordierite, and anorthite, and matrix material, which may be selected from calcined alumina, fused alumina, sintered magnesia, fused magnesia, silica fume, fused silica, silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium diboride, zirconium boride, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, Sialon, titanium oxide, barium sulfate, zircon, a sillimanite group mineral, pyrophyllite, fireclay, carbon, and calcium fluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Allied Mineral Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas K. Doza, John Y. Liu
  • Patent number: 6454632
    Abstract: A method of both hardening/densifying and polishing a concrete surface includes the steps of first applying to the concrete surface a silicate, siliconate, fluorosilicate, siloxane, silazane, silicon ester, and/or silane hardening/densifying compound, allowing the compound to remain in contact with the surface for a period of time sufficient to allow it to soak into the surface of the concrete, optionally allowing the surface to thoroughly dry, and polishing the surface with water or a diluted silicate, siliconate, fluorosilicate, siloxane, silazane, silicon ester, and/or silane polishing compound. The polishing step includes the steps of applying to the concrete surface water or the diluted polishing compound, mechanically polishing the concrete surface, cleaning the concrete surface, and repeating these steps with polishing pads or discs of increasingly finer grit until the surface obtains the desired level of shine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Curecrete Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald W. Jones, Perry Maxfield
  • Publication number: 20020100228
    Abstract: A building structure that is a one-piece extruded building that can simultaneously build inner and outer walls, roof, reinforcement and optionally even floors. Said structure is made up as a composite of an inner and outer encapsulating building material that provides structural strength, plus an inner core material composed of a highly expanding closed cell foam material for insulation. The building material is polymer based, but can also be a polymer-concrete, wherein traditional fibers are minimized and substituted for other aggregates. The polymer in the encapsulating material can have the catalyst encapsulated and premixed into a slurry form activated at the injection point by mechanically rupturing the capsule, or can be mixed and added at the injection point with a specially designed metering injectors. All comers and joints allow the encapsulating building material to join between inner/outer walls forming columns and evenly spaced beams or studs made from the same encapsulating building material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Sheldon V. Yoder
  • Publication number: 20020096796
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for eliminating trash comprising the steps of: transporting trash over a transporting device; selecting recyclable trash and rigid metals from non-recyclable trash, removing recyclable trash and rigid metals; feeding non-recyclable trash in a grinding device; grinding non-recyclable trash; mixing ground trash with other compounds; and forming a construction element. Furthermore, the present invention describes an ecological mixture for construction comprising: from about 5% to about 50% of cement; from 0% to about 40% of sand; from 0% to about 40% of gravel; from about 30% to about 95% of ground trash; and water as needed to make the ecological mixture for construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Ernesto De La Concha Estrada
  • Patent number: 6401759
    Abstract: A liner bag for a manhole can have an improved durability after hardening with a fluid pressure barrier film left on the inner wall of a lined manhole, and a method of lining a manhole using the liner bag is capable of realizing a reduction in the number of steps involved in a manhole lining process to reduce a working time and a working cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignees: Shonan Gosei-Jushi Seisakusho K.K., Yokoshima & Company, Get Inc., Oar Company
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Yasuhiro Yokoshima, Shigeru Endoh, Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20020053749
    Abstract: A method for producing a rail substructure for railroad tracks, for which a rail bed (14) is concreted and dowels (18) are anchored positively in the concrete in order to fasten the rails, wherein the dowels (18) are inserted into the still deformable concrete during the concreting of the track bed (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: Jorg Schwarzbich
  • Publication number: 20020008328
    Abstract: Forming concrete piles with an enlarged base for structural foundations for buildings. The invention involves: a) drilling a bore hole with an auger; (b) pumping fluid concrete into the bore hole through a channel in the auger whilst retracting the auger from a lower portion of the bore, such that the lower portion of the bore becomes filled with a volume of fluid concrete; (c) applying a pressure to the volume of fluid concrete by at least partly reinserting the auger into the lower portion of the bore, such that the applied pressure causes the volume of concrete to expand radially, thereby increasing the diameter of the lower portion of the bore; (d) retracting the auger from the remainder of the bore whilst pumping further concrete into the bore, such that the bore fills with concrete and forms a concrete pile with an enlarged base. The enlarged base area provides greater load bearing capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Arwell Williams
  • Patent number: 6309493
    Abstract: A method for filling cracks in concrete surfaces using a one-component, hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer without the addition of any granular impregnating agents The prepolymer is provided in a hand-held aerosol container and is injected into the cracks through hollow injection ports that are adhered in place on the surfaces over the cracks and subsequently closed off when filled. The crack is filled from the bottom up to prevent the formation of air pockets in the crack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Flexible Products Company
    Inventors: Robert Braun, Diana Dobrez-Florez, Jess Garcia, Deborah Schutter
  • Publication number: 20010031237
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating discolored natural diamond, especially Type IIa diamond and Type IaA/B diamond with nitrogen as predominantly B centers, for improving its color. The method includes placing a discolored natural diamond in a pressure transmitting medium which is consolidated into a pill. Next, the pill is placed into a high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) press at elevated pressure and elevated temperature within the graphite stable range of the carbon phase diagram for a time sufficient to improve the color of said diamond. Finally, the diamond is recovered from said press. Colorless diamond can be made by this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: SURESH SHANKARAPPA VAGARALI, STEVEN WILLIAM WEBB, WILLIAM EDWIN JACKSON, WILLIAM FRANK BANHOLZER, THOMAS RICHARD ANTHONY
  • Publication number: 20010010410
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a barrier against a material which is setting up, hardening or curing are embodied in a flexible, collapsible, water-resistant sleeve with at least one low-friction surface. In another embodiment, a sleeve material includes a group of such sleeves in a detachably interconnected configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Christopher B. Meehan, Donald R. Medina
  • Patent number: 6189278
    Abstract: Method and product for the forming of contraction joints in the end face of poured concrete structures that includes a blade-like insert of selective profile configuration corresponding to the profile surface of a form board to be utilized for shaping the end face when poured. The insert is attachable to the profile surface of the form board and includes a blade member extending laterally away from the profile surface to produce a contraction joint in the end face when cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: William J. Stegmeier
  • Patent number: 6149855
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a building material includes the steps of directing molten volcanic magma from an underwater volcanic magma vent to a level above sea level via a tube formed from the magma; directing the molten volcanic magma into a mold on a floating barge; cooling the magma in the mold to form a building material; and removing the building material from the mold. The tube is formed by lowering a cap assembly over an underwater flowing volcanic magma vent and raising the cap such that the magam solidifies inside the cap perimeter where it is cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Louis L. Watson
  • Patent number: 6123879
    Abstract: A structural member for reinforcement of asphalt and concrete roadways and other products, and which includes a gridwork of warp strands and weft strands which are disposed at right angles to each other and so as to define an open structure. In one embodiment, the gridwork is impregnated with a thermosettable B-stage resin so as to interlock the strands at their crossover points and maintain the gridwork in a semi-flexible state, and after being applied to the product to be reinforced, the resin is heated to convert the same into a fully cured composite to thereby rigidize the gridwork and reinforce the product. In cases where the product to be reinforced is heated, such as asphalt paving, the heat of the product provides the heat necessary to fully cure the resin in situ. In another embodiment, the resin is fully cured to rigidize the gridwork prior to its being applied to the structure to be reinforced. A method of producing the resin impregnated gridwork is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hexcel CS Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Hendrix, Gordon L. Brown, Jr., Mansfield H. Creech, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6110307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compacting process suitable particularly for the compacting of materials with a pyrophoric tendency and especially for the compacting of scrap metal generated in the nuclear industry: and compacting means (4), and a compacting device including said means (4), appropriate for the implementation of said process. In said process the blanketed materials are compacted with optimized complementary external blanketing. The inert gas used for said external blanketing is characteristically conveyed via the compacting means (4) and blown in through their lower end (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Guerin, deceased, by Robert Rene Armand Guerin, heir, by Christiane Guerin, heir, by Jean-Baptiste Guerin, heir, by Agnes Fernande Cano, heir, by Pierre Emmanuel Guerin, heir, Philippe Kerrien, Gerard Limeuil
  • Patent number: 6110402
    Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a hole form that is used to secure the hole form to a form wall during a casting process. The attachment mechanism includes a hole form having an opening formed in the face thereof and a magnet assembly which is received in the opening of the hole form. The magnet assembly can include a flange portion which can be received in a corresponding stepped portion of the opening. The magnet assembly is removable and can be used in other hole forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Press Seal Gasket Corporation
    Inventor: Michael R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6101948
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing solid rocket motors comprises placing a mandrel having at least one collapsible solid slot former positioned thereon substantially centrally along the axis of a rocket case, casting uncured solid rocket propellant about the mandrel and the collapsible solid slot former, curing the solid propellant, removing the mandrel and pressurizing the propellant and slot former, causing the slot former to collapse, and easily removed from the cured propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Lee Knaresboro, Forrest Ray Goodson, Frank Stephen Inman
  • Patent number: 6074131
    Abstract: A method of upgrading the area below a dispenser to contain accidental release harmful materials from contaminating the soil below grade without repiping, electrical changes, or concrete disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Charles M. Daul, Paul A. Sivak, David Lyzinski, Albert J. Kovach
  • Patent number: 6071444
    Abstract: A method of producing a perforation pattern in a slab of thermoplastic propellant material and the material produced includes subjecting the slab to a perforating press operation in which the press has a patterned array of fixed perforating members arranged according to a first pattern coordinated with a system for advancing and incrementally indexing the slab through the press is used to perforate the slab to create a desired second, denser perforation pattern by subjecting the slab to a series of perforation actions by the patterned array of perforating means coordinated with the indexing of the slab through the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Worrell, Jr., David A. Worrell, II, Joseph M. Donckers
  • Patent number: 6071458
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system for manufacturing horizontally precast panels of moldable material which panels require shaped surface patterns. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for manufacturing horizontally precast concrete panels formed of concrete, for use in vertical wall systems, with one or more shaped surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Port-O-Wall Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Mossi
  • Patent number: 6048419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compacting process suitable particularly for the compacting of materials with a pyrophoric tendency and especially for the compacting of scrap metal generated in the nuclear industry; and compacting means (4), and a compacting device including said means (4), appropriate for the implementation of said process. In said process the blanketed materials are compacted with optimized complementary external blanketing. The inert gas used for said external blanketing is characteristically conveyed via the compacting means (4) and blown in through their lower end (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Campagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Guerin, deceased, by Robert Rene Guerin, legal representative, Philippe Kerrien, Gerard Limeuil
  • Patent number: 6044614
    Abstract: A method of constructing concrete structures using reusable formwork comprising the steps of positioning and securing base portion formwork comprised of at least a pair of opposing panels; positioning and securing upper portion formwork on top of the base portion formwork, each upper portion formwork comprised of at least a pair of opposing panels; pouring concrete between the panels and allowing it to set; and removing the formwork. The method further comprises the steps of providing blanking panels for windows and doors and providing insulation within the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Newtec Concrete Construction Pty Limited
    Inventor: Stanley Bryant
  • Patent number: 6036894
    Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of composite propellants containing rubbery binders and particulate non-binder ingredients. The process consists of curing a mixture of a functionally-terminated hydro-carbon prepolymer and a cross-linking agent to form a viscoelastic first binder composition, mixing the binder with non-binder ingredients to form a plastic propellant, and rubberising at least a part of the plastic propellant by adding to it a further quantity of the cross-linking agent, provided the propellant is formed into a propellant charge while still in a plastic state. The further quantity of the cross-linking agent may be mixed in with the plastic propellant prior to forming, or applied to the surface of the plastic propellant after having been formed into a charge.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the prepolymer consists of an hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene having a molecular weight of about 3000 and a functionally of about 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in her Brittanic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
    Inventors: Robert James Brown, Ernest Melville Guthrie Cooke, Graham James Spickernell, Arthur Ronald Treadgold, Bernard George Tucker
  • Patent number: 6033500
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an airbag explosive composition comprising a fuel ingredient, an oxidizing agent and a binder for binding them, said binder being hydrotalcite group expressed by the following general formula (1), and a producing method therefor:[M.sup.2+.sub.1-x M.sup.3+.sub.x (OH).sub.2 ].sup.x+ [A.sup.n-.sub.x/n. mH.sub.2 O].sup.x- (1)whereM.sup.2+ represents a bivalent metal such as Mg.sup.2+, Mn.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Co.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, Cu.sup.2+ and Zn.sup.2+ ;M.sup.3+ represents a trivalent metal such as Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.3+, Cr.sup.3+, Co.sup.3+ and In.sup.3+ ;A.sup.n- represents an n-valence anion such as OH.sup.-, F.sup.-, Cl.sup.-, NO.sub.3.sup.-, C0.sub.3.sup.2-, SO.sub.4.sup.2-, Fe(CN).sub.6.sup.3-, CH.sub.3 COO.sup.-, oxalate ion and salicylate ion; and0<x.ltoreq.0.33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignees: Sensor Technology Co., Ltd., Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Ito, Eishi Sato, Akihiko Tanaka, Makoto Iwasaki, Kenjiro Ikeda, Eri Oishi, Ryo Minoguchi, Eiichiro Yoshikawa, Akihiko Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 6016635
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventors: Lee A. Shaw, Ronald D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5956922
    Abstract: A wall forming system and method having a parallel form panels secured together by an adjustable support structure to form a cavity therebetween. The cavity being filled with hardenable material. The support structure having an elongated threaded member with a adjustable frame mounted upon the threaded member along either side of the parallel form panels. Mounts are placed upon the threaded member and rotated to hold the frame in position against the form panels. Rotation of the mounts can serve to impart a curvature to the forming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Bruce Liuska
  • Patent number: 5942720
    Abstract: The processing and cure of high solids (>85%) composite propellants at ambient temperature and pressure is accomplished by using a small amount (.ltoreq.0.1 weight percent) of a liquid dialkyl tin catalyst, such as dibutyltindiacetate and dibutyltindilaurate. The propellant binder system is composed of a branched, oxygen-containing polymer, such as polyethers, polypropylene oxide, polybutylene oxide, high homologues or mixtures thereof, and a sterically hindered diisocyanate curing agent. The liquid dialkyl tin catalyst unexpectedly serves as a wetting agent to lower the viscosity of the composite propellant formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Cordant Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Doll, Gary K. Lund
  • Patent number: 5930965
    Abstract: There is provided a self-supporting insulated deck structure for buildings whereby the deck can be constructed inexpensively and efficiently and can attain a desirable fire rating in addition to improved sound absorption properties. The self-supporting insulated deck structure is made of a cementitious material and has no exposed structural steel members. Formwork for the insulated deck structure is made of integral panels formed from foam insulation members, fire retarding boards, and sound attenuating boards. The integral panels are supported on shored steel support brackets. Once the cementitious material cures, the shoring is removed as the deck structure is self-supporting. The adjacent integral panels provide the insulated deck structure with desirable fire rating and sound absorption properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Tommy Lee Carver
  • Patent number: 5888559
    Abstract: A press for compacting plastic explosive materials comprises a base plate, support column upstanding from the base plate, a tubular housing mounted on an upper end of the column and extending widthwise of the column, a slide member slidably moveable in the tubular housing substantially parallel to the base plate and an elongated handle pivotally mounted at a distal end thereof on the slide member. A press piston is slidably disposed in a bore in the slide member and is slidably moveable in directions normal to the slide member, a distal end of the piston being disposed over the base plate, the piston having at a proximal end thereof a handle housing through which extends the handle, the handle housing having first and second rollers therein with the handle disposed between the rollers. Pivotal movement of the handle is operative to move the piston reciprocally toward and away from the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Frank Terrell Akins, Henry Sproul McDevitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5885502
    Abstract: A method of forming a patterned wall includes the step of aligning a linear edge of a first linear base form liner with a linear edge of a second linear base form liner to form a non-contoured composite notch surface between a first contoured surface of the first linear base form liner and a second contoured surface of the second linear base form liner. A coupling form liner is then positioned on the non-contoured composite notch surface to produce a continuous pattern between the first contoured surface and the second contoured surface. A mold is then constructed using the first linear base form liner, the second linear base form liner, and the coupling form liner. A hardenable material is then poured into the mold. The mold is removed when the hardenable material has dried to expose a patterned wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Bomanite Corporation
    Inventors: David DeAngelis, Gary Batt, Francis W. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5874151
    Abstract: Rigidifiable composites are formed by stitching a reinforced B-stage resin sheet stock to form a three-dimensional preform. The preform is subsequently rigidified by initiating final cure of the resin. Molded articles, inflatable and other structures, such as, tank, tunnel and sewer liners are some of the typical structures which can be formed by the methods of the invention. Control of thread count, thread tension and thread spacing can be used to consolidate multi-ply or layered preforms, which, upon cure, can have up to 90% of the load carrying capacity of compression molded fiber reinforced articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: ILC Dover, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Cohee, Edgar G. Ashmead
  • Patent number: 5849124
    Abstract: In a method of preparing a composite flooring, a quantity of small stones is mixed with a predetermined quantity of liquid colorant in a mixing device for a predetermined period of time, to produce colored stones. The stones and colorant are in a ratio of about 400 lbs of stone to about 1 gallon of colorant. The colored stones are dried and are mixed with an epoxy resin. The mix of stones and epoxy resin is poured onto a floor surface and leveled, for example by troweling. One or more epoxy seal layers are thereafter preferably applied, and a wear layer of polyurethane is preferably applied over the one or more seal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Colorstone, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Rusk, Jr., Joseph Mendez, Michael D. Fazio
  • Patent number: 5831339
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of the continuous manufacture of composite pyrotechnic products.A heat-curable liquid binder (3) is mixed with a thickening filler (4) in a mixer (1) so as to obtain a viscous premix (2) which is unreactive at ambient temperature and which can be subsequently mixed with oxidizing fillers (17) to give, after extrusion and chopping, intermediate products (24) which are not yet crosslinked but which have stable geometrical dimensions. The structure of the products (24) is subsequently set by crosslinking the binder in an oven (26).The invention permits the continuous industrial manufacture in series of small crosslinked composite pyrotechnic charges without any "pot life" constraint since the binder does not change at ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs
    Inventors: Alain Lefumeux, Dominique Wiencek
  • Patent number: 5814250
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a lightweight barrier and armor materials and, ore particularly, to a method of using a syntactic foam for protecting a desired portion of a fixed structure (e.g., building) or movable structure (e.g., armored vehicle or ship) from ballistic impact. The method of the present invention includes the following steps: (1) providing a mold defining therein a predetermined shape or an enclosed space in a fixed or movable structure; (2) providing a mixture of between about 40 percent and about 80 percent by volume of microspheres and between about 60 percent and about 20 percent by volume of an uncured binder material; (3) pouring the mixture into the mold; (4) curing the mixture to form a syntactic foam barrier material in the form of the predetermined shape; and (5) placing the barrier material in a relationship with the structure to be protected wherein the desired portion of the structure is protected from ballistic impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Philip J. Dudt, John R. Martin
  • Patent number: 5800727
    Abstract: A mold for forming a base for a concrete post, the mold having a side wall and a top wall characterized in that the top wall has a plurality of radially extending main slits extending from a central point to thereby form a plurality of flaps, the top portion being formed of a flexible material such that a tube may be inserted therethrough and retained in position by the flaps to permit casting a one piece post and base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Morris T. Croghan
  • Patent number: 5801453
    Abstract: A method for producing substantially spherical energetic compounds such as ammonium dinitramide (ADN) which minimizes the time during which the ADN is melted involves providing solid ADN, feeding the ADN at a controlled continuous rate to a heating means, melting the ADN, the melted ADN being fed continuously to a non-solvent cooling fluid maintained at a temperature below the temperature of solidification of the ADN, the cooling fluid agitated in a manner which promotes the formation of droplets of controlled size which solidify in the cooling fluid to produce substantially spherical ammonium dinitramide in a particle size corresponding to the droplet size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Guimont
  • Patent number: 5747730
    Abstract: An essentially particulate-free, non-toxic, odorless and colorless gas is generated in a pyrotechnic inflator device by using a eutectic solution of ammonium nitrate, guanidine nitrate and/or aminoguanidine nitrate, and minor amounts of polyvinyl alcohol and either potassium nitrate or potassium perchlorate. Ballistic modifiers such as triaminoguanidine nitrate (TAGN) or nitroguanidine (NQ) may be used as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Atlantic Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Scheffee, Robert Lee Thibodeau, Brian K. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 5716557
    Abstract: A method of formulating high energy explosives and propellants, including e steps of melting the explosive at a temperature just above its melting temperature, admixing and dissolving or plasticizing a binder, and extruding or casting the resultant solution into a useful form for further forming the resulting material into a munitions. The first step in this method includes the use of any high energy explosive material. Examples of these include hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane or CL-20, 1,3,3-trinitroazetidine or TNAZ, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene or S-TNT, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene or S-TNB, HMX, RDX, butane-trio-trinitrate or BTTN, trimethylolethane trinitrate or TMETN; triethylene glycol dinitrate or TEGDN, bis, 2,2-dinitro propyl acetal/bis 2,2 dinitro propyl formal or BDNPA/F, methyl nitrato ethyl nitramine or methyl NENA, ethyl NENA, mixtures thereof and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Bernard Strauss, Thelma Manning, Joseph P. Prezelski, Sam Moy
  • Patent number: 5714714
    Abstract: A process for preparing ammonium dinitramide by:(1) nitrating either ethyl carbamate or methyl carbamate to form the corronding mononitrate compound, ethyl N-nitrocarbamate or methyl N-nitrocarbamate;(2) reacting the N-nitrocarbamate with ammonia under anhydrous conditions to produce the corresponding ammonium salt, ammonium ethyl N-nitrocarbamate or ammonium methyl N-nitrocarbamate;(3) nitrating the ammonium salt and then treating the reaction mixture with ammonia to produce ammonium dinitramide, ammonium nitrate, and regenerate the original ethyl carbamate or methyl carbamate compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alfred G. Stern, William M. Koppes, Michael E. Sitzmann, Lori A. Nock, Donna M. Cason-Smith
  • Patent number: 5714081
    Abstract: A dismountable mechanical core (1) includes a counterform (2) attached to a central mandrel (3,8), the counterform components being able to be handled remotely and with complete safety. These components of the counterform are connected and attached to the central mandrel (3,8) by rod anchoring devices (6). The process of assembly and disassembly of the core is also described. This dismountable mechanical core is used for the molding of the cavity inside the charge of solid rocket fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Tillac, Jean-Pierre Hoguet, Alain Soulignac
  • Patent number: 5709824
    Abstract: A roller compacted concrete industrial floor slab is formed by surface finishing the slab by using a separate thin topping bonded to a roughened surface of the RCC, or by manipulating the RCC surface itself by working into its surface a finish mixture of cement-coated, rice-sized grit in a moisture saturated condition to fill any voids in the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Kalman Floor Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Carl N. Ytterberg, Ernest K. Schrader
  • Patent number: 5699643
    Abstract: A floor is supported above an area of expansive soil by foam blocks defining an elongated channel along a top surface of the foam block. A plurality of supports attached to a bottom surface of each foam block positions the bottom surface of the foam block a predetermined distance above the soil and on a level substantially equal to the level of a flat surface defined by opposing foundation walls. The foam blocks are aligned between the opposing foundation walls and the elongated channels are filled with concrete to form concrete joists extending between the flat surfaces of the opposing foundation walls. The floor is installed on top of the concrete joists and the foam blocks while a void is effectively maintained between the concrete joists and the expansive soil. The supports may be made from a crushable foam material to increase the effective size of the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: George Kinard
  • Patent number: 5690867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an explosive ammunition component with controlled fragmentation, comprising a charge of solid explosive contained in a metal casing internally clad with a sleeve externally provided with indentations.A rigid sleeve made of plastic or elastomer, externally provided with indentations and which has a form of a vessel provided with a single opening, is produced first of all, and then this sleeve is introduced, with the bottom first, into a metal casing comprising an opening and whose shape and dimensions are such as to allow the sleeve to clad the casing internally.A pasty or liquid explosive composition is next cast into the sleeve and the composition is then solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs
    Inventors: Bruno Nouguez, Claude Grimelli, Pierre Vitrant, Alain Bonnel, Alain Tinet