Abstract: A railroad signal foundation assembly 10 comprises a foundation 11 having a concrete base 12, a pillar 13 comprised of tiers of concrete spider blocks 19 mounted upon the base, and a concrete crown 14 mounted upon the pillar. The foundation assembly has a pallet 15 mounted between and extending laterally outward from the crown and base, and mounting bands 16 which secure that pallet aside the pillar. The foundation may be transported as an assembled unit upon the pallet to an erection site, dismounted from the pallet and lowered into a ground hole without a worker being in the hole during its erection.

Abstract: A permanently-installed form-drain (10) including hollow, foraminous planks (12) and connectors (16,18) for joining two or more of the planks in a continuously arranged concrete barrier. The instant improvements include an adapter (20/21), which serves as a straight connector, grooved plank (19) with interlocking stake (13/14), integral connector-stake and adapter-stake device (16/14, 20/14) and a tri-functional, generally rigid bracket and bracket-stake (22 and 22/22x) element, used to space and restrain/constrain the planks and/or to hold (support) reinforcement bars.

Abstract: A building method is provided that avoids the use of the traditional excavated foundation. The method comprises placing primary support members (10) into the ground in which the structure is to be built at predetermined intervals, spanning the gap between support members (10) by pre-cast reinforced concrete beams (14) of generally inverted T-shape and predetermined length and building, for example, a double skin wall (42, 44) on the outer flange (22) and top of the beam while the inner flange (22) supports a floor slab of beams (40) blocks (46) and screed (48) and abuts the inner face (31) of the upright of the beam to resist inward lateral movement thereof.

Abstract: An interlocking block pier assembly is disclosed including a plurality of blocks for stacking in a generally vertical column to support a load thereon. Each pair of adjacent blocks is interlocked by a key formed generally radially in a first block of the pair and a complementary keyway formed generally radially in the other block of the pair for receiving the key to prevent the blocks in the pair from rotating or moving laterally relative to each other.

Abstract: A deck construction includes a concrete pier block having an upwardly opening recess forming an anchor seat for building elements. The recess opens out the side so that building elements can be laid horizontally therein. The recess also includes a central socket for receiving an upright pillar. The recess has particular dimensions for use with conventional existing lumber sizes and also for forming a strong but inexpensive concrete pier block for residential use.

Abstract: A concrete footing/foundation retainment co-features integral (unitary) drainage means. Two preferred embodiments present, first, a rigid, environmentally nondegradable and free-standable footing/foundation concrete retainment form similar to an ordinary plank but featuring a hollow core which communicates through a multiplicity of foramens (holes) with only one face of the plank, the other being smooth and generally unrelieved in character. The second preferred embodiment presents a similar plank bearing a colinear, foraminous conduit adjacent one margin of the plank and permanently joined with the plank member. Thus, in the second embodiment, only one face is essentially smooth and unrelieved, while the other, in cross-section, appears bulbous. The bulbous feature may take on any conceivable geometric definition ranging from a semi-tubular to a rectangular conduit shape.

Abstract: In the construction of a building in which a basement is prefabricated on the ground and then lowered into the ground by excavating soil below the basement, a process for lowering the basement comprises: driving corrugated steel plates into the ground around a region in which the basement is to be installed; applying an adhesive on a surface of the basement adjacent to the steel plates; applying a lubricant on a surface of the steel plates adjacent to the surface of the basement; forming in-situ a flexible and resilient material in a space between the surfaces of the basement and the steel plates, the material serving as a guide member which is bonded securely to the basement; excavating soil below the basement; and causing the basement to descend into the ground.

Abstract: Antenna mounting apparatus especially for use in connection with satellite dishes comprises a base assembly with an antenna extending upwardly therefrom, multiple ballast means extending radially from the base assembly, outer end plates disposed respectively adjacent the end of the ballast means remote from the base assembly, an aperture formed in each ballast means, and tie rods extending respectively through the apertures and interconnecting the base assembly and the associated outer end plate.

Abstract: A footing or foundation system for a wall or like structure is provided comprising a plurality of concrete masonry ("CM") footing blocks disposed in abutting relationship along a foundation axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wall to be supported on such footing blocks. The footing stretcher blocks have a lateral dimension which extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the foundation and is substantially longer than the longitudinal dimension of such blocks which extends substantially parallel to the foundation axis. The lateral dimensions of the CM footing blocks are nominal multiples of the longitudinal dimension of such blocks; and the lateral dimension of such blocks is preferably at least four times the longitudinal dimension of such blocks.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor confinement enclosure foundation comprising a skirt and a dome, the foundation comprising a footing in contact with the ground and which bears members and rods arranged annularly and supported on the confinement enclosure floor. The space between the footing and the floor can be used in different ways.

Abstract: A foundation piling system in which pilings are used to support a foundation system in soil having a varied composition and moisture content. The pilings extend into concrete grade beams forming a portion of a monolithic system including a concrete slab. Flanges extend from the end portions of the pilings that are disposed in the grade beam and a plurality of horizontally extending reinforcing bars extend through openings in the flanges.

Abstract: A footing or foundation system for a wall or like structure is provided comprising a plurality of concrete masonry ("CM") footing blocks disposed in abutting relationship along a foundation axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wall to be supported on such footing blocks. The footing stretcher blocks have a lateral dimension which extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the foundation and is substantially longer than the longitudinal dimension of such blocks which extends substantially parallel to the foundation axis. The lateral dimensions of the CM footing blocks are nominal multiples of the longitudinal dimension of such blocks; and the lateral dimension of such blocks is preferably at least four times the longitudinal dimension of such blocks.

Abstract: The present invention is a foundation piling system in which pilings are used which support a foundation system in soil having a varied composition and moisture content which eliminates the need for drilling a hole in the ground to receive pilings formed of steel pipes. The pilings extend into concrete grade beams forming a portion of a monolithic system including a concrete slab.

Abstract: A method employing a support bracket (38) to strengthen the footing (30) which undergirds a brick veneer (8) to be applied to a building. A trench (32) is excavated adjacent the foundational wall (14) of the building being constructed, and brackets (38) are anchored to the wall (14). With the brackets (38) in place, concrete is poured into the trench (32) to form the footing (30).

Abstract: Home structure utilizing a cage-like black iron type framework embedded in a concrete floor slab and closed in by lightweight, insulating preformed block panels and boards that are welded to the framework in a high-strength unitary structure.

Abstract: A form for in-situ casting of concrete foundations is disclosed as associated with a pair of sacrificial adjuncts including elongated metal side members extending upwardly from flanges thereon and inwardly toward each other, a plurality of width control rods each having one end projecting through one flange and a second end projecting through the other flange, a series of horizontal webs joins the top sections of the metal side members; a plurality of reinforcing rods are positioned between the two metal side members and are maintained vertically and horizontally in spaced relation to each other by a plurality of horizontally spaced inverted V-shaped, reinforcing pins, each of which has a plurality of generally circular loops encircling the corresponding plurality of reinforcing rods, and a hook bolt extending from an uppermost reinforcing rod through its corresponding horizontal web to receive a retaining nut.

Abstract: A cantilevered wall and foundation unit particularly useful for supporting a building constructed on a hillside includes cantilevered side walls and an inclined rear wall. The cantilevered side walls include a support section and a cantilevered section. The foundation unit can be constructed in place or, in part, at a location remote from the excavation area. The rear wall can be planar, can include a section having the shape of a portion of a sphere, or can include a series of steps. The sidewall can be used to underpin an existing structure.

Abstract: An anchor device that is comprised of but two parts, a core that has a cylindrical body portion and a sleeve having an inside diameter that matches the body portion. The core has an end cap that is adapted for attachment to a power post or the like. The sleeve is positioned over the core and a restriction resists full seating of the core in the sleeve. When positioned in the hole of a concrete floor, the core is forced into the sleeve e.g., with a tool designed for that purpose. This expands the sleeve into the concrete and seats the core in the sleeve, and the combination sleeve.

Abstract: The method for constructing a building begins by pouring slab floors from nine inches to twelve inches less than the inside width of the finished floors of a number of buildings in a project in one phase of the project work, and, thereafter trenching and pouring footings about the floors to leave a space between the slabs and the footings in a subsequent phase of the project work. The upper elevation of the footings is set to provide the desired pitch of each building roof. Precast walls are made of standard height and length and set on the footings, the lower sections of the walls, and footings both having hooked rebars adapted to be interconnected together with the mesh reinforcing of each slab floor within the nine to twelve inch "poor strip" space provided. A pour strip or closure strip of concrete is poured over the rebars and continues the slab floor to the wall surface and downwardly to the footing.

Abstract: A method for forming a building concrete foundation including the steps of molding integral concrete main and partition footings, embedding metal molds into the main and partition footings while the concrete of the footings are in a partially solidified condition and after the solidification of the concrete, removing the molds from the footings to thereby form ventilation areas on the footings.

Abstract: A thermally insulated building foundation structure comprising a monolithic poured concrete foundation extending about the perimeter of a building site and having a plurality of elongate straight sides with flat, vertical outside surfaces with lower portions below the surface of the ground and upper portions above the surface of the ground and having flat, horizontal top surfaces, a thermal insulating girdle about the perimeter of the upper portion of the foundation comprised of a plurality of elongate straight horizontal channel sections in end to end relationship and having vertical outside walls defining the outside surface of said upper portion of the foundation, horizontal top walls defining the outer portion of said top surface of the foundation, horizontal bottom walls and upper and lower flanges on inner edges of the top and bottom walls and cores of thermal insulating material filling the channel sections; and a plurality of anchor units spaced about the girdle and having inner deadman portions set i

Abstract: A vertical modular construction element of cast concrete rests at its lower end on spaced feet between which at least one closed steel loop is provided for the reception of threaded reinforcing rods that interconnect a series of such construction elements disposed side-by-side, for the construction of retaining walls, etc. The closed loop depends below the construction element a distance less than the height of the feet, so that the closed loop is spaced above the ground when the element rests on the ground on its feet. The elements can be either ribbed or rectangular in cross section. If ribbed, then there is a foot at the end of each free edge of each rib and the loop is embedded in one of the feet. In any case, the loops are the lower portions of U-shaped steel rods whose legs extend up along the height of the element and are embedded in the element so as to resist horizontal forces imposed on the element.

Abstract: A support system for preventing the movement of pipes relative to a structural element, such as a wall, is disclosed. More specifically, a unique clamp is disclosed having a locking configuration located on the inner surface thereof. The locking configuration includes axial and circumferential engaging splines. The pipe to be supported is provided with a complementary locking configuration including axial and circumferential recessed keys. The pipe is receivable within the clamp such that the complementary keys and splines are aligned and interlocked thereby inhibiting movement of the pipe. The subject invention further includes a plurality of novel components for connecting the pipe to a structural element.

Abstract: The foundation-based solar heating system includes a plurality of preformed beams that define a perimeter, the beams being elevated above the earth and receiving a building thereon. The building floor, the beams, and the earth enclosed by the beams define a plenum chamber, and the beams have internal air flow channels therein. One of the beams is south-facing, and carries solar collector means thereon that is connected with the flow channels. Return ducts connect the flow channels on the opposite side of the foundation perimeter to the south-facing beam, and to the solar collector means. The beams are externally insulated, and air flowing through the system heats the plenum chamber and provides a heat source for the building. An air circulating unit assures a flow of circulating air from the plenum chamber through the building, and includes an auxiliary heating element means.

Abstract: The support has a filling of insulating concrete which fills the space between the foundation slab and sand support layer. A cold sink formed of horizontal pipes laid in the main wind direction is encased in a middle region of the support. An impermeable film is placed over the cold sink and about the filing to prevent entry of moisture into the filling.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present device includes a perimetrical shield or flashing secured between the lower edge of the wall and the conventional outwardly facing angle iron base secured to the floor. Shield is bolted or riveted between the wall and the angle iron and extends over and preferably slightly below the lower perimetrical edge of the floor of the bin. Another embodiment includes the shield situated between the wall and an inwardly facing perimetrical angle iron which is easy to manufacture and is less likely to provide moisture ingress. A further embodiment includes the shield being formed as an extension of the wall and being shaped to extend over and slightly below the perimetrical edge of the floor and to be bolted either to the floor or to the angle iron.

Abstract: A plurality of footing pits are dug, and a preformed footing is placed in each. Each footing has a recess in its bottom covered by a sheet of flexible material, a grout inlet opening leading to the recess, and a plurality of relief ports. Grout is injected into the recess of each footing to seat it in its pit, and then a base plate support is installed thereon and adjusted to a selected height. Preformed beams are then mounted on the base plate supports, to provide a foundation for a building. Energy conservation is achieved by placing an insulating element vertically in each preformed beam, and solar energy collector equipment is mounted on the face of at least one beam. The solar energy collector equipment takes advantage of the location of the beams and their construction from precast concrete, and is of both the passive and active type.

Abstract: This invention relates to a quickly assembled prefabricated metal concrete pouring form for slabs and the like that remains in place as an integral part of the finished structure. The basic elements of the structure are exterior wall sections with each containing a series of vertically-aligned pairs of slots arranged in parallel horizontal rows throughout the length thereof and which can be telescoped into overlapping relation to place selected pairs of these slots in registry with one another to receive the hook-forming elements of one or more types of connectors that lock the sections together in freestanding assembled condition. Two of these connectors, namely, a ground stake and a detachable endpiece of a spreader subassembly both include a vertically-spaced pair of downturned hook-forming elements to effect the locking action while the corner sections employ horizontally-spaced pairs of horizontally-disposed tongues for this same purpose.

Abstract: A stable, multi-component footer is provided for supporting markers, memorials, gravestones and/or monuments in cemeteries and the like. The footer forms a hollow, generally rectangular structure for installation within a grave. It includes a pair of integral vertical side members which are spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate a casket therebetween. An upper horizontal support member extends between and is connected to the upper ends of the two side members, to provide a support plate for the monument. When the footer is assembled, its components are secured detachably by locking means comprising engageable complementary male and female elements. The locking means provides stability to the assembled footer, as well as ease of assembly. In its preferred form, the footer comprises two separate, complemental, interchangeable L-shaped components, one component being in the form of an inverted L and the other being in the form of an upright L.

Abstract: A building constructed from free standing precast stress bearing will modules by placing the elements in a trench, pouring a flowable material therein, and allowing the flowable material to set. Metallic elements extending from the wall into a recess in the bottom of the wall interconnect with the flowable material in the trench to form an integral unit of the set flowable material and the wall module. For subsequent stories, the free standing precast stress bearing wall modules include a pocket in their lateral wall to provide access to the interconnection for the fastening of a plate embedded adjacent the bottom thereof and a rib extending from the top of a lower building element.

Abstract: A tripling or more in the production rate of precast concrete building units utilizing reusable mold forms is achieved by casting the units vertically on a wheeled base between separable vertical mold forms. The partially cured poured concrete unit is horizontally transported on the wheeled base from between the separated molds to complete the curing independently thereof, the forms being immediately serviceable with another wheeled base for molding another unit.A building is erected on a concrete slab foundation using a plurality of precast concrete units in the form of L-shaped walls positioned as corner structure and spaced intermediate exterior wall elements and as interior partitions and roof supports.

Abstract: A foundation for pre-engineered buildings in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein includes concrete footings provided at spaced-apart locations along the perimeter of the building to be erected. Light weight precast reinforced concrete grade beams are set in place with the end of each beam bearing on adjacent footings. Adjacent ends of grade beams extending in a straight line relative to each other are formed with channel configurations forming a keyway and adjacent ends of grade beams extending at a right angle to each other are formed with an interlocking configuration. One of these latter grade beams is formed with a keyway adjacent its interlocking configuration and its associated footing. A light weight disposable form is secured to the top of each footing and is generally U-shaped in plan view including a pair of parallel side walls and a connecting wall.

Abstract: The method of forming hollow concrete articles such as tanks which are cast in a mould around reinforcing metal, the mould being shaped to form a bottom and including an upstanding integral ridge which forms a mould for the inner lower portions of a wall subsequently formed on such bottom after the bottom is cast, characterized by an interlocking ridge at the join and by the absence of reinforcing metal at such join.

Abstract: A spherical storage tank holding gases or liquids which is supported on a rigid concrete foundation in a region of the vertical axis of the tank. There is interposed between tank and foundation a mounting rigidly bonded to both the tank and the foundation having generally elastomeric properties. The mounting consists essentially of a plurality of slabs covering the whole upper area of the foundation, in a spaced array leaving only narrow gaps between the individual slabs. The slabs are thin in relation to their size, and the gaps between the individual slabs are filled with a soft-plastic sealant. Moreover, the foundation consists of an upper part and a lower part, between said upper and said lower part being interposed adjustable resilient pads to allow an adjustment of the upper part in relation to the lower part to correct the position of the upper part if the lower part has been displaced due to ground shock waves, underground cavations or the like.

Abstract: A monument marker is formed with a clear plastic outer laminate and an inner concrete core. The space between the outer laminate and the core is filled with urethane foam to accommodate expansion and contraction of the concrete core. The outer laminate is formed in either one or two pieces by casting or blow molding. After curing of the outer laminate, the concrete core is positioned centrally of the laminate shell in spaced relationship to the shell walls. The space between the core and the walls is then filled with an expandable liquid such as urethane foam. As the liquid expands it will completely fill the space in the shell and provide an area of rigid yet yieldable material capable of responding to contraction and expansion of the concrete. Indicia presenting a name or message may be secured inside the clear plastic laminate before filling with the expandable liquid. The expanded material is trimmed to present a smooth base and a sheet of plastic may be secured to seal the shell.

Abstract: A building foundation is formed from precast modular components assembled in situ to enclose plumbing and ducting. The components include foundation pads clamped together and interfitted with perimeter wall sections and spacer posts for support of floor panels held together by slots in the top of the wall sections and the spacer posts.

Abstract: An impact resistant tank for storing cryogenic fluids, includes an inner metal tank having a metal side wall and a metal bottom and a concrete outer wall around the inner metal wall and having reinforcement therein to resist impact loads thereon, and to serve as a secondary containment for the cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A lower structure for wooden building, wherein a groove with open top face is axially formed on the top face of the continuous footing of the building so as to accommodate a wood preserving and insecticidal liquid and a portion of suction materials for said wood preserving and insecticidal liquid affixed to at least a part of the lower structure of the wooden building erected on said footing is disposed in said groove.

Abstract: A concrete storage tank for storing large quantities of fluids, grains or other materials and including a circular tank sidewall formed of a plurality of vertically elongated wall elements having a generally Y-shaped transverse cross-section, a slab floor, a slab roof, a perimeter footing, a perimeter tie beam, and a central tower for access and for housing pumping equipment. In one method of construction the wall elements are formed in place while in an alternative method of construction, the elements are prefabricated at a remote location and then moved into place.

Abstract: A mounting for a spherical tank holding gases or liquids which is supported on a rigid concrete foundation in a region of the vertical axis of the tank, the mounting consisting essentially of a spaced array of rigid support elements of foamed or sponge structure, such as foam glass blocks within a matrix of light heat insulating filler such as a mixture on the basis of polyurethane. The upper and the lower surfaces of the array of support elements and matrix are coated with an elastic layer, which are bonded to the steel surface of the tank and to the top of the foundation. The upper elastic layer may consist of felted fine gauge aluminium wire, while the lower elastic layer may consist of felted mineral fibres.

Abstract: An A-frame building includes a plurality of angularly upwardly extending beams and a floor structure. The beams are interlocked at their upper ends and thus serve to support one another. Adjacent beams are interconnected by tongue and groove joints. The floor structure comprises a relatively thin central portion and relatively thick outer edge portions. The beams of the building extend into the edge portions of the floor structure and are thus secured in place.

Abstract: The invention relates to a precast monument base which is made from precast concrete, and is capable of being installed during any kind of weather conditions. The idea basically involves the utilization of a resilient layer between the base and the base cap to allow proper leveling, and to prevent the entrance of moisture to create problems under freezing conditions. The base extends below the frost line, and hence is not effected by freezing of the ground or excessive amounts of water or moisture.

Abstract: A foundation for securely retaining a factory built structure, such as a mobile home, modular building, or the like, having an underframe including a pair of steel beams, to a land site. The foundation includes a concrete pad with a pair of recesses for containing the axles attached to the underside of the building frame. The pad has cylindrical concrete piers extending through its surface at spaced intervals forming two lines spaced at the same distance as the beams of the underframe. Central cylindrical cavities are formed in each of the piers and are adapted to receive cylinders which extend downwardly from the underside of the frame beams. The undersides of the beams rest on the top surfaces of the piers and downturned flanges attached to the frame beams surround the sides of the piers and restrain the structure against lateral movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming reinforced concrete walls in a trench including a reinforcing cage, protruding reinforcing and sealing means for positioning the protruding reinforcing adjacent to the ends of the reinforcing cage and sealing the ends of a unit wall while allowing the protruding reinforcing to extend beyond a unit wall.

Abstract: A massive precast pile tip is provided with a tubular sleeve which extends into the tip to tightly encircle a core of the tip mandrel. The sleeve strengthens the tip material in the core region to improve its driving strength. A mandrel fits into the sleeve and drives the tip. Concrete is then poured into a tubular stem which extends up from the sleeve to the surface of the earth after the tip is driven.

Abstract: A corrugated wall system formed of prefabricated individual wall sections. Each individual section comprises a member - formed of reinforced concrete or the like -- having front and rear portions spaced by a dimension of corrugation. Both the thicknesses of the front and rear portions, and the dimension of corrugation increase as one moves from the top or a wall section to the bottom thereof. The wall sections are embedded in an in-situ cast foundation in side-to-side relationship at the bottoms thereof.

Abstract: In a foundation of a heated building without a cellar, including prefabricated heat and damp insulating blocks following the contour of the outer walls of the building the blocks are structurally connected with a bottom layer of structural concrete with longitudinal reinforcement bars and on top of the blocks there is provided and connected therewith a longitudinally reinforced strand of structural concrete. The blocks form together with the strand and the bottom layer a longitudinally reinforced edge beam in the foundation, the blocks forming the web of the beam.

Abstract: A process for the production of reinforced concrete walls in trenches involving preparing a trench of at least unit length, placing a reinforcing cage in the trench, fixing further reinforcing so that it will extend past the end of the unit, placing means to prevent the concrete from completely covering the further reinforcing and pouring the concrete.