Abstract: A cover structure for an outdoor casing includes a top cover and an inner cover-brow. A side wall is formed on the periphery of the top cover. The inner cover-brow has a first brow plate and a second brow plate. An inclined plate interconnects the first brow plate and the second brow plate. The inclined plate has a plurality of through holes. The second brow plate is connected to the side wall. The interior included angle of the first brow plate and the inclined plate is an acute angle. The cover structure not only helps the outdoor casing to ventilate and dissipate heat, but also enhances the outdoor casing's water repellency.

Abstract: A housing structure comprising a plurality of hollow blocks having an interlocking opening at the top and bottom; an interlocking handle at the front face; and a receiving cut-out at the rear face, left side, or right side; and wherein the plurality hollow blocks are configured to be vertically stacked to a desirable height and horizontally interconnected to form the base of the housing structure. The housing structure further comprising a plurality of gutter-like sections having an interlocking nozzle at the bottom; and an interlocking system at the left and right ends; and wherein the plurality of gutter-like sections are configured to be interlocked to the top of the housing structure to trap rain water or fill the hollow blocks. A tent-like section can be assembled in the center of the housing structure for forming the roof of the housing structure and aiding in the collecting of rain water.

Abstract: A tie rod assembly for use with forms for forming a wall of pourable, curable material. Each assembly has a rod having opposite threaded ends and two spacers. Each of the spacers has a first conical section having a recessed opening at an apex region of a concave conical guide surface and a hexagonal recess surrounding the apex region, and a second conical section having a threaded bore communicating with the apex opening. The threaded bore has a coil thread nut integrated with the conical second section. The concave conical guide presents a target for directing a remotely inserted bolt towards the apex region for engagement with the coil thread nut.

Abstract: A house is anchored to the ground by extending a plurality of metal rods from anchors buried in a foundation to the upper framework of the house and clamping the house to each rod by a pair of spaced clamps, which includes a washer in each device around the rod jammed at an angle against the rod so as to be immovable in the tensile direction between the spaced clamps. The lower clamp is threaded onto the buried threaded anchor extending through the sole plate. A bolt extends through at least one top plate of an outer wall adjacent at least the outer corners of a building and threads into the upper clamp beneath the top plate.

Abstract: An interlocking block and a retaining wall system derived from such blocks wherein the blocks when arranged to extend in horizontal courses in end to end relation and one upon the other in interlocking overlapping wall defining relation automatically uniformly incline to the vertical, such interlocking block having an axis terminating in spaced apart end walls and bounded by generally flat top and bottom walls arranged in parallel relation to each other and by front and rear facings extending from end wall to end wall and so spaced apart as to provide a substantially uniform cross-section throughout the axial extent of same, the block having an axially extending projection upstanding from the top wall and the bottom wall having an axially extending recess formation of a configuration and extent to match the projection, the projection being spaced inwardly from the front facing to present an uninterrupted flat top wall portion therebetween and rearwardly in relation to the axis a selected extent exceeding that

Abstract: A furnace lining formed from a plurality of blocks each comprising an assembly of stacked parallel plates and at least one profiled or toothed end member. The profiles are shaped to be capable of receiving in spaced relationship in the stack of plates. The profiled teeth of the end members are arranged perpendicularly to the stacking planes of the plates and extend individually laterally over at least a portion of the peripheral edge or corner of each plate so that an effective bond is obtained for the plates, as well as their assemblies.

Abstract: A masonry wall construction having good heat insulating qualities and strength is disclosed of courses of conventional blocks laid in with mortar, the blocks having interior air spaces, one course having outer blocks of one size and inner blocks of another size spaced to provide an air space and the next course above or below the one course having outer blocks of said other size and inner blocks of said one size spaced to provide an air space, the blocks of the next course being in overlapped relation along the wall and from front to back, intervening horizontal screens filled with mortar being provided at predetermined locations to confine the air within the spaces in the blocks and in the wall.