Hollow Blocks Arranged To Form Passageway Patents (Class 52/503)
  • Publication number: 20100263300
    Abstract: A construction block is provided that includes at least one base member that includes a plurality of lower side wall receptacles. The construction block further includes a plurality of side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies includes a plurality of interconnected panels. Each of the panels is hingedly connected to each adjacent one of the panels of the respective one of the side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies defines a hollow load chamber having an open top and an open bottom. At least some of the panels of each of the side wall assemblies are angled relative to one another. Each of the lower side wall receptacles receives one of the side wall assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Burke A. Herron
  • Publication number: 20100242395
    Abstract: An insulating concrete form block adapted to be interlocked with other insulating concrete blocks to form an insulating concrete form for casting concrete. The insulating concrete block including a first foam panel and a second foam panel supported in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to form a concrete receiving cavity. Each of the first panel and the second panel having a top end, a bottom end, a first end, and a second end. The top end and the bottom end of each of the first and second panels having an outside row of a plurality of projections and an inside row of a plurality of projections. The projections of the outside row being spaced apart to define a plurality of recesses and the projections of the inside row being spaced apart to define a plurality of recesses with the projections of the outside row being adjacent to the recesses of the inside row and the recesses of the outside row being adjacent projections of the inside row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: David Michael Garrett
  • Patent number: 7802410
    Abstract: The invention relates to modular elements made of insulating materials for constructions, provided with at least one network element in the interior; to a network obtained by connecting modular elements; to a supporting structure achieved by casting a hardening material in the network achieved by connecting the modular elements and joining them through the supporting structure, as well as to the process for obtaining thereof. The modular element has an interior network element made up of at least two main half joints and optionally it may have one or more secondary half-joints, connected through vertical and oblique channels. The network obtained by assembling the modular elements is made up of main and secondary joints, connected trough vertical, horizontal and oblique channels. The unitary supporting structure is obtained by casting a material that will be harden in the unitary network for the entire construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Laurentiu Dumitru Breaz
  • Publication number: 20100215432
    Abstract: The invention provides blocks made of certain material, equipped with drainage and ventilation functions, and a side of the blocks formed with first interlocking part and second interlocking part in the opposite but corresponding side while other two sides without the interlocking part formed with ventilating channels penetrating the center of the block unit and other areas without first and second interlocking parts equipped with chamfered channels in certain length and width. The blocks of the invention are paved in multi-layers and equipped with numerous ventilation channels and longitudinal grooving. Thus, the multi-layer structure provides sound drainage of water and moisture while preventing subsidence of road via maximizing the maintenance period of the pavement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Heung Sik Yu, Seong Kyun Jin
  • Patent number: 7757451
    Abstract: A building block for a ventilated wall includes an elongated center portion flanked by a pair of substantially parallel side walls oriented substantially perpendicularly to the center portion. The center portion has a first vertical wall and a second sloped wall, the second sloped wall extending between a relatively thicker bottom wall of the center portion and a relatively thinner top wall of the center portion. The first wall is co-planar with first edges of the side walls. A stacked arrangement of such blocks, where adjacent blocks are inverted and reversed, establishes front-to-back air passages that do not provide a sight line, and which prevent rain from passing through. A mold assembly for manufacturing the blocks is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Mark E. Lee Lum
  • Patent number: 7748192
    Abstract: A building block (2) comprising two side panels (6, 8) with at least one open side, the side panels spaced apart by two bridging parts (10, 12), a removable section (17) on at least one bridging part (10, 12), and a pair of recessed or protruding formations (20) on opposite inner faces of the open end of the side panels (6, 8) to enable building blocks to be interconnected. A location device (40) comprising two members (44) spaced apart by cross members (42), where the two members (44) extend beyond the cross members (42) to engage with formations (26) of one or more building blocks (2) is also disclosed. A wall constructed from building blocks (2) and utilising location devices (40) and a method of constructing such a wall are similarly disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Global Ryder Holdings Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: George Ralph Ryder
  • Patent number: 7735270
    Abstract: A rooftop equipment support includes a polymer material block and a metal fastener support attached to an upper portion of the block. The fastener support has a fastener portion that is configured to receive one or more fasteners for securing piping or other equipment. According to one embodiment, folded-down lips of the metal fastener portion form a channel configured to accept one or more fasteners, such as pipe clamps. In another embodiment, the metal fastener portion is a plate having one or more threaded inserts. The threaded inserts may be located between a sheet metal part of the fastener portion and a top surface of the polymer material block. The polymer material block may be made of a polyurethane foam material. The metal fastener portion may cover at least part of the edges of a top surface of the polymer material block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond M. Olle, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Publication number: 20090173027
    Abstract: A building block having a body with three sets of opposing outer sides defining thereby 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 comprised of a first material, and a second different material surrounds the inner part providing thereby an at least substantially continuous outer surface of said second material. A one side of a one of the sets of opposing sides having at least one protrusion extending outwardly from a planar surface of the side, and at least one cavity in the further opposed side of the same set of opposed sides 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 a or the protrusions into the cavity or cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Kerry Bennett
  • Patent number: 7509779
    Abstract: A building block for construction of a structure, such as house, is provided that is lightweight and portable. The building block has a first or lightweight portion that can be made from a thermally insulative material. The building block also has a second or rigid portion that can be made from a material having a high compressive strength. The first and second portions are affixed to each other to provide a preformed building block with a high compressive strength. The rigid portion can be a number of rigid sheets substantially embedded in the lightweight portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph J. Makovich
  • Patent number: 7395999
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing reinforced wall panels and reinforced roof panels and using the pre-manufactured reinforced wall and roof panels in the construction of a building structure at a building site. The reinforced wall and roof panels are molded using a molding medium consisting of two part polyurethane which is mixed with Portland cement. Reinforcing members and exterior weather resistant materials are placed within a mold and the mold is filled with the molding medium by injection or by pouring. The filled mold is then placed within a press to ensure against expansion by internal pressure caused by curing of the molding medium, thus ensuring dimensional accuracy of the finished panel. After hardening of the molding medium, the mold is removed from the press, opened and the finished panel is removed from the mold and is stored until the molding medium has completely cured. The reinforcing members and weather resistant material constitute integral components of the building panel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Polycrete Systems, Ltd
    Inventor: Herbert Walpole
  • Patent number: 7305803
    Abstract: A block construction system includes interlocking, self-aligning blocks that can be used to construct structures with mortarless joints. A typical block has a top face that is formed with a raised, substantially flat horizontal portion that extends between a pair of longitudinally aligned rounded edges. Longitudinally aligned horizontal stop surfaces extend from each rounded edge. A bottom face of the block is formed with a pair of longitudinally aligned stop surfaces and a substantially flat portion that is positioned between and recessed from the stop surfaces. For two stacked blocks, the recessed portion of the top block receives and engages the raised portion of the bottom block preventing lateral movement of one block relative to the other. To interlock adjacent blocks on a common course, one end face of each block is formed with a vertically aligned tongue and the other end face is formed with a corresponding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Correa, Lorenzo Correa
  • Patent number: 7128303
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a spacer configured to mount a fan housing to a surface of a structural support. In some embodiments, the spacer includes a body, a first aperture passing through the body and having a first length through the body, and a second aperture passing through the body and having a second length through the body, wherein the second length is different than the first length. The body can be oriented in a first orientation with respect to the fan housing and structural support or in a second orientation with respect to the fan housing and structural support to mount the fan housing at different distances from a mounting surface of the structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Broan-Nu Tone LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Penlesky, Danny W. Bothe
  • Patent number: 6907704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlocking modular block system for mortarless wall assembly. A plurality of blocks are laid up in courses in a staggered relationship in which three different block configurations are provided, namely stretcher, corner and half block units. The stretcher and corner blocks have lengths at least one and a half times the width, and the half block has the same width and a length which is half the length of the stretcher and corner blocks. The invention offers a simple and fast construction procedure, even when using unskilled labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignees: Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan
    Inventors: Abang Abdullah B. Abang Ali, Mohammed Razali B. Abdul Kadir, Mohd. Saleh B. Jafar, Abdul Aziz B. Abdul Samad, Rahinah Bt. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 6848228
    Abstract: Foam blocks may be manufactured using a two part urethane foaming agent or the like at the construction site using a mold that may be disassembled into a plurality of component pieces for ease of transportation and to facilitate removal of a block. Preferably, the blocks are formed in the mold in which a facing is placed such that the facing is bonded to the foam of the block. A wall constructed from successive courses of blocks will have intersecting horizontal and vertical channels which may be filled with concrete and reinforcing rod to produce a wall with high horizontal and vertical load capacity as well as superior insulating properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Chester W. Williams
  • Patent number: 6845591
    Abstract: A hollow-core having a first and a second supporting edge to enable a supported floor field to be formed, and including a concrete bottom layer and a concrete top layer connected therewith, while in the bottom layer, from one supporting edge to the other supporting edge, a longitudinal reinforcement is provided. The bottom layer is made of thicker design than the top layer and dimensioned such that it can take up and transmit to the supporting edges the transverse forces, and if desired also the bending forces, expected and foreseen for the hollow-core slabs, so that without any constructional problems, slots extending down to the bottom layer can be provided in the hollow-core slab, for accommodating ducts therein after the rough structure phase. The provision of the slots can be done both at the time of fabricating the hollow-core slabs and on the building site, while filling of the slots can be done in the construction finishing phase with a less high-grade material than concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: VBI Ontwikkeling B.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus Gerardus M. van Paassen, Ronald Klein-Holte, Dick Stoll
  • Publication number: 20040244321
    Abstract: An elongated building element (14) to form a series of walls (10) to (13). The elements (14) each have longitudinally extending flanges (21) that snap engage with longitudinally extending grooves (19) in the next adjacent element (14). Accordingly the wall (10) is constructed by joining the elements (14) in a direction transverse their general direction of extension. If so required the elements (14) may be filled with concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Burak Dincel
  • Publication number: 20040244320
    Abstract: A hexagonal paving panel, the sides of which are alternately provided with upper and lower connecting elements in the form of tab or overlap elements (102, 103) and fixing pins. The panel (100) is provided with a central aperture (109) and with a downwardly extending collar (101) on its periphery. The central aperture serves as a drain hole, stabilizes the panel on a ground and improves storage of the panels in a stack. The bottom surface (114) of the panel is provided with recesses (20) having small depth and large obtuse angle, while the top surface is anti-slip. Upper overlap elements (103) alternately protrude from sides of the panel beyond the collar (101) while lower overlap elements (103) are formed by reduction of thickness of the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Jerzy Kalisiak, Jerzy Szulc
  • Publication number: 20040237445
    Abstract: A construction block for use with other like construction blocks to build a retaining wall. The block has substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and two substantially parallel sides. The front of the block is “bullet shaped,” with a front nose surface being substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces. Angled front sides join the nose surface to the sides, forming a 45° angle with the front and side surfaces. The rear portion of the block is generally a mirror of the front portion, with a rear surface that is substantially parallel to the front nose surface and substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces. Angled rear “tail” surfaces connect the side surfaces to the rear surface at a 45° angle. The edges where the top surface joins the side and front surfaces may be beveled. At least one hole is located in the front portion of the block, passing vertically through the block from the top surface through the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: John C. Kliethermes
  • Publication number: 20040237439
    Abstract: A structure assembled from a combination of stackable modules, each module assembled from multiple prefabricated, transportable blocks. The blocks are typically reinforced cast concrete formed in reusable molds. Module framing blocks may include arched corner blocks, key blocks that interlock with a pair of corner blocks, and optional center blocks. Other structural elements include roof, floor, and wall components that interlock with the framing modules. Modules may be stacked or nested to form structures including buildings, elevated roadways, and parking garages. Utilities may be provided through optional conduits formed in the corner elements. The framing supports raised floor modules for ease in mechanical system installation and modification. The roof elements support usable terraces and rainwater collection. The blocks are demountable and reusable. The modules are self-supporting during erection, and may be assembled without fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: David W. Powell
  • Publication number: 20040226246
    Abstract: A self interlocking block system wherein blocks with one or more apertures are interconnected by inserting a hollow peg through the aligned apertures of two vertically adjacent blocks such that a portion of the hollow peg extends into the aperture of the top block and a portion of the hollow peg extends into the aperture of the bottom block, resulting in a vertical shaft extending from the top row of blocks through the bottom row of blocks to the base surface. The vertical shafts may be filled with one or more vertical support bars and/or filler material to provide additional support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Steven E. Doty
  • Publication number: 20040216411
    Abstract: A five-sided interlocking block. At least one side, and preferably at least three sides, of the block is adapted to engage the same side of a similar block to interlock the blocks. At least one side of the block may also be adapted to rotatably engage the same side of a similar block. At least three sides of the block may also include anti-shear receptacles. The anti-shear receptacles on any side of two blocks may be aligned and shear prevention components inserted therein to interlock the blocks. The block may further include an optional interior space, enabling the block to be used as a container for appropriate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Jose M. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20040194406
    Abstract: Disclosed are a wooden brick and a wall body using the wooden brick. The wall body comprises: the wooden bricks including longitudinal slits formed in its upper and lower surfaces, vertical slits formed in its side surfaces so as to be connected to the longitudinal slits, longitudinal pipe grooves formed between the longitudinal slits, and vertical pipe grooves formed between the vertical slits so as to be connected to the longitudinal pipe grooves; pillars including slits vertically formed in their surfaces so as to correspond to the longitudinal and vertical slits of the wooden bricks; and connection members selectively inserted into the longitudinal and vertical slits of the wooden bricks and the slits of the pillars so as to connect the wooden bricks to the pillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Jong-Ryul Park
  • Publication number: 20040194407
    Abstract: Set of building elements containing building blocks (1) having a body (2) in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, whose underside is provided with recesses (5) and whose top surface is provided with projections (3) having a lateral surface in the form of a surface of revolution at the intersections of an imaginary square grid, the configuration being such that such a building block (1) can be connected in clamping engagement with another building block (1′) of the set of building blocks by engagement of its projections (3) in the recesses (5) provided on the underside of the other building block (1′). The invention provides that the set of building elements contains one or more building blocks (1) where the projections (3) occupy only a part of the intersections of the imaginary square grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Hans-Jorg Bauder
  • Publication number: 20040123540
    Abstract: A vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block for use in wall construction includes a sheet of solar radiation reflective material disposed therein to define two compartments within the plastic block. A vent is disposed in a side wall of the plastic block in fluid communication with each of the compartments to alleviate any pressure increase/decrease within the plastic block and for discharging any condensation within the plastic block that may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Samuel R. Regina
  • Publication number: 20030217524
    Abstract: An environmental building block has a storage container, a plurality of inner protruded ribs disposed on four side walls of the storage container, a through hole formed on the storage container, a garbage block disposed in the storage container, a shaft pin passing through the through hole of the storage container, a plurality of first U-shaped frames inserted in the garbage block, a plurality of second U-shaped frames inserted in the garbage block to bestride the first U-shaped frames, and a concrete poured into the storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Sz-Ting Chien
  • Patent number: 6632999
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Triton Technology Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur T. Sempliner, Jonathan Brill, Kenneth Brill, Robert Sullivan, William Pitt Turner, IV
  • Patent number: 6574932
    Abstract: An embeddable air duct block includes a tubular member extending between a pair of rectangular plate members spaced from each other. The tubular member has a pair of open ends and an interior passageway. One plate member has an inner surface coupled to one open end and a plurality of holes in fluid communication with the interior passageway. The other plate member is coupled to the tubular member and has a duct opening aligned with the interior passageway. Two cement cavities are preferably formed on opposite sides of the tubular member. An air duct is formed in a concrete block wall by installing and securing the air duct block in the concrete block wall. The blocks are coupled together by cementing slurry poured into the cavities. Optionally, reinforcing bars can also be utilized within the cement cavities and at least one cavity of the concrete block wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Steel Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Layne, Harbert S. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6513293
    Abstract: A building block for constructing masonry block walls includes a concrete block formed with first, second and third spaced parallel rectangular side walls, where the second side wall is intermediate the first and third side walls. First and second vertical end cross webs connect the first and second side walls; and a notch is formed in the upper surface of each of these vertical end cross webs. First and second spaced intermediate vertical cross webs are located in planes between the planes of the end cross webs and connect the second and third side walls. These intermediate cross webs each also have a notch extending downwardly from the top thereof. A first insulating core is dimensioned to fill the space between the first and second side walls and first and second end cross webs. Ears or protrusions extend outwardly from the insulating core to fit into the notches in the end cross webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis Miller
  • Patent number: 6508038
    Abstract: Modular tenon and slot mortise building blocks include, for each building block: (a) hollow rectangular parallelepiped center block, (b) an outer siding member, (c) a first tenon member sandwiched between the center block and the siding member, (d) an inner facing member, and (e) a second tenon member sandwiched between the center block and the facing member. The tenon members are parallel and mounted to longitudinal sides of the center block. The tenon members are positioned and of a length so as to extend longitudinally of a first end of the center block by a first distance and so as to form mortised first and second recesses having a first depth behind the first and second tenon members, respectively, between the siding member and the center block and between the facing member and the center block. The first distance is substantially equal to the first depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Ali Kashif Al-Ghitta
  • Publication number: 20020174614
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a foundation wall for a structure and the process for producing such a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Richard Dilon
  • Publication number: 20020152709
    Abstract: A retaining wall block is provided. The retaining wall block includes top, bottom, front, back, first side and second side surfaces. A tongue set is provided on the top surface of the block and a groove in the bottom surface of the block. The tongue set includes a rear-facing surface set that includes first and second curved sections. A block form for forming retaining wall blocks is also provided. A face form for placement on the bottom surface of a block form is also provided. A method of molding retaining wall blocks with a form having hinged doors is also provided. A method of using a face form for forming two blocks of reversed front surface ornamentation is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Michael J. Gresser, Stanley W. Hamilton, Charles E. Carter, Anders M. Ruikka, Thomas J. Brion, Lawrence J. Ebert, James M. Barthel, Mathew A. Barron
  • Publication number: 20020148177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loading dock door seal for sealing the space between a loading dock door opening and a vehicle backing up to the opening and an elongated longitudinal pad member for use in the loading dock door seal. The elongated longitudinal pad member comprises a mounting face for mounting said pad member to a surface; a sealing face for sealingly engaging the rear edge of a vehicle which backs up to and abuts against the pad member; whereby the pad member is formed of a first compressible resilient material, having a first predetermined degree of flexibility and having at least one flexing zone therein, the at least one flexing zone permitting the forced movement of the sealing face relative to the mounting face and thus the surface, to accommodate the movement of a vehicle in abutting and sealing engagement with the pad member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph J. DiBiase
  • Patent number: 6457288
    Abstract: A prefabricated concrete panel for building floors in civil or industrial structures, comprising a concrete body with a reinforcement provided with portions which protrude from one of the larger faces of the body of the panel which constitutes extrados of a floor and are designed to be embedded in the casting of the topping of the floor. At least one first shaped sheet is provided inside the body of the panel, is made of thermally insulating material, is interposed between the two larger faces of the panel body and forms, between the two larger faces of the panel body, a ventilation chamber which is composed of a plurality of mutually connected cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventors: Sergio Zambelli, Benito Zambelli
  • Publication number: 20020043038
    Abstract: A masonry wall system is disclosed incorporating a plurality of courses of masonry blocks, each block has vertical and horizontal interlocking structures with mating surfaces (11, 15, 16, 17). The main block, has a stabilizing slot. Metal reinforcement tendons are inserted into these stabilizing holes (14) at predetermined intervals and connected to the wall at the top and bottom. Corner blocks (26) are employed to connect the walls at right angles and are used in alternating configurations to staggered the vertical joints from course to course. This is also done with the main blocks. The predetermined tolerances between the masonry components and the reenforcing tendons permit the wall to have a fluid property. Forces such as settling, hydrostatic pressure and seismic disturbances are then automatically absorbed and systematically distributed across the entire wall. When all of the masonry components reach the end of their tolerance, the wall locks up as a solid interconnected mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Dominic Cerrato
  • Patent number: 6250038
    Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall system has a front wall and a partition wall formed backwards projecting from the front wall; wherein the partition wall is provided with a communicating hole extending vertically over the entire length thereof through and in which a reinforcing iron rod is disposed or inserted; the partition wall is provided on an upper surface with an upper depression such that the upper depression is enclosed with an upwardly raised peripheral edge portion having a top flat surface and an inner wall surface of the peripheral raised edge portion is gradually widened downwardly from the top surface edge toward the inside of the upper depression; the partition is further provided on a bottom surface with a lower depression such that the lower depression is enclosed with a downwardly reduced peripheral edge portion and an inner wall surface of the peripheral reduced edge portion is gradually narrowed downwardly from the bottom surface of the lower depression toward the bottom ed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Masumi Akamine
  • Patent number: 6244009
    Abstract: A masonry wall system is disclosed incorporating a plurality of courses of masonry blocks, each block consisting of interlocking dovetails 12 along with vertical an horizontal mating surfaces (11,15,16,17). The main block, has two stabilizing holes running at a vertical axis through the center. Steel reinforcement rods or square tubes are loosely inserted into these stabilizing holes (14) at predetermined intervals. Comer blocks (26) are employed to connect the walls at right angles and are so used in conjunction with short blocks (28) to staggered the vertical joints from course to course. The predetermined tolerances between the masonry components and the loosely placed rods or tubes permit the wall to have a fluid property. Forces such as settling, hydrostatic pressure and seismic disturbances are then automatically absorbed and systematically distributed across the entire wall. When all of the masonry components reach the end of their tolerance, the wall locks up as a solid interconnected mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Dominic Cerrato
  • Patent number: 6185888
    Abstract: A post. The post includes a rigid support structure. The post includes a plurality of pieces. Each piece has a hole extending through it so the piece can fit into the support structure and remain in place on the support structure. Each piece is stackable upon another piece. A method for installing a post. The method includes the steps of placing a rigid support structure on ground. Then there is the step of aligning a hole of a piece over the support structure. Next there is the step of moving the piece down onto the ground so the support structure extends through the hole and the support structure maintains the piece in place. Then there is the step of aligning a hole of another piece over the support structure. Next there is the step of moving the other piece down onto the piece so the support structure extends through the hole of the other piece and the support structure maintains the piece in place. A method of forming a stone for a post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Charles T. Wasson
  • Patent number: 6122880
    Abstract: This invention concerns a building module for producing flat construction, especially walls, which has two parallel, panel-shaped wall parts (2, 3) the exterior surfaces of which form the wall to be constructed. A module core (14) of wood connects the two wall parts (2, 3). The module core (14) has at least one module core part (5, 39, 47, 71) which runs in the longitudinal direction (X) of the building module. When an additional building module is put in plate between the wall parts (2, 3), this core (14) protrudes into this additional building module in the vertical direction (Z) and forms with these wall parts (2, 3) an interlocking connection which takes up forces in the transverse direction (Y). Means (19, 20; 77, 78) are provided for the purpose of forming an interlocking connection which takes up forces in the longitudinal direction (X) when an additional building module is put into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignees: Josef Kolb, Anton Steurer, Pius Gruninger, Walter Thommen
    Inventors: Josef Kolb, Anton Steurer
  • Patent number: 6119426
    Abstract: Building block systems that can utilize either commonly available containers locked and spaced together by locking members or a pre-molded one piece container and locking member system. Either system can utilize two or four spaced containers in the locking member. Also, both systems may use commonly available material, such as sand or dirt, to fill the top opened containers to provide insulation and strength to the vertically formed structure. Interior and exterior facing materials, such as sheet rock, lattice for applied stucco, precast rock or brick may be attached to the joined containers. Locking members may have internal parallel raceway holes in which backing strips may be inserted to permit the attachment of the the exterior and interior panels to the blocks. Either vertical or horizontal cut out portions may extends along the interior side of the locking members to permit utility conduits (pipes, wires, etc.) to be inserted before the interior panel is fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Gary A. Escudero
  • Patent number: 6109257
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses a modular chimney having a fireplace, a smoke chamber, and a plurality of modular blocks, forming at least one stack of blocks, the stack of modular blocks defining a chimney passage that is in fluid communication with the smoke chamber for the passage of combustion products. Alternatively, in a second embodiment, the modular chimney may also include a plurality of angled blocks, forming at least one angled stack of angled blocks, the angled stack of angled blocks defining an angled chimney passage that is in fluid communication with the smoke chamber and the chimney passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: Deborah L. Hodge, James Roe Hodge, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5921046
    Abstract: A building assembly for efficiently and economically constructing walls, roofs, and floors for a building assembly that utilizes a prefabricated building panel made essentially of a plastic foam core with a thin coating of plastic resin or acrylic and portland cement applied on each side for structural rigidity, the building panel having a standardized semicircular recess disposed about its perimeter for receiving pre-sized, cylindrical connectors also made of foam with a coating, and half-round connectors that connect the panel to a slab, and that also fit in the horizontal perimeter recesses of each panel. Each building panel also includes vertically disposed parallel voids that are 4 in. in diameter, spaced 2 to 4 ft. apart, that receive poured concrete or rigid piping to provide structural rigidity to the entire building assembly. The poured concrete includes rebars that are tied to the slab and are used to tie to the roof. The building panels may be used for walls and are 24 ft. long, 4 ft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Recobond, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren Scott Hammond, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5899040
    Abstract: A masonry wall system is disclosed incorporating a plurality of courses of masonry blocks, each block consisting of interlocking dovetails along with vertical and horizontal mating surfaces. The main block, has two stabilizing holes running at a vertical axis through the center. Steel reinforcement rods or square tubes are loosely inserted into these stabilizing holes at predetermined intervals. Comer blocks are employed to connect the walls at right angles and are a! so used in conjunction with short blocks to staggered the vertical joints from course to course. The predetermined tolerances between the masonry components and the loosely placed rods or tubes permit the wall to have a fluid property. Forces such as settling, hydrostatic pressure and seismic disturbances are then automatically absorbed and systematically distributed across the entire wall. When all of the masonry components reach the end of their tolerance, the wall locks up as a solid interconnected mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Dominic Cerrato
  • Patent number: 5845444
    Abstract: A strengthened masonry reinforcement device is used in construction to strengthen the courses of laid hollow block. The masonry reinforcement device is fashioned with ends and a strengthened trough. When used in the construction of a wall the masonry device with the strengthened trough will be light-weight and retain cement to bind hollow block in a lower course to hollow block of an adjacent upper course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Charles F. Besche
  • Patent number: 5826394
    Abstract: A hollow block (e.g. a rectangular prism) preferably has six (6) perpendicular faces. Each face preferably has a wall with a particular thickness. An opening is provided in at least a particular one of the faces, and preferably in all six (6) faces. A hollow beam (e.g. a rectangular prism) preferably has six (6) perpendicular faces. Each face is preferably defined by a wall with a particular thickness. An opening is provided in at least a particular one of the faces, and preferably in the four (4) faces defining a closed loop, in the beam. Substantially parallel snaps extend from the other two (2) beam walls and have at their outer ends portions shaped to facilitate insertion of such snaps into the opening in the particular face of the block, retention of the snaps by the inner surface of the face defining the opening and removal of the snaps from the opening. Such portions are shaped for the beams to be pulled, peeled or bent from the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Rokenbok Toy Company
    Inventors: William M. Barton, Jr., Lonnie Pogue
  • Patent number: 5643402
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for introducing sealing material into at least one tubular injection element (12, 13), such as a hose and/or channel, in a concrete joint-sealing system, the injection element joining forming a sealant-injection path in the interior of the concrete and being laid between a primary and a secondary concrete slab on the surface of the primary slab and surrounded by the secondary slab. On injection, sealant flows out of the injection element into the joints between the concrete slabs. The device consists of a target element (1) which is connected for sealant transfer with the injection element and forms a cavity in the secondary concrete slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Rascor Spezialbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rene P. Schmid
  • Patent number: 5596857
    Abstract: A masonry reinforcement device is used in construction to strengthen the courses of laid hollow block. The masonry reinforcement device is fashioned with ends and a trough. In use, the trough will retain cement which will bind hollow block in a lower course to hollow block of an adjacent upper course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Charles F. Besche
  • Patent number: 5513475
    Abstract: Novel building blocks are used to build inexpensive, decorative walls and building, and the like. The blocks are multi-faceted such that all of the outside faces of the blocks will match each of the faces of other blocks and allow the construction of walls having unique decorative effects, while overcoming the problems associated with standard rectangular building blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventors: Cecil F. Schaaf, Craig R. Schaaf
  • Patent number: 5509240
    Abstract: A system for producing a sleeve-lined passage of uniform diameter D through a concrete wall molded in a concrete wall form including first and second form plates mounted in fixed relation and spaced by a wall width W includes a multiplicity of modular spools, preferably made of sheet steel; each spool comprises an annular shell having an axial length L less than W and an inside diameter D with front and rear flat flanges extending outwardly of the front and rear rims of the shell. For a first group of spools the axial length L is of three inches; for the other spools length L of four inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Bruce G. Barton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5490362
    Abstract: To create decorative border arrangements on the ground, a kit of blocks and interconnecting pieces is provided. To assemble the blocks end to end into a row, the opposite end faces of the blocks and the two opposite sides of the interconnecting pieces comprise respective mutually mating interconnecting elements extending transversely of the row and being slidable in each other upon transversal displacement of an interconnecting piece between the confronting end faces of a pair of consecutive blocks, thus fastening the two confronting end faces together. When desired, pickets are used to anchor the blocks to the ground to obtain a semi-permanent construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: Camille Mercier
  • Patent number: 5457926
    Abstract: Lightweight foam building blocks simplify the interlocking of the blocks when the blocks are being stacked, increase the resistance of the blocks to rotational forces which twist one block with respect to another, and decrease the passage of air and light intermediate interlocking block pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Templeton Trust
    Inventor: Daniel M. Jensen