Integral Patents (Class 404/38)
  • Patent number: 11401714
    Abstract: A retaining wall having a plurality of courses of retaining wall blocks including a first upper course and a second lower course. Each retaining wall block has opposed front and rear faces, opposed first and second side surfaces, and opposed and substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, and at least one weight bearing pad extends from one of the upper and lower surfaces. The at least one weight bearing pad extends substantially from the rear face to the front face of the block. The weight bearing pads are the only areas of contact between the blocks in the first upper course and the blocks in the second lower course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, LLC
    Inventor: David M. LaCroix
  • Patent number: 11186955
    Abstract: A linkage brick assembly, comprising: a least one first linkage brick, at least one second linkage brick and at least one third linkage brick, each linkage brick comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face. Each of the side faces of the first linkage brick forms a traverse engaging groove extending laterally. Each of two opposite side faces of the four side faces of the second linkage brick forms a traverse engaging protrusion extending laterally and each of the other two opposite side faces forms a vertical engaging portion extending vertically. Each of the side faces of the third linkage brick forms a vertical engaging groove extending vertically. Each of the traverse engaging grooves of the first linkage brick is used to engage with each of the traverse engaging protrusions of the second linkage brick through lateral sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: JING SI PURELAND CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Marshall Q. Siao, Cheng Yen Shih
  • Patent number: 10676874
    Abstract: A linkage brick assembly, comprising: a least one first linkage brick, at least one second linkage brick and at least one third linkage brick, each linkage brick comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face. Each of the side faces of the first linkage brick forms a traverse engaging groove extending laterally. Each of two opposite side faces of the four side faces of the second linkage brick forms a traverse engaging protrusion extending laterally and each of the other two opposite side faces forms a vertical engaging portion extending vertically. Each of the side faces of the third linkage brick forms a vertical engaging groove extending vertically. Each of the traverse engaging grooves of the first linkage brick is used to engage with each of the traverse engaging protrusions of the second linkage brick through lateral sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Jing Si Pureland Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Marshall Q. Siao, Cheng Yen Shih
  • Patent number: 10240301
    Abstract: An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Oldcastle Building Products Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertin Castonguay, Marcel Thomassen
  • Patent number: 9677271
    Abstract: A concrete unit includes a six sided body having three pairs of opposed rectangular faces. Two opposed faces each has an irregular three dimensional pattern extending across the entire face to provide two aesthetic faces on the unit. The two opposed faces have patterns that are mirror images of each other such that when two of the units are placed with their patterned faces aligned and in contact, the three dimensional patterns on the opposed faces nest to minimize the space between the adjacent edges of the units. The concrete units may be used as steps or in other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicole Rae Forbes
  • Patent number: 9476163
    Abstract: A set of cast concrete paving slabs is laid in a pattern side by side and end to end to cover an area to be paved. Each of the slabs members has side and end spacer abutments to hold an adjacent slab member at a predetermined spacing. Each of the slabs has a longitudinal slot in the upper surface defining a false joint parallel to the sides so as to divide the upper surface into parallel strips. There are different types of slabs some with both strips divided by transverse slots and some with only one strip with a slot. This forms in the finished product apparent strip pieces of many different lengths to simulate wood planks. Each of the parallel strips has a molded upper surface defining a series of wavy lines recessed from other parts of the upper surface and dyed darker than the remaining part of the slab thus simulating a wood grain appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Barkman Concrete Ltd
    Inventor: Wayne Patram
  • Patent number: 8967907
    Abstract: An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Oldcastle Building Products Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertin Castonguay, Marcel Thomassen
  • Patent number: 8757922
    Abstract: A concrete casted paving stone of rectangular shape is described and has two pairs of opposed parallel side walls. In a first of the two pairs of side walls, an engaging projection is formed in one side wall and a through slot in the other side wall for receiving the stone-engaging projection of another paving stone therein. The second pair of opposed parallel side walls each have a slot and a further stone-engaging projection in a section thereof. The stone-engaging projections of the second pair of side walls are disposed adjacent the side wall of the first pair which contains the slot and the slot extends through the rear wall of these stone-engaging projections. The paving stone may be used as a permeable paving stone wherein to evacuate water from an upper surface of a paved surface into the underlying support bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Techo-Bloc inc.
    Inventor: Charles Ciccarello
  • Patent number: 8696235
    Abstract: A precast concrete solid core paver block which has a first pair of flat parallel side walls and a second pair of transverse parallel side walls. One side has at least one block engaging projection in one or more portions thereof and spaced between a top and bottom surface of the paver block. The opposed side wall has a slot to receive in close sliding fit the at least one block engaging projection of an adjacent one of the paver blocks for side-by-side interengagement while permitting horizontal displacement of the adjacent paver block and the block engaging projection thereof while preventing vertical displacement thereof wherein a top face of the paver blocks lie in a substantially common planar surface. Spacers form open joints about each block in portions thereof to communicate with a support bed and form a permeable paved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Techo-Bloc Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Ciccarello
  • Patent number: 8616803
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a paving stone having stone flanks which are oriented perpendicular to the laying plane, and wherein the paving stone has interlocking elements of a stone flank of an adjacent paving stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Baustoffwerke Gebhart & Soehne GmbH and Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Gebhart
  • Patent number: 8298641
    Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Patent number: 7993718
    Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Patent number: 7950873
    Abstract: A set of concrete pavers is formed by a plurality of pavers being arranged in a paver row, and a plurality of paver rows being arranged to form a row. A number of parallel, adjacent rows form linear or meandering joints in the end-paver region of the rows when the rows are laid together. At least one section of the upper delimiting surface of the pavers is convexly cambered towards the outside, and projections on the side faces of the pavers form support elements for the adjacent pavers. The support elements, in combination with projections on adjacent pavers, create spaces that act as water-drainage openings in the joint regions. The pavers in each set include not only paving blocks with a length-to-height ratio of less than or equal to 4 but also at least one paving slab with a length-to-height ratio greater than 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Geiger
  • Patent number: 7850394
    Abstract: A polygonal paving stone has a plurality of substantially planar sides extending perpendicularly between parallel upper and lower faces of the stone. A row of substantially identical and outwardly projecting narrow coupling members of a predetermined member width on each of the sides are separated by spaces of a predetermined space width. These narrow members are positioned on the respective sides such that when a plurality of the paving stones are fitted together with their upper faces generally coplanar the narrow coupling members of confronting sides of adjacent paving stones fit between one another A single wide coupling member on each of the sides has a width a greater than that of the member width of the narrow members and smaller than the space width so it can fit between two of the narrow members of a confronting side of an adjacent paving stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Harald Schröder
  • Patent number: 7811027
    Abstract: A set of paving stones is provided, including a plurality of different paving stones that each respectively have a polygonal base surface, side surfaces with ribs and a visible side, for paving surfaces with optionally different laying patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Rolf Scheiwiller
  • Patent number: 7674067
    Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Riccobene Designs LLC
    Inventor: Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Publication number: 20090016817
    Abstract: A panel for use in constructing a mat or a road and method for same is provided. The panel can include a wafer having at least three sides operatively coupled to an edge having a complementary profile for overlapping and attaching to another edge coupled to another wafer. The edge can be attached to the wafer using a scarf joint or a mortise and tenon joint. The complementary profile can include a lap joint, a tapered lap joint, an S-shaped lap joint or a modified lap joint for use with fasteners for attaching two edges together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: ACCUFORM CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Richard Kulhawe, Anthony G. Warren
  • Patent number: 7425106
    Abstract: First and second concrete pavers that are configured to form a paver system arrangeable in a herringbone pattern. A plurality of the first pavers and a plurality of the second pavers, which together form a kit of pavers, can be used to construct a permeable pavement with the herringbone pattern. The first and second pavers are preferably molded in a layer with the pavers arranged in the herringbone pattern. The layer can then be mechanically installed using suitable mechanical installation equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Altmann, Christopher Richard Ryan
  • Patent number: 7393155
    Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Riccobene Designs LLC
    Inventor: Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Patent number: 7244076
    Abstract: A method of installing paving blocks comprises preparing an area to be paved to a desired grade. A preformed, load-bearing sheet of material, e.g., extruded polystyrene, is placed on the prepared area. Paving blocks are then laid in a desired pattern on the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: 7220078
    Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial stone floor element with a basic shape that corresponds to the combination of a plurality of square basic elements, especially to an angular floor element. The floor element includes projections and recesses along its peripheral sides of the basic element when seen from the centre of the respective top face of the basic element is substantially point-symmetric with respect to its mid-point. The floor element in further embodiments includes a profile that consists of three projections and three recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: F.von Langsdorff Licensing Limited
    Inventors: Andreas Drost, Michael Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6942420
    Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial stone floor element with a basic shape that corresponds to the combination of a plurality of square basic elements, especially to an angular floor element. The floor element includes projections and recesses along its peripheral sides of the basic element when seen from the center of the respective top face of the basic element is substantially point-symmetric with respect to its mid-point. The inventive floor element is further characterized in that the profile consists of three projections and three recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: F. Von Langsdorff Licensing Limited
    Inventors: Andreas Drost, Michael Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20040175233
    Abstract: A road mat of the present invention has a mat body having a first coupling end and a second coupling end. A first locking mechanism is provided at the first coupling end that includes a male coupling member and a female coupling member. A second locking mechanism is provided at the second coupling end that includes a male coupling member and a female coupling member. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the first locking mechanism is a reciprocating mirror image of the second locking mechanism. The road mat of the present invention may be used in a road mat system that includes at least one prior road mat and at least one successive road mat. The second locking mechanism of the prior road mat is suitable for interlocking with the first locking mechanism of the successive road mat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Shawn Beamish, Kelly Sparrow
  • Patent number: 6705797
    Abstract: A paving block and a paving block assembly include a prism-shaped paving block body having a top surface, a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface and a first pair of opposing side walls and a second pair of opposing side walls. The first and second pair of opposing side walls are disposed between the top and bottom surfaces with respective ones of the first pair of opposing side walls and the second pair of opposing side walls connected perpendicularly to each other. The top surface has a plurality of longitudinal grooves which are formed therein and extend parallel to each other. Each one of the plurality of grooves has a width substantially equal to each other. The paving block body has at least one projection connected to one of the side walls and positioned between the top and bottom surfaces. The at least one projection projects from the one side wall a distance equal to or substantially equal to the width of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Nihon Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohei Wada
  • Patent number: 6579038
    Abstract: A revetment block for use as end blocks with an articulating revetment mat. The revetment mat end blocks having a size of about one and a half times larger than the standard blocks of the revetment mat and are formed of precast concrete. The block preferably has four sidewalls each with a vertical portion and a tapered portion. The sidewalls have a plurality of projections and recesses for interlocking with adjacent revetment blocks, wherein some of the recesses form openings with adjacent blocks. The revetment block also has at least one dome with a pair of openings extending from an upper dome plateau to a lower surface of the block. The revetment block further comprises a pair of openings extending from the lower surface of the block to an upper surface. Extending through parallel sides of the revetment block are a plurality of ducts for cable which interlocks the revetment mat rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth L. McAllister, Kenny W. McCoy, Derek W. Dice
  • Patent number: 6539681
    Abstract: A spacer plate for use in making a hollow floor has a plurality of truncated cone-shaped spacer elements extending from one side of the plate, and distributed in a row wise and column wise arrangement, for supporting the spacer plate from an underfloor, and also formed in the spacer plate are grooves formed in the same side of the plate as the spacer elements for holding a pipe conducting a heating or cooling medium, with the grooves surrounding at least a half of the circumference of the pipe to securely hold the pipe in place on the plate, so that the heating or cooling medium conducted through the pipe can come into heat exchange relationship not only with an upper floor laid on top of the spacer plate but also with air conducted through space existing between the spacer plate and the underfloor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Helmut Siegmund
  • Patent number: 6536988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction kit made of concrete paving stones comprising substantially prismatic stone bodies of a uniform height and upright lateral surfaces. A plurality of stone paving stones (2) arranged in rows and having the same width in addition to the same or different lengths can be placed manually or placed by means of a machine with continuous or offset joints in said joint areas. A plurality of rows of paving stones that are arranged next to each other in a parallel position is used to form a rectangular or square packet that can be placed using a machine. The paving stones (2) have side surfaces (4) which have head pieces (2′) that are defined by a wavy line along part of their height and base pieces (2″) in sections, comprising domed areas (5) or projections jutting out laterally in relation to the head pieces (2′) extending along another part of their height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Geiger
  • Patent number: 6269605
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stone structure assembly, comprising a plurality of stones, especially concrete blocks, having similar height, upper and lower sides extending on parallel planes and vertical side walls. In order to place the thirteen stone blocks pertaining to said assembly in such a way that they cannot be displaced and that similarly narrow spacing gaps are formed in-between said stones, two stones are shaped as a prism with the same surface area and eleven stones are shaped as a trapezium with differing surface areas. The stones in the stone structure assembly are configured as a single piece with a bottom section and a top section set back from the peripheral surface of the base section at least in certain areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Geiger
  • Patent number: 6079902
    Abstract: The improved revetment system is created using a plurality of substantially identical blocks which comprise a body having at least one channel therein leading to a slot and at least one arm extending outwardly of the body and terminating in a locking ear. The ear engages in a slot of an adjacent block and is of less depth than the slot, with the arm being of a length at least equal to and preferably greater than that of the channel, the slot including a removable spacer tab therein which abuts a terminal edge of the ear to keep the blocks spaced apart and an area of the block defined by the arm and ear having an arcuately downwardly sloped top surface with a terminal edge of the ear defining a lowermost position along the arcuate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Hydropave, L.P.
    Inventor: Gary K Pettee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6055784
    Abstract: To improve the flow-off of liquids from the laying pattern and mechanical laying in a concrete paving block, the ground area of the body (1) of the block has a rectangular shape formed by three squares (2, 3, 4) of equal size, the upright side surfaces of the body (1) extend evenly transversely to the ground area and each side surface of the body (1) has at least one projecting strip-like extension (5) which can be supported in the pattern with the formation of seams on adjacent bodies (1) and form interlocks or the like with extensions (5) of adjacent bodies (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Peter Geiger
  • Patent number: 6015243
    Abstract: A paving stone, made from concrete material, having a one-piece plane surface and two strip like support attachments arranged on each lateral surface. These support attachments form joints between adjacent paving stones in a laid composite structure. On each side, two support attachments are symmetrically arranged with center spacings relative to the planes of symmetry, wherein these planes of symmetry extend through the centers of adjacent lateral surfaces. When these paving stones are stacked next to each other, the support attachments from a first paving stone is disposed adjacent to a support attachment on an adjacent paving stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Peter Geiger
  • Patent number: 5902069
    Abstract: There is provided an artificial stone for strengthening traffic surfaces in the open, in which the stone, in order to provide wide grooves between adjacently laid stones, is provided on its edge surfaces with integrally formed, completely identical spacer elements, the contacting free end surfaces of the spacer elements having, adjacent one another, a tooth and a recessed contact surface for the tooth of the adjacently laid stone; the tooth-recess sequence, in one peripheral direction of the stone, being the same for all spacer elements; the effective length of the individual edge surfaces of a stone, parallel to the laying plane, being the same as, or a whole-number multiple of, a smallest effective length; each edge surface segment which has the smallest effective length being provided with a spacer element; and the central axes of all spacer elements lying in the middle of the corresponding edge surface segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: F. Von Langsdorff Licensing Limited
    Inventors: Gunter Barth, Michael Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5647571
    Abstract: A mold apparatus for forming concrete border stones has a unitary generally rectangular body with contiguous opposed longitudinal side walls, opposed outwardly curved end walls at each end thereof, an open bottom end, an apertured top wall, and an interior vertical wall extending transversely between the longitudinal side walls. The walls circumscribe generally rectangular longitudinally adjacent cavities for receiving concrete therein and generally rectangular openings in the top wall define generally rectangular longitudinally adjacent openings at an upper end of the cavities. An opening through a lower portion of the interior vertical wall joins the lower portion of adjacent ends of the cavities together. In a preferred embodiment the vertical wall is disposed closer to one end wall than the other to form a longer generally rectangular stone shape and a longitudinally adjacent shorter generally rectangular stone shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Jack T. Hupp
  • Patent number: 5542221
    Abstract: An impact-absorbing flooring system of modular design is described, with applications in areas of nursing homes where there is a high risk of injury due to falls or in sports facilities for high impact events such as gymnastics and tumbling or with other uses. For example, the invention could also take the form of a safety mat or coaming for use around slippery areas like bathtubs, showers or the edge of swimming pools. The system provides a significant reduction in peak impact load during falls, yet retains a substantially non-compliant configuration during normal motions. The flooring system comprises a series of sections or tiles which can be interconnected to cover the high-risk area. Each tile is composed of a plurality of elastomeric columns sandwiched between two urethane sheets. The top sheet and projecting columns are preferably molded as one piece and then the lower sheet is secured about the free ends of the columns to produce a secure attachment and an integrated unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald A. Streit, Joe Casalena, Tim Ovaert
  • Patent number: 5533827
    Abstract: A concrete paving stone adapted to be disposed in circular and elongate paving configurations. The paving stone includes at least two side walls and a substantially planar upper face, each of the side walls being an arched side wall and including an elevated face at a center region thereof which comprises an abutting surface and two associated wedge surfaces adjoining the abutting surface on both sides thereof. The associated wedge surfaces extend from the abutting surface to an associated arched side wall. The elevated face further extends across a substantial portion of a length of the associated arched side wall and is effective for creating a fixed abutment between adjoining arched side walls of adjoining paving stones in a paving configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Rene Scheiwiller
  • Patent number: 5449245
    Abstract: A paving block (10) has substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, is based upon hexagonal geometry and has a central portion (10a) which is a substantially equilateral triangle and three portions (10b) (herein called apex portions) Each apex portion is located in the region which would otherwise be the location of a respective apex of the triangle. Each apex portion has a first pair of walls (17) each of which in part defines a boundary of one of three recesses in the block and a third wall (17c) which defines an outer boundary of the respective apex portion. The third wall is shaped to secure an interfit between a recess of one block and an apex portion of an adjacent similar block, the interfit being incomplete and arranged to define one of a plurality of water run-away holes (20) in an array of laid blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: McCauley Limited
    Inventor: Michael N. Glickman
  • Patent number: 5348417
    Abstract: The side surfaces of compound stones are provided with relatively flat elements which interlock with little play when said stones are laid out, while adjoining side surfaces of neighboring stones are in contact along two lines only. A compromise between a sufficient mutual securement of the stones and a certain mutual mobility thereof is thus obtained. In particular, a certain tilting of neighboring stones with respect to each other is possible, whereby it is possible to produce pavements in uneven places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Rolf Scheiwiller
    Inventor: Rene Scheiwiller
  • Patent number: 5286139
    Abstract: A paving stone is provided that can be laid in a plurality of open patterns, each presenting a different amount of drainage area, while retaining an interlocking relationship between adjacent stones of the pattern. In the preferred embodiment, the stone can also be laid in a closed pattern, with no drainage areas provided other than the drainage at the boundaries of the stones. Each side surface of the stone has an odd number of faces, arranged in a stair-step shape. Preferably, each of the side surfaces is symmetrical about the center face, and all sides, or at least opposite sides, are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Roberta A. Hair
  • Patent number: 5028167
    Abstract: An arcuate paving block assembly comprising two outer transitional blocks (1) with four arcuate sides, wherein two adjacent sides (10, 18) are curved inwards and the other two sides (19, 20) are curved outwards in order to form a continuous transition from one arc to another; adjacent thereto on both sides an equal number of arc blocks (2, 3, 4; 2a, 3a, 4a) constructed to be mirror images of each other and symmetrical or mirror image shaped keystones of apex blocks (5, 6, 5a, 6a; 7, 7a, 8) which together make up the entire length of an arc, the whole being such that when laid the two outer edges (10) of the transitional blocks (1) enclose an angle of 90.degree. and the height (H) of all the blocks measured at right angles to an imaginary baseline (S) through the lower corner of the transitional blocks (1) is the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Rolf Scheiwiller
  • Patent number: 4997308
    Abstract: A paving stone of a square block including four lateral edges, four angled corners and a central hole. The four lateral edges of the square block each have a v-shaped notch formed therein mesial the angled corners. The paving stone also including a plurality of groove-like recesses extending between the corner of the v-shaped notches and the corners of said central square hole to form a paving stone having the appearance of four separate octagons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Robert L. Welling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4907909
    Abstract: The paving stone set consists of stones 11-16 each with six lateral boundary surfaces 1-6, 17-22. Four of these boundary surfaces 1 and 4; 3 and 5; 18 and 21; 19 and 22 are parallel to one of the other of the four surfaces, while the remaining two surfaces 2 and 6; 17 and 20 define planes which intersect at an acute angle. On the straight edges, the stones 11-13 are laid alternatingly. A joint pattern is created with expansion joints, which do not stand vertically to the support joints. The expansion joints are formed from two wedges directed opposite to one another, and therefore have an effect which is irregular in comparison with the support joints. The slotted boundary surfaces 2, 6 make it possible to lay the stones 11-13 according to the sloping angles selected in curves with small radii chosen as desired, whereby the wedge-shaped joints close gradually. The stones 14-16 serve as a supplementary curve set, and make possible the laying of Roman arrow patterns, as well as an Archimedean spiral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventor: Willi Ruckstuhl
  • Patent number: 4813811
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a prefabricated composite pavement device comprising a shaped pavement mixture portion bonded to a support portion and a method and apparatus for making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Simulators Limited, Inc.
    Inventor: Wilbur R. Adams
  • Patent number: 4773790
    Abstract: Known groundcovering elements (44) consist of three basic shaped slabs which are connected to form a unit and which are delimited from one another by at least two dummy joints (stem dummy joint 74 and middle dummy joint 81), the peripheral surface having projections (67, 68, 79) and depressions (69, 70, 80) along an (imaginary) base line to form a toothing. To improve the stability and laying of such groundcovering elements (44), it is proposed to make these T-shaped by means of a half-size stem (13) formed approximately centrally on an elongate crossbar (12). When rhombi (45-47) are used as the basic shaped slab, the groundcovering element (44) has the form of an inclined "T".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Gerhard Hagenah
  • Patent number: 4496266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a curved like paving stone element for setting of a curved paving, characterized in that the curved element is limited by an outer circular curve having a radius and an inner circular curve having the same radius with the center points of the circular curves disposed on a radial straight at a distance from each other corresponding to the largest width of the curved element. The curved element consists of two outer stones and a center stone of about the same curvature length, where the outer stones are separated into three individual stones by means of non-continuous separating joints and the center stone is separated into either two or three individual stones. The curved element is asymmetrically offset with respect to the radial straight in such a manner that the outer edge of an outer stone is smaller than the opposite outer edge of the other outer stone and the size of this difference corresponds to about the width of the stone with the smaller outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Kronimus & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willi Ruckstuhl
  • Patent number: 4185939
    Abstract: A ground covering slab is subdivided into neighboring preformed individual stones interconnected along rupture zones of which at least parts extend non-rectilinearly from one edge of the slab to the opposite edge of the slab as seen in plan view and the preformed individual stones are of at least two kinds differing in size distributed throughout the slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Inventors: Gunter Barth, Fritz von Langsdorff