Abstract: A method and a module system for building purposes by using a module system is provided, said module system including a plurality of mutually equal-sized basic components, which are assembled for a wall structure in one or more vertical planes by installing the same in connection with each other side by side and on top of each other. The wall structure is put together from substantially thin-walled basic components, which are open at ends thereof opposite in a lengthwise direction thereof and have an open internal space, and which are coupled to each other side by side and on top of each other with connection pieces capable of being connected with a first form locking joint to lengthwise coupling arrangements present on each external side thereof. The basic components are coupled to each other with an end block interconnecting the basic components by the opposite ends thereof.

Abstract: A set of essentially identical floorboards each including a front face and a rear face extending in the horizontal plane, a core, and a surface layer, a mechanical locking system is arranged at least at two opposite edges for connecting a floorboard with an adjacent floorboard in a horizontal and a vertical direction, said mechanical locking system being configured for connecting the floorboard with the adjacent floorboard by vertical folding, wherein one of said opposite edges is provided with a horizontally extending protrusion at an upper edge, and wherein said protrusion is configured to overlap a surface groove at an upper edge of the other of said opposite edges, such that two connected and adjacent floorboards have upper overlapping edges.

Abstract: This invention aims to provide a novel material to be used for the production of components used in the construction industry such as construction blocks, wall panels, floor and roof tiles, lintels and any other product that could use this novel material. The novel material is a paper concrete made with 50% to 90% of recycled paper in the base mixture. This invention also aims to provide a novel process for making a construction block with the base mixture of paper concrete. The process for making the lightweight building blocks with this paper concrete has three main steps with two stages each. The base mixture for the paper concrete is essentially interlinked with the process for making this construction block. The two first steps of the process are crucial to achieve the base mixture and the following step is crucial to achieve a construction block.

Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of rectangular floorboards having a body and long and short edges. Said locking system including a tongue and a groove for vertical locking of two joint short edges and for horizontal joining a locking groove formed in the underside of a first one of the short joint edges, and a portion projecting from the second short joint edge having a locking element cooperating with the locking groove. The tongue is arranged on the second short edge. The groove is arranged on the first short edge. The projecting portion is integrally formed with the board, by working of the body of the board.

Abstract: A joint for panels, the panels comprising a core, a decorative upper surface and edges provided with joining means for positioning the panels towards one another. Predetermined portions of the edges are provided with a layer of polymer. The panels are joined to one another by use of the joining means where the polymer forms a seal in the joint preventing penetration of water into the joint wherein a highly water resistant unit of a plurality of panels is formed.

Abstract: Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.

Abstract: An improved mechanically secured block building system generally for concrete masonry structures comprising a masonry block unit with a height and width essentially one-half the length of the unit, with multiple cavities through the block and with a recessed channel; an anchor bar with a plurality of threaded and non-threaded apertures in a special configuration to match the cavities in the block unit and able to lay in the recessed channel of the block; and a fastener wherein the mechanical secured block building system can be assembled in unique ways due to a cube effect of the masonry block to construct multiple width walls, grade beams, and horizontal decks. An alternative embodiment includes the preferred mechanical secured block building system further comprised of (d) a footer block and (e) a footer plate.

Abstract: The cut stone construction and masonry method is a wall construction technique using the Flemish bond pattern and utilizing natural stone cut in blocks. The technique employs only vertically oriented semi-dry mortar layers between the stones. No horizontal mortar layers are used in the construction, except at the foundation level. Use is made of the dry-stacking, horizontal surface bonding techniques developed by the ancient Egyptians.

Abstract: A pillar slab system using precast concrete pillar slabs for constructing a pillar, pergola or other stone structure comprises a body comprising at least four sides. Each exterior side surface comprises at least one simulated stone face. At least first and second side surfaces also have at least one simulated joint defining a visual separation between simulated stone faces. The simulated joints in the side surfaces are disposed at different horizontal positions, so that when one pillar slab is stacked on an identical pillar slab in a different orientation, the simulated joints in adjacent surfaces are vertically staggered relative to one another to avoid obvious repeating patterns and provide the appearance of a natural stone construction.

Abstract: A system of retaining wall blocks suitable for constructing a retaining wall comprising a modified arc segment shape cap block, a modified arc segment shape first wall block, and a modified arc segment shape second wall block.

Abstract: The invention discloses devices and methods for using building blocks for construction that does not require mortar, internal columns or additional internal or external finishing. A building block includes joining elements for attaching blocks from top to bottom as well as from side to side. Additionally, blocks have internal and external finishes that are complete. The block includes a removable face for allowing access to space for infrastructural elements like wires and pipes. Thus, after construction of a structure, there is no additional need to paint, hang wallpaper or otherwise treat the outer and inner walls of the final structure.

Abstract: A retail kiosk includes a product fulfillment portion and a product display portion. The product fulfillment portion includes a cylindrical shell having an end with a continuous, circular edge. The product display portion includes a cylindrical shell having an end with a continuous, circular edge. The continuous, circular edge of the product fulfillment portion is out of alignment with the continuous, circular edge of the product display portion when the retail kiosk is deployed.

Abstract: A masonry block system that employs blocks with unique surfaces, top, bottom, and transition, and a locking starter rail for placement below the block wall. The surfaces of the block and the shape of the starter rail are configured so as to lock together, providing a wall system. The system can either be mortarless wherein grout-like material is placed within the blocks to provide a monolithic system. A method of making and installing and various parts, such as the starter rail and block are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses devices and methods utilizing a thermally efficient building block. The block generally has three walls separated by two open spaces. One open space, the closest to the outside of the building, generally serves to remove unwanted heat entering through the outer wall of the block; the second open space is adapted to accept infrastructure elements such as wires, cables, and pipes. The block prevents unwanted heat from entering usable spaces while also protecting heat generated within a structure.

Abstract: An innovative masonry block, such as a CMU, has a core of insulative material with masonry cladding, such as concrete, on lateral sides, and anchor elements, such as rigid bar members, may extend from the core to hold the cladding to the core. The core may also include a drain aperture extending from top to bottom, as well as a sloped top surface that serves to direct water to the drain. A plurality of such blocks can make a wall or other building structure having a pathway for water to travel through and out of the stacked blocks.

Abstract: A system and method of stabilizing and strengthening wall structures constructed with hollow core cementitious blocks that have not been filled with concrete. Relatively small ports are drilled at the grout line every 4-6 courses along the vertical plain of one hollow core and this and every second core is then filled with a high density expanding resin thus filling the core there by providing sufficient strength and rigidity, yet flexibility to the wall structure to withstand significant seismic activity.

Abstract: An insulated core for a building block for a building wall, the block has spaced apart parallel face shells with the insulating core filling the space between the parallel face shells. The insulating core defines spaced apart parallel surfaces for engaging the respective face shells. The insulating core is provided with channels such that when the block forms part of a wall with other blocks, the channels form intersecting uninterrupted passageways for receiving elongated reinforcing members and grout to provide a reinforcing structure to the wall. A method of preparing a structural insulating wall for buildings and an insulating core including a metal connecting bar with lateral wings provided within at least one male interlocking member to provide a thermal break are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for setting and securing metal plate on an outer wall of concrete masonry, includes upper and lower masonry blocks with side walls and end walls forming an inner grout cavity. The metal plate has Nelson studs extending from it, each having a head on its outer end. The studs extend from the plate, through a masonry side wall, into the grout cavity. A spring clip in the grout cavity compressed between a masonry block side wall and the stud head urges the stud and plate inward to secure the plate against the masonry as the grout cavity is filled with grout.

Abstract: A kit for forming a wall comprises at least one building block having an exterior surface adapted to be closely stacked with a plurality of corresponding adjacent blocks and having at least one hollow in at least one surface thereof. A plurality of connecting ties each extending between first and second ends and having an enlarged portion located at at least one end thereof are utilized to connect and tie the building blocks together. The enlarged portions are adapted to be received within the hollows so as to span a pair of adjacent building blocks.

Abstract: A constructional building material, such as a brick, with at least one base section and a vane extending from the base section. The vane defines, at least in part, a volume of space within an envelope boundary that facilitates fluid flow, such as airflow, through a wall system formed at least in part from one or more constructional building materials. Adjacent vanes, either of the same constructional building material or of different constructional building materials, may operate to provide or define one or more common volumes of space and corresponding fluid flow channels and associated fluid flow paths. A wall system, formed in accordance with the present invention, allows fluid to pass from one side to the other through the wall system while also providing up to complete visual obstruction through the wall depending upon how the wall system is constructed.

Abstract: A plurality of adjacent, aligned, shaped hollow uniform building components, each having four separate distinct key channels are assembled together with a plurality of friction fitting locking keys to accomplish at least three separate distinct locks which become uniform whole friction fitting structural buildings upon alignment of like side surfaces or like end surfaces of uniform building components, together with friction fitting insertion and alignment of one of four separate and distinct shaped uniform bridge keys, then friction fit insertion of the primary locking keys into and through the primary key channels of adjacent and/or abutting uniform building components and uniform bridge keys, thereby rapidly achieving the primary lock and key joint, being the primary finished bonded joint and the primary lock of this invention.

Abstract: A masonry block system that employs blocks with unique surfaces, top, bottom, and transition, and a locking starter rail for placement below the block wall. The surfaces of the block and the shape of the starter rail are configured so as to lock together, providing a wall system. The system can either be mortarless wherein grout-like material is placed within the blocks to provide a monolithic system. A method of making and installing and various parts, such as the starter rail and block are also disclosed.

Abstract: A concrete block comprising a front face having a height H1 and a width L1. A lip disposed underneath the front have having a height H2. A rear face having a height H3 and a width L2, wherein the rear face is shorter than the sum of H1 plus H2 by an amount H4, and wherein the sum of H1 plus H2 equals the sum of H3 plus H4. An upper surface forming a channel.

Abstract: A wall construction block includes a front surface, a back surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of webs extending between the front and rear surfaces to define at least one void. The front surface and back surface have first vertical ends and second vertical ends opposite the first vertical ends. The wall construction block further includes structures on the first vertical ends defining an interior protrusion and a shoulder, and structures on the second vertical ends defining an outer protrusion and a recess. The interior protrusions of the first vertical ends are adapted to interfit with the recesses on the second vertical ends of an adjacent wall construction block, and a channel is defined that extends in a height direction and is adapted to channel a fluid.

Abstract: A deck block adapted to be interconnected with other deck blocks to form an insulating deck for casting concrete. The deck block comprising a foam panel at least one hole extending into the panel from the one end toward an opposing end such that the hole has an open end and a closed end. At least one protrusion extends from the panel and the protrusion is matingly receivable in at least a portion of a hole of a like panel to interconnect the panels in an end-to-end relationship. The panel has a vertical groove extending from a bottom surface and intersecting the opening of the panel to provide a fluid flow channel from the opening to the bottom surface of the panel when the like panels are interconnected. The protrusion has a horizontal groove extending along a lower end thereof from a distal end of the protrusion to a proximal end thereof so as to intersect the vertical groove.

Abstract: The invention discloses devices and methods for making building blocks for construction that requires neither mortar nor additional internal or external finishing. A building block includes joining elements for attaching blocks from top to bottom as well as from side to side. Additionally, blocks have internal and external finishes that are complete. Thus, after construction of a structure, there is no additional need to paint, hang wallpaper or otherwise treat the outer and inner walls of the final structure.

Abstract: A wall block includes two finished wall material layers attached to a frame where the tops of the wall blocks are configured to support other wall blocks. Exterior wall blocks for constructing exterior walls include an interior wall material layer and an exterior wall material layer. Interior wall blocks include interior wall material layers on both vertical sides of the frame. Walls are formed by stacking and gluing the prefabricated wall blocks and vertically aligning the wall blocks in an offset or in a vertical configuration to form a stack bond, running bond, or offset running bond wall configuration. The interior wall material layers and exterior wall material layers do not require further finishing after a wall is assembled thereby greatly reducing labor costs.

Abstract: To provide a pipe support base light in weight and with good workability, to which loads may given according to need. This problem may be overcome with a hollow cylindrical body with a rectangular cross section and with four sides. A through passage is provided in the center portion thereof. Further, a cross-shaped rib is provided at an approximately central position thereof. Additionally, grooves are formed parallel to the aforementioned through passage on at least any of the surfaces, upon the edges of which are provided engagement plates protruding into the cross sections of the grooves.

Abstract: A masonry article having one or more sidewalls, top and bottom, and first and second ends configured with a horizontal and vertical locking mechanism, wherein top and bottom includes first axis locking mechanism, wherein the top surface is formed with at least one stepped section having a base that begins with a level footing and the bottom opposite surface formed with at least one other stepped section having a base that begins with a level footing to releasably receive one of the top, and wherein first and second ends include contoured receptacles to releasably receive a matching configured link block having opposite male contour surface to form second axis locking mechanism.

Abstract: A retaining wall block with built-in drainage and filtration capabilities is described. A simplified process for constructing retaining wall using these blocks is also disclosed. The blocks facilitate superior drainage by providing built-in drain conduits that provide numerous channels for water to drain though. The built-in filtration disclosed prevents erosion of the backfill and clogging of drainage channels. The described blocks offer a simpler way to address drainage, erosion and clogging issues of retaining wall, by eliminating several retention wall creation steps. The blocks also eliminate the need for separate drainage and filtration system, they also eliminate need for free-draining aggregate backfills, thus reducing the transportation and construction cost associated with these steps.

Abstract: A wall block includes two finished wall material layers attached to a frame where the tops of the wall blocks are configured to support other wall blocks. Exterior wall blocks for constructing exterior walls include an interior wall material layer and an exterior wall material layer. Interior wall blocks include interior wall material layers on both vertical sides of the frame. Walls are formed by stacking and gluing the prefabricated wall blocks and vertically aligning the wall blocks in an offset or in a vertical configuration to form a stack bond, running bond, or offset running bond wall configuration. The interior wall material layers and exterior wall material layers do not require further finishing after a wall is assembled thereby greatly reducing labor costs.

Abstract: Interlocking construction blocks are provided, having a tongue and groove configuration, attachable together by pressing the tongue of one block into a groove of another block. Multiple blocks may be adapted to be interlocked together forming a structure, such as a wall. Blocks comprise first and second opposing sidewalls integrally connected together by first and second pairs of opposing connecting walls. The first and second sidewalls comprise a lower portion integrally connected to an upper portion. The lower portion comprises a pair of opposing lower portion sidewalls integrally connected to a pair of opposing lower end walls. The upper portion comprises a planar top surface, a pair of opposing upper portion sidewalls and a pair of opposing upper portion end walls integrally connected via upper portion angular walls. The upper portion sidewalls, upper portion end walls and upper angular walls may have a beveled or tapered surface.

Abstract: Blocks for wall constructions described herein are in the form of casted one-piece concrete hollow bodies. The blocks include front and back walls which are generally parallel to a first axis and have top and bottom ends and two inner walls integral to both front and back walls therebetween that are generally parallel to a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. One of the end side faces of the two inner walls includes male connector portions that are offset from a first distance from the front wall. The other end side face includes female connector portions that are registered along the first axis with the male connector portions and are offset from the first distance from the back wall. The male connector portion is for insertion in the female connector portion of another block when the other block is mounted thereon so as to yield a straight or a shifted retaining wall portion.

Abstract: An engineered block for a landscape wall includes front and rear faces, first and second sidewalls, a top surface extending between upper ends of the front and rear faces, and a bottom surface extending between lower ends of the front and rear faces. A stepped cavity is formed in the top surface of the engineered block. The stepped cavity is located adjacent the front face of the engineered block and includes a first step having a first horizontal, and a shallower second step, adjacent the first step, having a second horizontal surface. A mounting device adapted to receive a light fixture is seated within the stepped cavity. The mounting device has a flat plate seated upon the second step and a storage compartment for wire seated upon the first step. A top planar surface of the flat plate is coplanar with the top surface of the engineered block.

Abstract: A constructional building material, such as a brick, with at least one base section and a vane extending from the base section. The vane defines, at least in part, a volume of space within an envelope boundary that facilitates fluid flow, such as airflow, through a wall system formed at least in part from one or more constructional building materials. Adjacent vanes, either of the same constructional building material or of different constructional building materials, may operate to provide or define one or more common volumes of space and corresponding fluid flow channels and associated fluid flow paths. A wall system, formed in accordance with the present invention, allows fluid to pass from one side to the other through the wall system while also providing up to complete visual obstruction through the wall depending upon how the wall system is constructed.

Abstract: A building element is in the form of hollow brick having a plane major face and dovetailed projections on an opposite major face for slotting together with similar building elements for the construction of masonry structures. The building element has internal through cavities for housing of operative connections of distribution systems and the like, arranged according to an array parallel to said plane major face, which is formed with references for identification from outside of each through cavity.

Abstract: The invention discloses devices and methods for making building blocks for construction that requires neither mortar nor additional internal or external finishing. A building block includes joining elements for attaching blocks from top to bottom as well as from side to side. Additionally, blocks have internal and external finishes that are complete. Thus, after construction of a structure, there is no additional need to paint, hang wallpaper or otherwise treat the outer and inner walls of the final structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide unitary building units having a cultured stone face and the method and apparatus for making such building units.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides an interlocking masonry block including a rear face, a front face, at least one aperture extending vertically through said block for receiving a flowable concrete mixture used in core filling, and at least one generally vertical side being registerable with an opposing side of an abutting block to inhibit movement of said flowable concrete out through a vertical interface between said blocks.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing and using modular building blocks. The blocks may include two walls, a course, end conditions, a reinforcing assembly, and vertical and lateral retaining members. The walls may include lateral supports disposed lengthwise on a top and a bottom surface. Lateral retainer members may be disposed into the lateral supports. The walls may also include channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. Vertical retainer members may be disposed into the channels. The course may be disposed between and coupled to the walls and characterized by one or more turns. The reinforcing assembly may be set inside the walls and the course. The reinforcing assembly may include wire mesh portions disposed to form interlocks, where the interlocks provide structural support for the channels. The modular building blocks may be coupled together with structurally complimentary end conditions.

Abstract: A translucent building block and method of manufacturing the same where the block has at least two oppositely oriented outer surfaces between which extend a plurality of translucent members that are mounted to a retainer which supports the translucent members spaced inwardly of opposite free ends thereof which extend outwardly from the retainer to points adjacent the at least two outer surfaces and wherein a plurality of openings are provided through the retainer to permit passage of cast material during introduction of the material about the translucent members within a mold during a manufacturing process.

Abstract: The hollow construction element (3) delimiting an external envelope of determined volume, put together to constitute an ensemble, is formed by at least one material blown or blown-pressed. An assembly comprises at least two construction elements (3) and can comprise communication means between the at least two construction elements.

Abstract: A building block having a body with three sets of opposing outer sides defining a generally rectangular outer shape, the body having at least one passageway having an upper open end at a top of the block and an open lower end at a bottom of the block. An inner part of the block is comprises of a first material, and a second different material surrounds the inner part providing a substantially continuous outer surface of said second material. At least one side of one of the sets of opposing sides has at least one protrusion extending outwardly therefrom, and at least one cavity is provided in the opposed side in a position and of a size to receive and effect an alignment of a further block having the same shape and size of this first defined block, by receiving the at least one protrusion into the cavity or cavities.

Abstract: A stackable masonry unit having male and female elements that cooperate with complementary female and male elements on identical, opposing, adjoining units to create an interlocking two- or three-unit module from single design element. Each interlocking module comprises a portion of a course in a block wall made of cementitious material, e.g., a concrete masonry unit or insulating concrete foam.

Abstract: Wall blocks and methods of constructing walls from the wall blocks which have a side connection system interlocking adjacent blocks whereby a side of the block is provided with a channel or slot that is configured to engage a corresponding projection on the adjacent block. The side connection system may alternatively have a connection receiving cavity formed by channels or slots on the sides of the blocks which are configured to align with a channel or slot from adjacent blocks where a connector may be received to interlock the blocks.

Abstract: The convection baffle for hollow blocks increases the R-value of a hollow block when one or more convection dampers are received within passages defined through the hollow block. The convection baffle includes an upper wall having laterally opposed first and second side edges, a lower wall having laterally opposed first and second side edges, first and second laterally opposed sidewalls, and a central wall having opposed upper and lower edges. The convection baffle is substantially G-shaped. The convection baffle decreases convection current flow within the passage of the hollow block to increase the overall R-value of the hollow block.

Abstract: A masonry infill in a load bearing structure (18), comprises courses of hollow masonry units (1) arranged to define a cavity (3) extending therethrough filled with reinforced cementitious material e.g. reinforced concrete. A lower end of the concrete reinforcement (2) is secured to a load bearing support (16, FIG. 3). A body (6) is secured to the load bearing structure and receives an upper end of the concrete reinforcement so as to permit longitudinal sliding movement of the reinforcement upper end in the body, whilst constraining movement of the concrete reinforcement in a direction transversely of the infill The lower end of the reinforcement (2) may be built into the support, or slidably received in a further body (5, FIG. 3). Alternatively one or both ends of the reinforcement (2) may terminate in a bond beam. Brackets (9, 9a) may be embedded in the concrete in the cavity (3) to transfer shear forces between the adjacent blockwork and the concrete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protective barrier (100, 102, 120, 140, 160, 180, 300) for protecting structural columns, wall or other projecting elements that may be subject to inadvertent impact. The protective barrier (100, 102, 120, 140, 160, 180, 300) in one form of the invention includes a plurality of protection blocks (10) and a plurality of locating pins (50). Each protection block (10) includes a bumper surface (14) for receiving impact forces, an elongate structure positioning surface (17) arranged in use to be positioned substantially against or adjacent to a border defined by a structure to be protected and at least two locating apertures (20).

Abstract: A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature.

Abstract: A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature.