Abstract: A finishing tool is used to smooth tape joints of interior walls and ceilings constructed of plasterboard or drywall. The tool includes a handle, a resilient polyester foam pad, and a wettable abrasive surface of short, stiff coarse nylon fibers bonded to the resilient foam pad so that they are oriented perpendicular to the surface of the foam pad. In use, the abrasive surface is wetted, and then is moved over the surface of the tape joint to moisten the joint cement. The tool is then moved in a scrubbing-type movement to work the joint cement to a creamy consistency. The surface of the joint cement is then smoothed by stroking the tool along the length of the joint.

Abstract: A simplified box-like building is constructed one room at a time. Concrete slabs are used for walls, floor and ceiling, and are poured in a horizontal position, stacked vertically with bond-breaking layers between them to allow separation. After the foundation and stub wall are partially cured, the ceiling slab is poured with wedge-shaped edges clearing stub walls by approximately one inch. Tiltable wall slabs are then poured on top of the ceiling slab, each connected by hinges to its own stub wall. An accelerated light weight low-slump concrete is normally used, and makes possible a rapid nearly continuous pouring sequence.Erection of the building is also rapid. The light weight walls are tilted up by hand, pivoting about their base hinges. While they are temporarily held in position, the wall edge dowel reinforcement is bent out and single-side corner forms are positioned or expanded metal is attached to the dowels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for continuously pumping flowable concrete mix to elevated heights for introduction into forms used in the fabrication of annular structures such as concrete hyperbolic cooling towers. A tower crane is erected in the center of the circle for the hyperbolic structure and concrete conveying piping is provided for raising mix to a lateral conduit carried by a secondary boom suspended from the swingable overhead jib of the crane. A pumping unit at ground level forces concrete mix up the vertical piping on the tower and then through the boom supported conduit for delivery into the form structure. The jib and thereby the boom suspended therefrom are swingable through an arc of 180.degree. in one direction to cover one half of the form structure and then the jib and boom may be swung in the opposite direction through the remaining 180.degree. arc for introduction of mix into the form structure.

Abstract: In order in a floor drainage trough installation substantially to prevent gaps between the upper edge portions of the side walls of the floor drainage trough and the body of concrete in which the trough is set, such gaps resulting from shrinkage of the concrete as the body of concrete is cured, strips of woven glass fiber material are provided in the upper edge portions of the side walls of the trough during the molding thereof, with closely spaced loops of the glass fiber material of which the strips are formed being coated with the plastics material of which the trough is formed during the molding of the trough and outwardly projecting under the influence of the inherent resiliency thereof by removing the trough from the mold prior to the plastics material becoming fully set.

Abstract: A method of constructing a construction shell, the method comprising the steps of:forming a sheet of thin flexible material into a shape complementary to the shape of a constructional shell to be formed; erecting and supporting the sheet material in the desired shape and configuration of shell required; strengthening and stiffening the sheet of thin material progressively to form a strengthened shell former of the desired shape; coating the strengthened and stiffened shell former with at least one layer of an outer or inner structural coating material so as to form a constructional shell of desired shape which can be used for a variety of different building constructions.

Abstract: A spalled and deteriorated portion of a refractory brick heating wall of a coke oven heating chamber is dismantled. The deteriorated brick is removed with the undamaged brick remaining in place. Individual thermally destructable forms forming the gas flow passageways are vertically erected surrounding ports in the floor through which preheated gas and preheated air are separately supplied into the heating chamber. A second set of destructable forms having passageways forming the heating flues for receiving the products of combustion are positioned between the forms for the gas flow passageways. Horizontal forms, also forming gas flow passageways, connect adjacent vertical forms for the flow of air and gas from the ports into the heating flues where combustion of the air and gas takes place. When the thermally destructable forms are in place, a refractory material is sprayed onto the outer surfaces of the forms.

Abstract: This invention relates to the sealing of heated enclosures wherein the enclosure is provided with an opening (16) allowing access to the interior of the enclosure. A means for heating the enclosure and a means for closing (22) the access opening (16) are also provided. A compliant sealing material (26) disposed about the periphery of the access opening (16) is between the enclosure (10) and the closing means (22). A thermosetting material is intermixed with the sealing material (26) such that when the heating means heats the enclosure (10) the thermosetting material allows the sealing material (26) to be permanently molded to the shape of the closing means (18). A method of sealing a heatable enclosure (10) having an access opening (16) and a door (18) closing the enclosure (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A method of constructing in-situ cast concrete, internally insulated building walls, comprises the steps of erecting a wall mold having a pair of vertical, spaced, mold plates, introducing between, distanced from, and extending from bottom to top of the mold plates, an assembly comprising a rigid back-up panel and at least one board of insulating material releasably attached to one side of the panel, filling with poured concrete the spaces formed between the mold plates and the assembly, and before the concrete hardens, extracting the panel from the cast wall so that the board remains and becomes embedded in the concrete.Two such insulating boards may be releasably attached to both sides of the panel, so that upon the extraction of the panel, the boards will gradually approach each other under the hydrostatic pressure of the concrete in which they are submerged, thus forming a substantially unified insulation layer.

Abstract: The method for forming a concrete deck includes top adjustable removable hangers depending from opposed walls, beams or girders to support length adjustable ledgers, which ledgers support deck joists and decking associated therewith and upon which concrete deck will be poured to form a slab supported upon the walls, beams or girders. Means are incorporated to permit assembly from the top of the hangers, ledgers, deck joists and decking and to permit vertical adjustment of the ledgers from the top to bring the decking to grade elevation. Further means are incorporated to permit disassembly of the hangers, ledgers, deck joists and decking from the bottom after cure of the poured concrete deck.

Abstract: A composition comprising a butyl rubber and from about 5 to 25 percent by volume of expandable resinous microspheres containing a volatile blowing agent inside said resinous microspheres.

Abstract: The invention provides for a process for constructing manhole assemblies in an excavation or elsewhere, by the utilization of an outer form, a preformed manhole barrel which is positioned and propped within the outer form pipe stub inserted partially into the inside of the preformed manhole and resting under notches cut into the preformed manhole barrel, inflatable or rigid forms (or both) are used to form simple or complex channels in the concrete which is to be poured. The form ends are adapted to fit into the pipe stub ends or may abut other forms, where complex channels are desired. The forms are carefully positioned to allow for the proper height and grade of the channel in the completed manhole assembly. Concrete is poured and when it is set, the forms are deflated where applicable and removed to be reused.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the repairing of extensive damage to plasterboard areas wherein wet plaster will normally not hold in such a large repair area. The method includes the cutting through the paper surface layer of the plasterboard material in an approximately circular shape around the damaged area. The exposed plaster of the plasterboard can then be sanded by such a tool as a power rotating sander such that the plaster within the plasterboard is removed to a predetermined depth. A plate member having a thickness less than this predetermined dimension and preferably on the order of 0.014 inches is then placed over the damaged area within the removed plaster area. This plate member is fixedly secured to the undamaged area of the plasterboard within the defined circular area. The plate member is preferably perforated throughout for ventilation and securement of plaster thereto.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for forming thinwall structures from fiberglass, ferrocement or similiar materials in shapes that are inherently optimum in cost-strength effectiveness. Reinforcing means are hung from elevated points forming a catenary surface and then saturated with a post setting material. The structure is inverted after it is stable onto mirror image supports causing its elements to be in compression with negligible bending or tensile stresses.

Abstract: A polymer blend which is capable of exhibiting an anisotropic melt phase and which is capable of forming shaped articles which exhibit satisfactory mechanical properties is provided. The polymer blend comprises approximately 5 to approximately 95 percent by weight, based upon the total weight of the blend, of a first melt processable wholly aromatic polyester which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase apart from the blend and which comprises not less than approximately 10 mole percent of recurring units which include a naphthalene moiety, and approximately 5 to approximately 95 percent by weight, based upon the total weight of the blend, of a second melt processable wholly aromatic polyester which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase apart from the blend (as defined).

Abstract: A cooling tower, a process for producing a cooling tower, and a reinforcing element suitable for use in the process and tower are disclosed. The cooling tower, formed from a shell of reinforced concrete, is produced with a plurality of plate-like reinforcing elements adjacent to a surface of the shell. The reinforcing elements are disposed in at least one horizontal plane within the shell adjacent to and suspended from the shell surface. The reinforcing elements in a plane abut and are joined one to another, and are also joined to the shell at spaced points thereon. Each plate-like element includes a central channel communicating with trough-like ends for receiving a suitable reinforcing material which extends into recesses in the shell of the cooling tower adjacent the trough-like ends.

Abstract: An improved method for forming wiring channels in a prefabricated concrete floor slab is disclosed. At least one trench is formed in a concrete floor slab when the slab is poured. A metal cover placed over the trench can have a metal U-shaped channel attached thereto for dividing the trench into at least two and preferably three separate wire raceways with the center raceway completely shielded by the channel and cover*. Access boxes are selectively positioned over knockouts in the cover plate. Metal channels are positioned to extend perpendicular to the trenches for forming main distribution ducts. A concrete surface is then poured over the slab to extend flush with the tops of the access boxes and the main distribution ducts and a cover plate is attached to enclose the main distribution ducts. The resulting floor structure has embedded therein parallel wiring raceways spaced across the floor with spaced accesses into each raceway and main distribution ducts interconnecting the parallel raceways.

Abstract: Voids in at least a part of an artificial or natural structures overlying a highly porous layer (e.g.

Abstract: The apparatus to practice the method of this invention is particularly effective in repairing underground gasoline storage tanks which have fractures or perforations directly underneath the filler pipe. A boring and injection tool projects down the filler pipe and perforates and seals adjacent the bottom of the storage tank. A soil stabilizer is injected into the area adjacent and exterior of the underground storage tank. The chemicals project into the pea gravel surrounding the tank and polymerize or solidify to stop infiltration or exfiltration. A sanding tool is next utilized to remove the glaze from the interior of the fiber glass tank. Water is evacuated from the tank and an air jet cleaning tool is utilized to remove the film of water from the area to be repaired. Next, an epoxy injection tool is utilized to deposit epoxy over the area to be repaired. Epoxy solidifies to the inner wall of the tank repairing the perforated or fractured area.

Abstract: A method of sealing a hole or anchoring a rod therein by rupturing multipart curable resin components placed in the hole. At least one of the components is placed in pressure fragmentable macrocapsules which form flake-like fragments upon rupture. The flake-like fragments serve as static mixers and cause turbulence thus initiating mixing and curing of the components without requiring rotation of the rod or other mixing device.

Abstract: Method for horizontally casting a panel, preferably a non-composite insulated panel of reinforced concrete of substantial area and thickness in a heated mold. The mold is part of a rotating mechanism and lift frame for rotating and vertically stacking the panel when the panel is partially cured.Reinforcing steel is put into a heated mold. A layer of concrete is poured into the mold, forced into close and intimate contact with the mold and through the reinforcing steel by means of a traveling auger, striker plate and vibrating screed; insulation board and shear connectors are placed in the mold, further reinforcing steel is then placed in the mold, and a second layer of concrete is poured into the mold and forced through the reinforcing steel by means of the traveling auger, striking plate and vibrating screed, which at the same time as they force the concrete through the steel, produce a smooth finish on the non-mold contacting surface of the concrete panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a pre-stressed concrete member in which at least a bonding surface of a pre-cast concrete shell has the hydration process therein temporarily arrested by means of heat applied thereto such that reactivation of the hydration process after the stressing of the shell and prior to the pouring into the shell of infilling concrete, results in a strong bond being formed between the bonding surface of the pre-cast concrete element and the infilling concrete. The construction joints between the infilling concrete and the pre-cast concrete shell are thus of an improved integrity.

Abstract: A building construction system uses a mold set up at a construction site so that the external part of the mold is spaced clear of the internal part. Building elements including those which are functional in the construction operation are arranged around the internal mold part. Such functional elements include connecting rod anchorages around the lower region of the mold, and the like. The external mold part is moved into position near the internal mold part, and the mold is filled to form a casting. A lifting frame is arranged over the mold and adjustably connected to the connecting rods. Then the external mold part is moved away to release the casting, and the frame is lifted to raise the casting up over the mold for movement to a building site near the construction site.

Abstract: A method of forming a joint between a metal structural tubular member and a metal sleeve. The method comprises placing the sleeve around a part of the tubular member so that there is a space between the sleeve and the adjacent part of the tubular member, closing the ends of at least a part of the space between the tubular member and the sleeve, injecting a hardenable composition into the space between the closed ends and maintaining the pressure until set.The method can be used for joining together structural tubular members or for repairing a damaged structural member.

Abstract: A method for erecting substantially dome-like building structures, the method including the steps of arranging elastically deformable reinforcing members on a membrane arranged on the flat and secured to a generally annular foundation, laying a first layer of concrete material on the membrane and reinforcing members and inflating the membrane to assume the desired shape. After the concrete has sufficiently hardened further reinforcing members are arranged on the extrados of the obtained structure and a second layer of concrete material having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first layer of concrete material is layed thereon. The reinforcing members and the two layers of concrete material are connected together. There is also disclosed an apparatus for implementing the above method.

Abstract: A precast concrete slab is formed by positioning open-ended access units at selected locations at the bottom of a mold and providing an arrangement of parallel channels over the interior ends of the access units. Concrete then is poured into the mold to surround the sides of the access units and the exposed areas of the channel arrangement. After the concrete has cured, the casting is removed from the mold and is inverted. A floor assembly is produced by supporting the ends of at least two slabs in spaced relationship with their respective channels axially oriented. Connectors are positioned in axial alignment with the channels to interconnect them, and a header having at least one channel therein is positioned to overlie the connectors such that the header is located in the space between the ends of the slabs and extends in a direction substantially normal to the axial orientation of the channels in the slabs.

Abstract: Structures such as the shell of a boat are formed in a ferro-cement laminate composed of a fiber glass reinforced skin and ferro-cement with a coupling between the fiber glass layer and the ferro-cement that consists of fabric connector tapes that are bonded to the fiber glass and that have projecting wires which are secured to the armature wires of the ferro-cement. The structure is fabricated with the molding of the fiber glass skin with the connector tapes bonded thereto and the connector wires projecting therefrom. Thereafter, the ferro-cement armature is fitted within the molded shell and the connector wires secured thereto, and the cement is poured and shaped. An epoxy adhesive bonds wet cement to the cured fiber glass resin impregnant and armature wires and also fills any voids in the poured cement.

Abstract: The invention is a building structure of material which uses a water-activated binder, such as cement-mortar or concrete, and of a form having one thickness dimension much smaller than the other two dimensions perpendicular thereto. The structure includes a substrate sheet extending along a surface substantially perpendicular to the thickness dimension and a layer of the water activated binder material having a multiplicity of short metal wire reinforcing elements distributed therein.

Abstract: A fixed, linear, ground-based primary reflector having an extended curved sawtooth-contoured surface covered with a metalized polymeric reflecting material, reflects solar energy to a movably supported collector that is kept at the concentrated line focus of the reflector primary. The primary reflector may be constructed by a process utilizing well-known freeway paving machinery.

Abstract: A method is described for constructing a concrete building from precast concrete wall and floor panels. Each floor construction has a plurality of spaced-apart dowels which project upwardly above its surface along the proposed joint between the floor and a proposed wall, and each of the wall panels includes along its length vertical voids which extend for its full height at a spacing from one another generally the same as the spacing between the dowels projecting upward from the floor construction. The load bearing walls of the building are formed by erecting wall panels for the same vertically at the proposed joint with the dowels extending into the wall panel voids. Reinforcing rods are introduced into the voids to overlap the ones projecting upward from the floor, and the voids are filled with mortar to tie each of such wall panels to the floor below.

Abstract: A device for applying exposed aggregate, which is utilized on the exterior and interior of building and home construction, as well as other structures, has been developed that consists of a rigid to flexible type backing with a resilient material such as foam or the like attached thereto forming the face of the device. It is essential to the device of the present invention that the resilient material forming the face of the device has sufficient resiliency to insure that aggregate that is placed thereon will not easily roll off the face of said device and yet in no way inhibit the adhesion of the exposed aggregate on a prepared surface when applied. In utilizing the device of the present invention and in carrying out the method of the present invention, aggregate is placed on the face of any number of devices of the present invention and such devices are used to directly apply aggregate to a surface such as a wall which has been prepared to receive exposed aggregate.

Abstract: Resin is sprayed onto the inside of a mold. Fiberglass is then applied to the resin to form a shell having a bottom, side walls and an upper, outwardly turned lip. The fiberglass forms a somewhat roughened surface on the inner side of the completed shell, thereby eliminating the cracking and chipping of the inner surface which has heretofore occured when the fiberglass was on the outer side of the shell and the inner surface of the shell was smooth resin.After the required plumbing is mounted on the shell, the shell can be installed at the desired location, usually in the ground and frequently near a swimming pool.A hole is formed in the ground somewhat larger than the shell and at least three stakes of appropriate length are driven into the bottom of the hole, adjacent the periphery thereof, to a depth such that the upper ends of the stakes coincide with the desired height of the lip of the shell. The shell is then lowered into the hole so that the lip rests on the stakes for support of the shell.

Abstract: Building construction from modules of inverted U shape a full story high with a span of 10 to 30 feet and a depth of 2 to 6 feet. The modules may be monolithic such as of reenforced concrete or plastic foam, or may be of light weight hollow metal construction, assembled together with partitions and end panels. Cast modules can be cast between thin previously formed sheets held by framework to form casting mold, the sheets becoming surfaces of the module.

Abstract: A method of casting a plurality of differently configured reinforced concrete crypt modules for use in constructing a substantially monolithic mausoleum edifice is disclosed. A single, universal casting form and a plurality of removable inserts, each adapted to be connected to the casting form are provided. Selected predetermined combinations of the removable inserts are secured to the casting form to alter the exterior configurations of the crypt modules cast in the form in such a way that each differently configured crypt module is provided with interlocking surfaces which are adapted to interlock with complementary interlocking surfaces of another such crypt module.

Abstract: A new and improved method for forming a drainage structure, such as a manhole for a subterranean sewer pipe. In a first embodiment, a removable outer form is positioned in an excavation in the earth extending to the sewer pipe so that the earth surrounding the sewer may be undercut and removed through the removable outer form. Concrete is poured into the undercut area surrounding the sewer pipe to a height adjacent the lower edge of the outer form and a second cylindrical inner form is positioned within the outer form so that concrete may be poured into the space between the forms to form upwardly extending wall portions to the surface. In a second embodiment, the outer form is positioned in an excavation at a predetermined location and a concrete base portion is formed. The inner form is positioned in the outer form and predetermined quantities of sand are poured into the space between the forms for facilitating connection with sewer pipes.

Abstract: A slip form apparatus for the in place formation of a continuous concrete pipe in an open trench. The concrete material is supplied under high pressure to obtain a good and uniformly compacted pipe. The apparatus is automatically moved forward along the trench only when a properly compacted continuous pipe is being formed within the apparatus. Provided in the construction of the apparatus is the ability to temporarily stop the movement and formation of the pipe and then subsequently continue with the formation of the pipe without having to remove the apparatus from the trench. Also utilized in conjunction with the apparatus is a unique deployment arrangement for an inflatable film means located at a stationary position behind the apparatus to automatically supply support for the wet cementitious material as the pipe is being formed along the trench.

Abstract: A screed support and method for screeding cement comprises digging a plurality of arranged holes in the bed surface of the area to be cemented. Unsolidified cement is poured into each of the holes, a hollow sleeve is inserted into the wet cement and positioned therein in a substantially vertical orientation, and the cement is cured to a solidified state. A rail support member having a threaded rod and a mating, adjustable collar, is telescopically inserted into each of the sleeves. Screed support rails are connected with each rod, and the elevation and inclination of the same is adjusted in infinitely small increments by manipulating each collar in accordance with the desired, predetermined requirements. Additional unsolidified cement is then poured between the rails, and a self-propelled screeding machine is passed thereover to smoothen and level the uneven free surface of the additional cement.

Abstract: Pipe sections or tubing is prepared by enveloping in flexible, rather wide hose, and just prior to submarine installation the space between hose and tubing is filled step-wise with wet or dry cement which will set after the tubing has been laid on the sea or lake floor. Anchoring wires with spacers are provided in that space before filling with concrete and the filled hose is armored with ropes or cables to divide the concrete in a quilt-like manner.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a method for erecting a building comprising the steps of locating storey-high relatively thin-walled precast cured concrete panels having substantially L-shaped cross-sections, in a jig corresponding to a floor or portion of a floor of a building, the panels being in opposed and staggered relationship on a suitable base, the base including a channel and the lower edges of the panels being disposed in the channel, and casting a concrete slab or beam on the load-bearing walls thus erected, portions of said slab or beam as cast being disposed on opposite sides of the upper ends of the said panels thereby to lock the panels by the resulting in situ cast concrete slab or beam above them.

Abstract: A building method of the kind wherein an inflatable former, made of a flexible, substantially inextensible material is sealingly anchored to a base and is inflated to a predetermined pressure and, while maintaining said pressure substantially constant, a cementitious material is applied to the outer surface of the former to a required thickness and, after the material has set, the former is deflated, released from the base and removed for reuse, including the steps of:(a) inflating the former to a predetermined initial inflation pressure,(b) applying successive layers of cementitious material to said former, and(c) continuously or intermittently raising said inflation pressure in correspondence with the increasing thickness of said layers.

Abstract: A masonry method uniquely adapted for repairing structures constructed of adobe members whereby the broken or eroded portion of disfigured members is removed from the structure to create a void and expose an interface, the interface is cleaned, the cleaned interface is painted with a coating composition; the void is packed with a filling which intimately engages said coated interface and extends therefrom in a mass which is shaped to recreate the contour of the original adobe member; and the shaped mass is painted with said coating composition and allowed to cure. The coating composition comprises a modified acetate homopolymer formed in an emulsion having between 55.0 and 57.0 percent total solids, a mean particle size of 5 microns, a viscosity of between 500-1000 Cps, a pH of from 5.5 to 7.0 and diluted with an equal volume of water.

Abstract: An apparatus for in situ preparing and applying foam to a surface, such as a roof, and at the same time applying a membrane onto the surface of the foam, produces a foam-membrane sandwich having an upper surface of controlled smoothness and thickness or pitch, which sandwich is firmly held to the treated surface. The apparatus is normally self-propelled and may be automatically controlled so as to be advanced across the surface to be coated with membrane-covered rigid polymeric foam, preferably of polyurethane foam, as the curing pre-foam and covering membrane are applied. In preferred embodiments of the invention the membrane is a roofing felt or fiberglass web, mat, treated paper or cloth fed from the apparatus from a roll thereon, producing with the roof or other surface to be coated, a form into which a curing pre-foam is deposited as the apparatus is advanced.

Abstract: A method for sealing cracks and cavities in different kinds of building constructions, such as building constructions in rock, concrete, brickwork and timber is disclosed, according to which holes communicating with the cracks or cavities are driven into the building construction. These holes are sealed outwardly and put in connection with a vacuum source so that the water present in the cracks or cavities is sucked by the negative pressure in the direction towards the holes. Crack sealing material e.g. cement, epoxy tar, setting plastic, silicate based sealant or the like, is then applied to the cracks or cavities and is, due to the negative pressure prevailing in them, drawn into its sealing positions in the building construction, where it is allowed to harden or set under the influence of the negative pressure.

Abstract: Each one of a plurality of sector-shaped form members for a reinforced concrete or postensioned roof supported by a circumscribing wall, footing, columns or the like of a large building structure has an eyebolt located near its center of gravity to permit raising and lowering the form. The forms are lifted by this eye and successively positioned with their wide ends supported by brackets fastened to the circumscribing walls, footings, or columns and supported near their narrow ends by a central staging structure. If the building structure has circular walls or columns for supporting the roof, a pivoted station at the wide end of each form member provides a work platform for access to the bracket fastening means. When all of the forms are in place, their narrower ends define an opening which is centrally located. The forms are then covered by a layer of reinforced concrete. Holes are left in the roof at each eyebolt.

Abstract: Continuous concrete pipe is produced in an open trench by drawing a sled along the trench. The sled has a fresh concrete intake chute which supplies the concrete to a pipe-forming mechanism that generates the pipe. The lower pipe half is supported by the trench. To support the upper pipe half, a plastic material is given a convex shape complementary to the concave interior of the pipe. The plastic material is formed over a convex mandrel carried by the sled forward (in the direction of movement of the sled) of the intake means so that the plastic material hardens before contacted by wet concrete from the intake means. The mandrel extends rearwardly past the intake means to provide support for the plastic mold while the pipe is formed. Alternative ways for making the plastic mold are described.

Abstract: An improved seal for closing the space between a pipe and the wall of an opening through which it passes, using a linear extrusion of elastomeric material, of predetermined length to form a gasket. The extrusion has a hollow, pear-shaped head formed integrally with a T-shaped anchoring flange. It is curled into the form of a right cylinder, and its mating ends are vulcanized together. The pear-shaped portion is deflected radially inwardly and the T-shaped anchoring flange outwardly, the latter being then embedded in concrete used to wall the opening for the pipe. The pear-shaped portion is free in space and provides a pneumatic cushion for the pipe.

Abstract: A method of maintaining the load bearing integrity of a pre-existing reinforced concrete post during earthquake tremors wherein a sheet metal band is placed about the post and then made integral thereto by inserting a hardenable bonding agent between the band and the post.

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 producing a prefabricated roadway marking strip material adapted to be applied on and secured to selected areas of a prepared roadway pavement so as to form thereon a traffic regulating indicium comprised of defined signalling surfaces having nighttime visibility and non-skid properties consistent with that of the adjacent roadway pavement. The material comprises a base layer and a traffic-regulating, sign-forming and traffic wear-resisting upper layer having a generally smooth surface, spaced protuberances bulging from said surface and reflective elements concentrated on the top portions of the protuberances for providing said visibility and non-skid properties.

Abstract: Waterstop for use in jump or slip casting of concrete comprising two strips of T-shaped transverse cross-section which can be fastened together by means of bars and bolts after the first strip has been embedded at the edge of a concrete mass. After fastening the second strip to the first, the second mass of concrete is poured to embed said second strip.

Abstract: A prefabricated building unit has a framed inner stud wall to which is joined an intermediate wall of insulation board and an exterior wall of concrete, the concrete being poured on the intermediate wall and over angled, protruding nails that fasten the intermediate wall to the stud wall. A plurality of the building units are combined to complete the walls of a structure, the method of joining being to weld together reinforcing bars extending from the concrete portion of each unit and then to pour a pilaster over the joined reinforcing bar. The exterior of the concrete wall is finished during prefabrication with exposed aggregate and exterior varnish.