Abstract: A concrete building block includes indicators along each end to assist in aligning a pin placed in the block with a channel in a like block in a course below as a wall is being constructed.

Abstract: A masonry block having chambers and cavities that form recesses in the block such that, when the blocks are laid on bond, re-bar may be inserted in horizontal and vertical directions for rectangular grid reinforcement, and the wall may be constructed without the use of mortar. The masonry block includes a stretcher block, end block, and a half-block and each block block has recesses for receiving insulation, re-bar, and/or a line pin.

Abstract: In a nuclear fuel storage rack including a plurality of rack cells (1) configured to house a nuclear fuel assembly, the rack cell (1) includes a plurality of plate members (10 to 13) containing a radiation absorption material and stood to form a nuclear fuel housing space (8) configured to house the nuclear fuel assembly, and a fastening unit (14) configured to fasten the plurality of plate members (10 to 13). Each of the plate members (10 to 13) includes projections (16) protruding outward in a lateral direction from one side end and the other side end extending in an upward/downward direction (T1), and concave sections (17) formed at one side end side and the other side by the projections (16). The projections (16) protruding outward from outer surfaces of the plate members (10 to 13) in the lateral direction are fastened by the fastening unit (14).

Abstract: A manufactured stone block for use in building a structure having a front surface with a simulated natural stone appearance. A portion of an upper surface of the block includes a recessed mortar joint for a user to place mortar therein to secure the manufactured stone block to an adjacent surface.

Abstract: A concrete exterior wall system for residential and commercial construction incorporates interior wood, metal or composite framing members. The wall system solves the problem of erecting heavy, hard to manage solid wall segments as well as time-consuming, complicated multi-piece wall segments. Further, the wall system eliminates the need to frame interior walls for utility access, insulation and interior finishes. Moreover, the wall system eliminates exterior maintenance and structural damage from weather, insects and the like. The wall system incorporates wood, metal or composite material interior framing with a concrete exterior that has a permanent exterior finish. Interior studs allow easy utility installation and finish applications. The shape of the wall units are designed for less weight per linear foot than conventional systems.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a process for initially combining and thereafter uniting two or more modular units to one another in order thus combined to be able to form a house body, for instance a cellar-adapted house body. A liquid-resistant layer is advantageously wholly or partly to be able to cover a base slab and in any event lower wall sections allocated to the wall portion, proximal the base slab, in order principally to prevent damp permeation. A first modular unit, with in any event a first open wall portion, is placed on a substrate prepared within a building site, a second modular unit, with in any event a second open wall portion, is placed on the substrate prepared within the building site, so that an open wall portion allocated to the first modular unit will connect to an open wall portion allocated to the second modular unit. The base slab of the one modular unit and the base slab of the second module form a free space defined by the mutually facing edges of the base slabs.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall or floor panel includes a rectangular concrete section comprising a projection along one side, a recess along the other side, the recessing being complementary to the projection, a protrusion along one end, a trough along the other end, the trough being complementary to the protrusion, channels each having one end terminated at one end and the other end terminated at the other end, a first groove on each of one end and the other end extending from one side to the other side by passing the mouths of the channels, and a second groove on either side extending from one end to the other end; a rectangular surface board formed integrally with an outer surface of the concrete section; and an interconnection comprising a transverse part of and spaced longitudinal tubes each adapted to fit into the channel to connect two adjacent prefabricated components together.

Abstract: A concrete structure system formed of pre-cast concrete may form a wall having a decorative surface treatment. The structure system may include a column portion and a panel portion. The column portion may include a slot for receiving a panel portion of an adjacent structure. The column portion may also include an opening for receiving a substantially rigid member for supporting the column portion in an upright position. The substantially rigid member may be embedded in or attached to a footing for supporting the structure. Various different techniques for attaching the substantially rigid member and/or column portion to the footing are disclosed can be used.

Abstract: There is provided a building formwork module (12) for use in a modular formwork system (10). The module (12) comprises a first face (14) and a second face (16) that are connected by a web (20). The faces (14, 16) and web (2) define two channels (22, 24) that extend along the longitudinal length of the module (12). The channels (22, 24) are able to accommodate wall forming material such that the wall forming material is able to solidify therein. The web (12) in the module (14) provides the module (12) with a rigidity that maintains a relatively flat outer surface on at least the first side (14) of the module (12) against what would be the pressure applied by wall forming material as it solidifies within the two channels (22, 24).

Abstract: A concrete wall forming system of mold units that include first and second panel members and a plurality of connecting members. The panel members each have a horizontal length of three to thirty feet and a vertical height of three to twenty feet. The inner sides of the panels include slots extending vertically therethrough. The connecting members are detachable and securable with respect to the panels and extend the length vertically therebetween to maintain a spatial distance for defining a molding chamber. The connecting members include flanges detachably and securably extending within the slots in the panels. A mid-section portion in the connecting members contains a plurality of pour holes spaced along its length vertically. Concrete can be poured into the molding chamber and through the pour holes and once allowed to set and harden forms an insulated concrete wall.

Abstract: A concrete wall forming system including a plurality of mold units for forming a wall of concrete. The mold units include a bond beam form extending into the body lengthwise, defined by a first wall, a second wall, a bond beam form bottom, a first end and a second end where the first wall and second wall extend a depth defined by a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface and where the bond beam form does not touch the first side or the second side. First and second ledges extend lengthwise along the body from the first and second sides respectively to the first and second walls respectively of the bond beam form. The bond beam form bottom extends from the first wall to the second wall. At least two column forms extend from the bond beam form bottom to a bottom surface.

Abstract: A civil engineering structure having an arched wall including a plurality of curve shaped elements. Each element bears against one or more other similar elements and has a recess arranged in an outer face for casting a concrete assembly capping piece and reinforcements. Each element also includes at least one rigid bearing piece fastened to the element and has, at a free end of the rigid bearing piece, a surface with a non-planar profile. The rigid bearing piece comes to bear against a similar piece of another element located opposite it. The two rigid bearing pieces have complementary profiles making it possible for them to be wedged vertically.

Abstract: A building panel (1) has an upper edge (4) adapted to interlock with a lower edge (6) of a vertically adjacent substantially identical panel (1). The lower edge (6) of the panel (1) is adapted to interlock with a vertically adjacent substantially identical panel (1) or base (16). Side edges (8, 9) of the panel (1) are substantially planar to permit abutment of a side edge (8) of one panel (1) against a side edge (9) of a horizontally adjacent substantially identical panel (1). A continuous channel (11) extends the length of each side edge (8, 9) and a further continuous channel (10) extends along the upper edge (4). To construct a wall, a plurality of panels (1) are placed horizontally adjacent to each other to form a lower layer (15). A cementitious mix is poured onto the panels (1) to fill the channels (10, 11). Alternatively, structural members can be placed into the channels (10, 11).

Abstract: A wall system comprising a plurality of wall panels. Each panel has a vertically extending pilaster formed integrally with one end, defining a vertically open hollow core area of sufficient size for forming a concrete cast-in-situ column for supporting the panel in an upright position. The pilaster further includes an outwardly open groove communicating with the hollow core area. Each panel also has an integrally cast tongue projecting from its other said end, which is received in the groove of an adjoining panel to enclose the hollow core area. A concrete column is cast-in-situ in the hollow core area. Preferably, the pilaster is positioned on a concrete foundation or footing, which includes reinforcement members that project up into the hollow core area such that, when the column is cast, the reinforcement members are embedded in the concrete column. Adjoining panels may be positioned in end-to-end relation, at an angle relative to one another, or stacked.

Abstract: A high strength insulated building structure. The building structure uses a rigid foam building panels having kerfs on each side. The kerfs on the rigid foam building panels are complementary in shape to pre-cured jacketed concrete posts. The pre-cured jacketed posts have a mounting attachment foot adapted for mounting on a substructure, and the building panels are securely and sealingly mounted between adjacent, substructure secured, jacketed concrete posts. The jacketed concrete posts are also provided with top attachment members which are secured to beams which run horizontally above the rigid building panels. The building panels are also provided with furring strips recessed to be flush with their interior and exterior surface, for permitting fasteners to be used for fastening other structural components thereto, such as gypsum board on the interior and siding on the exterior. The building structure provides a high strength, highly insulating structure with quick building time in the field.

Abstract: A multi-component modular system for use in fabricating wall structures of the type which may be fortified with concrete or other similar materials. The system includes in one embodiment a plurality of identical prefabricated forms, each form comprising an elongated, generally rectangular plastic member having a cavity defined by a pair of side panels and a pair of end panels. One end panel has a pair of opposed, outwardly-facing, L-shaped flanges, and the other end panel has a pair of opposed, inwardly-facing slots sized and shaped to matingly receive the L-shaped flanges. Two or more forms may be interconnected in an end-to-end fashion by inserting the L-shaped flanges of one form into the L-shaped slots of a second form. A plurality of holes are provided on the end panels of the forms to permit concrete to be distributed monolithically between adjacent forms and to accommodate the placement of horizontal reinforcement bars.

Abstract: An improved panel jointing system wherein panels (10,11) are provided with profiled edge portions comprising tongue formations (12) and recesses (13) which are of complementary shape to the tongues (12), the tongues (12) of one panel being receivable in the recesses (13) of another panel, wherein the profiled edge portions comprise integrally formed projections (15, 16) projecting from the edge surfaces of the tongues (12) and/or from the walls forming the recesses (13), the tongues (12), recesses (13) and projections (15, 16) being shaped and dimensioned so that when the tongues are received in the recesses, the tongues (12) form a friction fit with the recesses (13), and the opposed facing surfaces of the tongues (12) and the walls of the recesses (13) being spaced apart so as to form a gap (18) of approximately uniform width which extends along the joint between the panels, interrupted by the projections (15, 16), the gap being fillable with adhesive.

Abstract: A multi-component modular system for use in fabricating wall structures of the type which may be fortified with concrete or other similar materials. The system includes a plurality of plastic prefabricated forms, each form comprising an elongated, generally rectangular member having a cavity defined by a pair of side panels and a pair of end panels. One end panel has a pair of outwardly-facing, L-shaped flanges, and the other end panel has a pair of L-shaped slots sized and shaped to mate with the L-shaped flanges. Two or more forms may be interconnected in an end-to-end fashion by inserting the L-shaped flanges of one form into the L-shaped slots of a second form. A plurality of openings are provided on the end panels of the forms to permit concrete to be distributed monolithically between adjacent forms. Each of the forms may be supported by a strut member which is mountable transversely between the pair of side panels of the form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety tile, including a tile body of rigid material, such as concrete, and a cover plate provided with an enclosing edge and being of an elastically flexible material, such as rubber. The cover plate has ribs integrally formed therewith uniformly distributed at its bottom side directed towards the tile body, of which the bottom ends hang down and rest on the upper surface of the tile body. The ribs extend diagonally across the bottom side of the plate with main diagonals extending between two opposite corners of the cover plate. Near each of the two opposite corners, each main diagonal rib has a widened bearing face which forms the basis of a locking part connected therewith, which locking parts have been locked in the tile body.

Abstract: An articulated door covers storage bays of a beverage body. The articulated door is formed by engaging a plurality of polymeric panel sections into a sequence such that a hinge is formed between adjoining panel sections. Each hinge allows adjacent panel section to be positioned at varying angles with respect each other. A resilient sealant bond between adjacent panel sections is made at spaced locations along each hinge. The articulated door is guided between an open position and a closed position by a door guiding track comprised of a left channel facing a right channel across a door opening. The sequence of panel sections is slidably positioned in the door guiding track by having a left end of each panel section extending into the left channel and a right end of each panel section extending into the right channel.

Abstract: There is described a building block, notably shuttering blocks to be laid dry, having at the one end thereof a fork and at the other end thereof, adjacent the side edges thereof, recesses wherein the free fork ends from another block substantially of the same type, can enter, in which the depth of the one said recesses along the block length direction, is deeper than the corresponding depth of the other recess.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of building or repairing refractory brickwork structures that are subjected to local differences in thermal expansion. The brickwork joints are made with a suitable sintering refractory mortar and in most or all of the joints there is also provided a synthetic material layer that changes into gaseous products when heated, without leaving any substantial solid residue and without reacting chemically with the refractory structure. The volume of the layers is not more than 95% of the thermal expansion of the brickwork adjacent the joints during heating up to working temperatures, so that the joints are left in compression to ensure gas tightness.

Abstract: Modular building elements which form when assembled a network of conglomerate or reinforced concrete as a bearing structure which is also anti-seismic.The modular elements are to be used for constructing flat or flat and/or vaulted brickwork, with or without air spaces. Each type of element is completed by a polyvalent modular element to be used as a single accessory for any corner, meeting point, cross wall attachment, etc. All the modular elements are equipped with groove devices suited to their particular characteristics to ensure that the assembled structure seals in conglomerate in each point, uninterrupted throughout the entire brickwork. The conglomerate network formed by the combination of all the molding characteristic of the modules is made up of vertical and horizontal seams designed to replace the pillars and beams of a reinforced concrete framework. This is anchored to the modular elements, at the same time attaching them to one another.

Abstract: A frame member for a door or window wherein the member is for use within a wall formed of consumable building blocks. The frame member includes upright structural column jambs and a header member extending between the jambs and united thereto and tie means to unite the frame member with the blocks of said wall adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for quickly and easily forming a load bearing, insulated wall comprising self-aligning, load bearing insulated building components. In specific embodiments, the building components define a wall having internal vertical cores which communicate with horizontal canals at the interfaces between rows of the building components. In specific embodiments, the cores and canals are filled with bonding material, for example, by the pumping of mortar therein, to define the completed wall. The individual building components are adaptable in design to increase or decrease their insulative values or strength to accommodate various construction conditions and climates.

Abstract: There is described a building block set which comprises at least two block types formed by base blocks and/or joined base blocks comprised of a united combination of identical or different base blocks, a first base block having a portion in the shape of a straight rectangle parallelepiped which is extended at the one end thereof by two flanges each extending in the extension of a side surface or said portion over a distance substantially equal to a fraction of the length of said portion, the parallelepiped-shaped portion having a hollow volume extending through the block over the whole height thereof, a second base block the horizontal cross-section of which is fork-shaped, particularly U-shaped, the flange length of said second block being substantially equal to the flange length of the first base block, the tolerances allowed for the above-defined lengths and distances being substantially equal to the thickness of the walls of the parallelepiped-shaped portion, the lower and upper edges of each block type b

Abstract: The frame comprises two uprights having a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape and two rails. The upper rail has a U-section and the lower rail constitutes a solid beam which is capable of fitting in the U-section of the upper rail of a subjacent frame and of being rendered rigid with the latter and with adjacent flooring slabs by the pouring of a binder such as a high-early-strength concrete or a concrete containing resin. The upper rail of the subjacent frame defines with the corresponding upright a tongue which is capable of fitting in a groove defined between the lower rail and the corresponding upright of the upper frame.

Abstract: A building block and masonry wall constructed therefrom are provided wherein the building block has a pair of spaced opposite generally parallel side walls, spaced top and bottom faces and a pair of end spaces, a pair of spaced apart ribs on said top face, a pair of mating recesses on said bottom face, an intermediate generally centrally extending horizontal groove in each of the top and bottom faces, a pair of narrower grooves, one on either side of said centrally extending groove on each of said top and bottom faces, a pair of spaced ribs on one end, a pair of mating grooves on the other end, an intermediate vertical passage in said block corresponding in width to the widest portion of the central grooves on said top and bottom faces, a pair of vertical passages on each side of said intermediate vertical passage connecting the pair of top and bottom narrower grooves, and a vertical recess in each end intermediate the side walls and having a cross section substantially equal to one half of said intermediate

Abstract: There is described a building block set which comprises at least two block types formed by base blocks and/or joined base blocks comprised of a united combination of identical or different base blocks, a first base block having a portion in the shape of a straight rectangle parallelepiped which is extended at the one end thereof by two flanges each extending in the extension of a side surface or said portion over a distance substantially equal to a fraction of the length of said portion, the parallelepiped-shaped portion having a hollow volume extending through the block over the whole height thereof, a second base block the horizontal cross-section of which is fork-shaped, particularly U-shaped, the flange length of said second block being substantially equal to the flange length of the first base block, the tolerances allowed for the above-defined lengths and distances being substantially equal to the thickness of the walls of the parallelepiped-shaped portion, the lower and upper edges of each block type b

Abstract: A brick laying device comprises a rectangular frame which fits on a course of bricks. The central aperture in the frame defines a trough for a mortar layer to be laid on top of the bricks. At least one longitudinally extending member of the frame has a right angle section, of which one arm extends inwardly over the top of the bricks, and the other extends downwardly on the outside of the bricks to locate the frame on the bricks and to check the linearity of the course.

Abstract: A modular system of bottles having a predetermined neck configuration and indentations in the bottom and side walls to receive the end of a neck of an abutting bottle to automatically center and space the bottles apart by a distance corresponding to that of a mortar joint. The bottles can be made in full, half, one-quarter, and double sizes, and may include one-third and two-third sizes, etc. The bottles can be laid up into a wall with the mortar joint falling either at the half point, or at the third point.

Abstract: Panel constructions comprising wall or ceiling panels of, for example, fire resistive material such as gypsum board wherein at least one of the lateral edges of one panel has secured thereto a female mounting member and at least one opposed lateral edge of a second panel has secured thereto a male mounting member. The female mounting member has opposed flanges which receive therebetween opposed surfaces adjacent the lateral edge of the panel and is provided with a central elongate channel for making engagement with a like panel to which has been secured the male mounting member. The male mounting member also comprises a channel-like member secured along the edge wherein opposed flanges receive an intermediate portion of the panel and wherein a protuberance or projecting tongue is received in nesting relationship in the channel of the female member. A covering of vinyl or other decorative material, textured paint or other finish is applied to one surface of each of the panels.

Abstract: In a plastic key joint wherein edge portions of two adjacent strakes are in relatively superposed, interfitted, edgewise engagement with each other in a manner to define a fully enclosed keyway therebetween, the present invention resides in deforming, preferably in an undulating or sine wave pattern, laterally opposite sides of the keyway prior to injecting, under selected pressure, flowable, hardenable key material into the keyway, thereby greatly increasing resistance of the joint to longitudinal shear stresses.

Abstract: Mortarless interlocking blocks for making a wall assembly composed of masonry blocks laid up in multiple courses and consisting of stretcher blocks making up longitudinal walls which converge at the corners in corner blocks which are formed as right hand and left hand corner blocks. The blocks in the wall assembly are made with a unique arrangement of mating ribs and grooves which makes the laying of the blocks easy and yields a cooperating group of blocks which can carry loads and which makes the creation of a wall very simple and fast as no mortar is needed and the blocks are self aligning and stable.

Abstract: A safety panel assembly for covering the walls or floors of areas such as playgrounds and the like is formed with a rigid planar carrier element having a spaced resilient covering element mounted thereto. The carrier element has recesses into which mounting projections integrally formed on the covering element extend. A hardened binder material locks the mounting projections in place and a plurality of spacer elements or ribs abut the rigid carrier element to provide hollow spacing between the elements and to insure a cover panel assembly exhibiting sufficient resiliency upon impact.