Abstract: An in-ground swimming pool which utilizes a relatively flexible, continuous sheet-like wall member in combination with a bottom construction which is formed from polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam bottom is reinforced at the surfaces of concave curvature with rail-like concrete members to which the foam is bonded.Also disclosed is a method of forming the polyurethane bottom which consists of applying a relatively thin coating of polyurethane foam to the bottom excavation and immediately placing a sheet of polyethylene, 2 to 4 mils thick, over the foam before the foam has set, conforming and adhering the polyethylene sheet to the foam and earth surface. The final steps include applying a series of polyurethane foam layers by spraying over the polyethylene sheet to achieve a desired thickness. By following the procedures disclosed, the foam surface can be controlled to obtain the desired pool bottom smoothness.

Abstract: A coupling (10) for plastic pipe (100, 101, 102, 103) which is adapted to be embedded in a concrete floor (300) and to form part of a fluid flow path with the pipe (100 to 103) is described. In particular, the coupling (10) includes a tube (11), preferably integrally molded of plastic, with (1) an integral annular rim (17) inside the coupling (10) with parallel shoulders (18 and 19) perpendicular to a longitudinal cylindrical axis (14) of the tube (11) and with an annular face (20) parallel to the axis between the shoulders (18 and 19), (2) an attachment means, preferably an annular flange (21) with tabs (22) for nails (500) or the like, at one end of the tube (11) adapted to be secured to a form such as a wooden form for pouring the concrete floor (300) around the pipe (100 to 103) and coupling (10) and (3) a removable cover (23) at the end of the tube (11) adjacent the attachment means (21) and adapted to prevent poured cement (300) from entering the inside of the tube (11).

Abstract: A system, kit and method for erecting a structure elevated off the ground, including rigidly installing a series of posts the upper ends of which lie in a horizontal plane. Sheet material may be applied to the ground beneath the structure to be erected to impede the growth of vegetation. On top of each of the posts is placed the tubular portion of a ground saddle. Two wooden joists are placed in each ground saddle to form a series of parallel beams. The beams are fastened in the ground saddles, and on top of the beams there is fastened a plurality of plane saddle devices. Within the plain saddle devices there is fastened a series of substantially parallel joists which are oriented perpendicular to the series of beams. Other structural members are fastened on top of the joists to form the elevated structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for forming borders and the like around garden areas, the apparatus comprising cardboard sheets having scribed thereon three bending folds, each bending fold extending longitudinally along the surface of the cardboard sheet. More specifically a center fold bisects longitudinally elongate rectangular cardboard pieces, the center fold having formed laterally adjacent thereto two side folds. In use the cardboard piece is bent to form a V-section with the side folds being bent over to form vertical surfaces on either edge of the "V". These surfaces are then joined by various fastening devices and the cardboard structure is inserted into the ground and filled with cement or precast concrete blocks.

Abstract: A screed bar support stake and method are uniquely adapted to concrete screeding operations utilizing a vibratory-type screed. The stake is formed with means which allow it to be located after the concrete has been poured and is also adapted with means enabling the stake to be removed for reuse before the concrete hardens thus saving the cost of the stake. A mating drive member facilitates easy placement of the stake.

Abstract: Cast-in-place concrete pipe reinforced with fibers and the method of making such reinforced cast-in-place concrete pipe is disclosed. The apparatus used in making such reinforced cast-in-place concrete pipe is described.

Abstract: A runny, watery, self-leveling slurry is disclosed for pouring of a floor having low sound transmissivity. The slurry includes pressure-calcined calcium sulfate hemihydrate, sand, a polymeric latex, an antifoam agent, and sufficient water to provide the slurry with a water-like consistency. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the floor in which a polymeric latex is first applied to a subfloor, the latex retarding seepage of water from the watery slurry into the floor and migrating into and becoming part of the resultant poured floor to improve adhesion between the poured floor and the subfloor.

Abstract: In the production of a floor topping by the flow method, comprising providing a water-absorbing layer on a floor to be topped, pouring a free-flowing mass comprising an inorganic binder and water onto said water-absorbing layer whereby said mass forms a level floor topping, and allowing said mass to harden, the improvement which comprises employing as said water-absorbing layer a strong porous open-cell material. The open-cell material which serves as a water absorptive underlay preferably comprises at least one of anhydrite, gypsum, cement and lime. Preferably it is formed in place by casting a foamed mass comprising an aqueous suspension of gypsum, an aluminum salt, hydrogen peroxide and a manganese compound.

Abstract: A method of forming walls for pools, waterfalls and the like having surfaces accurately simulating material surfaces, such as rock surfaces. The method is comprised of the steps of coating a rock surface to be simulated with latex, coating the latex with urethane resin, and allowing the resin to foam in place. The urethane foam-latex member is then removed from the rock to be simulated and is used as one wall of the pouring form for forming the corresponding wall of the pool, etc. In the case of swimming pools, a trench in the position of the desired walls of a pool can be dug with the inner surfaces of the trench provided with the foam-latex panels for forming the simulated rock surface on the resulting pool walls. Alternate embodiments and methods of practicing the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A roof structure consisting of a thin curved slab of reinforced concrete which is initially cast by conventional techniques as a flat slab, tension cables (preferably of high tensile steel) extending in one or more directions being arranged across the slab and being connected to opposite edges of the slab and also connected to the slab at points along their lengths by means of tensioned hangers or compression props or columns of predetermined lengths, tension then being applied to the cables to cause them to straighten and in so doing to cause the concrete slab to take up a curved shape so as to form a shell structure which resists applied loads by reason of its curved shape.

Abstract: A method for forming a deep cast-in-place concrete pile in the earth extending to an excessive depth by driving a hollow metallic pipe member having a height to span a substantial fraction of the design depth of the completed pile into the ground for almost its full depth, coupling a connector and hollow tubular driving mandrel to the top of the pipe section, driving the mandrel to advance the pipe section to the design depth while concurrently gravity feeding flowable concrete into the mandrel and pipe member extending therebelow, and withdrawing the mandrel leaving a monolithic concrete pile column encased by the pipe member over its lower portion.

Abstract: A method of constructing concrete shells of various design employing a plurality of inflatable water filled bladders which are aggregated to produce a mold having the configuration of the final structure. After a conventional concrete shell, which is formed by depositing concrete over the desired mold, has set, the bladders are drained, removed from the shell, and ready for reuse.

Abstract: A device for sealing the air hole in a concrete form while concrete is poured over the form, including a cap of resilient material having a dome-like top and a cruciform shaft extending from the concave side of the top for reception in the air hole of the form. When the dome is pressed down to form a dimple therein, the fact that the dimple remains indicates that the shaft is firmly seated in the air hole.

Abstract: An assembly line method of prefabricating brick panels in a factory for shipment to the intended site of use includes the steps of mixing a supply of mortar in one area of the plant, placing the mortar in a plurality of pressurized containers which are mounted on a rack located adjacent to the mixing area, delivering each of the pressurized containers and a supply of bricks as required for placement on a horizontally and vertically movable platform, advancing the platform in a direction along the side of a workbench, placing a first row of bricks on the workbench as the platform is advanced in the first direction, reversing the movement of the platform so that it returns in a second direction opposite to the first direction, dispensing under pressure a continuous flow of mortar from each pressurized container along the top of the bricks in the first row, again reversing the movement of the platform to advance in the first direction, and placing a second row of bricks on the previously dispensed mortar.

Abstract: The method for texturing concrete comprises pouring uncured concrete into a form or upon a supporting surface troweling the concrete to a relatively smooth surface, and moving a texturing pad across the surface. The texturing pad comprises a backing material and a plurality of tufted clusters arranged in a matrix of rows. The clusters each comprise a base attached to the downwardly presented surface of the backing material and a plurality of blades extending downwardly therefrom to engage the concrete while moving there across. Each of the tufts is formed from a plastic material and is of unitary construction.